Objective:ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) is an integral membrane protein that plays a key role in cellular lipid metabolism,preventing the accumulation of lipids that contribute to the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis.Tiaozhi Tongmai Granules are a Chinese herbal compound that is capable of treating atherosclerosis.This study was de-signed to explore the potential pharmacological mechanism by which Tiaozhi Tongmai Gran-ules protect against atherosclerosis.Methods:Forty-nine male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into seven groups:normal control group,normal diet;model groups 1 and 2:balloon injury and high-fat diet for 6 or 12 weeks;statin groups 1 and 2:balloon injury and high-fat diet plus atorvastatin for 6 or 12 weeks;and Chinese herb groups 1 and 2:balloon injury and high-fat diet plus Tiaozhi Tongmai Granules for 6 or12 weeks.The granules were administered at a dose of 1.14 g/kg/d,with atorvastatin(1.14 mg/kg/d) serving as positive control.Serum lipid profiles and liver function indices were measured.Atherogenesis was viewed after H&rE staining and quantified by thickened intimal area percentage and maximal intimal thickness percentage.The ABCA1 protein expression in athero-sclerotic plaque macrophages of the common carotid arteries (CCA),thoracic aortae (TA),and liver tissues were observed by immunohistochemical staining and evaluated using mean optical density (OD) value in macrophages and ABCA1-positive hepatocyte number.Results:Compared with model group 1 at week 6,Chinese herb group 1 and statin group 1 dis-played significant reductions in total cholesterol (TC) (P =0.027,0.012) and low-density lipopro-tein cholesterol (LDL-C) (P =0.039,0.028) levels,as well as marked increases in ABCA1-positive hepatocyte numbers (Pall ＜0.001),and only statin group 1 displayed a markedly reduced maximal intimal thickness percentage in the CCA (P =0.018).Compared with model group 2 at week 12,Chinese herb group 2 and statin group 2 all presented significant reductions in TC (P =0.011,0.003),LDL-C (P =0.017,0.010) and thickened intimal area percentage in the CCA (P =0.001,0.022),as well as prominent increases in the ABCA1OD value of both the CCA (P =0.001,0.039) and TA (P =0.001,0.025) and positive hepatocyte number (P all ＜0.001).Chinese herb group 2 had a markedly reduced maximal intimal thickness percentage compared with model group 2 (P =0.006) and a higher positive hepatocytes number than statin group 2 (P =0.001).Conclusions:Tiaozhi Tongmai Granules appear to have an anti-atherogenic effect that is most likely mediated by simultaneously upregulating the protein expression of ABCA1 in rabbit athero-sclerotic plaque macrophages and in the liver.

Objective: To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of varicella outbreaks in primary and middle schools, and to establish a risk predictive model, so as to provide scientific guidance for the prevention of varicella outbreaks in schools. Methods: Based on a nested case-control study, primary and middle schools in 4 districts of Shanghai (Yangpu District and Jingan District) and Hangzhou (Xiaoshan District and Linping District) from January to December 2023 were selected to observe the status of varicella outbreaks. Associated factors of varicella outbreaks were investigated and used for establishing the predictive model, which was evaluated by the Hosmer-Lemeshow(H-L) goodness of fit test, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, Calibration curve, decision curve analysis (DCA). Results: A total of 98 varicella outbreaks were included, with 195 schools without varicella outbreaks during the same period as controls. Eight factors, including the availability of warm water in restroom, availability of hand soap in restroom, average class size, duration of student attendance at school per day, presence of a fulltime school doctor, hesitancy of the school principal towards varicella vaccination, and rates of first and second doses of varicella vaccination, were identified as potential factors for school varicella outbreaks, with statistically significant differences (χ2/Z=10.01, 20.49, 17.43, 9.74, 32.17, 6.60, 2.20, 3.39, P<0.05). The 8 variables above were employed to construct a risk predictive model, and Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit test yielded a χ2 value of 5.863 (P>0.05); the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.846 (95%CI=0.799-0.893); Calibration curve analysis indicated good consistency between predicted and actual values of the model. DCA demonstrated favorable predictive performance of the model over a wide range. Conclusions The predictive model for school varicella outbreaks demonstrates satisfactory accuracy and efficacy. It suggested to make good use of this prediction model and take relevant measures to reduce the risk of varicella transmission in schools.

