ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Si Junzitang in treating liver injury in rats with spleen Qi deficiency syndrome based on transcriptomics and to experimentally verify its effects. MethodsSixty male SD rats were randomly divided into blank group， model group， low-dose Si Junzitang （6 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， medium-dose Si Junzitang group （12 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， high-dose Si Junzitang group （24 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， and natural recovery group， with 10 rats in each group. A composite multifactorial modeling method （forced swimming + intragastric administration of Xiao Chengqitang + irregular diet） was used to establish a spleen Qi deficiency model. After 30 days of continuous intervention， body weight and 3-hour food intake were measured， and macroscopic symptom scores for spleen Qi deficiency syndrome were evaluated. Serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase （AST） and alanine aminotransferase （ALT） in each group were detected， and hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining was used to observe histopathological changes in liver tissue. Transcriptome sequencing （RNA-Seq） was used to identify differentially expressed genes （DEGs） among the blank， model， and high-dose Si Junzitang groups. Gene ontology（GO） and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genome（KEGG） enrichment analyses were performed on the DEGs. Immunofluorescence （IF） and Western blot were used to detect NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）， apoptosis-associated speck-like protein （ASC）， Caspase-1， and the N-terminal domain of gasdermin D （GSDMD-N）. Immunohistochemistry （IHC） was used to detect the expression of downstream inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and interleukin-18 （IL-18）. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the model group showed significantly reduced body weight and 3-hour food intake， significantly increased macroscopic symptom scores， and elevated serum AST and ALT levels （P<0.01）， with mild inflammatory liver injury observed histologically. Compared with the model group， Si Junzitang at all doses significantly improved these parameters and alleviated liver injury in a dose-dependent manner （P<0.05，P<0.01）. RNA-Seq analysis revealed 1 254 DEGs between the blank and model groups， and 842 DEGs between the model and high-dose Si Junzitang groups. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses indicated that the NOD-like receptor signaling pathway was activated in liver injury associated with spleen Qi deficiency， suggesting that the NLRP3 inflammasome may be a key target. Results from IF， IHC， and Westernblot showed that compared with the blank group， the expression of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， GSDMD-N， and the downstream inflammatory cytokines IL-1β， IL-6， and IL-18 were significantly increased in the model group （P<0.01）， while these levels were markedly decreased in the high-dose Si Junzitang group （P<0.01）. ConclusionSi Junzitang effectively improves mild inflammatory liver injury in rats with spleen Qi deficiency syndrome in a dose-dependent manner. Its mechanism may be associated with inhibition of the NLRP3/ASC/Caspase-1 signaling pathway， downregulation of the pyroptosis executioner protein GSDMD-N， and reduction of pyroptosis-related inflammatory cytokine release.

Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) is one of the most commonly occurring pathogens associated with genital tract infections in infertile males, but the impact of seminal UU infection in semen on intrauterine insemination (IUI) outcomes is poorly understood. We collected data from 245 infertile couples who underwent IUI at The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC (Hefei, China) between January 2021 and January 2023. The subjects were classified into two groups according to their UU infection status: the UU-positive group and the UU-negative group. We compared semen parameters, pregnancy outcomes, and neonatal birth outcomes to investigate the impact of UU infection on IUI outcomes. There were no significantly statistical differences in various semen parameters, including semen volume, sperm concentration, total and progressive motility, sperm morphology, leukocyte count, the presence of anti-sperm antibody, and sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI), between the UU-positive and UU-negative groups of male infertile patients (all P > 0.05). However, the high DNA stainability (HDS) status of sperm differed between the UU-positive and UU-negative groups, suggesting that seminal UU infection may affect sperm nuclear maturation ( P = 0.04). Additionally, there were no significant differences in pregnancy or neonatal birth outcomes between the two groups (all P > 0.05). These results suggest that IUI remains a viable and cost-effective option for infertile couples with UU infection who are facing infertility issues.
Humans ; Male ; Ureaplasma Infections/complications* ; Female ; Infertility, Male/therapy* ; Ureaplasma urealyticum/isolation & purification* ; Pregnancy ; Adult ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Semen Analysis ; Insemination, Artificial ; Semen/microbiology* ; China

