ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of 1，25（OH）₂D₃ on the level of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ （PPAR-γ） in the liver， the phenotype of hepatic macrophages， and liver inflammation in a rat model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis （NASH）， as well as the mechanism of 1，25（OH）₂D₃ improving liver inflammation. MethodsAfter 1 week of adaptive feeding， 24 specific pathogen-free Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal group ［choline-supplemented L-amino acid-defined （CSAA） diet］， normal+1，25（OH）₂D₃ group ［CSAA diet+1，25（OH）₂D₃］， model group ［choline-deficient L-amino acid-defined diet （CDAA） diet］， and model+1，25（OH）₂D₃ group ［CDAA diet+1，25（OH）₂D₃］， with 6 rats in each group. The dose of 1，25（OH）₂D₃ was 5 μg/kg for intraperitoneal injection twice a week for 12 weeks. The serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase （AST） and alanine aminotransferase （ALT） were measured， liver histopathology was observed， and SAF score was assessed. M1 hepatic macrophages and M2 hepatic macrophages were measured to analyze in the change in the phenotype of hepatic macrophages， and ELISA was used to measure the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， interleukin-4 （IL-4）， and interleukin-10 （IL-10） in liver tissue， and qPCR was used to measure the mRNA level of PPAR-γ. The two-factor analysis of variance was use for comparison between groups， and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison； the Pearson method was used for correlation analysis. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model rats with CDAA diet-induced NASH had significant increases in the serum levels of AST and ALT （P=0.019 and P<0.001）， the SAF score of liver histopathology （P<0.001）， the level of M1 hepatic macrophages （P<0.001）， and the ratio of M1 and M2 hepatic macrophages （P<0.001）， as well as a significant increase in the level of TNF-α （P<0.001） and a significant reduction in the level of IL-4 in liver tissue （P=0.025）. The 1，25（OH）₂D₃ group had significant reductions in the serum levels of ALT （P<0.001）， the SAF score of liver histopathology （P<0.001）， the level of M1 hepatic macrophages （P<0.001）， and the ratio of M1 and M2 hepatic macrophages （P=0.001）， the level of IL-1β （P<0.001） and a significant increase in the level of M2 hepatic macrophages （P=0.017）， the level of IL-10 （P=0.039）， the level of IL-4 （P<0.001）， the level of PPAR-γ （P=0.016）. There were significant interactions between CDAA diet-induced NASH model and 1，25（OH）₂D₃ in serum the levels of AST and ALT （P=0.007 and P=0.008）， the SAF scores of liver histopathology （P<0.001）， the level of M1 hepatic macrophages （P<0.001）， the level of M2 hepatic macrophages （P=0.008）， the ratio of M1 and M2 of hepatic macrophages （P=0.005）， the level of TNF-α （P<0.001）， the level of IL-10 （P=0.038）， the level of IL-4 （P<0.001） and the level of PPAR-γ （P=0.009）. The correlation analysis showed that PPAR-γ was negatively correlated with the ratio of M1 and M2 hepatic macrophages （r=-0.415， P=0.044） and was positively correlated with M2 hepatic macrophages （r=0.435， P=0.033）， IL-10 （r=0.433， P=0.035）， and IL-4 （r=0.532， P=0.007）. ConclusionThis study shows that 1，25（OH）₂D₃ improves liver inflammation in NASH by activating PPAR-γ to regulate the phenotypic transformation of hepatic macrophages.

