OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect and mechanism of Jingangteng capsules in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD）. METHODS Thirty-two SD rats were randomly divided into normal group and modeling group. The modeling group was fed a high-fat diet to establish a NAFLD model. The successfully modeled rats were then randomly divided into model group， atorvastatin group[positive control， 2 mg/（kg·d）]， and Jingangteng capsules low- and high-dose groups [0.63 and 2.52 mg/（kg·d）]， with 6 rats in each group. The pathological changes of the liver were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining and oil red O staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to determine the serum levels of triglycerides （TG）， total cholesterol （TC）， high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， alanine transaminase （ALT）， aspartate transaminase （AST）， tumour necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， IL-6， IL-18. 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing and metabolomics techniques were applied to explore the effects of Jingangteng capsules on gut microbiota and metabolisms in NAFLD rats. Based on the E-mail：591146765@qq.com metabolomics results， Western blot analysis was performed to detect proteins related to the nuclear factor kappa-B （NF-κB）/NOD-like receptor family protein 3 （NLRP3） signaling pathway in the livers of NAFLD rats. RESULTS The experimental results showed that Jingangteng capsules could significantly reduce the serum levels of TG， TC， LDL-C， AST， ALT， TNF-α， IL-1β， IL-6， IL-18， while increased the level of HDL-C， and alleviated the hepatic cellular steatosis and inflammatory infiltration in NAFLD rats. They could regulate the gut microbiota disorders in NAFLD rats， significantly increased the relative abundance of Romboutsia and Oscillospira， and significantly decreased the relative abundance of Blautia （P＜0.05）. They also regulated metabolic disorders primarily by affecting secondary bile acid biosynthesis， fatty acid degradation， O-antigen nucleotide sugar biosynthesis， etc. Results of Western blot assay showed that they significantly reduced the phosphorylation levels of NF-κB p65 and NF-κB inhibitor α， and the protein expression levels of NLRP3， caspase-1 and ASC （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS Jingangteng capsules could improve inflammation， lipid accumulation and liver injury in NAFLD rats， regulate the disorders of gut microbiota and metabolisms， and inhibit NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway. Their therapeutic effects against NAFLD are mediated through the inhibition of the NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway.

Objective To identify the independent predictors of programmed death-1 (PD-1) inhibitor-related endocrine adverse events and construct a clinically usable risk prediction model. Methods A total of 302 patients with solid tumors treated with PD-1 inhibitors were retrospectively enrolled. According to the presence or absence of endocrine immune-related adverse events (irAEs), the patients were divided into case group and control group. The clinical and laboratory indexes were compared between the two groups. Multivariable logistic regression was used to confirm independent predictors of endocrine irAEs. The nomogram was constructed, while the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to test the prediction performance of the model. Results The overall incidence of endocrine irAEs was 21.9% (66/302), and the incidence of hypothyroidism was 19.5% (59/302). The age, PD-1 inhibitors, free thyroxine, thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb), thyroglobulin, amylase, lymphocyte subset CD3 expression were statistically different between the two groups (P＜0.05). Multivariable logistic regression showed that higher expression of lymphocyte subset CD3 was a protective factor to prevent endocrine irAEs occurrence (P＝0.004), while age＜60 years, higher TPOAb and use of pembrolizumab were independent risk factors of endocrine irAEs (P＜0.05). The nomogram model thus constructed, and when the threshold probability of the model exceeded 0.1, its net benefit was higher. ROC curve showed that the AUC of the model to predict endocrine irAEs was 0.760. The prediction result of the model was highly consistent with the actual result. Conclusions The age, type of PD-1 inhibitor, baseline TPOAb level, and baseline CD3 expression can independently predict endocrine irAEs occurrence or not. The nomogram model based on this model has good predictive efficiency, which can provide reference for early identification of high-risk patients and immunotherapy management.

