Objectives: . This study aimed to investigate the regulatory functions of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic neural circuits from the inferior colliculus (IC) to the medial geniculate body (MGB) in salicylate-induced tinnitus. Methods: . Mice were treated with salicylate to induce tinnitus, and tinnitus-like behaviors were evaluated via gap prepulse inhibition of acoustic startle. Using combined viral tracing methodologies, we identified and mapped the pathways and connections from the IC to the MGB. Furthermore, we employed Gq-coupled human M3 designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs) and Gi-coupled human M4 DREADDs to achieve targeted excitation or suppression of GABAergic neurons in the IC and MGB. Following the administration of clozapine N-oxide, which binds to these receptors, we modulated these neural circuits to assess their impact on tinnitus severity in a mouse model. Results: . Our findings demonstrated that mice exposed to salicylate exhibited tinnitus-like behaviors. GABAergic neurons projecting retrogradely from the MGB to the IC were primarily concentrated in the external nucleus of the IC. After clozapine N-oxide administration, chemogenetic activation of IC-MGB GABAergic neurons aggravated salicylate-induced tinnitus. Additionally, activation of GABAergic neurons between the IC and MGB induced the perception of tinnitus even without salicylate. However, chemogenetic inhibition of the IC-MGB GABAergic circuit did not reverse salicylate-induced tinnitus. Conclusion . These findings suggest that activation of the IC-MGB GABAergic neural circuit may contribute to tinnitus generation through a mechanism distinct from that of salicylate-induced tinnitus. This study provides novel insights into the mechanisms underlying tinnitus.

