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Yue Lu,1– 3,* Simin Pan,4,* Wenzhen Li,5 Yao Qi,6,7 Li Li,1– 3 Yu-Hong Yan,1– 3 Jianan Wei,1– 3 Dan-Ni Yao,1– 3 Jingjing Wu,1– 3 Hao Deng,1– 3 Shuyan Ye,1– 3 Haiming Chen,1– 3 Qubo Chen,1– 3 Hengjun Gao,6,7 Ling Han,1– 3 Chuanjian Lu1– 3 1State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China; 2Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Research on Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China; 3Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Laboratory on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease Research, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China; 4The Second Clinical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China; 5The Clinical College of Acupuncture Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China; 6Shanghai Molecular Medicine Engineering Technology Research Center, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China; 7Shanghai National Engineering Research Center of Biochip, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Ling Han; Chuanjian Lu, Email linghan99@gzucm.edu.cn; lcj@gzucm.edu.cnBackground: Psoriasis is a widespread chronic, immune-mediated skin disease with frequent recurrences, and is extremely harmful to the physical and mental health of patients, causing enormous suffering and exerting considerable economic burdens on the health care system as a whole. In more than a decade of clinical use, the optimized formula of Yinxieling (PSORI-CM01) has consistently demonstrated its effectiveness for treating psoriasis. However, its underlying mechanism remains largely unexplored.Methods: The network pharmacology analysis was conducted to predict the mechanism and protective effect of PSORI-CM01 in treating psoriasis. Subsequently, we collected blood samples from 21 patients with psoriasis as part of a randomized, double-blind, and double-dummy clinical trial for microRNA expression profiling. Finally, it was experimentally confirmed that PSORI-CM01 improved psoriasis by regulating miR-20a-3p and miR-3184-3p expression.Results: As a result of the network pharmacology analysis, PSORI-CM01 improved psoriasis through the regulation of autophagy, cellular apoptosis, cellular proliferation, and anti-inflammatory processes. In the target-miRNA regulatory network, these key targets were mainly associated with the regulation of hsa-miR-20a-3p, hsa-miR-155-5p, has-miR-3184-3p, hsa-miR-328-3p and hsa-miR-124-3p. Based on the microRNA expression profiling results, the PSORI-CM01 treatment group exhibited five up-regulated genes and 16 down-regulated genes compared with the healthy control group. In particular, miR-20a-3p and miR-3184-3p were the primary differentially expressed microRNAs, and they were significantly enriched in the signaling pathways involving autophagy, apoptosis, proliferation, and anti-inflammation. Further experiments confirmed that PSORI-CM01 effectively regulates miR-20a-3p and miR-3184-3p, resulting in increased autophagy.Conclusion: We demonstrated by combining network pharmacology and clinical studies of miRNA expression profiles in PBMCs that PSORI-CM01 effectively modulated miR-20a-3p and miR-3184-3p, leading to an increase in autophagy and a decrease in keratinocyte proliferation.Keywords: PSORI-CM01, Psoriasis vulgaris, MicroRNA expression profile, network pharmacology, autophagy

