[ABSTRACT]OBJECTIVETo compare the difference of serum Leptin between obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) patients and the control group, to analyze the genotype distribution and allele frequency of Leptin receptor gene Gln223Arg in OSAHS patients. To discuss the relationship between the gene polymorphism and OSAHS susceptibility.METHODSOSAHS group(221 cases) and control group (213 cases) were divided into obese OSAHS group (107 cases), non-obese OSAHS group (114 cases), obese control group (110 patients) and normal control group (103 cases). All participants were tested the level of serum Leptin after monitoring by polysomnography (PSG). The genomic DNA of Leptin receptor gene was extracted and the genotype was analyzed.RESULTSThe level of serum Leptin in non-obese OSAHS patients was 13.59±5.01μg/L and (13.10±1.87)μg/L in obese control patients. They were higher than that in normal control group, but there were no significant difference among them. The level of Leptin in obese OSAHS group was(19.01±3.43)μg/L, that was significantly higher than that in other three groups. Leptin receptor gene Gln223Arg genotype and allele frequency had no significant difference among the 4 groups. But neck circumference of GG genotype patients was greater than that of AA/AG patients.CONCLUSIONThe level of serum Leptin in obese OSAHS patients is significantly higher than that in control group. There is no relations between the gene polymorphism of two sites in Leptin receptor gene Gln223Arg and the onset of OSAHS. But Gln223Arg variation may be involved in regulating the OSAHS patients' neck fat distribution.

Objective To investigate the function of apoptosis in the renal injury by observing change of renal pathology and ultrastructure in the rat with obstructive jaundice(OJ) and if salvia miltiorrhiza(SM) can lighten the renal dysfunction of obstructive jaundice.Methods A total of 100 adult Sprague-Dawley rats were studied.Among them,the 80 models of obstructive jaundice were established by ligating bile duct(BDL),then divided into two groups: the OJ rats administered daily abdomen injections of SM(1.7g per rat) after operation of bile duct ligation(the SM group,n= 40);the OJ rats receiving only the same normal saline(the OJ group,n=40).The other rats with sham operation receiving only normal saline(the control group,n=20).Three groups of rats were sacrificed in groups at postoperation 1,2,3 and 4 week,respectively.Then serum BUN & Cr were tested and renal change of histopathology and ultrastructure were observed;Apoptosis of renal tissue were assayed by TUNEL method.Results With the time of BDL extending,the value of serum BUN & Cr increased;Apoptotic cells increased in renal tissue.After treatment with SM,the injury degree of renal function and histopathologic changes decreased.Conclusion Obstructive jaundice can lead to renal injury.Apoptosis had an important effect on renal function injury in the rat with obstructive jaundice.Salvia miltiorrhiza can ease the degree of renal function injury.

The novel 8-Aminoquinoline(8-AQ) derivatives receptor was designed and synthesized.Its struc ture was characterized by NMR and ESI-MS.It was investigated to recognize metal ions such as Cu~(2+), Hg~(2+), Pb~(2+), Zn~(2+), Ni~(2+) and Cd~(2+) via its absorption and fluorescence spectra.The recognition mechanism .and bind ing mode were discussed.The results showed that 8-AQ derivatives 1 coordinated with Cu~(2+) can induce a new absorption peak at 509 nm, which turned the solution to red from colorless.In acetonitrile Hg~(2+) and Cu~(2+) induced dramatic enhancement in the fluorescence of the derivation 1 by 368 and 192 folds.Job plot showed 1:1 stoichiometry between 8-AQ and Cu~(2+) or Hg~(2+).

