The study aims to elucidate the existence forms(original constituents and metabolites) of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma in rats and reveal its metabolic pathways. After Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma was administered orally once a day for seven consecutive days to rats, all urine and feces samples were collected for seven days, while the blood samples were obtained 6 h after the last administration. Using the ultra high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry(UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) technique, this study identified 6, 73, and 156 existence forms of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma in the rat plasma, urine, and feces samples, respectively. Among them, 101 compounds were identified as new existence forms, and 13 original constituents were identified by comparing with reference compounds. The metabolic reactions of constituents from Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma were mainly deglycosylation, dehydration, hydroxylation, hydrogenation, dehydrogenation, acetylation, and amino acid conjugation. Furthermore, the possible in vivo metabolic pathways of protopanaxatriol(PPT) in rats were proposed. Through comprehensive analysis of the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(LC-MS) data, isomeric compounds were discriminated, and the planar chemical structures of 32 metabolites were clearly identified. According to the literature, 48 original constituents possess antitumor and cardiovascular protective bioactivities. Additionally, 32 metabolites were predicted to have similar bioactivities by SuperPred. This research lays the foundation for further exploring the in vivo effective forms of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma.
Animals ; Rats ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacokinetics* ; Rhizome/metabolism* ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Panax notoginseng/chemistry* ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Feces/chemistry*

This study investigated the mechanism by which Jianpi Bushen Yiqi Decoction promotes acetylcholine receptor(AChR) clustering in myasthenia gravis through the Agrin/low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4(LRP4)/muscle-specific receptor tyrosine kinases(MuSK) signaling pathway. A total of 114 female C57BL/6J mice were divided into the normal group, modeling group, and solvent control group. The normal group and the solvent control group were immunized with phosphate-buffered saline(PBS), while the modeling group was established as an experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis(EAMG) model using the murine-derived AChR-α subunit R97-116 peptide fragment. After successful modeling, the mice were randomly assigned to the model group, the low-, medium-, and high-dose Jianpi Bushen Yiqi Decoction groups, and the prednisone group. After four weeks of continuous treatment, muscle strength was assessed using Lennon scores and grip strength tests. Immunofluorescence staining was conducted on differentiated C2C12 myotubes incubated with a drug-containing serum to observe the number of AChR clusters. The integrity of AChR on myofilaments in mouse gastrocnemius muscles was further assessed by immunofluorescence staining. Hematoxylin-Eosin(HE)staining was applied to examine pathological changes in the gastrocnemius muscles of EAMG mice treated with Jianpi Bushen Yiqi Decoction. Western blot was utilized to detect the expression of key proteins in the Agrin/LRP4/MuSK signaling pathway in both C2C12 myotubes and mouse gastrocnemius muscles. The results demonstrated that compared to the model group, the prednisone group exhibited a significant decrease in the body weights of mice, whereas no significant differences in the body weights of mice were observed among the low-, medium-, and high-dose Jianpi Bushen Yiqi Decoction groups. All treatment groups showed significantly improved grip strength and Lennon scores. Additionally, the formula promoted AChR clustering on myotubes and enhanced AChR integrity in gastrocnemius myofilaments and reduced inflammatory infiltration between muscle tissue and fibrous hyperplasia. Furthermore, Jianpi Bushen Yiqi Decoction upregulated the protein expression of AChRα1, Agrin, and p-MuSK in C2C12 myotubes and increased the protein expression of AChRα1, Agrin, MuSK, p-MuSK, LRP4, and docking protein 7(Dok-7)in gastrocnemius tissue. In conclusion, Jianpi Bushen Yiqi Decoction may promote AChR clustering by targeting key proteins in the Agrin/LRP4/MuSK signaling pathway, thereby improving neuromuscular junction function and enhancing muscle strength.
Animals ; Agrin/genetics* ; Mice ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Receptors, Cholinergic/genetics* ; Female ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/genetics* ; Neuromuscular Junction/metabolism* ; Myasthenia Gravis, Autoimmune, Experimental/physiopathology* ; Humans ; LDL-Receptor Related Proteins

