ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanisms by which Jianpi Yangzheng Xiaozheng prescription （JPYZXZ） treats poorly cohesive gastric carcinoma （PC-GC） through regulation of ubiquitin-specific peptidase 51 （USP51）. MethodsIn vitro experiments： Cell viability and proliferation of PC-GC cell lines （MKN-45 and HGC-27） treated with different concentrations of JPYZXZ （2， 4， 6 g·L^-1） were assessed using Cell Counting Kit-8 （CCK-8） and colony formation assays. Cell migration was evaluated by wound healing （scratch） and Transwell assays. The mRNA and protein expression levels of USP51， zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1 （ZEB1）， and epithelial-mesenchymal transition （EMT）-related markers （e.g.， E-cadherin） were detected by quantitative real-time PCR （Real-time PCR） and Western blot， respectively. Subsequently， stable MKN-45 and HGC-27 cell lines with USP51 knockdown （sh-USP51） and overexpression （oe-USP51） were constructed. Their migration ability and EMT-related protein expression were further evaluated by scratch assay， Transwell assay， and Western blot. In vivo experiments： A subcutaneous xenograft model of MKN-45 human gastric cancer was established in BALB/c nude mice. Thirty mice were randomly divided into six groups （NC， NC + JPYZXZ， sh-USP51， sh-USP51 + JPYZXZ， oe-USP51， and oe-USP51 + JPYZXZ）， with five mice in each group. After successful modeling， mice in the treatment groups were administered JPYZXZ （30 g·kg^-1） by gavage for 28 days. Body weight and tumor volume were monitored during the experiment. The expression levels of USP51 and EMT-related proteins in tumor tissues were detected by Western blot and immunohistochemistry （IHC）. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the colony formation rate， wound healing rate， and number of migrated cells in MKN-45 and HGC-27 cells were significantly reduced in all JPYZXZ groups and the 5-fluorouracil （5-FU） group （P<0.05）. The mRNA and protein expression levels of USP51 were decreased （P<0.05）. The expression of ZEB1 and mesenchymal phenotype proteins （e.g.， N-cadherin and vimentin） was reduced （P<0.05）， whereas the expression of the epithelial marker E-cadherin was increased （P<0.05）. Compared with the control group， USP51 expression was decreased in the sh-USP51 group and increased in the oe-USP51 group （P<0.05）. Compared with the NC group， USP51 knockdown significantly reduced the migration and proliferation of gastric cancer cells （P<0.01）， decreased the expression of ZEB1 and EMT-related proteins， and increased E-cadherin expression （P<0.05）. In vivo results showed that JPYZXZ significantly inhibited the growth of xenograft tumors in nude mice （P<0.05） and markedly reversed the abnormal expression of EMT-related proteins in tumor tissues （P<0.05）. ConclusionThe therapeutic mechanisms of JPYZXZ in PC-GC may be associated with inhibition of the EMT process via regulation of the USP51-ZEB1 signaling pathway.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to provide a scientific basis for the safety management of drinking water by assessing the contamination levels of 21 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in water samples collected from the Yangtze River Delta region. MethodsSolid-phase extraction coupled with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) was employed to determine 21 PFASs in 6 source water samples, 20 treated water samples, and 60 tap water samples collected from 5 administrative districts in the Yangtze River Delta region across four seasons in 2023. The Kruskal-Wallis H test was used to compare differences in PFAS concentrations among the three types of water samples, followed by post hoc pairwise comparisons with Bonferroni correction. Removal efficiencies of target compounds were also calculated. ResultsAmong the 86 samples, 14 PFASs were detected, with 7 compounds detected in 100% of samples. The total concentrations of PFASs in source water, treated water, and tap water ranged from 63.85 to 190.54 ng·L^-¹, 55.75 to 774.36 ng·L^-¹, and 40.72 to 689.80 ng·L^-¹, respectively. The compounds with the highest median concentrations were perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) (40.19, 15.20, and 14.05 ng·L^-¹), perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) (29.69, 32.62, and 34.24 ng·L^-¹), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) (17.65, 39.45, and 36.83 ng·L^-¹), and potassium perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS) (16.99, 24.38, and 23.89 ng·L^-¹). Notably, concentrations of PFOA (7.71‒71.63 ng·L^-¹) and PFOS (-¹) in tap water were below the regulatory limits specified in GB 5749‒2022 Standards for Drinking Water Quality (PFOA: 0.000 08 mg·L^-1, PFOS: 0.000 04 mg·L^-1). Significant seasonal variations in PFAS concentrations were observed, with total PFAS levels in March being higher than those in September and November (adjusted P<0.001, and P=0.006), and levels in May being higher than those in September (adjusted P=0.037). The removal efficiencies of PFASs in the water treatment plants ranged from -14% to 34%. ConclusionPFAS contamination is widespread in source water, treated water, and tap water in the Yangtze River Delta region, and concentrations of PFOA and PFOS in all tested water samples comply with the Chinese national standards for drinking water quality (GB 5749‒2022). The use of PFASs should be continuously regulated to ensure water safety.

