Chronic refractory wound （CRW） presents significant clinical treatment challenges due to pathological characteristics such as persistent inflammation， bacterial infection， oxidative stress and inadequate angiogenesis. Astragali Radix， a traditional Chinese medicinal herb， exerts multi-target pharmacological effects on CRW through its active components， including Astragalus polysaccharides， flavonoids， and astragaloside Ⅳ， etc. Fundamental studies indicate that these components promote CRW healing by modulating inflammatory responses， inhibiting pathogen growth， improving antioxidant capacity and stimulating neovascularization. Network pharmacology and bioinformatics studies have revealed that active components of Astragali Radix target and modulate key signaling nodes such as nuclear factor-κB， phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt， AMP-activated protein kinase， and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor， as well as inflammation-angiogenesis-related pathways， thereby synergistically exerting anti-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic effect. Clinical applications have demonstrated that oral formulations （e.g.， Huangqi guizhi decoction， Danggui huangqi decoction， etc.） reduce healing time of CRW and lower inflammatory marker levels， while topical preparations （e.g.， Zizhu ointment， Huangqi shengji ointment， electrostatically spun Astragalus polysaccharide composite nanofibre dressings， etc.） significantly improve healing rates of CRW and minimize complications.

Background Permethrin is a commonly used pyrethroid insecticide and has been found to be potentially neurotoxic. Microglia are innate immune cells in the central nervous system and are involved in the development of a range of neurodegenerative diseases. Objective To observe possible toxic effects of permethrin on human microglia clone 3 (HMC3) in vitro and explore associated mechanism. Methods HMC3 were treated with 0, 10, 25, and 55 μmol·L⁻¹ permethrin for 72 h. Cell cycle and apoptosis were measured using flow cytometry. Cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1), cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (CDKN1A), cyclin B2 (CCNB2), cellular tumor antigen p53 (p53), factor-related apoptosis (FAS), caspase 3 (CASP3), and H2A histone family member X (H2AX) were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). The differential genes and enrichment pathways of HMC3 after 0 and 25 μmol·L⁻¹ permethrin treatment was analyzed by RNA sequencing. HMC3 was treated by 0, 10, 25, and 55 μmol· L⁻¹ permethrin for 72 h. The content of nitric oxide (NO) in the supernatant was detected using Griess reagent. The secretion level of interleukin-6 (IL-6) was detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mRNA expression levels of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway (including MAPK1, MAPK8, and MAPK14), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) families (including MMP1, MMP2, MMP3, and MMP9) were detected by qPCR. The protein expressions of phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-p38), phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK), IL-1β, IL-6, and MMP1 were detected by Western blot. Results HMC3 was arrested in G2/M phase after 0, 10, 25, and 55 μmol·L⁻¹ permethrin treatment for 72 h, of which there was a statistically significant difference between the 55 μmol·L⁻¹ permethrin treatment group and the control group (P<0.01), and the mRNA expression of CDKN1A was up-regulated according to the qPCR (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the proportions of apoptosis between the groups (P＞0.05). The RNA sequencing showed that the differential genes were enriched in the MAPK pathway, and the mRNA expressions of MAPK1, MAPK8, and MAPK14 were up-regulated after the permethrin treatment at 55 μmol·L⁻¹ compared to the control group by qPCR (P<0.05). The Western blot revealed that, compared to the control group, the levels of p-p38 and p-ERK were increased after the 10 μmol·L⁻¹ permetrin treatment (P<0.05), the p-ERK level was increased after the 25 μmol·L⁻¹ permetrin treatment (P<0.05), and the p-p38 level was up-regulated after the 55 μmol·L⁻¹ permetrin treatment (P<0.05). The secretion of NO in the supernatant of HMC3 increased after permetrin treatment compared to the control group (P<0.05), the mRNA and protein expressions and the secretion of IL-6 showed an upward trend, the mRNA and protein expressions of IL-1β were up-regulated (P<0.05), and the mRNA and protein expressions of MMP1 were up-regulated in the 25 and 55 μmol·L⁻¹ permethrin groups (P<0.05). Conclusion Permethrin inhibits HMC3 cell proliferation in vitro, induces cell cycle arrest, activates MAPK pathway, and promotes the expression of inflammatory factors IL-1β and MMP1, which may be one of the mechanism of neurotoxicity induced by permethrin.

