Epigenetic pathways play a critical role in the initiation, progression, and metastasis of cancer. Over the past few decades, significant progress has been made in the development of targeted epigenetic modulators (e.g., inhibitors). However, epigenetic inhibitors have faced multiple challenges, including limited clinical efficacy, toxicities, lack of subtype selectivity, and drug resistance. As a result, the design of new epigenetic modulators (e.g., degraders) such as PROTACs, molecular glue, and hydrophobic tagging (HyT) degraders has garnered significant attention from both academia and pharmaceutical industry, and numerous epigenetic degraders have been discovered in the past decade. In this review, we aim to provide an in-depth illustration of new degrading strategies (2017-2023) targeting epigenetic proteins for cancer therapy, focusing on the rational design, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, clinical status, and crystal structure information of these degraders. Importantly, we also provide deep insights into the potential challenges and corresponding remedies of this approach to drug design and development. Overall, we hope this review will offer a better mechanistic understanding and serve as a useful guide for the development of emerging epigenetic-targeting degraders.

【Objective】 To study the effects of gestational diabetes (GDM) on morphological structure of brain tissue and microribonucleotide (miRNA) expression profile in neonatal mice, and to provide a new research target for the prevention and treatment of abnormal neurodevelopment in GDM progeny. 【Methods】 The pregnant mice were divided into model group and control group,each group consisted of 10 mice. The model group mice established a GDM model by injecting streptozotocin to measure fasting blood glucose (FPG) and random blood glucose (GLU) at different times. Successful molded mice were randomly divided into model group A and model group C, and control mice were divided into control group B and control group D, with 5 mice in each group. The newborn mice in groups A and B were used for hippocampal tissue GeneChip detection and brain morphology structure observation, and group C and D newborn mice were used for qRT-PCR detection of hippocampus tissue expression differences to verify the differentially expressed genes of miRANs obtained by GeneChip screening. After giving birth, the neonatal mice were sacrificed by decapitation, and the brain tissue was dissected to observe the overall morphological structure. The structural changes of hippocampus were observed under HE chromogenic microscope. The Agilent mouse miRNA oligonucleotide gene chip was used to detect the miRNA expression profile of mouse hippocampus, screen differential miRNAs and predict their target genes, and conduct GO analysis and signal transduction pathway analysis of target genes. The relative expression levels of the screened miRNAs were verified by qRT-PCR. 【Results】 Compared with the control group, the GLU increased significantly from the 3rd day after drug administration in the model group (P<0.01). Macroscopic observation of control group B mice had normal brain morphology and structure, smooth appearance, clear gyrus, close arrangement of hippocampus cell structure, uniform staining and complete structure; in model group A, the number of hippocampus cells decreased, loose arrangement and deep staining. In the initial screen of miRNA microarray, there were 11 differentially expressed miRNAs between control and model groups, all of which were downregulated miRNAs, including let-7b-5p、miR-130b-3p、miR-181c-5p、miR-181d-5p、miR-3099-3p、miR-3470a、miR-3473a、miR-3473b、miR-500-3p、miR-532-5p、miR-7047-5p(P<0.05). Two miRNAs (miR-3473b, miR-7047-75p) and 5 target genes (MAPK3, MAPK11, MAPK14, CALM3, AKT3). The relative expression of miR-3473b and miR-7047-5p in model group C were lower than that in control group D (t=19.13 and 6.24, P<0.05), and the validation results were consistent with the microarray test results. 【Conclusion】 Compared with the offspring of normal pregnant mice, GDM offspring mice have abnormal development of brain structure and damage of hippocampal nerve cells, and there are a large number of abnormal expression of miRNAs in hippocampal tissue. Differentially expressed miRNAs can be used as research targets for prevention and treatment of GDM offspring neurodevelopmental abnormalities.