Low-level laser therapy(LLLT),a noninvasive photobiomodulation technique,employs red or near-infrared(NIR)light(600-1 000 nm)with power outputs ranging from 5 to 500 mW.It exerts therapeutic effects through molecular mechanisms,specifically the activation of cytochrome C oxidase(CCO)and the modulation of intracellular signaling pathways.By enhancing mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate(ATP)synthesis,LLLT mitigates oxidative stress,regulates the reactive oxygen species(ROS)/glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)/superoxide dismutase(SOD)axis,and activates key path-ways,including phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/Akt)and mitogen-activated pro-tein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase(MAPK/ERK).These mechanisms confer antioxidant,anti-inflammatory,and pro-regenerative properties to LLLT,making it a viable intervention for dermato-logical conditions,oncological therapies,and musculoskeletal disorders.Recent preclinical studies un-derscore LLLT's potential in male reproductive health.Specifically,it ameliorates cavernosal fibrosis and endothelial dysfunction in erectile dysfunction(ED)models by upregulating the PI3K/Akt and MAPK/ERK pathways.In the context of sperm biology,LLLT enhances motility and acrosomal integrity in both fresh and cryopreserved spermatozoa.This is achieved through mitochondrial metabolic reprogramming,such as CCO-mediated electron transport chain activation,redox homeostasis restoration,and epigenetic modulation involving DNA methylation and histone acetylation.Additionally,LLLT alleviates scrotal heat-induced oligospermia by promoting seminiferous epithelial differentiation,elevating serum testoster-one levels,and suppressing lipid peroxidation.These findings highlight the translational potential of LLLT in regenerative medicine,particularly for male sexual and reproductive disorders.Future research efforts should focus on interdisciplinary collaborations spanning life sciences,engineering,and physics.The goal is to optimize laser parameters,including wavelength,irradiance,and treatment duration,and establish standardized protocols.Rigorous preclinical and clinical investigations are paramount to validate the safety,efficacy,and long-term outcomes of LLLT,ultimately paving the way for its integration into precision medicine frameworks for urological and reproductive therapies.

Low-level laser therapy(LLLT),a noninvasive photobiomodulation technique,employs red or near-infrared(NIR)light(600-1 000 nm)with power outputs ranging from 5 to 500 mW.It exerts therapeutic effects through molecular mechanisms,specifically the activation of cytochrome C oxidase(CCO)and the modulation of intracellular signaling pathways.By enhancing mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate(ATP)synthesis,LLLT mitigates oxidative stress,regulates the reactive oxygen species(ROS)/glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)/superoxide dismutase(SOD)axis,and activates key path-ways,including phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/Akt)and mitogen-activated pro-tein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase(MAPK/ERK).These mechanisms confer antioxidant,anti-inflammatory,and pro-regenerative properties to LLLT,making it a viable intervention for dermato-logical conditions,oncological therapies,and musculoskeletal disorders.Recent preclinical studies un-derscore LLLT's potential in male reproductive health.Specifically,it ameliorates cavernosal fibrosis and endothelial dysfunction in erectile dysfunction(ED)models by upregulating the PI3K/Akt and MAPK/ERK pathways.In the context of sperm biology,LLLT enhances motility and acrosomal integrity in both fresh and cryopreserved spermatozoa.This is achieved through mitochondrial metabolic reprogramming,such as CCO-mediated electron transport chain activation,redox homeostasis restoration,and epigenetic modulation involving DNA methylation and histone acetylation.Additionally,LLLT alleviates scrotal heat-induced oligospermia by promoting seminiferous epithelial differentiation,elevating serum testoster-one levels,and suppressing lipid peroxidation.These findings highlight the translational potential of LLLT in regenerative medicine,particularly for male sexual and reproductive disorders.Future research efforts should focus on interdisciplinary collaborations spanning life sciences,engineering,and physics.The goal is to optimize laser parameters,including wavelength,irradiance,and treatment duration,and establish standardized protocols.Rigorous preclinical and clinical investigations are paramount to validate the safety,efficacy,and long-term outcomes of LLLT,ultimately paving the way for its integration into precision medicine frameworks for urological and reproductive therapies.