Objective To observe the effects of different frequencies of electroacupuncture on the degree of atrophy of quadriceps femoris in rabbits with anterior cruciate ligament(ACL)injury model;To explore the possible mechanisms of electroacupuncture in treating ACL injury.Methods Totally 24 New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into blank group,model group,low-frequency electroacupuncture group and high-frequency electroacupuncture group,with 6 rabbits in each group.Except for the blank group,ACL injury models were established in the other groups.On the 7th day after modeling,the low-frequency electroacupuncture group and the high-frequency electroacupuncture group performed electroacupuncture treatment(continuous wave,frequency of 2 Hz and 100 Hz respectively,and left the needle in place for 20 min)at"Xuehai"and"Liangqiu"of the operation side,and the remaining groups were only grasped and immobilized,for 21 days.The mass ratio of the quadriceps femoris was calculated,the histopathological morphology of the quadriceps femoris tissue of the rabbits in each group was observed by HE staining,the expressions of NO,iNOS in quadriceps femoris tissue were detected by ELISA,the content of ROS in quadriceps femoris tissue was detected by fluorescent probe,the protein expressions of PERK,ATF6,IRE1,MuRF1,MAFbx in quadriceps femoris tissue were detected by Western blot.Results Compared with the blank group,the quadriceps femoris muscle mass ratio of the model group rabbits was significantly reduced(P<0.01),with irregular arrangement of muscle cells,accompanied by swelling and atrophy,significant interstitial edema,and extensive inflammatory infiltration,the contents of NO,iNOS and ROS in quadriceps femoris tissue significantly increased(P<0.01),while the expressions of PERK,ATF6,IRE1,MuRF1 and MAFbx proteins significantly increased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the quadriceps femoris muscle mass ratio in the low-frequency and high-frequency electroacupuncture groups significantly increased(P<0.01),with regular arrangement of muscle cells,improved swelling and atrophy of cells,and reduced interstitial edema and inflammation,the contents of NO,iNOS and ROS in quadriceps femoris tissue were significantly reduced(P<0.01),and the expressions of PERK,ATF6,IRE1,MuRF1 and MAFbx proteins significantly decreased(P<0.01).Moreover,the low-frequency electroacupuncture group had better effects than the high-frequency electroacupuncture group(P<0.05).Conclusion Different frequencies of electroacupuncture intervention in ACL injury rabbits can better delay the degree of quadriceps femoris atrophy,and its mechanism may be related to reducing the expressions of oxidative metabolites NO,iNOS,ROS,and reducing the expressions of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins PERK,ATF6,IRE1 in quadriceps fermoris,which in turn inhibit the expressions of quadriceps atrophy factors MuRF1,MAFbx,and delaying the degradation of quadriceps muscle proteins.The effect of low-frequency electroacupuncture is superior to the high-frequency electroacupuncture.

Objective To analyze and summarize the acupoint selection law of acupuncture and moxibustion for the treatment of temporomandibular joint dysfunction syndrome(TMD)using data mining technology.Methods Clinical literature about acupuncture and moxibustion for the treatment of TMD was retrieved from CNKI,Wanfang Data,VIP,CBM,PubMed,Web of Science,Embase and Cochrane Library from the establishment of the databases to March 1,2024.Excel 2021 was used to establish a prescription database of acupoints.SPSS Modeler 18.0 and SPSS Statistics 27.0 were used to analyze the frequency of use of acupoints,meridians,locations,specific acupoints,and the analysis of association rules,factor analysis,and clustering analysis.Results A total of 480 articles and 480 prescriptions were included in the study,containing 90 acupoints,with a total frequency of 2 290 times.The high-frequency acupoints were Xiaguan,Hegu,Jiache,Tinggong and Ashi point;the commonly used meridians were the stomach meridian,large intestine meridian,small intestine meridian,bile meridian,and triple-energizer meridian;the most frequently chosen acupoints were the Jiaohui acupoints,Yuan acupoints and Wushu acupoints;and mostly involved acupoints were located at the head and neck area,the upper limb area and the lower limb area.The association analysis showed that the top five combinations were"Xiaguan-Hegu","Xiaguan-Jiache","Xiaguan-Hegu-Jiache","Xiaguan-Tinggong","Xiaguan-Tinggong-Jiache";clustering analysis showed that five valid clusters were extracted;factor analysis extracted seven valid common factors.Conclusion The core acupoints of acupuncture and moxibustion for the treatment of TMD is Xiaguan-Hegu-Jiache-Tinggong,and mainly follows the principle of combining proximal and distal acupoints.

