Tripterygium wilfordii is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb with a long history of therapeutic use but remains controversial in modern medicine because of its potent toxicity. Among its diverse chemical constituents, the diterpenoid triptolide and the triterpenoid celastrol have emerged as prominent compounds due to their remarkable pharmacological activities, including antitumor, immunosuppressive, anti-obesity, and neuroprotective effects. However, their clinical translation is limited by toxicity concerns and restricted natural availability. This review summarizes the medicinal history and chemical constituents of T. wilfordii, with particular emphasis on the pharmacological mechanisms, structural modification strategies, and recent advances in the biosynthesis of triptolide and celastrol. In addition, we discuss perspectives on toxicity mitigation and lead compound development, aiming to provide theoretical guidance and valuable references for modern drug development and the green manufacturing of T. wilfordii-derived resources.

Objective:To collect registered clinical research plans on TCM characteristic therapies for treating cervical spondylosis; To explore their research registration status; To provide references for future clinical trial registration and implementation.Methods:Clinical research on TCM characteristic therapies for treating cervical spondylosis was retrieved from ChiCTR, ITMCTR and Clinical Trials. gov from the establishment of the databases to July 1, 2024. Excel 2019 was used to conduct descriptive statistics on registration time, registration area and institution, funding source, research type and design scheme, research participation center and sample size, cervical spondylosis type, intervention measures, outcome indicators, reporting quality, research openness and methodological application.Results:A total of 138 clinical trials for the TCM treatment of cervical spondylosis were included, of which 136 were registered by domestic researchers in 22 provincial-level administrative regions. The top three in terms of registration numbers were Shanghai, Guangdong Province, and Beijing. Additionally, 2 were registered by foreign researchers in Egypt and Malaysia. The main sources of funding were 50 local finances, followed by 26 hospital subsidies and 18 national finances. The intervention research accounted for the largest proportion of research types, with 123 items (89.13%). The research center mainly focused on single center studies (98 projects). Most randomized controlled trials (115 trials) described randomization methods, while a small number of randomized controlled trials (50 trials) indicated blinding. The intervention measures were mostly combined with TCM therapy, and the outcome indicators were mainly efficacy indicators, with fewer safety indicators.Conclusions:At present, clinical trial registrations for TCM treatment of cervical spondylosis are increasing, but issues remain, such as poor study design, uneven distribution, and incomplete information. It is recommended to refine registration details, optimize study protocols, and promote high-quality clinical research.

BACKGROUND:Formononetin demonstrates potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant abilities.However,its protective effect on nucleus pulposus mesenchymal stem cells is not yet clear.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect and mechanism of formononetin on nucleus pulposus mesenchymal stem cells under an inflammatory microenvironment.METHODS:(1)Primary nucleus pulposus mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from the intervertebral discs of SD rats,and flow cytometry was performed to identify the surface markers of mesenchymal stem cells.(2)The CCK-8 assay was employed to evaluate the impact of lipopolysaccharide and formononetin on the proliferation viability of nucleus pulposus mesenchymal stem cells,aiming to determine the appropriate concentration of formononetin for subsequent cell treatments.(3)An inflammatory microenvironment was simulated by adding 5 μg/mL lipopolysaccharide to the DMEM/F-12 culture medium,and nucleus pulposus mesenchymal stem cells were treated with different concentrations of formononetin for 24 hours.Levels of inflammation markers were detected using western blot assay,real-time quantitative PCR,and immunofluorescence.Western blot assay was conducted to measure the protein levels of the nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathway.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The nucleus pulposus mesenchymal stem cells cultured in adherent wall were shuttle-shaped with good growth status.The results of flow cytometry showed that the surface markers of mesenchymal stem cells were positive for CD29,CD44,and CD90,and the surface markers of hematopoietic stem cells were negative for CD34 and CD45.(2)The treatment with formononetin at 12.5,25,50,100,and 200 μmol/L concentrations for 24 hours had no significant proliferation inhibitory effect on nucleus pulposus mesenchymal stem cells.Compared with the lipopolysaccharide group,the cell viability of nucleus pulposus mesenchymal stem cells treated with 12.5,25,and 50 μmol/L formononetin for 24 hours was significantly increased,so formononetin at 12.5,25,and 50 μmol/L concentrations was subsequently selected as the low,medium,and high concentrations for treating nucleus pulposus mesenchymal stem cells.(3)Compared with the lipopolysaccharide group,the protein and mRNA expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-3,matrix metalloproteinase-13,and tumor necrosis factor-α in nucleus pulposus mesenchymal stem cells in the low,medium,and high concentrations of formononetin groups were significantly decreased(P＜0.05)in a dose-dependent manner.(4)Compared with the lipopolysaccharide group,the expressions of phosphorylated nuclear factor kappa B and phosphorylated nuclear factor kappa B inhibitor protein in nucleus pulposus mesenchymal stem cells in the low,medium,and high concentrations of formononetin groups were significantly decreased(P＜0.05)in a dose-dependent manner.The above results suggest that formononetin may attenuate lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in rat nucleus pulposus mesenchymal stem cells by inhibiting the activation of the nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathway.

