Based on the theory of collateral disease， the treatment of late-stage sequela of cerebrovascular disease is considered to be primarily associated with deficiency and obstruction of cerebral collaterals and dysfunction of the spirit mechanism. Therefore， the fundamental therapeutic principle is to unblock and supplement the brain collaterals. Clinically， the late-stage sequelae of cerebrovascular disease are classified into four patterns， which are malnourishment， deficiency-heat， stasis obstruction， and phlegm clouding of brain collaterals. These are treated respectively with Tiansui Tongqiao Decoction （填髓通窍汤） to supplement essence and nourish the brain through moistening， unblocking and supplementing， Qingnao Touluo Decoction （清脑透络汤） to enrich yin， regulate spirit， and unblock collaterals through clearing and penetrating， Yiqi Tongluo Decoction （益气通络汤） to tonify qi and resolve stasis while softening tendons and unblocking collaterals， and Xinrun Touqiao Beverage （辛润透窍饮） to unblock and tonify yin and yang while unblocking the collaterals through acrid-moistening medicinals. Flexible modification of prescriptions according to individual symptoms was applied， resulting in favorable therapeutic outcomes.

AIM:To elucidate the intervention and mechanism of 4'-hydroxychalcone(4-HC)in colitis mice through the regulation of Th17/Treg homeostasis.METHODS:Using a dextran sodium sulfate(DSS)-induced colitis model in mice,we meticulously observed the pathological characteristics of colon tissue via HE staining.Additionally,we employed immunohistochemical analysis and Western blot techniques to assess the expression levels of proteins associated with the JAK/STAT signaling pathway,as well as the specific content of tight junction proteins such as ZO-1 and occludin.The differentiation of Th17 and Treg cells was analyzed through flow cytometry.RESULTS:Compared to the normal group,the DSS group exhibited a consistent decline in body weight,coupled with symptoms of diarrhea and hematochezia,an increase in the DAI score,and a notable reduction in colon length.In contrast,the body weight of the 4-HC group dis-played an upward trend following an initial decrease,with improvements in diarrhea and hematochezia symptoms,a reduc-tion in the DAI score,and a restoration of colon length relative to the model group.The integrity of colon tissue in the 4-HC group was significantly better than that in the DSS group,evidenced by a marked increase in the number of goblet cells and an enhancement in crypt integrity,while the average histology score showed a decrease.Western blot analysis re-vealed substantial increase in ZO-1 and occludin expression after 4-HC treatment.Flow cytometry results indicated a dra-matic decrease in the differentiation rate of Th17 cells in spleen lymphocytes and mesenteric lymph nodes,while the dif-ferentiation rate of Treg cells was significantly elevated.Immunohistochemical and Western blot analyses demonstrated that 4-HC markedly reduced the phosphorylation of STAT1 and STAT3,while up-regulating the phosphorylation of STAT6,suggesting that 4-HC modulates CD4+T cell activity through the JAK-STAT pathway.CONCLUSION:The 4-HC may enhance the course of DSS-induced colitis in mice,alleviate colonic tissue damage,and modulate the balance be-tween Th17 and Treg cells,potentially involving the JAK/STAT signaling pathway.

AIM:To elucidate the intervention and mechanism of 4'-hydroxychalcone(4-HC)in colitis mice through the regulation of Th17/Treg homeostasis.METHODS:Using a dextran sodium sulfate(DSS)-induced colitis model in mice,we meticulously observed the pathological characteristics of colon tissue via HE staining.Additionally,we employed immunohistochemical analysis and Western blot techniques to assess the expression levels of proteins associated with the JAK/STAT signaling pathway,as well as the specific content of tight junction proteins such as ZO-1 and occludin.The differentiation of Th17 and Treg cells was analyzed through flow cytometry.RESULTS:Compared to the normal group,the DSS group exhibited a consistent decline in body weight,coupled with symptoms of diarrhea and hematochezia,an increase in the DAI score,and a notable reduction in colon length.In contrast,the body weight of the 4-HC group dis-played an upward trend following an initial decrease,with improvements in diarrhea and hematochezia symptoms,a reduc-tion in the DAI score,and a restoration of colon length relative to the model group.The integrity of colon tissue in the 4-HC group was significantly better than that in the DSS group,evidenced by a marked increase in the number of goblet cells and an enhancement in crypt integrity,while the average histology score showed a decrease.Western blot analysis re-vealed substantial increase in ZO-1 and occludin expression after 4-HC treatment.Flow cytometry results indicated a dra-matic decrease in the differentiation rate of Th17 cells in spleen lymphocytes and mesenteric lymph nodes,while the dif-ferentiation rate of Treg cells was significantly elevated.Immunohistochemical and Western blot analyses demonstrated that 4-HC markedly reduced the phosphorylation of STAT1 and STAT3,while up-regulating the phosphorylation of STAT6,suggesting that 4-HC modulates CD4+T cell activity through the JAK-STAT pathway.CONCLUSION:The 4-HC may enhance the course of DSS-induced colitis in mice,alleviate colonic tissue damage,and modulate the balance be-tween Th17 and Treg cells,potentially involving the JAK/STAT signaling pathway.

