The World Health Organization has declared that the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19) is a global pandemic. As mutations occurred in the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the global epidemic still needs further concern. Worryingly, the effectiveness and neutralizing activity of existing antibodies and vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 variants is declining. There is an urgent need to find an effective antiviral medication with broad-spectrum inhibitory effects on novel coronavirus mutant strains against the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Neutralizing antibodies play an important role in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. The interaction of spike-receptor-binding domain (Spike-RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 and human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is the first and critical step of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Hence, the SARS-CoV-2 Spike-RBD is a hot target for neutralizing antibodies development. Evusheld, the combination of Tixagevimab and Cilgavimab monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting Spike-RBD exhibits neutralizing activity against BA.2.12.1, BA.4 and BA.5, which could be used as pre-exposure prophylaxis against SARS-CoV-2 infection. The nucleocapsid (N) protein is a conservative and high-abundance structural protein of SARS-CoV-2. The nCoV396 monoclonal antibody, isolated from the blood of convalescent COVID-19 patients against the N protein of SARS-CoV-2. This mAb not only showed neutralizing activity but also inhibits hyperactivation of complement and lung injury induced by N protein. The mAb 3E8 targeting ACE2 showed broadly neutralizing activity against SARS-CoV-2 and D614G, B.1.1.7, B.1.351, B.1.617.1 and P.1 variants in vitro and in vivo, but did not impact the biological activity of ACE2. Compared with neutralizing antibodies, small molecule inhibitors have several advantages, such as broad-spectrum inhibitory effect, low cost, and simple administration methods. Several small-molecule inhibitors disrupt viral binding by targeting the ACE2 and N-terminal domain (NTD) of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Known drugs such as chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine could also block the infection of SARS-CoV-2 by interacting with residue Lys353 in the peptidase domain of ACE2. The transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) inhibitors Camostat mesylate and Proxalutamide inhibit infection by blocking TMPRSS2 mediates viral membrane fusion. The main protease inhibitor Paxlovid and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase inhibitor Azvudine have been approved for treatment of COVID-19 patients. This review summarizes the current research status of neutralizing antibodies and small molecule inhibitors and prospects for their application. We expect to provide more valuable information for further studies in this field.

Objective To investigate the role of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells derived from diabetic mice and their paracrine roles in inducing insulin resistance(IR).Methods The mouse model of diabetes mellitus was established,bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSC)were extracted and cultured,and the culture supernatant(M-BMSC-CS)was collected.(1)Cell experiment:HepG2 hepatocytes were divided into normal low-glycemic culture group[cultured with low-glycemic DMEM(5.55 mmol·L-1)],M-BMSC-CS experimental group(M-BMSC-CS 75 μL),and high-glycemic and high-lipid control group(given 25 mmol·L-1 high-glycemic DMEM+0.25 mmol·L-1 palmitic acid);(2)Animal experiments:Mice were divided into normal mice group(0.9％NaCl by intraperitoneal injection)and M-BMSC-CS-m group(M-BMSC-CS by intraperitoneal injection of normal mice(injection dose 0.2 mL/10 g)].Glucose intake was measured by glucose oxidase method.The fluorescence intensity of Glut2 protein was detected by immunofluorescence.The expression of insulin signaling pathway protein was detected by Western blot.Test oral glucose tolerance(OGTT)and insulin tolerance(ITT).Results The glucose intakes of the normal low-glucose culture group,the M-BMSC-CS experimental group and the high-glucose and high-lipid control group were(2.96±0.05),(1.64±0.28)and(1.42±0.32)mmol·L-1,respectively;the fluorescence expressions of glucose transporter 2(Glut2)were 53.21±2.70,30.95±3.39 and 34.96±7.60,respectively;the protein expression levels of phosphorylated insulin receptor substrate 1-ser307(p-IRS-1ser307)were 0.46±0.21,1.09±0.24 and 0.91±0.16,respectively;phosphorylated protein kinase(p-AKT)protein expression levels were 0.94±0.05,0.59±0.06 and 0.53±0.05;Glut2 protein expression levels were 1.08±0.14,0.58±0.14 and 0.62±0.09,respectively.The above indexes in M-BMSC-CS experimental group were statistically significant compared with those in normal low-glycemic culture group(all P＜0.05).Fasting blood glucose levels in the normal group and M-BMSC-CS-m group were(5.23±0.57)and(9.30±1.14)mmol·L-1;p-AKT protein expression level were 1.27±0.21 and 0.51±0.19;Glut2 protein expression level were 1.17±0.17 and 0.79±0.09,respectively.The above indexes in M-BMSC-CS-m group were significantly different from those in normal mouse group(P＜0.05).Conclusion BMSC culture supernatant from diabetic mice induced insulin resistance of normal HepG2 hepatocytes in vitro and normal mice in vivo.