ObjectiveTo investigate the anti-Alzheimer's disease （AD） effect of Dipsacus asper（DA） in the Caenorhabditis elegans model， and decipher the underlying mechanism via the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α （PPARα）/transcription factor EB （TFEB） pathway. MethodsFirst， transgenic AD C. elegans individuals were assigned into the blank control， model， positive control （WY14643， 20 µmol·L^-1）， and low-， medium-， and high-dose （100， 200， and 400 mg·L^-1， respectively） DA groups. The amyloid β-42 （Aβ₄₂） formation in the muscle cells， the paralysis time， and the deposition of amyloid β-protein （Aβ） in the head were detected. The lysosomal autophagy in the BV2 cell model was examined by Rluc-LC3wt/G120A. The expression levels of lysosomal autophagy-related proteins LC3Ⅱ， LC3I， LAMP2， and TFEB were detected by Western blot. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was employed to determine the mRNA levels of autophagy-related genes beclin1 and Atg5 and lysosome-related genes LAMP2 and CLN2 downstream of PPARα/TFEB. A reporter gene assay was used to detect the transcriptional activities of PPARα and TFEB. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the fluorescence intensity of PPARα， and the active components of the ethanol extract of DA were identified by UPLC-MS. RCSB PDB， Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform （TCMSP）， and Autodock were used to analyze the binding between the active components and PPARα-ligand-binding domain （LBD）. ResultsCompared with the model group， the positive control group and 200 and 400 mg·L^-1 DA groups showed prolonged paralysis time （P<0.05）， and all the treatment groups showed decreased Aβ deposition in the head （P<0.01）. DA within the concentration range of 50-500 mg·L^-1 did not affect the viability of BV2 cells. In addition， DA enhanced the autophagy flux （P<0.05）， up-regulated the mRNA levels of beclin1， Atg5， LAMP2， and CLN2 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， promoted the nuclear translocation of TFEB （P<0.05）， increased LAMP2 expression and autophagy flux （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and enhanced the transcriptional activities of PPARα and TFEB （P<0.01）. The positive control group and 200 and 400 mg·L^-1 DA groups showed enhanced fluorescence intensity of PPARα in the BV2 nucleus （P<0.01）. UPLC-MS detected nine known compounds of DA， from which 8 active components of DA were screened out. The docking results suggested that a variety of components in DA could bind to PPARα-LBD and form stable hydrogen bonds. ConclusionDA may reduce the pathological changes in AD by regulating the PPARα-TFEB pathway.

Objective To investigate the distribution and clinical characteristics of TCM syndromes in infertility patients with autoimmune thyroiditis(AIT).Methods By referring to the relevant literature on the distribution of TCM syndromes of AIT and infertility in women of childbearing age,the TCM Syndromes Survey of Infertility Patients with Autoimmune Thyroiditis was formulated.256 cases of infertility patients with AIT who underwent in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer(IVF-ET)at the Reproductive Center of The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China from June 2019 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.The data of basic information,TCM syndromes,basic thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH),thyroid peroxidase antibody(TPO-Ab)and thyroglobulin antibody(TG-Ab)were collected.By means of frequency analysis and systematic cluster analysis,the distribution regularity of TCM syndromes in infertility patients with AIT were concluded.Results After analysis,the following 5 common syndrome elements were obtained,namely,qi deficiency,liver depression,spleen deficiency,kidney deficiency and blood stasis.In addition,it was concluded that this disease was more common in complex syndromes.Through systematic clustering analysis,main TCM syndromes of this disease were obtained,which were qi deficiency and liver depression syndrome(69 cases,26.9%),spleen and kidney deficiency syndrome(45 cases,17.6%),spleen qi deficiency syndrome(38 cases,14.8%),qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome(36 cases,14.1%),kidney deficiency and liver depression syndrome(32 cases,12.5%)and other syndrome types(36 cases,14.1%).The basic TSH level was higher in patients with qi deficiency and liver depression syndrome,spleen qi deficiency syndrome,qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome than other syndrome types,with statistical significance(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in TPO-Ab and TG-Ab titers among different syndromes(P>0.05).Conclusion TCM syndromes of infertility patients with AIT can be clustered into qi deficiency and liver depression syndrome,spleen and kidney deficiency syndrome,spleen qi deficiency syndrome,qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome,kidney deficiency and liver depression syndrome and other syndrome.The main element of syndrome is qi deficiency,and the pathological sites involved spleen,kidney and liver.Stasis blood is a main pathological product.It is required to pay close attention to the thyroid function in AIT patients with qi deficiency.