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

Objective:To investigate the current situation of the use of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) for portal hypertension, which should aid the development of TIPS in China.Methods:The China Portal Hypertension Alliance (CHESS) initiated this study that comprehensively investigated the basic situation of TIPS for portal hypertension in China through network research. The survey included the following: the number of surgical cases, main indications, the development of Early-TIPS, TIPS for portal vein cavernous transformation, collateral circulation embolization, intraoperative portal pressure gradient measurement, commonly used stent types, conventional anticoagulation and time, postoperative follow-up, obstacles, and the application of domestic instruments.Results:According to the survey, a total of 13 527 TIPS operations were carried out in 545 hospitals participating in the survey in 2021, and 94.1% of the hospital had the habit of routine follow-up after TIPS. Most hospitals believed that the main indications of TIPS were the control of acute bleeding (42.6%) and the prevention of rebleeding (40.7%). 48.1% of the teams carried out early or priority TIPS, 53.0% of the teams carried out TIPS for the cavernous transformation of the portal vein, and 81.0% chose routine embolization of collateral circulation during operation. Most of them used coils and biological glue as embolic materials, and 78.5% of the team routinely performed intraoperative portal pressure gradient measurements. In selecting TIPS stents, 57.1% of the hospitals woulel choose Viator-specific stents, 57.2% woulel choose conventional anticoagulation after TIPS, and the duration of anticoagulation was between 3-6 months (55.4%). The limitation of TIPS surgery was mainly due to cost (72.3%) and insufficient understanding of doctors in related departments (77.4%). Most teams accepted the domestic instruments used in TIPS (92.7%).Conclusions:This survey shows that TIPS treatment is an essential part of treating portal hypertension in China. The total number of TIPS cases is far from that of patients with portal hypertension. In the future, it is still necessary to popularize TIPS technology and further standardize surgical indications, routine operations, and instrument application.

AIM:This study examined the inhibitory effect of peiminine on the human colonic adenocarcino-ma cell line SW480 and explored the underlying mechanisms.METHODS:SW480 and human normal colonic epithelial CCD-841CoN cells were treated with different concentrations of peiminine and subjected to the CCK-8 assay to select the optimal treatment time and concentration of the compound.SW480 cell migration and invasion were evaluated by the wound-healing and Transwell assays.Cell cycle progression was analyzed by flow cytometry.The expression levels of cell cycle-related proteins were examined by Western blot.SW480 xenograft tumor model was established in nude mice to ex-amine the effect of peiminine on tumor growth and the expression of cell cycle-related proteins in vivo.RESULTS:Peimi-nine(110 mg/L)significantly inhibited the proliferation of SW480 cells compared with the control group(P<0.01),caused cell cycle arrest at G1 phase,and significantly downregulated the expression of cyclin dependent kinase 2(CDK2),CDK4,CDK6,cyclin D1,p-Rb/Rb,E2F1,E2F3,and E2F4(P<0.05).Peiminine inhibited SW480 xenograft tumor growth,prolonged the survival of model mice,and affected the expression of CDK2,CDK4,CDK6,and cyclin D1 in tu-mor tissues.CONCLUSION:Peiminine promotes G1 phase arrest by down-regulating the expression of CDK2,CDK4,CDK6,and cyclin D1,thereby inhibiting the proliferation of SW480 cells.

