OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism through which Danggui buxue decoction regulates neutrophil extracellular traps （NETs） to improve osteoporosis （OP） in rats with premature ovarian failure （POF）. METHODS Female SD rats were randomly divided into normal group， model group， calcitriol group， and Danggui buxue decoction low-dose， medium-dose and high-dose groups， with 9 rats in each group. Except for the normal group， all other groups were administered cisplatin via intraperitoneal injection on days 1 and 8 to establish a POF complicated with OP model. Each group received the corresponding drugs or normal saline intragastrically starting from day 5， once a day， for 4 consecutive weeks. After the last medication， serum levels of estradiol （E2）， NETs， 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25（OH）D3]， receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand （RANKL）， and osteocalcin （BGP） were measured. The histopathological changes in bone tissue were observed. The expressions of vitamin D receptor （VDR）， myeloperoxidase （MPO）， neutrophil elastase （NE） and citrullinated histone H3 （CitH3） in bone tissue were detected； the protein expressions of 25-hydroxyvitamin D-1α-hydroxylase （CYP27B1） and 1α，25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-24-hydroxylase （CYP24A1） were also determined. RESULTS Compared with the normal group， the bone tissue of rats in the model group showed a significant reduction in the number of trabeculae， which was thinner broken and poorly connected， with significant destruction of the reticular structure， and an enlarged marrow cavity. Serum levels of NETs and RANKL， the protein expressions of MPO， NE， CitH3 and CYP24A1 in bone tissue were significantly increased or upregulated， while serum levels of E2， 25（OH）D3 and BGP as well as protein expressions of VDR and CYP27B1 were significantly decreased or downregulated （P＜0.05）. Compared with the model group， the histopathological changes in the bone tissue of rats in each administration group showed some degree of recovery， with significant improvements observed in most quantitative indicators （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Danggui buxue decoction can restore the E2 level in POF complicated with OP rats， and improve OP. The mechanism may be related to its ability to upregulate VD level and inhibit the formation of NETs.

BACKGROUND: The main cause of restenosis after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is the excessive proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Lin28a has been reported to play critical regulatory roles in this process. However, whether CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins β (C/EBPβ) binds to the Lin28a promoter and drives the progression of restenosis has not been clarified. Therefore, in the present study, we aim to clarify the role of C/EBPβ-Lin28a axis in restenosis. METHODS: Restenosis and atherosclerosis rat models of type 2 diabetes ( n   =  20, for each group) were established by subjecting to PTA. Subsequently, the difference in DNA methylation status and expression of C/EBPβ between the two groups were assessed. EdU, Transwell, and rescue assays were performed to assess the effect of C/EBPβ on the proliferation and migration of VSMCs. DNA methylation status was further assessed using Methyltarget sequencing. The interaction between Lin28a and ten-eleven translocation 1 (TET1) was analysed using co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assay. Student's t -test and one-way analysis of variance were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: C/EBPβ expression was upregulated and accompanied by hypomethylation of its promoter in restenosis when compared with atherosclerosis. In vitroC/EBPβ overexpression facilitated the proliferation and migration of VSMCs and was associated with increased Lin28a expression. Conversely, C/EBPβ knockdown resulted in the opposite effects. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays further demonstrated that C/EBPβ could directly bind to Lin28a promoter. Increased C/EBPβ expression and enhanced proliferation and migration of VSMCs were observed after decitabine treatment. Further, mechanical stretch promoted C/EBPβ and Lin28a expression accompanied by C/EBPβ hypomethylation. Additionally, Lin28a overexpression reduced C/EBPβ methylation via recruiting TET1 and enhanced C/EBPβ-mediated proliferation and migration of VSMCs. The opposite was noted in Lin28a knockdown cells. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that the C/EBPβ-Lin28a axis is a driver of restenosis progression, and presents a promising therapeutic target for restenosis.
Animals ; Cell Proliferation/genetics* ; Cell Movement/genetics* ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism* ; Rats ; DNA Methylation/physiology* ; CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-beta/genetics* ; Male ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/cytology* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics* ; Cells, Cultured ; Coronary Restenosis/metabolism*