Background Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] exposure can cause structural disruption of intestinal flora and functional impairment. Vitamin C (VC) is one of the essential micronutrients, which plays an important role in promoting the growth of intestinal probiotics, improving the intestinal barrier, and maintaining the homeostasis of intestinal flora. However, the regulatory effect of VC on the intestinal flora disorders caused by Cr(VI) exposure remains to be investigated. Objective To investigate the effect of VC on intestinal flora disruption in mice due to Cr(VI) exposure. Methods Thirty-two SPF-grade C57BL/6 mice were acclimatized and fed for 3 d and randomly divided into control (Con), VC, potassium dichromate [K₂Cr₂O₇, Cr(VI)], and VC+K₂Cr₂O₇ [VC+Cr(VI)] groups. At 8:00 a.m. on day 4, the Con group (double-distilled water given by gavage and injected intraperitoneally), the VC group (VC given by gavage and double-distilled water injected intraperitoneally), the Cr(VI) group (double-distilled water given by gavage and K₂Cr₂O₇ solution injected intraperitoneally), and the VC+Cr(VI) group (VC given by gavage and K₂Cr₂O₇ solution injected intraperitoneally) were treated. The dose of VC was 200 mg·kg⁻¹, and the dose of K₂Cr₂O₇ was 1.25 mg·kg⁻¹. The mice were treated for 45 consecutive days and then executed, the contents of the colon were sampled in sterile freezing tubes, and three replicates were collected from each group. After labeling, the samples were immediately put into liquid nitrogen for rapid freezing. After all the samples were collected, they were transferred to a -80 ℃ ultra-low temperature refrigerator for storage. Samples of colon contents were analyzed for intestinal flora structure by high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics software. Results The Cr(VI) exposure resulted in reduced body weight gain values in mice compared to the Con group. Pathological changes occurred in the ileal tissue of mice, with significant inflammatory cell infiltration in the Cr(VI) group and reduced inflammatory cell infiltration in the VC+Cr(VI) group. The number of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) of intestinal flora was altered in the Cr(VI) group of mice. In the α diversity analysis, the mean Sobs index in the Cr(VI) group was 240.333±67.796, the Chao index was 258.173±64.813, and the Ace index was 259.481±66.891, which were significantly lower than those in the Con group (P<0.05), the PD whole tree index in the Cr(VI) group was 27.863±2.399, which was significantly higher than that in the Con group (P<0.05), and the VC intervention significantly reversed the changes of the above indexes due to Cr(VI) exposure (P<0.05). In the β diversity analysis, the principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) results showed a significant separation between the Cr(VI) group and the Con group, and after the VC intervention, there was a retraction of the separation trend and the difference was reduced. The multi-sample similarity dendrogram results showed that the control and the VC groups clustered together first, then with the VC+Cr(VI) group, and finally with the Cr(VI) group. The abundances of Bacteroidetes, Saccharibacteria, and Tenericutes in the intestine of mice in the Cr(VI) group were decreased, and the abundance of Firmicutes was increased; the abundances of Lactobacillus, Alistipes, Bacteroides, and Ruminiclostridium were also increased. Included among these, Bacteroides showed a significantly higher abundance compared to the control mice (P<0.05). Changes in the abundances of phyla and genera of the above mentioned gut microorganisms were reversed after the VC intervention. Conclusion Cr(VI) exposure can lead to intestinal damage and disorganization of the intestinal flora structure in mice, while VC intervention can ameliorate the above changes to a certain extent and normalize the intestinal flora structure.

