BACKGROUND:We have successfully established an animal model of small ear pig in southern Yunnan province with internal tension relieving technique combined with autologous Achilles tendon for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction,and verified the stability and reliability of the model.However,whether internal tension relieving technique can promote the ligamentalization process of autologous Achilles tendon graft has not been studied. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the differences in the process of ligamentalization between conventional reconstruction and internal reduction reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament by gross view,histology and electron microscopy. METHODS:Thirty adult female small ear pigs in southern Yunnan province were selected.Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction was performed on the left knee joint with the ipsilateral knee Achilles tendon(n=30 in the normal group),and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction was performed on the right knee joint with the ipsilateral knee Achilles tendon combined with the internal relaxation and enhancement system(n=30 in the relaxation group).The autogenous right forelimb was used as the control group;the anterior cruciate ligament was exposed but not severed or surgically treated.At 12,24,and 48 weeks after surgery,10 animals were sacrificed,respectively.The left and right knee joint specimens were taken for gross morphological observation to evaluate the graft morphology.MAS score was used to evaluate the excellent and good rate of the ligament at each time point.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to evaluate the degree of ligament graft vascularization.Collagen fibers and nuclear morphology were observed,and nuclear morphology was scored.Ultrastructural remodeling was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The ligament healing shape of the relaxation group was better at various time points after surgery,and the excellent and good rate of MAS score was higher(P<0.05).Moreover,the relaxation group could obtain higher ligament vascularization score(P<0.05).(2)The arrangement of collagen bundles and fiber bundles in the two groups gradually tended to be orderly,and the transverse fiber connections between collagen gradually increased and thickened,suggesting that the strength and shape degree of the grafts were gradually improved,but the ligament remodeling in the relaxation group was always faster than that in the normal group at various time points after surgery.(3)The diameter,distribution density,and arrangement degree of collagen fibers in the relaxation group were better than those in the normal group at all time points,especially in the comparison of collagen fiber diameter between and within the relaxation group(P<0.05).

Objective To explore the value of CT signs and quantitative parameters of artificial intelligence (AI) in predicting the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for colorectal cancer. Methods A total of 349 colorectal cancer patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy at Cangzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine in Hebei Province from January 2022 to January 2025 were selected and and divided into the effective group (n = 267) and the ineffective group (n = 82) according to the evaluation criteria for the efficacy of solid tumors. Conduct a CT examination and extract AI quantitative parameters from the CT images based on the lesion. The data were analyzed using SPSS21.0 software, Logistic regression was used to screen the influencing factors of ineffective neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with colorectal cancer, and separate and combined models of CT signs and AI quantitative parameters were established. The predictive effect of the model was verified by using the ROC curve, calibration curve and decision curve. Results Compared with the effective group, the proportion of regular tumor morphology and the proportion of non-enlarged lymph nodesin the ineffective group were smaller. The tumor volume, peak value and entropy value were larger (P < 0.05). Multivariable analysis showed that irregular shape (OR= 4.216), presence of lymph node enlargement (OR = 8.998), larger tumor volume (OR = 1.109), higher average CT value (OR = 1.120), elevated peak value (OR = 2.528), and increased entropy value (OR = 1.390) were independent risk factors for ineffective neoadjuvant chemotherapy in colorectal cancer (P < 0.05). The areas under the ROC curves of the individual and combined models of CT signs and AI quantitative parameters were 0.777, 0.818, and 0.877, respectively(P < 0.05). The calibration curve showed a Brier score of 0.091. The decision curve showed that the threshold was between 0.10 and 0.85, and the combined model achieved a relatively high net clinical benefit. Conclusion CT signs combined with AI quantitative parameters has a predictive value for the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in colorectal cancer. To provide evidence-based basis for clinical screening of the population benefiting from chemotherapy and optimization of treatment strategies.

In the century-long evolution of insulin pharmaceuticals, each transformative advancement in this drug class has been closely tied to the ability to obtain new insulin isoforms for research. Despite this, the recently discovered naturally occurring isoforms of glycosylated human insulin have remained largely unattainable for proper characterization. Herein, we demonstrate for the first time that total chemical synthesis can be used to generate all isoforms. This achievement required maintaining the correct positions of the interchain disulfide bonds while effectively removing protecting groups on complex glycans. Notably, the availability of seven glycoforms reveals the important effects of natural sialylated glycans in suppressing insulin self-association and enhancing its solubility, surpassing the performance of currently employed rapid-acting insulin drugs. This work not only offers a readily adaptable platform for exploring natural O-glycosylation in other therapeutic proteins and peptides but also lays the groundwork for further research into harnessing natural glycosylation for therapeutic applications.

