Exosomes are nanoscale extracellular vesicles that are secreted by a variety of cells in the body. They carry particular miRNA, protein molecules, transcription factors, and other information molecules, and they play a role in the pathophysiological regulation of a number of diseases in the body. Exosomes can persist steadily in biological tissues and bodily fluids. Exosomes have quickly advanced in ophthalmology in recent years due to the extensive studies of exosomes in a variety of fields, such as diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, autoimmune uveitis, corneal disease, glaucoma, and other diseases. The number of people who are blind caused by diabetic retinopathy is rising as living standards rise. However, it is still unclear how diabetic retinopathy works. In recent years, many studies have found that exosomes play an important role in diabetic retinopathy. In this paper, the most recent developments in exosome studies as they relate to the pathogenesis and progression of diabetic retinopathy are reviewed.

Background: The emergence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 omicron variant has been triggering the new wave of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) globally. However, the risk factors and outcomes for radiological abnormalities in the early convalescent stage (1 month after diagnosis) of omicron infected patients are still unknown. Methods: Patients were retrospectively enrolled if they were admitted to the hospital due to COVID-19. The chest computed tomography (CT) images and clinical data obtained at baseline (at the time of the first CT image that showed abnormalities after diagnosis) and 1 month after diagnosis were longitudinally analyzed. Uni-/multi-variable logistic regression tests were performed to explore independent risk factors for radiological abnormalities at baseline and residual pulmonary abnormalities after 1 month. Results: We assessed 316 COVID-19 patients, including 47% with radiological abnormalities at baseline and 23% with residual pulmonary abnormalities at 1-month follow-up. In a multivariate regression analysis, age ≥ 50 years, body mass index ≥ 23.87, days after vaccination ≥ 81 days, lymphocyte count ≤ 1.21 × 10 -9 /L, interleukin-6 (IL-6) ≥ 10.05 pg/mL and IgG ≤ 14.140 S/CO were independent risk factors for CT abnormalities at baseline. The age ≥ 47 years, presence of interlobular septal thickening and IL-6 ≥ 5.85 pg/mL were the independent risk factors for residual pulmonary abnormalities at 1-month follow-up. For residual abnormalities group, the patients with less consolidations and more parenchymal bands at baseline could progress on CT score after 1 month. There were no significant changes in the number of involved lung lobes and total CT score during the early convalescent stage. Conclusion The higher IL-6 level was a common independent risk factor for CT abnormalities at baseline and residual pulmonary abnormalities at 1-month follow-up. There were no obvious radiographic changes during the early convalescent stage in patients with residual pulmonary abnormalities.