Objective To study the temporal changes of alveolar epithelial type Ⅱ cells and surfactant pro-tein A in young rats with acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaecharide. Method Totally 110 SD young rats (male:53, female : 57) were randomly divided into ALI and normal control groups (six subgroups in each group).LPS(4 mg/kg) was given intraperitoneally in ALI group. The same amount of normal saline was given in the con-trol groups. Eight rats in each subgroup were sacrificed at 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 72 hours after the injection.Lung samples were taken for transmission electron microscope examination. RT-PCR was epmloyed for the mea-surement of SP-A mRNA. Western blot was used for the detection of SP-A in the lung tissue. ANOVA and homo-geneity of variance test were performed by SPSS 12.0. Results The microvilli disappeared at 24 hours after the injection of LPS. The number of lamellar body (LBs) was provisionality increased at 24 hours and 48 hours. The ring-like an'angement of LBs around nucleus and the giant LB with vacuole-like deformity were found as the main characteristics of AEC- Ⅱ in ALI at 48 hours. The number of LBs reduced and broken and residual LB remained at 72 hours. SP-A elevated greatly from 24 to 48 hours (P < 0.01), reached peak at 36 hours (6.94 ± 0.80, P <0.01),reached the lowest level(3.87 ±0.50, P <0.01)at 72 hours. Conclusions The pathological changes of AEC-Ⅱ and SP-A in lung tissue wiht ALI are time-dependent. The typical alterations of AEC- Ⅱ occurs at 48 hours accompanied by the compensatory increase of SP-A. AEC- Ⅱ is seriously injuried with the typical changes of LBs and the diminishing of SP-A in lung tissue.

Objective To investigate the protective immunity of the recombinant thioredoxin of Schistosoma japonicum(reSjcTrx)in mice. Methods Thirty 6-week old female C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 3 groups with 10 each: reSjcTrx with Montanide ISA720 adjuvant, adjuvant control, and infection control. Mice were vaccinated subcutaneously at week 0, 2, 4 with reSjcTrx emulsified in Montanide ISA720 adjuvant. The mice in adjuvant group was injected three times with Montanide ISA720 and saline only. Mice in infection control group were given no injection. Three weeks after final injection, each mouse was challenged with 30?1 cercariae of S. japonicum (Chinese strain). At the week six after challenge, all mice were sacrificed and perfused. The number of recovered worms and eggs from liver tissue of mice were counted. Sera were collected from mice before immunization, before challenge and before killing. The anti-SjcTrx antibodies in sera were detected with ELISA. Results ELISA showed a high level of specific IgG antibodies in mice immunized with the reSjcTrx. The worm reduction rate and egg reduction rate of reSjcTrx immunization group were 22.8% and 29.5% respectively, significantly higher than those of the control groups (P﹤0.05). SDS-PAGE and Western blotting revealed that the molecular weight of expressed protein was around Mr 14 000 and could be recognized by sera from rabbit infected with S.japonicum and from mice immunized with reSjcTrx. Conclusion The reSjcTrx induces certain protective immunity against schistosomiasis japonica in mice.

Objective Acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are common and life-threatening disease in children with mortality as high as 40%-70%. Alveolar type Ⅱ cells (ATII cells),characterized by the presence of lamellar bodies (LBs),synthesize and secret surfactant proteins (SPs),which contribute significantly to surfactant homeostasis and pulmonary immunity.The functions of ATⅡ cells including pulmonary surfactant production are autocratically dominated by the structural integrity of ATII cells.Our study is focused on the ultrastructural alterations of AT Ⅱ cells in rats with lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced ALI.Methods Rat ALI models were established by intraperitoneal injection of LPS (4 mg/kg).0.9 % NS with same amount was given in the normal control group.The rats were randomly chosen and sacrificed at 24, 48 and 72 hrs after LPS injection (8 rats at each time point).Lung samples (1 mm3 of the size) were obtained from the lower parts of left lungs and fixed with 2.5% glutaraldehyde for the transmission electron microscope examination.Results The microvilli around ATII cells disappeared and the number of LBs increased at 24 hrs after LPS administration.LBs rearranged like a ring around the nuclei.It was commonly seen that two nuclei were present in one AT Ⅱ cell.Vacuole-like deformity prominently occurred in cytoplasm at 48 hrs.Giant LBs presented at the same time.The shapes of nuclei were irregular and some of the borders were unclear at 48 and 72 hrs.The remnant of ruptured LBs scattered in cytoplasm at 72 hrs.The number of LBs reduced obviously.Karyolysis occurred in some of the nuclei.Conclusions The ALI-related alterations of ATII cells characterized by the changes of LBs,nuclei,and nucleoli were time-dependent. ATII cell injury was serious at 48 and 72 hrs.This may lead to the insufficiency of pulmonary surfactant synthesis and unstability of pulmonary homeostasis,which contributed to to the pathogenesis of acute lung injury.