ObjectiveTo investigate the expression of C1q tumor necrosis factor-related protein 3 （C1QTNF3） in liver cancer tissue， its association with the clinicopathological features of patients， and its potential value in predicting the prognosis of liver cancer. MethodsRelated data were collected from TIMER， UALCAN， TNMplot， and GEO databases， and the bioinformatics methods were used to measure the expression level of C1QTNF3 in pan-cancer， normal tissue/liver cancer tissue， and cancerous tissue/paracancerous tissue. Cancerous and paracancerous tissue samples were collected from 90 patients with liver cancer， and related clinical data were collected， including age， sex， tumor diameter， and tumor number. The independent-samples t test or the paired t-test was used for comparison of continuous data between groups， and the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to plot survival curves， and the Log-rank test was used to investigate the association between the expression level of C1QTNF3 and the survival of patients with liver cancer. The Cox regression model was used to identify the risk factors for the prognosis of patients with liver cancer， and the receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curve was used to analyze the ability of C1QTNF3 expression at different time points for predicting the prognosis of patients with liver cancer. ResultsThe bioinformatics analysis showed that the expression of C1QTNF3 was upregulated in various malignant tumors， especially in liver cancer tissue （P<0.001）， and the expression level of C1QTNF3 in liver cancer tissue was significantly higher than that in normal tissue and paracancerous tissues （all P<0.01）. The immunohistochemical staining results of 90 patients with liver cancer showed that C1QTNF3 was mainly expressed in cytoplasm， with a small amount in nucleus， and it had negative expression in paracancerous tissue and positive expression in liver cancer tissue. The positive expression rate and strong positive expression rate of C1QTNF3 protein in liver cancer tissue were significantly higher than those in paracancerous tissue （positive expression rate： 76.67% vs 33.33%， χ²=34.141， P<0.01； strong positive expression rate： 54.44% vs 5.56%， χ²=51.217， P<0.01）. The liver cancer patients with a tumor diameter of ≥5 cm， an advanced stage， the presence of liver cirrhosis， negative HBsAg， and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase （GGT）≥50 U/L had a significantly higher strong positive expression rate of C1QTNF3 protein than those with a tumor diameter of <5 cm， an early stage， the absence of liver cirrhosis， positive HBsAg， and GGT<50 U/L （all P<0.05）. The univariate Cox regression analysis showed that tumor diameter， recurrence， and C1QTNF3 expression were influencing factors for the prognosis of patients with liver cancer （all P<0.05）， and the multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the expression level of C1QTNF3 and recurrence were independent risk factors for the survival of patients with liver cancer （both P<0.05）. The survival curve analysis showed that for all patients with liver cancer， the patients with high （strong positive） expression of C1QTNF3 had significantly lower overall survival rate and disease-free survival rate than those with low expression （χ²=17.010 and 13.647， both P<0.001）； for liver cancer patients with a tumor diameter of ≥5 cm， an early/advanced stage， recurrence， the presence of liver cirrhosis， positive HBsAg， alanine aminotransferase （ALT） <40 U/L， ALT≥40 U/L， and GGT≥50 U/L， the patients with high expression of C1QTNF3 had a significant reduction in overall survival rate （χ²=11.086， 5.578， 5.295， 19.159， 16.391， 13.774， 10.119， 8.152， and 12.035， all P<0.05）. The ROC curve analysis showed that C1QTNF3 expression had the strongest predictive potential at 5 years， with an area under the ROC curve of 0.77. ConclusionC1QTNF3 is highly expressed in liver cancer tissue， and the expression level of C1QTNF3 and recurrence are closely associated with the survival of patients with liver cancer. Patients with high expression of C1QTNF3 protein tend to have a lower survival rate.

[摘 要] 目的：探讨贝母素乙对结肠癌HCT116细胞增殖的抑制作用及其分子机制。方法：利用不同浓度的贝母素乙处理人结肠癌细胞HCT116和正常结肠上皮细胞CCD841 CON，通过CCK-8法和结晶紫染色法检测贝母素乙对HCT116和CCD841 CON细胞增殖活力的影响，流式细胞术和WB法检测贝母素乙对HCT116细胞周期及其细胞周期相关蛋白表达的影响。构建HCT116移植瘤裸鼠模型和AOM/DSS结肠癌小鼠模型，观察贝母素乙对小鼠模型肿瘤生长和OS的影响，免疫组化法和WB法检测对移植瘤或肿瘤组织中细胞周期相关蛋白CDK4、CDK6和cyclin D1表达的影响。结果：贝母素乙可显著抑制结肠癌HCT116细胞的增殖能力（P<0.01），诱导HCT116细胞周期G0/G1期阻滞（P<0.01），降低CDK4、CDK6和cyclin D1的蛋白表达水平（均P<0.01）。荷瘤小鼠实验结果显示，贝母素乙（0.75 mg/kg）显著抑制HCT116细胞移植瘤的生长并延长荷瘤裸鼠的OS（P<0.05或P<0.01），降低AOM/DSS模型小鼠的体质量、延长OS、减少癌变肠组织的肿瘤个数和肿瘤体积，下调肿瘤组织中CDK4、CDK6和cyclin D1的蛋白表达（P<0.01或P<0.05）。结论：贝母素乙通过下调CDK4、CDK6和cyclin D1的表达水平，引起细胞周期G0/G1期阻滞，从而抑制结肠癌HCT116细胞的增殖。