OBJECTIVES: To construct a Z-score regression model for coronary artery diameter based on echocardiographic data from children in Sichuan Province and to establish a Z-score calculation formula. METHODS: A total of 744 healthy children who underwent physical examinations at Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital from January 2020 to December 2022 were selected as the modeling group, while 251 children diagnosed with Kawasaki disease at the same hospital from January 2018 to December 2022 were selected as the validation group. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to analyze the relationships between coronary artery diameter values and age, height, weight, and body surface area. A regression model was constructed using function transformation to identify the optimal regression model and establish the Z-score calculation formula, which was then validated. RESULTS: The Pearson correlation analysis showed that the correlation coefficients for the diameters of the left main coronary artery, left anterior descending artery, left circumflex artery, and right coronary artery with body surface area were 0.815, 0.793, 0.704, and 0.802, respectively (P<0.05). Among the constructed regression models, the power function regression model demonstrated the best performance and was therefore chosen as the optimal model for establishing the Z-score calculation formula. Based on this Z-score calculation formula, the detection rate of coronary artery lesions was found to be 21.5% (54/251), which was higher than the detection rate based on absolute values of coronary artery diameter. Notably, in the left anterior descending and left circumflex arteries, the detection rate of coronary artery lesions using this Z-score calculation formula was higher than that of previous classic Z-score calculation formulas. CONCLUSIONS The Z-score calculation formula established based on the power function regression model has a higher detection rate for coronary artery lesions, providing a strong reference for clinicians, particularly in assessing coronary artery lesions in children with Kawasaki disease.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Child, Preschool ; Child ; Coronary Artery Disease/diagnostic imaging* ; Infant ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome ; Regression Analysis ; Coronary Vessels/diagnostic imaging* ; Echocardiography ; Adolescent

To analyze the positivity rate and titer of antinuclear antibody (ANA), as well as nuclear pattern and target antigen of ANA in healthy pregnant women during early pregnancy in Qingdao area. A prospective cohort study design was used to include a total of 9 528 healthy pregnant women registered at the Women and Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University from March 2023 to June 2024.Indirect immunofluorescence assay (IIF) was used to detect ANA, its titer and cell staining pattern. Fifteen specific antibodies were tested using the magnetic bar code immunofluorescent luminescence method. Logistic regression model was used to analyze the risk factors of pregnancy with autoimmune disease(AID). The results showed that among 9 528 pregnant women in early pregnancy, 1 346 cases (14.1%) were positive of ANA, including 1 011 cases with a titer of 1∶100 (10.6%), 236 cases (2.5%) with a titer of 1∶320, and 99 cases (1.0%) were detected at a titer >1∶320. Among the 1 346 ANA-positive pregnant women, nuclear granular type accounted for the highest proportion (483 cases, 35.9%), followed by speckled type (347 cases, 25.8%) and cytoplasmic type (176 cases, 13.1%).Then, pregnant women with ANA titers ≥1∶100 were detected 15 specific antibodies.Anti-SSA was tested in 121 cases accounted for the majority, followed by 110 cases with anti-Ro-52, 56 cases with anti-SSB, 51 cases with anti-mitochondrial M2 subtype antibodies and 37 cases with anti-centromere B. In conclusion,in healthy pregnant women in Qingdao area, ANA positivity rate was 14.1%, and the titer of ANA was mainly at 1∶100.The predominant nuclear patterns were nuclear granular and speckled types.The specific autoantibodies were mainly anti-SSA antibodies and anti-Ro-52 antibodies.The detection of ANA and specific autoantibodies is of great significance for early prediction, diagnosis, and intervention of autoimmune diseases during pregnancy.

Amid ongoing reforms in the healthcare system and the pursuit of high-quality development in public hospi-tals,the significance of party building in leading the standardization of hospital party branches has become increasingly promi-nent.Taking a university's affiliated hospital as an example,this study comprehensively analyzes the current situation of Party building on the standardized construction of party branches within university-affiliated public hospitals using the SWOT method.Meanwhile,this paper proposes targeted strategies by assessing the strengths,weaknesses,opportunities,and challenges of party building leadership.These strategies are intended to refine the framework for the role of Party building in advancing the standard-ized construction of Party branches in university-affiliated public hospitals.