BACKGROUND:Eucommia ulmoides has a certain osteogenic effect,which can promote the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts.However,it is unclear whether Eucommia ulmoides has effects on alveolar bone formation and Wnt/β-Catenin signaling pathway. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the mechanism by which Eucommia ulmoides promotes alveolar bone formation in ovariectomized rats based on the Wnt/β-Catenin signaling pathway. METHODS:Sixty female Sprague-Dawley rats were selected and randomly divided into five groups:blank control group,sham-operation group,model group,low-dose group Eucommia ulmoides group,and high-dose Eucommia ulmoides group,with twelve rats in each group.Osteoporosis animal models were constructed by bilateral oophorectomy in the model group and the low-dose and high-dose Eucommia ulmoides groups.The sham-operation group underwent the same method to remove adipose tissue of equal mass around the bilateral ovaries.Three months after surgery,the low-and high-dose Eucommia ulmoides groups were given 2.1 g/kg/d and 4.2 g/kg/d Eucommia ulmoides by gavage,respectively.The sham-operation group and model group were given the same amount of physiological saline by gavage.After 12 weeks of drug intervention,the changes in alveolar bone mass of rats in each group were observed through Micro-CT;hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the pathological structural changes of alveolar bone in rats;enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the expression levels of alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin in the serum of rats;western blot was used to detect the expression levels of β-Catenin and Frizzled9 receptor proteins in the alveolar bone of rats;and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression of osteocalcin,Runt-related transcription factor 2(Runx2),alkaline phosphatase,β-catenin,and frizzled9 mRNAs in alveolar bone tissues of rats. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the blank control group,bone volume fraction,trabecular number,trabecular thickness,and bone mineral density were reduced in the model group(P＜0.05),and trabecular separation was elevated(P＜0.05).Pathological observation showed that the arrangement of trabeculae was disordered and irregular,the trabeculae were thinned or broken,and the marrow cavity was enlarged in the model group,with a significant reduction in bone volume;the level of alkaline phosphatase in the serum was increased(P＜0.05),and the level of osteocalcin was decreased(P＜0.05);mRNA expression of alkaline phosphatase,osteocalcin,Runx2,β-catenin,and frizzled9 were decreased(P＜0.05);protein expression of β-Catenin and Frizzled9 was decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with the model group,the low-and high-dose Eucommia ulmoides groups showed an increase in bone volume fraction,trabecular number,trabecular thickness,and bone mineral density(P＜0.05)and a decrease in trabecular separation(P＜0.05).In the low-and high-dose Eucommia ulmoides groups,bone trabeculae were slightly aligned and thickened,with a significant increase in bone mass.Compared with the model group,the serum level of alkaline phosphatase was reduced(P＜0.05)and the serum level of osteocalcin was elevated(P＜0.05)in the low-and high-dose Eucommia ulmoides groups.Compared with the model group,the mRNA expression of alkaline phosphatase,osteocalcin,Runx2,β-catenin,and frizzled9 were increased in the low-and high-dose Eucommia ulmoides groups(P＜0.05).Compared with the model group,the protein expression of Frizzled9 was increased in the low-dose Eucommia ulmoides group(P＜0.05),while the protein expression of β-Catenin and Frizzled9 was increased in the high-dose Eucommia ulmoides group(P＜0.05).Compared with the low-dose Eucommia ulmoides group,the high-dose Eucommia ulmoides group had a more significant improvement in the above indexes.To conclude,Eucommia ulmoides can effectively promote the alveolar bone formation,and its mechanism of action might be related to the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Objective:To perform routine plasma test, SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid test, and respiratory pathogenic microorganism nucleic acid test on plasma samples collected from 1 040 healthy plasma donors in winter.Methods:Plasma samples were collected from 1 040 healthy plasma donors at Yunmeng Plasma Collection Station in the winter of 2020. Routine plasma test, HBV/HCV/HIV nucleic acid test, SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid test, and 22 respiratory pathogenic microorganism nucleic acid test were performed to analyze the quality of blood plasmas.Results:All plasma samples were qualified in the routine tests, meeting the requirements of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, and tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid. Respiratory pathogenic microorganism nucleic acids were detected in 29 samples with a positive rate of 2.79% (29/1 040). There were 21 cases of simple virus infections, including 17 cases of coronavirus subtype infection, three cases of parainfluenza virus type 2 infection, and one case of human bocavirus infection. Eight cases were mixed infections of viruses and bacteria, four of which were viral infection combined with Bordetella pertussis. The 29 positive samples were collected from people of different age groups, including two from 31-40 years old (1.96%, 2/102 ), three from 41-50 years old (1.59%, 3/189), five from 51-55 years old (1.94%, 5/257), and 19 from 56-60 years old (4.59%, 19/414). Samples from the people aged 56-60 years accounted for the most (39.81%, 414/1 040), as well as the infection rate in this age group. Conclusions:In autumn and winter, respiratory pathogenic microorganism nucleic acid test should be performed when collecting plasma samples from donors aged 56-60 years in addition to meeting the requirements of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. It is also suggested to conduct respiratory pathogenic microorganism nucleic acid test on pooled plasma and blood products.