Objective To summarize and evaluate the characteristics of current recurrent spontaneous abortion(RSA)animal models at home and abroad,and to provide reference and guidance for the standardized preparation of RSA models.Methods"Recurrent spontaneous abortion"and"animal model"were used as co-keywords in CNKI,Wanfang,VIP,PubMed and Web of Science databases to search the RSA animal experimental literature,covering the period up to January 20,2024,and a total of 1 411 articles were collected.The analysis focused on construction methods and essential elements of RSA animal models,the modeling process and result evaluation,as well as the application of these models in pharmacological and pharmacodynamic research.An Excel table was established for systematic analysis and discussion.Results A total of 138 experimental studies were obtained after screening.In constructing RSA animal models,immunological models were the most widely used in Western medicine(96.92％),with the Clark model being the main one(92.31％).In traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)models,70.00％were kidney deficiency-luteal inhibition-syndrome combination models,20.00％were kidney deficiency and blood stasis models,and 10.00％were deficiency-heat syndrome models.Most animals were selected at 6-8 weeks(33.86％)and 8 weeks(32.28％)of age.The majority of animals were paired for mating at 18:00 on the day of cage pairing.In 81.03％of literatures,vaginal plugs were checked once the following morning,with 8:00 being the most common time(17.02％).The most commonly used drug administration cycle was 14 days of continuous gavage after pregnancy.Among the tested drugs,Western drugs were mainly protein-based(29.17％),while TCM drugs were mainly TCM decoction(81.11％).The most frequently used methods for detecting indicators included visual observation of embryos(22.54％),western blot(15.96％),PCR(13.58％),ELISA(12.91％),HE staining(10.80％)and immunohistochemistry(9.39％).Conclusion The etiology of RSA is complex,and corresponding animal models should be established based on different etiologies.Clark model is commonly used in the construction of Western medicine model,while the kidney deficiency-luteal inhibition-syndrome combination model is predominant in TCM.RSA animal model is widely used in related research,but systematic evaluation needs to be strengthened.

Objective To explore the surgical techniques and experiences in the treatment of Peyronie's disease using electric rotary grinding of tunica albuginea plaques followed by graft repair with tunica vaginalis or bovine pericardium under a microscope.Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed on 21 patients with severe penile curvature due to Peyronie's disease admitted in our department from January 2021 and May 2023.All of them underwent microscopic electric rotary grinding of tunica albuginea plaques followed by graft repair surgery.Short-term and mid-term outcomes were observed.Results For the 21 enrolled patients,12(57.1％)underwent repair using unilateral tunica vaginalis,3(14.3％)underwent repair using bilateral tunica vaginalis,and 6(28.6％)underwent repair using bovine pericardium.The operation time was 170～385(average 272±69)min,and the average postoperative follow-up duration was3～24(average 12.1±7.2)months.Seventeen patients(81.0％)had their penis fully extended,while 4 patients(19.0％)had slight dorsal curvature,which was less than 10°.All patients were satisfied with the shape of their penis during erection.The change in penile length was+(1.1±0.5)cm,and 9 patients(42.9％)reported early postoperative penile head numbness,which spontaneously resolved after an average duration of 3.2±1.9 months.All patients were able to successfully engage in sexual activity,with an average penile erection hardness score of 3.8.The overall satisfaction rate was 90.5％post operatively.Conclusion Meticulous dissection of Buck's fascia under a microscope is advantageous in reliably preserving dorsal neurovascular structures.Application of an electric grinding drill for plaque ablation allows for more precise release of the tunica.Graft repair of tunica albuginea defects with testicular tunica vaginalis or bovine pericardium for Peyronie's disease yields overall favorable clinical outcomes and obtains high satisfaction.It is worthy of promotion in clinical practice.

Recent studies on male infertility reveal a growing worry: more infertile men are dealing with inflammation in the testis. Analyzing testicular biopsies from infertile men highlights a significant presence of inflammation. This connection, supported by clinical and pathological evidence, emphasizes that testicular inflammation hampers sperm production, leading to lasting declines in sperm count and quality. However, the exact reasons behind male infertility due to orchitis, a type of testicular inflammation, are still uncertain. Understanding these fundamental aspects of molecular signals and cellular mechanisms in testicular inflammation is crucial. Our review delves into recent literature with a dual objective: elucidating potential mechanisms involving immune cells, non-immune cells, and cytokines that link orchitis to male infertility, while also paving the way for precise interventions and solutions to address the challenges of male infertility.