Shipeng Chen,1– 3 Mengna Li,1– 3 Changning Xue,1– 3 Xiangting Zhou,1– 3 Jianxia Wei,1– 3 Lemei Zheng,1– 3 Yumei Duan,1– 3 Hongyu Deng,1 Faqing Tang,1 Wei Xiong,1– 3 Bo Xiang,1– 3 Ming Zhou1– 3 1NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Hunan Key Laboratory of Oncotarget Gene, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, People’s Republic of China; 2Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, People’s Republic of China; 3The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Ming Zhou; Bo Xiang, Email zhouming2001@163.com; xiangbolin@csu.edu.cnPurpose: Cinobufotalin injection has obvious curative effects on liver cancer patients with less toxicity and fewer side effects than other therapeutic approaches. However, the core ingredients and mechanism underlying these anti-liver cancer effects have not been fully clarified due to its complex composition.Methods: Multidimensional network analysis was used to screen the core ingredients, key targets and pathways underlying the therapeutic effects of cinobufotalin injection on liver cancer, and in vitro and in vivo experiments were performed to confirm the findings.Results: By construction of ingredient networks and integrated analysis, eight core ingredients and ten key targets were finally identified in cinobufotalin injection, and all of the core ingredients are tightly linked with the key targets, and these key targets are highly associated with the cell cycle-related pathways, supporting that both cinobufotalin injection and its core ingredients exert anti-liver cancer roles by blocking cell cycle-related pathways. Moreover, in vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed that either cinobufotalin injection or one of its core ingredients, cinobufagin, significantly inhibited cell proliferation, colony formation, cell cycle progression and xenograft tumor growth, and the key target molecules involved in the cell cycle pathway such as CDK1, CDK4, CCNB1, CHEK1 and CCNE1, exhibit consistent changes in expression after treatment with cinobufotalin injection or cinobufagin. Interestingly, some key targets CDK1, CDK4, PLK1, CHEK1, TTK were predicted to bind with multiple of core ingredients of cinobufotalin injection, and the affinity between one of the critical ingredients cinobufagin and key target CDK1 was further confirmed by SPR assay.Conclusion: Cinobufotalin injection was confirmed to includes eight core ingredients, and they play therapeutic effects in liver cancer by blocking cell cycle-related pathways, which provides important insights for the mechanism of cinobufotalin injection antagonizing liver cancer and the development of novel small molecule anti-cancer drugs. Keywords: cinobufotalin injection, liver cancer, cinobufagin, network pharmacology, cell cycle, core ingredients

Zhenhua Liu,1,* Mingxi Cai,2,* Haoteng Ke,2,* Huazong Deng,2 Weijia Ye,2 Tao Wang,1 Qifan Chen,1 Shuizhong Cen1 1Department of Spinal Surgery, Orthopedic Medical Center, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, People’s Republic of China; 2The Second Clinical School, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Shuizhong Cen, Department of Spinal Surgery, Orthopedic Medical Center, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 13480297160, Email censhzh3@mail2.sysu.edu.cnPurpose of the Review: Emerging evidence has shown that ankylosing spondylitis fibroblasts (ASFs) act as crucial participants in inflammation and abnormal ossification in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). This review examines the investigations into ASFs and their pathological behavior, which contributes to inflammatory microenvironments and abnormal bone formation. The review spans the period from 2000 to 2023, with a primary focus on the most recent decade. Additionally, the review provides an in-depth discussion on studies on ASF ossification at the cellular level.Recent Findings: ASFs organize immune functions by recruiting immune cells and influencing their differentiation and activation, thus mediate the inflammatory response in the early phase of disease. ASFs promote joint destruction at sites of cartilage and actively promote abnormal ossification by recruiting osteoblasts, differentiation into myofibroblasts or ossification directly. Many signaling pathways and cytokines such as Wnt signaling and BMP/TGF-β signaling are involved in ASF ossification.Summary: ASFs play a key role in AS inflammation and osteogenesis. Further studies are required to elucidate molecular mechanisms behind that and provide new targets and directions for AS diagnosis and treatment from a new perspective of fibroblasts.Keywords: ankylosing spondylitis, fibroblast, inflammation, ossification