Central venous lesion represents one of the common complications affecting vascular access in hemodialysis patients, potentially compromising hemodialysis efficacy. The management of symptomatic central venous lesion remains a critical challenge in clinical practice. Current primary treatment strategies include percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and percutaneous transluminal stenting. Advances in techniques such as sharp recanalization and the mother-child platform approach, along with the development of high-pressure balloons, paclitaxel- coated balloons, and covered stents, have significantly improved procedural success rates. However, unresolved issues persist, including standardized treatment protocols, technical considerations for lesion traversal, and optimal stent selection criteria. This article comprehensively reviews the treatment principles, lesion passage techniques, treatment techniques, and recent advancements of central venous lesion.

BACKGROUND:Research has shown that vanillic acid has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative stress effects,but it is unclear whether it has a protective effect on endplate chondrocytes.OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect and mechanism of vanillic acid on endplate chondrocytes under inflammatory microenvironment.METHODS:(1)Primary endplate chondrocytes were isolated from the intervertebral disc of SD rats and identified by toluidine blue staining and collagenⅡ immunofluorescence.(2)The CCK-8 assay was employed to detect the effects of interleukin-1β and vanillic acid on the proliferation activity of endplate chondrocytes,in order to determine the concentration of vanillic acid for subsequent cell treatment.(3)An inflammatory microenvironment was simulated by adding 10 ng/mL interleukin-1β to the culture medium,and the endplate chondrocytes were treated with low,medium,and high mass concentrations of vanillic acid.The expression levels of inflammatory markers and extracellular matrix proteins were detected by western blot assay and immunofluorescence.(4)The expression of nuclear factor κB signaling pathway-related proteins was detected by western blot assay.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The morphology of endplate chondrocytes in adherent culture was pike or triangular in shape,positive for toluidine blue staining and immunofluorescence for collagen Ⅱ,indicating that the experimentally extracted cells were endplate chondrocytes.(2)The CCK-8 assay results showed that treatment with 2.5,5,10,and 20 μg/mL vanillic acid for 24 hours did not significantly inhibit the proliferation of endplate chondrocytes.Compared with the interleukin-1β group,the viability of endplate chondrocytes treated with 5,10,and 20 μg/mL vanillic acid for 24 hours was significantly increased(P＜0.05).Therefore,5,10,and 20 μg/mL vanillic acid was selected as the low,medium,and high dose groups for subsequent treatment of endplate chondrocytes.(3)Compared with the model group(complete medium containing 10 ng/mL interleukin-1β),the expression of NOD-like receptor thermal domain associated protein 3(NLRP3),matrix metalloproteinase 13,matrix metalloproteinase 3,and tumor necrosis factor alpha protein in the endplate chondrocytes of the low,medium,and high doses of vanillic acid groups were significantly reduced(P＜0.05).(4)Compared with the model group,the protein expression of aggrecan and collagen Ⅱ in the endplate chondrocytes of the low,medium,and high dose groups of vanillic acid significantly increased(P＜0.05).(5)Compared with the model group,the protein expression of phospho-nuclear factor κB and phospho-inhibitor of nuclear factor κB in the endplate chondrocytes of the low,medium,and high dose groups of vanillic acid was significantly reduced(P＜0.05).(6)The above results indicate that vanillic acid may alleviate the inflammatory response and extracellular matrix degradation induced by interleukin-1β in rat endplate chondrocytes by inhibiting the activation of the nuclear factor κB signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND:Studies have shown that upregulation of heme oxygenase-1 expression enhances cellular antioxidant and anti-apoptotic abilities.However,the effects of upregulating heme oxygenase-1 expression on the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells under oxidative stress conditions remain unclear.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the influence of heme oxygenase-1 overexpression on the survival and differentiation capacity of neural stem cells under oxidative stress conditions.METHODS:(1)Mouse primary neural stem cells were isolated and cultured from newborn Balb/c mice.Immunofluorescence was used to detect the neural stem cell marker Nestin.(2)Lentivirus was used to infect neural stem cells to induce heme oxygenase-1 overexpression.Flow cytometry was used to assess green fluorescent protein fluorescence.Western blot assay was performed to detect the expression levels of heme oxygenase-1.