Objective:To evaluate the role of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS)-nitric oxide synthase 1 adaptor protein (NOS1AP) coupling in remifentanil-induced hyperalgesia in rats.Methods:Forty clean-grade healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 240-260 g, aged 2-3 months, were divided into 4 groups ( n=10 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), remifentanil group (group R), nNOS-NOS1AP inhibitor ZLc002 group (group C+ Z) and remifentanil + ZLc002 group (group R+ Z). Normal saline was intravenously infused at a rate of 0.1 ml·kg -1·min -1 for 60 min in C group. Remifentanil was intravenously infused at a rate of 1.0 μg·kg -1·min -1 for 60 min in R group. ZLc002 10 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected for 3 consecutive days, and then normal saline 0.1 ml·kg -1·min -1 and remifentanil 1.0 μg·kg -1·min -1 were intravenously infused for 60 min in C+ Z group and R+ Z group. The mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal paw withdrawal latency (TWL) were measured at 24 h before intravenous infusion and 6, 24 and 48 h after intravenous infusion (T 0-3). All the rats were sacrificed after the last measurement of pain thresholds, and the L 4-6 segments of the spinal cord were removed for determination of the expression of nNOS, NOS1AP and Dexamethasone-induced Ras-related protein 1 (Dexras1) protein and mRNA using the real-time polymerase chain reaction. Nitrosylated proteins were extracted by biotin conversion for determination of the expression of nNOS, NOS1AP and total and nitrosylated Dexras1 (by Western blot) and co-expression of nNOS-NOS1AP (by co-immunoprecipitation). The content of NO in the spinal cord was measured. Results:Compared with group C, the MWT was significantly decreased, and the TWL was shortened at T 1-3, the expression of nNOS and NOS1AP protein and mRNA was up-regulated, the co-expression of nNOS-NOS1AP and NO production were increased, and the expression of nitrosylated Dexras1 was up-regulated in group R ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in each aforementioned parameter in group C+ Z ( P>0.05). Compared with group R, the MWT was significantly increased, and the TWL was prolonged at T 1-3, the co-expression of nNOS-NOS1AP and NO production were decreased, the expression of nitrosylated Dexras1 was down-regulated ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the expression of nNOS and NOS1AP protein and mRNA in group R+ Z ( P>0.05). There were no significant differences in total Dexras1 protein and mRNA expression among the four groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:The mechanism by which remifentanil induces hyperalgesia may be related to up-regulating the expression of nNOS and NOS1AP in the spinal cord, promoting interaction between nNOS and NOS1AP and mediating NO generation and Dexras1 nitrosylation modification in rats.

Objective:To design and synthesize 89Zr-deferoxamine(DFO)-G4C2, a novel molecular probe targeting programmed cell death receptor 1(PD-1), and evaluate its in vivo biodistribution and microPET/CT imaging characteristics in tumor-bearing mice. Methods:DFO-G4C2 was prepared by coupling DFO with G4C2, a monoclonal antibody targeting PD-1. The affinity and binding specificity of this amalgamation were subsequently assessed through the implementation of flow cytometry and surface plasmon resonance techniques. The molecular probe 89Zr-DFO-G4C2 was achieved by labeling DFO-G4C2 with the radioisotope 89Zr, and the labeling efficiency and in vitro stability of 89Zr-DFO-G4C2 were determined. Mouse models laden with CT26 colorectal cancer cells expressing PD-1 were established, followed by in vivo biodistribution and microPET/CT imaging studies, to explore the potential clinical value of 89Zr-DFO-G4C2. Additionally, the validity of this molecular probe was verified in 4T1 breast cancer models, affirming its efficacy as an imaging tool across different tumor models. Independent-sample t test was used to analyze the data. Results:DFO-G4C2 exhibited an affinity constant KD of (0.55±0.02) μmol/L, indicating a strong binding affinity. The binding rate to mouse PD-1 protein was determined to be (61.82±8.49)%. The labeling rate of 89Zr-DFO-G4C2 reached a high level of (98.76±0.51)%. Furthermore, the labeling rates in lysate and human serum after 144 h were measured to be (93.07±2.16)% and (83.42±3.21)%, respectively. MicroPET/CT imaging of CT26 tumor-bearing mice injected with 89Zr-DFO-G4C2 showcased pronounced radioactivity uptake in the tumor tissue. At 72 h post-injection, the tumor uptake value reached (10.47±0.34) percentage activity of injection dose per gram of tissue (%ID/g). The tumor uptake observed in the blocked experimental group, wherein an excess of unlabeled antibody was administered, was significantly lower at (6.26±1.03) %ID/g in comparison to the non-blocked group ( t=6.67, P=0.003). The in vivo biodistribution results were consistent with the observed microPET/CT imaging outcomes. MicroPET/CT imaging observations in the 4T1 breast cancer bearing mouse model were analogous to those obtained from the CT26 model. Conclusion:ImmunoPET based on the 89Zr-DFO-G4C2 molecular probe can non-invasively and visually assess the PD-1 expression level of tumors in vivo, and it is expected to be a new molecular imaging technique for immunotherapy monitoring of PD-1 inhibitors.

