OBJECTIVE To optimize the simmering technology of Rheum palmatum from Menghe Medical School and compare the difference of chemical components before and after processing. METHODS Using appearance score， the contents of gallic acid， 5-hydroxymethylfurfural （5-HMF）， sennoside A+sennoside B， combined anthraquinone and free anthraquinone as indexes， analytic hierarchy process （AHP）-entropy weight method was used to calculate the comprehensive score of evaluation indicators； the orthogonal experiment was designed to optimize the processing technology of simmering R. palmatum with fire temperature， simmering time， paper layer number and paper wrapping time as factors； validation test was conducted. The changes in the contents of five anthraquinones （aloe-emodin， rhein， emodin， chrysophanol， physcion）， five anthraquinone glycosides （barbaloin， rheinoside， rhubarb glycoside， emodin glycoside， and emodin methyl ether glycoside）， two sennosides （sennoside A， sennoside B）， gallic acid and 5-HMF were compared between simmered R. palmatum prepared by optimized technology and R. palmatum. RESULTS The optimal processing conditions of R. palmatum was as follows: each 80 g R. palmatum was wrapped with a layer of wet paper for 0.5 h， simmered on high heat for 20 min and then simmered at 140 ℃， the total simmering time was 2.5 h. The average comprehensive score of 3 validation tests was 94.10 （RSD＜1.0%）. After simmering， the contents of five anthraquinones and two sennosides were decreased significantly， while those of 5 free anthraquinones and gallic acid were increased to different extents； a new component 5-HMF was formed. CONCLUSIONS This study successfully optimizes the simmering technology of R. palmatum. There is a significant difference in the chemical components before and after processing， which can explain that simmering technology slows down the relase of R. palmatum and beneficiate it.

Inflammation plays a pivotal role in the etiology and progression of various diseases. In traditional Chinese medicine, the whole plants of Thesium chinense Turcz. and its preparations (e.g. Bairui Granules) have been employed to manage inflammatory conditions. While flavonoids were previously considered the primary anti-inflammatory components, other potentially active constituents have been largely overlooked and not thoroughly investigated. This study presents a novel finding that the total alkaloids of T. chinense (BC-Alk) are potent active substances underlying the traditional and clinical applications of T. chinense and Bairui Granules as anti-inflammatory agents. UPLC-MS/MS analysis identified the composition of BC-Alk as quinolizidine alkaloids. The anti-inflammatory efficacy of BC-Alk was evaluated using a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced lung inflammation model in mice. Results demonstrated that BC-Alk significantly mitigated LPS-induced lung inflammation, attenuated the overproduction of IL-1β and the overproduction of inflammatory factors (TNF-α), and ameliorated lung tissue hyperplasia in mice in vivo. Mechanistic studies in vitro revealed that BC-Alk upregulated the expression of Nrf2 and its downstream proteins NQO1 and glutamate-cystine ligase and modifier subunit (GCLM), inhibited NF-κB phosphorylation, and suppressed NLRP3 activation. Collectively, these findings indicate that BC-Alk exerts potent inhibitory effects against lung inflammation by modulating Nrf2, NF-κB, and NLRP3 pathways. This study provides new insights into the anti-inflammatory constituents of T. chinense and Bairui Granules.
Animals ; Lipopolysaccharides/adverse effects* ; Alkaloids/pharmacology* ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism* ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Mice ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology* ; Male ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Pneumonia/genetics*

Objective To investigate the current status of frailty in patients on maintenance hemodialysis(MHD),and explore the correlation of frailty with anxiety and depression.Methods General information,clinical data and blood biochemical data of 101 cases who underwent MHD in Department of Nephrology,Shunde Hospital Affiliated to Jinan University from January 2023 to January 2024 were collected.FRAIL scale was applied to evaluate the frailty of the patients,and they were accordingly classified into frailty group and non-frailty group(including pre-frail and non-frail participants).Anxiety and depression were evaluated by GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scale.Univariate analysis and logistic regression were used to explore the association of frailty with anxiety,depression and other possible influencing factors.Results Among the 101 cases,29 cases(28.71%)were includedin frailty group and 72 cases(71.29%)in non-frailty group.There were 42 patients with depression(41.58%)and 25 with anxiety(24.75%).In the frailty group,the prevalence of depression was 65.52%and that of anxiety 55.17%.There were significant differences in age,grip strength,exercise,stroke and coronary heart disease,anxiety and depression,ferritin and CRP between the two groups(P＜0.01).Multivariate regression analysis showed that depression,anxi-ety,no exercise,stroke and high ferritin concentration were independent risk factors for frailty in MHD patients(P＜0.05).Conclusion In patients on MHD,frailty is closely associated with depression,anxiety,and lack of exercise,and stroke as well as high ferritin concentration are independent risk factors for frailty.