Objective:To investigate the value of soluble interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor (sIL-6R) level in predicting ultrafiltration insufficiency in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.Methods:It was a prospective cohort study. The patients who received continuous ambulatory PD and regular follow-up between November 2016 and July 2018 in the PD Center of Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University were enrolled. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine dialysate sIL-6R and its appearance rate (AR) was calculated. Patients were divided into high sIL-6R AR group and low sIL-6R AR group according to median value of sIL-6R AR and prospectively followed up until death, PD cessation, or the end of the study (December 31, 2022). Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the related factors of sIL-6R AR. Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were used to compare the survival rate difference of ultrafiltration insufficiency between high sIL-6R AR group and low sIL-6R AR group. Multivariate Cox regression and multivariate competing risk models were used to assess the risk factors associated with occurrence of ultrafiltration insufficiency.Results:A total of 198 PD patients were enrolled, including 115 (58.1%) males, with age of (54.9±13.7) years old and PD duration of 22.5 (6.6, 65.0) months. The sIL-6R AR of the cohort was 2 094.7 (1 672.4, 2 920.9) pg/min. Compared with low sIL-6R AR（<2 094.7 pg/min）group, high sIL-6R AR（>2 094.7 pg/min）group had older age ( t=-3.269, P=0.001), higher body mass index ( t=-3.248, P=0.001), proportion of combined diabetes mellitus ( χ2=8.890, P=0.003), 24 h glucose exposure ( Z=-2.257, P=0.024), 24 h ultrafiltration capacity ( Z=-2.515, P=0.012), 4 h dialysate creatinine to serum creatinine ratio ( t=-2.609, P=0.010), mass transfer area coefficient of creatinine ( Z=-2.308, P=0.021), IL-6 AR ( Z=-3.533, P<0.001) and solute glycoprotein 130 AR ( Z=-8.670, P<0.001), and lower serum albumin ( t=2.595, P=0.010) and residual renal function ( t=2.133, P=0.033). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that body mass index ( β=0.194, P=0.005), serum albumin ( β=-0.215, P=0.002) and dialysate lg[IL-6 AR] ( β=0.197, P=0.011) were independently correlated with sIL-6R AR. By the end of the study, 57 (28.8%) patients developed ultrafiltration insufficiency. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that high sIL-6R AR group had a significantly inferior ultrafiltration insufficiency-free survival rate than that in low sIL-6R AR group (log-rank χ 2=5.375, P=0.020). Multivariate Cox regression analysis and multivariate competing risk models showed that high dialysate sIL-6R AR (>2 094.7 pg/min) was an independent influencing factor of ultrafiltration insufficiency ( HR=2.286 , 95% CI 1.254-4.165 , P=0.007 ; SHR=2.074, 95% CI 1.124-3.828, P=0.020) in PD patients. Conclusions:Dialysate sIL-6R level was associated with body mass index, serum albumin and dialysate IL-6 level. Dialysate sIL-6R may be a predictive factor of ultrafiltration insufficiency in PD patients.