Aim To investigate the pharmacological mechanism of Ebselenin(Ebselen,EbSe)in the treat-ment of Escherichia coli(E.coli)infection,which had no significant inhibitory effect on Gram-negative bacte-ria,based on previous studies.Methods After EbSe intervention in E.coli infected Raw264.7 cells,the via-bility of Raw264.7 cells was determined by CCK-8 method,the morphology and structure of Raw264.7 cells were observed by electron microscope,and the in-tracellular bacterial load of Raw264.7 cells was calcu-lated by coated plate method.Polarization status of peritoneal macrophages,Raw264.7 intracellular NO and ROS content and intracellular HO-1 expression in Raw264.7 and E.coli acutely infected mice after E.co-li infection by flow cytometry.qPCR was used to detect the expression of related mRNAs in Raw264.7 cells.qPCR was used to detect the intracellular GSH content in Raw264.7 cells by spectrophotometric assay,and the state of cytoskeletal proteins was observed by immuno-fluorescence.Western blot assay was performed to de-tect the intracellular Txnrd1 expression level.Results Microtiter method,CCK-8,and electron microscopy observations showed that EbSe had no effect on the growth of E.coli and Raw264.7 cells in vitro.The re-sults of smear plate counting showed that EbSe reduced the intracellular bacterial load of Raw264.7 in the in-fected group.Flow cytometry results showed that EbSe upregulated the number of M2-type macrophages.The EbSe-treated infected group had reduced intracellular NO and ROS levels and increased GSH levels.The qPCR results showed that the expression of IL-6,IL-1β,and iNOS was decreased,and the expression of HO-1,Txnrd1,and Glut1 was increased in DHB4-in-fected Raw264.7 cells after EbSe treatment.Cytoskel-etal staining showed that the morphology of the EbSe-treated infected cells was similar to that of oxPAPC-in-duced cells.Western blot results showed the expres-sion of Txnrd1 protein in EbSe-treated infected cells in-creased.Conclusion EbSe exerts anti-E.coli acute infection effect by regulating macrophage polarization and inhibiting macrophage excessive inflammatory state.

Aim To investigate the effect of Senecio scandens Buch.-Ham on inflammatory pain mediated by mast cell P2X7 receptor.Methods Using the ATP-induced foot inflammatory pain,immunofluores-cence and toluidine blue staining techniques were used to investigate whether Senecio scandens has inhibitory effect on P2X7 receptor on mast cells.Using the calci-um ion imaging experimental technology,to explore whether Senecio scandens inhibit the intracellular cal-cium ion enrichment caused by activation of P2X7 re-ceptor on mouse peritoneal mast cell.The whole-cell patch clamp technique was used to investigate whether senecio scandens could inhibit the inward current in-duced by activation of P2X7 receptor on mouse perito-neal mast cell.Results In vivo,Senecio scandens alle-viate ATP induced inflammatory pain(3.9 g·kg-1:P＜0.05),and significantly inhibited the infiltration of P2X7 receptor-positive mast cells(3.9 g·kg-1:P＜0.05).Knockout of mast cell can reduce the analgesic effect of Senecio scandens(3.9 g·kg-1:P=0.645).In vitro.The experiment results show that senecio scandens can significantly inhibit the calcium influx(300 mg·L-1:P＜0.05;1 g·L-1:P＜0.01;3 g·L-1:P＜0.01)and the inward current mediated by P2X7 receptor in mast cell(1 g·L-1:P＜0.01).Conclusion Senecio scandens alleviate inflammatory pain by inhibiting mast cell P2X7 receptor.

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.

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.

Aim To investigate the pharmacological mechanism of Ebselenin(Ebselen,EbSe)in the treat-ment of Escherichia coli(E.coli)infection,which had no significant inhibitory effect on Gram-negative bacte-ria,based on previous studies.Methods After EbSe intervention in E.coli infected Raw264.7 cells,the via-bility of Raw264.7 cells was determined by CCK-8 method,the morphology and structure of Raw264.7 cells were observed by electron microscope,and the in-tracellular bacterial load of Raw264.7 cells was calcu-lated by coated plate method.Polarization status of peritoneal macrophages,Raw264.7 intracellular NO and ROS content and intracellular HO-1 expression in Raw264.7 and E.coli acutely infected mice after E.co-li infection by flow cytometry.qPCR was used to detect the expression of related mRNAs in Raw264.7 cells.qPCR was used to detect the intracellular GSH content in Raw264.7 cells by spectrophotometric assay,and the state of cytoskeletal proteins was observed by immuno-fluorescence.Western blot assay was performed to de-tect the intracellular Txnrd1 expression level.Results Microtiter method,CCK-8,and electron microscopy observations showed that EbSe had no effect on the growth of E.coli and Raw264.7 cells in vitro.The re-sults of smear plate counting showed that EbSe reduced the intracellular bacterial load of Raw264.7 in the in-fected group.Flow cytometry results showed that EbSe upregulated the number of M2-type macrophages.The EbSe-treated infected group had reduced intracellular NO and ROS levels and increased GSH levels.The qPCR results showed that the expression of IL-6,IL-1β,and iNOS was decreased,and the expression of HO-1,Txnrd1,and Glut1 was increased in DHB4-in-fected Raw264.7 cells after EbSe treatment.Cytoskel-etal staining showed that the morphology of the EbSe-treated infected cells was similar to that of oxPAPC-in-duced cells.Western blot results showed the expres-sion of Txnrd1 protein in EbSe-treated infected cells in-creased.Conclusion EbSe exerts anti-E.coli acute infection effect by regulating macrophage polarization and inhibiting macrophage excessive inflammatory state.