Zhongxin Hou,1,&ast; Yang Chen,1,2,&ast; Yunrui Sun,1 Chongwei Song,1 Haoyuan Deng,3 Nan Cheng,4 Xiaoyu Han,2 Jianghui Zhang,5 Qian Wang,1 Yi Li,1 Jianzhong Yin,1,6 Qiong Meng1 1School of Public Health, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, People’s Republic of China; 2Institute for Acute Communicable Disease Prevention and Control, Yunnan Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Kunming, Yunnan, People’s Republic of China; 3Medical Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Hospital Infection, Wuhan Mental Health Center, Wuhan, Hubei, People’s Republic of China; 5AIDS Care Center, Yunnan Provincial Hospital of Infectious Disease, Anning, Yunnan, People’s Republic of China; 6Baoshan College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Baoshan, Yunnan, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Qiong Meng, School of Public Health, Kunming Medical University, 1168 West Chunrong Road, Yuhua Avenue, Chenggong District, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, People’s Republic of China, Tel +8615559789771, Email mengqiong2006@163.com Jianzhong Yin, Baoshan College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Baoshan Longyang District Qingyang District Vocational Education Park, Baoshan, Yunnan, 678000, People’s Republic of China, Tel +8613987645337, Email yinjianzhong2005@sina.comPurpose: Depression and anxiety are two highly prevalent mental disorders that commonly coexist. However, little is known about the association between sleep and comorbid depressive and anxiety symptoms (CDAS). Therefore, this study aims to explore the relationship between sleep duration, insomnia and CDAS.Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of 22,004 community adults who participated in the China Multi-Ethnic Cohort (CMEC) study. Chinese version of Patient Health Questionnaire-2 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2 were used to screen CDAS in community adults. A positive score on each scale was considered indicative of CDAS. All participants received face-to-face interviews, medical examinations, and biochemical examinations to assess sleep duration and insomnia and collect covariates. The self-reported sleep duration was divided into three groups: < 7 hr, 7– 9 hr and > 9 hr groups. Logistic regression was used to analyze the association between sleep duration, insomnia and CDAS. A restricted cubic spline (RCS) was used to explore the dose–response relationship between sleep duration and CDAS. Stratified analysis based on gender and age was conducted.Results: Overall, 2.8% (95% CI 2.6%~3.0%) of participants reported having CDAS. After adjusting the potential covariates, sleep duration < 7 hr (OR=1.635, 95% CI=1.335~2.004) was significantly associated with CDAS, compared with sleep 7– 9 hr. After RCS analysis, there was a nonlinear relationship between sleep duration and CDAS. The increase in the number of types of insomnia, the greater the likelihood of CDAS (p for trend< 0.05). In sensitivity analysis, it was found that the results were consistent with those of the main analysis. After stratification by gender and age, the association between sleep duration and CDAS was only observed in female and young and middle-aged adults, not in men and older adults.Conclusion: Both insufficient sleep duration and insomnia are associated with a higher prevalence of CDAS in Chinese adults.Keywords: sleep duration1, insomnia2, comorbid depressive and anxiety symptoms3, adults4, cross-sectional study5

Ran Chen, Haibo Deng, Lijun Zou Department of Wound Repair Surgery, Liyuan Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Lijun Zou; Haibo Deng, Department of Wound Repair Surgery, Liyuan Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 39 Yanhu Avenue, Wuhan, Hubei, 430077, People’s Republic of China, Email zhlj112@163.com; dhb0376@163.comBackground: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) represent a severe complication of diabetes associated with reduced quality of life, lower limb amputations, hospitalizations, increased incidence, and mortality. Importantly, a significant number of pathogenic genes remain unexplored in DFUs.Methods: A series of bioinformatics analyses were performed on publicly available bulk transcriptome sequencing datasets GSE134431 and GSE80178 to explore the transcriptomic changes in DFUs and select core genes for in vitro functional validation. In a focused examination, the differential expression analysis unveiled distinctions in gene expression patterns between DFUs and non-ulcerated diabetic skin tissues. Enriched functional annotations of differentially expressed genes were explored using the DAVID online tool. Protein-protein interaction analysis was conducted to investigate interactions among differentially expressed genes and select core genes. Knockdown or overexpression of core genes in HaCaT keratinocytes was performed to assess their impact on cell proliferation and migration.Results: Ten core genes were identified. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and scratch assays demonstrated that downregulation of the core gene SIN3A significantly inhibited the migration and proliferation of HaCaT keratinocytes, while overexpression of SIN3A reversed the high-glucose-induced suppression of HaCaT cell viability and migration.Conclusion: SIN3A expression is downregulated in DFUs. In vitro, SIN3A promotes the proliferation and migration of HaCaT keratinocytes, suggesting it may be a potential therapeutic target for DFUs.Keywords: diabetic foot ulcers, SIN3A, bioinformatics, cell proliferation, cell migration, histone modification

