Objective To determine the changes in serum and urine vitamin D binding protein ( VDBP) concentrations in type 2 diabetes, and to explore the clinical significance. Methods The serum and urine VDBP concentrations in 102 healthy individuals and 106 type 2 diabetic patients were determined by ELISA. For analysis and comparison, 106 type 2 diabetic patients were divided into imperfect glycemic control subgroup and perfect glycemic control subgroup, microalbuminuria subgroup and normal albuminuria subgroup. Results The cut-off point of serum VDBP concentrations was 60. 6 μg/ ml and the cut-off point of the urine ratio of VDBP and creatinine was 7. 76 mg/ g, and both were determined according to the upper limit of 97. 5 % credit intervals in 110 healthy individuals. Serum VDBP concentration and the urine ratio of VDBP to creatinine in type 2 diabetic patients were significantly higher than those in the healthy individuals ( P < 0. 01 ), the imperfect glycemic control subgroup had higher serum VDBP concentrations and the urine ratio of VDBP to creatinine than those in the perfect glycemic control subgroup ( P <0. 05). The microalbuminuria subgroup had higher urine ratio of VDBP to creatinine than that in the normal albuminuria subgroup ( P<0. 01). Urine ratio of VDBP to creatinine in diagnosing early diabetic nephropathy had sensitivity of 96. 4 % , specificity of 68 % , and concordance of 83% . Conclusion Detection of serum VDBP levels has some reference value in understanding the state of diabetes. Combined determinations of urine ratio of VDBP to creatinine and ratio of albumin to creatinine have significant clinical value in the early diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy.

Objective: To investigate the role of piperine on the transformation of endothelial cells into fibroblasts. Methods: Cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs, 4-6 passage) were used for the main experiments. The transformation models of endothelial cells into fibroblasts were induced by transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) stimulation. HUVECs were divided into 6 groups: control group, TGF-β group and 4 groups treated with various concentrations of piperine (1, 5, 10, 20 μmol/L). CKK-8 was used to detect cell proliferation. The CD31/α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression level was detected by fluorescent staining. The vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin)/vimentin expression was detected by immunofluorescence staining. RT-PCR was used detect the mRNA expressions of transformation markers. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of snail and twist. Results: TGF-β increased HUVECs proliferation (P<0.05), which could be significantly inhibited by 10 and 20 μmol/L of piperine, but not by 1 and 5 μmol/L of piperine. Immunofluorescence results demonstrated that TGF-β increased HUVECs transformation to fibroblasts as shown by downregulated expression of endothelial markers CD31, VE-cadherin, and upregulated expression of α-SMA and vimentin, again, these effects could be attenuated by 10 and 20 μmol/L piperine. The expression levels of collagen type Ⅰ and type Ⅲ were significantly higher in TGF-β group than in control group (P<0.05), significantly lower in TGF-β+10 μmol/L piperine group and TGF-β+20 μmol/L piperine group than in TGF-β group (P<0.05).In addition, RT-PCR results showed that TGF-β increased mRNA expression of transformation markers (snail1, snail2, twist1, twist2), while 10 and 20 μmol/L of piperine could significantly downregulated the mRNA expressions of these markers. The protein expression levels of snail and twist were significantly higher in TGF-β group than in control group (both P<0.05), which was significantly lower in TGF-β+20 μmol/L piperine group than in TGF-β group (both P<0.05). Conclusions Piperine can inhibit the transformation of endothelial cells into fibroblasts. This effect might be viewed as one of the potential mechanisms of reduced myocardial fibrosis post piperine treatment.

The efficient clinical treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC)is still a challenge that demands the development of effective new drugs.Phenformin has been shown to produce more potent anti-tumor activities than metformin on different tumors,however,not much is known about the influence of phenformin on OSCC cells.We found that phenformin suppresses OSCC cell proliferation,and promotes OSCC cell autophagy and apoptosis to significantly inhibit OSCC cell growth both in vivo and in vitro.RNA-seq analysis revealed that autophagy pathways were the main targets of phenformin and identified two new targets DDIT4(DNA damage inducible transcript 4)and NIBAN1(niban apoptosis regulator 1).We found that phenformin significantly induces the expression of both DDIT4 and NIBAN1 to promote OSCC autophagy.Further,the enhanced expression of DDIT4 and NIBAN1 elicited by phenformin was not blocked by the knockdown of AMPK but was suppressed by the knockdown of transcription factor ATF4(activation transcription factor 4),which was induced by phenformin treatment in OSCC cells.Mechanistically,these results revealed that phenformin triggers endoplasmic reticulum(ER)stress to activate PERK(protein kinase R-like ER kinase),which phosphorylates the transitional initial factor eIF2,and the increased phosphorylation of eIF2 leads to the increased translation of ATF4.In summary,we discovered that phenformin induces its new targets DDIT4 and especially NIBAN1 to promote autophagic and apoptotic cell death to suppress OSCC cell growth.Our study supports the potential clinical utility of phenformin for OSCC treatment in the future.