(3)H2O2 was added to the lentivirus-infected neural stem cell culture medium to simulate the oxidative stress microenvironment after spinal cord injury.Effects of heme oxygenase-1 overexpression on neural stem cell proliferation and apoptosis levels were analyzed using cell proliferation assay kits,cell apoptosis assay kits,and TUNEL staining kits.(4)The levels of lipid oxidation markers malondialdehyde,catalase,superoxide dismutase,and glutathione peroxidase were detected using assay kits.(5)Flow cytometry was used to measure intracellular reactive oxygen species levels,and neural stem cell differentiation into astrocytes and neurons.(6)The effect of heme oxygenase-1 overexpression on neuronal axon growth during neural stem cell differentiation was observed under optical and fluorescence microscopes.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Mouse neural stem cells exhibited stable morphology,good growth status,and high expression of Nestin as detected by immunofluorescence.(2)Western blot analysis showed that the overexpression of heme oxygenase-1 in the overexpression group was significantly higher than that in the empty carrier control group.Flow cytometry was used to detect the expression of green fluorescent protein in the neural stem cells of the heme oxygenase-1 overexpression group and empty vector control group.(3)Overexpression of heme oxygenase-1 maintained the proliferative activity of neural stem cells and significantly reduced the number of apoptotic cells under oxidative stress conditions.(4)Overexpression of heme oxygenase-1 inhibited lipid peroxidation of neural stem cells under oxidative stress microenvironment,enhanced the expression of enzymes related to maintaining the oxidative-reductive balance,and significantly reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species levels.(5)Overexpression of heme oxygenase-1 promoted the differentiation of neural stem cells into neurons and reduced differentiation into astrocytes.(6)The heme oxygenase-1 overexpression group exhibited longer axons,and more intercellular connections.The above results indicate that overexpression of heme oxygenase-1 can alleviate oxidative damage of H2O2-induced neural stem cells,reduce neural stem cell apoptosis,promote proliferation,and facilitate differentiation of neural stem cells into neurons.

Objective To explore the risk factors of acute respiratory failure(ARF)in adult patients with community-acquired pneu-monia(CAP),and thereby construct and validate the efficacy of nomogram model.Methods The clinical and laboratory data of 172 adult CAP patients admitted to Taikang Xianlin Drum Tower Hospital affiliated to Nanjing University School of Medicine from January 2018 to December 2021 were retrospectively collected.The patients were divided into two groups based on whether they had concurrent ARF.After the comparison for the differences of single factor between the two groups,collinearity analysis was assessed.The risk fac-tors were then screened by binary logistic regression analysis with forward stepwise regression method.A nomogram model was subse-quently constructed and the discrimination and accuracy of the model were evaluated by ROC and colibration curves.Results Among the 172 CAP patients,53 cases(30.8％)developed ARF.The results of univariate analysis showed that the CAP patients with concur-rent ARF group had higher age,CURB-65 score and inflammatory markers than the non-concurrent ARF group,and the incidence of complex infection(culturing two or more pathogenic bacteria)was high.The values of CRP(C-reactive protein)and BUN/Alb(blood urea nitrogen/albumin)were significantly different between the two groups(53.910[25.900,101.200]vs.23.300[6.800,48.930],0.231[0.160,0.302]vs.0.123[0.089,0.171],P＜0.05).Multivariate analysis indicated:glucose(Glu)≥6.06 mmol/L(odds ra-tio(OR):2.737,95％confidence interval(CI):1.116-7.037),AST(aspartate aminotransferase)≥22.5 U/L(OR:4.291,95％CI:1.779-11.120),fibrinogen(Fib)≤3.83 g/L(OR:3.955,95％CI:1.631-10.237),uric acid(UA)188.07 μmol/L(OR:4.617,95％CI:1.859-12.489),BUN/Alb≥0.15 mmol/g(OR:6.381,95％CI:2.423-18.513),total number of multicomor-bidity≥3(OR:6.191,95％CI:2.088-21.905)were the risk factors(P＜0.05).All the screened indicators were incorporate into the nomogram model and its efficacy was verified.The results showed that the area under the curve of the model was 0.888[95％CI:0.840-0.935](P＜0.05),the sensitivity was 0.868,and the specificity was 0.790.The calibration curve showed that the predicted probability of adult CAP patients-associated with ARF was in good consistency with the observed probability(Briser Score:0.125;H-L test:x2=7.563,P=0.477).Conclusion The established model has a good ability to predict adult CAP associated with ARF,and can provide a reference basis for early clinical prediction and intervention treatment.