Guangyou Duan,1,&ast; Haibo Deng,2,&ast; Hong Fu,3 Lingzhi Wang,4 Hanyu Yang5 1Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing City, 400000, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Anesthesiology, Huizhou Third People’s Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 516002, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Anesthesiology, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing University Central Hospital, School of Medicine, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400014, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 051026, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510120, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Guangyou Duan, Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No. 74, Linjiang Road, Chongqing City, 400000, People’s Republic of China, Email duangy@hospital.cqmu.edu.cnPurpose: This study aimed to compare the electrolyte balance efficacies of two Gelatin-Balanced Crystalloid in clinical applications.Methods: A multi-center, prospective, randomized, single-blind, parallel controlled study was conducted among non-cardiac surgery patients, with clinical registration number ChiCTR2200062999. They were randomized into Succinylated Gelatin, Multiple Electrolytes and Sodium Acetate Injection (SG-MESAI) group (experimental group) and Succinylated Gelatin Injection (SGI) infusion group (control group). The same anesthetic induction technique, anesthetic method, and calculation method for the volume of colloid infusion were used in the two groups. Between-group differences in the changes in base excess (BE), Chloride ion (Cl−), bicarbonate radical (HCO3⁻) and other parameters were recorded at 15 min, 30 min after the infusion relative to the baseline. Hemodynamic indicators were determined at 30 min after colloid infusion. Safety follow-up was conducted by administering the following tests within 48 h± 12 h after surgery.Results: A total of 225 subjects (full analysis set) were finally enrolled, with 110 subjects in the experimental group and 115 subjects in the control group. The baseline data were comparable between the two groups. At 15 min after infusion, the mean changes in BE, Cl− and HCO3⁻ concentration in the experimental group were smaller than those of the control group (P< 0.001). At 30 min after surgery, the mean changes in BE, Cl−, HCO3⁻concentration and pH value were smaller in the experimental group than in the control group (P< 0.05). The incidences of adverse events and adverse reactions in the experimental group was less than the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant (P≥ 0.05). Besides, no serious adverse events or adverse reactions were reported in any subjects.Conclusion: Succinylated Gelatin, Multiple Electrolytes and Sodium Acetate Injection maintained the balance of BE, Cl−, HCO3⁻ and pH value in a better way than Succinylated Gelatin Injection in non-cardiac surgery patients under general anesthesia.Keywords: anesthesia, non-cardiac surgery, fluid therapy, drug clinical trial, succinylated gelatin, multiple electrolytes and sodium acetate injection

Wenyu Zhou,1,&ast; Song Hu,1,2,&ast; Yutong Wu,1,&ast; Huan Xu,1,&ast; Lina Zhu,1 Huimin Deng,1 Sheng Wang,1 Yuanli Chen,1 Huanping Zhou,1 Xin Lv,1 Quanfu Li,1 Hao Yang1 1Department of Anesthesiology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200433, People’s Republic of China; 2Graduate School, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, AnHui, 241002, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Hao Yang, Department of Anesthesiology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, 507 Zhengmin Road, Shanghai, 200433, People’s Republic of China, Email yanghaozunyi@sina.com Quanfu Li, Department of Anesthesiology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 507 Zhengmin Road, Shanghai, 200433, People’s Republic of China, Email quanfuli185@163.comBackground: Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (MSC-exosomes) have been found to effectively improve the systemic inflammatory response caused by acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS), regulate systemic immune disorders, and help injured cells repair. The purpose of this study was to take a holistic view of the current status and trends of MSC-exosomes research in ALI/ARDS.Methods: Bibliometrix, Citespace and VOSviewer software were used for bibliometric analysis of the data. We analysed the world trends, country distribution, institution contribution, most relevant journals and authors, research hotspots, and research hotspots related to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) based on the data collected.Results: China possessed the largest number of publications, while the USA had the highest H-index and the number of citations. Both China and the USA had a high influence in this research field. The largest number of publications in the field of MSC-exosomes and ALI/ARDS were mainly from the University of California system. Stem Cell Research & Therapy published the largest number of papers in this scope. The author with the greatest contribution was LEE JW, and ZHU YG published an article in Stem Cell with the highest local citation score. The most frequent keyword and the latest research hotspot were “NF-κB” and “Coronavirus Disease 2019”. Furthermore, our bibliometric analysis results demonstrated that MSC-exosomes intervention and treatment can effectively alleviate the inflammatory response caused by ALI/ARDS.Conclusion: Our bibliometric study suggested the USA and China have a strong influence in this field. COVID-19-induced ALI/ARDS had become a hot topic of research.Keywords: acute respiratory distress syndrome, mesenchymal stem cells, exosome, bibliometrix, Citespace, VOSviewer