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Shexiang Tongxin Dropping Pill (STDP) in treating stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome by exercise duration and metabolic equivalents. METHODS: This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial enrolled stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome from 22 hospitals. They were randomized 1:1 to STDP (35 mg/pill, 6 pills per day) or placebo for 56 days. The primary outcome was the exercise duration and metabolic equivalents (METs) assessed by the standard Bruce exercise treadmill test after 56 days of treatment. The secondary outcomes included the total angina symptom score, Chinese medicine (CM) symptom scores, Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) scores, changes in ST-T on electrocardiogram and adverse events (AEs). RESULTS: This trial enrolled 309 patients, including 155 and 154 in the STDP and placebo groups, respectively. STDP significantly prolonged exercise duration with an increase of 51.0 s, compared to a decrease of 12.0 s with placebo (change rate: -11.1% vs. 3.2%, P<0.01). The increase in METs was significantly greater in the STDP group than in the placebo group (change: -0.4 vs. 0.0, change rate: -5.0% vs. 0.0%, P<0.01). The improvement of total angina symptom scores (25.0% vs. 0.0%), CM symptom scores (38.7% vs. 11.8%), reduction of nitroglycerin consumption (100.0% vs. 11.3%), and all domains of SAQ, were significantly greater with STDP than placebo (all P<0.01). The changes in Q-T intervals at 28 and 56 days from baseline were similar between the two groups (both P>0.05). Twenty-five participants (16.3%) with STDP and 16 (10.5%) with placebo experienced AEs (P=0.131), with no serious AEs observed. CONCLUSION STDP could improve exercise tolerance in patients with stable angina and phlegm-heat and blood stasis syndrome, with a favorable safety profile. (Registration No. ChiCTR-IPR-15006020).
Humans ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Angina, Stable/physiopathology* ; Aged ; Syndrome ; Treatment Outcome ; Placebos ; Tablets

Iron is an essential trace element in the human body, crucial in maintaining normal physiological functions. Recent studies have identified iron ions as a significant factor in initiating the ferroptosis process, a novel mode of programmed cell death characterized by iron overload and lipid peroxide accumulation. The iron metabolism pathway is one of the primary mechanisms regulating ferroptosis, as it maintains iron homeostasis within the cell. Numerous studies have demonstrated that abnormalities in iron metabolism can trigger the Fenton reaction, exacerbating oxidative stress, and leading to cell membrane rupture, cellular dysfunction, and damage to tissue structures. Therefore, regulation of iron metabolism represents a key strategy for ameliorating ferroptosis and offers new insights for treating diseases associated with iron metabolism imbalances. This review first summarizes the mechanisms that regulate iron metabolic pathways in ferroptosis and discusses the connections between the pathogenesis of various diseases and iron metabolism. Next, we introduce natural and synthetic small molecule compounds, hormones, proteins, and new nanomaterials that can affect iron metabolism. Finally, we provide an overview of the challenges faced by iron regulators in clinical translation and a summary and outlook on iron metabolism in ferroptosis, aiming to pave the way for future exploration and optimization of iron metabolism regulation strategies.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality based on the 10-year population-based multicenter prospective study. METHODS: A general population-based multicenter prospective study was conducted at four sites in rural China between 2013 and 2023. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to assess the association between BMI and mortality. Stratified analyses were performed based on the individual characteristics of the participants. RESULTS: Overall, 19,107 participants with a sum of 163,095 person-years were included and 1,910 participants died. The underweight (< 18.5 kg/m ²) presented an increase in all-cause mortality (adjusted hazards ratio [ aHR] = 2.00, 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 1.66-2.41), while overweight (≥ 24.0 to < 28.0 kg/m ²) and obesity (≥ 28.0 kg/m ²) presented a decrease with an aHR of 0.61 (95% CI: 0.52-0.73) and 0.51 (95% CI: 0.37-0.70), respectively. Overweight ( aHR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.67-0.86) and mild obesity ( aHR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.59-0.87) had a positive impact on mortality in people older than 60 years. All-cause mortality decreased rapidly until reaching a BMI of 25.7 kg/m ² ( aHR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.98) and increased slightly above that value, indicating a U-shaped association. The beneficial impact of being overweight on mortality was robust in most subgroups and sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION This study provides additional evidence that overweight and mild obesity may be inversely related to the risk of death in individuals older than 60 years. Therefore, it is essential to consider age differences when formulating health and weight management strategies.
Humans ; Body Mass Index ; China/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Rural Population/statistics & numerical data* ; Aged ; Follow-Up Studies ; Adult ; Mortality ; Cause of Death ; Obesity/mortality* ; Overweight/mortality*