ObjectiveTo explore the pharmacodynamic ingredients of Zhenqi Fuzheng granules （ZFG） for immunomodulatory through spectrum-effect relationship analysis， which provides experimental basis for improving the quality standard of ZFG. MethodEighteen batches of ZFG from six manufacturers were collected for analysis. The fingerprints were established by high performance liquid chromatography （HPLC）. Acetonitrile （A）-0.1% formic acid aqueous solution （B） were adopted as the mobile phase with gradient elution （0-15 min， 5%A； 15-23 min， 5%-8%A； 23-30 min， 8%-11%A； 30-45 min， 11%-18%A； 45-60 min， 18%-21%A； 60-67 min， 21%-23%A； 67-90 min， 23%-37%A）， the detection wavelength was 220 nm. Chemometric analysis such as similarity analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis （HCA） were subsequently used to analyze the similarities and chemical differences among these samples. A cyclophosphamide-induced immunodeficiency mouse model was used to evaluate the immune-enhancing effects of the products from different manufacturers. The spectrum-effect relationship between HPLC fingerprints and the immunomodulatory effects was examined using Spearman bivariate correlation analysis. HPLC coupled with mass spectrometry （HPLC-MSⁿ） was used to identify the spectrum-effect related peaks with electrospray ionization， positive and negative ion modes， and scanning range of m/z 100-1 500. ResultThe HPLC fingerprint of ZFG was established， and twenty peaks with good resolution were selected as common peaks. The results of quality analysis and pharmacodynamic test showed there were significant differences in both ingredients content and immune-enhancing effects of ZFG from different manufacturers. Through spectrum-effect relationship study， twelve peaks were screened as bioactive ingredients peaks. Thereafter， eight peaks among them were subsequently identified by HPLC-MSⁿ. They were salidroside （peak 2）， echinacoside （peak 5）， calycosin-7-glucoside （peak 6）， isomer of specnuezhenide （peak 7）， isonuezhenide （peak 9）， calycosin （peak 11）， nuezhenide G₁₃ or oleonuezhenide （peak 14）， and formononetin （peak 18）， respectively. ConclusionThere are differences in quality and efficacy of ZFG produced by different manufacturers. Through spectrum-effect relationship analysis， the medicinal ingredients of ZFG for immune-enhancing effects are screened， which can provide reference for the improvement of its quality standard.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Casitas B lymphoma (CBL) protein on proliferation, migration and invasion of breast cancer cells and explore its mechanism of action. METHODS: Cultured breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231 and MCF7A were transfected with a CBL-overexpressing plasmid and a specific siRNA targeting CBL (siRNA-CBL), respectively, and the changes in cell proliferation, migration and invasion were examined using colony-forming assay, cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), scratch test and Transwell assay. Flow cytometry and Western blotting were performed to examine the effects of CBL overexpression on cell cycle and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of MDA-MB-231 cells, and the changes in the number of filamentous pseudopodia were observed by rhodamine- labeled phalloidin staining of the cytoskeleton. IP-mass spectrometry identified NCK2 as the interacting proteins of CBL, and their interaction was verified by immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence co-localization experiments in HEK-293T cells transfected with the plasmids for overexpression of CBL, NCK2, or both. Cycloheximide tracking and ubiquitination assays were used for assessing the effects of CBL on stability and ubiquitination of NCK2 protein in MDA-MB-231 cells; CCK-8 and Transwell assays were used to determine the effect of NCK2 overexpression on CBL-mediated proliferation and migration of the cells. RESULTS: The proliferation, migration and invasion were significantly suppressed in MDA-MB-231 cells overexpressing CBL (P < 0.05) and significantly enhanced in MCF7 cells with CBL silencing (P < 0.01). Silencing of CBL promoted G1/S transition in MCF7 cells (P < 0.05). Overexpression of CBL significantly decreased the expressions of CDK2/4 (P < 0.01), cyclinA2/B1/D1/D3/E2 (P < 0.05), Snail, N-cadherin, claudin-1 (P < 0.05), and upregulated the expression of E-cadherin (P < 0.05). CBL silencing upregulated the expressions of CDK2/4/6 (P < 0.05), cyclin A2/B1/D1/D3/E2 (P < 0.05), Snail, vimentin, and claudin-1 (P < 0.05) and down-regulated E-cadherin expression (P < 0.05). CBL overexpression obviously reduced the number of filamentous pseudopodia in MDA-MB-231 cells, and the reverse changes were observed in MCF7 cells with CBL silencing. In MDA-MB-231 cells, CBL overexpression lowered NCK2 protein stability (P < 0.05) and promoted its ubiquitin-mediated degradation (P < 0.01). Overexpression of NCK2 obviously reversed CBL-mediated inhibition of cell proliferation and migration (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION CBL can inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion of breast cancer cells through ubiquitination-mediated degradation of NCK2.
Humans ; Sincalide ; Lymphoma ; Cytoskeleton ; Cadherins ; MCF-7 Cells ; Oncogene Proteins ; Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing

Objective:To evaluate the role of Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) in acute lung injury (ALI) and the relationship with ferroptosis in septic mice.Methods:Twenty-four male wild-type mice and 24 YAP1 conditional knockout mice, aged 9-10 weeks, weighing 22-25 g, were divided into 2 groups ( n=12 each) using a random number table method: wild-type sham operation group (WT+ Sham group) and wild-type sepsis-induced ALI group (WT+ ALI group); YAP1 conditional knockout sham operation group (CKO+ Sham group) and YAP1 conditional knockout sepsis-induced ALI group (CKO+ ALI group). The sepsis-induced ALI model was developed by cecal ligation and perforation (CLP) in anesthetized animals.The bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected at 24 h after CLP to determine the protein concentration (by bicinchoninic acid method) and concentrations of interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Mice were then sacrificed, and the lung tissues were obtained for examination of ultrastructure (using a transmission electron microscope) and for determination of wet/dry lung weight ratio (W/D ratio), contents of Fe 2+ , malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) (by colorimetric assay), and expression of YAP1, glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4) and solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) (by Western blot). Results:Compared with WT+ Sham group, the concentrations of protein in BALF, IL-1β and TNF-α were significantly increased, W/D ratio and contents of Fe 2+ and MDA were increased, GSH contents were decreased, the expression of GPX4 and SLC7A11 was down-regulated, ACSL4 expression was up-regulated ( P<0.05), alveolar epithelial cells showed characteristic changes of ferroptosis with mitochondrial shrinkage and decreased mitochondrial cristae in WT+ ALI group.Compared with WT+ CLP and CKO+ Sham groups, the concentrations of protein in BALF, IL-1β and TNF-α were significantly increased, W/D ratio and contents of Fe 2+ and MDA were increased, GSH contents were decreased, the expression of GPX4 and SLC7A11 was down-regulated, ACSL4 expression was up-regulated ( P<0.05), and the mitochondria in alveolar epithelial cells in lung tissues shrank obviously, and the mitochondrial cristae were reduced or even disappeared in CKO+ CLP group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:YAP1 is involved in the endogenous protective mechanism against ALI, which is related to inhibition of ferroptosis in septic mice.