Background With the progression of industrialization, an increasing number of emerging contaminants are entering aquatic environments, posing significant threats to the safety of drinking water. Therefore, establishing a system for identifying unknown hazardous factors and implementing safety warning mechanisms for drinking water is of paramount importance. Among these efforts, non-target screening plays a critical role, but its effectiveness is largely constrained by the scope of coverage of sample pre-treatment methods. Objective To integrate modern chromatography/mass spectrometry techniques with advanced data mining methods to develop a non-discriminatory sample pre-treatment method for comprehensive enrichment of unknown contaminants in drinking water, laying a technical foundation for the discovery and identification of unknown organic hazardous factors in drinking water. Methods A non-discriminatory pre-treatment method based on supramolecular and solid-phase extraction was developed. The final target compounds including 333 pesticides, 194 pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), and 59 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) were used for optimizing the pre-treatment method, confirming its coverage. The impacts of different eluents on the absolute recovery rates of target compounds were compared to select the conditions with the highest recovery for sample pre-treatment. The effects of different supramolecular solvents and salt concentrations on target compound recovery were also evaluated to determine the most suitable solvent and salt concentration. Results The solid-phase extraction elution solvents, supramolecular extraction solvents, and salt concentrations were optimized based on the target compound recovery rates. The optimal recovery conditions were achieved using 2 mL methanol, 2 mL methanol (containing 1% formic acid), 2 mL ethyl acetate, 2 mL dichloromethane, hexanediol supramolecular solvent, and 426 mg salt. The detection method developed based on these conditions showed a good linear relationship for all target compounds in the range of 0.1-100.0 ng·mL⁻¹, with R² > 0.99. The method’s limit of detection ranged from 0.01 ng⁻¹ to 0.95 ng⁻¹, and 95% of target compounds were recovered in the range of 20%-120%, with relative standard deviation (RSD) less than 30%, indicating good precision. Conclusion The combined pre-treatment method of solid-phase extraction and supramolecular solvent extraction can effectively enrich contaminants in drinking water across low, medium, and high polarities, enabling broad-spectrum enrichment of diverse trace contaminants in drinking water. It provides technical support for broad-spectrum, high-throughput screening and identification of organic pollutants in drinking water, and also serves as a reference for establishing urban drinking water public safety warning systems.

ObjectiveTo explore the biological mechanism of bone loss caused by perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) through transcriptomic analysis, and to provide new insights into regulating perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) applications and the prevention of hazards affecting bone health. MethodsMouse embryonic osteoblast precursor cells (MC3T3-E1) were exposed to 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 μmol·L^-¹ PFOA for 24 hours to assess the effects on cell viability and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and to determine the critical concentration of PFOA toxicity. The transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) induced by PFOA. Gene ontology (GO) analysis and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were conducted to identify significantly affected gene pathways. Additionally, Seahorse XF metabolic phenotyping and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to validate the key pathways. ResultsExposure to 10 and 100 μmol·L^-¹ PFOA significantly reduced the cell viability and ALP activity of MC3T3-E1 cells. Therefore, the results of transcriptomic analysis for 10 μmol‧L^-1 PFOA exposure found that a total of 80 DEGs were identified, including 32 upregulated genes and 48 downregulated genes. According to GO analysis, PFOA mainly affected cellular components such as mitochondrion and nucleus, molecular functions involving GTPase activity and GTP binding, as well as biological process related to mRNA processing. GSEA identified the downregulation of the β-oxidation of fatty acid pathway in mitochondria. Metabolic phenotyping reserches showed that PFOA indeed reduced mitochondrial aerobic respiration capacity and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, and the ratio of ATP production from cellular aerobic respiration to glycolysis was significantly decreased as well. The mRNA expression of glucose metabolism-related genes (GK, G6PD, and CS), as well as fatty acid metabolism-related genes (CPT1A and CPT2), were significantly downregulated. ConclusionPFOA reduces bone formation by inhibiting energy metabolism and β-oxidation of fatty acid pathways in osteoblasts, whihc lays the foundation for revealing the mechanism of PFOA exposure induced bone loss.