Background and objective The purpose of this study was to explore the status of prevention and nursing on venous thromboembolism (VTE) among perioperative patients with lung cancer in Chinese hospital. Methods A self-designed questionnaire was used to investigate 108 head nurses from tertiary hospitals during the first West China Forum on Chest Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS). Results (1) Current status of assessment tools and prevention guidelines: 97.22% of the hospitals have carried out VTE risk assessments for surgical patients with lung cancer, 67.59% of the hospitals have established the nursing prevention specifications of VTE. (2) Current status of screening, precaution and follow-up: 56.48% of the hospitals have taken different approach to screen VTE for lung cancer patients in pre-operative period. 90.74% of the hospitals and 52.78% of the hospitals had VTE prophylaxis for hospitalized and discharged patients, but only 17.59% of hospitals were followed up on the incidence of VTE for discharged patients. (3) There was no statistically significant difference in VTE prevention between different type hospitals (P>0.05). But, all patients in the specialist hospital have been fully implemented on VTE risk assessment and VTE prevention (100.00%). Conclusion The clinical staff have already realized the importance of VTE prevention, and the VTE prevention in perioperative patients with lung cancer has received extensive attention. But there is still lack of effective risk assessment tools and standardized guidelines of VTE prevention.

Objective: To observe the material basis and mechanism of action of Kai-Xin-San (KXS) in regulating antidepression of neurotrophic factors. Methods: KXS eluted by ethanol on macroporous resin was prepared. The antidepressive effect of different components was compared by tailing suspension test and forced swimming test of mice. The levels of nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in hippocampus were determined by ELISA. The rat astrocyte glioma C6 cell line and the rat adrenal pheochromocytoma PC12 cell line were used to evaluate the effects of different ethanol elution sites on the expression of NGF and BDNF and the differentiation of PC12 cells.Results: All of the ethanol elution components from KXS exerted anti-depressive effects by shorting the immobile time of tailing suspension and forced swimming of mice and 70％ ethanol elution components exerted best efficacy. This site also could increase expressions of NGF and BDNF on C6 glioma cell line. The 10％ ethanol elution site had the strongest ability to promote PC12 cell differentiation. Ginsenosides were the main effectuve ingredients for promoting the expression of neurotrophic factors. Conclusion: Regulation of neurotrophic factors might be the prominent action mechanism of KXS exerting anti-depressive effects.

Objective: More than 75% of ovarian cancer patients are diagnosed at advanced stages and die of tumor cell metastasis. This study aimed to identify new epigenetic and transcriptomic alterations associated with ovarian cancer metastasis. Methods: Two cell sublines with low- and high-metastasis potentials were derived from the ovarian cancer cell line A2780. Genome-wide DNA methylome and transcriptome profiling were carried out in these two sublines by Reduced Representation Bisulfite Sequencing and RNA-seq technologies. Cell-based assays were conducted to support the clinical findings. Results: There are distinct DNA methylation and gene expression patterns between the two cell sublines with low- and high-metastasis potentials. Integrated analysis identified 33 methylation-induced genes potentially involved in ovarian cancer metastasis. The DNA methylation patterns of two of them (i.e., SFRP1 and LIPG) were further validated in human specimens, indicating that they were hypermethylated and downregulated in peritoneal metastatic ovarian carcinoma compared to primary ovarian carcinoma. Patients with lower SFRP1 and LIPG expression tend to have a worse prognosis. Functionally, knockdown of SFRP1 and LIPG promoted cell growth and migration, whereas their overexpression resulted in the opposite effects. In particular, knockdown of SFRP1 could phosphorylate GSK3β and increase β-catenin expression, leading to deregulated activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Conclusion Many systemic and important epigenetic and transcriptomic alterations occur in the progression of ovarian cancer. In particular, epigenetic silencing of SFRP1 and LIPG is a potential driver event in ovarian cancer metastasis. They can be used as prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for ovarian cancer patients.