Peigen Wu,1– 3 Churui Chang,3 Guanglin Zhu,4 Lixiang Zhai,5 Xu Zhang,3 Qiuchan Huan,1,3 Zhengxian Gao,1,3 Huan Deng,2 Yue Liang,1 Haitao Xiao2,3 1Department of Pharmacy, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China; 2School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China; 3School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guizhou Medical University, University Town, Guizhou, People’s Republic of China; 4Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Qijiang, Chongqing, People’s Republic of China; 5School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Haitao Xiao, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, People’s Republic of China, Email xhaitao@szu.edu.cn Yue Liang, Department of Pharmacy, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China, Email bmqueen@163.comPurpose: To explore the potential mechanism of glycosidic fraction of Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora Pennell (GPS) extract for the treatment of colitis using UPLC-QTOF-MS analysis, network pharmacology and experimental research.Methods: The active components of GPS extract were identified by UPLC-QTOF-MS analysis and extracted their targets from the databases, which was used for network pharmacology analysis. Kyoto Encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis was performed to discover potential therapeutic mechanisms, and the network pharmacology results were then validated by in vivo and in vitro experiments.Results: The results showed that GPS extract significantly alleviated the clinical signs of colitis, including body weight, disease activity index, colon shortening, and colon tissue damage, and inhibited the transcription and production of colonic IL-1β and IL-6 in DSS-induced colitis mice. In vitro, GPS extract also significantly suppressed nitric oxide (NO) production, iNOS expression, IL-1β and IL-6 transcription of LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells. Network pharmacology integrated with experimental validation identified that GPS extract significantly suppressed Akt, p38, ERK, and JNK phosphorylation in vivo and in vitro, and luteolin, apocynin, caffeic acid, caffeic acid methyl ester, luteoloside, picroside II, aucubin, cinnamic acid, vanillic acid, and sweroside were the main components responsible for the anti-inflammatory effect of GPS. These findings demonstrate that the potential anti-inflammatory effect of GPS extract against colitis is achieved through suppressing PI3K/Akt and MAPK pathways, and that the abovementioned active components mainly exerted its anti-inflammatory effect.Conclusion: The therapeutic effect of GPS extract on colitis is related to PI3K/Akt and MAPK pathways, which is a promising remedy for colitis therapy.Graphical Abstract: Keywords: Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora, colitis, bioactive compounds, molecular mechanism, network pharmacology

Mineral precipitation affects the pore structure and thus transport properties of porous media. In this study, we investigated the pore-scale dynamics of precipitation in diffusion controlled systems and the resulting impacts on the effective diffusivity, using a micro-continuum reactive transport model. Forty two-dimensional pore structures representing both idealized and realistic geometries were simulated with consideration of different precipitation scenarios and rates. A homogeneous nucleation scenario reproduced patterns observed in previous experimental study showing mixing-induced precipitation, and a surface growth scenario captured the pattern for mineral precipitation on a substrate with the same or similar mineral structures. In all cases, local precipitation resulted in the reduction in the average porosity of the domain (Φ) until the cessation of diffusive transport and the termination of precipitation. The minimum porosity reached was referred to as the critical porosity (Φc). The effective diffusivity (Deff) decreased with Φ and dropped sharply to effectively zero, that is, the critical effective diffusivity (Deffc), as Φc was reached. These pore-scale dynamics can be captured by a revised (Formula presented.) relationship that explicitly considers the critical porosity and the corresponding effective diffusivity, and the pre-exponential coefficient and the exponent of the relationship varied with initial pore structure and the precipitation kinetics. Overall, the homogeneous nucleation scenario results in systematically larger Φc and coefficients that give rise to a sharper decrease in diffusivity as Φc is approached, compared to the surface growth scenario. The revised relationship was also implemented at continuum scale and used to examine column scale diffusivity change and reactions.