The gene GeDRP1E encoding dynamin-related protein 1E in Gastrodia elata was cloned by specific primers which were designed based on the transcriptome data of G. elata. Bioinformatics analysis on GeDRP1E gene was carried out by using ExPASy, ClustalW, MEGA, etc. Positive transgenic Arabidopsis plant and potato minituber were obtained with the genetic transformation system of Arabidopsis and potato. The plant height and seed setting rate of transgenic Arabidopsis, and agronomic characters, such as size, weight and starch content of potato minituber of transgenic potato were tested and analyzed. And GeDRP1E gene function was preliminarily investigated. The results showed that the open reading frame of GeDRP1E gene was 1 899 bp in length and 632 amino acids residues were encoded, with a relative molecular weight of 69.90 kDa and a molecular formula of C₃₀₇₉H₄₉₇₃N₈₈₃O₉₃₃S₁₉. It was predicted that the theoretical isoelectric point was 7.27, the instability coefficient was 43.34, and the average hydrophilicity index was -0.259, which was indicative of an unstable hydrophilic protein. GeDRP1E has no transmembrane structure and signal peptide, and was localized in the cytoplasm. The phylogenetic tree showed that GeDRP1E was highly homologous with DRP1E proteins of other plant species, among which GeDRP1E had the highest homology with DcDRP1E (XP_020689662.1) in Dendrobium candidum, reaching 90.05%. GeDRP1E plant expression vector pCambia1300-35Spro-GeDRP1E was constructed by double digests, and Arabidopsis complementary mutant and potato overexpression strain of GeDRP1E gene were obtained by Agrobacterium-mediated gene transformation. Compared with the Arabidopsis AtDRP1E mutant, the height and seed setting rate of the GeDRP1E complementation mutant were rescued. The minituber of GeDRP1E overexpression potato had larger size, heavier weight and higher starch content, comparing to wild-type potato. It was preliminarily induced that GeDRP1E was involved in mitochondrial morphology regulation, which related to the growth and development of Arabidopsis plants and potato miniature. The research results laid a foundation for further elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying the growth and development of G. elata tuber development.

This study aims to investigate the effect of salvianolic acid B (Sal B), the active ingredient of Salvia miltiorrhiza, on H9C2 cardiomyocytes injured by oxygen and glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) through regulating mitochondrial fission and fusion. The process of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury was simulated by establishing OGD/R model. The cell proliferation and cytotoxicity detection kit (cell counting kit-8, CCK-8) was used to detect cell viability; the kit method was used to detect intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), total glutathione (t-GSH), nitric oxide (NO) content, protein expression levels of mitochondrial fission and fusion, apoptosis-related detection by Western blot. Mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) detection kit and Hoechst 33342 fluorescence was used to observe the opening level of MPTP, and molecular docking technology was used to determine the molecular target of Sal B. The results showed that relative to control group, OGD/R injury reduced cell viability, increased the content of ROS, decreased the content of t-GSH and NO. Furthermore, OGD/R injury increased the protein expression levels of dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), mitofusions 2 (Mfn2), Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax) and cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 3 (caspase 3), and decreased the protein expression levels of Mfn1, increased MPTP opening level. Compared with the OGD/R group, it was observed that Sal B had a protective effect at concentrations ranging from 6.25 to 100 μmol·L^-1. Sal B decreased the content of ROS, increased the content of t-GSH and NO, and Western blot showed that Sal B decreased the protein expression levels of Drp1, Mfn2, Bax and caspase 3, increased the protein expression level of Mfn1, and decreased the opening level of MPTP. In summary, Sal B may inhibit the opening of MPTP, reduce cell apoptosis and reduce OGD/R damage in H9C2 cells by regulating the balance of oxidation and anti-oxidation, mitochondrial fission and fusion, thereby providing a scientific basis for the use of Sal B in the treatment of myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury.