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of various polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) metabolites with diverse subtypes of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. METHODS: A novel predicting risk of cardiovascular disease EVENTs PREVENT equation was used to estimate the 10-year diverse subtypes of CVD risk, and their associations with PAH metabolites were analyzed using multiple logistic regression models, the weighted quantile sum (WQS) model, the quantile g-computation (qgcomp) model, and a stratified analysis of subgroups. RESULTS: For this study, six thousand seven hundred and forty-five participants were selected, and significant positive associations were observed between PAHs, naphthalene (NAP), and fluorene (FLU), and the risks of total CVD, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), and heart failure (HF). NAP and FLU were the primary contributors to the effects of PAH mixtures, and their associations with total CVD, ASCVD, and HF risk were significant in younger participants (30 ≤ age < 50 years); however, the associations of phenanthrene (PHEN) with ASCVD, HF, coronary heart disease (CHD), and stroke were dominant in aging participants (age ≥ 50 years). Notably, pyrene (PYR) was negatively associated with the risk of ASCVD, HF, CHD, and stroke. Similarly, negative associations of PYR with the four CVD subtypes were noticeable in aging participants. CONCLUSION Different PAHs metabolites had different impacts on each CVD subtype among different age groups. Notably, the protective effects of PYR on ASCVD, HF, CHD, and stroke were noticeable in aging individuals.
Humans ; Cardiovascular Diseases/chemically induced* ; Middle Aged ; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons/metabolism* ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Aged ; Risk Factors ; China/epidemiology*

Objective To understand the consumption of hand hygiene(HH)products and HH compliance in in-tensive care units(ICUs)of secondary and higher grade medical institutions(MIs)in Shanghai,and provide basis for further monitoring of HH among health care workers(HCWs).Methods Through healthcare-associated infec-tion surveillance system,the consumption of HH products and HH compliance in ICUs from secondary and higher grade MIs in Shanghai in 2017-2021 were analyzed.Results 105 ICUs from 74 MIs were included in analysis,the average consumption of HH products was 79.24(44.88-258.63)mL/(bed·day),with statistically significant difference among different types of ICUs(P＜0.001).The average consumption of HH products increased from 65.75 mL/(bed·day)in 2017 to 87.55 mL/(bed·day)in 2021,showing an increasing trend year by year(P＜0.001).HCWs'HH compliance rate was 82.13％,with the highest in nurses(86.59％)and the lowest(48.90％)in medical technicians,HH compliance rates of HCWs of different occupations were statistically significant different(P＜0.001).Among the implementation modes of HH,39.86％used running water for hand washing,42.27％used alcohol-based hand rub to wipe hands,13.22％didn't take HH measures,and 4.65％didn't take HH mea-sures when wearing gloves,with statistically significant differences among different HH implementation modes of HCWs(P＜0.001).There was a positive correlation between the average consumption of HH products per bed·day and HCWs'HH compliance rate(r=0.703,P＜0.05).Conclusion The average consumption of HH products per bed·day and HH compliance rate of HCWs in ICUs in Shanghai presents an increasing trend year by year.There are differences in the average consumption of HH products per bed·day and HH compliance rate among different types of ICUs.The implementation of HH can be evaluated by continuously surveillance on the average consumption of HH products per bed·day.

ObjectiveTo understand the awareness of knowledge about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD） and influencing factors among residents in Yangpu District， Shanghai. MethodsWe used cluster random sampling method to conduct face-to-face questionnaire surveys on selected household residents in 12 streets of Yangpu District. The survey questions included their understanding of COPD name， lung function test， and COPD related knowledge. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors of awareness rate. ResultsA total of 1 440 people were ultimately included in the analysis， and the awareness rates of COPD name， lung function test， and COPD awareness were 19.93%， 18.61%， and 14.95%， respectively. Among the people who knew the name of COPD， awareness rate of shortness of breath or dyspnea was the highest （84.12%） in the three main symptoms of COPD. Among the main risk factors of COPD， second-hand smoke（86.78%）and smoking （85.82%） were the highest. The main ways to obtain knowledge of COPD names were through television （12.60%） and the internet （11.97%）. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that men were significantly higher than women in the awareness of COPD name， lung function test， and COPD knowledge， with the OR values of （OR=1.39， 95%CI：1.08‒1.79）， （OR=1.47，95%CI：1.12‒1.92） and （OR=1.37，95%CI：1.02‒1.84）， respectively. The awareness rate of COPD names and lung function tests was the highest among people aged ≥ 65 years old， while the awareness rate of COPD knowledge was the highest among people aged 35‒50 years old. The awareness rate of COPD names was the highest among people with college education or above， civil servants， teachers， and medical staff， people with an annual household income of 100 000‒200 000 yuan. ConclusionThe overall awareness rate of COPD names， lung function tests， and COPD related knowledge among residents in Yangpu District is still at a low level. We should intensify the promotion and education of COPD among key groups such as women， young people， and those with low income， in order to improve the overall awareness rate of COPD among the population.

