According to the World Health Organization's world report on hearing, nearly 2.5 billion people worldwide will suffer from hearing loss by 2050, which may contribute to a severe impact on individual life quality and national economies. Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) occurs commonly as a result of noise exposure, aging, and ototoxic drugs, and is pathologically characterized by the impairment of mechanosensory hair cells of the inner ear, which is mainly triggered by reactive oxygen species accumulation, inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Though recent advances have been made in understanding the ability of cochlear repair and regeneration, there are still no effective therapeutic drugs for SNHL. Chinese herbal medicine which is widely distributed and easily accessible in China has demonstrated a unique curative effect against SNHL with higher safety and lower cost compared with Western medicine. Herein we present trends in research for Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of SNHL, and elucidate their molecular mechanisms of action, to pave the way for further research and development of novel effective drugs in this field.

Objective To examine the application effectiveness of dual 8F ultrafine pigtail drainage tubes versus a single 28F large-bore chest tube in single-port thoracoscopic lobectomy/segmentectomy. Methods Clinical data of patients who underwent single-port video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy/segmentectomy within our medical group from January 2020 to August 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. They were categorized into two groups based on postoperative drainage methods: a dual 8F ultrafine pigtail tubes group and a single 28F large-bore chest tube group. Comparative analysis was performed on perioperative data for the two groups of patients. Results The dual 8F ultrafine pigtail tubes group comprised of 68 patients, with 41 females and 27 males, and an average age of (54.72±13.34) years, while the single 28F large-bore chest tube group comprised of 80 patients, with 40 females and 40 males, and an average age of (57.60±11.04) years. There were statistical differences between the two groups in terms of postoperative drainage volume on day 1, day 2, and day 3, total postoperative drainage volume, postoperative tube placement time, postoperative pain score at 48 hours, maximum postoperative pain score, postoperative hospital stay, postoperative complications related to drainage tubes, and emergency use of pain-relieving medication after surgery (P＜0.05). Conclusion After single-port thoracoscopic lobectomy/segmentectomy, the application of dual ultrafine 8F pigtail drainage tubes can lead to a reduction in postoperative drainage volume and shorten the duration of postoperative drainage tube placement and hospital stay, thereby decreasing postoperative pain and the frequency of emergency pain-relieving medication. Moreover, it lowers the incidence of drainage tube-related complications. In alignment with current enhanced recovery after surgery principles, this approach is advantageous for postoperative recovery.

Objective:To explore the value of CO 2 laser therapy, photodynamic therapy, and follow-up observation in the management of cervical low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL). Methods:Women diagnosed with cervical LSIL and high risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection through colposcopy-guided biopsy from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2023 were collected. According to a 1∶1 ratio, 107 cases were included in each of the laser treatment, photodynamic therapy, and follow-up groups. The complete remission rate and HR-HPV clearance rate were compared during the 6-12 months follow-up period.Results:(1) Comparison of clinical data among the three groups before treatment: the median age of the 321 patients was (34.9±8.1) years. Before treatment, cytological abnormalities were present in 51.7% (166/321) of patients, and 35.2% (113/321) had human papillomavirus (HPV) 16/18 infections. The accuracy rate of colposcopic diagnosis was 69.2% (222/321). Age, cytology results, HPV 16/18 infection, and colposcopy diagnosis in the laser group, photodynamic group, and follow-up group were compared, and there were not statistically significant differences (all P>0.05). (2) During the 6-12 months follow-up period, the complete remission rate was 89.7% (96/107) in the laser group, slightly higher than the 86.9% (93/107) in the photodynamic group, with no statistical difference between the two groups ( χ2=0.41, P=0.523). However, both were significantly higher than the 64.5% (69/107) in the follow-up group ( χ2=19.30, P<0.001; χ2=14.63, P<0.001). The HR-HPV clearance rates in the laser and photodynamic groups were 73.8% (79/107) and 68.2% (73/107), respectively, both significantly higher than the 32.7% (35/107) in the follow-up group ( χ2=36.34, P<0.001; χ2=26.99, P<0.001), but with no statistical difference between the laser and photodynamic groups ( χ2=0.82, P=0.366). Conclusions:CO 2 laser therapy and photodynamic therapy are effective treatments for cervical LSIL, significantly superior to follow-up observation in terms of lesion remission and HR-HPV clearance rates. Individualized treatment plans could be developed based on the patient′s age, duration of HR-HPV infection, colposcopic impression, and economic conditions.