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the injury and ferroptosis of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs)induced by high glucose and high fat.Methods BMSCs were divided into normal group(5.50 mmol·L-1 glucose)and high glucose and high fat(HGHF)group(25.00 mmol·L-1 glucose+0.25 mmol·L-1 palmitic acid).Assessment of cellular aging via β-galactosidase staining;enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)were used to detect tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-10(IL-10)release levels;glutathione(GSH),malondialdehyde(MDA)and ferrous ion(Fe2+)detection kits were used to detect ferroptosis related indicators;Western blotting was used to detect the expression of ferroptosis related signaling pathway protein acyl-CoA synthetase long chain family member 4(ACS14)/arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase(ALOX15)/glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4).Results The senescence rates of normal group HGHF group were(6.80±1.60)％and(13.00±1.58)％;the levels of TNF-α were(122.54±3.94)and(169.77±2.89)pg·mL-1;the levels of IL-10 were(155.16±3.97)and(105.15±7.30)pg·mL-1;GSH levels were 4.30±0.33 and 1.55±0.14;MDA levels were 2.94±0.10 and 5.84±0.10;Fe2+levels were 6.22±0.35 and 16.13±0.36;the relative expression levels of ACSL4 protein were 0.42±0.05 and 0.84±0.10;the relative ALOX15 protein were 0.61±0.25 and 1.06±0.11;the relative expression levels of GPX4 protein were 1.13±0.17 and 0.33±0.08,respectively.The above indexes in the HGHF group were significantly different from those in the normal group(all P＜0.05).Conclusion 25 mmol·L-1 glucose combined with 0.25 mmol·L-1 palmitic acid for 24 h can be used as a suitable condition to induce BMSCs injury.ferroptosis plays an important role in BMSCs injury induced by high glucose and high fat.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of treadmill exercise against type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) based on the regulator effects of exercise on ferroptosis. MethodsEight 8-week-old male m/m mice were used as control group (Con, n=8), and db/db mice of the matched age were randomly divided into T2DM model group (db/db, n=8), exercise group (db+Exe, n=8), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor group (db+SB203580, n=8) and exercise combined with p38 MAPK inhibitor group (db+Exe+SB203580, n=8). After one-week adaptive feeding, the mice in the db+Exe group and db+Exe+SB203580 group underwent moderate intensity treadmill exercise for 40 min/d, 5 d/week lasting 8 weeks. The db+SB203580 group and db+Exe+SB203580 group were treated with SB203580 (a specific inhibitor of p38 MAPK) with a dose of 5 mg/kg, 5 d/week for 8 weeks. And the exercise intervention was performed 2 h later after the intraperitoneal injection of SB203580. The body weight and fasting blood glucose of mice were measured regularly every week during the experiment. After 24 h of the last intervention, the mice were weighted, the liver tissues were taken, weighted and the liver index was calculated. The pathological changes of liver were determined by Oil Red O and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The levels of blood lipids, liver function, Fe²⁺ and oxidative stress markers of liver were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The related mRNA expression levels of lipogenesis and inflammation were evaluated by quantitative reverse transcriptase-mediated PCR (qRT-PCR). The related protein expression levels of lipogenesis and ferroptosis in liver were determined by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining and Western blot. ResultsThe body weight, fasting blood glucose, liver index, blood lipid and transaminase levels in the db/db group were significantly increased compared with the Con group. HE and Oil Red O staining showed severe lipid accumulation and ballooning change in the liver of db/db mice. Biochemical tests showed that Fe²⁺ and MDA level of liver constitution homogenate increased, while GSH level decreased significantly. The results of qRT-PCR showed that the mRNA levels of MCP-1, IL-6, SREBF1 and ACC1 in liver tissue of db/db mice were all significantly increased. Western blot results showed that the expression levels of SREBF1, ACC1 increased, ferroptosis relative proteins were significantly decreased. The 8 weeks of exercise significantly reduced the rise in body weight, blood glucose, liver index and blood lipid levels in db/db mice. Exercise intervention also alleviated hepatic steatosis and reduced the expression levels of Fe²⁺, MDA, MCP-1, IL-6, ACC1 and SREBF1, upregulated the expression levels of GSH, NRF2, HO-1, SLC7A11 and GPX4 in liver tissue of db/db mice. The intervention of exercise combined with SB203580 significantly down-regulated the mRNA expression levels of ACC1, MCP-1, IL-6, reduced the levels of Fe²⁺ and MDA, and up-regulated the level of GSH in db/db mice. Compared with the db+Exe group, the expression of Fe²⁺, MDA, MCP-1, and SREBF1 in the liver of the db+Exe+SB203580 group mice significantly increased, while the expression level of GSH and expression levels of ferroptosis relative proteins also significantly decreased. In addition, compared with db+SB203580 group, the iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation in the liver of db+Exe+SB203580 group were significantly improved. ConclusionThe8-week treadmill exercise can effectively alleviate liver injury and steatosis, and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of hepatocyte ferroptosis through p38 MAPK signal.

