OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and mechanisms of Lycium ruthenicum Murr. in improving sleep. METHODS Network pharmacology was employed to identify the active components of L. ruthenicum and their associated disease targets， followed by enrichment analysis. A caffeine‑induced zebrafish model of sleep deprivation was established ， and the zebrafish were treated with L. ruthenicum Murr. extract （LRME） at concentrations of 0.1， 0.2 and 0.4 mg/mL， respectively； 24 h later， behavioral changes of zebrafish and pathological alterations in brain neurons were subsequently observed. The levels of inflammatory factors [interleukin-6 （IL-6）， IL-1β， IL-10， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）]， oxidative stress markers [superoxide dismutase （SOD）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px）， catalase （CAT）]， and neurotransmitters [5- hydroxytryptamine （5-HT）， γ-aminobutyric acid （GABA）， glutamic acid （Glu）， dopamine （DA）， and norepinephrine （NE）] were measured. The protein expression levels of protein kinase B1 （AKT1）， phosphorylated AKT1 （p-AKT1）， epidermal growth factor receptor （EGFR）， B-cell lymphoma 2 （Bcl-2）， sarcoma proto-oncogene，non-receptor tyrosine kinase （SRC）， and heat shock protein 90α family class A member 1 （HSP90AA1） in the zebrafish were also determined. RESULTS A total of 12 active components and 176 intersecting disease targets were identified through network pharmacology analysis. Among these， apigenin， naringenin and others were recognized as core active compounds， while AKT1， EGFR and others served as key targets； EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance signaling pathway was identified as the critical pathway. The sleep improvement rates in zebrafish of LRME low-， medium-， and high-dose groups were 54.60%， 69.03% and 77.97%， 开发。E-mail：hjp_yft@163.com respectively， while the inhibition ratios of locomotor distance were 0.57， 0.83 and 0.95， respectively. Compared with the model group， the number of resting counts， resting time and resting distance were significantly increased/extended in LRME medium- and high-dose groups （P＜0.05）. Neuronal damage in the brain was alleviated. Additionally， the levels of IL-6， IL-1β， TNF-α， MDA， Glu， DA and NE， as well as the protein expression levels of AKT1， p-AKT1， EGFR， SRC and HSP90AA1， were markedly reduced （P＜0.05）， while the levels of IL-10， SOD， GSH-Px， CAT， 5-HT and GABA， as well as Bcl-2 protein expression， were significantly elevated （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS L. ruthenicum Murr. demonstrates sleep-improving effects， and its specific mechanism may be related to the regulation of inflammatory responses， oxidative stress， neurotransmitter balance， and the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance signaling pathway.