Oxidative stress, due to the disruption of the balance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and the antioxidant defense system, plays an important role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Excessive ROS leads to the loss of biological molecules and cellular functions, release of many inflammatory mediators, stimulate the polarization of macrophages, and aggravate the inflammatory response, thus promoting osteoclasts and bone damage. Therefore, foreign antioxidants would effectively treat RA. Herein, ultrasmall iron-quercetin natural coordination nanoparticles (Fe-Qur NCNs) with excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties were constructed to effectively treat RA. Fe-Qur NCNs obtained by simple mixing retain the inherent ability to remove ROS of quercetin and have a better water-solubility and biocompatibility. In vitro experiments showed that Fe-Qur NCNs could effectively remove excess ROS, avoid cell apoptosis, and inhibit the polarization of inflammatory macrophages by reducing the activation of the nuclear factor-κ-gene binding (NF-κB) pathways. In vivo experiments showed that the swollen joints of mice with rheumatoid arthritis treated with Fe-Qur NCNs significantly improved, with Fe-Qur NCNs largely reducing inflammatory cell infiltration, increasing anti-inflammatory macrophage phenotypes, and thus inhibiting osteoclasts, which led to bone erosion. This study demonstrated that the new metal-natural coordination nanoparticles could be an effective therapeutic agent for the prevention of RA and other diseases associated with oxidative stress.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between S-nitrosylation of spinal divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) modification and mechanism of remifentanil-induced hyperalgesia in rats.Methods:Forty pathogen-free healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 2-3 months, weighing 240-260 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=10 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), remifentanil group (group R), L-NAME group (group C+ L) and remifentanil+ L-NAME group (group R+ L). Normal saline was infused at a rate of 0.1 ml·kg -1·min -1 for 60 min via the caudal vein in C group. Remifentanil was infused at a rate of 1.0 μg·kg -1·min -1 for 60 min via the caudal vein in R group. L-NAME 30 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected, and 10 min later normal saline was infused at a rate of 0.1 ml·kg -1·min -1 for 60 min in C+ L group. L-NAME 30 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected, and 10 min later remifentanil was infused at a rate of 1.0 μg·kg -1·min -1 for 60 min in R+ L group. The mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal paw withdrawal latency (TWL) were measured at 24 h before iv infusion and 6, 24 and 48 h after the end of infusion (T 0-3). All the rats were sacrificed under anesthesia after the last measurement of pain thresholds, and the L 4-6 segments of the spinal cord were removed for determination of the expression of neuronal nitric oxide sythases (nNOS) and DMT1 mRNA (using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction), extraction of nitrosylated proteins (by biotin switch assay), expression of nNOS, total DMT1 and S-nitrosylation of DMT1 (by Western blot), nitric oxide (NO) content (by spectrophotometry) and iron content (using atomic absorption spectrophotometer). Results:Compared with group C, the MWT was significantly decreased, and the TWL was shortened at T 1-3 in group R ( P<0.05), and the expression of nNOS protein and mRNA and S-nitrosylation of DMT1 was significantly up-regulated, and contents of NO and iron were increased in R and R+ L groups ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in each index in group C+ L ( P>0.05). Compared with group R, the MWT was significantly increased, and the TWL was prolonged at T 1-3, and the expression of nNOS protein and mRNA and S-nitrosylation of DMT1 was down-regulated, and contents of NO and iron were decreased in group R+ L ( P<0.05). Compared with group C+ L, the MWT was significantly decreased, and the TWL was shortened at T 1-3, and the expression of nNOS protein and mRNA and S-nitrosylation of DMT1 was up-regulated, and the contents of NO and iron were increased in group R+ L ( P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the expression of DMT1 mRNA and total DMT1 in spinal cord among all the groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Activation of nNOS induces an increase in NO generation in the spinal cord and mediates the S-nitrosylation of DMT1, which may be related to the mechanism of remifentanil-induced hyperalgesia in rats.