OBJECTIVE To observe the effect of biapenem combined with moxifloxacin on treatment of the elderly patients with severe pneumonia based on the expression levels of microribonucleic acid(miR)-146a,miR-124 and miR-127.METHODS A total of 112 elderly patients with severe pneumonia who were treated in Jiangnan Uni-versity Affiliated Central Hospital from Jan.2021 to Oct.2023 were recruited as the research subjects and were randomly divided into the study group and the control group,with 56 cases in each group.The control group was treated with moxifloxacin,and the study group was treated with biapenem combined with moxifloxacin,and both groups were treated for 10 consecutive days.The curative effect was compared between the two groups after the treatment for 10 days,the rehabilitation status was observed;the curative effect,expression levels of miR-146a,miR-124 and miR-127 as well as inflammatory response were compared between the two groups before and after the treatment.The adverse reactions during the treatment were analyzed.RESULTS The total effective rate of the study group was 92.86％(52/56)after the treatment for 10 days,higher than 75.00％(42/56)of the control group(x2=10.693,P=0.001).The duration of cough,lung rales,recovery of body temperature and mechanical ventilation were shorter in the study group than those in the control group(P＜0.05).The expression levels of miR-146a and miR-127 of the two groups were lower after the treatment for 10 days than those before the treat-ment,the levels of whole blood white blood cell(WBC)counts,serum interleukin-6(IL-6)and procalcitonin(PCT)were lower after the treatment for 10 days than those before the treatment;the levels of the above indexes of the study group were lower than those of the control group(P＜0.05).The expression level of serum miR-124 of the two groups was higher after the treatment for 10 days than those before the treatment,and the level of the study group was higher than that of the control group(P＜0.05).The total incidence of adverse reactions was 14.29％in the study group,10.71％in the control group,and there was no significant difference(x2=1.298,P=0.255).CONCLUSION Biapenem combined with moxifloxacin can achieve exact effect on treatment of the elderly patients with severe pneumonia,regulate the expression levels of miR-146a,miR-124 and miR-127,inhibit the in-flammatory response of the body,and promote the rehabilitation,with the safety favorable.

OBJECTIVE To observe the effect of biapenem combined with moxifloxacin on treatment of the elderly patients with severe pneumonia based on the expression levels of microribonucleic acid(miR)-146a,miR-124 and miR-127.METHODS A total of 112 elderly patients with severe pneumonia who were treated in Jiangnan Uni-versity Affiliated Central Hospital from Jan.2021 to Oct.2023 were recruited as the research subjects and were randomly divided into the study group and the control group,with 56 cases in each group.The control group was treated with moxifloxacin,and the study group was treated with biapenem combined with moxifloxacin,and both groups were treated for 10 consecutive days.The curative effect was compared between the two groups after the treatment for 10 days,the rehabilitation status was observed;the curative effect,expression levels of miR-146a,miR-124 and miR-127 as well as inflammatory response were compared between the two groups before and after the treatment.The adverse reactions during the treatment were analyzed.RESULTS The total effective rate of the study group was 92.86％(52/56)after the treatment for 10 days,higher than 75.00％(42/56)of the control group(x2=10.693,P=0.001).The duration of cough,lung rales,recovery of body temperature and mechanical ventilation were shorter in the study group than those in the control group(P＜0.05).The expression levels of miR-146a and miR-127 of the two groups were lower after the treatment for 10 days than those before the treat-ment,the levels of whole blood white blood cell(WBC)counts,serum interleukin-6(IL-6)and procalcitonin(PCT)were lower after the treatment for 10 days than those before the treatment;the levels of the above indexes of the study group were lower than those of the control group(P＜0.05).The expression level of serum miR-124 of the two groups was higher after the treatment for 10 days than those before the treatment,and the level of the study group was higher than that of the control group(P＜0.05).The total incidence of adverse reactions was 14.29％in the study group,10.71％in the control group,and there was no significant difference(x2=1.298,P=0.255).CONCLUSION Biapenem combined with moxifloxacin can achieve exact effect on treatment of the elderly patients with severe pneumonia,regulate the expression levels of miR-146a,miR-124 and miR-127,inhibit the in-flammatory response of the body,and promote the rehabilitation,with the safety favorable.