Objective To investigate the polymorphisms of human cytomegalovirus ( HCMV ) UL146 gene in asymptomatic children. Methods Urine samples were collected from 47 asymptomatic chil-dren who were positive for HCMV DNA. PCR was performed to amplify the open reading frame ( ORF) of UL146 gene. Positive bands were sequenced and variations in UL146 gene were analyzed by using bioinfor-matics software. Results Seventeen samples were successfully amplified and sequenced. Variations spread all over the sequence of UL146 gene and the variability in nucleotide and amino acid sequences ranged from 0％ to 42. 5％ and 0％ to 67. 7％ respectively. Compared with the Towne strain, there was diversity in sig-nal sequence and C-terminal region. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that UL146 in the 17 asymptomatic chil-dren belonged to four genotypes, which were G1, G8, G9 and G11. Forms of post-translational modification varied greatly among the four genotypes, while the important functional region of ELRCXC chemokine was highly conservative. Secondary structure prediction showed that random-coli conformation was the predomi-nant structure of active proteins. Isoelectric point ( PI) and molecular weight ( MW) were dissimilar among the four genotypes. Conclusion HCMV UL146 gene in asymptomatic children was hypervariable in both nucleotide sequence and amino acid structure. However, the important functional region was highly con-served. The predominant genotypes of UL146 in these children were G1, G8, G9 and G11, and the geno-type distribution in them showed no significant difference with previous findings in children with symptomatic HCMV infection.

Objective To explore the current status of medication literacy among urban elderly patients with chronic diseases in Anhui Province,aiming to reveal the factors influencing their medication literacy,and to propose targeted measures for improvement.Methods This research involved 381 participants aged 60 and above.It was conducted in Anhui province between December,2022 and January,2023,with data collected through face-to-face interviews by pharmacists.Single-factor analysis and ordinal multi-class logistic regression analysis were conducted to determine factors affecting medication literacy.Results Medication literacy cognition and medication literacy behavior were rated as good among urban older adults in Anhui province of the 294 valid questionnaires.Those who did not understood package insert exhibited significantly lower medication literacy behavior than those who fully understood[estimate=-1.224,95%CI=(-2.130,-0.317),P<0.01].Elderly patients with chronic diseases faced issues such as an inability to read or understand drug instructions in the investigation.90.48%of elderly patients with chronic diseases never heard or seldom heard of medication guidance services.Conclusion Medication literacy among urban elderly patients with chronic diseases is generally good in Anhui province.The ability to understood drug instructions significantly influenced the medication literacy of urban elderly patients with chronic diseases.Modifying the drug instructions to meet the reading needs of the elderly patients with chronic diseases and developing pharmaceutical care could effectively enhance rational drug use among this demographic.

Objective:To analyze changes in energy metabolism and oxylipin metabolism in macrophages after stimulation by Mycobacterium marinum ( M. marinum) using targeted metabolomics, and to provide insights into the mechanisms underlying the immune defense by macrophages against M. marinum infections. Methods:Mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages were obtained from the bilateral femurs of mice, and cultured cells were divided into two groups: the active M. marinum group and the inactivated M. marinum group. Bacterial suspensions were prepared using M. marinum clinical isolates; the active M. marinum group was treated with live M. marinum suspensions for 12 hours, while the inactivated M. marinum group with inactivated M. marinum suspensions for 12 hours. Cell morphology was observed through microscopy, and cell length was measured. Cell lysates collected from both groups were subjected to liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis to detect energy and oxylipin metabolites. A t-test was utilized to compare the lengths of macrophages between the two groups, while principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis were conducted to identify differential metabolites. Results:Under the microscope, macrophages in the active M. marinum group formed more granuloma-like cell aggregates compared with those in the inactivated M. marinum group; the macrophages were significantly thinner and longer in the inactivated M. marinum group (439.52 ± 91.67 μm) than in the active M. marinum group (289.96 ± 70.11 μm, P < 0.001). Principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis of energy metabolism and oxylipin metabolism in macrophages demonstrated good separation between the two groups. As for the energy metabolism, a total of 12 differential metabolites were identified, with the amino acid metabolism showing the most significant changes. Specifically, there was a significant increase in the content of L-citrulline, while the content of L-leucine and serine decreased. As for the oxylipin metabolism, 20 differential metabolites were identified, with the arachidonic acid metabolism showing the most significant changes. Conclusions:Macrophages stimulated by live M. marinum exhibited altered amino acid metabolism and arachidonic acid metabolism compared with those stimulated by inactivated M. marinum, characterized by an increase in L-citrulline content, a decrease in L-leucine and serine levels, and alterations in arachidonic acid content.