BACKGROUND:As a routine method after lumbar spine surgery,a drainage tube is convenient for postoperative bleeding drainage and management,and there is still no consensus on the choice of postoperative removal time for short-segment lumbar spine surgery with less risk. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of different drainage times on early clinical efficacy after short-segment lumbar fusion. METHODS:A prospective randomized controlled study was performed on 220 patients in the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University who underwent posterior lumbar interbody fusion for lumbar degenerative diseases from March 2017 to April 2021.According to the different drainage times,the patients were randomly divided into removal on the second day after operation(group A),removal on the third day after operation(group B),and removal after the observation method 24-hour drainage volume<30 mL(group C).The perioperative indicators and follow-up results of the three groups of patients were observed and compared. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Because 7 patients were lost to follow-up,2 patients were excluded,and 211 patients were finally included(72 patients in group A,71 patients in group B,and 68 patients in group C).(2)The average drainage time of group C was 2.91 days.The postoperative drainage volume in group A was significantly less than that in groups B and C,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).On day 3 after operation,the hematocrit value of group C was lower than that of group A and group B,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Postoperative activity time and hospital stay in group A were shorter than those in groups B and C,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).(3)Four patients in group A,two patients in group B and three patients in group C received an allogeneic blood transfusion.There was no significant difference among the groups(P>0.05).(4)In terms of postoperative complications,there were no statistical differences in postoperative wound leakage and surgical site infection in all three groups(P>0.05).(5)All patients were followed up for more than 12 months.Visual analog scale score and Oswestry dysfunction index of the three groups of patients before discharge and at the last follow-up were significantly improved compared with those before surgery(P<0.05).There was no statistical significance among the groups(P>0.05).(6)It is indicated that the removal of the drainage tube on the second day after a posterior lumbar fusion can effectively reduce the time to get out of bed and hospital stay,without increasing the postoperative blood loss and the risk of complications.

BACKGROUND:With the variation of disease treatment modes and the in-depth research on senile osteoporosis in recent years,increasing studies have confirmed that traditional Chinese medicine has a significant effect on the prevention and treatment of senile osteoporosis. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of Yishen Gushu Formula on bone metabolic markers in patients with osteoporosis of kidney deficiency and blood stasis type. METHODS:102 patients with senile osteoporosis of kidney deficiency and blood stasis type who were treated at Ruikang Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from July 2020 to March 2022 were enrolled,including 32 males and 70 females,aged 71-93 years.All patients were randomly divided into two groups,with 51 patients in each group.The control group was treated with calcium carbonate D3 granules and sodium alendronate tablets,while the treatment group was treated with Yishen Gushu Formula beyond the control group.Treatments in each group lasted 3 months.Bone mineral density of the L1-4 lumbar vertebrae and left femoral neck,visual analog scale score,and serum levels of osteocalcin,osteopontin,type Ⅰ collagen cross-linked C-terminal peptide and tartrate resistant acid phosphatase were measured before and 3 months after treatment.Traditional Chinese medicine syndrome score and therapeutic efficiency were also assessed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After 3 months of treatment,the bone mineral density of the lumbar vertebrae(L1-4)and left femoral neck was significantly increased in both two groups(P<0.05),and the bone mineral density of the lumbar vertebrae(L1-4)and left femoral neck was significantly higher in the treatment group than the control group(P<0.05).The visual analog scale scores of both groups after 3 months of treatment were lower than those before treatment(P<0.05),and the visual analog scores of the treatment group after 3 months of treatment were lower than those of the control group(P<0.05).After 3 months of treatment,the serum levels of osteocalcin,osteopontin,type Ⅰ collagen cross-linked C-terminal peptide and tartrate resistant acid phosphatase were significantly improved in both two groups,while compared with the control group,the serum levels of osteocalcin and osteopontin were significantly higher(P<0.05)and the serum levels of type Ⅰ collagen cross-linked C-terminal peptide and tartrate resistant acid phosphatase were significantly lower in the treatment group(P<0.05).After 3 months of treatment,the Traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores were decreased in both two groups,while the Traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group.After 3 months of treatment,no significant adverse reactions occurred in both groups.The total effective rate was 88.2%and 70.6%in the treatment and control groups respectively,and there was a significant difference between the two groups(P<0.05).To conclude,Yishen Gushu Formula combined with anti-osteoporosis drugs can significantly improve the clinical symptoms of patients with senile osteoporosis of kidney deficiency and blood stasis type and prevent disease progression by regulating bone metabolism,increasing bone mineral density,and relieving pain.