AIM:To explore the effect and mechanism of action of the aqueous extract of Fritillaria ussuriensis(FU-AE)against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD).METHODS:The association between Fritillaria ussuriensis Maxir.(FU)and NAFLD was analyzed by network pharmacology.A mouse model of NAFLD was induced in mice by high fat diet(HFD)+10%fructose drinking water,and three doses of Fritillaria ussuriensis aqueous extract were given to the mice for intervention.Colorimetric assay was used for detection of aspartate aminotransferase(AST),alanine aminotrans-ferase(ALT),triglyceride(TG),total cholesterol(TC),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)levels in the serum of experimental mice.Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to as-sess the pathological and histological changes in the liver of mice and to clarify the anti-NAFLD effect of aqueous extracts of Fritillaria ussuriensis.Liver tissue proteins were extracted,and expression of proteins related to the AMP-activated pro-tein kinase(AMPK)/acetyl-CoA carboxylase(ACC)pathway was detected by Western blot to clarify the mechanism of an-ti-NAFLD action of Fritillaria ussuriensis.The microbial composition of cecum contents was explored using 16S rRNA se-quencing to reveal the modulatory effect of the aqueous extract of Fritillaria ussuriensis on the structure of intestinal flora in mice with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.RESULTS:Aqueous extract of Fritillaria ussuriensis(high dose)ameliorated exogenous adipocyte infiltration in the liver of mice with NAFLD(P<0.05).AST,ALT,TG,TC and LDL-C levels were significantly decreased(P<0.05)and HDL-C levels were significantly increased(P<0.05)in the high-dose group.Aque-ous extract of Fritillaria ussuriensis(high dose)significantly increased expression of phosphorylated AMPKα,AMPKα,and phosphorylated ACC in the livers of the model mice(P<0.05),significantly reduced expression of ACC(P<0.05),and significantly increased the relative abundance of the potentially beneficial bacteria Faecalibaculum rodentium,Lacto-bacillus johnsonii,Akkermansia muciniphila(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Aqueous extract of Fritillaria ussuriensis may ameliorate NAFLD in mice by activating the AMPK/ACC pathway and modulating the structure of intestinal flora.

AIM:To investigate the potential of atractylenolide Ⅲ(AⅢ)in mitigating dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)-induced injury in a mouse model of chronic inflammatory bowel disease(IBD),and to explore the mechanisms in-volved,particularly the modulation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)signaling,which plays a crucial role in the homeostasis of T helper 17(Th17)and regulatory T(Treg)cells.METHODS:A mouse model of DSS-induced chronic IBD was established,and the mice were divided into 4 groups:control,model(DSS),high-dose(50 mg/kg)AⅢ,and low-dose(30 mg/kg)AⅢ.The disease activity index(DAI)was utilized to assess disease severity.Histo-pathological damage in the colons of IBD mice was evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining.The protein levels of phosphorylated STAT3,occludin and zonula occludens-1(ZO-1)were analyzed using immunohistochemical staining and Western blot.Flow cytometry was employed to examine the differentiation of splenic lymphocytes into Th17/Treg cells.RESULTS:Both DAI assessments and HE staining indicated that AⅢ significantly alleviated inflammatory injury in mice with DSS-induced chronic IBD.Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that AⅢ enhanced the expression of ZO-1 and occludin in colonic tissues.Flow cytometry results revealed that AⅢ helped maintain the balance between splenic Th17 and Treg cells.Furthermore,immunohistochemical staining and Western blot showed that AⅢ inhibited the phos-phorylation of STAT3.CONCLUSION:Treatment with AⅢ effectively reduced inflammatory injury in a mouse model of chronic IBD by preserving Th17/Treg homeostasis through the inhibition of STAT3 phosphorylation.As a natural com-pound,AⅢ exhibits significant therapeutic potential for the treatment of chronic IBD.