Tumors pose a serious challenge to global public health. The sensitive and precise detection of tumor biomarkers is very important for early screening and diagnosis of cancers. DNAzymes with outstanding physical, chemical, and biological properties are widely applied in the design of biosensing strategies. By the use of sensing platforms such as fluorescence, electrochemistry, and surface-enhanced Raman scattering, DNAzymes facilitate the early screening and detection of tumors. This article summarizes the functional mechanism and common classifications of DNAzymes, and the updates of DNAzymes-based novel biosensing technologies within the field of liquid biopsy, expecting the technical challenges yet to be surmounted and future developmental directions.

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a progressive and irreversible fibroinflammatory disorder, accompanied by pancreatic exocrine insufficiency and dysregulated gut microbiota. Recently, accumulating evidence has supported a correlation between gut dysbiosis and CP development. However, whether gut microbiota dysbiosis contributes to CP pathogenesis remains unclear. Herein, an experimental CP was induced by repeated high-dose caerulein injections. The broad-spectrum antibiotics (ABX) and ABX targeting Gram-positive (G⁺) or Gram-negative bacteria (G^-) were applied to explore the specific roles of these bacteria. Gut dysbiosis was observed in both mice and in CP patients, which was accompanied by a sharply reduced abundance for short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)-producers, especially G⁺ bacteria. Broad-spectrum ABX exacerbated the severity of CP, as evidenced by aggravated pancreatic fibrosis and gut dysbiosis, especially the depletion of SCFAs-producing G⁺ bacteria. Additionally, depletion of SCFAs-producing G⁺ bacteria rather than G^- bacteria intensified CP progression independent of TLR4, which was attenuated by supplementation with exogenous SCFAs. Finally, SCFAs modulated pancreatic fibrosis through inhibition of macrophage infiltration and M2 phenotype switching. The study supports a critical role for SCFAs-producing G⁺ bacteria in CP. Therefore, modulation of dietary-derived SCFAs or G⁺ SCFAs-producing bacteria may be considered a novel interventive approach for the management of CP.