BACKGROUND:Some patients with cervical spondylosis have not been fully corrected sagittal position balance after cervical surgery,and this continuous sagittal position imbalance may be an important reason for the poor long-term clinical outcome of patients. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the correlation between the cervical sagittal position balance parameters and their changes and the clinical efficacy of patients in the unbalanced state after anterior cervical decompression and fusion and to explore the necessity of surgical correction of sagittal balance in order to improve the clinical effect in the later stage. METHODS:A retrospective analysis was performed on 125 patients with cervical spondylosis who underwent anterior cervical decompression and fusion in the Department of Spinal Surgery of Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from July 2019 to July 2022.Follow-up patients had good postoperative recovery(neck disability index score less than 10%one week after surgery)and had complete follow-up data.According to the axial vertical distance(C2-7 SVA)in sagittal position one week after surgery,patients were divided into type I imbalance group(C2-7 SVA loss≤5 mm,n=27),type Ⅱ imbalance group(C2-7 SVA loss>5 mm,and≤10 mm,n=19),and type Ⅲ imbalance group(C2-7 SVA loss>10 mm,n=12),and non-unbalanced group(C2-7 SVA in the normal range,n=67).The changes of visual analog scale score and neck disability index were compared among groups postoperatively and the last follow-up,as well as the changes of imaging sagittal balance parameters C2-7 cobb angle,C2-7 SVA value,neck inclination angle,T1 inclination angle,and thoracic entrance angle.The correlation between the late clinical effect and postoperative cervical sagittal disequilibrium was explored. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)There was no statistical difference in general data among the four groups(P>0.05).All patients underwent successful surgery without serious complications and postoperative wound infection.The follow-up time was more than 1 year.(2)There was no significant difference in preoperative symptom score and clinical efficacy one week after surgery(P>0.05).At the last follow-up,pain visual analog scale score,neck disability index and C2-7 SVA were lower than those before surgery but higher than those one week after surgery(P<0.05).C2-7 cobb angle was increased compared with those before operation(P<0.05).T1 inclination angle was decreased compared with those before operation(P<0.05).(3)Pearson correlation test showed that the change of neck disability index was positively correlated with the change of C2-7 SVA(P<0.05).(4)It is indicated that anterior cervical decompression and fusion is effective in the treatment of cervical spondylosis,and can effectively relieve the symptoms of patients.Patients with more severe cervical sagittal disequilibrium after surgery had worse curative effect in the later period.Continuous sagittal disequilibrium in patients with cervical spondylosis after surgery is an important cause of poor curative effect in the later stage.Clinicians should pay more attention to the correction of cervical sagittal balance before and during surgery,formulate surgical strategies and plans according to sagittal balance parameters before surgery,and correct C2-7 SVA intraoperatively to the normal range.

AIM:To observe how total flavonoids of Pterocarya hupehensis Skan(PHSTF)affects the migra-tion and invasion of human rheumatoid fibroblast-like synoviocyte line MH7A.METHODS:The MH7A cells were divided into control group(without any treatment),low-,medium-and high-dose(6.25,12.5 and 25 mg/L,respectively)PHSTF groups,phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)inhibitor 740Y-P(10 μmol/L)group,and 740Y-P(10 μmol/L)+high-dose(25 mg/L)PHSTF group.The viability of the MH7A cells was determined by CCK-8 assay,while the migration and inva-sion were assessed by scratch and Transwell assays.The protein levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2),MMP-9,PI3K,p-PI3K,AKT and p-AKT were detected by Western blot.RESULTS:Compared with control group,the cell via-bility in PHSTF treatment groups was reduced(P<0.05),the cell wound healing area was significantly decreased(P<0.01),migratory and invasive cells in the lower chamber were significantly reduced(P<0.01),and the protein expres-sion of MMP-2 and MMP-9 and the ratios of p-PI3K/PI3K and pAKT/AKT were decreased(P<0.01).Compared with high-dose PHSTF group,the addition of PI3K/AKT pathway agonist 740Y-P significantly increased the migration and invasion ability of MH7A cells(P<0.01)and elevated the protein expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 and the ratios of p-PI3K/PI3K and pAKT/AKT(P<0.01)under the treatment with PHSTF.CONCLUSION:Total flavonoids of Pterocarya hupehensis Skan could inhibit the migration and invasion of MH7A cells by regulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