AIM:To investigate the potential of atractylenolide Ⅲ(AⅢ)in mitigating dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)-induced injury in a mouse model of chronic inflammatory bowel disease(IBD),and to explore the mechanisms in-volved,particularly the modulation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)signaling,which plays a crucial role in the homeostasis of T helper 17(Th17)and regulatory T(Treg)cells.METHODS:A mouse model of DSS-induced chronic IBD was established,and the mice were divided into 4 groups:control,model(DSS),high-dose(50 mg/kg)AⅢ,and low-dose(30 mg/kg)AⅢ.The disease activity index(DAI)was utilized to assess disease severity.Histo-pathological damage in the colons of IBD mice was evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining.The protein levels of phosphorylated STAT3,occludin and zonula occludens-1(ZO-1)were analyzed using immunohistochemical staining and Western blot.Flow cytometry was employed to examine the differentiation of splenic lymphocytes into Th17/Treg cells.RESULTS:Both DAI assessments and HE staining indicated that AⅢ significantly alleviated inflammatory injury in mice with DSS-induced chronic IBD.Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that AⅢ enhanced the expression of ZO-1 and occludin in colonic tissues.Flow cytometry results revealed that AⅢ helped maintain the balance between splenic Th17 and Treg cells.Furthermore,immunohistochemical staining and Western blot showed that AⅢ inhibited the phos-phorylation of STAT3.CONCLUSION:Treatment with AⅢ effectively reduced inflammatory injury in a mouse model of chronic IBD by preserving Th17/Treg homeostasis through the inhibition of STAT3 phosphorylation.As a natural com-pound,AⅢ exhibits significant therapeutic potential for the treatment of chronic IBD.

OBJECTIVE To establish the fingerprint and multi-component content determination method of Crataegus pinnatifida leaves from different producing areas， and to evaluate the quality of C. pinnatifida leaves and screen the differential markers. METHODS Seventy-eight batches of C. pinnatifida leaves were collected from Chengde of Hebei Province， Huludao of Liaoning Province， Yuncheng of Shanxi Province and Linyi of Shandong Province. High-performance liquid chromatography （HPLC） and Similarity Evaluation System for Traditional Chinese Medicine Chromatographic Fingerprints （2012 edition） were used to draw the fingerprints and conduct similarity evaluation. Grey correlation analysis， cluster analysis （CA）， principal component analysis （PCA） and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis （OPLS-DA） were performed by using SPSS 19.0， MetaboAnalyst 5.0 and SIMCA 14.1 software. The differential markers affecting the quality of C. pinnatifida leaves were screened with variable importance in the projection （VIP） value greater than 1 and the error line not exceeding the origin as the criterion. Using vitexin rhamnoside as an internal reference， the contents of chlorogenic acid， glucosylvitexin， hypericin and isoquercetin in 78 batches of C. pinnatifida leaves were determined by the same HPLC combined with quantitative analysis of multi- components by single-marker （QAMS）， and the results were compared with external standard method. RESULTS Eight common peaks were calibrated in the fingerprints for 78 batches of C. pinnatifida leaves from 4 producing areas. Five known components were identified， including chlorogenic acid （peak 1）， glucosylvitexin （peak 3）， vitexin rhamnoside （peak 4）， hypericin （peak 7） and isoquercetin （peak 8）； their similarities ranged from 0.871 to 0.998. Average relative correlations of samples from Chengde of Hebei Province， Huludao of Liaoning Province， Yuncheng of Shanxi Province and Linyi of Shandong Province were 0.538， 0.528， 0.462 and 0.435， respectively. CA and PCA showed that the samples from Chengde of Hebei Province and Huludao of Liaoning Province were roughly classified into one category， while the samples from Linyi of Shandong Province and Yuncheng of Shanxi Province were roughly classified into one category； VIP values of peak 1， 2， 3 and 5 were all greater than 1. By QAMS， the relative correction factors of chlorogenic acid， glucosylvitexin， hypericin and isoquercetin were 0.401， 0.993， 1.670 and 1.615 （RSD＜2%）. Compared with external standard method， except for isoquercetin in the two batches of samples （S39 and S41）， there was no significant difference in the content of each component in other batches of samples （the relative deviations≤ 5%）. CONCLUSIONS The established fingerprint and QAMS method are simple to operate and can be used to evaluate the quality of C. pinnatifida leaves. The sample from Chengde of Hebei Province is relatively good in quality. Chlorogenic acid （peak 1）， glucosylvitexin （peak 3）， and the corresponding components of peaks 2 and 5 may be differential markers affecting the quality of C. pinnatifida leaves.