Objective To investigate the role of miRNAs in maternal amniotic fluid exosomes in development of isolated ventriculomegaly(VM)in fetuses.Methods Amniotic fluid samples were collected from 9 cases of moderate isolated VM and 8 normal control cases to extract exosomal miRNA,and miRNA sequencing technique was used to identify differentially expressed miRNAs between the two groups.Three miRNAs with significant differential expression between the two groups,whose high expression was associated with VM,were selected for verification with RT-qPCR.Dual luciferase reporter assays were used to verify the regulatory effect of miR-122-5p on its predicted target genes AKT3 and CCDC88C.Gene ontology(GO)and KEGG pathway analyses were performed to explore the possible roles of the top 40 significant differential miRNAs in the pathophysiology of VM.Results We identified a total of 272 differentially expressed miRNAs in VM cases,including 43 up-regulated and 229 down-regulated miRNAs.The target genes of these differential miRNAs were associated with DNA and transcription factor binding,transmembrane transporter and nucleic acid binding transcription factor activity,and cell developmental process.These miRNAs were mostly enriched in the MAPK,cGMP-PKG and Wnt signaling pathways.Verification with RT-qPCR showed that miR-122-5p expression level was significantly lower in VM group than in the control group(P<0.05),which was consistent with miRNA sequencing results;let-7b-5p expression level was significantly lower in VM group,which was contrary to miRNA sequencing result.Dual luciferase reporter assays showed that miR-122-5p was not capable of regulating AKT3 or CCDC88C expressions.Conclusions The highly abundant differentially expressed miRNAs in maternal amniotic fluid exosomes play important roles in the occurrence of fetal VM possibly by regulating the MAPK,PI3K-Akt,Wnt and cGMP-PKG signaling pathways.

Objective To investigate the role of miRNAs in maternal amniotic fluid exosomes in development of isolated ventriculomegaly(VM)in fetuses.Methods Amniotic fluid samples were collected from 9 cases of moderate isolated VM and 8 normal control cases to extract exosomal miRNA,and miRNA sequencing technique was used to identify differentially expressed miRNAs between the two groups.Three miRNAs with significant differential expression between the two groups,whose high expression was associated with VM,were selected for verification with RT-qPCR.Dual luciferase reporter assays were used to verify the regulatory effect of miR-122-5p on its predicted target genes AKT3 and CCDC88C.Gene ontology(GO)and KEGG pathway analyses were performed to explore the possible roles of the top 40 significant differential miRNAs in the pathophysiology of VM.Results We identified a total of 272 differentially expressed miRNAs in VM cases,including 43 up-regulated and 229 down-regulated miRNAs.The target genes of these differential miRNAs were associated with DNA and transcription factor binding,transmembrane transporter and nucleic acid binding transcription factor activity,and cell developmental process.These miRNAs were mostly enriched in the MAPK,cGMP-PKG and Wnt signaling pathways.Verification with RT-qPCR showed that miR-122-5p expression level was significantly lower in VM group than in the control group(P<0.05),which was consistent with miRNA sequencing results;let-7b-5p expression level was significantly lower in VM group,which was contrary to miRNA sequencing result.Dual luciferase reporter assays showed that miR-122-5p was not capable of regulating AKT3 or CCDC88C expressions.Conclusions The highly abundant differentially expressed miRNAs in maternal amniotic fluid exosomes play important roles in the occurrence of fetal VM possibly by regulating the MAPK,PI3K-Akt,Wnt and cGMP-PKG signaling pathways.