Objective To analyze the PLCβ4 gene mRNA expression and its clinical significance in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) based on TCGA database. Methods Based on the data on 424 clinical samples (including 374 cases of HCC tissues and 50 cases of nontumor liver tissues) in the TCGA database, Kaplan–Meier method, Cox regression analysis, and immune infiltration analysis were performed to evaluate the relationship between PLCβ4 gene and the clinical characteristics and survival prognosis of HCC patients. Correlation analysis between PLCβ4 gene and 24 types of immune cells was applied to investigate the relationship between PLCβ4 gene and immune cell infiltration and mRNA expression level of TP53 gene, a high-frequency mutation gene in HCC. In addition, paraffin sections of highly, moderately, and poorly differentiated tumor tissues and normal liver tissues from HCC patients were collected. The histopathological observation was carried out via HE staining method, and the expression levels of PLCβ4 and Ki-67 proteins in each clinical sample were verified through the immunohistochemical method. Results The expression level of PLCβ4 gene in HCC was significantly higher than that in normal tissues (P<0.01), and all patients in the PLCβ4 high-expression group had a significantly longer overall survival than those in the low-expression group (P<0.05), which suggested that PLCβ4 substantially affected the prognosis of HCC patients. Correlation analysis showed that the expression level of PLCβ4 gene was highly correlated with immune cell infiltration and the expression level of TP53 gene. As verified by clinical sample experiments, HE staining experiments and immunohistochemical results revealed that PLCβ4 gene expression in HCC tissue samples was significantly higher than that in normal tissues (P<0.001), and it was negatively correlated with the degree of differentiation. Conclusion PLCβ4 may serve as an independent prognostic factor in HCC and is expected to be a novel molecular target for HCC treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of acupuncture-moxibustion on idiopathic facial palsy (IFP) at acute phase and recovery phase. METHODS: According to whether received acupuncture-moxibustion at acute phase or not, 198 IFP patients were divided into an early-phase intervention group (118 cases) and a non-early-phase intervention group (80 cases). With the propensity score matching employed, 70 cases were included in each group. On the basis of the conventional treatment of western medicine, acupuncture-moxibustion was supplemented in the two groups. In the early-phase intervention group, acupuncture-moxibustion was delivered at the acute phase (duration of illness≤7 days); in the non-early-phase intervention group, acupuncture-moxibustion was operated at the recovery phase (duration of illness>7 days). At the acute phase, warm needling was performed at Yifeng (TE17), Xiaguan (ST7), Hegu (LI4) and Zusanli (ST36) on the affected side; and at the recovery phase, electroacupuncture was delivered at Cuanzhu (BL2), Sizhukong (TE23) and Yangbai (GB14), etc. on the affected side, with the disperse-dense wave and 2 Hz/100 Hz of frequency. The intervention was operated for 30 min each time, once every two days, three treatments weekly and for 4 weeks. Before treatment, 1 week and 4 weeks of treatment, the House-Brackmann (H-B) facial nerve function grade, the score of Sunnybrook facial nerve function, and the score of facial disability index (FDI) were compared between the two groups. The clinical effect in 1 and 4 weeks of treatment and safety were evaluated. RESULTS: In 1 and 4 weeks of treatment, the H-B grade was improved when compared with that before treatment in each group (P<0.05), and in 4 weeks of treatment, H-B grade in the early-phase intervention group was superior to that of the non-early-phase intervention group (P<0.05). In 1 and 4 weeks of treatment, Sunnybrook scores and the scores of physical function of FDI were elevated in comparison with those before treatment in the two groups (P<0.05); and in 4 weeks of treatment, the elevation of these two indexes in the early-phase intervention group was greater than that of the non-early-phase intervention group (P<0.05). In 4 weeks of treatment, the scores of social function in FDI were reduced when compared with those before treatment in the two groups (P<0.05). In 4 weeks of treatment, the total effective rate (97.1%, 68/70) in the early-phase intervention group was higher than that (87.1%, 61/70) of the non-early-phase intervention group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION Acupuncture-moxibustion therapy starting at the acute phase is more beneficial to the functional recovery of the impaired facial nerve than at the recovery phase in the IFP patients.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Moxibustion ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult ; Acupuncture Points ; Treatment Outcome ; Facial Paralysis/therapy* ; Cohort Studies ; Aged ; Bell Palsy/therapy* ; Adolescent

