OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and mechanism of asperuloside （Asp） on the pyroptosis of intestinal epithelial cells in rats with ulcerative colitis （UC）. METHODS The male SD rats were randomly divided into Control group， model group （UC group）， ASP low-dose and high-dose groups [Asp-L， Asp-H groups， Asp 35， 70 mg/（kg·d）]， ASP high-dose group+AMPK inhibitor Compound C group [Asp-H+Compound C group， Asp 70 mg/（kg·d）+Compound C 0.2 mg/（kg·d）]， with 12 rats in each group. Except for Control group， the other groups were injected with 50% ethanol （0.25 mL）+5% 2，4， 6- trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid solution （2 mL/kg） into the intestinal cavity to construct UC model. After modeling， the rats in each drug group were given corresponding drug solution by gavage or （and） tail vein injection， once a day， for 14 consecutive days. After the last administration， the weight of rats in each group was measured， and the length of their colons was measured； disease activity index （DAI） score and colonic mucosal damage index （CMDI） score were performed， and the serum levels of inflammatory factors （interleukin-18， -1β， -6） were detected. The pathological changes of the colon tissue were observed. The expressions of pyroptosis-related proteins [caspase-1， gasdermin D （GSDMD）] in colon tissue， and pathway-related proteins such as adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase （AMPK）， thioredoxin-interacting protein （TXNIP）， NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3） and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD （ASC） were all detected. RESULTS Compared with Control group， the colon tissue structure of rats in UC group was damaged， with obvious infiltration of inflammatory cells and edema. Their body weight， colon length and phosphorylation level of AMPK protein were significantly reduced or shortened； DAI and CMDI scores， serum levels of inflammatory factors， and the protein expressions of caspase-1， GSDMD， TXNIP， NLRP3 and ASC in colon tissue were increased or upregulated significantly （P＜0.05）. Compared with UC group， the pathological damage of colon tissue in rats was relieved in Asp-L and Asp-H groups， and all quantitative indicators were significantly improved （P＜0.05）； the improvement effect of Asp-H group was more significant （P＜0.05）. Compound C could significantly reverse the improvement effect of high-dose of Asp on the above indicators in UC rats （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Asp can improve inflammatory damage in colon tissue and inhibit pyroptosis of intestinal epithelial cells in UC rats， which is associated with the activation of AMPK and inhibition of TXNIP/NLRP3 signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and mechanism of asperuloside （Asp） on the pyroptosis of intestinal epithelial cells in rats with ulcerative colitis （UC）. METHODS The male SD rats were randomly divided into Control group， model group （UC group）， ASP low-dose and high-dose groups [Asp-L， Asp-H groups， Asp 35， 70 mg/（kg·d）]， ASP high-dose group+AMPK inhibitor Compound C group [Asp-H+Compound C group， Asp 70 mg/（kg·d）+Compound C 0.2 mg/（kg·d）]， with 12 rats in each group. Except for Control group， the other groups were injected with 50% ethanol （0.25 mL）+5% 2，4， 6- trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid solution （2 mL/kg） into the intestinal cavity to construct UC model. After modeling， the rats in each drug group were given corresponding drug solution by gavage or （and） tail vein injection， once a day， for 14 consecutive days. After the last administration， the weight of rats in each group was measured， and the length of their colons was measured； disease activity index （DAI） score and colonic mucosal damage index （CMDI） score were performed， and the serum levels of inflammatory factors （interleukin-18， -1β， -6） were detected. The pathological changes of the colon tissue were observed. The expressions of pyroptosis-related proteins [caspase-1， gasdermin D （GSDMD）] in colon tissue， and pathway-related proteins such as adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase （AMPK）， thioredoxin-interacting protein （TXNIP）， NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3） and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD （ASC） were all detected. RESULTS Compared with Control group， the colon tissue structure of rats in UC group was damaged， with obvious infiltration of inflammatory cells and edema. Their body weight， colon length and phosphorylation level of AMPK protein were significantly reduced or shortened； DAI and CMDI scores， serum levels of inflammatory factors， and the protein expressions of caspase-1， GSDMD， TXNIP， NLRP3 and ASC in colon tissue were increased or upregulated significantly （P＜0.05）. Compared with UC group， the pathological damage of colon tissue in rats was relieved in Asp-L and Asp-H groups， and all quantitative indicators were significantly improved （P＜0.05）； the improvement effect of Asp-H group was more significant （P＜0.05）. Compound C could significantly reverse the improvement effect of high-dose of Asp on the above indicators in UC rats （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Asp can improve inflammatory damage in colon tissue and inhibit pyroptosis of intestinal epithelial cells in UC rats， which is associated with the activation of AMPK and inhibition of TXNIP/NLRP3 signaling pathway.

