ObjectiveTo study the pharmacological substances and mechanisms through which sesquiterpene ZH-13 from Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum improves neuroinflammation. MethodsBV-2 microglial cells were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide （LPS） to induce neuroinflammation. The cells were divided into the normal group， the model group， and the ZH-13 low- and high-dose treatment groups （10， 20 μmol·L^-1）. The model group was treated with 1 μmol·L^-1 LPS. Cell viability was assessed using the cell proliferation and activity assay （CCK-8 kit）. Nitric oxide （NO） release in the cell supernatant was measured using a nitric oxide kit （Griess method）. The mRNA expression levels of interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS）， and interleukin-6 （IL-6） were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. The phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK） pathway proteins was assessed by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the model group， ZH-13 dose-dependently reduced NO release from BV-2 cells under LPS stimulation （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In the 20 μmol·L^-1 ZH-13 treatment group， the mRNA expression levels of IL-1β， TNF-α， iNOS， and IL-6 were significantly reduced compared to the model group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In both the low- and high-dose ZH-13 groups， the expression of the inflammatory factor TNF-α and the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase （JNK） in the upstream MAPK pathway were significantly reduced （P<0.05）. After stimulation with the JNK agonist anisomycin （Ani）， both low- and high-dose ZH-13 treatment groups showed reduced phosphorylation of JNK proteins compared to the Ani-treated group （P<0.01）. ConclusionThe sesquiterpene compound ZH-13 from Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum significantly ameliorates LPS-induced neuroinflammatory responses in BV-2 cells by inhibiting excessive JNK phosphorylation and reducing TNF-α expression. These findings elucidate the pharmacological substances and mechanisms underlying the sedative and calming effects of Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum.

Background Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is associated with the development of metabolic syndrome (MS). However, the role of amino acids in PAH-induced MS remains unclear. Objective To explore the impact of PAHs exposure on the incidence of MS among coking workers, and to determine potential modifying effect of amino acid on this relationship. Methods Unmatched nested case-control design was adopted and the baseline surveys of coking workers were conducted in two plants in Taiyuan in 2017 and 2019, followed by a 4-year follow-up. The cohort comprised 667 coking workers. A total of 362 participants were included in the study, with 84 newly diagnosed cases of MS identified as the case group and 278 as the control group. Urinary levels of 11 PAH metabolites and plasma levels of 17 amino acids were measured by ultrasensitive performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between individual PAH metabolites and MS. Stratified by the median concentration of amino acids, Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) model was employed to assess the mixed effects of PAHs on MS. Due to the skewed data distribution, all PAH metabolites and amino acids in the analysis were converted by natural logarithm ln (expressed as lnv). Results The median age of the 362 participants was 37 years, and 83.2% were male. Compared to the control group, the case group exhibited higher concentrations of urinary 2-hydroxyphenanthrene (2-OHPhe), 9-hydroxyphenanthrene (9-OHPhe), and hydroxyphenanthrene (OHPhe) (P=0.005, P=0.049, and P=0.004, respectively), as well as elevated levels of plasma branched chain amino acid (BCAA) and aromatic amino acid (AAA) (P<0.05). After being adjusted for confounding factors, for every unit increase in lnv_2-OHPhe in urine, the OR (95%CI) of MS was 1.57 (1.11, 2.26), and for every unit increase in lnv_OHPhe, the OR (95%CI) of MS was 1.82 (1.16, 2.90). Tyrosine, leucine, and AAA all presented a significant nonlinear correlation with MS. At low levels, tyrosine, leucine, and AAA did not significantly increase the risk of MS, but at high levels, they increased the risk of MS. In the low amino acid concentration group, as well as in the low BCAA and low AAA concentration groups, it was found that compared to the PAH metabolite levels at the 50th percentile (P₅₀), the log-odds of MS when the PAH metabolite levels was at the 75th percentile (P₇₅) were 0.158 (95%CI: 0.150, 0.166), 0.218 (95%CI: 0.209, 0.227), and 0.262 (95% CI: 0.241, 0.282), respectively, However, no correlation between PAHs and MS was found in the high amino acid concentration group. Conclusion Amino acids modify the effect of PAHs exposure on the incidence of MS. In individuals with low plasma amino acid levels, the risk of developing MS increases with higher concentrations of mixed PAH exposure. This effect is partly due to the low concentrations of BCAA and AAA.