Hao Deng,1,&ast; Yumei Wang,1,&ast; Yue Zhou,1,&ast; Dongliang Zhai,1 Jie Chen,1 Shilei Hao,2 Xiaoliang Chen1 1Department of Nuclear Medicine, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing, 400030, People’s Republic of China; 2Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400030, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Xiaoliang Chen, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, No. 181 HanYu St, Shapingba District, Chongqing, 400030, People’s Republic of China, Tel/Fax +86 023-65079156, Email chenxiaoliang26@163.com Shilei Hao, Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, 174 Shazhengjie, Shapingba District, Chongqing, 400030, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86023-135 9463 5765, Email Shilei_hao@cqu.edu.cnBackground: Prostate cancer (PCa) ranks second in the incidence of all malignancies in male worldwide. The presence of multi-organ metastases and tumor heterogeneity often leads to unsatisfactory outcomes of conventional radiotherapy treatments. This study aimed to develop a novel folate-targeted nanohydroxyapatite (nHA) coupling to deliver adriamycin (Doxorubicin, DOX), 32P, and 99mTc simultaneously for the diagnosis and treatment of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positive prostate cancer.Methods: The spherical nHA was prepared by the biomimetic method and characterized. Folic acid (FA) was coupled to nHA with polyethylene glycol (PEG), and the grafting ratio of PEG-nHA and FA-PEG-nHA was determined by the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) method. In addition, 32P, 99mTc, and DOX were loaded on nHA by physisorption. And the labeling rate and stability of radionuclides were measured by a γ-counter. The loading and release of DOX at different pH were determined by the dialysis method. Targeting of FA-PEG-nHA loaded with 99mTc was verified by in vivo SPECT imaging. In vitro anti-tumor effect of 32P/DOX-FA-PEG-nHA was assessed with apoptosis assay. The safety of the nano-drugs was verified by histopathological analysis.Results: The SEM images showed that the synthesized nHA was spherical with uniform particle size (average diameter of about 100nm). The grafting ratio is about 10% for PEG and about 20% for FA. The drug loading and the delayed release of DOX at different pH confirmed its long-term therapeutic ability. The labeling of 32P and 99mTc was stable and the labeling rate was great. SPECT showed that FA-PEG-nHA showed well in vivo tumor targeting and less damage to normal tissues.Conclusion: FA-targeted nHA loaded with 32P, 99mTc, and DOX may be a new diagnostic and therapeutic strategy for targeting PSMA-positive prostate cancer tumors, which may achieve better therapeutic results while circumventing the severe toxic side effects of conventional chemotherapeutic agents.Keywords: prostate cancer, folic acid targeting, nanohydroxyapatite, 99mTc/ 32P, adriamycin

Jian Lin,1,&ast; Tianpeng Shi,2,&ast; Yi Wang,1 Zhiqi He,1 Zhixiang Mu,1 Xiaojun Cai,1 Hui Deng,1 Jianliang Shen,3– 5 Fen Liu6 1School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Stomatology, PLA Strategic Support Force Medical Center, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 3State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vision Science, School of Ophthalmology & Optometry, School of Biomedical Engineering, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, People’s Republic of China; 4Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of Regenerative Medicine, Vision, and Brain Health, Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision, and Brain Health), Wenzhou, People’s Republic of China; 6Department of Histology and Embryology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Hui Deng; Fen Liu, Email dh0726@gmail.com; liufen6459@163.comBackground: Much attention has been paid to sustained drug release and anti-infection in wound management. Hydrogels, which are biocompatible materials, are promising tools for controlled drug release and infective protection during wound healing. However, hydrogels also demonstrate limitations in the highly efficient treatment of wounds because of the diffusion rate. In this work, we explored pH-sensitive hydrogels that enable ultra-long-acting drug release and sustained antibacterial properties.Methods: We constructed a hybrid gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) system with sustainable antibacterial properties combining hyaluronic acid (HA)-coated mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN), which loaded host-guest complexes of chlorhexidine (CHX) with β-cyclodextrins (β-CD) (CHX⊂CD-MSN@HA@GelMA). The release mechanism of CHX was explored using UV-vis spectra after intermittent diffusion of CHX. The hybrid hydrogels were characterized, and the drug content in terms of the release profile, bacterial inhibition, and in vivo experiments were investigated.Results: Except for dual protection from both hydrogels, MSN in the HA improved the drug loading efficiency to promote the local drug concentration. It showed that complicated CHX-loaded MSN releases CHX more gradually and over a longer duration than CHX-loaded MSNs. This demonstrated a 12-day CHX release time and antibacterial activity, primarily attributable to the capacity of β-CD to form an inclusion complex with CHX. Meanwhile, in vivo experiments revealed that the hydrogels safely promote skin wound healing and enhance therapeutic efficacy.Conclusion: We constructed pH-sensitive CHX⊂CD-MSN@HA@GelMA hydrogels that enable ultra-long-acting drug release and sustained antibacterial properties. The combination of β-CD and MSN would be better suited to release a reduced rate of active molecules over time (slow delivery), making them great candidates for wound dressing anti-infection materials.Keywords: mesoporous silica, cyclodextrin, pH-responsive, antibacterial property, wound healing