Objective To investigate the myocardial expressions of protein kinase B (Akt)/ mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway and effective mechanism of Yiqi Huoxue Fang depending on model of myocardial ischemia.Methods The model of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) was established through ligation of left coronary anterior descending branch in SD rats, and randomly divided into model group, perindopril group, Qishen Yiqi Gutta Pills group, Yiqi Huoxue Fang group and sham-operation group, and all groups were given orally corresponding medications respectively 2 d after operation.The observation time points were set on the 7th d and 28th d.The changes of heart function and structure were detected by using ultrasonic testing, changes of myocardial pathomorphology were observed after HE staining, and expressions of Akt, mTOR, p-Akt and p-mTOR in infarction marginal zone were detected by using Western blot test, real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry technique in all groups.Results The level of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular fraction shortening (LVFS) decreased significantly in model group compared with sham-operation group on the 7th d and 28th d (P<0.01).The level of left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) increased significantly on the 7th d (P<0.01), and levels of LVESV and left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) increased significantly (P<0.01) on the 28th d in model group.The levels of LVEF and LVFS increased and levels of LVEDV and LVESV decreased significantly in all medicated groups compared with model group (P<0.01).The thinner ventricular wall, less cardiomyocytes, disorder myocardial cells arrangement and inflammatory cell infiltration were observed in infarction marginal zone in model group, and disorder myocardial cells arrangement and less cardiomyocytes were observed in all medicated groups.The ratio of p-Akt/Akt and p-mTOR/mTOR increased (P<0.05), expressions of Akt m-RNA and mTOR m-RNA increased significantly (P<0.01), and levels of p-Akt and p-mTOR positive cell rates increased significantly (P<0.01) in model group.The ratio of p-Akt/Akt and p-mTOR/mTOR increased (P<0.05), expressions of Akt m-RNA and mTOR m-RNA increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and levels of p-Akt and p-mTOR positive cell rates increased significantly (P<0.05) in all medicated groups.Conclusion Yiqi Huoxue Fang can improve heart function and protect myocardial cells through activating cardiac self-protective mechanism-Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in rats with myocardial infarction.

Objective:To understand the correlation between urinary iodine, salt iodine and thyroid nodules in children aged 8 - 10 years and pregnant women in different regions of Fujian Province, and to explore the influencing factors of thyroid diseases.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted in Dongshan County and Pingtan County of Fujian Province from September to November 2019. According to the inclusion criteria, 140 pregnant women and 270 children aged 8 - 10 years were selected in Dongshan County, and 189 pregnant women and 368 children aged 8 - 10 years were selected in Pingtan County. Random urine and edible salt samples were collected to determine iodine content, and iodine nutrition was evaluated in each population. Thyroid was examined by B ultrasound and questionnaire survey of thyroid diseases was carried out. The correlation between urinary iodine, salt iodine and thyroid nodules in children aged 8 - 10 years and pregnant women in different regions was analyzed.Results:There were statistically significant differences in the median urinary iodine among children in different genders (male: 151.30 μg/L, female: 130.30 μg/L) and regions (Dongshan County: 160.30 μg/L, Pingtan County: 129.70 μg/L, P < 0.05); there was no significant difference in the median urinary iodine among children of different ages (8, 9, 10 years old: 141.60, 128.05, 150.30 μg/L, P > 0.05). The median urinary iodine among pregnant women was 119.30 μg/L, and there was no significant difference in median urinary iodine among pregnant women in different stages and regions ( P > 0.05). The medians of salt iodine from children and pregnant women were 20.30 and 23.65 mg/kg, respectively. Urinary iodine in children was positively correlated with salt iodine ( r = 0.13, P < 0.05). However, there was no correlation between urinary iodine and salt iodine in pregnant women ( P > 0.05). The detection rate of thyroid nodules in children was 21.79% (139/638). There was significant difference in the detection rate of thyroid nodules in children of different ages ( P < 0.05). The detection rate of thyroid nodules in pregnant women was 4.26% (14/329). There was no correlation between detection rate of thyroid nodules and urinary iodine or salt iodine in children and pregnant women ( P > 0.05). Thyroid volume of children in the two counties was within the normal range, and there was no correlation between thyroid volume and urinary iodine or salt iodine ( P > 0.05). Conclusions:The iodine nutrition of children in Dongshan County and Pingtan County is suitable (100 - 199 μg/L), while iodine deficiency (< 150 μg/L) exists in pregnant women. Urinary iodine in children is related to salt iodine, and urinary iodine increased with increase of salt iodine. The prevalence of thyroid nodules in children of different ages is different, which requires further study. The detection rate of thyroid nodules in children and pregnant women is not correlated with urinary iodine and salt iodine.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of Qishen Yizhi formula on improving learning and memory ability in D-galactose subcutaneous injection induced subacute aging mice.METHODS Subacute aging mice model mice were developed by D-galactose subcutaneous injection and then treated with positive drug donepezil(2 mg·kg-1·d-1)and Qishen Yizhi formula water extracts in low(1.33 g·kg-1·d-1)and high dose group(2.67 g·kg-1·d-1).The learning and memory abilities of mice were evaluated using Morris water maze and Y maze tests;HE staining was used to examine hippocampal damage in model mice;TUNEL was used to detect apoptosis of mouse hippocampal tissue;ELISA was used to detect the expression levels of oxidative stress factors and inflammatory fac-tors in the mouse hippocampus tissue;Western blot was used to detect the expression of signaling pathway proteins related to apoptosis,oxidative stress and inflammatory stress in the hippocampus of mice.RESULTS The water extract of Qishen Yizhi formula signifi-cantly shortened the latency and distance of model mice for reaching the platform in the water maze test(P<0.01),and significantly increased the number of crossing the platform(P<0.01);increased the exploration time and number of the Y maze new arm in model mice(P<0.05);inhibited the TUNEL fluorescence expression in the hippocampus of model mice(P<0.01);upregulated the activity of the oxidative stress factor superoxide dismutase(SOD)(P<0.05)and glutathione(GSH)content(P<0.05),and downregulated malondialdehyde(MDA)content(P<0.05);reduced interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor(TNF-α)expression levels(P<0.05,P<0.01);decreased the expression of apoptosis signaling pathway proteins Cleaved Caspase-3 and Caspase-3(P<0.05),upregulated the expression of oxidative stress signaling pathway proteins Nrf2 and HO-1(P<0.05),and downregulated the expression of inflammatory stress signaling pathway proteins p-NF-κB and NF-κB(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Qishen Yizhi for-mula can improve the learning and memory ability of subacute aging model mice injected with D-galactose,which may be related to its inhibitory effect on hippocampal oxidative stress and inflammatory stress.