In recent years, the spread of clubroot disease caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae infection has seriously affected the yield and quality of Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.. The cascade of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), a highly conserved signaling pathway, plays an important role in plant responses to both biotic and abiotic stress conditions. To mine the MAPK genes related to clubroot disease resistance in B. juncea, we conducted a genome-wide analysis on this vegetable, and we analyzed the phylogenetic evolution and gene structure of the MAPK gene family in mustard. The 66 BjuMAPK genes identified by screening the whole genome sequence of B. juncea were unevenly distributed on 17 chromosomes. At the genomic scale, tandem repeats led to an increase in the number of MAPK genes in B. juncea. It was found that members of the same subfamily had similar gene structures, and there were great differences among different subfamilies. These predicted cis-acting elements were related to plant hormones, stress resistance, and plant growth and development. The expression of BjuMAPK02, BjuMAPK15, BjuMAPK17, and BjuMAPK19 were down-regulated or up-regulated in response to P. brassicae infection. The above results lay a theoretical foundation for further studying the functions of BjuMAPK genes in B. juncea in response to the biotic stress caused by clubroot disease.
Mustard Plant/parasitology* ; Plasmodiophorida/pathogenicity* ; Plant Diseases/genetics* ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; Phylogeny ; Disease Resistance/genetics* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Genome, Plant ; Plant Proteins/genetics*

ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of Modified Zhigancao Granules （炙甘草汤加味颗粒） for preventing the early recurrence following radiofrequency ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation （AF） of qi-yin deficiency syndrome. MethodsA multi-center， randomized， double-blind， placebo-controlled trial was designed. A total of 116 patients with atrial fibrillation of qi-yin deficiency syndrome who underwent radiofrequency ablation for the first time were enrolled from 3 centers， and they were randomly divided into a treatment group （59 cases） and a control group （57 cases）. Both groups received basic western medicine treatment after surgery. In addition， the treatment group was given oral Modified Zhigancao Granules， while the control group was given oral placebo granules. The dosage for both groups was 20 g each time， twice a day， with continuous treatment for 12 weeks. The recurrence of atrial fibrillation in both groups was recorded at 24 hours， 4 weeks， 8 weeks， and 12 weeks after surgery. The serum levels of B-type natriuretic peptide （BNP）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， high-sensitivity C-reactive protein （hs-CRP）， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） were detected before treatment and 12 weeks after treatment in both groups. The scores of Atrial Fibrillation Effect on QualiTy-of-life （AFEQT） Questionnaire （including scores of the daily life dimension， symptom dimension， treatment worry dimension， treatment satisfaction dimension， and total score） and traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome scores were compared before treatment and at 4 weeks， 8 weeks， and 12 weeks between groups. Safety indicators such as blood routine， urine routine， liver function， and renal function were monitored before and after treatment. ResultsNine of the treatment group and seven of the control group dropped out. Finally， 50 patients in each group were included in the statistical analysis. At 24 hours， 4 weeks， 8 weeks， and 12 weeks after surgery， the recurrence rates of AF in the treatment group were 2.0% （1/50）， 2.0% （1/50）， 4.0% （2/50）， and 10.0% （5/50）， respectively； while those in the control group were 2.0% （1/50）， 26.0% （13/50）， 28.0% （14/50）， and 34.0% （17/50）， respectively. Compared with the control group at the same time points， the early recurrence rates of AF in the treatment group were significantly lower at 4 weeks， 8 weeks， and 12 weeks after surgery （P＜0.01）. Compared with the baseline within group， BNP， hs-CRP， IL-6， and TNF-α in the treatment group all decreased after 12 weeks of treatment （P＜0.05）； the difference in hs-CRP levels （before vs. after treatment） in the treatment group was higher than that in the control group （P＜0.01）. Compared with the baseline within group， both groups showed decreases in the total score of AFEQT Questionnaire， scores of the daily life dimension， treatment worry dimension， symptom dimension， and TCM syndrome scores at 4 weeks， 8 weeks， and 12 weeks after treatment. Meanwhile， the score of the treatment satisfaction dimension of AFEQT increased in both groups （P＜0.01）， and the improvements in all the above scores in the treatment group were superior to those in the control group at all time points （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. All safety indicators of patients in both groups were within the normal range before treatment and at 12 weeks after treatment， and no adverse reactions or adverse events occurred in either group. ConclusionModified Zhigancao Granules can reduce the early recurrence rate following radiofrequency ablation in AF patients with qi-yin deficiency syndrome， improve clinical symptoms and quality of life， suppress inflammatory response， and show good safety.