Background: s/Aims: Non-invasive models stratifying clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) are limited. Herein, we developed a new non-invasive model for predicting CSPH in patients with compensated cirrhosis and investigated whether carvedilol can prevent hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified using the new model. Methods: Non-invasive risk factors of CSPH were identified via systematic review and meta-analysis of studies involving patients with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG). A new non-invasive model was validated for various performance aspects in three cohorts, i.e., a multicenter HVPG cohort, a follow-up cohort, and a carvediloltreating cohort. Results: In the meta-analysis with six studies (n=819), liver stiffness measurement and platelet count were identified as independent risk factors for CSPH and were used to develop the new “CSPH risk” model. In the HVPG cohort (n=151), the new model accurately predicted CSPH with cutoff values of 0 and –0.68 for ruling in and out CSPH, respectively. In the follow-up cohort (n=1,102), the cumulative incidences of decompensation events significantly differed using the cutoff values of <–0.68 (low-risk), –0.68 to 0 (medium-risk), and >0 (high-risk). In the carvediloltreated cohort, patients with high-risk CSPH treated with carvedilol (n=81) had lower rates of decompensation events than non-selective beta-blockers untreated patients with high-risk CSPH (n=613 before propensity score matching [PSM], n=162 after PSM). Conclusions Treatment with carvedilol significantly reduces the risk of hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified by the new model.

Background: s/Aims: Non-invasive models stratifying clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) are limited. Herein, we developed a new non-invasive model for predicting CSPH in patients with compensated cirrhosis and investigated whether carvedilol can prevent hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified using the new model. Methods: Non-invasive risk factors of CSPH were identified via systematic review and meta-analysis of studies involving patients with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG). A new non-invasive model was validated for various performance aspects in three cohorts, i.e., a multicenter HVPG cohort, a follow-up cohort, and a carvediloltreating cohort. Results: In the meta-analysis with six studies (n=819), liver stiffness measurement and platelet count were identified as independent risk factors for CSPH and were used to develop the new “CSPH risk” model. In the HVPG cohort (n=151), the new model accurately predicted CSPH with cutoff values of 0 and –0.68 for ruling in and out CSPH, respectively. In the follow-up cohort (n=1,102), the cumulative incidences of decompensation events significantly differed using the cutoff values of <–0.68 (low-risk), –0.68 to 0 (medium-risk), and >0 (high-risk). In the carvediloltreated cohort, patients with high-risk CSPH treated with carvedilol (n=81) had lower rates of decompensation events than non-selective beta-blockers untreated patients with high-risk CSPH (n=613 before propensity score matching [PSM], n=162 after PSM). Conclusions Treatment with carvedilol significantly reduces the risk of hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified by the new model.