Objective:To explore the potential clinical value of 99Tc m-methoxyisobutylisonitrile(MIBI) SPECT/CT muscle imaging in the diagnosis of cervical dystonia (CD). Methods:From January 2021 to April 2022, 50 patients with CD (14 males, 36 females; age (45.8±12.5) years) who were treated in Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University were prospectively included. The 99Tc m-MIBI SPECT/CT muscle imaging results of 400 pieces of muscle (bilateral sternocleidomastoid, musculus scapulae, splenius capitis and musculus trapezius; each of 100 pieces) in 50 patients were analyzed and divided into the dystonic muscle group and normal muscle group according to the electromyography (EMG). Toronto western spasmodic torticollis rating scale (TWSTRS) score, SUV max and target-to-background ratio (TBR) of single superficial cervical muscle and total cervical muscle, and EMG diagnosis results were obtained before botulinum toxin injection. ROC curves of SUV max and TBR of dystonic muscles were constructed to determine AUCs and the difference was compared by Delong test. Differences of SUV max and TBR between 2 groups were analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test. Spearman rank correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation of SUV max, TBR and TWSTRS scores of total cervical muscle. Results:There were 205 pieces of muscle in dystonic muscle group and 195 pieces of muscle in normal muscle group. The uptake of 99Tc m-MIBI in dystonic muscle was significantly increased in CD patients, and the non-whole uptake of 99Tc m-MIBI was increased in some dystonic muscles, which was manifested as uneven uptake of the whole muscle. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of visual analysis were 95.12%(195/205), 75.90%(148/195), 85.75%(343/400), 85.58%(195/242) and 93.67%(148/158), respectively. There were significant differences of SUV max (1.74(1.42, 2.12) vs 0.92(0.81, 0.99)) and TBR (2.55(1.92, 3.27) vs 1.44(1.22, 1.73)) between the dystonic muscle group and the normal muscle group ( z value: -15.29, -12.69, both P<0.001). The diagnostic efficiency of SUV max in dystonic muscle was better than TBR (AUC: 0.942 vs 0.867; z=5.03, P<0.001). SUV max, TBR and TWSTRS score in the neck muscles of patients with CD showed positive correlation ( rs values: 0.44, 0.45, both P<0.001). Conclusion:99Tc m -MIBI SPECT/CT muscle imaging is a good diagnostic method for dystonic muscle in patients with CD.

Objective To explore the correlation between Triglyceride Glucose Index (TyG) and its combined obesity Index and prehypertension in middle-aged and elderly population in China, and to provide a monitoring tool for better hierarchical management of prehypertension population. Methods A total of 5 099 people with non-hypertension were enrolled through the database of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and waist to height ratio (WTHR) were obtained, and TyG-BMI, TyG-WC and TyG-WTHR indexes were calculated by multiplying the TyG index with the three indexes respectively. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the relationship between TyG index and obesity index and prehypertension. The DeLong method was used to compare the values of Area Under the Curve (AUC) of each index to distinguish their value in identifying prehypertension. Results Compared with the normal blood pressure group, the prehypertension group was older, and the blood pressure was higher. Logistic regression analysis showed that higher levels of TyG-BMI and TyG-WC index were significantly associated with prehypertension. Compared with the lowest quartile array Q1, the OR values of TyG-BMI Q2-Q4 were 1.24 (95%CI :1.03-1.49), 1.40 (95%CI :1.10-1.76) and 1.91 (95%CI :1.43-2.56), while the OR values of TyG-WC index Q2-Q4 group were 1.45 (95%CI :1.19-1.75), 1.49 (95%CI :1.13-1.95), and 2.12 (95%CI: 1.47-3.07), respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the AUC value between TyG-WC and TyG-BMI (P =0.0998). Conclusion Among the four novel indexes, higher levels of TyG-WC and TyG-BMI are positively correlated with prehypertension. Compared with TyG and TyG-WTHR, TyG-WC and TyG-BMI have the potential to become an effective auxiliary means in the individual hierarchical management of prehypertension in the middle-aged and elderly.

Purpose: Most lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) patients are diagnosed at the advanced stage and have poor prognosis. DNA methylation plays an important role in the prognosis prediction of cancers. The objective of this study was to identify new DNA methylation sites as biomarkers for LUAD prognosis. Materials and Methods: We downloaded DNA methylation data from The Cancer Genome Atlas data portal. Cox proportional hazard regression model and random survival forest algorithm were applied to identify the DNA-methylation sites. Methylation of sites were validated in the Gene Expression Omnibus cohorts. Function annotation were done to explore the biological function of DNA methylated sites signature. Results: Six DNA methylation sites were identified as prognosis signature. The signature yielded acceptable discrimination between the high-risk group and low-risk group. The discrimination effect of this DNA methylation signature for the OS was obvious, with a median OS of 21.89 months vs. 17.74 months for high-risk vs. low-risk groups. This prognostic prediction model was validated by the test group and GEO dataset. The predictive survival value was higher for the prognostic prediction model than that for the tumor node metastasis stage. Adjuvant hemotherapy could not affect the prediction of the signature. Functional analysis indicated that these signature genes were involved in protein binding and cytoplasm. Conclusion We identified the prognostic signature for LUAD by combining six DNA methylation sites. This could service as potential robust and specificity signature in the prognosis prediction of LUAD.