[摘 要] 目的：探究染色体结构维持蛋白4（SMC4）在乳腺癌中的表达及其评估患者预后的价值。方法： 利用TIMER、GEPIA等数据库数据分析SMC4在乳腺癌组织中的表达及其与患者临床病理特征间的相关性；用免疫组化法检测SMC4蛋白在乳腺癌组织中的表达，并探讨其与乳腺癌临床病理特征之间的关系；通过Cox回归模型、Kaplan-Meier生存曲线、GEPIA数据库数据评估SMC4表达与乳腺癌患者生存期之间的关系。结果：生物信息学分析结果显示，SMC4 mRNA在乳腺癌组织中的表达水平明显高于癌旁组织（P < 0.01），并与临床分期、淋巴结转移及化疗耐药密切相关（均P < 0.05）。免疫组化法检测结果显示，在乳腺癌组织中SMC4的阳性及强阳性表达率均显著高于癌旁组织（均P < 0.05）；SMC4蛋白的高表达与乳腺癌患者年龄、临床分期和淋巴结转移密切相关（均P < 0.05）。SMC4蛋白低表达组的患者累积生存率显著高于SMC4蛋白高表达组，尤其是在HER2阳性乳腺癌患者中（均P < 0.05），且SMC4是乳腺癌患者预后的独立危险因素。结论：SMC4在乳腺癌组织中呈高表达，SMC4高表达与乳腺癌患者的淋巴结转移、临床分期及预后密切相关，可作为乳腺癌诊断与预后评判的潜在标志物。

Objective To establish a weightlessness simulation animal model using miniature pigs, leveraging the characteristic of multiple systems’ tissue structures and functions similar to those of humans, and to observe pathophysiological changes, providing a new method for aerospace research. Methods Nine standard-grade miniature pigs were selected and randomly divided into an experimental group (n=7) and a control group (n=2). The experimental group was fixed using customized metal cages, with canvas slings suspending their hind limbs off the ground, and the body positioned at a -20° angle relative to the ground to simulate unloading for 30 days (24 hours a day). Data on body weight, blood volume, and blood biochemistry indicators were collected at different time points for statistical analysis of basic physiological changes. After the experiment, the miniature pigs were euthanized and tissue samples were collected for histopathological observation of the cardiovascular, skeletal and muscle systems HE and Masson staining. Statistical analysis was also conducted on the thickness of arterial vessels and the diameter of skeletal muscle fibers. Additionally, western blotting was employed to detect the expression levels of skeletal muscle atrophy-related proteins, including muscle-specific RING finger protein 1 (MuRf-1) and muscle atrophy F-box (MAFbx, as known as Atrogin-1), while immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), an indicator of astrocyte activation in the brain, reflecting the pathophysiological functional changes across systems. Results After hindlimb unloading, the experimental group showed significant decreases in body weight (P<0.001) and blood volume (P<0.01). During the experiment, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and red blood cell count levels significantly decreased (P<0.05) but gradually recovered. The expression levels of alanine aminotransferase and γ-glutamyltransferase initially decreased (P<0.05) before rebounding, while albumin significantly decreased (P<0.001) and globulin significantly increased (P<0.01). Creatinine significantly decreased (P<0.05). The average diameter of gastrocnemius muscle fibers in the experimental group significantly shortened (P<0.05), with a leftward shift in the distribution of muscle fiber diameters and an increase in small-diameter muscle fibers. Simultaneously, Atrogin-1 expression in the gastrocnemius and paravertebral muscles significantly increased (P<0.05). These changes are generally consistent with the effects of weightlessness on humans and animals in space. Furthermore, degenerative changes were observed in some neurons of the cortical parietal lobe, frontal lobe, and hippocampal regions of the experimental group, with a slight reduction in the number of Purkinje cells in the cerebellar region, and a significant enhancement of GFAP-positive signals in the hippocampal area (P<0.05). Conclusion Miniature pigs subjected to a -20° angle hind limb unloading for 30 days maybe serve as a new animal model for simulating weightlessness, applicable to related aerospace research.

