OBJECTIVE To establish a method for simultaneous determination of 7 anti-tumor drugs （irinotecan， capecitabine， paclitaxel， docetaxel， tamoxifen， letrozole and methotrexate） in human plasma and apply it to the clinic. METHODS After precipitating with a methanol-acetonitrile mixture （1∶ 1， V/V） containing 0.1% formic acid， liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry （LC-MS/MS） was used to determine the plasma concentration， using deuterium isotopes of each analyte as internal standards. The chromatography was performed on the Agilent Eclipse Plus C18 column with a gradient elution of water （containing 0.1% formic acid+0.04% 5 mmol/L ammonium formate） as mobile phase A and acetonitrile （containing 0.1% formic acid） as mobile phase B. The flow rate was 0.6 mL/min， and the column temperature was set at 40 ℃ . The sample size was 10 μL， and the analysis lasted for 5.5 min. Electrospray ionization was used in positive and negative ion mode， and multiple reaction monitoring mode was used. The ion pairs used for quantitative analysis were m/z 587.1→167.1 （irinotecan）， m/z 360.1→244.1 （capecitabine）， m/z 876.4→308.0 （paclitaxel）， m/z 830.3→304.2 （docetaxel）， m/z 372.1→129.1 （tamoxifen）， m/z 284.1→242.1 （letrozole）， and m/z 455.0→ 308.0 （methotrexate）. A total of 97 patients with malignant tumors in our hospital were selected to measure the plasma concentrations of 7 anti-tumor drugs using the above method. RESULTS The linear ranges of irinotecan， capecitabine， paclitaxel， docetaxel， tamoxifen， letrozole and methotrexate were 2-1 000 ng/mL （r＝0.994 3）， 20-10 000 ng/mL （r＝0.997 5）， 2-1 000 ng/mL （r＝0.997 9）， 1-500 ng/mL （r＝0.995 8）， 1-500 ng/mL （r＝0.995 2）， 1-500 ng/mL （r＝0.996 4）， 10-5 000 （r＝0.997 7）， respectively. The quantitative lower limits were 2， 20， 2， 1， 1， 1 and 10 ng/mL； RSDs of intra-assay precision were 0.08%-14.86% （n＝6）. RSDs of inter-batch precision were 1.51%-11.55% （n＝3）， and the accuracies were 89.17%-114.93% （n＝6）. The matrix effects ranged from 89.89%-119.74% （n＝6）. RSDs of the stability tests were 1.98%-14.88% （n＝6）. The results of E-mail：hangpengzhou@163.com clinical application showed， the average plasma concentrations of irinotecan， capecitabine， paclitaxel and docetaxel were 704.09， 909.40， 36.45， 150.43 ng/mL， respectively. The values of the coefficient of variation were 25.24%， 62.65%， 122.69%， and 92.27%. CONCLUSIONS The established LC-MS/MS method is simple and rapid， and can be used for the simultaneous determination of 7 commonly used anti-tumor drugs in the plasma of patients with malignancy.