Xuegang Yang,1,2 Heping Deng,3 Yanyuan Sun,1 Yi Zhang,3 Yujie Lu,3 Guohui Xu,1,&ast; Xiaoqi Huang2,&ast; 1Department of Interventional Therapy, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China; 2Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Department of Radiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Radiology, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, Chengdu, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Guohui Xu, Department of Interventional Therapy, Sichuan Cancer Hospital and Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, 55 Renmin South Road 4th Section, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-13708010123, Fax +86-02885420195, Email xgh0913@hotmail.com Xiaoqi Huang, Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC), Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Department of Radiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guo Xue Xiang, Chengdu, 610041, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-18980605806, Fax +86-02885420195, Email julianahuang@163.comPurpose: We compare the efficacy and safety of regorafenib plus immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) with transarterial chemoembolization (R+ICIs+TACE) versus regorafenib plus ICIs (R+ICIs) as the second-line treatment for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods: This retrospective study included patients with advanced HCC who received R+ICIs+TACE or R+ICIs as the second-line treatment from January 2019 to April 2022. Objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were compared between the two groups. The propensity score matching (PSM) was used to reduce the influence of confounding factors on the outcomes. Factors affecting PFS and OS were analyzed using a Cox proportional-hazards regression model.Results: In total, 52 patients were included in this study, of whom 28 patients received R+ICIs+TACE and 24 patients received R+ICIs. After PSM (n=23 in each group), patients who received R+ICIs+TACE had a higher ORR (34.8% vs 4.3%, P=0.009), a longer PFS (5.8 vs 2.6 months, P< 0.0001), and a longer OS (15.0 vs 7.5 months, P=0.014) than those who received R+ICIs. Age ≤ 50 years old, Child-Pugh class A6 and B7, and R+ICIs were found as independent prognostic factors for poor PFS. R+ICIs, α-fetoprotein > 400 ng/mL, and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio > 133 were noted as independent prognostic factors for poor OS. The difference in the incidence of TRAEs between the two groups was not statistically significant (P> 0.05).Conclusion: Compared to regorafenib plus ICIs, regorafenib plus ICIs with TACE was tolerated and improved survival as the second-line treatment for patients with advanced HCC.Keywords: advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, regorafenib, immune checkpoint inhibitors, transarterial chemoembolization, second-line treatment