Hypoxic-ischemic (HI) brain damage poses a high risk of death or lifelong disability, yet effective treatments remain elusive. Here, we demonstrated that miR-100-5p levels in the lesioned cortex increased after HI insult in neonatal mice. Knockdown of miR-100-5p expression in the brain attenuated brain injury and promoted functional recovery, through inhibiting the cleaved-caspase-3 level, microglia activation, and the release of proinflammation cytokines following HI injury. Engineered extracellular vesicles (EVs) containing neuron-targeting rabies virus glycoprotein (RVG) and miR-100-5p antagonists (RVG-EVs-Antagomir) selectively targeted brain lesions and reduced miR-100-5p levels after intranasal delivery. Both pre- and post-HI administration showed therapeutic benefits. Mechanistically, we identified protein phosphatase 3 catalytic subunit alpha (Ppp3ca) as a novel candidate target gene of miR-100-5p, inhibiting c-Fos expression and neuronal apoptosis following HI insult. In conclusion, our non-invasive method using engineered EVs to deliver miR-100-5p antagomirs to the brain significantly improves functional recovery after HI injury by targeting Ppp3ca to suppress neuronal apoptosis.
Animals ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Extracellular Vesicles/metabolism* ; Mice ; Recovery of Function/physiology* ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain/therapy* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Antagomirs/administration & dosage* ; Male ; Animals, Newborn ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Brain Injuries/metabolism* ; Glycoproteins ; Peptide Fragments ; Viral Proteins

Background::While type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is considered a putative causal risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD), the intrinsic link underlying T2DM and CAD is not fully understood. We aimed to highlight the importance of integrated care targeting both diseases by investigating the phenotypic and genetic relationships between T2DM and CAD.Methods::We evaluated phenotypic associations using data from the United Kingdom Biobank ( N = 472,050). We investigated genetic relationships by leveraging genomic data conducted in European ancestry for T2DM, with and without adjustment for body mass index (BMI) (T2DM: Ncase/ Ncontrol = 74,124/824,006; T2DM adjusted for BMI [T2DM adjBMI]: Ncase/ Ncontrol = 50,409/523,897) and for CAD ( Ncase/ Ncontrol = 181,522/984,168). We performed additional analyses using genomic data conducted in multiancestry individuals for T2DM ( Ncase/ Ncontrol = 180,834/1,159,055). Results::Observational analysis suggested a bidirectional relationship between T2DM and CAD (T2DM→CAD: hazard ratio [HR] = 2.12, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.01–2.24; CAD→T2DM: HR = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.63–1.81). A positive overall genetic correlation between T2DM and CAD was observed ( rg = 0.39, P = 1.43 × 10 -75), which was largely independent of BMI (T2DM adjBMI–CAD: rg = 0.31, P = 1.20 × 10 –36). This was corroborated by six local signals, among which 9p21.3 showed the strongest genetic correlation. Cross-trait meta-analysis replicated 101 previously reported loci and discovered six novel pleiotropic loci. Mendelian randomization analysis supported a bidirectional causal relationship (T2DM→CAD: odds ratio [OR] = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.11-1.16; CAD→T2DM: OR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.07-1.18), which was confirmed in multiancestry individuals (T2DM→CAD: OR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.10-1.16; CAD→T2DM: OR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.04-1.13). This bidirectional relationship was significantly mediated by systolic blood pressure and intake of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors, with mediation proportions of 54.1% (95% CI: 24.9-83.4%) and 90.4% (95% CI: 29.3-151.5%), respectively. Conclusion::Our observational and genetic analyses demonstrated an intrinsic bidirectional relationship between T2DM and CAD and clarified the biological mechanisms underlying this relationship.