BACKGROUND:Ferroptosis is a mode of programmed cell death distinct from apoptosis,necrosis,and other novel cellular deaths,which occurs mainly due to accumulated lipid peroxidation.Ferroptosis has been shown to be involved in the pathological process following subarachnoid hemorrhage.Baicalein,serving as an adept sequestered of iron,evinces its prowess by quelling lipid peroxidative cascades.Nonetheless,the enigma lingers as to whether baicalein possesses the capacity to ameliorate neuronal ferroptosis,elicited in the wake of early brain injury after subarachnoid hemorrhage. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect and mechanism of baicalein on neuronal ferroptosis after subarachnoid hemorrhage. METHODS:Primary neuronal cells were extracted from C57BL/6L fetal mice at 16-17 days of gestation.Hemoglobin was used to stimulate primary neuronal cells to simulate an in vitro subarachnoid hemorrhage model.The viability of primary neuronal cells treated with baicalein at concentrations of 5,15,25,50,and 100 μmol/L for 24 hours was detected by CCK-8 assay to determine the optimal concentration of baicalein.Primary neuronal cells were divided into control group,hemoglobin group,and hemoglobin+baicalein group.The levels of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde in cells were detected by kits.The mRNA expressions of ferroptosis-related markers PTGS2,SLC7A11,and glutathione peroxidase 4 were detected by RT-PCR.The primary neuronal cells were further divided into control group,SLC7A11 inhibitor Erastin group,hemoglobin group,hemoglobin+baicalein group,and hemoglobin+baicalein+Erastin group.The expression of the ferroptosis related markers SLC7A11 and glutathione peroxidase 4 was detected by western blot assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Baicalein(25 μmol/L)was selected as the following experimental concentration.(2)Compared with the hemoglobin group,the level of malondialdehyde and the level of reactive oxygen species were significantly decreased(P<0.05)in the hemoglobin+baicalein group.(3)Compared with the hemoglobin group,the mRNA expression of PTGS2 significantly decreased,and the mRNA expression of SLC7A11 and glutathione peroxidase 4 significantly increased(P<0.000 1)in the hemoglobin+baicalein group.(4)SLC7A11 inhibitor Erastin could reverse the baicalin-improved ferroptosis effect to a certain extent(P<0.05).(5)The results showed that baicalein could alleviate the ferroptosis of neuronal cells after subarachnoid hemorrhage through the SLC7A11/GPX4 pathway.

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis （NASH） is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by hepatocyte fatty degeneration and ballooning degeneration， and it plays an important role in the progression of hepatic steatosis. Recent studies have shown that immune homeostasis imbalance between T helper 17 （Th17） and regulatory T （Treg） cells are closely associated with the pathological process of NASH. Transforming growth factor-β1 （TGF-β1） is a key cytokine for regulating the differentiation and proliferation of Th17/Treg cells， and TGF-β1 binds to its receptor and activates the Smad signaling pathway， thereby regulating the immune balance of Th17/Treg cells and the expression of inflammatory factors and participating in the repair of liver inflammation. This article systematically reviews the molecular mechanism of the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway in affecting NASH by regulating the immune balance of Th17/Treg cells， in order to provide a theoretical basis for the research on the pathogenesis of NASH and related treatment strategies.

ObjectiveTraditional Chinese medicine (TCM) constitutes a valuable cultural heritage and an important source of antitumor compounds. Poria (Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf), the dried sclerotium of a polyporaceae fungus, was first documented in Shennong’s Classic of Materia Medica and has been used therapeutically and dietarily in China for millennia. Traditionally recognized for its diuretic, spleen-tonifying, and sedative properties, modern pharmacological studies confirm that Poria exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antitumor activities. Pachymic acid (PA; a triterpenoid with the chemical structure 3β-acetyloxy-16α-hydroxy-lanosta-8,24(31)-dien-21-oic acid), isolated from Poria, is a principal bioactive constituent. Emerging evidence indicates PA exerts antitumor effects through multiple mechanisms, though these remain incompletely characterized. Neuroblastoma (NB), a highly malignant pediatric extracranial solid tumor accounting for 15% of childhood cancer deaths, urgently requires safer therapeutics due to the limitations of current treatments. Although PA shows multi-mechanistic antitumor potential, its efficacy against NB remains uncharacterized. This study systematically investigated the potential molecular targets and mechanisms underlying the anti-NB effects of PA by integrating network pharmacology-based target prediction with experimental validation of multi-target interactions through molecular docking, dynamic simulations, and in vitro assays, aimed to establish a novel perspective on PA’s antitumor activity and explore its potential clinical implications for NB treatment by integrating computational predictions with biological assays. MethodsThis study employed network pharmacology to identify potential targets of PA in NB, followed by validation using molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, MM/PBSA free energy analysis, RT-qPCR and Western blot experiments. Network pharmacology analysis included target screening via TCMSP, GeneCards, DisGeNET, SwissTargetPrediction, SuperPred, and PharmMapper. Subsequently, potential targets were predicted by intersecting the results from these databases via Venn analysis. Following target prediction, topological analysis was performed to identify key targets using Cytoscape software. Molecular docking was conducted using AutoDock Vina, with the binding pocket defined based on crystal structures. MD simulations were performed for 100 ns using GROMACS, and RMSD, RMSF, SASA, and hydrogen bonding dynamics were analyzed. MM/PBSA calculations were carried out to estimate the binding free energy of each protein-ligand complex. In vitro validation included RT-qPCR and Western blot, with GAPDH used as an internal control. ResultsThe CCK-8 assay demonstrated a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect of PA on NB cell viability. GO analysis suggested that the anti-NB activity of PA might involve cellular response to chemical stress, vesicle lumen, and protein tyrosine kinase activity. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis suggested that the anti-NB activity of PA might involve the PI3K/AKT, MAPK, and Ras signaling pathways. Molecular docking and MD simulations revealed stable binding interactions between PA and the core target proteins AKT1, EGFR, SRC, and HSP90AA1. RT-qPCR and Western blot analyses further confirmed that PA treatment significantly decreased the mRNA and protein expression of AKT1, EGFR, and SRC while increasing the HSP90AA1 mRNA and protein levels. ConclusionIt was suggested that PA may exert its anti-NB effects by inhibiting AKT1, EGFR, and SRC expression, potentially modulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. These findings provide crucial evidence supporting PA’s development as a therapeutic candidate for NB.