OBJECTIVES: Calcium silicate (CSO) is modified to give it photothermal antibacterial properties. Its application potential in tooth mineralization and oral antibacterial is evaluated. METHODS: Based on defect-engineering modification strategy, a series of CSO-T samples (CSO-300, CSO-400, CSO-500, CSO-600) was obtained by introducing oxygen vacancy into CSO through thermal reduction using sodium borohydride. The samples were tested using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, ultraviolet near-infrared absorption spectroscopy, and infrared thermography. The powder samples with the best photothermal performance and the most suitable material concentration (CSO-500, 500 μg/mL) were selected for subsequent experiments. High resolution transmission electron microscopy was used to analyze the microstructure and morphology of the sample, and MTT assay and Calcein AM/PI live/dead cell staining were used to evaluate the toxicity and compatibility of the sample to human oral keratinocytes. Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were selected for photothermal antibacterial experiments to evaluate their in vitro antibacterial performance. SEM, energy dispersive spectrometer, and micro Vickers hardness tester were used to evaluate the ability of materials to induce in vitro remineralization of detached teeth. RESULTS: Oxygen vacancies changed the crystal type and lattice spacing of CaSiO₃, broadened the light-absorption range, and gave it a good photothermal conversion ability in response to near infrared. Invitro experiments showed that the modified CaSiO₃ could promote the formation of hydroxyapatite on the tooth surface, thereby promoting the remineralization of teeth and improving the teeth hardness. Moreover, it had photothermal antibacterial properties and no cytotoxicity. CONCLUSIONS Defect-modified black calcium silicate has multiple functions, such as promoting tooth remineralization and photothermal bacteriostatic. When combined with the infrared luminescent toothbrush, it can simply and effectively treat tooth enamel erosion and oral bacteriostatic diseases caused by the excessive consumption of carbonated beverages and other daily bad living habits. This combination is expected to achieve the synergic treatment effect of tooth remineralization and oral bacteriostatic through daily cleaning is expected.
Calcium Compounds/pharmacology* ; Silicates/pharmacology* ; Humans ; Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects* ; Tooth Remineralization ; Escherichia coli/drug effects* ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology* ; Keratinocytes/drug effects* ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning

CD20 is a surface marker protein of B-cell lymphoma, and its extracellular region is the target of specific antibodies and drugs. To obtain a cheap and easily modified specific preparation targeting CD20, we optimized the gene of CD20 extracellular region according to codon degeneracy to facilitate its expression in Escherichia coli. The optimized gene was cloned into pGEX-4T-1 vector, and the recombinant vector was transformed into E. coli BL21(DE3) for expression. The purified protein was identified by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. Systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) was employed to screen the ssDNA aptamer that specifically binds to the fusion protein, and the affinity of the aptamer to CD20 was detected by flow cytometry. Then, the cytotoxicity test was carried out to examine the inhibitory effect of the aptamer on B lymphoma cells. In this study, we established the prokaryotic expression method of CD20 and obtained the aptamer specifically binding to the extracellular region of CD20, which laid a foundation for the development of therapeutic drugs targeting CD20.
Humans ; Escherichia coli/metabolism* ; SELEX Aptamer Technique/methods* ; Aptamers, Nucleotide/genetics* ; Antigens, CD20/metabolism* ; Ligands

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of Humulus lupulus Linn.extract on ovariectomized osteoporosis rats.Methods Sixty female SD rats were randomly divided into sham surgery group,model group,positive control group(estradiol valerate,0.105 mg·kg-1),low-,medium-and high-dose(65.625,131.120,196.875 mg·kg-1)Humulus lupulus Linn.extract groups,with 10 rats in each group.Except for the sham surgery group,other groups had their ovaries removed.After surgery,rats were given drugs once daily by intragastric administration for 90 days.HE staining was used to observe the morphological changes of rat tibia.Bone morphometric parameters were measured,as well as trabecular number(Tb.N),trabecular thickness(Tb.Th),trabecular separation(Tb.Sp),and trabecular area(Tb.Ar)were calculated.Furthermore,we detected the biomechanical status of rat femur,such as maximum load,elastic modulus,and fracture strength.ELISA was used to detect the level of serum estrogen(E2),tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase(TRACP5b),osteocalcin(OC)and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase(BALP)in rats.Serum alkaline phosphatase(ALP)content was measured by using a fully automated biochemical analyzer.RT-PCR and Western Blot were used to detect mRNA and protein expression levels of OPG,RANKL,ERα,ERβ,Wnt16 and β-catenin in rat tibia.Results Compared with the sham surgery group,the tibial trabeculae of the model group was broken,the bone marrow cavity was enlarged,and osteoporotic structure was found.Tb.N,Tb.Th and Tb.Ar of tibia were significantly decreased(P＜0.05),and Tb.Sp was significantly increased(P＜0.05).The maximum load,elastic modulus and fracture strength of femur were significantly decreased(P＜0.05).Serum E2 content was significantly decreased(P＜0.05),and serum TRACP5b,OC,ALP and BALP contents were significantly increased(P＜0.05).The mRNA and protein expressions of OPG,OPG/RANKL,ERα,ERβ,β-catenin and Wnt16 were significantly decreased(P＜0.05),while the mRNA and protein expressions of RANKL were significantly increased(P＜0.05).Compared with model group,positive control group and high-dose Humulus lupulus Linn.extract group had improved the above indexes(P＜0.05).Conclusion Humulus lupulus Linn.extract has a certain preventive and therapeutic effect on postmenopausal osteoporosis,and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and the regulation of OPG/RANK/RANKL signaling pathway.