Background: s/Aims: Non-invasive models stratifying clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) are limited. Herein, we developed a new non-invasive model for predicting CSPH in patients with compensated cirrhosis and investigated whether carvedilol can prevent hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified using the new model. Methods: Non-invasive risk factors of CSPH were identified via systematic review and meta-analysis of studies involving patients with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG). A new non-invasive model was validated for various performance aspects in three cohorts, i.e., a multicenter HVPG cohort, a follow-up cohort, and a carvediloltreating cohort. Results: In the meta-analysis with six studies (n=819), liver stiffness measurement and platelet count were identified as independent risk factors for CSPH and were used to develop the new “CSPH risk” model. In the HVPG cohort (n=151), the new model accurately predicted CSPH with cutoff values of 0 and –0.68 for ruling in and out CSPH, respectively. In the follow-up cohort (n=1,102), the cumulative incidences of decompensation events significantly differed using the cutoff values of <–0.68 (low-risk), –0.68 to 0 (medium-risk), and >0 (high-risk). In the carvediloltreated cohort, patients with high-risk CSPH treated with carvedilol (n=81) had lower rates of decompensation events than non-selective beta-blockers untreated patients with high-risk CSPH (n=613 before propensity score matching [PSM], n=162 after PSM). Conclusions Treatment with carvedilol significantly reduces the risk of hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified by the new model.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the potential mechanism of epigallocatechin gallate （EGCG） enhancing the sensitivity of hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） cells to lenvatinib based on the phosphoinositide 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt） signaling pathway. METHODS Five human HCC cell lines （HepG2， Huh-7， SMMC-7721， SNU-368 and SNU-739） were used to evaluate the effects of lenvatinib alone and in combination with EGCG on survival rates， clone number， proliferation rate， invasion number and the expressions of mRNAs and proteins related to the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. The PI3K activator insulin-like growth factor-1 （IGF-1） was introduced to investigate the effect of activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway on the sensitization effect of EGCG. RESULTS Compared with the control group， lenvatinib （10 μmol/L） and different concentrations of EGCG+ lenvatinib （1， 5 and 10 μg/mL EGCG+10 μmol/L lenvatinib） significantly reduced the survival rates and clone numbers of all five HCC cell lines in a dose-dependent manner （P＜0.05）. Lenvatinib （10 μmol/L） and EGCG+lenvatinib （10 μg/mL EGCG+10 μmol/L lenvatinib） also markedly inhibited the proliferation rate and invasion numbers of these cells， and decreased the mRNA expressions of PI3K， Akt， mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR）， P70S6K and 4EBP， and the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and Akt， as well as the protein expressions of mTOR and B cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2） in HepG2 cells or all five HCC cells； conversely， the mRNA and protein expressions of phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10（PTEN）， and the protein expressions of caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-3 were significantly upregulated， with more pronounced effects observed in the EGCG+lenvatinib group than in the lenvatinib group （P＜0.05）. Compared with the lenvatinib group and the EGCG+lenvatinib group， the clone number， proliferation rate and invasion number of HepG2 cells in the EGCG+lenvatinib+IGF-1 group （10 μg/mL EGCG+10 μmol/L lenvatinib+50 ng/mL IGF-1） were significantly increased （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS EGCG can enhance the sensitivity of HCC cells to lenvatinib， and its underlying mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the activation of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway activation.

ObjectiveHuman Ku70 protein mainly involves the non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) repair of double-stranded DNA breaks (DSB) through its DNA-binding properties, and it is recently reported having an RNA-binding ability. This paper is to explore whether Ku70 has RNA helicase activity and affects miRNA maturation. MethodsRNAs bound to Ku protein were analyzed by RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (RIP-seq) and bioinfomatic anaylsis. The expression relationship between Ku protein and miRNAs was verified by Western blot (WB) and quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assays. Binding ability of Ku protein to the RNAs was tested by biolayer interferometry (BLI) assay. RNA helicase activity of Ku protein was identified with EMSA assay. The effect of Ku70 regulated miR-124 on neuronal differentiation was performed by morphology analysis, WB and immunofluorescence assays with or without Zika virus (ZIKV) infection. ResultsWe revealed that the Ku70 protein had RNA helicase activity and affected miRNA maturation. Deficiency of Ku70 led to the up-regulation of a large number of mature miRNAs, especially neuronal specific miRNAs like miR-124. The knockdown of Ku70 promoted neuronal differentiation in human neural progenitor cells (hNPCs) and SH-SY5Y cells by boosting miR-124 maturation. Importantly, ZIKV infection reduced the expression of Ku70 whereas increased expression of miR-124 in hNPCs, and led to morphologically neuronal differentiation. ConclusionOur study revealed a novel function of Ku70 as an RNA helicase and regulating miRNA maturation. The reduced expression of Ku70 with ZIKV infection increased the expression of miR-124 and led to the premature differentiation of embryonic neural progenitor cells, which might be one of the causes of microcephaly.

Objective To investigate the effect of early active cycle breathing technique(ACBT)on aspiration in patients with dysphagia after partial laryngectomy.Methods A total of 40 patients with laryngeal cancer with dysphagia who were hospitalized in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology of the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University in January 2019～January 2022 were selected,and the patients were randomly divided into 20 cases in the observation group and the control group by random number method,the control group was given routine swallowing function training,and the observation group was combined with active cycle of breathing technique(ACBT)on the basis of the control group.The two groups were treated 5 days a week,twice a day,45 minutes each for 2 weeks.The M.D.Anderson Dysphagia Inventory(MDADI),maximum phonation time(MPT),and Standardized Swallowing Assessment(SSA),flexible endoscopic examination of swallowing(FEES)combined with modified invasion and aspiration score(MPAS score)and overall clinical efficacy before and after treatment were compoued between the two groups.Results After 2 weeks of treatment,the swallowing function of both groups improved,but the MDADI scores in the observation group were better than those of in the control group in all cate-gories(P＜0.001),MPT(7.19±1.31)was better than that of the control group(4.29±0.88)(=9.436,P＜0.001),SSA(19.25±1.12)was better than that of the control group(21.20±2.55)(=-2.894,P＜0.05),and FEES combined with MPAS score(1.75±0.85)was better than the control group(2.70±1.34)(=-2.674,P＜0.001),and the overall clinical efficacy(18,90.00％)was better than the control group(12,60.00％)(Z=-3.894,P＜0.001).Conclusion Early application of active breathing and circulation technique combined with swallowing training can improve the swallowing function of patients to a greater extent and reduce the incidence of aspiration compared with swallowing function training alone.