Kounis syndrome is an acute coronary syndrome triggered by an allergic reaction, which is clinically rare and frequently subject to misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis. This article presents a case report of a 70-year-old male patient who developed a rash, pruritus, and chest pain following colon polyp resection. Coronary angiography revealed occlusion of the left anterior descending artery, and blood flow was restored after stent implantation. However, the patient experienced recurrent symptoms accompanied by loss of consciousness. Drug skin tests confirmed positive reactions to chlorhexidine and fondaparinux sodium, leading to a diagnosis of type Ⅱ Kounis syndrome. By avoiding allergenic drugs and combining antihistamines with symptomatic treatment to correct myocardial ischemia, the patient′s clinical symptoms significantly improved, and he eventually recovered and was discharged from the hospital. This case underscores the importance of maintaining vigilance for this syndrome in patients with allergies accompanied by chest pain and promptly identifying and avoiding allergens.

The precise localization of pulmonary nodules has become an important technical key point in the treatment of pulmonary nodules by thoracoscopic surgery, which is a guarantee for safe margin and avoiding removal of too much normal lung parenchyma. With the development of medical technology and equipment, the methods of locating pulmonary nodules are also becoming less trauma and convenience. There are currently a number of methods applied to the preoperative or intraoperative localization of pulmonary nodules, including preoperative percutaneous puncture localization, preoperative transbronchial localization, intraoperative palpation localization, intraoperative ultrasound localization, and localization according to anatomy. The most appropriate localization method should be selected according to the location of the nodule, available equipment, and surgeon鈥檚 experience. According to the published literatures, we have sorted out a variety of different theories and methods of localization of pulmonary nodules in this article, summarizing their advantages and disadvantages for references.

It has become an industry consensus that self-assembled nanoparticles (SAN) are formed by molecular recognition of chemical components in traditional Chinese medicine during the decoction process. The insoluble components in the decoction are mostly in the form of nanoparticles, which can improve the problem of poor water solubility. However, the transfer rate of these insoluble components in the decoction is still very low, which limits the efficacy of the drug. This study aimed to refine the traditional decoction self-assembly phenomenon. The self-assembled nanoparticles were constructed by micro-precipitation method (MP-SAN), and characterized by particle size, zeta potential, stability index and morphology. The formation of MP-SAN and alterations in related physicochemical properties were evaluated using modern spectroscopic and thermal analysis techniques. The quality value transmitting pattern of lignan components within the MP-SAN was assessed via high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The MP-SAN showed sphere-like structure with uniform morphology, particle size of (245.3 ± 3.2) nm, polydispersity index (PDI) of (0.13 ± 0.03), zeta potential of (-48.9 ± 5.9) mV and stability index (SI) of (86.05% ± 2.27%). Comprehensive analyses using ultraviolet visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and other techniques confirmed molecular recognition between the decoction and ethanol extraction, leading to electron rearrangement under the influence of non-covalent bonding. This resulted in the formation of nanoparticles possessing superior thermal stability. As determined by HPLC, the encapsulation rates of the index components in the MP-SAN were all greater than 75% (dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol: 77.00%; herpetolide A: 78.57%; herpetrione: 94.53%), and the transfer rates were all higher than 65% (dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol: 96.01%; herpetolide A: 67.86%; herpetrione: 65.55%), which were 1.34, 1.38 and 4.81 times compared with those of the traditional decoction. In summary, this study successfully constructed the MP-SAN based on micro-precipitation method to achieve high transfer rate and high encapsulation rate of insoluble components in docoction, which provides a pharmaceutics idea for the efficient utilization of pharmacodynamic substance basis of traditional Chinese medicine.