Objective:To evaluate auditory spatial discrimination capabilities in patients with mild to moderately severe symmetrical sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and to compare the impact of different psychophysical testing methods on Minimum Audible Angle (MAA) and test duration.Methods:A total of 105 symmetrical SNHL patients aged from 18 to 60 years old were enrolled from April to July 2023, including 56 males and 49 females. They were divided into three groups based on PTA: mild, moderate, and moderately severe hearing loss, with 35 individuals in each group. Additionally, a control group of 35 individuals with normal hearing was tested, including 18 males and 17 females. Participants underwent four distinct psychophysical discrimination tests: the block up-down, 1-up/1-down, 1-up/2-down, and 1-up/3-down procedures. We recorded the MAA and test duration for each. We employed repeated measures of ANOVA to compare the MAA and test duration across different methods and groups, and Pearson′s correlation to assess the relationship between MAA and degree of hearing loss.Results:MAA of sound localization in patients with symmetrical SNHL was significantly positively correlated with the degree of hearing loss ( r=0.59, P<0.01). Significant deterioration in MAA was observed as hearing loss progressed to the moderate level (PTA≥35 dBHL, P<0.01). The testing methods significantly influenced MAA and testing duration ( F=24.02, P<0.01; F=75.56, P<0.01) and the 1-up/1-down method was the quickest, averaging only (0.69±0.32) mins. Conclusions:The horizontal plane auditory spatial discrimination abilities in patients with symmetrical SNHL is impaired progressively with increasing hearing loss, notably beyond moderate hearing loss levels. Different psychophysical methods influence both MAA and test duration, the quicker 1-up/1-down method is recommended for assessing MAA in symmetrical SNHL patients.

Objective:To explore the radiological damage to cells induced by the delayed particles of 9C-ions for heavy ion therapy, as well as the microdosimetric distribution and biological effects of these particles on a single model of V79 Chinese hamster lung cells. Methods:The Monte Carlo program was employed to simulate the endonuclear absorbed doses of α particles with various energies (3-10 MeV) transported in cells (cell radius RC = 10 μm, nucleus radius RN = 5 μm). Then, the result were compared with the S values ( SN←N, SN←Cy, and SN←CS) derived using the medical internal radiation dose (MIRD) method to demonstrate the feasibility of Monte Carlo simulations. Finally, the energy deposition of the delayed particles of 9C-ions generated at three sites (i.e., on the surface and in the cytoplasm and nucleus of the V79 cell model) during their transport in targets was simulated, and the result ing cell surviving fraction was analyzed. Results:Monte Carlo and MIRD method yielded differences in S values of 1.91%-4.95% for SN←N (nucleus to nucleus), 1.48%-5.11% for SN←Cy (cytoplasm to nucleus), and -1.99% to 0.80% for SN←CS(surface to nucleus), indicating highly consistent S values derived using both method(differences < 6%). When a 9C-ion decayed on the surface of the V79 cell model and the produced secondary particles entered the cell, the average endonuclear absorbed dose was 10 -2 Gy orders of magnitude, with a cell surviving fraction of about 88%. In the case where decay occurred in the cytoplasm, the cell surviving fraction was about 80%. However, when the 9C ion decayed in the nucleus, α particles had short ranges and deposited most of their energy in the cell (mean endonuclear absorbed dose: 0.1 Gy). In this case, severe cell damage was induced, with the cell surviving fraction reducing to about 53%. Conclusions:9C-ions emit secondary charged particles due to decay, among which α particles cause great damage to cells when entering the nucleus and trigger evident biological effects.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Buyang Huanwutang （BYWHT） on reducing inflammatory injury and improving neurological function after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in rats via activating the adiponectin （APN） pathway. MethodMale SD rats were randomized into sham， model， BYHWT （16 g·kg^-1， twice a day）， and BYHWT + APN inhibitor （GW9662） groups. In the sham group， blood vessels were isolated. The rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion （MCAO） was established. The rats in the BYHWT+GW9662 group was treated with subcutaneous injection of GW9662 at 4 m·kg^-1 30 min before MCAO surgery and BYHWT at 16 g·kg^-1 by gavage after MCAO surgery， once in the morning and once in the evening. The immunofluorescence （IF） assay was employed to observe the expression of adiponectin receptor 1 （AdipoR1） and the colocalization of AdipoR1 with neuronal nuclei （NeuN） and ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 （Iba1） in the brain. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was employed to detect the expression of APN in the serum and brain. The balance beam test was carried out to examine the balance ability， and the grasping test to assess the recovery of limb strength. The immunofluorescence assay was used to detect the expression of myeloperoxidase （MPO）. Western blot was employed to determine the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha （TNF-α）， interleukin （IL）-1β， IL-6， and IL-10 and in the brain. ResultCompared with the sham group， the modeling promoted the expression of AdipoR1 （P<0.01）， lowered the APN levels in the serum and brain （P<0.05， P<0.01）， increased the score in the balance beam test （P<0.01）， and decreased the grasping strength of forepaw （P<0.01）， which were accompanied with increased MPO， TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-6 levels （P<0.01） and decreased IL-10 level （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， BYHWT promoted the expression of AdipoR1 （P<0.01）， elevated APN levels in the serum and brain （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and increased the grasping strength of forepaw （P<0.01）， which were accompanied with lowered MPO， TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-6 levels （P<0.01） and elevated IL-10 level （P<0.01）. All the above effects were partially blocked by GW9662. ConclusionBYHWT can reduce inflammatory injury and improve neurological function in the rat model of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion by activating the APN pathway.