Objective:To study the feasibility of domestic flow diverter(TFD) for the treatment of unruptured internal carotid artery small- and medium-sized wide-neck aneurysms.Methods:This is a retrospective case series study.The study retrospectively evaluated consecutive 54 patients with unruptured intracranial small- and medium-sized wide-neck aneurysms treated with TFD in the Department of Cerebrovascular Disease,the Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University between October 2019 and January 2024. There were 11 males and 43 females, and the age of patients was (54.9±9.6) years (range:36 to 74 years). There were 63 aneurysms in 54 patients,6 of which were tandem multiple small aneurysms. One case had saccular aneurysms of bilateral internal carotid artery. The maximum diameter of aneurysm was (4.1±0.8) mm (range: 1.5 to 10.0 mm).The ratio of the maximum diameter of the aneurysm to the neck width diameter was 1.3±0.4 (range:0.4 to 2.4). The surgical and follow-up data were collected. The aneurysm embolization rate at the immediate operation and follow-up,and the complications were analyzed. The degree of aneurysm embolization was evaluated using the O′Kelly-Marotta (OKM) grading system,with OKM grade D as complete occlusion and grade C and above (C1,C2,C3 and D) as successful occlusion. Clinical outcomes of all patients were evaluated by modified Rankin scale(mRS).Results:For 63 aneurysms, 48 aneurysms were treated with TFD alone,and 15 aneurysms were treated with a combination of TFD and coiling. The immediate postoperative successful occlusion rate was 14.3% (9/63) and the complete occlusion rate was 3.2% (2/63). Follow-up results were obtained for all of the patients. The follow-up time ( M(IQR)) was 124 (182) days (range: 85 to 754 days). The time to aneurysm successful occlusion was 140.5 (151.5) days (range: 85 to 308 days). At final follow-up,the successful aneurysm occlusion rate was 68.3% (43/63) and the complete occlusion rate was 58.7% (37/63). The complete occlusion rate of the TFD group was 50.0% (24/48) and the TFD+coiling group was 13/15. All patients had no aneurysm rupture,ischemic complications and no recurrence of the aneurysm needed to retreatment during the intraoperative and follow-up period. A total of 3 mild haemorrhagic complications which were related to dual-antiplatelet agents. Twelve patients had asymptomatic mild-moderate stent stenosis. TFD covered 66 branch vessels totally. Only 6 branches were affected by the time of the last follow-up and none of the patients had relevant ischaemic symptoms. All of 54 patients were evaluated as mRS score<2 points at the last follow-up. Conclusion:Using TFD to treat internal carotid artery unruptured small and medium-sized wide-neck aneurysms can simplify the surgical procedure with low complication rate, which is a clinically optional treatment approach.