Psoriasis, a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory disease characterized by hyperproliferation of keratinocytes, is difficult to cure and prone to relapse, often leading to systemic damage. Triptolide (TPL) can modulate cutaneous immune responses and inflammation, yet its therapeutic window is narrow with significant toxicity. To enhance skin targeting and retention of TPL while reducing systemic absorption and toxicity, a TPL/hyaluronic acid/phospholipid polymeric micelle (TPL/HA-DOPE) was constructed via HA's targeting of the CD44 receptor on skin cells. The prepared TPL/HA-DOPE exhibited a uniform spherical morphology with particle size of (130.4±1.23) nm, drug loading capacity of (19.74±0.084) %, and encapsulation efficiency of (85.53±1.34) %. Transdermal permeation studies in vitro and in vivo demonstrated that TPL/HA-DOPE not only enhanced uptake in HaCaT cells but also exhibited excellent skin retention. In a murine model of psoriasis, the TPL/HA-DOPE gel at the dose of 50 μg/(kg•d) showed the most significant improvement in erythema, scaling, and epidermal thickening. Histological analysis confirmed that TPL/HA-DOPE markedly reduced stratum corneum thickness, epidermal hyperplasia, and inflammatory cell infiltration. Ki67 immunostaining proved that its anti-inflammatory mechanism might be achieved by reducing the number of Ki67-positive cells and lowering the levels of inflammatory factors IL-6 and TNF-α. The above results demonstrate that HA-DOPE as a drug delivery carrier for the treatment of psoriasis-like skin diseases has high value of scientific research and good prospects for clinical application.

Objective Reliability and validity of the Chinese version of disability attitude scales(DAS-CN)toward disabled persons were created and tested to provide an assessment instrument for measuring the attitude of medical staff toward disabled persons in China.Methods Authorised by the author of DAS in August 2020,based on BRISLIN translation model,the English version of DAS was translated into Chinese followed by back translation,cultural debugging and then put it into pre-experiment in September 2020.The reliability and validity of the finalised DAS-CN were further tested in a survey with 400 randomly selected medical staff in rehabilitation from 8 general hospitals in Jinzhou,Panjin,Yingkou and Fushun in Liaoning Province,China by using the convenience sampling method in March 2021.Results A total of 357 surveyees completed the survey.The localised DSA-CN was composed of 4 dimensions with a total of 20 items,including 4 items in clinical knowledge and skills,4 in clinical responsibility,8 in clinical behaviour and 4 in emotional response.The Cronbach α coefficient of the scales was 0.943,with the split-half reliability and test-retest reliability at 0.824 and 0.899,respectively.The Cronbach α coefficient of each dimension was 0.843～0.944,and the split half reliability was 0.854～0.904.The test-retest reliability ranged from 0.701 to 0.913.The KMO value of exploratory factor analysis was 0.921.The Bartrett spherical test value was 5534.981(P<0.01).The total explanatory rate of variation was 73.050%.Conclusion The Chinese version of Disability Attitude Scales(DSA-CN)has good reliability and validity.Therefore,DSA-CN can be used as an instrument in investigation of the current status about the attitudes towards the disabled persons among the medical staff in China.

Objective:To explore the feasibility of expectant management in pregnant women with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) before 28 weeks of gestation.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 92 pregnant women diagnosed with PPROM before 28 weeks and delivered in Peking University First Hospital from January 2015 to March 2023. These women were divided into the termination group or expectant management group, and the latter was further divided based on whether the rupture of membranes occurred before 24 weeks or after. Clinical data of the women and neonates between the two groups and the two subgroups were analyzed. Additionally, all the subjects were divided based on the presence or absence of severe neonatal complications and clinical data of the mothers and their neonates were also analyzed. Statistical analyses were performed using t-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, Chi-square tests, or Fisher's exact tests. Results:(1) Among the 92 women with PPROM, 53 (57.6%) chose to terminate the pregnancy, while 39 (42.4%) chose expectant management including ten twins and 29 singletons. (2) Compared to the termination group, the expectant management group had a smaller percentage of multiparous women [7.7% (3/39) vs. 32.1% (17/53), Fisher's exact test, P=0.019], greater gestational age at membrane rupture [24 +6 weeks (18-27 +6) weeks vs.21 +3weeks (14 +2-27 weeks), Z=53.14, P=0.042], and a lower incidence of oligohydramnios after membrane rupture [46.2% (18/39) vs. 84.9% (45/53), χ2=6.56, P=0.031]. (3) All of the 39 women in the expectant group gave birth before 37 weeks with the mean gestational age at delivery of 28 +1weeks (25 +1-36 +1 weeks) and 49 live born babies, among which four neonates died giving the survival rate of 91.8%(45/49). There were no statistically significant differences in gestational age at delivery or neonatal outcomes between women with membrane rupture before 24 weeks and those ruptured between 24 and 27 weeks and 6 days of gestation (all P>0.05), but the expectant duration was significantly longer in the former group [55.0 d (20.0-96.0 d) vs. 9.0 d (0.5-52.0 d ), Z=－4.95, P<0.001]. (4) The 49 neonates were further divided into with ( n=9, including the death) or without ( n=40) severe complication subgroups. Those neonates in the non-severe complication subgroup had a significantly greater gestational age at birth compared to those in the other subgroup [30 +6 weeks (27 +5-36 +4 weeks) vs. 27 +5 weeks (25 +1-31 +5 weeks), Z=－3.42, P=0.001], a longer expectant duration [42.0 d (3.0-80.0 d) vs. 19.0 d (0.5-59.0 d), Z=－2.31, P=0.021], a higher birth weight [(1 630±544) g vs. (1 069±272) g, t=4.56, P=0.009], a lower incidence of neonatal asphyxia [2/9 vs. 70.0% (28/40), Fisher's exact test, P=0.012], a shorter hospital stay [37.5 d (3.0-54.0 d) vs. 67.0 d (60.0-105.0 d), Z=－3.01, P=0.003] and a higher proportion of pregnancies completing two courses of fetal lung maturation [5/9 vs. 17.5% (7/40), Fisher's exact test, P=0.029]. (5) Among the ten twin pregnancies, all the 20 babies developed severe complication resulting a higher proportion of twins in the severe complication group than in the non-severe complication group [50% (20/40) vs. 0/9, Fisher's exact test, P=0.005]. Conclusions:For pregnant women with PPROM before 28 weeks, under the premise of informed consent and thorough evaluation, expectant management can be considered if there are no indications for immediate termination of pregnancy, to achieve a higher neonatal survival rate. However, the incidence of severe complications related to preterm infants remains high in the short term, with most having a good prognosis after treatment in the neonatal intensive care unit. Twin pregnancies and lower gestational age at birth are risk factors for severe complications in preterm infants.