AIM:To investigate the impact of total flavonoids of Pterocarya hupehensis Skan(PHSTF)on the migration,invasion,and ferroptosis of non-small-cell lung cancer A549 cells.METHODS:The A549 cells were divided into control group,low-,medium-and high-dose(100,150 and 200 μg/mL)PHSTF groups,ferroptosis inhibitor liprox-statin-1(Lip-1)group,and high-dose PHSTF combined with Lip-1 group,each cultured in corresponding media.Cell via-bility was assessed using the CCK-8 assay,while cell migration and invasion abilities were determined through scratch and Transwell assays.Cell lipid peroxidation levels were measured using the glutathione(GSH)assay kit.RT-qPCR was em-ployed to assess the mRNA expression of solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11)and glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),while Western blot was utilized to examine the protein expression of SLC7A11,GPX4,Kelch-like epichlorohy-drin-associated protein-1(Keap-1),nuclear factor E2-related factor 2(Nrf2)and heme oxygenase-1(HO-1).RE-SULTS:Compared with control group,PHSTF significantly diminished the viability of A549 cells in a time-and dose-de-pendent manner(P＜0.01),and the cell migration and invasion were also reduced(P＜0.01),along with a significant de-crease in GSH level(P＜0.01).Treatment with PHSTF inhibited the mRNA and protein expression levels of ferroptosis-re-lated proteins,including SLC7A11 and GPX4(P＜0.01),suppressed the protein expression of Nrf2 and HO-1(P＜0.01),and enhanced the expression of Keap-1(P＜0.01).The Lip-1 partially restored the decrease in cell viability in-duced by PHSTF(P＜0.01),significantly up-regulated the protein expression levels of SLC7A11,GPX4,Nrf2 and HO-1,and suppressed the protein expression of Keap-1(P＜0.01).CONCLUSION:Total flavonoids of Pterocarya hupehen-sis Skan can inhibit the migration and invasion of non-small-cell lung cancer A549 cells,and induce the cell ferroptosis by regulating the Keap-1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.

Background Improper settings of outdoor smoking points in public places may increase the risk of secondhand smoke exposure among the population. Conducting research on air pollution in and around smoking spots and related influencing factors can provide valuable insights for optimizing the setting of outdoor smoking points. Objective To investigate the influence of the number of smokers at outdoor smoking points and the distance on the diffusion characteristics of surrounding air pollutants, in order to optimize the setting of outdoor smoking points. Methods Surrounding the exhibition halls in the China International Import Expo (CIIE), two outdoor smoking points were randomly selected, one on the first floor (ground level) and the other on the second floor (16 m above ground), respectively. At 0, 3, 6, and 9 m from the smoking points in the same direction, validated portable air pollutant monitors were used to measure the real-time fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrations for consecutive 5 d during the exhibition, as well as the environmental meteorological factors at 0 m with weather meters including wind speed, wind direction, and air pressure. An open outdoor atmospheric background sampling point was selected on each of the two floors to carry out parallel sampling. Simultaneously, the number of smokers at each smoking point were double recorded per minute. The relationships between the number of smokers, distance from the smoking points, and ambient PM_2.5 and CO₂ concentrations were evaluated by generalized additive regression models for time-series data after adjustment of confounders such as temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed. Results The median numbers of smokers at smoking points on the first and second floors were 6 [interquartile range (IQR): 3, 9] and 9 (IQR: 6, 13), respectively. Windless (wind speed <0.6 m·s⁻¹) occupied most of the time (85.9%) at both locations. The average concentration of ambient PM_2.5 at the smoking points (0 m) [mean ± standard deviation, (106±114) μg·m⁻³] was 4.2 times higher than that of the atmospheric background [(25±7) μg·m⁻³], the PM_2.5 concentration showed a gradient decline with the increase of distance from the smoking points, and the average PM_2.5 concentration at 9 m points [(35±22) μg·m⁻³] was close to the background level (1.4 times higher). The maximum concentration of CO₂ [(628±23) μmol·mol⁻¹] was observed at 0 m, and its average value was 1.3 times higher than that of the atmospheric background [(481±40) μmol·mol⁻¹], and there was no gradient decrease in CO₂ concentration with increasing distance at 0, 3, 6, and 9 m points. The regression analyses showed that, taking smoking point as the reference, every 3 m increase in distance was associated with a decrease of ambient PM_2.5 by 24.6 [95% confidence interval (95%CI): 23.5, 25.8] μg·m⁻³ (23.2%) and CO₂ by 54.1 (95%CI: 53.1, 55.1) μmol·mol⁻¹ (8.6%). Every one extra smoker at the smoking point was associated with an average increase of PM_2.5 and CO₂ by 2.0 (95%CI: 1.7, 2.8) μg·m⁻³ and 1.0 (95%CI: 0.7，1.2) μmol·mol⁻¹, respectively. The sensitivity analysis indicated that, under windless conditions, the concentrations of PM_2.5 and CO₂ at the smoking points were even higher but the decreasing and dispersion characteristics remained consistent. Conclusion Outdoor smoking points could significantly increase the PM_2.5 concentrations in the surrounding air and the risks of secondhand smoke exposure, despite of the noticeable decreasing trend with increasing distance. Considering the inevitable poor dispersion conditions such as windless and light wind, outdoor smoking points are recommended to be set at least 9 m or farther away from non-smoking areas.