Aim To investigate the effects of puerarin on the proliferation,migration,and apoptosis of glio-blastoma cells and the underlying mechanisms.Meth-ods Differentially expressed genes associated with gli-oma and mitochondrial disease were analyzed using the GEO database.Cytotoxicity was detected by CCK-8 as-say.Cell migration was detected by the scratch wound healing assay and Transwell assay.Cell proliferation was assessed by EdU assay.Apoptosis level was meas-ured by TUNEL assay.Mitochondrial membrane poten-tial was detected by Mito-Tracker assay.ATP contents were detected using the ATP kit.The protein expres-sion levels were detected by Western blot.Antitumor efficacy of puerarin was analyzed using subcutaneous xenograft.Results There were 178 genes co-related differentially expressed genes in glioma and mitochon-drial disease.Core genes of co-related differentially ex-pressed genes were screened by GO and KEGG enrich-ment analyses,and the interaction networks.Among them,ubiquitin C(UBC)level was highly expressed in tissues of glioma patients.Puerarin could bind to UBC and reduce UBC expression at the animal and cell levels.Puerarin treatment inhibited the growth of glio-ma and decreased cell proliferation,migration and pro-moted cell apoptosis signals.Meantime,puerarin treat-ment also reduced mitochondrial membrane potentials and ATP contents,and down-regulated the levels of UBC related proteins.Conclusion Puerarin inhibits the proliferation,migration and promotes apoptosis of glioma cells.The mechanism of induction of mitochon-drial dysfunction is involved.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs)are widely used to treat osteoarthritis,rheumatoid arthritis,and acute and chronic painful diseases.Significant interindividual heterogeneity in the efficacy of NSAIDs has been found in patients,which can lead to treatment failure or life-threatening adverse drug reactions.This review will discuss the causes of the variability in the efficacy of NSAIDs in terms of CYP2C9 enzyme gene polymorphism,cyclooxygenase enzyme gene polymorphism,and differences in the intestinal microbiota,to provide a reference for the development of individualized dosing regimens for NSAIDs.

Objective:To explore the value of jellyfish sign, an abnormal ultrasonographic sign, in predicting adverse perinatal outcomes of women with complete placenta previa combined with placenta accreta spectrum disorders (PAS).Methods:This retrospective study analyzed the ultrasound images of 72 singleton gravidas, diagnosed with complete placenta previa combined with PAS, who underwent cesarean section at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between January 2020 and February 2023. Based on the presence and absence of the jellyfish sign in ultrasound images, these gravidas were divided into the jellyfish-sign group (15 cases, 20.8%) and the non-jellyfish-sign group (57 cases, 79.2%). The clinical data and perinatal outcomes of the two groups were analyzed. The adverse perinatal outcomes encompassed conditions such as abdominal aorta balloon block, uterine artery embolism, hysterectomy, postpartum hemorrhage, and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission of their neonates. Statistical analysis was performed using two independent samples t-test, the Mann-Whitney U test and the Chi-square (or Fisher's exact) test. Results:(1) The jellyfish-sign group exhibited a higher parity [(1.6±0.7) times vs (1.2±0.6) times, t=2.01] and higher prenatal scores of placenta accreta [(12.3±1.5) scores vs (8.6±2.9) scores, t=6.59] than those in the non-jellyfish-sign group (both P<0.05). Among the 57 cases in the non-jellyfish-sign group, there were 14 cases of placenta creta (24.6%), 40 cases of placenta increta (70.2%), and three cases of placenta percreta (5.3%). Among the 15 cases in the jellyfish-sign group, nine cases were diagnosed with placenta increta, six with placenta percreta, and none with placenta creta. The difference in distribution between the two groups was statistically significant (Fisher's exact test, P<0.001). (2) Intraoperative blood loss [(for those who accepted abdominal aorta balloon block, 1 973±1 057) ml vs (1 211±576) ml, t=2.55], red blood cells transfused [4.0 U (2.0-23.0 U) vs 2.5 U (0.0-11.0 U), Z=－2.53], postoperative hospitalization time [(9.7±2.4) vs (7.5±2.2) d, t=3.36], the incidence of abdominal aorta balloon block [15/15 vs 38.6% (22/57), χ2=17.92], uterine artery embolism [for those who accepted abdominal aorta balloon block, 3/15 vs 1.8% (1/57), Fisher's exact test], and requiring blood transfusion [15/15 vs 63.2% (36/57), Fisher's exact test] were higher in the jellyfish-sign group than those in the non-jellyfish-sign group. However, the non-jellyfish-sign group had lower gestational age at delivery [(33.6±1.5) weeks vs (35.2±1.8) weeks, t=－3.24], and lower neonatal Apgar score at 1 min and 5 min [1 min: 8 scores (3-10 scores) vs 9 scores (4-10 scores), Z=－2.46; 5 min: 9 scores (7-10 scores) vs 10 scores (6-10 scores), Z=－2.02] (all P<0.05). There were no significant differences in emergency surgery rate, 24 h postoperative blood loss, neonatal birth weight, and proportion of NICU admission between the two groups. Additionally, no cases of hysterectomy or death were observed in the two groups. Conclusions:Ultrasound examination revealing jellyfish signs in patients with complete placenta previa and PAS is associated with an increased likelihood of adverse perinatal outcomes. Consequently, the management of these patients should be given greater attention.