Objective:To construct an individualized nomogram prediction model for predicting the risk of the occurrence of covert hepatic encephalopathy (CHE) in patients with liver cirrhosis.Methods:325 cases of liver cirrhosis admitted from January 2020 to December 2022 were selected as the study subjects. Patients were divided into training ( n=213) and validation ( n=112) sets using a cluster randomization method. The risk factors for CHE occurrence in patients with cirrhosis in the training set were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression. A prediction model related to the nomogram was established. Results:Independent risk factors for the occurrence of CHE in patients with cirrhosis were a history of hepatic encephalopathy, co-infection, gastrointestinal bleeding, severe ascites, prothrombin time ≥16 seconds, high total bilirubin, and high blood ammonia levels ( P<0.05). Nomogram model validation results: The model had a net benefit for the training and validation sets, with C-indices of 0.830 (95% CI: 0.802-0.858) and 0.807 (95% CI: 0.877-0.837), respectively, within the range of 0-96%. The calibration curves of both sets were evenly close to the ideal curves. The AUCs for the ROC curves in both sets were 0.827 (95% CI: 0.796-0.858) and 0.811 (95% CI: 0.787-0.836), respectively. Conclusion:Patients with cirrhosis have many risk factors for CHE occurrence. The nomogram model constructed based on these risk factors possesses a good predictive value for assessing CHE occurrence in cirrhotic patients.

Objective:To explore the value of conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) sequence and pathological examination in predicting the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in advanced breast cancer.Methods:The clinical data of 65 cases of advanced breast cancer with NAC confirmed by pathology in the Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University from March 2022 to May 2023 were retrospectively analyzed, including 20 cases in the pathological complete remission (pCR) group and 45 cases in the non pCR group; All patients underwent routine MRI, DWI, DKI examinations and pathological analysis. The clinical pathological data, routine MRI features, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values, mean kurtosis coefficient (MK), and mean diffusion coefficient (MD) between the two groups were analyzed; We compared the differences in various parameters between two groups and plotted receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves to compare their diagnostic efficacy of NAC in breast cancer.Results:There were significant differences in molecular typing, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her-2) and Ki-67 between pCR group and non pCR group (all P<0.05). In pCR group, Her-2 overexpression type and triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) type breast cancer were more common. ER and PR were mostly negative, Her-2 was mostly positive, and Ki 67 was mainly positive. The difference in tumor T2WI signal between the pCR group and the non pCR group was statistically significant ( P<0.05), with the pCR group showing mostly moderate/low T2WI signal. The ADC and MD values of the pCR group were lower than those of the non pCR group, while the MK value of the pCR group was higher than that of the non pCR group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.001). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for predicting the efficacy of NAC using a clinical pathological model was 0.829, which was higher than the AUC of molecular subtypes, ER, PR, Her-2, and Ki-67 ( Z=3.008, 2.697, 2.815, 2.131, 2.376, all P<0.05); The AUC of the DKI+ DWI predicting the efficacy of NAC was 0.934, which was higher than that of the DWI single sequence model, and the difference in type was statistically significant ( Z=2.396, P=0.017). The diagnostic efficacy of the DKI+ DWI model was higher than that of the single parameter ADC, MD, and MK, and the differences were statistically significant ( Z=2.396, 2.219, 2.161, all P<0.05); The AUC of the combined imaging and pathology model was 0.983, and its diagnostic efficacy was higher than that of the conventional MRI feature model, pathology model, DWI model, and DKI model, with statistically significant differences ( Z=5.877, 2.961, 3.240, 2.264, all P<0.05). Conclusions:The results of pathology, conventional MRI, DWI and DKI parameters of pCR and non pCR breast cancer patients are significantly different, and the combined model is better than the single model in predicting the efficacy of NAC.