Objective To study the level of serum 25 (OH) D3in children in suzhou area, and to provide scientific basis for the rational supplement of vitamin D for children aged 0-6years.Methods From September2015to September 2016, 15 010children underwent routine physical examination in the Children′s Health Clinic of Suzhou Municipal Hospital were selected, of whom 7 905were male and 7 105were female.The serum 25 (OH) D3was detected by collecting their fingerling blood.Results (1) The mean serum 25 (OH) D3of15 010children aged 0to 6in Suzhou was (35.83±13.23) μg/L, and the mean serum 25 (OH) D3of male and female were (36.48±13.25) and (35.11±13.16) μg/L respectively, and the differences were statistically significant (P＜0.01). (2) The mean level of serum 25 (OH) D3of 0-＜3, 3-＜6, 6-＜12, 12-＜36, 36-＜48and≥48months old children were (34.49±11.53), (41.15±13.86), (48.03±17.25), (46.12±17.69), (28.49±16.55) and (42.28±17.59) μg/L.The detection levels of serum 25 (OH) D3between the age groups were statistically significant (P＜0.05) except the children 3-＜6months and≥48months. (3) From January to December, the detection levels of serum 25 (OH) D3 were statistically significant between different months (P＜0.01) except in January, February, March and November, as well as July and August.The serum25 (OH) D3in each month was graded according to the vitamin D level, and the detection levels of serum 25 (OH) D3between different months were statistically significant (P＜0.01).The proportion of serum 25 (OH) D3over 30μg/L was less than 50％in January, March and November.The ratio ranged from 50％to 60％in February, June and December.The ratio ranged from 60％to 70％in the July, August and September, while the proportion was over 70％in April, May and October.Conclusion The level of serum 25 (OH) D3in children in Suzhou area was decreased obviously, and health education should be strengthened, and attention should be paid to intaking of vitamin D in children.

Objective To explore the limits of fluid-inversion prepared diffusion weighted imaging (FLIPD) in detection of acute cerebral ischemic lesions.Methods From January 2012 to March 2014,forty-nine patients (33 males,16 females,age (55.6± 12.3) years) clinically diagnosed as transient ischemic attack (TIA) were included.Patients underwent brain MRI (conventional diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) and FLIPD) within 3 d after the onset of TIA.The detection ability of MRI with the two sequences was compared,and the relative signal intensity (rSI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of acute ischemic lesions based on two sequences were compared.Kappa test and two-sample t test were used to analyze the data.Results A total of 87 acute ischemic lesions were detected in 21 patients by conventional DWI,and 54 were detected in 19 patients by FLIPD (Kappa=0.916,P＜0.05).The rSI of ischemic lesions on FLIPD was significantly lower than that on conventional DWI (1.37±0.22 vs 1.57±0.26;t=6.647,P＜0.001).The ADC value of ischemic lesions on FLIPD was slightly lower than that on conventional DWI:(0.54 ±0.10) ×10-3 mm2/s vs (0.57±0.13)×10-3 mm2/s (t=2.120,P＜0.05).The missed lesions on FLIPD were located in the white matter (n =18),cerebellum and brainstem (n =8),and the cortex (n =7).Conclusions A slight diffuse abnormality may be missed on FLIPD,so this method is not suitable for the detection of acute ischemic lesions.FLIPD technology still needs improvement.

Objective: To investigate the mechanism of cleft palate in mice induced by excessive all-trans retinoic acid (atRA). Methods: The pregnant mice were randomly divided into atRA-treated group (n=27) and control group (n=27). atRA-treated group was given by gavage a single dose of atRA (100 mg/kg) at 8: 00 AM on gestation day 10 (GD10) and the control group was given by gavage the isopyknic corn oil. At GD13-GD15, the fetal mice palate development was observed by HE staining. The mouse embryonic palatal mesenchymal cell proliferation was detected by 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) immunohistochemistry. The expressions of Smad2, phospho-Smad2 (p-Smad2), Smad4 and Smad7 in mouse embryonic palatal mesenchyme were analyzed by Western blotting. Results: At GD13-GD15, compared with the control, the ratio of BrdU-positive cells in the palatal mesenchyme of atRA-treated fetuses decreased significantly (P<0.05), especially at GD14, atRA inhibition rate was (65.4±1.7)%. Moreover, atRA decreased the levels of p-Smad2 and Smad4 in embryonic palate mesenchymal cells, whereas the expression of Smad7 was significantly increased at GD14 and GD15. Conclusions atRA may lead to cleft palate by inhibiting the activation of Smad signaling pathway and affecting the proliferation of palatal mesenchymal cells.