Objective:To explore the mechanism of dendritic cells(DCs),novel regulatory B cells(B10 cells)and Th17/Treg imbalance in the pathogenesis of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)and their correlation with lung function.Methods:According to the"Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease"a total of 93 COPD patients were prospectively selected from the Ninth People's Hospital of Suzhou from May 2019 to December 2021,and 50 healthy subjects were selected as the control group.The patients were followed up for 1 year to observe the occurrence of acute exacer-bation COPD(AECOPD),and divided them into stable COPD group and AECOPD group.The course of disease,modified British Medical Research Society dyspnea index(mMRC)classification,COPD assessment test(CAT)score,BODE index score,6 min walking distance(6MWD),arterial partial pressure of oxygen(PaO2),arterial carbon dioxide Partial pressure(PaCO2)were com-pared between the two groups;compared the levels of FEV1,FVC,FEV1/FVC,and the percentage of FEV1 to predicted value(FEV1/Pred)in the three groups with peripheral blood DCs,B10 cells,Th17 cells,Treg cells and Th17/Treg,IL-12,IL-10,IL-17A and TGF-β1 levels.To analyze the correlation between peripheral blood DCs cells,B10 cells and Th17/Treg imbalance and pulmonary function indexes in AECOPD group.Logistic regression analysis of independent risk factors for AECOPD.Results:A total of COPD pa-tients had AECOPD events(40.86%).The course of disease,mMRC grade,CAT score,BODE index score,and PaCO2 in AECOPD group were significantly higher than those in COPD stable group(P<0.05),6MWD and PaO2 were significantly lower than those in COPD group.The levels of FEV1,FVC,FEV1/FVC and FEV1/Pred in the AECOPD group were significantly lower than those in the stable COPD group and control group(P<0.05);the levels of FEV1,FVC,FEV1/FVC and FEV1/Pred in the stable COPD group were significantly lower than those in control group(P<0.05).DCs,B10 cells and Treg cells in AECOPD group were significantly lower than those in stable COPD group and control group,while Th17 expression level and Th17/Treg were significantly higher than that in stable COPD group and control group(P<0.05).DCs,B10 cells and Treg cells in stable COPD phase were significantly lower than those in control group,while Th17 expression level and Th17/Treg were significantly higher than control group(P<0.05).The ex-pression levels of IL-12,IL-10 and TGF-β1 in the AECOPD group were significantly lower than those in the stable COPD group and control group(P<0.05),while IL-17A was significantly higher than that in the stable COPD group and control group.The expression levels of IL-12,IL-10 and TGF-β1 in patients with stable COPD were significantly lower than control group,while IL-17A was signifi-cantly higher than control group(P<0.05).Pearson analysis showed that peripheral blood DCs,B10 cells were positively correlated with FEV1,FVC,FEV1/FVC and FEV1/Pred levels(P<0.05),while Th17/Treg was positively correlated with FEV1,FVC,FEV1/FVC and FEV1/Pred levels all were negatively correlated(P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis found that mMRC grade and Th17/Treg were independent risk factors of AECOPD(P<0.05).Conclusion:With the progression of COPD,DCs,B10 cells,Th17 cells,Treg cells and Th17/Treg gradually become unbalanced,resulting in disordered expression levels of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflamma-tory factors.Peripheral blood DCs and B10 cells were positively correlated with lung function levels,while Th17/Treg were negatively correlated with lung function levels.mMRC grade and Th17/Treg are independent risk factors of AECOPD.Therefore,actively inter-vening in the imbalanced state of immune function in patients has specific and important clinical significance in reducing the immune damage of lung tissue and promoting the improvement of lung function.

It is unclear whether forearm and crural muscle fibers extend distally across the wrist and ankle joints, respectively.We hypothesized, in late-term fetuses, an over-production of muscle bellies extending over the joint. Muscle fibers in histological sections from unilateral wrists and ankles of 16 late-term fetuses (30–40 weeks) were examined and compared with 15 adult cadavers. Muscle fibers of the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) and flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) in fetuses, especially muscle bellies to the third and fourth fingers, were found to extend far distally beyond the radiocarpal joint.The extensor digitorum and extensor pollicis longus on the extensor side of the wrist were found to carry distally-extending muscle fibers, but these fibers did not extend beyond the distal end of the radius. In the ankle, most muscle bundles in the flexor hallucis longus (FHL), fibularis brevis (FB) and extensor digitorum longus extended distally beyond the talocrural joint, with most FB muscle fibers reaching the level of the talocalcaneal joint. In adult cadavers, muscle fibers of the FDP and FHL did not reach the levels of the radiocarpal and talocrural joints, respectively, whereas the FB muscle belly always reached the talocalcaneal joint. Similarly, some of the FDS reached the level of the radiocarpal joint. Generally, infants’ movements at the wrist and ankle could result in friction injury to over-extended muscle. However, the calcaneal and FDP tendons might protect the FB and FDS tendons, respectively, from friction stress.