Objective To construct a recombinant poxvirus vector vaccine, rVTTδTK-RBD, and to evaluate its safety and immunogenicity. Methods The receptor-binding domain (RBD) gene was synthesized with reference to the gene sequence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and was inserted into the polyclonal site of the self-constructed recombinant plasmid pSTKE, to construct the recombinant poxvirus shuttle vector pSTKE-RBD. This was then transfected into BHK-21 cells pre-infected with the vaccinia virus Tiantan strain (VTT). The recombinant poxvirus rVTTδTK-RBD was successfully obtained after several rounds of fluorescence phage screening. The effect of rVTTδTK-RBD on the body mass of BALB/c mice was detected after immunizing mice by intra-nasal vaccination. The levels of specific and neutralizing antibodies produced by rVTTδTK-RBD on BALB/c mice were analyzed after immunizing mice intramuscularly. The effect of rVTTδTK-RBD on T cell subsets in BALB/c mice was detected by flow cytometry. Results Through homologous recombination, enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) screening marker, and multiple rounds of fluorescent phosphorescence phage screening, a recombinant poxvirus rVTTδTK-RBD, expressing RBD with deletions in the thymidine kinase (TK) gene, was successfully obtained, which was validated by PCR. The in vivo experiments on BALB/c mice showed that rVTTδTK-RBD was highly immunogenic against SARS-CoV-2 and significantly reduced toxicity to the body compared to the parental strain VTT. Conclusion The recombinant poxvirus vaccine rVTTδTK-RBD against SARS-CoV-2 is successfully constructed and obtained, with its safety and immunogenicity confirmed through various experiments.
Animals ; Mice ; SARS-CoV-2/genetics* ; COVID-19 ; Vaccines, Synthetic/genetics* ; Genes, Reporter ; Bacteriophages ; Mice, Inbred BALB C

Polysaccharides, predominantly extracted from traditional Chinese medicinal herbs such as Lycium barbarum, Angelica sinensis, Astragalus membranaceus, Dendrobium officinale, Ganoderma lucidum, and Poria cocos, represent principal bioactive constituents extensively utilized in Chinese medicine. These compounds have demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory capabilities, especially anti-liver injury activities, while exhibiting minimal adverse effects. This review summarized recent studies to elucidate the hepatoprotective efficacy and underlying molecular mechanisms of these herbal polysaccharides. It underscored the role of these polysaccharides in regulating hepatic function, enhancing immunological responses, and improving antioxidant capacities, thus contributing to the attenuation of hepatocyte apoptosis and liver protection. Analyses of molecular pathways in these studies revealed the intricate and indispensable functions of traditional Chinese herbal polysaccharides in liver injury management. Therefore, this review provides a thorough examination of the hepatoprotective attributes and molecular mechanisms of these medicinal polysaccharides, thereby offering valuable insights for the advancement of polysaccharide-based therapeutic research and their potential clinical applications in liver disease treatment.
Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Liver Diseases/drug therapy* ; Antioxidants ; Polysaccharides/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