Objective:To investigate the effects of the Y-box binding protein 1(YBX1)on the proliferation and apoptosis of granulosa cells by regulating silent information regulator 1(SIRT1),and explore the differential ex-pression of YBX1 and SIRT1 of premature ovarian insufficiency(POI)patients and health controls,as well as its clinical significance.Methods:We recruited patients with POI and patients with normal ovarian function during in vitro fertilization(IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI)assisted pregnancy in the Department of Reproduc-tive Medical Center of the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University from June 2022 to July 2023.The granu-losa cells and serum were collected.Western-Blot(WB)to detect YBX1 protein expression.Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)to detect YBX1 and SIRT1 mRNA levels,and the correlation between the abundance of YBX1 and SIRT1 in serum and follicle stimulating hormone(FSH),luteinizing hormone(LH),estra-diol(E2),anti-Mullerian Hormone(AMH),and antral follicle count(AFC)were analyzed.5-bromo-2-deoxyuracil(EdU)and cell counting Kit-8(CCK8)were applied to detect cell proliferation;TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling assay(TUNEL)to detect cell apoptosis;RT-qPCR to detect cell proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PC-NA),B cell lymphoma 2(Bcl2),Bcl2 associated X protein(BAX),and cysteine-aspartate protease 3(Caspase-3)mRNA expression;RNA Immunoprecipitation(RIP)experiment to detect the interaction between YBX1 and SIRT1.Results:The expression of YBX1 protein and SIRT1 mRNA in granulosa cells and serum of POI patients were significantly lower than that of the control group(P＜0.05).The expression of YBX1 and SIRT1 mRNA in serum were negatively correlated with FSH,LH(r＜0,P＜0.05),and positively correlated with E2,AMH and AFC(r＞0,P＜0.05).Upregulating YBX1 in granulosa cells increased SIRT1 protein expression,SIRT1 mRNA stabili-ty,EdU positive rate,cell viability,PCNA mRNA expression level,Bcl2/BAX ratio(P＜0.05),while decreased Caspase-3 mRNA expression level,TUNEL positive rate(P＜0.05).Conclusions:The expression levels of YBX1 and SIRT1 in POI patients were significantly reduced and correlated with clinical ovarian function indicators.YBX1 can bind to SIRT1 mRNA and enhance its stability,which may promote the proliferation of granulosa cells,and in-hibit apoptosis.These findings suggested that YBX1 and SIRT1 are expected to become new targets for POI diag-nosis and treatment.

Objective:To investigate the effects of the Y-box binding protein 1(YBX1)on the proliferation and apoptosis of granulosa cells by regulating silent information regulator 1(SIRT1),and explore the differential ex-pression of YBX1 and SIRT1 of premature ovarian insufficiency(POI)patients and health controls,as well as its clinical significance.Methods:We recruited patients with POI and patients with normal ovarian function during in vitro fertilization(IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI)assisted pregnancy in the Department of Reproduc-tive Medical Center of the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University from June 2022 to July 2023.The granu-losa cells and serum were collected.Western-Blot(WB)to detect YBX1 protein expression.Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)to detect YBX1 and SIRT1 mRNA levels,and the correlation between the abundance of YBX1 and SIRT1 in serum and follicle stimulating hormone(FSH),luteinizing hormone(LH),estra-diol(E2),anti-Mullerian Hormone(AMH),and antral follicle count(AFC)were analyzed.5-bromo-2-deoxyuracil(EdU)and cell counting Kit-8(CCK8)were applied to detect cell proliferation;TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling assay(TUNEL)to detect cell apoptosis;RT-qPCR to detect cell proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PC-NA),B cell lymphoma 2(Bcl2),Bcl2 associated X protein(BAX),and cysteine-aspartate protease 3(Caspase-3)mRNA expression;RNA Immunoprecipitation(RIP)experiment to detect the interaction between YBX1 and SIRT1.Results:The expression of YBX1 protein and SIRT1 mRNA in granulosa cells and serum of POI patients were significantly lower than that of the control group(P＜0.05).The expression of YBX1 and SIRT1 mRNA in serum were negatively correlated with FSH,LH(r＜0,P＜0.05),and positively correlated with E2,AMH and AFC(r＞0,P＜0.05).Upregulating YBX1 in granulosa cells increased SIRT1 protein expression,SIRT1 mRNA stabili-ty,EdU positive rate,cell viability,PCNA mRNA expression level,Bcl2/BAX ratio(P＜0.05),while decreased Caspase-3 mRNA expression level,TUNEL positive rate(P＜0.05).Conclusions:The expression levels of YBX1 and SIRT1 in POI patients were significantly reduced and correlated with clinical ovarian function indicators.YBX1 can bind to SIRT1 mRNA and enhance its stability,which may promote the proliferation of granulosa cells,and in-hibit apoptosis.These findings suggested that YBX1 and SIRT1 are expected to become new targets for POI diag-nosis and treatment.