Background: The accessory tendon of the extensor hallucis longus (ATEHL) muscle is a common abnormal structure, and its clinical significance remains debatable. In this study, we provide the incidence of the ATEHL and characterize its morphological types in Asian cadavers and investigate its clinical applications. Methods: The tendons from 50 adult cadaveric feet, fixed in 10% formalin, were analyzed. We measured the length and width of both the ATEHL and the extensor hallucis brevis (EHB). Results: All dissected specimens had an ATEHL. The first metatarsophalangeal joint was surrounded by an accessory tendon that inserted onto the joint capsule and the dorsal base of the proximal phalanx. We classified the ATEHL into 3 types based on their directions. Differences in ATEHL type based on sex were not statistically significant. Conclusions We found an ATEHL in all cadaveric specimens in this study. We surmise that the ATEHL acts as an antagonist with the EHB when the toe is extending, which might help prevent the occurrence of hallux valgus deformity.

Background: The accessory tendon of the extensor hallucis longus (ATEHL) muscle is a common abnormal structure, and its clinical significance remains debatable. In this study, we provide the incidence of the ATEHL and characterize its morphological types in Asian cadavers and investigate its clinical applications. Methods: The tendons from 50 adult cadaveric feet, fixed in 10% formalin, were analyzed. We measured the length and width of both the ATEHL and the extensor hallucis brevis (EHB). Results: All dissected specimens had an ATEHL. The first metatarsophalangeal joint was surrounded by an accessory tendon that inserted onto the joint capsule and the dorsal base of the proximal phalanx. We classified the ATEHL into 3 types based on their directions. Differences in ATEHL type based on sex were not statistically significant. Conclusions We found an ATEHL in all cadaveric specimens in this study. We surmise that the ATEHL acts as an antagonist with the EHB when the toe is extending, which might help prevent the occurrence of hallux valgus deformity.

With the rapid outbreak of COVID-19, traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) has been playing an active role against the epidemic. However, the screening of TCM is limited by the development cycle and laboratory conditions, which greatly limits the screening speed. This study established optimization docking models and virtual screening to discovery potential active herbs for the prevention and treatment of the novel coronavirus based on molecular docking technology. The crystal structures of 3 CL protease(Mpro) and papain-like protease(PLP) were obtained from PDB database and homologous modeling respectively, and were used to conduct virtual screening of TCMD 2009 database by CDOCKER program. The ingredients scored in the top 100 were selected respectively, and the candidate herbs were ranked by the numbers of hit molecules. Based on Mpro inhibitors screening, 12 322 potential active components were obtained, and the representative active components included aster pentapeptide A, ligustrazine, salvianolic acid B, etc., and Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, Asteris Radix et Rhizoma, Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma, Chuanxiong Rhizoma, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Zingiberis Rhizoma, Dianthi Herba, Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, Cistanches Herba were obtained. While 11 294 potential active ingredients were obtained by PLP inhibitor screening, representative active ingredients included gingerketophenol, ginkgol alcohol, ferulic acid, etc., and Codonopsis Radix, Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix, Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, Ginkgo Semen, Chuanxiong Rhizoma, Trichosanthis Fructus, Paeoniae Radix Alba, Psoraleae Fructus, Sophorae Flavescentis Radix, Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma, Angelicae Sinensis Radix were chosen. By combining the diagnosis and treatment scheme of Hunan province's and angiotensin converting enzyme 2(ACE2) inhibitors screening from literature, present study also discussed the rational application of candidate herbs to this epidemic situation. Trichosanthis Fructus obtained by PLP inhibitors screening and Fritillaria verticillata obtained by ACE2 inhibitors screening were parts of the Sangbei Zhisou Powder and Xiaoxianxiong Decoction, which might be applicable to the syndromes of cough and dyspnea. Rhei Radix et Rhizoma screened by Mpro and Trichosanthis Fructus screened by PLP were contained in Maxing Shigan Decoction and Xuanbai Chengqi Decoction, and could be applied to the syndromes of epidemic virus blocking lung. Mori Folium, Lonicerae Japonicae Flos and Forsythiae Fructus obtained by ACE2 inhibitors screening were included in the Sangju Decoction and Yinqiaosan, which might be applicable to the syndromes of warm pathogen attacking lung and cough and dyspnea. The results of this study are intended to provide a reference for the further development of traditional Chinese medicine to deal with the new epidemic.
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 ; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology* ; Betacoronavirus/drug effects* ; COVID-19 ; Coronavirus Infections/drug therapy* ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Pandemics ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A ; Pneumonia, Viral/drug therapy* ; SARS-CoV-2 ; COVID-19 Drug Treatment