Objective The aim of this study was to demonstrate a novel jaw position adjustment technique derived from digital twins and evaluate the application ef-fect of digital technology-assisted optimization in the pro-cess of adjusting jaw position on patients with temporo-mandibular disorders(TMD).Methods A total of 74 patients with TMD who attended the Department of Temporomandibular Joint,West China Hospital of Stomatology,Si-chuan University,between June 2022 and May 2023 were selected.The patient's initial computed tomography(CT)and bilateral temporomandibular joint data obtained by magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)were collected.The 148 joints were divided into the normal disc-condyle relationship(N)group,disc displacement with reduction(DDWR)group,and disc displacement without reduction(DDWoR)group.Assisted by digital technology,the patient's CT data were recon-structed,and a personalized reference plane was established to adjust the jaw position.A three-point bite guiding splint was designed by the adjusted occlusal space and then fabricated by 3D printing technology.It was worn by the patients and then reviewed by MRI.Before and after the adjustment of jaw position,the amount and direction of condyle and disc displacement and the angle between condyle and disc were measured as the evaluation indexes of the effect of the adjust-ment.The correlation with condylar displacement was evaluated.Results In the N group,the disc moved backward and downward along the X and Z axes by(-0.60±0.62)and(0.51±0.71)mm,respectively.In the DDWR group,the disc moved backward and upward along the X and Z axes by(-1.33±1.38)and(-0.09±1.31)mm,respectively.In the DDWoR group,the disc moved forward and downward along the X and Z axes by(0.49±1.76)and(1.35±1.76)mm,re-spectively.The angle between the condyle and the disc decreased after adjustment of the jaw position in all three groups.All patients showed improvement in symptoms after adjustment.Conclusion Digital technology-assisted jaw position adjustment can simplify the process,reduce the sensitivity of the technique,and improve patients'disc-condyle structure and symptoms.Therefore,its application in the treatment of patients with TMD is of great clinical significance.

Regardless of the underlying etiology, renal fibrosis is the final histological outcome of progressive kidney disease. Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) is an ideal and reproducible experimental rodent model of renal fibrosis, which is characterized by tubulointerstitial inflammatory responses, accumulation of extracellular matrix, tubular dilatation and atrophy, and fibrosis. The magnitude of UUO-induced renal fibrosis is experimentally manipulated by the species chosen, animal age, and the severity and duration of the obstruction, while relief of the obstruction allows the animal to recover from fibrosis. The pathogenesis of renal fibrosis is complex and multifactorial and is orchestrated by activation of renin-angiotensin system (RAS), oxidative stress, inflammatory response, transforming growth factor beta 1-Smad pathway, activated myofibroblasts, cell death (apoptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, and necroptosis), destruction of intracellular organelles, and signaling pathway. The current therapeutic approaches have limited efficacy. Inhibition of RAS and use of antioxidants and antidiabetic drugs, such as inhibitors of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 and dipeptidyl peptidase-4, have recently gained attention as therapeutic strategies to prevent renal scarring. This literature review highlights the state of the art regarding the molecular mechanisms relevant to the management of renal fibrosis caused by UUO.

Regardless of the underlying etiology, renal fibrosis is the final histological outcome of progressive kidney disease. Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) is an ideal and reproducible experimental rodent model of renal fibrosis, which is characterized by tubulointerstitial inflammatory responses, accumulation of extracellular matrix, tubular dilatation and atrophy, and fibrosis. The magnitude of UUO-induced renal fibrosis is experimentally manipulated by the species chosen, animal age, and the severity and duration of the obstruction, while relief of the obstruction allows the animal to recover from fibrosis. The pathogenesis of renal fibrosis is complex and multifactorial and is orchestrated by activation of renin-angiotensin system (RAS), oxidative stress, inflammatory response, transforming growth factor beta 1-Smad pathway, activated myofibroblasts, cell death (apoptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, and necroptosis), destruction of intracellular organelles, and signaling pathway. The current therapeutic approaches have limited efficacy. Inhibition of RAS and use of antioxidants and antidiabetic drugs, such as inhibitors of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 and dipeptidyl peptidase-4, have recently gained attention as therapeutic strategies to prevent renal scarring. This literature review highlights the state of the art regarding the molecular mechanisms relevant to the management of renal fibrosis caused by UUO.