Purpose To explore the feasibility and clinical value of deep learning-based image reconstruction technology in 5.0T MRI for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.Materials and Methods A prospective study was conducted on 50 newly diagnosed nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients from August to December 2024 at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center.5.0T MRI was performed to scan the nasopharynx region.Routine scanning protocols included transverse T2WI,transverse T1WI,transverse contrast-enhanced T1WI and coronal fat-suppressed contrast-enhanced T1WI sequences.Based on these standard scanning protocols,DeepRecon deep learning reconstruction technology with different levels(grade 1-5)was applied,generating a total of 24 sets of images.Qualitative evaluation employed a Likert scale(5-point system)for subjective scoring on lesion detection,lesion edge clarity,artifacts and overall image quality.Quantitative evaluation was performed using the signal-to-noise ratio and contrast-to-noise ratio to objectively assess the quality of the 24 image sets.Differences in qualitative and quantitative indicators between different groups were compared,while the Kappa coefficient was used to analyze the consistency of subjective evaluations by two radiologists.Results In the qualitative assessment of 24 image sets from four MRI sequences(with and without DeepRecon reconstruction),DeepRecon images(grade 2-4)significantly outperformed traditional images in all features except for artifact reduction(Z=-12.11--6.23,all P<0.001).Images reconstructed at DeepRecon grade 3 had the highest overall score and the best image quality.Furthermore,compared with traditional images,DeepRecon images(grade 2-5)demonstrated significantly improved signal-to-noise ratio for both lesions and the lateral pterygoid muscle(t=-15.67--3.44,Z=-6.09--4.63,all P<0.01).In addition,in the transverse T2WI,transverse contrast-enhanced T1WI and coronal fat-suppressed contrast-enhanced T1WI images with DeepRecon reconstruction(grade 2-5),the contrast-to-noise ratio(lesion/lateral pterygoid muscle)also showed significant improvement compared to traditional images(t=-12.71--3.19,Z=-6.08--4.47,all P<0.001).The inter-observer agreement for the overall subjective quality score between the two radiologists was good(Kappa=0.75-0.82,all P<0.01).Conclusion DeepRecon deep learning reconstruction technology significantly increases the signal-to-noise ratio and resolution of traditional magnetic resonance images of nasopharyngeal cancer,improving image clarity and bringing more possibilities for the advancement of imaging diagnosis.