A dry suspension of Indigo Naturalis (IN) based on lactose-IN composite particles was designed by powder modification technology to meet the clinical needs of IN. The contact angle was used as an evaluation index to investigate the effects of the type of modifier lactose, the amount of lactose, and the co-grinding time of lactose and IN on the hydrophilicity of IN. The difference between IN before and after modification was compared through physical properties such as particle size and scanning electron microscope, as well as hydrophilic properties such as surface free energy and multiple light scattering. The optimal process of lactose-IN composite particles is as follows: after lactose is ground alone for 2 minutes, it is co-ground with IN at a ratio of 1∶1 for 6 minutes. The results of the investigation of powder properties show that the particle size d_0.9 of IN is reduced from 112.75 μm to 87.30 μm after modification. The BET and Langmuir specific surface areas decreased by 8.661 m²·g^-1 and 12.512 m²·g^-1, respectively. SEM shows that lactose is attached to the surface of modified IN (MIN); surface element analysis shows that Si, Ca, and Mg elements of MIN are smaller than IN, and O elements are larger. The infrared spectrum shows that the MIN possesses the characteristic peaks of both IN and lactose. Compared MIN with IN, the contact angle and the non-polar surface free energy decreased by 35.1° and 9.975 mJ·m^-2, respectively; the polar surface free energy and the surface free energy increased by 36.956 and 26.950 mJ·m^-2, respectively. The results of multiple light scattering showed that the light transmittance of MIN was 35% lower than that of IN, and the backscattered light intensity was increased by about 25%. Only one excipient was used to successfully prepare IN dry suspension with good wettability and suspending property, which provided a basis for the development of new preparations of IN.

Objective: To investigate the clinical features and short-term prognosis of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection associated acute encephalopathy (AE). Methods: Retrospective cohort study. The clinical data, radiological features and short-term follow-up of 22 cases diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection associated AE in the Department of Neurology, Beijing Children's Hospital from December 2022 to January 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into cytokine storm group, excitotoxic brain damage group and unclassified encephalopathy group according to the the clinicopathological features and the imaging features. The clinical characteristics of each group were analyzed descriptively. Patients were divided into good prognosis group (≤2 scores) and poor prognosis group (>2 scores) based on the modified Rankin scale (mRS) score of the last follow-up. Fisher exact test or Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the two groups. Results: A total of 22 cases (12 females, 10 males) were included. The age of onset was 3.3 (1.7, 8.6) years. There were 11 cases (50%) with abnormal medical history, and 4 cases with abnormal family history. All the enrolled patients had fever as the initial clinical symptom, and 21 cases (95%) developed neurological symptoms within 24 hours after fever. The onset of neurological symptoms included convulsions (17 cases) and disturbance of consciousness (5 cases). There were 22 cases of encephalopathy, 20 cases of convulsions, 14 cases of speech disorders, 8 cases of involuntary movements and 3 cases of ataxia during the course of the disease. Clinical classification included 3 cases in the cytokine storm group, all with acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE); 9 cases in the excitotoxicity group, 8 cases with acute encephalopathy with biphasic seizures and late reduced diffusion (AESD) and 1 case with hemiconvulsion-hemiplegia syndrome; and 10 cases of unclassified encephalopathy. Laboratory studies revealed elevated glutathione transaminase in 9 cases, elevated glutamic alanine transaminase in 4 cases, elevated blood glucose in 3 cases, and elevated D-dimer in 3 cases. Serum ferritin was elevated in 3 of 5 cases, serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) neurofilament light chain protein was elevated in 5 of 9 cases, serum cytokines were elevated in 7 of 18 cases, and CSF cytokines were elevated in 7 of 8 cases. Cranial imaging abnormalities were noted in 18 cases, including bilateral symmetric lesions in 3 ANE cases and "bright tree appearance" in 8 AESD cases. All 22 cases received symptomatic treatment and immunotherapy (intravenous immunoglobulin or glucocorticosteroids), and 1 ANE patient received tocilizumab. The follow-up time was 50 (43, 53) d, and 10 patients had a good prognosis and 12 patients had a poor prognosis. No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups in terms of epidemiology, clinical manifestations, biochemical indices, and duration of illness to initiate immunotherapy (all P>0.05). Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 infection is also a major cause of AE. AESD and ANE are the common AE syndromes. Therefore, it is crucial to identify AE patients with fever, convulsions, and impaired consciousness, and apply aggressive therapy as early as possible.
Child ; Female ; Male ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Cytokine Release Syndrome ; COVID-19/complications* ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Brain Diseases/etiology* ; Prognosis ; Seizures ; Cytokines