ObjectiveTo systematically identify the chemical constituents of Xuefu Zhuyutang（XFZY） and quantitatively determine its main components， aiming to elucidate its pharmacodynamic material basis and provide a scientific foundation for improving its quality control standards. MethodsUltra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry（UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS） was employed for qualitative analysis of XFZY， and the identification of compounds was accomplished by comparing their retention times， secondary MS fragment ion information， 52 reference standards and relevant databases， followed by attribution of their herbal sources. A total of 22 representative compounds were screened out， and UPLC-quadrupole-linear ion trap mass spectrometry（UPLC-Q-TRAP-MS/MS） was applied for quantitative analysis of the compounds in the formula. ResultsA total of 77 compounds were identified in XFZY， including 31 flavonoids mainly derived from Aurantii Fructus， Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma， Persicae Semen， Carthami Flos， Bupleuri Radix， Paeoniae Radix Rubra and Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix， 24 terpenoids mainly derived from Platycodonis Radix， Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma， Paeoniae Radix Rubra and Rehmanniae Radix， 9 phenylpropanoids and their derivatives mainly derived from Chuanxiong Rhizoma， Angelicae Sinensis Radix and Rehmanniae Radix， 4 phenolic acids mainly derived from Chuanxiong Rhizoma， Angelicae Sinensis Radix and Paeoniae Radix Rubra， 3 saccharides mainly derived from Rehmanniae Radix and Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix， and 6 other compounds mainly derived from Persicae Semen， Rehmanniae Radix and Angelicae Sinensis Radix. The results of quantitative analysis showed that the contents of protocatechuic acid， hydroxypaeoniflorin， amygdalin， vanillic acid， paeoniflorin， liquiritin apioside， liquiritin， isoquercitrin， naringin， cosmosiin， hesperidin， neohesperidin， isoliquiritin， liquiritigenin， naringenin， benzoylpaeoniflorin， hesperetin， isoliquiritigenin， formononetin， glycyrrhizic acid， nobiletin and ligustilide in XFZY were determined to be 0.12， 1.57， 54.53， 0.29， 36.17， 4.29， 4.84， 0.09， 46.67， 0.04， 3.44， 31.95， 0.82， 0.10， 0.11， 0.43， 0.07， 0.03， 0.01， 8.24， 0.13， 1.81 mg·g^-1. ConclusionThe qualitative method established in this study enables rapid and sensitive analysis of the chemical constituents in XFZY. Among the identified compounds， 52 are confirmed by reference standards， ensuring the accuracy of identification. The quantitative analysis of 22 key components provides a reliable experimental basis for the pharmacodynamic material basis research and quality control standard improvement of XFZY.

OBJECTIVE To establish a method for determining the contents of clopidogrel （CLP）， clopidogrel carboxylate （CLP-C）， clopidogrel acyl-β-D-glucuronide （CLP-G） and contents of clopidogrel active metabolite （CAM） in rat plasma， and to investigate their in vivo pharmacokinetic characteristics. METHODS The Shisedo CAPCELL ADME column was used with a mobile phase consisting of water and acetonitrile （both containing 0.1% formic acid） in a gradient elution. The flow rate was 0.4 mL/min， and the column temperature was maintained at 20 ℃. The injection volume was 2 μL. The analysis was performed in positive ion mode using electrospray ionization with multiple reaction monitoring. The ion pairs for quantitative analysis were m/z 322.1→211.9 （for CLP）， m/z 308.1→197.9 （for CLP-C）， m/z 322.1→154.8 （for CLP-G）， m/z 504.1→154.9 [for racemic CAM derivative （CAMD）]. Six rats were administered a single intragastric dose of CLP （10 mg/kg）. Blood samples were collected before medication and at 0.08， 0.33， 0.66， 1， 2， 4， 6， 10， 23 and 35 hours after medication. The established method was used to detect the serum contents of various components in rats. Pharmacokinetic parameters were then calculated using WinNonlin 6.1 software. RESULTS The linear ranges for CLP， CLP-C and CAMD were 0.08-20.00， 205.00-8 000.00， and 0.04-25.00 ng/mL， respectively （r≥0.990）. The relative standard deviations for both intra-day and inter-day precision tests were all less than 15%， and the relative errors for accuracy ranged from －11.68% to 14.40%. The coefficients of variation for the matrix factors were all less than 15%， meeting the requirements for bioanalytical method validation. The results of the pharmacokinetic study revealed that， following a single intagastric administration of CLP in rats， the exposure to the parent CLP in plasma was extremely low. Both the area under the drug concentration-time curve （AUC0-35 h） and the peak concentration of the parent CLP were lower than those of its metabolites. The AUC0-35 h of the active metabolite CAM was approximately 43 times that of CLP， though it had a shorter half-life （2.53 h）. The inactive metabolite CLP-C exhibited the highest exposure level， but it reached its peak concentration the latest and was eliminated slowly. The AUC0-35 h of CLP-G was about four times that of CAM， and its half-life was similar to that of CLP-C. CONCLUSIONS This study successfully established an liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of CLP and its three metabolites， and revealed their pharmacokinetic characteristics in rats. Specifically， the parent drug CLP was rapidly eliminated， while the inactive metabolites CLP-C and CLP-G exhibited long half-lives， and active metabolite CAM displayed a transient exposure pattern.