AIM:To investigate the effects and underlying mechanism of Toona sinensis bark extract(TAE)on the colon mucosal barrier and gut microbiota in mice with ulcerative colitis(UC)induced by dextran sulfate sodium(DSS).METHODS:Sixty C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to control,model,and mesalazine(0.2 g/kg)groups,as well as TAE groups(low,medium,and high-doses equal to crude drug concentrations of 2.3,4.6 and 9.2 g/kg,respectively).The UC model was induced by drinking of 2.5％DSS,and mean while the drugs were administered for 10 days.The mice were then evaluated in terms of weight,disease activity index(DAI),colon length,spleen index,and pathological changes in the colon tissues.In addition,the level of apoptosis in colon tissues was assessed by terminal de-oxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling(TUNEL)fluorescence staining,and the expression of related proteins was evaluated by Western blot,levels of inflammatory factors were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays(ELISA),and the activities of total superoxide dismutase(T-SOD)and catalase(CAT)and malondialdehyde(MDA)content were assessed by biochemical assays.Furthermore,the constitution and diversity of the gut microbiota were inves-tigated by 16S rRNA gene sequencing.RESULTS:Compared with the control group,mice in the model group showed significantly reduced body weights(P<0.01),and the colon length was shortened significantly(P<0.05).Marked in-creases in the DAI and spleen index were observed(P<0.01),along with severe damage to the colon mucosa(P<0.01).Mechanistically,the level of intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis was significantly raised(P<0.01).The model group showed markedly reduced expression of occludin and claudin-1(P<0.01),the level of IL-10,and activities of T-SOD and CAT in the colon tissues(P<0.01).While the levels of IL-6,IL-1β,TNF-α,and the MDA content were increased signif-icantly(P<0.05).The abundance and diversity of the gut microbiota were decreased in the model group(P<0.05).Com-pared with the model group,all these indicators were ameliorated by the administration of TAE(P<0.05).The abundance of pathogenic bacteria,including Proteobacteria and Escherichia-Shigella,was decreased remarkably(P<0.05),while that of probiotics,including Bacteroidota and Muribaculaceae,were increased significantly(P<0.05).The abundance and diversity of the gut microbiota were increased.CONCLUSION:Taken together,Toona sinensis bark alcohol extract can alleviate damage to the intestinal mucosa by suppressing the apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cell,reducing the inflam-matory response,and mitigating oxidative stress.Treatment with TAE could also maintain the homeostasis of the gut micro-biota by regulating the abundance,ultimately meliorate the function of intestinal mucosal barrier.

Human brain banks use a standardized protocol to collect,process and store post-mortem human brains and related tissues,along with relevant clinical information,and to provide the tissue samples and data as a resource to foster neuroscience research according to a standardized operating protocols(SOP).Human brain bank serves as the foundation for neuroscience research and the diagnosis of neurological disorders,highlighting the crucial rule of ensuring the consistency of standardized quality for brain tissue samples.The first version of SOP in 2017 was published by the China Human Brain Bank Consortium.As members increases from different regions in China,a revised SOP was drafted by experts from the China Human Brain Bank Consortium to meet the growing demands for neuroscience research.The revised SOP places a strong emphasis on ethical standards,incorporates neuropathological evaluation of brain regions,and provides clarity on spinal cord sampling and pathological assessment.Notable enhancements in this updated version of the SOP include reinforced ethical guidelines,inclusion of matching controls in recruitment,and expansion of brain regions to be sampled for neuropathological evaluation.

Objective:To study the feasibility of domestic flow diverter(TFD) for the treatment of unruptured internal carotid artery small- and medium-sized wide-neck aneurysms.Methods:This is a retrospective case series study.The study retrospectively evaluated consecutive 54 patients with unruptured intracranial small- and medium-sized wide-neck aneurysms treated with TFD in the Department of Cerebrovascular Disease,the Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University between October 2019 and January 2024. There were 11 males and 43 females, and the age of patients was (54.9±9.6) years (range:36 to 74 years). There were 63 aneurysms in 54 patients,6 of which were tandem multiple small aneurysms. One case had saccular aneurysms of bilateral internal carotid artery. The maximum diameter of aneurysm was (4.1±0.8) mm (range: 1.5 to 10.0 mm).The ratio of the maximum diameter of the aneurysm to the neck width diameter was 1.3±0.4 (range:0.4 to 2.4). The surgical and follow-up data were collected. The aneurysm embolization rate at the immediate operation and follow-up,and the complications were analyzed. The degree of aneurysm embolization was evaluated using the O′Kelly-Marotta (OKM) grading system,with OKM grade D as complete occlusion and grade C and above (C1,C2,C3 and D) as successful occlusion. Clinical outcomes of all patients were evaluated by modified Rankin scale(mRS).Results:For 63 aneurysms, 48 aneurysms were treated with TFD alone,and 15 aneurysms were treated with a combination of TFD and coiling. The immediate postoperative successful occlusion rate was 14.3% (9/63) and the complete occlusion rate was 3.2% (2/63). Follow-up results were obtained for all of the patients. The follow-up time ( M(IQR)) was 124 (182) days (range: 85 to 754 days). The time to aneurysm successful occlusion was 140.5 (151.5) days (range: 85 to 308 days). At final follow-up,the successful aneurysm occlusion rate was 68.3% (43/63) and the complete occlusion rate was 58.7% (37/63). The complete occlusion rate of the TFD group was 50.0% (24/48) and the TFD+coiling group was 13/15. All patients had no aneurysm rupture,ischemic complications and no recurrence of the aneurysm needed to retreatment during the intraoperative and follow-up period. A total of 3 mild haemorrhagic complications which were related to dual-antiplatelet agents. Twelve patients had asymptomatic mild-moderate stent stenosis. TFD covered 66 branch vessels totally. Only 6 branches were affected by the time of the last follow-up and none of the patients had relevant ischaemic symptoms. All of 54 patients were evaluated as mRS score<2 points at the last follow-up. Conclusion:Using TFD to treat internal carotid artery unruptured small and medium-sized wide-neck aneurysms can simplify the surgical procedure with low complication rate, which is a clinically optional treatment approach.