Objective:To investigate the effects of the Y-box binding protein 1(YBX1)on the proliferation and apoptosis of granulosa cells by regulating silent information regulator 1(SIRT1),and explore the differential ex-pression of YBX1 and SIRT1 of premature ovarian insufficiency(POI)patients and health controls,as well as its clinical significance.Methods:We recruited patients with POI and patients with normal ovarian function during in vitro fertilization(IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI)assisted pregnancy in the Department of Reproduc-tive Medical Center of the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University from June 2022 to July 2023.The granu-losa cells and serum were collected.Western-Blot(WB)to detect YBX1 protein expression.Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)to detect YBX1 and SIRT1 mRNA levels,and the correlation between the abundance of YBX1 and SIRT1 in serum and follicle stimulating hormone(FSH),luteinizing hormone(LH),estra-diol(E2),anti-Mullerian Hormone(AMH),and antral follicle count(AFC)were analyzed.5-bromo-2-deoxyuracil(EdU)and cell counting Kit-8(CCK8)were applied to detect cell proliferation;TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling assay(TUNEL)to detect cell apoptosis;RT-qPCR to detect cell proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PC-NA),B cell lymphoma 2(Bcl2),Bcl2 associated X protein(BAX),and cysteine-aspartate protease 3(Caspase-3)mRNA expression;RNA Immunoprecipitation(RIP)experiment to detect the interaction between YBX1 and SIRT1.Results:The expression of YBX1 protein and SIRT1 mRNA in granulosa cells and serum of POI patients were significantly lower than that of the control group(P＜0.05).The expression of YBX1 and SIRT1 mRNA in serum were negatively correlated with FSH,LH(r＜0,P＜0.05),and positively correlated with E2,AMH and AFC(r＞0,P＜0.05).Upregulating YBX1 in granulosa cells increased SIRT1 protein expression,SIRT1 mRNA stabili-ty,EdU positive rate,cell viability,PCNA mRNA expression level,Bcl2/BAX ratio(P＜0.05),while decreased Caspase-3 mRNA expression level,TUNEL positive rate(P＜0.05).Conclusions:The expression levels of YBX1 and SIRT1 in POI patients were significantly reduced and correlated with clinical ovarian function indicators.YBX1 can bind to SIRT1 mRNA and enhance its stability,which may promote the proliferation of granulosa cells,and in-hibit apoptosis.These findings suggested that YBX1 and SIRT1 are expected to become new targets for POI diag-nosis and treatment.