Background Salidroside (SAL) has a protective effect on multiple organ systems. Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) in the atmosphere may lead to disruptions in gut microbiota and impact intestinal health. The regulatory effect of SAL on the gut microbiota of mice exposed to PM_2.5 requires further investigation. Objective To evaluate gut microbiota disruption in mice after being exposed to PM_2.5 and the potential effect of SAL. Methods Forty male C57BL/6 mice, aged 6 to 8 weeks, were randomly divided into four groups: a control group, an SAL group, a PM_2.5 group, and an SAL+PM_2.5 group, each containing 10 mice. In the SAL group and the SAL+PM_2.5 group, the mice were administered SAL (60 mg·kg⁻¹) by gavage, while in the control group and the PM_2.5 group, sterile saline (10 mL·kg⁻¹) was administered by gavage. In the PM_2.5 group and the SAL+PM_2.5 group, PM_2.5 suspension (8 mg·kg⁻¹) was intratracheally instilled, and in the control group and SAL group, sterile saline (1.5 mL·kg⁻¹) was intratracheally administered. Each experiment cycle spanned 2 d, with a total of 10 cycles conducted over 20 d. Histopathological changes in the ileum tissue of the mice were observed after HE staining. Colon contents were collected for gut microbiota sequencing and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) measurements. Results The PM_2.5 group showed infiltration of inflammatory cells in the ileum tissue, while the SAL+PM_2.5 group exhibited only a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration. Compared to the control group, the PM_2.5 group showed decreased Shannon index (P<0.05) and increased Simpson index (P<0.05), indicating that the diversity of gut microbiota in this group was decreased; the SAL+PM_2.5 group showed increased Shannon index compared to the PM_2.5 group (P<0.05) and decreased Simpson index (P<0.05), indicating that the diversity of gut microbiota in mice intervened with SAL was increased. The principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) revealed a significant separation between the PM_2.5 group and the control group, while the separation trend was less evident among the control group, the SAL group, and the SAL+PM_2.5 group. The unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic means (UPGMA) clustering tree results showed that the control group and the SAL group clustered together first, followed by clustering with the SAL+PM_2.5 group, and finally, the three groups clustered with the PM_2.5 group. The PCoA and UPGMA clustering results indicated that the uniformity and similarity of the microbiota in the PM_2.5 group were significantly decreased. Compared to the control group, the PM_2.5 group showed decreased abundance of phylum Bacteroidetes and Candidatus_Saccharimonas (P<0.05) and increased abundance of phylum Proteobacteria, genus Escherichia, genus Bacteroides, genus Prevotella, genus Enterococcus, and genus Proteus (P<0.05). Compared to the PM_2.5 group, the SAL+PM_2.5 group showed decreased abundance of phylum Proteobacteria, phylum Actinobacteria, genus Prevotella, and genus Proteus (P<0.05), and increased abundance of Candidatus_Saccharimonas (P<0.05). The PM_2.5 group showed reduced levels of propionic acid, valeric acid, and hexanoic acid compared to the control group (P<0.05), while the SAL+PM_2.5 group showed increased levels of propionic acid, isobutyric acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, and hexanoic acid compared to the PM_2.5 group (P<0.05). Conclusion Exposure to PM_2.5 can cause pathological alterations, microbial dysbiosis, and disturbing production of SCFAs in intestinal tissue in mice. However, SAL can provide a certain degree of protective effect against these changes.

Objective To investigate the signal abnormality of conus medullaris in patients with overactive bladder(OAB)and un-deractive bladder(UAB)by MRI diffusion tensor imaging(DTI). Methods From May,2021 to April,2023,23 patients with lower urinary tract dysfunction without trauma and supraspi-nal lesions were enrolled(case group).All patients underwent imaging urodynamics and pelvic floor electromy-ography.Based on the bladder contraction during the filling phase of urodynamics,the patients were divided into UAB group and OAB group.Eight healthy subjects were included as the control group.All participants under-went T10 to L5 spinal segment MRI scans and DTI scans.The position of conus medullaris was determined by comparing the DTI sequences with the MRI scans.The fractional anisotropy(FA),apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC),and relative anisotropy(RA)of the conus medullaris intermediate segment were compared. Results Twelve cases were in UAB group,and eleven in OAB goup.Abnormalities were found in the pelvic floor elec-tromyography in the case group.There was significant difference in sacral reflex arc nerve conduction testing be-tween UAB and OAB groups(P = 0.036).Compared with the control group,ADC increased(t = 2.185,P = 0.037)in the case group;FA decreased(t = 3.439,P = 0.005)and ADC increased(t = 4.582,P<0.001)in UAB group. Conclusion DTI is helpful to find the potential lesion of spinal cord in patients with lower urinary tract dysfunction.FA and ADC are valuable indicators for the diagnosis of conus medullaris injury.