Objective: To investigate the role of miR-142-3p in alleviation of house dust mite induced allergic airway inflammation among children, so as to provide insights into unraveling the pathogenesis of allergic airway inflammation. Methods: Serum samples were collected from 15 patients with house dust mite induced allergic asthma and 15 healthy children in Jiangnan University Medical Center from September to November 2022, and serum miR-142-3p expression was quantified using a fluorescent quantitative real time PCR (qPCR) assay. The levels of interleukin 6 (IL 6) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF α) were measured in the cell culture supernatant using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the expression of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) was detected at transcriptional and translational lvels using qPCR and Western blotting assays. The negative regulation of the HMGB1 gene by miR 142 3p was identified using a dual luciferase gene reporter assay, and the expression of downstream regulatory proteins was determined in human normal lung epithelial cells (BEAS 2B) cells transfected with miR 142 3p using Western blotting. In addition, female C57BL/6 mice at ages of 6-8 weeks were randomly assigned to the phosphate buffer saline (PBS) group, house dust mite sensitized airway inflammation group and house dust mite sensitized airway inflammation + miR 142 3p intervention group. Mouse airway inflammation was evaluated using hematoxylin eosin staining, and the expression of inflammatory cells and inflammatory cytokines were detected in mouse bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) using Giemsa staining and ELISA. Results: Lower serum miR-142-3p expression was quantified among children with house dust mite induced allergic asthma than among healthy controls (1.33±0.21 vs. 4.74±0.62, t=5.22, P <0.05). Stimulation with dermatophagoides farinae extract (DFE) resulted in a reduction in miR-142-3p expression in BEAS-2B cells (0.82±0.25), while transfection with miR-142-3p mimics resulted in a rise in miR-142-3p expression in BEAS-2B cells (0.55±0.14)( t=3.31, 3.94, P <0.05). Pre treatment with miR-142-3p reduced the expression of IL 6(2.25±0.46)and TNF α(6.58±1.95) ( t=4.86, 3.38, P <0.05) in BEAS 2B cells stimulated with DFE, and treatment with miR-142-3p mimics resulted in a reduction in TLR4 and NF-κB expression in BEAS-2B cells via negative regulation of the HMGB1 expression. In addition, treatment with miR-142-3p was found to alleviate inflammatory cell infiltration in lung tissues of house dust mite sensitized mice, and results in a reduction in interleukin 4 (IL-4)[(107.60±10.43)pg/mL], interleukin 5 (IL 5)[(95.78±13.14)pg/mL] and HMGB1[(2.52±0.87)pg/mL] expression in BALF ( t=10.32, 7.29, 2.90, P <0.05). Conclusion miR-142-3p alleviates house dust mite induced allergic airway inflammation among children via negative regulation of the HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB pathway.

L-homophenylalanine (L-HPA) is an important non-natural amino acid that has been used as a key intermediate for the synthesis of Puli drugs for the treatment of hypertension. At present, L-HPA is synthesized using chemical methods, which has the disadvantages of expensive raw materials, tedious steps and serious pollution. Therefore, researchers have conducted in-depth research on the enzymatic production of L-HPA. This review summarizes the research progress on the enzymatic synthesis of L-HPA, including the dehydrogenase process, the transaminase process, the hydantoinase process, and the decarboxylase process, with the hope to facilitate the industrial production of L-HPA.
Amino Acids ; Environmental Pollution ; Industry ; Protein Biosynthesis

Succinic acid is an important C4 platform chemical that is widely used in food, chemical, medicine sectors. The bottleneck of fermentative production of succinic acid by engineered Escherichia coli is the imbalance of intracellular cofactors, which often leads to accumulation of by-products, lower yield and low productivity. Stoichiometric analysis indicated that an efficient production of succinic acid by E. coli FMME-N-26 under micro-aeration conditions might be achieved when the TCA cycle provides enough ATP and NADH for the r-TCA pathway. In order to promote succinic acid production, a serial of metabolic engineering strategies include reducing ATP consumption, strengthening ATP synthesis, blocking NADH competitive pathway and constructing NADH complementary pathway were developed. As result, an engineered E. coli FW-17 capable of producing 139.52 g/L succinic acid and 1.40 g/L acetic acid in 5 L fermenter, which were 17.81% higher and 67.59% lower than that of the control strain, was developed. Further scale-up experiments were carried out in a 1 000 L fermenter, and the titer of succinic acid and acetic acid were 140.2 g/L and 1.38 g/L, respectively.
Escherichia coli/genetics* ; NAD ; Succinic Acid ; Acetic Acid ; Adenosine Triphosphate