Objective Using the weighted gene co-expression network analysis(WGCNA)to explore the key genes of aging associated with Alzheimer's disease(AD).Methods GSE132903 was selected from GEO database as the analysis dataset.The differential expressed genes(DEGs)of AD were screened,and visualized with volcano and heat map.Aging and senescence-associated genes(ASAGs)were downloaded from MsigDB,Aging Altas and CellAge databases.WGCNA screened the gene modules with the highest correlation with AD,and genes of key modules subsequently performed with gene ontology(GO),Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)enrichment analysis.AD age-related differential expressed genes(ARDEGs)were obtained by taking intersection genes of DEGs,key module genes of WGCNA and ASAGs.Protein-protein interaction(PPI)network analysis was performed using the STRING database to find key node genes.The co-expression networks and associated functions of key genes were analyzed using the GeneMANIA database.The key genes were validated in Alzdata database.Results 226 DEGs,606 ASAGs and 8 ARDEGs were obtained.The top 5 key genes selected by PPI were SYP,STXBP1,VAMP2,CPLX1 and STX1A.Alzdata database verified that the expressions of 5 key genes in other brain regions of AD were down-regulated,except for no significant changes of VAMP2 in hippocampus and STXBP1 in frontal cortex,as well as no expression of CPLX1 in frontal cortex.The differential expression of VAMP2,STXBP1 and STX1A appeared in the early stage of AD,and CPLX1 was related to the pathological process of Tau.SYP and STXBP1 were related to the pathological processes of amyloid β-protein and Tau.Conclusion SYP,STXBP1,VAMP2,CPLX1 and STX1A are ARDEGs,which are expected to be potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets for AD.

Objective To evaluate the application effect of a novel hemodialysis catheter fixing strap in clinical hemodialysis. Methods A total of 199 hemodialysis patients from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University between May and July 2023 were enrolled in this study. Employing the self-controlled study design, patients were initially fixed with conventional adhesive tape (fixation method A) for their dialysis tubing from May 20 to June 20, 2023. Subsequently, from June 21 to July 21, 2023, patients were transitioned to a novel hemodialysis catheter fixing belt (fixation method B) for the fixation of their dialysis tube. The incidence of puncture needle, central venous catheter displacement, the stability of fixation, and the satisfaction levels of nurses and patients were compared between the two fixation methods. Results The rate of puncture needle/central venous catheter displacement with method B was significantly lower than that with method A (P < 0.001). No statistically significant difference was observed in the puncture needle/central venous catheter displacement between the two methods (P>0.05). The stability of fixation with method B was significantly higher than that with method A (P < 0.001). Patients' satisfaction with fixation method B (in favor of mobility and comfort) was significantly higher than that with fixation method A (P < 0.001); similarly, nurses'satisfaction with fixation method B (in favor of cleaning and convenient operation) was markedly superior to that with fixation method A (P < 0.001). Conclusion Compared with the traditional adhesive tape fixation method, the novel hemodialysis catheter securing strap effectively secures the catheter with improved safety and significantly enhances the satisfaction of both nurses and patients.