Objective:To explore the safety and effectiveness of laparoscopic local pancreatectomy in the treatment of cystic neoplasms of pancreatic head.Methods:Retrospective analysis was conducted of data on patients with pancreatic head cystic neoplasms who received laparoscopic surgery at the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from February 2017 to October 2022. A total of 83 patients were enrolled, including 30 males and 53 females, aged (43.7±16.7) years old. All patients were divided into an observation group ( n=55) and a control group ( n=28) based on different surgical procedures. The observation group underwent laparoscopic local pancreatectomy (laparoscopic duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection or laparoscopic enucleation), while the control group underwent laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD). The age, gender, body mass index, postoperative hospital stay, proportion of discharged patients with drainage tubes, surgical time, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative blood transfusion rate, and fistula were compared between two groups. Results:All patients successfully completed the surgery, and there were no cases of conversion to laparotomy or perioperative deaths. There was no statistically significant difference in age, male proportion, body mass index, postoperative hospital stay, and discharge rate with drainage tube between the two groups of patients (all P>0.05). The observation group had a surgical time of (194.4±114.0) min, intraoperative bleeding of 50 (50, 200) ml, and intraoperative blood transfusion rate of 5.5%(3/55), all of which were better than that of the control group, (380.0±71.6) min, 200 (100, 400) ml, and 32.1%(9/28), with statistical significance (all P<0.05). Among them, the B/C fistula rates in the laparoscopic local pancreatectomy group and LPD group were 12.7%(7/55) and 10.7%(3/28) ( P=0.790), respectively. Conclusion:Compared with traditional LPD, laparoscopic local pancreatectomy can shorten surgical time, reduce intraoperative bleeding, and lower intraoperative blood transfusion rate. And there is no significant disadvantage in the B or C grade fistula.

Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness with a significant disease burden.The interaction between oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory factors promotes chronic neuroinflammation and immune damage,leads to dysregulation of dopaminergic and glutamatergic pathways and occurrence of psychotic symptoms and is believed to be closely related to the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.In this paper,we aim to identify biomarkers within the tryptophan kynurenine metabolic pathway,the WNT/β-Catenin pathway and the NF-κB pathway,and dopamine metabolism.These pathways have been extensively studied and are known to be involved in the interac-tion between inflammation and oxidative stress.We will also explore the potential application of related antioxidants in the diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia,summarizing their current research progress.

Based on the management by objectives and developmental performance appraisal,Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital explored the performance appraisal scheme for attending,including disease-specific complexity,disease-specific difficulty,clinical risk-taking and comprehensive quality.Assessment and feedback work was imple-mented by the medical management department,which format a set of independent budget of the physician perfor-mance assessment system.It introduced incentive measures to encourage attending to treat difficult and critical cases,provided high quality medical services,and eventually enhance hospital management effectiveness to attending.

Based on the management by objectives and developmental performance appraisal,Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital explored the performance appraisal scheme for attending,including disease-specific complexity,disease-specific difficulty,clinical risk-taking and comprehensive quality.Assessment and feedback work was imple-mented by the medical management department,which format a set of independent budget of the physician perfor-mance assessment system.It introduced incentive measures to encourage attending to treat difficult and critical cases,provided high quality medical services,and eventually enhance hospital management effectiveness to attending.