Objective To explore the anti-depression mechanism of Kai-Xin-San(KXS)via regulation of neurogenesis in hippocampus of depression-like mice.Methods The extracts of KXS were prepared and the anti-depression effects of KXS were evaluated by behavioral tests on chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS)induced depression-like mice.Evaluating depression-like behavior in CUMS mice through sucrose preference test,forced swimming test,tail suspension test,and other methods.Neurogenesis in hippocampus were determined by immunofluorescence assay.In addition,effects of KXS on regulating nestin expression and Wnt/b-catenin signaling pathway were explored by western blotting analysis.Amounts of cortisol,corticotropin-releasing factor(CRF),adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH),brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)and nerve growth factor(NGF)were determined by ELISA tests.Mouse primary neural stem cells(NSC)was used to evaluate the effect of KXS on promoting its proliferation by immunofluorescence assay.In addition,effects of KXS on regulating nestin and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway were also explored by Western blotting analysis.Results KXS significantly ameliorated the depression-like behaviors in presence of increased sucrose preference rate and decreased immobile time of tail suspension and forced swimming.KXS significantly promoted the neurogenesis in the hippocampus and expressions of nestin,reduced the expressions of cortisol,CRF,ACTH,increased the expressions of BDNF,NGF,and regulated Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.KXS also promoted the proliferation of NSCs and expressions of nestin,enhanced the translocation of b-catenin into nucleus,and regulated the expressions of proteins of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.Conclusion KXS promoted neurogenesis in hippocampus and regulated Wnt/β-catenin pathway,which might contribute to its antidepressant effect.

Objective Evaluation of the effect and mechanism research of Qi-Shen-Yi-Zhi formula on improving learning and memory ability in mice injected with Aβ1-42 in hippocampus.Methods Alzheimer's disease model mice were constructed by injecting β amyloid peptide 1-42 into hippocampus and treated with water extracts of Qi-Shen-Yi-Zhi formula.The cognitive abilities of mice were assessed using Morris water maze and Y maze tests,which measure learning and memory capabilities.HE staining was used to observe the damage and TUNEL method was used to determine apoptosis of hippocampus.Detection of the expression of oxidative factors,inflammatory factors,and related antioxidant proteins and apoptotic proteins in the hippocampal tissue of a mouse model of dementia.Results Both high-dose and low-dose groups of Qi-Shen-Yi-Zhi formula significantly improved cognitive dysfunction in mice injected with Aβ1-42 in hippocampus,and attenuated the damage and apoptosis of the hippocampus.It also inhibited oxidative stress and downregulated the expressions of inflammatory factors IL-6,IL-1β and TNF-a,increased the expression of antioxidant proteins Nrf2 and HO-1,and regulated the expressions of apoptotic proteins Caspase-9,Caspase-3,Bax and Bcl-2.Conclusion Qi-Shen-Yi-Zhi formula improves the learning and memory abilities of mice injected with Aβ1-42 in hippocampus,which might be related to the attenuation of oxidative stress and neuronal inflammation of hippocampus.