Objective:To explore the effect of comfort nursing intervention in hospice care for advanced cancer patients at home, and to provide reference for hospice care for advanced cancer patients at home.Methods:A randomized controlled trial was conducted. A total of 105 patients with advanced cancer who were treated in the Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Harbin Medical University from January to February 2023 were selected as the research objects. According to the random number table, they were divided into control group of 53 cases and intervention group of 52 cases. The control group received routine nursing methods, while the intervention group received comfort nursing interventions on this basis. The intervention lasted for 4 weeks. The changes in palliative care outcomes, quality of life and death anxiety were compared between the two groups before and after intervention.Results:Totally 105 cases were included, 53 cases in the control group and 52 cases in the intervention group. In the control group, there were 25 males, 28 females, aged (58.96 ± 10.71) years old; in the intervention group, there were 22 males, 30 females, aged (59.82 ± 10.53) years old. Before intervention, there was no statistically significant difference in palliative care outcomes, quality of life and cancer death anxiety scores between the two groups of patients (all P>0.05). After intervention, the total score of palliative care outcomes in the intervention group was (13.34 ± 5.88) points, significantly lower than (16.15 ± 5.72) points in the control group, with a statistically significant difference ( t = 2.48, P<0.05). The overall health status score of quality of life was (68.55 ± 9.34) points in the intervention group, higher than (63.01 ± 9.28) points in the control group ( t = 3.05, P<0.05). The total score of cancer death anxiety was (8.85 ± 2.72) points, significantly lower than (10.59 ± 3.14) points of the control group, with a statistically significant difference ( t = 3.04, P<0.05). Conclusions:The application of comfort nursing mode in home based hospice care can improve the quality of hospice care for advanced cancer patients, reduce their level of death anxiety, and is of great significance for improving the quality of life of advanced cancer patients.

BACKGROUND:Our previous studies found that the polypeptide of Cornus cervi Colla can promote bone growth,which has a good application prospect in the treatment of bone diseases.However,how Cornus cervi Colla works in the body and the principle are not clear. OBJECTIVE:To study the in vivo distribution and tracing of Cornus cervi Colla using fluorescence labeling and tracer technique. METHODS:Cornus cervi Colla was fluorescently labeled using fluorescein isothiocyanate,and the labeling results were detected by fluorescence imaging and UV spectral scanning.Successfully labeled Cornus cervi Colla was injected into mice by gavage,and the absorption of Cornus cervi Colla into blood was detected by laser confocal microscopy,and the distribution of Cornus cervi Colla in mice was detected by small animal in vivo imager.The distribution of Cornus cervi Colla in the mice was detected by laser confocal microscopy.Samples were taken from serum and bone at the time of the strongest fluorescence,and gel electrophoresis was carried out on serum and bone tissue protein solutions,and the components of Cornus cervi Colla absorbed into target organs were determined by secondary mass spectrometry. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The fluorescent markers were successfully separated by dextran gel chromatography,and the fluorescence imaging and ultraviolet spectrum scanning proved that the labeling was successful,and the fluorescence substitution degree of FITC-labeled Cornus cervi Colla was 0.953%.The fluorescence intensity of the components of Cornus cervi Colla in the blood showed that Cornus cervi Colla was most distributed in serum after oral administration for 2 hours.The fluorescence images of mice at different times were the same as those of bilateral femur and tibia,indicating that Cornus cervi Colla could play a role by entering the bone.Compared with UniProt database,secondary mass spectrometry showed that the peptide was a characteristic fragment of decorin.It is proved that decorin in Cornus cervi Colla can enter the bone to play a therapeutic role.