Objective This study aims to explore the application value of spectral CT and perfusion CT parameters in the pathological classification and prognostic assessment of lung cancer.Methods A total of 94 lung cancer patients confirmed by pathology at Shanghai Chest Hospital from January 2023 to November 2024 were included in the study,including 49 cases of lung adenocarcinoma(LUAD),30 cases of lung squamous cell carci-noma(LUSC),and 15 cases of small cell lung cancer(SCLC).All patients underwent spectral CT combined with perfusion scanning using a 256-slice Revolution Apex from GE.Two radiologists independently measured the spectral and perfusion parameters of the three groups of images,including spectral curve slope(K),iodine concentration in the lesion area(ICL),effective atomic number(Zeff),surface permeability(PS),and perfusion index(PI),and established a lung cancer pathological subtype discrimination prediction model based on spectral CT radiomics features.All subjects were randomly divided into a training group and a validation group at a ratio of 3∶1.The discrimination efficacy of the spectral discrimination model between different pathological subtypes and the discrimination efficacy of arterial and venous phase images were compared in multiple dimensions.The performance of the model was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results Statistical analysis showed that the spectral curve slope,ICL,NIC,and Zeff of LUAD patients were significantly higher than those of LUSC and SCLC patients(P<0.05),while there were no significant differences in these parameters between LUSC and SCLC patients(P>0.05).Among the perfusion CT parameters,surface permeability(PS)showed significant differences among the three groups(P<0.05),while blood volume(BV),blood flow(BF),perfusion index(PI),time to peak(TTP),and mean transit time(MTT)did not show statistical differences.The multi-factor logistic regression model based on spectral parameters showed strong discriminatory performance:the area under the curve(AUC)of the LUAD and LUSC discrimination model was 0.806/0.77(training group/test group)in the arterial phase and 0.867/0.9(training group/test group)in the venous phase;the AUC of the LUAD and SCLC discrimination model was 0.885/0.883(training group/test group)in the arterial phase and 0.851/0.776(training group/test group)in the venous phase.Conclusion This study indicates that the multi-dimensional functional metabolic analysis indicators of spectral and perfusion CT imaging have significant value in the differential diagnosis of lung cancer pathological subtypes.The diagnostic model constructed by combining multiple spectral parameters can significantly improve the discrimination efficacy of lung adenocarcinoma,squamous cell carcinoma,and small cell lung cancer,providing precise imaging evidence for the formulation of individualized treatment plans.

BACKGROUND:Research has shown that vanillic acid has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative stress effects,but it is unclear whether it has a protective effect on endplate chondrocytes.OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect and mechanism of vanillic acid on endplate chondrocytes under inflammatory microenvironment.METHODS:(1)Primary endplate chondrocytes were isolated from the intervertebral disc of SD rats and identified by toluidine blue staining and collagenⅡ immunofluorescence.(2)The CCK-8 assay was employed to detect the effects of interleukin-1β and vanillic acid on the proliferation activity of endplate chondrocytes,in order to determine the concentration of vanillic acid for subsequent cell treatment.(3)An inflammatory microenvironment was simulated by adding 10 ng/mL interleukin-1β to the culture medium,and the endplate chondrocytes were treated with low,medium,and high mass concentrations of vanillic acid.The expression levels of inflammatory markers and extracellular matrix proteins were detected by western blot assay and immunofluorescence.(4)The expression of nuclear factor κB signaling pathway-related proteins was detected by western blot assay.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The morphology of endplate chondrocytes in adherent culture was pike or triangular in shape,positive for toluidine blue staining and immunofluorescence for collagen Ⅱ,indicating that the experimentally extracted cells were endplate chondrocytes.(2)The CCK-8 assay results showed that treatment with 2.5,5,10,and 20 μg/mL vanillic acid for 24 hours did not significantly inhibit the proliferation of endplate chondrocytes.Compared with the interleukin-1β group,the viability of endplate chondrocytes treated with 5,10,and 20 μg/mL vanillic acid for 24 hours was significantly increased(P＜0.05).Therefore,5,10,and 20 μg/mL vanillic acid was selected as the low,medium,and high dose groups for subsequent treatment of endplate chondrocytes.(3)Compared with the model group(complete medium containing 10 ng/mL interleukin-1β),the expression of NOD-like receptor thermal domain associated protein 3(NLRP3),matrix metalloproteinase 13,matrix metalloproteinase 3,and tumor necrosis factor alpha protein in the endplate chondrocytes of the low,medium,and high doses of vanillic acid groups were significantly reduced(P＜0.05).(4)Compared with the model group,the protein expression of aggrecan and collagen Ⅱ in the endplate chondrocytes of the low,medium,and high dose groups of vanillic acid significantly increased(P＜0.05).(5)Compared with the model group,the protein expression of phospho-nuclear factor κB and phospho-inhibitor of nuclear factor κB in the endplate chondrocytes of the low,medium,and high dose groups of vanillic acid was significantly reduced(P＜0.05).(6)The above results indicate that vanillic acid may alleviate the inflammatory response and extracellular matrix degradation induced by interleukin-1β in rat endplate chondrocytes by inhibiting the activation of the nuclear factor κB signaling pathway.