Objective:To investigate the effects of the Y-box binding protein 1(YBX1)on the proliferation and apoptosis of granulosa cells by regulating silent information regulator 1(SIRT1),and explore the differential ex-pression of YBX1 and SIRT1 of premature ovarian insufficiency(POI)patients and health controls,as well as its clinical significance.Methods:We recruited patients with POI and patients with normal ovarian function during in vitro fertilization(IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI)assisted pregnancy in the Department of Reproduc-tive Medical Center of the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University from June 2022 to July 2023.The granu-losa cells and serum were collected.Western-Blot(WB)to detect YBX1 protein expression.Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)to detect YBX1 and SIRT1 mRNA levels,and the correlation between the abundance of YBX1 and SIRT1 in serum and follicle stimulating hormone(FSH),luteinizing hormone(LH),estra-diol(E2),anti-Mullerian Hormone(AMH),and antral follicle count(AFC)were analyzed.5-bromo-2-deoxyuracil(EdU)and cell counting Kit-8(CCK8)were applied to detect cell proliferation;TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling assay(TUNEL)to detect cell apoptosis;RT-qPCR to detect cell proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PC-NA),B cell lymphoma 2(Bcl2),Bcl2 associated X protein(BAX),and cysteine-aspartate protease 3(Caspase-3)mRNA expression;RNA Immunoprecipitation(RIP)experiment to detect the interaction between YBX1 and SIRT1.Results:The expression of YBX1 protein and SIRT1 mRNA in granulosa cells and serum of POI patients were significantly lower than that of the control group(P＜0.05).The expression of YBX1 and SIRT1 mRNA in serum were negatively correlated with FSH,LH(r＜0,P＜0.05),and positively correlated with E2,AMH and AFC(r＞0,P＜0.05).Upregulating YBX1 in granulosa cells increased SIRT1 protein expression,SIRT1 mRNA stabili-ty,EdU positive rate,cell viability,PCNA mRNA expression level,Bcl2/BAX ratio(P＜0.05),while decreased Caspase-3 mRNA expression level,TUNEL positive rate(P＜0.05).Conclusions:The expression levels of YBX1 and SIRT1 in POI patients were significantly reduced and correlated with clinical ovarian function indicators.YBX1 can bind to SIRT1 mRNA and enhance its stability,which may promote the proliferation of granulosa cells,and in-hibit apoptosis.These findings suggested that YBX1 and SIRT1 are expected to become new targets for POI diag-nosis and treatment.

Objective:To investigate the effects of the Y-box binding protein 1(YBX1)on the proliferation and apoptosis of granulosa cells by regulating silent information regulator 1(SIRT1),and explore the differential ex-pression of YBX1 and SIRT1 of premature ovarian insufficiency(POI)patients and health controls,as well as its clinical significance.Methods:We recruited patients with POI and patients with normal ovarian function during in vitro fertilization(IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection(ICSI)assisted pregnancy in the Department of Reproduc-tive Medical Center of the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University from June 2022 to July 2023.The granu-losa cells and serum were collected.Western-Blot(WB)to detect YBX1 protein expression.Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)to detect YBX1 and SIRT1 mRNA levels,and the correlation between the abundance of YBX1 and SIRT1 in serum and follicle stimulating hormone(FSH),luteinizing hormone(LH),estra-diol(E2),anti-Mullerian Hormone(AMH),and antral follicle count(AFC)were analyzed.5-bromo-2-deoxyuracil(EdU)and cell counting Kit-8(CCK8)were applied to detect cell proliferation;TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling assay(TUNEL)to detect cell apoptosis;RT-qPCR to detect cell proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PC-NA),B cell lymphoma 2(Bcl2),Bcl2 associated X protein(BAX),and cysteine-aspartate protease 3(Caspase-3)mRNA expression;RNA Immunoprecipitation(RIP)experiment to detect the interaction between YBX1 and SIRT1.Results:The expression of YBX1 protein and SIRT1 mRNA in granulosa cells and serum of POI patients were significantly lower than that of the control group(P＜0.05).The expression of YBX1 and SIRT1 mRNA in serum were negatively correlated with FSH,LH(r＜0,P＜0.05),and positively correlated with E2,AMH and AFC(r＞0,P＜0.05).Upregulating YBX1 in granulosa cells increased SIRT1 protein expression,SIRT1 mRNA stabili-ty,EdU positive rate,cell viability,PCNA mRNA expression level,Bcl2/BAX ratio(P＜0.05),while decreased Caspase-3 mRNA expression level,TUNEL positive rate(P＜0.05).Conclusions:The expression levels of YBX1 and SIRT1 in POI patients were significantly reduced and correlated with clinical ovarian function indicators.YBX1 can bind to SIRT1 mRNA and enhance its stability,which may promote the proliferation of granulosa cells,and in-hibit apoptosis.These findings suggested that YBX1 and SIRT1 are expected to become new targets for POI diag-nosis and treatment.