BACKGROUND:Interleukin-4 can promote the osteogenic effect of bone substitute materials,but its molecular mechanism is not yet clear.Further elucidating the mechanism of interleukin-4 promoting osteogenic effect can help find safe,economical,and effective methods for the regeneration treatment of alveolar bone defects in patients. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of interleukin-4 intervention on polarization transformation of macrophages and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and its possible mechanism. METHODS:RAW264.7 cells in the M1 group were induced with interferon gamma + lipopolysaccharide for 24 hours.RAW264.7 cells in the interleukin-4+M1 group were induced with interferon gamma + lipopolysaccharide for 24 hours and then interleukin-4 was added for 24 hours.RAW264.7 cells in the interleukin-4+AG+M1 group were induced with interferon gamma + lipopolysaccharide for 24 hours,and then interleukin-4 and AG-490,a JAK/STAT pathway inhibitor,were added for 24 hours.After intervention,immunofluorescence staining was used to analyze the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and CD206,the phenotypic marker protein of macrophages.ELISA kit was used to detect the expression of interleukin-10 and tumor necrosis factor-α in the supernatant of cell culture.The gene expressions of nodular receptor protein-3(NLRP3),interleukin-1β,and caspase-1 were detected by RT-qPCR.The expression levels of tyrosine protein kinase 1(JAK1)/phosphorylated tyrosine protein kinase 1(p-JAK1),signal transduction and transcription activator 6(STAT6)/phosphorylated signal transduction and transcription activator 6(p-STAT6),NLRP3,pro-interleukin-1β and pro-caspase-1 were detected by western blot assay.Then,RAW264.7 cells in the above four groups were indirectly co-cultured with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells by transwell for 24 hours,followed by alkaline phosphatase staining and alizarin red staining.The mRNA expressions of alkaline phosphatase,collagen type I,and osteocalcin were detected by RT-qPCR. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Immunofluorescence and ELISA results showed that interleukin-4 intervention could promote the expression of CD206 and interleukin-10 in M2 macrophages,and inhibit the secretion of inducible nitric oxide synthase and tumor necrosis factor-α.(2)RT-qPCR results showed that interleukin-4 could suppress the expression of NLRP3,interleukin-1β,and caspase-1 mRNAs.(3)Western blot assay showed that interleukin-4 could promote the expression of JAK1/p-JAK1,STAT6/p-STAT6 and NLRP3 proteins.(4)The alkaline phosphatase staining and alizarin red staining of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells co-cultured with the interleukin-4+M1 group were significantly enhanced,and the mRNA expressions of alkaline phosphatase,collagen type I,and osteocalcin were significantly increased.It is concluded that interleukin-4 may inhibit the activation of NLRP3 by up-regulating JAK1/STAT6 pathway,thus promoting the transformation of macrophages from M1 polarization to M2 polarization,and finally enhancing the osteogenic differentiation ability of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.

Rare diseases have a significant and profound impact on society, the economy, and the healthcare system. The path to developing drugs for rare diseases is particularly arduous. Due to the small number of patients and limited market demand, pharmaceutical companies don′t have enough incentives and resources to invest in drug research and development. Additionally, the long development cycles, high costs, and high risks have led to a number of potential therapeutic drug failures at the early stages of development. This article summarizes a series of encouraging policies adopted by the National Medical Products Administration for rare diseases, which is an important public health issue, as well as the achievements in the review and approval of rare disease drugs in recent years. These policies have accelerated the approval process. Meanwhile, the policies ensure the safety and effectiveness of drugs and offer more treatment options and hopes to patients with rare diseases. With the continuous effort at optimizing the policy environment and the advancement of research and development technologies, China′s drug regulatory authorities will continue to focus on the clinical needs of rare diseases, to implement " patient-centered " approach to drug development, inject new vitality into the research and development of drugs of rare diseases, and offer more precise and effective treatment choices for patients with rare diseases.