Background::Somatic copy number variations (SCNVs) in the CDKN2A gene are among the most frequent events in the dysplasia-carcinoma sequence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. However, whether CDKN2A SCNVs are useful biomarkers for the risk stratification and management of patients with esophageal squamous cell dysplasia (ESCdys) is unknown. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics and prognostic value of CDKN2A SCNVs in patients with mild or moderate (m/M) ESCdys. Methods::This study conducted a prospective multicenter study of 205 patients with a baseline diagnosis of m/M ESCdys in five high-risk regions of China (Ci County, Hebei Province; Yanting, Sichuan Province; Linzhou, Henan Province; Yangzhong, Jiangsu Province; and Feicheng, Shandong Province) from 2005 to 2019. Genomic DNA was extracted from paraffin biopsy samples and paired peripheral white blood cells from patients, and a quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay, P16-Light, was used to detect CDKN2A copy number. The cumulative regression and progression rates of ESCdys were evaluated using competing risk models. Results::A total of 205 patients with baseline m/M ESCdys were enrolled. The proportion of ESCdys regression was significantly lower in the CDKN2A deletion cohort than in the diploid and amplification cohorts (18.8% [13/69] vs. 35.0% [28/80] vs. 51.8% [29/56], P <0.001). In the univariable competing risk analysis, the cumulative regression rate was statistically significantly lower ( P = 0.008), while the cumulative progression rate was higher ( P = 0.017) in ESCdys patients with CDKN2A deletion than in those without CDKN2A deletion. CDKN2A deletion was also an independent predictor of prognosis in ESCdys ( P = 0.004) in the multivariable analysis. Conclusion::The results indicated that CDKN2A SCNVs are associated with the prognosis of ESCdys and may serve as potential biomarkers for risk stratification.

Grooming,as an evolutionarily conserved repetitive behavior,is common in various animals,including humans,and serves essential functions including,but not limited to,hygiene maintenance,thermoregulation,de-arousal,stress reduction,and social behaviors.In rodents,grooming involves a patterned and sequenced structure,known as the syntactic chain with four phases that comprise repeated stereotyped movements happening in a cephalocaudal progression style,beginning from the nose to the face,to the head,and finally ending with body licking.The context-dependent occurrence of grooming behavior indicates its adaptive significance.This review briefly summarizes the neural substrates responsible for rodent grooming behavior and explores its relevance in rodent models of neuropsychiatric disorders and neurodegenerative diseases with aberrant grooming phenotypes.We further emphasize the utility of rodent grooming as a reliable measure of repetitive behavior in neuropsychiatric models,holding promise for translational psychiatry.Herein,we mainly focus on rodent self-grooming.Allogrooming(grooming being applied on one animal by its conspecifics via licking or carefully nibbling)and heterogrooming(a form of grooming behavior directing towards another animal,which occurs in other contexts,such as maternal,sexual,aggressive,or social behaviors)are not covered due to space constraints.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of Nlrp6 for regulating hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)progression in light of lipid synthesis regulation.Methods Nlrp6 expression level in HCC tissues of different pathological grades was investigated using RNA-seq data from The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)database,and its correlation with the patients'survival was analyzed with Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.HepG2 cells with adenovirus-mediated Nlrp6 overexpression or knockdown were treated with palmitic acid(PA),and the changes in lipid deposition and cell proliferation were evaluated using Oil Red O staining,CCK-8 assay,EdU staining,and colony formation assay.RT-qPCR and Western blotting were used to detect the changes in expression of lipid synthesis-related genes and the proteins in the AMPK-Srebp1c axis.In a mouse model of hepatic steatosis established in liver-specific Nlrp6 knockout mice by high-fat diet feeding for 24 weeks,liver fibrosis was examined with histological staining,and the changes in expressions of HCC markers and the AMPK-Srebp1c signaling pathway were detected.Results Nlrp6 expression was significantly reduced in HCC tissues with negative correlations with the pathological grades and the patients'survival(P<0.0001).In HepG2 cells,Nlrp6 overexpression significantly inhibited lipid deposition and cell proliferation,whereas Nlrp6 knockdown produced the opposite effects.Nlrp6 overexpression strongly suppressed the expression of lipid synthesis-related genes,promoted AMPK phosphorylation,and inhibited Srebp1c expression.The mice with liver-specific Nlrp6 knockout and high-fat feeding showed increased hepatic steatosis,collagen deposition,and AFP expression with reduced AMPK phosphorylation and increased Srebp1c expression.Conclusion Nlrp6 overexpression inhibits lipid synthesis in HCC cells by regulating the AMPK-Srebp1c axis,which might be a key pathway for suppressing HCC cell proliferation.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of Nlrp6 for regulating hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)progression in light of lipid synthesis regulation.Methods Nlrp6 expression level in HCC tissues of different pathological grades was investigated using RNA-seq data from The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)database,and its correlation with the patients'survival was analyzed with Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.HepG2 cells with adenovirus-mediated Nlrp6 overexpression or knockdown were treated with palmitic acid(PA),and the changes in lipid deposition and cell proliferation were evaluated using Oil Red O staining,CCK-8 assay,EdU staining,and colony formation assay.RT-qPCR and Western blotting were used to detect the changes in expression of lipid synthesis-related genes and the proteins in the AMPK-Srebp1c axis.In a mouse model of hepatic steatosis established in liver-specific Nlrp6 knockout mice by high-fat diet feeding for 24 weeks,liver fibrosis was examined with histological staining,and the changes in expressions of HCC markers and the AMPK-Srebp1c signaling pathway were detected.Results Nlrp6 expression was significantly reduced in HCC tissues with negative correlations with the pathological grades and the patients'survival(P<0.0001).In HepG2 cells,Nlrp6 overexpression significantly inhibited lipid deposition and cell proliferation,whereas Nlrp6 knockdown produced the opposite effects.Nlrp6 overexpression strongly suppressed the expression of lipid synthesis-related genes,promoted AMPK phosphorylation,and inhibited Srebp1c expression.The mice with liver-specific Nlrp6 knockout and high-fat feeding showed increased hepatic steatosis,collagen deposition,and AFP expression with reduced AMPK phosphorylation and increased Srebp1c expression.Conclusion Nlrp6 overexpression inhibits lipid synthesis in HCC cells by regulating the AMPK-Srebp1c axis,which might be a key pathway for suppressing HCC cell proliferation.