Objective:To analyze the distribution and drug resistance of pathogens of bacterial bloodstream infection in patients with hematological diseases in the Department of Hematology of Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, and to provide etiological data for clinical empirical anti-infection treatment.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the general clinical information, pathogenic bacteria and drug susceptibility test results of patients with hematological diseases diagnosed with bacterial bloodstream infection by menstrual blood culture in our center from January 2016 to December 2022.Results:Patients included 498 inpatients, with a total of 639 bacterial strains. Among the patients, 86.9% patients had malignancies, and 76.7% had agranulocytosis. Symptoms of concurrent infections, including those of the respiratory tract, oral mucosa, skin and soft tissues, and abdominal sources were observed in 68.3% patients. Gram-negative bacteria (G -) accounted for 79.0% of the isolated bacteria, and gram-positive bacteria (G +) accounted for 21.0%. The top five isolated pathogens were Klebsiella pneumoniae (22.5%), Escherichia coli (20.8%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (15.0%), Enterococcus faecium (5.5%), and Stenotrophomonas maltophilum (5.0%). Escherichia coli exhibited a decreasing trend of resistance to quinolones, cephalosporins, and carbapenems. Klebsiella pneumoniae exhibited increasing rates of resistance to quinolones and cephalosporins between 2016 and 2018, but the rated decreased after 2019. The resistance rate to carbapenems exhibited by Pseudomonas aeruginosa was approximately 20%. Carbapenem-resistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains were first detected in 2017, with a peak resistance rate of 35.7%, detected in 2019. A 60.0% resistance rate to methicillin was observed in methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci (MRCNS), and one case of linezolid-resistant MRCNS was detected. Conclusions:Pathogenic bacteria of bacterial bloodstream infections were widely distributed in our center, and precautions are warranted against carbapenem resistant P. aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Objective:To assess the trends in case-fatality rates for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in China from 2015 to 2019.Methods:This study employed a population-based surveillance. Data from the China Registry of Acute Cardiovascular Event (China RACE) were utilized, including AMI cases reported by Grade Ⅱ and Grade Ⅲ hospitals at the disease surveillance sites across China from January 1 st 2015 to December 31 st 2019. The 28-day mortality outcome for reported AMI events was obtained by linking to the national death certificate registry system. The study analyzed the overall and age-standardized case-fatality rates, as well as their annual percent change (APC), during the study period, stratified by gender, age, and region. Results:The overall 28-day case fatality rate for AMI was 28.97% (22 532/77 764) from 2015 to 2019. The age-standardized case-fatality rate for AMI declined significantly from 37.53% in 2015 to 18.58% in 2019, with an APC of -14.33% ( P=0.018). We observed a significant downward trend in case-fatality rates of AMI in both genders (both P<0.05). Among males, the case-fatality rate decreased more steeply in younger males compared to elder counterparts. The most marked decreases were seen in males aged<35 years and 35 to 44 years, with APC of -27.63% ( P=0.007) and -22.65% ( P=0.004), respectively. In females, we observed a relatively stable decrease in case-fatality across age groups. The age-standardized case-fatality rate of AMI in eastern and central China decreased significantly from 2015 to 2019, with the APC of -19.22% ( P=0.006) and -15.62% ( P=0.032) respectively. However, the age-standardized case-fatality rate of AMI in western China remained stable ( P=0.227). Conclusions:The prognosis of AMI has considerably improved from 2015 to 2019 in China, regardless of ages and gender. Inequality in case-fatality rates among geographic regions highlights the need for targeted strategies in AMI prevention in western regions.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic mechanism of Gandou Bushen Decoction(GDBSD)for improving reproductive disorders in male mouse models of Wilson disease(WD).Methods Sixty male homozygous TX mice were randomized equally into 4 groups and treated with daily gavage of saline(WD model group),penicillamine(0.09 g/kg),or GDBSD(0.2 mL/10 g),or with intraperitoneal injection of U0126(20 mg/kg)in addition to GDBSD gavage,with 15 male DL mice as control.After 4 weeks of treatment,copper content in testicular tissue of the mice was detected,and histopathology of the testes and epididymis was examined using HE staining and electron microscopy.TUNEL staining was used to identify apoptotic cells in the testes.The protein expressions of Bcl-2,Cytc,caspase-3,ERK,and p-ERK in the testicular tissue were evaluated with Western blotting,and BrdU-positive cells were detected with immunohistochemical labeling.Sperm density,viability,malformation rate and fertility levels of male mice were studied.Results Treatment with penicillamine and GDBSD obviously improved pathological changes of the testis,increased sperm density and motility,lowered sperm abnormality rate,fertility levels and increased testicular JOHNSEN score of TK mice,but the therapeutic effect of GDBSD was blocked by U0126.GDBSD treatment significantly lowered Cytc and caspase-3 expressions and increased Bcl-2 expression in the testicular tissue of TX mice(P<0.05),while U0126 treatment significantly lowered testicular Bcl-2 expression level.No significant differences were found in total protein expression levels of ERK1/2 among the 5 groups,but p-ERK protein expression was significantly reduced in WD and U0126 groups and increased in penicillamine and GDBSD groups.Conclusion GDBSD can improve spermatogenesis and enhance fertility of male TX mice with WD possibly by activating the ERK signaling pathway to enhance proliferation and reduce apoptosis of the spermatogenic cells.