To analyze the positivity rate and titer of antinuclear antibody (ANA), as well as nuclear pattern and target antigen of ANA in healthy pregnant women during early pregnancy in Qingdao area. A prospective cohort study design was used to include a total of 9 528 healthy pregnant women registered at the Women and Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University from March 2023 to June 2024.Indirect immunofluorescence assay (IIF) was used to detect ANA, its titer and cell staining pattern. Fifteen specific antibodies were tested using the magnetic bar code immunofluorescent luminescence method. Logistic regression model was used to analyze the risk factors of pregnancy with autoimmune disease(AID). The results showed that among 9 528 pregnant women in early pregnancy, 1 346 cases (14.1%) were positive of ANA, including 1 011 cases with a titer of 1∶100 (10.6%), 236 cases (2.5%) with a titer of 1∶320, and 99 cases (1.0%) were detected at a titer >1∶320. Among the 1 346 ANA-positive pregnant women, nuclear granular type accounted for the highest proportion (483 cases, 35.9%), followed by speckled type (347 cases, 25.8%) and cytoplasmic type (176 cases, 13.1%).Then, pregnant women with ANA titers ≥1∶100 were detected 15 specific antibodies.Anti-SSA was tested in 121 cases accounted for the majority, followed by 110 cases with anti-Ro-52, 56 cases with anti-SSB, 51 cases with anti-mitochondrial M2 subtype antibodies and 37 cases with anti-centromere B. In conclusion,in healthy pregnant women in Qingdao area, ANA positivity rate was 14.1%, and the titer of ANA was mainly at 1∶100.The predominant nuclear patterns were nuclear granular and speckled types.The specific autoantibodies were mainly anti-SSA antibodies and anti-Ro-52 antibodies.The detection of ANA and specific autoantibodies is of great significance for early prediction, diagnosis, and intervention of autoimmune diseases during pregnancy.

Pharmaceutical excipients, as an indispensable part of drug preparation, play crucial roles as drug carriers, improving drug release, ensuring drug stability, and enhancing patient compliance. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) boasts a rich developmental history. With the modernization of technology, the deep integration of pharmacy, chemistry, and materials science has provided broader opportunities for innovative research in TCM. Simultaneously, the demand for high-quality excipients has become increasingly critical.This paper aims to review current research and applications of excipients in TCM preparations, including pre-mixed and co-processed excipients, modified excipients, and the unification of drugs and excipients, such as flavoring agents, fillers, penetration enhancers, and delivery systems. A meticulous synthesis and analysis of existing research aims to provide a reference for selecting excipients in TCM preparations, stimulate innovation in excipient development for TCM, and advocate for the development of personalized excipients.

Taking the Ligustrum lucidum extract as an example, this study investigated the influence of external mechanical forces under different processing conditions on the crystallographic solid form and the key parameter of drug dissolution rate, so as to provide guidance for the preparation and quality control of traditional Chinese medicine preparations. Under different pulverization and tableting conditions, the change of crystallographic solid form of L. lucidum extract was observed by polarizing light microscope. Meanwhile, the effect of this change on the dissolution rate was investigated, and the mathematical relationship between crystal content and dissolution rate was analyzed. The results showed that the process of ball milling and tableting had a significant impact on the crystallographic solid form of L. lucidum extract. The amorphous extract displayed crystal transformation, which induced a significant decline in dissolution rate. Further studies revealed that there was a negative linear relationship between crystal content and dissolution rate. The results of this study indicated that the crystallographic solid form transformation of traditional Chinese medicine extracts might occur during the preparation process, which may cause potential risks to the quality of traditional Chinese medicine preparations. It is suggested that we should pay attention to and strengthen the investigation of the crystallographic solid form during the preparation process, so as to guarantee the safety, effectiveness, and quality controllability of traditional Chinese medicine preparations.

In the context of "New Era" and "New Medicine", the teaching team of laboratory diagnostics proposed a new teaching method of PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Action) cycle to innovate the instructional design and implementation of laboratory diagnosis on the base of traditional teaching model. Through optimizing the curriculum system, integrating superior resources, taking full advantage of information technology, mobilizing the virtual simulation laboratory, implementing moral education and multiple comprehensive evaluation results, the self-learning enthusiasm, innovation and development ability of students were improved significantly, accompanied with high humanistic care spirit. Moreover, the enthusiasm of participating in scientific research activities and professional competitions was enhanced obviously. Therefore, we believe that the PDCA cycle, with notable successes, deserves high promotion value and wide application.