Damarane-type triterpene saponins are the main active ingredients in Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino. By using D101 macroporous adsorption resin and silica gel open-columns, C18 medium-pressure column chromatography, and preparative high performance liquid chromatography, we isolated four compounds from the leaves of G. pentaphyllum planted in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Their structures were determined by comprehensive analyses of MS, NMR data and circular dichroism spectroscopy and identified as (3β,12β)-dihydroxy-25-peroxyhydrohydrodammarane-20,23-diene-3-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl(1→2)]-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), (3β,12β,24S)-trihydroxydammarane-20,25-diene-3-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl(1→2)]-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), (3β,20α)-dihydroxy-24-en-12β,22S-epoxydammarane-3-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl(1→2)]-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), (3β,12β,20S)-trihydroxydammarane-24-en-3-O-[6-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranosyl]-20-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl(1→3)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside (4). Compounds 1-4 are new dammarane-type triterpene saponins.

This study was aimed at analyzing the clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients with Listeria monocyto-genes bacteremia,to provide evidence for its diagnosis and treatment.A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data for patients with L.monocytogenes bacteremia at Tangdu Hospital between September 2012 and April 2022.The data included age,sex,underlying diseases,treatments,and prognosis.Changes in indicators such as white blood cell(WBC)count,mono-cyte percentage,neutrophil percentage,monocyte/neutrophil ratio(M/N),C-reactive protein(CRP),and procalcitonin before and after treatment were statistically analyzed.Among the 32 patients with L.monocytogenes bacteremia,the average age was 31.9 years,and three patients were older than 65 years.The incidence rate was highest in summer(11 patients,34.4％),fol-lowed by spring(9 patients,28.1％).A total of 24 patients(75.0％)had underlying diseases.After accurate diagnosis,the treatment plans of 29 patients were adjusted to target antibacterial therapy consisting primarily of penicillins(17 patients,53.1％)and carbapenems(12 patients,37.5％).After treatment,the levels of neutrophils,lymphocytes,and CRP were signifi-cantly lower than those before treatment(P＜0.05).A total of 29 patients(90.6％)improved and were discharged,one patient died,and two patients had poor prognosis.The primary risk factors for L.monocytogenes infection were autoimmune diseases,tumors,and pregnancy.Penicillin was the first choice effective empirical treatment for listeriosis.A clear diagnosis of the pathogen and appropriate choice of antibiotics were particularly important for the treatment of L.monocytogenes infection.