Objective: To observe whether an Xingnaojing 醒脑静 injection could improve the prognosis of patients, by increasing rifampicin penetration through the blood-brain barrier. Methods: Patients with severe tuberculous meningitis were enrolled in this study. The concentrations of Xingnaojing in cerebrospinal fluid and blood in patients treated with Xingnaojing and control were determined by high performance liquid chromatography. The changes in cerebrospinal fluid and the improvement of clinical symptoms and signs, were evaluated two weeks after admission. The long-term prognosis of the patients in the two groups were evaluated by the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). Results: The concentration of rifampicin in cerebrospinal fluid was significantly higher in the Xingnaojing group (1.77±0.17 μg/mL), than in the control group (1.27±0.16 μg/mL, p<0.05). The difference in concentration of rifampicin in the blood was not significant (P>0.05). The short-term effective rate of the Xingnaojing group was 92.5% (37/40), which was significantly higher than that of the control group (80%, 32/40, p<0.05). After 6 months, 75% (30/40) of the Xingnaojing group had good prognosis according to the GOS score, whereas that of the control group was 50% (20/40) showing significantly better long-term treatment effect of the Xingnaojing group compared to the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Xingnaojing injection improved rifampicin penetration into the central nervous system. The increase in rifampicin concentration in cerebrospinal fluid improved outcomes in patients with severe tuberculous meningitis.

【Objective】 To investigate the effects of CSF-1 transport from dorsal root ganglion to spinal cord on activation of microglia in rats with neuropathic pain induced by vincristine. 【Methods】 A total of 54 male 10-12-week old SD rats with successful intrathecal catheterization, weighing 200-230 g, were divided into three groups according to the random number table method(n=18) : Control group(Control), Chemotherapy-induced Neuropathic Pain+intrathecal injection of IgG group(CINP), Chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain+intrathecal injection of CSF-1 neutralizing antibody(CINP+anti). The animal model of CINP was established by intraperitoneal injection of vincristine 125 μg/kg on four alternate days. Mechanical allodynia and heat hyperalgesia were evaluated by MWT and TWL, respectively. The expression of CSF-1 and microglial marker Iba1 were detected by immunofluorescence chemistry and Western blotting. The mRNA expression of CSF-1 and Iba1 was measured by RT-PCR. The expression TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β were determined by ELISA. 【Results】 Compared with Control group, MWT and TWL in CINP group decreased significantly on the 3rd, 5th and 7th day after the first injection of vincristine(P<0.01), MWT and TWL in CINP+anti group increased significantly on the 5th and 7th day compared with CINP group(P<0.01). Compared with Control group, the protein and mRNA expression of CSF-1 in DRG, the mRNA expression of Iba1 in spinal cord, the protein expression of CSF-1 and Iba1 in spinal cord, the immunofluorescence intensity of CSF-1 in DRG and Iba1 in spinal cord , and the expression of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β in spinal cord were significantly up-regulated in CINP group(P<0.01, P<0.001). Compared with CINP group, the protein expression of CSF-1 in DRG and spinal cord, the protein and mRNA expression of Iba1 in spinal cord, the immunofluorescence intensity of spinal Iba1 and CSF-1 in DRG, and the expression of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β were obviously downregulated in CINP+anti group(P<0.05, P<0.01, P<0.001) . 【Conclusion】 The transport of CSF-1 from dorsal root ganglion to spinal cord is involved in the process of neuropathic pain induced by vincristine, and its mechanism may be related to the activation of microglia and inflammatory reaction in rat spinal cord.