Objective:To analyze the changes of diagnosis and treatment before and after renal biopsy in adult patients with acute kidney disease (AKD), and to explore the value of renal biopsy in the diagnosis and treatment of AKD.Methods:It was a single-center retrospective observational study. The adult patients with AKD who underwent renal biopsy in the Department of Nephrology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2021 were enrolled. Demographic data, general clinical data, laboratory tests, and diagnosis and treatment data before and after renal biopsy were collected to analyze the concordance rate between clinical and pathological diagnoses, changes in treatment after renal biopsy, and bleeding complication.Results:A total of 575 patients diagnosed with AKD by renal biopsy were included in this study, with age of 51 (36, 63) years old and 359 males (62.4%). Among them, there were 293 patients (51.0%) of acute kidney injury, 348 patients (60.5%) of hypertension and 124 patients (21.6%) of diabetes. The peak serum creatinine was 272 (190, 477) μmol/L. The hemoglobin was 106 (86, 126) g/L. The 24-hour urine protein was 2.15 (0.79, 4.82) g. There were 347 patients (60.3%) of acute glomerular diseases, 136 patients (23.7%) of acute interstitial nephritis, 47 patients (8.2%) of thrombotic microangiopathy, and 45 patients (7.8%) of acute tubular necrosis. The most common types of acute glomerular diseases were IgA nephropathy and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated glomerulonephritis, accounting for 22.3% (128/575) and 12.2% (70/575), respectively. The clinical diagnoses before renal biopsy were consistent with the renal histopathological diagnoses in 454 patients, with an accuracy rate of 79.0%. Following the renal biopsy, the treatment plan involving glucocorticoids or immunosuppressants was adjusted in 394 patients (68.5%). Significant post-biopsy bleeding occurred in 15 patients (2.6%), with 12 patients requiring blood transfusion and 1 patient requiring surgical intervention.Conclusions:Twenty-one clinical diagnoses do not match the pathological diagnoses in adult AKD patients, 68.5% of patients have changes in their treatment plans, and 2.6% of patients have significant hemorrhagic complications after renal biopsy. Clinicians need to carefully consider the benefits and risks and make individualized decisions about renal biopsy.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between complement C3 and urine protein level and proteinuria remission status in patients with primary membranous nephropathy (PMN), and better guide individualized clinical treatment.Methods:It was a single-center retrospective study. The clinical data of PMN patients who underwent renal biopsy in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2017 to June 2022 were collected. Patients with 24 h urinary protein ≥ 3.5 g were followed up after receiving standard treatment, and the last outpatient or inpatient review was used as the end point of follow-up. 24 h urine protein was collected to evaluate the remission status of proteinuria. Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the correlation between serum and renal complements and proteinuria remission. Cox regression analysis method was used to analyze the correlation between serum C3 level and renal tissue C3 deposition and proteinuria remission.Results:This study included 507 PMN patients with 312 (61.54%) males, aged 54 (43, 64) years old. Compared with 24 h urinary protein < 3.5 g group, proportion of males ( χ2=22.479, P<0.001), age ( Z=-2.521, P=0.012), systolic blood pressure ( Z=-4.148, P<0.001), diastolic blood pressure ( Z=-4.084, P<0.001), serum anti-phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) antibody titer ( Z=-7.019, P<0.001), total cholesterol ( Z=-8.796, P<0.001), triglyceride ( Z=-6.158, P<0.001), low density lipoprotein cholesterol ( Z=-8.716, P<0.001), serum creatinine ( Z=-7.368, P<0.001), serum C3 ( Z=-3.663, P<0.001), serum C4 ( Z=-6.560, P<0.001), proportion of glucocorticoid use ( χ2=116.417, P<0.001) and proportion of immunosuppressant use ( χ2=53.839, P<0.001) were all higher, while serum albumin ( Z=12.518, P<0.001), estimated glomerular filtration rate ( Z=6.345, P<0.001) and serum IgG ( Z=7.321, P<0.001) were all lower in 24 h urinary protein ≥3.5 g group. There were 268 patients included in the follow-up cohort with baseline 24 h urinary protein of 7.15 (5.14, 10.24) g, serum anti-PLA2R antibody titer of 61.44 (14.35, 193.24) RU/ml, serum C3 of 1.005 (0.864, 1.150) g/L, and serum C4 of 0.260 (0.214, 0.317) g/L. Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that the incomplete remission rate of proteinuria in serum C3 > 1.005 g/L group was lower than that in serum C3 ≤ 1.005 g/L group (log-rank χ2=4.757, P=0.029). There was no significant difference in the incomplete remission rate of proteinuria between serum C4 ≤ 0.260 g/L group and serum C4 > 0.260 g/L group (log-rank χ2=3.543, P=0.060). Renal C1q (log-rank χ2=0.167, P=0.683) and C4 (log-rank χ2=1.927, P=0.165) deposition had no significant effects on proteinuria remission in PMN patients. The incomplete remission rate of proteinuria in patients with renal C3 deposition was higher than that in patients without renal C3 deposition (log-rank χ2=7.018, P=0.008). Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that serum C3 level and C3 deposition in renal tissues were influencing factors of incomplete remission of proteinuria (both P<0.05), while adjusting for gender, age, mean arterial pressure, serum anti-PLA2R antibody, serum albumin and 24 h urinary protein, serum C3 ≤ 1.005 g/L ( HR=1.374, 95% CI 1.021-1.849, P=0.036), C3 deposition in renal tissues ( HR=1.949, 95% CI 1.098-3.460, P=0.023), and serum C3 ≤ 1.005 g/L combined with C3 deposition in renal tissues ( HR=1.472, 95% CI 1.093-1.983, P=0.011) were independent influencing factors of incomplete remission of proteinuria. Conclusions:The serum C3 level and C3 deposition in renal tissues are closely related to urinary protein level and proteinuria remission status in PMN patients. The patients with higher urinary protein have higher serum C3. For patients with massive proteinuria, serum C3 ≤ 1.005 g/L, C3 deposition in renal tissues, serum C3 ≤ 1.005 g/L combined with C3 deposition in renal tissues are independent risk factors of incomplete remission of proteinuria.

OBJECTIVE To establish a method for simultaneous determination of atorvastatin （ATV） and its active metabolites 2-hydroxy atorvastatin acid （2-HAT）， 4-hydroxy atorvastatin acid （4-HAT） and toxic metabolite atorvastatin lactone （ALT） in rat plasma and apply it for pharmacokinetic study. METHODS LC-MS/MS method was adopted for analysis. The one-step precipitation method was used for processing plasma samples （plasma samples were pretreated by acidification to adjust pH value so as to prevent inversion of configuration）， gradient elution was used to analyze the samples， and the analysis time was 5 min. Electrospray positive ionization was adopted， and positive ion scanning was performed in multi-reaction monitoring. The m/z of quantified ion pairs of ATV and its metabolites such as 2-HAT， 4-HAT and ATL， and internal standard pitavastatin were 559.3→ 440.2， 575.2→440.3， 575.0→440.2， 540.9→448.2 and 422.2→290.0， respectively. After conducting a comprehensive methodological investigation of the analytical method， the concentrations of ATV and its metabolites 2-HAT， 4-HAT，and ATL were determined， and the pharmacokinetic parameters of ATV and its metabolites were calculated using the non- compartment model of WinNonlin 6.1. RESULTS The results of methodological validation showed that endogenous substances in blank plasma did not interfere with the determination of the components to be tested， and the standard curve had a good linear relationship； the lower limits of quantification for ATV， 2-HAT， 4-HAT and ATL were 0.5， 0.5， 0.25 and 0.063 nmol/L， respectively. The precision， accuracy， recovery， matrix effect and stability investigation were all in line with the requirements of biological analysis. Pharmacokinetic analysis showed that after intragastric administration in rats， ATV calcium metabolized rapidly， and was mainly exposed to blood circulation in the form of ATV and 2-HAT， with the lowest concentration of lactone-type metabolites. CONCLUSIONS The established method is precise， rapid and accurate for plasma concentration analysis of ATV and its active/toxic metabolites. The application of the method could help to fully elucidate the pharmacokinetic characteristics of atorvastatin calcium in rats.