Objective:To observe the presence or absence of necroptosis in PC12 cells after radiation injury, and to detect the expression of receptor-interacting protein 3(RIP3) and evaluate its regulatory effect on necroptosis.Methods:PC12 cells were treated with different doses of irradiation and their necroptosis was detected by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release at different time points. After pretreatment with necroptosis inhibitor Necrostatin-1(Nec-1), the changes of cell necroptosis were detected by LDH. The expression level of RIP3 after irradiation intervention was detected by Western blot (WB). After pretreatment with the RIP3-specific inhibitor GSK′872, the changes of cell necroptosis were detected by LDH. The best transfection sequence of RIP3 knockout was screened by WB. The cells were divided into the control group, irradiation group, solvent control group, no-load control group and pretreatment group. WB, immunofluorescence staining, MTT, LDH and Annex V-fluorescein Isothiocyanate/Propidium Iodide (AnnexV-FITC/PI) flow cytometry were used for detection and analysis.Results:After 4 Gy irradiation, the degree of cell necrosis was the highest after 3 hours of culture, and the expression level of RIP3 protein was up-regulated. The cell necrosis was decreased after Nec-1, GSK′872 and RIP3 gene knockdown pretreatment.Conclusions:The radiation injury of 4 Gy can induce the necroptosis of PC12 cells, and the most significant effect can be observed when cultured for 3 hours after irradiation. RIP3 is involved in the process of necroptosis of PC12 cells induced by radiation injury, and plays a pivotal positive regulatory role.

Objective To compare and explore the differences between the eight batches of drugs in the centralized procurement list and the 2018 edition of the national essential medicine list,and to provide reference for updating and improving the national essential medicine list and the national centralized procurement list of drugs.Methods The category,generic name variety,specification,and other information of drugs included in the centralized drug procurement were collected and compared with the 2018 edition of the national essential medicine list,and the reasons for differences were analyzed.Results A proportion of 39%of centralized procurement drugs were listed in national essential medicines.Forty pharmacological classifications were not involved in the drugs of centralized procurement.Only anticoagulant and thrombolytic drugs with dual attributes accounted for a smaller variety proportion than the specification proportion.Conclusion There are some differences between the centralized procurement list and the 2018 edition of the national essential medicine list,which have some rationality,but also some problems to be solved.

Objective: By detecting the expression of interleukin-13 (IL-13) and periostin in the airway of asthmatic patients, the pathological changes and pulmonary functions of airway tissues in asthmatic patients were evaluated, and the role of IL-13 and periostin airway remodeling in bronchial asthma was preliminarily explored. Methods: The bronchial tissues adjacent to tumor nest were obtained from 12 patients with lung cancer complicated with bronchial asthma (asthmatic group) and 12 lung cancer patients without bronchial asthma (non-asthmatic group) after lung cancer resection. Pulmonary function was measured for all subjects before surgery. Pathological changes of airway tissues and degree of airway remodeling were assessed by hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining, masson′s trichrome staining, and periodic acid-silver methenamine (PASM) staining of paraffin-embedded sections. The expression of IL-13 and periostin in bronchial tissues were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Results: Values of the forced expiratory volume in 1 second of the predicted value (FEV1% pred) and FEV1/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC%) in asthmatic patients were significantly decreased compared with the non-asthmatic patients (P<0.05), indicating that lung function was impaired in asthmatic patients. There was more severe airway remodeling representing as thickening of basement membranes, collagen deposition, and increasing of goblet cells and fibroblasts in asthmatic patients than in non-asthmatic patients (all P<0.05). The expression of IL-13 and periostin were higher in asthmatic tissues than in non-asthmatic tissues (P<0.05). The immunohistochemical expression of IL-13 and periostin in bronchial tissues were positively correlated with the degree of airway remodeling in asthmatic patients, and the expression of IL-13 and periostin in bronchial tissues were positively correlated with each other. Conclusions The expression of IL-13 and periostin were increased in bronchial tissue in patients with asthma. They work together to promote the occurrence of airway remodeling, which eventually lead to a decline in lung function.

OBJECTIVE To systematically evaluate the association between human leukocyte antigen B(HLA-B) gene polymorphisms and lamotrigine-induced cutaneous adverse drug reactions(LTG-cADRs). METHODS CNKI, Wanfang Data, VIP, PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct were comprehensively searched from the inception to July 15, 2022. The software RevMan 5.4 was used for the meta-analysis. RESULTS A total of 16 case-control studies were included, 331 patients with LTG-cADRs epilepsy, including 94 lamotrigine-induced Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis(LTG-SJS/TEN) patients, 232 lamotrigine-maculopapule(LTG-MPE) patients and 5 lamotrigine- drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms(LTG-DRESS) patients; 612 lamotrigine-tolerant patients. Meta-analysis results showed that the HLA-B*1502 allele was significantly associated with LTG-SJS/TEN(OR=3.03, 95%CI: 1.70−5.39, P=0.000 2). The HLA-B*1502, HLA-B*5801, HLA-B*1302 alleles were not significantly associated with LTG-MPE. CONCLUSION HLA-B*1502 allele is associated with LTG-SJS/TEN, which may be a risk gene for LTG-SJS/TEN. HLA-B*1502, HLA-B*5801, HLA-B*1302 are not associated with LTG-MPE.