Recent studies on male infertility reveal a growing worry: more infertile men are dealing with inflammation in the testis. Analyzing testicular biopsies from infertile men highlights a significant presence of inflammation. This connection, supported by clinical and pathological evidence, emphasizes that testicular inflammation hampers sperm production, leading to lasting declines in sperm count and quality. However, the exact reasons behind male infertility due to orchitis, a type of testicular inflammation, are still uncertain. Understanding these fundamental aspects of molecular signals and cellular mechanisms in testicular inflammation is crucial. Our review delves into recent literature with a dual objective: elucidating potential mechanisms involving immune cells, non-immune cells, and cytokines that link orchitis to male infertility, while also paving the way for precise interventions and solutions to address the challenges of male infertility.

Recent studies on male infertility reveal a growing worry: more infertile men are dealing with inflammation in the testis. Analyzing testicular biopsies from infertile men highlights a significant presence of inflammation. This connection, supported by clinical and pathological evidence, emphasizes that testicular inflammation hampers sperm production, leading to lasting declines in sperm count and quality. However, the exact reasons behind male infertility due to orchitis, a type of testicular inflammation, are still uncertain. Understanding these fundamental aspects of molecular signals and cellular mechanisms in testicular inflammation is crucial. Our review delves into recent literature with a dual objective: elucidating potential mechanisms involving immune cells, non-immune cells, and cytokines that link orchitis to male infertility, while also paving the way for precise interventions and solutions to address the challenges of male infertility.

Recent studies on male infertility reveal a growing worry: more infertile men are dealing with inflammation in the testis. Analyzing testicular biopsies from infertile men highlights a significant presence of inflammation. This connection, supported by clinical and pathological evidence, emphasizes that testicular inflammation hampers sperm production, leading to lasting declines in sperm count and quality. However, the exact reasons behind male infertility due to orchitis, a type of testicular inflammation, are still uncertain. Understanding these fundamental aspects of molecular signals and cellular mechanisms in testicular inflammation is crucial. Our review delves into recent literature with a dual objective: elucidating potential mechanisms involving immune cells, non-immune cells, and cytokines that link orchitis to male infertility, while also paving the way for precise interventions and solutions to address the challenges of male infertility.

Recent studies on male infertility reveal a growing worry: more infertile men are dealing with inflammation in the testis. Analyzing testicular biopsies from infertile men highlights a significant presence of inflammation. This connection, supported by clinical and pathological evidence, emphasizes that testicular inflammation hampers sperm production, leading to lasting declines in sperm count and quality. However, the exact reasons behind male infertility due to orchitis, a type of testicular inflammation, are still uncertain. Understanding these fundamental aspects of molecular signals and cellular mechanisms in testicular inflammation is crucial. Our review delves into recent literature with a dual objective: elucidating potential mechanisms involving immune cells, non-immune cells, and cytokines that link orchitis to male infertility, while also paving the way for precise interventions and solutions to address the challenges of male infertility.

Objective:To explore the feasibility of synthetic diamond detector in use for Flash radiation dosimetry by designing a diamond dosimeter and conducting a series of dosimetric characteristic tests.Methods:A diamond detector system prototype with real-time current output was developed using a CIVIDEC? B1HV diamond sensor and designing a large dynamic range current measurement circuit based on the pre-integration method. The dose (dose-rate) response linearity was tested under irradiation from both electron beam and X ray ultra-high dose rate. Dose (dose-rate) calibration was performed against a medical accelerator to gain the charge-dose transfer coefficient.Results:Good linear correlation ( R2 = 0.99) between detector output charge and reference dose per pulse was shown under electron beam irradiation of 0.08-0.50 Gy/pulse. Good linearity ( R2 = 0.99) is also shown under irradiation from electron beam with ultra-high dose rate (400 Gy/s) and conventional dose rate (0.5 Gy/s). Strictly linear correlation ( R2 = 1) was shown between detector output integrated charge and reference dose under X ray irradiation at ultra-high average dose rate (75.5 Gy/s) and conventional average dose rate (0.5 Gy/s). The charge-dose and current-dose rate conversion factors for practical use were 0.751 7 μC/Gy and 0.753 5 μA·Gy·s -1, respectively. Conclusions:Considerable linearity of the diamond detector dose responses were shown under irradiation both from electron beam and X-ray beam, which could provide a relatively rapid and accurate dosimetry for Flash preclinical experiments. Furthermore, diamond detectors have great potential in the quality assurance for Flash radiotherapy.