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism of Mayuan tongbian zhitong decoction on improving slow-transmission constipation（STC）in rats by regulating AMP activated protein kinase （AMPK）/endothelial nitric oxide synthase （eNOS）signaling pathway. METHODS The rats were randomly divided into blank group ，model group ，Mayuan tongbian zhitong decoction low-dose，medium-dose and high-dose groups （6，12，18 mg/kg），with 10 rats in each group. Except for blank group ，other groups were given Compound diphenoxylate suspension to induce STC model. After modeling ，blank group and model group were given normal saline intragastrically ，and Mayuan tongbian zhitong decoction groups were given relevant medicine intragastrically ， once a day ，for consecutive 2 weeks. The number of feces and water content of feces in each group were observed before and after treatment；the carbon powder propulsion rate of rats in each group was calculated ；the pathological structure of colon in each group was observed ；the levels of nitric oxide （NO）and nitric oxide synthase （NOS）in colon tissues of rats in each group were detected；the expressions of AMPK ，eNOS，mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR），tuberous sclerosis complex 1（Tsc-1）， Tsc-2 and eukaryotic promoter 4E binding protein （4ebp）were also detected. The active ingredients of Cannabis sativa ，Citrus aurantium and Rehmannia glutinosa were screened from Mayuan tongbian zhitong decoction. The active ingredients with high Degree value were docked with AMPK and eNOS ，to verify the interaction. RESULTS Compared with before treatment ，the number and water content of feces were increased significantly in Mayuan tongbian zhitong decoction groups （P＜0.05）. Compared with blank group ，carbon powder propulsion rate of model group was decreased significantly （P＜0.05）； colonic structure was disordered ，and a large number of inflammatory cells were seen in submucosa ；the levels of NO and NOS in colon tissue as well as the protein expressions of AMPK ，eNOS，mTOR，Tsc-1，Tsc-2 and 4ebp were increased significantly （P＜0.05）. Compared with model group ，above indexes of Mayuan tongbian zhitong decoction groups （except for NOS in low-dose group ）were reserved significantly （P＜0.05）. In the molecular docking experiment ，the active components with the highest Degree values in C. sativa ，C. aurantium and R. glutinosa were（Z）-3-（4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenyl）-N-[2-（4-hydroxyphenyl）ethyl] acrylamide，nobiletin and stigmasterol. The binding energies of AMPK with these three components were －5.15，－4.61 and －4.83 kJ/mol，the binding energies of eNOS with these three components were －6.11，－5.40 and －5.91 kJ/mol. The conformations of these three compounds with AMPK and eNOS were stable and their binding activities were high. CONCLUSIONS Mayuan tongbian zhitong decoction can improve the constipation symptoms and intestinal function in STC model rats ，and its specific mechanism may be related to the inhibition of AMPK/eNOS signaling pathway.

Biosafety is an important guarantee of the new coronavirus laboratory test. The accident treatment of sample overflow and sprinkle is a necessary part of the emergency plan for testing activities. Beijing Preventive Medicine Association coordinated biosafety experts of COVID-19 laboratories from Beijing CDC, to write up "The standard for handling of accidents of corona virus disease 2019 sample (T/BPMA 0005-2020)" . The group standard was based on the guidelines of China and WHO, and combined with the practical experience of COVID-19 epidemic and the principle of "scientific, normative, applicable and feasible" . Through all kinds of risk Assessment, it included the spillover of samples caused by the packing of COVID-19 (highly pathogenic) samples, the overflow and sprinkle in the laboratory during the detection operation, and the spillage accident occurred during the transfer of samples in the same building. The standard could guide and standardize the handling methods of accidental overflow and sprinkle that may occur in the SARS-CoV-2 testing laboratories in the city.

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy (ARVD/C) is a genetic cardiac muscle disease that accounts for approximately 30% sudden cardiac death in young adults. The Ser358Leu mutation of transmembrane protein 43 (TMEM43) was commonly identified in the patients of highly lethal and fully penetrant ARVD subtype, ARVD5. Here, we generated TMEM43 S358L mouse to explore the underlying mechanism. This mouse strain showed the classic pathologies of ARVD patients, including structural abnormalities and cardiac fibrofatty. TMEM43 S358L mutation led to hyper-activated nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) activation in heart tissues and primary cardiomyocyte cells. Importantly, this hyper activation of NF-κB directly drove the expression of pro-fibrotic gene, transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ1), and enhanced downstream signal, indicating that TMEM43 S358L mutation up-regulates NF-κB-TGFβ signal cascade during ARVD cardiac fibrosis. Our study partially reveals the regulatory mechanism of ARVD development.