Objective To investigate the expression of histone deacetylase(HDAC)isoforms in the frontal lobe,hippo-campus and liver of offspring rats delivered by rats with maternal immune activation and their correlation with the efficiency of prepulse inhibition(PPI％).Methods Ten pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the model group(n=5)and control group(n=5).The rats in the model group were injected with 10 mg·kg-1 polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid(Poly I:C)via the caudal vein on the 9th day of pregnancy,while rats in the control group were given the same volume of sterile physiological saline.After 3 h,blood was collected from the caudal vein,and the levels of interleukin(IL)-1 β,IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in the plasma of pregnant rats were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to evaluate the immune activation status.The pregnant rats in the two groups were fed until natural delivery,the offspring rats were weaned on the 21st day after birth,and the male offspring rats were fed continuously.A prepulse inhibition test was performed at puberty(the 40th day after birth)to evaluate the spatial recognition memory and sensory gating function of the offspring rats.The expression levels of the HDAC gene family in the hippocampus,frontal lobe and liver of offspring rats were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction.Results The plasma IL-6,IL-1 β and TNF-α levels in the model group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P＜0.05).When the prepulse stimulation was 75 dB,the PPI％of the offspring rats at puberty in the model group was significantly lower than that in the control group(P＜0.05).When the prepulse stimulation was 80 and 85 dB,there was no significant difference in PPI％between the model group and the control group(P＞0.05).In the frontal lobe,the expression levels of HDAC3,HDAC4,HDAC8,HDAC9,HDAC10 and Sirt mRNA in the offspring rats in the model group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P＜0.05),while the expression level of HDAC5 mRNA was significantly higher than that in the control group(P＜0.05);there were no significant differences in the expression levels of HDAC1,HDAC2,HDAC6,HDAC7 and HDAC11 mRNA between the model group and the control group(P＞0.05).In the hippocampus,the offspring rats in the model group had significantly lower expression levels of HDAC1,HDAC8 and HDAC10 mRNA and significantly higher expression levels of HDAC2 and HDAC5 mRNA than those in the control group(P＜0.05);there were no significant differences in the expression levels of HDAC3,HDAC4,HDAC6,HDAC7,HDAC9,HDAC11 and Sirt mRNA between the model group and control group(P＞0.05).In the liver tissue,the expression levels of HDAC6 and HDAC10 mRNA of the offspring rats in the model group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P＜0.05);there were no significant differences in the expression levels of HDAC1,HDAC2,HDAC3,HDAC4,HDAC5,HDAC7,HDAC8,HDAC9,HDAC11 and Sirt mRNA between the model group and the control group(P＞0.05).The expression level of HDAC2 mRNA in the hippocampus of offspring rats in the two groups was negatively correlated with PPI％at 75 dB(r=-0.965,P＜0.05),the expression levels of HDAC10 and Sirt mRNA in frontal lobe tissues were positively correlated with PPI％at 75dB(r=0.946,0.925;P＜0.05).Conclusion Pregnancy Poly I:C infection has significant effects on the expression of HDAC family proteins in offspring rats,and which is related to the impairment of early sensory gating,this may provide new ideas for the research in pathogenesis and drug treatment of schizophrenia.