Objective:To investigate the factors influencing neonatal hypoglycemia in dichorionic twins.Methods:Clinical data of 304 dichorionic twin pregnancies and their neonates delivered at Peking University First Hospital from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2023, were retrospectively collected. The cases were divided into a neonatal hypoglycemia group ( n=53) and a control group ( n=251) based on the occurrence of neonatal hypoglycemia. General conditions of the two groups were compared. Additionally, analysis was conducted based on the birth weight difference between the twins, with 18% as the threshold, dividing them into groups with birth weight differences≥18% (56 pregnant women and 112 newborns delivered) and<18% (248 pregnant women and 496 newborns delivered). Data comparisons between groups were performed using t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-square test, or Fisher's exact test. Paired t-test was used to compare the clinical features between the larger and smaller twins in different birth weight difference groups. Poisson regression analysis was applied to examine the association between maternal clinical characteristics and neonatal hypoglycemia. Results:In the groups with birth weight differences <18% and ≥18%, the incidence of neonatal hypoglycemia in smaller and larger twins were 13.7% (34/248) and 13.3% (33/248), 8.9% (5/56) and 7.1% (4/56), respectively. The umbilical cord blood glucose levels were 3.1 mmol/L (2.7-3.6 mmol/L) and 3.1 mmol/L (2.7-3.6 mmol/L), 3.3 mmol/L (2.8-4.3 mmol/L) and 3.4 mmol/L (3.0-4.3 mmol/L), respectively, with no statistically significant differences (all P>0.05). Poisson regression analysis showed that young gestational age at delivery, hyperglycemia in pregnancy, and fetal lung maturation promotion were risk factors for neonatal hypoglycemia [ RR values (95% CI) were 1.024 (1.002-1.049), 1.707 (1.051- 2.782), and 1.744 (1.011-3.027), respectively, all P<0.05]. Conclusions:Regardless of weight difference, there is no significant difference in umbilical cord blood glucose and the risk of postnatal hypoglycemia between larger and smaller twins. Preterm birth, hyperglycemia in pregnancy and corticosteroid-induced fetal lung maturation are associated with neonatal hypoglycemia in dichorionic twins.

The course, progression, and prognosis of fetal congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) depend on the size of the mass, whether the mediastinum is displaced, changes in fetal hemodynamics, and the occurrence of fetal hydrops, with large CCAM being relatively rare. In this case, a fetus was suspected of having a large CCAM with fetal hydrops and cardiac insufficiency at 27 weeks of gestation. After multiple imaging evaluations and multidisciplinary consultations, a delivery plan and neonatal resuscitation plan were formulated. At 31 +4 weeks of gestation, in-utero thoracentesis and drainage were performed. Postoperatively, the fetal CCAM was reduced compared to before, and the maternal symptoms of chest tightness and shortness of breath were also improved. Three days after the procedure, the mother experienced premature rupture of membranes and delivered a male infant vaginally at 32 weeks of gestation. On the fifth day after birth, the newborn underwent resection of the pulmonary cystic adenomatoid malformation, confirming the diagnosis. Follow-up for two years post-birth showed good prognosis for both the mother and the child. Therefore, when CCAM is detected during pregnancy, thorough in-utero evaluation should be conducted, and a monitoring plan should be developed based on potential perinatal conditions to avoid unnecessary termination of pregnancy. If the pregnancy continues, multidisciplinary evaluation and preparation for perinatal surgery are necessary.