Objective To compare different equations for estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).Methods Hospitalized patients with CKD from the nephrology department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (Jiangsu Province Hospital) were recruited between December 2014 and May 2015.The calculations of eGFR and 24 h creatinine clearance rate (Ccr) were accomplished in three days after admission.The eGFRs were calculated separately using the 24 h creatinine clearance rate adjusted by the standard body surface area (Ccr_BSA),Cockcroft-Gault equation adjusted by the standard body surface area (eCcr_BSA),CKD-EPI creatinine equation (EPI_Cr),CKD-EPI cystatin C equation (EPI_CysC),CKDEPI creatinine-cystatin C equation (EPI_Cr_CysC),simplified MDRD (MDRD) and China MDRD equations.The EPI_Cr_CysC equation was used as the standard and the precision and accuracy of the other six equations were compared and analyzed.Results A total of 403 CKD participants were enrolled in the study,with 228 male patients and a mean age of (54.9± 18.4) years.The main primary diseases were chronic glomerulonephritis (43.7％) and diabetic nephropathy (13.2％).The median concentration of serum creatinine and cystatin C were 117.5 (69.7,242.4) μmol/L and 1.80 (1.13,3.31) mg/L,respectively.The median values of Ccr_BSA,eCcr_BSA,MDRD,China MDRD,EPI_Cr,EPI_CysC and EPI_Cr_CysC equations were 50.8 (21.1,96.2),51.9 (23.3,93.2),53.6 (23.0,97.4),52.2(22.4,94.1),53.2 (22.1,97.3),35.1 (15.4,67.0) and 49.1 (22.8,82.3) ml · min-1 · (1.73 m2)-1,respectively.There was well agreement among MDRD,China MDRD and EPI_Cr equations,while there were large differences between equations derived from CysC (EPI_Cr_CysC and EPI_CysC) and equations derived only from creatinine (EPI_Cr,MDRD,China MDRD,eCcr_BSA,Ccr_BSA equations).Compared with EPI_Cr_CysC equation (the reference equation),EPI_Cr equation showed the highest accuracy [percentage of other eGFR equation calculations that were ＞ 30％ of the reference equation calculations (1-P30),30.8％] while Ccr_BSA equation showed the lowest (1-P30,42.4％).EPI_CysC equation showed the highest precision [inter-quartile range (IQR) of the difference,11.7 ml·min-1 · (1.73 m2)-1] while Ccr_BSA equation showed the lowest [IQR of the difference,22.8 ml· min-1 ·(1.73 m2)-1].Conclusions The agreement among equations derived only from creatinine is better;while it exhibits some differences between equations with cystatin C and equations derived only from creatinine.The accuracy of EPI_Cr equation is second only to EPI_Cr_CysC equation and it is currently the most suitable eGFR equation for clinical popularization of renal glomerular function assessment.

Objective To investigate the effect of klotho on the human vein umbilical endothelial cells (HUVECs) injury induced by indoxyl sulfate (IS) and to explore its mechanism and the role of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) in this process.Methods (1) The cell vitalities of HUVECs incubated with different concentration of IS (5,25,50 mg/L) for 48 h and with 50 mg/L IS fordifferent time points (12,24,48 h) were measured by CCK-8 assay.(2) HUVECs were incubated with 50 mg/L IS and different concentration of klotho (0,1,10,100 μg/L) for 48 h and their cell viabilities were measured by CCK-8 assay.(3) HUVECs were divided into four groups:control group,IS group (50mg/L IS),klotho group (50 mg/L IS+ 100 μg/L klotho) and Compound C group (50 mg/L IS+100 μg/L klotho+ 10 μmol/L Compound C).The cell vitality and the apoptosis of HUVECs were evaluated by CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry,respectively.The mRNA and protein expressions of GRP78 and CHOP were measured by real-time PCR and Western blotting.The phosphorylation level of AMPK was tested by Western blotting.Results IS inhibited cell vitality in the time-dependent and concentration-dependent manner.The cell viability of HUVECs with 50 mg/L IS was lower than normal control (P＜0.05).The inhibited cell vitality induced by IS was partly restored by klotho in concentration-dependent manner.The cell viability was higher in 100 μg/L klotho+50 mg/L IS group than 50 mg/L IS group (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with control group,the expressions of GRP78 and CHOP and cell apoptosis increased,however,the level of phosphorylated AMPK (p-AMPK) decreased in IS group (all P ＜ 0.05).Compared with IS group,the expressions of GRP78 and CHOP and cell apoptosis decreased and the level of p-AMPK increased in klotho group (all P ＜ 0.05).Furthermore,the above effects of klotho could be partly blocked by Compound C.The above indexes showed statistical differences between Compound C group and klotho group.Conclusions IS can inhibit the HUVECs cell vitality,and induce ERS and cell apoptosis.Klotho protein could antagonize the above effects,probably through activating AMPK pathway and reducing ERS-mediated cell apoptosis.