Liwen Kuang,1,&ast; Chenchen Zhang,1,&ast; Binghui Li,1 Haibo Deng,1 Ran Chen,1 Gongchi Li2 1Department of Wound Repair Surgery, Liyuan Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430062, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Hand Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430022, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Gongchi Li, Department of Hand Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1277 Jiefang Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430022, People’s Republic of China, Tel +8613618615209, Email ligongchi@foxmail.comPurpose: Diabetic wound is a highly prevalent and refractory disease. Extensive studies have confirmed that keratinocytes and macrophages play an important role in the process of wound healing. Additionally, exosomes are regarded as a vital intercellular communication tool. This study aimed to investigate the role of human keratinocyte-derived exosomal MALAT1 in the treatment of diabetic wound by influencing the biological function of macrophages.Methods: We mainly assessed the function of MALAT1 on the biological changes of macrophages, and the expression of MALAT1 in the keratinocyte-exosomes analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The downstream interaction between RNAs or proteins was assessed by mechanistic experiments. Besides, we evaluated the effects of human keratinocyte-derived exosomal MALAT1 on diabetic wound healing in vivo to verify in vitro results.Results: We demonstrated that human keratinocyte-derived exosomal MALAT1 enhanced the biological functions of high glucose-injured macrophages, including phagocytosis, converting to a pro-healing phenotype and reducing apoptosis. Mechanistically, MALAT1 accelerated the expression of MFGE8 by competitively binding to miR-1914-3p, thereby affecting the function of macrophages and the signal axis of TGFB1/SMAD3, and finally promoting the healing of diabetic wounds. Human keratinocyte-derived exosomal MALAT1 might promote collagen deposition, ECM remodeling, and expression of MFGE8, VEGF, and CD31 but reduce the expression of TGFB and SMAD3 in an in vivo model of diabetic mice wounds, which accelerated diabetic wound healing and restored its function.Conclusion: The current study revealed that human keratinocyte-derived exosomal MALAT1 would suppress miR-1914-3p to activate MFGE8 and eventually promote wound healing by enhancing macrophage phagocytosis, converting to a pro-healing phenotype and reducing apoptosis. It proposed that keratinocyte-derived exosomes might have the capacity to serve as a new method for the clinical treatment of diabetic wound.Graphical Abstract: Keywords: exosomes, keratinocytes, macrophages, MALAT1, diabetic wound healing

This paper describes a new modeling framework for microscopic to reservoir-scale simulations of hydraulic fracturing and production. The approach builds upon a fusion of two existing high-performance simulators for reservoir-scale behavior: the GEOS code for hydromechanical evolution during stimulation and the TOUGH+ code for multi-phase flow during production. The reservoir-scale simulations are informed by experimental and modeling studies at the laboratory scale to incorporate important micro-scale mechanical processes and chemical reactions occurring within the fractures, the shale matrix, and at the fracture-fluid interfaces. These processes include, among others, changes in stimulated fracture permeability as a result of proppant behavior rear-rangement or embedment, or mineral scale precipitation within pores and microfractures, at µm to cm scales. In our new modeling framework, such micro-scale testing and modeling provides upscaled hydromechanical parameters for the reservoir scale models. We are currently testing the new modeling framework using field data and core samples from the Hydraulic Fracturing Field Test (HFTS), a recent field-based joint research experiment with intense monitoring of hydraulic fracturing and shale production in the Wolfcamp Formation in the Permian Basin (USA). Below, we present our approach coupling the reservoir simulators GEOS and TOUGH+ informed by upscaled parameters from micro-scale experiments and modeling. We provide a brief overview of the HFTS and the available field data, and then discuss the ongoing application of our new workflow to the HFTS data set.

The proliferation of urban sensing, IoT, and big data in cities provides unprecedented opportunities for a deeper understanding of occupant behaviour and energy usage patterns at the urban scale. This enables data-driven building and energy models to capture the urban dynamics, specifically the intrinsic occupant and energy use behavioural profiles that are not usually considered in traditional models. Although there are related reviews, none investigated urban data for use in modelling occupant behaviour and energy use at multiple scales, from buildings to neighbourhood to city. This survey paper aims to fill this gap by providing a critical summary and analysis of the works reported in the literature. We present the different sources of occupant-centric urban data that are useful for data-driven modelling and categorise the range of applications and recent data-driven modelling techniques for urban behaviour and energy modelling, along with the traditional stochastic and simulation-based approaches. Finally, we present a set of recommendations for future directions in data-driven modelling of occupant behaviour and energy in buildings at the urban scale.

A search has been performed for neutrinos from two sources, the hep reaction in the solar pp fusion chain and the νe component of the diffuse supernova neutrino background (DSNB), using the full dataset of the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory with a total exposure of 2.47 kton-years after fiducialization. The hep search is performed using both a single-bin counting analysis and a likelihood fit. We find a best-fit flux that is compatible with solar model predictions while remaining consistent with zero flux, and set a one-sided upper limit of φhep