Aim To investigate the effect of Senecio scandens Buch.-Ham on inflammatory pain mediated by mast cell P2X7 receptor.Methods Using the ATP-induced foot inflammatory pain,immunofluores-cence and toluidine blue staining techniques were used to investigate whether Senecio scandens has inhibitory effect on P2X7 receptor on mast cells.Using the calci-um ion imaging experimental technology,to explore whether Senecio scandens inhibit the intracellular cal-cium ion enrichment caused by activation of P2X7 re-ceptor on mouse peritoneal mast cell.The whole-cell patch clamp technique was used to investigate whether senecio scandens could inhibit the inward current in-duced by activation of P2X7 receptor on mouse perito-neal mast cell.Results In vivo,Senecio scandens alle-viate ATP induced inflammatory pain(3.9 g·kg-1:P＜0.05),and significantly inhibited the infiltration of P2X7 receptor-positive mast cells(3.9 g·kg-1:P＜0.05).Knockout of mast cell can reduce the analgesic effect of Senecio scandens(3.9 g·kg-1:P=0.645).In vitro.The experiment results show that senecio scandens can significantly inhibit the calcium influx(300 mg·L-1:P＜0.05;1 g·L-1:P＜0.01;3 g·L-1:P＜0.01)and the inward current mediated by P2X7 receptor in mast cell(1 g·L-1:P＜0.01).Conclusion Senecio scandens alleviate inflammatory pain by inhibiting mast cell P2X7 receptor.

Objective:To perform routine plasma test, SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid test, and respiratory pathogenic microorganism nucleic acid test on plasma samples collected from 1 040 healthy plasma donors in winter.Methods:Plasma samples were collected from 1 040 healthy plasma donors at Yunmeng Plasma Collection Station in the winter of 2020. Routine plasma test, HBV/HCV/HIV nucleic acid test, SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid test, and 22 respiratory pathogenic microorganism nucleic acid test were performed to analyze the quality of blood plasmas.Results:All plasma samples were qualified in the routine tests, meeting the requirements of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, and tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid. Respiratory pathogenic microorganism nucleic acids were detected in 29 samples with a positive rate of 2.79% (29/1 040). There were 21 cases of simple virus infections, including 17 cases of coronavirus subtype infection, three cases of parainfluenza virus type 2 infection, and one case of human bocavirus infection. Eight cases were mixed infections of viruses and bacteria, four of which were viral infection combined with Bordetella pertussis. The 29 positive samples were collected from people of different age groups, including two from 31-40 years old (1.96%, 2/102 ), three from 41-50 years old (1.59%, 3/189), five from 51-55 years old (1.94%, 5/257), and 19 from 56-60 years old (4.59%, 19/414). Samples from the people aged 56-60 years accounted for the most (39.81%, 414/1 040), as well as the infection rate in this age group. Conclusions:In autumn and winter, respiratory pathogenic microorganism nucleic acid test should be performed when collecting plasma samples from donors aged 56-60 years in addition to meeting the requirements of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. It is also suggested to conduct respiratory pathogenic microorganism nucleic acid test on pooled plasma and blood products.