Objective To investigate the relationship between serum thrombin-antithrombin Ⅲ complex(TAT)and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1(sFlt-1)levels and the progression and prognosis of sepsis pa-tients.Methods A total of 117 patients with sepsis admitted to the hospital from January 2021 to May 2023 were selected as the observation group,and 42 healthy volunteers in the hospital during the same period were selected as the control group.Patients with sepsis were divided into ordinary sepsis group(60 cases)and sep-tic shock group(57 cases).The observation group was divided into death group and survival group according to the prognosis after 90 days of treatment.Serum TAT and sFlt-1 levels were detected by enzyme-linked im-munosorbent assay.Logistic regression was used to analyze the death influencing factors of sepsis patients,and a prognostic prediction model of sepsis patients based on TAT and sFlt-1 was established.The predictive value of receiver operating characteristics(ROC)curve analysis indexes for the death of sepsis patients was evalua-ted.Results The levels of TAT[(12.59±5.35)ng/mL]and sFlt-1[(28.58±4.05)ng/mL]in the observa-tion group were higher than those in the control group[(2.65±0.88)ng/mL and(16.50±3.60)ng/mL,re-spectively].The difference was statistically significant(t=19.386,17.065,P＜0.001).The serum TAT[(15.09±4.99)ng/mL]and sFlt-1[(30.45±3.30)ng/mL]levels in septic shock group were higher than those in ordinary sepsis group[(10.22±4.57)ng/mL and(26.81±3.92)ng/mL,respectively].The differ-ence was statistically significant(t=5.503,5.429,P＜0.001).The proportion of septic shock,sequential or-gan failure assessment(SOFA)score,acute physiological and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ(APACHE Ⅱ)score,blood lactate,procalcitonin,TAT and sFlt-1 levels in the death group were higher than those in the sur-vival group,with statistical significance(P＜0.05).Sepsis shock,increased SOFA score,increased APACHEⅡ score and increased blood lactic acid,TAT and sFlt-1 were independent risk factors for death in sepsis pa-tients(P＜0.05).ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve(AUC)of the predictive model for predicting death in sepsis patients was 0.947,which was higher than the AUC predicted by disease degree,SOFA score,APACHE Ⅱ score,blood lactic acid,TAT,and sFlt-1 alone(Z=6.525,4.414,4.835,3.787,3.956,3.507,P＜0.001).Conclusion The increase of serum TAT and sFlt-1 levels in patients with sepsis is closely related to disease progression and poor prognosis,and the prediction model established based on TAT and sFlt-1 has high predictive value for the death of patients with sepsis.

Objective:To explore the material basis and potential mechanism of Sanhuang Yishen Capsules in the treatment of diabetes through network pharmacology, molecular docking and experimental verification.Methods:The active components and targets of Sanhuang Yishhen Capsules were screened using China Natural product chemical composition database and SymMap database, and the related targets of T2DM were screened by GeneCards database. The "Chinese materia medica-active component-target" network was constructed, and the intersection genes were enriched by GO and KEGG using R language. Key active components were selected for molecular docking verification with potential core targets. 60 rats were divided into normal group, model group, and Sanhuang Yishen Capsules group according to random number table method, with 15 rats in each group. In addition to the normal group, the diabetic rat model was prepared in the other groups, and the corresponding drugs were intragastric in each group for 8 weeks. The levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting insulin (FINS) and insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) were measured by radioimmunoassay. Western blotting was used to detect protein expressions of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), epidermal growth factor (EGF), Akt serine/threonine kinase 1 (AKT1), recombinant tumor protein p53 (TP53), and recombinant caspase 3 (CASP3).Results:A total of 160 active components and 298 targets of Sanhuang Yishen Capsules, 2194 targets related to T2DM, and 166 intersection targets were obtained. GO and KEGG analyzed a series of biological reaction processes mainly involved in signal transduction, oxidative stress, apoptosis, etc., and mainly involved in the regulation of P13K/Akt, P53, CASP3 and other targets. The results of molecular docking showed that the main active components obtained by screening had strong binding with the target. Compared with model group, FBG, FINS, HOMA-IR, TP53 and CASP3 in Sanhuang Yishen Capsules group decreased ( P<0.05), EGFR, EGF and Akt1 proteins increased ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The mechanism of Sanhuang Yishen Capsules for the treatment of may be related to the regulation of EGF/EGFR/P13K/Akt signaling pathway, TP53 signaling pathway, CASP3 signaling pathway, PPARG signaling pathway, ESR1 signaling pathway, PTGS2 signaling pathway, CAT signaling pathway and CTNNB1 signaling pathway.