Projection micro stereolithography three-dimensional(3D)printing method was proposed in this study to fabricate complex microchannels of combined cross-sections.By using 3D printing and polydimethylsiloxane(PDMS)replication methods,two inertial microfluidic chips of three-step and five-step cross-sections were fabricated,and the dimension precisions of the microchannels were controlled within 20 μm.Using the microfluidic chips,the movements of two fluorescent polystyrene particles with diameters of 10 and 6 μm in the stepped channels were investigated.In addition,numerical simulations were applied to demonstrate the inertial focusing mechanisms of particles in the channels.It was found that 10-μm particles had three equilibrium positions in the three-step channel,which located at the inner walls of the three steps,respectively,and most particles focused at the inner step.The 6-μm particles also had three equilibrium positions in the three-step channel.However,the particles migrated to the middle and the outer steps under high flow rates.In the five-step channel,when the flow rate was increased gradually,10-μm particles had a single and two equilibrium positions,respectively,and the particles migrated towards the inner channel wall under high flow rates.In comparison to 10-μm particles,6-μm particles had two stable equilibrium positions in the five-step channel at all flow rate range.It could be concluded that the quantity,shape and strength of the secondary flow vortex could be altered by changing structure of the combined cross-section,thus the equilibrium positions and quantities of the focusing particles could be also regulated.The research outcome might provide new insights for precise cell inertial manipulation and promote the application and development of inertial microfluidic technology in biomedical and other fields.

An intensive breast array sensor was designed based on three-dimensional electrical impedance tomography in this work.Firstly,an electrical impedance sensor for detection of breast cancer was developed.The sensor adopted the integrated design of excitation electrode array and ground electrode to achieve structural simplification.It realized electric field densification through conical matrix and double-layer circumferentially arranged electrode array and improved the detection accuracy of target object through taper optimization.Secondly,the imaging system was designed,and the sensor was optimized by numerical simulation.The simulation results showed that halving the number of electrodes did not affect imaging accuracy of the sensor,but could improve the imaging speed.Finally,the performance of the sensor was verified by experiment.The signal-to-noise ratio and channel consistency of the system were at a good level.The sensor was used to reconstruct three-dimensional image of the experimental model with relative volume of the detection field of 0.4%.The image correlation coefficient of the single target imaging was above 0.6 and the position of the double target object could be clearly identified,and thus the visual detection of breast cancer was realized.

BACKGROUND:The pituitary gland is an important endocrine organ in the body.Certain diseases can cause damage to the pituitary gland,such as pituitary adenoma and abnormal hormone secretion.Pituitary stem cells,due to their self-renewal and multi-directional differentiation potential,are expected to become a new therapeutic approach for repairing damaged pituitary glands. OBJECTIVE:To isolate and culture pituitary stem cells using the suspension cell ball culture method and identify their proliferation and differentiation ability. METHODS:Pituitary stem cells were isolated and cultured from the pituitary gland of newborn New Zealand white rabbits using the suspension cell ball culture method,and their morphological characteristics were observed.Immunofluorescence cytochemistry was used to detect the expression of pituitary stem cell markers SOX2 and Nestin.EdU labeling method was utilized to detect the proliferative ability of pituitary stem cells.After adherent and induced differentiation,the hormone levels in the culture medium were detected by ELISA. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Pituitary stem cell spheres could be successfully isolated by the suspension cell ball culture method,with strong proliferative ability.Positive expression of stem cell-specific markers SOX2 and Nestin was found in the cultured cells.After induction and differentiation,adrenocorticotropic hormone,thyroid hormone,growth hormone,luteinizing hormone,follicle-stimulating hormone,and prolactin levels significantly increased in the medium(P<0.001),with strong differentiation ability.