Objective:To clarify peripheral Th17 level in SSc patients and its correlation with disease.Methods:Chinese databases CNKI, CBM, Wanfang and VIP, and English databases PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and Science Direct were searched to collect a case-control study on the content of Th17 cells in peripheral blood of patients with SSc. The papers published when the database was first developed in 25 February 2021. Meta-analysis was conducted using Stata 12.0 software, and I2 and Egger tests were used to evaluate the heterogeneity and publication bias between studies. Results:A total of 26 case-controls were included in the study, including 1 160 patients with SSc and 778 healthy controls. Overall, the percentage of Th17 cells in SSc patients was higher than in healthy controls [SMD(95% CI)=1.85 (1.33, 2.38), P<0.001], which was most significant in IL-17 +Th17 concentration [SMD(95% CI)=1.88 (1.28, 2.48), P<0.001]. As for disease activity, the proportion of Th17 cells in active SSc patients was much higher than those of patients in remission [SMD(95% CI)=1.92 (1.12, 2.71), P<0.001]. SSc patients had a reduced Th17 level after receiving DMARDs treatment [SMD(95% CI)=-0.74 (-1.05, -0.42), P=0.029]. Conclusion:The number of Th17 cells increase significantly in the peripheral blood of patients with SSc, and is related to disease activity. DMARDs can be used to treat this disease by downregulating Th17 levels.

Objective : To study the damage effect of sunlight ultraviolet exposure on skin. Methods : No exposure group, low exposure group and high exposure group were set up with 10 mice in each. The exposure doses of sunlight ultraviolet were 0, 10 J/cm2 and 20 J/cm2, respectively. The skin of mice was irradiated by a sunlight ultraviolet simulator for 5 days a week, 13 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the skin appearance of mice was examined; the skin moisture, oil content, texture density, hydroxyproline ( HYP ), hyaluronic acid (HA), malondialdehyde ( MDA ), glutathione ( GSH ) and superoxide dismutase ( SOD ) activities were detected; and the skin tissue morphology, collagen fiber morphology and elastic fiber morphology were observed. Results : The skin appearance of mice in the no exposure group was normal; in the low exposure group, only one mouse had mild skin desquamation; in the high exposure group, the skin was loose and wrinkled, dry and desquamated, local thickening and erythema formation. Compared with the no exposure group, the contents of skin moisture, HYP, HA and SOD activity were lower, texture density, MDA content, morphological scores of skin tissue, collagen fiber tissue and elastic fiber tissue were higher in the high exposure group ( all P<0.05 ). Compared with the low exposure group, the HA content and SOD activity were lower, the skin texture density, MDA content, and histomorphological scores of skin tissue and collagen fibers were higher in the high exposure group ( all P<0.05 ). Conclusion Exposure to 20 J/cm2 sunlight ultraviolet can significantly lead to abnormal skin appearance and function in mice.