Objective To investigate the effect of ursodeoxycholic acid(UDCA)on the symptoms after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)infection in patients with primary biliary cholangitis(PBC)and their family member.Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted to collect related information from 171 PBC patients who attended The First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University before March 22,2023 and 128 family members,including demographic information,comorbidities,UDCA administration,SARS-CoV-2 infection,vaccination,symptoms,therapeutic medication,and the changes in liver disease-related symptoms.The independent-samples t test or the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups,and the chi-square test or the Fisher's exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups.Results The median age was 51 years in the PBC patients and 49 years in the family members,with no significant difference between the two groups(P>0.05).Compared with the family member group,the PBC group had significantly lower body mass index(22.2±2.4 kg/m2 vs 23.3±2.9 kg/m2,P<0.001)and proportion of male individuals(10%vs 55%,P<0.001).All PBC patients received UDCA at a dose of 13—15 mg/kg,and SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was 100%in both groups.The family members had a significantly higher SARS-CoV-2 vaccination rate than the PBC patients(91%vs 57%,P<0.001).Compared with the family members,the PBC patients had significantly milder symptoms of sneezing,nasal obstruction,chest pain,and abnormal taste(P<0.05).Compared with the family members,the PBC patients had significantly lower rates of use of compound cold medicine(11%vs 20%,P<0.05)and Lianhua Qingwen capsules(12%vs 21%,P<0.05).For the PBC patients after SARS-CoV-2 infection,the liver disease-related symptoms such as fatigue,abdominal distension,dry mouth and dry eyes,pruritus,and yellow skin were aggravated by 37%,2%,27%,10%,and 3%,respectively.Conclusion Compared with the immediate family members of PBC patients who do not take UDCA,the PBC patients receiving UDCA do not show a reduction in SARS-CoV-2 infection rate,but UDCA may have a certain effect on alleviating infection-related symptoms in such patients.PBC patients may still experience the aggravation of liver disease-related symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection,and the long-term effect on PBC patients after SARS-CoV-2 infection should be taken seriously in clinical practice.

Gegen Qinlian Decoction (GQD), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, has long been used for the treatment of common metabolic diseases, including type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, the main limitation of its wider application is ingredient complexity of this formula. Thus, it is critically important to identify the major active ingredients of GQD and to illustrate mecha-nisms underlying its action. Here, we compared the effects of GQD and berberine, a hypothetical key active pharmaceutical ingredient of GQD, on a diabetic rat model by comprehensive analyses of gut microbiota, short-chain fatty acids, proinflammatory cytokines, and ileum transcriptomics. Our results show that berberine and GQD had similar effects on lowering blood glucose levels, modulating gut microbiota, inducing ileal gene expression, as well as relieving systemic and local inflammation. As expected, both berberine and GQD treatment significantly altered the overall gut microbiota structure and enriched many butyrate-producing bacteria, including Faecalibacterium and Roseburia, thereby attenuating intestinal inflammation and lowering glucose. Levels of short-chain fatty acids in rat feces were also significantly elevated after treatment with ber-berine or GQD. Moreover, concentration of serum proinflammatory cytokines and expression of immune-related genes, including Nfkb1, Stat1, and Ifnrg1, in pancreatic islets were significantly reduced after treatment. Our study demonstrates that the main effects of GQD can be attributed to berberine via modulating gut microbiota. The strategy employed would facilitate further stan-dardization and widespread application of TCM in many diseases.

Epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis shows a high degree of consistency with the law of transmission among wei （卫）-qi-ying （营）-blood， in terms of the onset of the season， contagiousness， symptoms， pathogenesis， as well as characteristics of the transmission. It is proposed to use epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis as an example to explore the underlying disease of wei-qi-ying-blood syndrome differentiation system. Epidemic meningitis invades the brain from the upper respiratory tract along the nervous system， and its overall pathogenesis follows from entering the lung system （prodromal period） to entering the blood （bacteremia period， sepsis period） and then entering the brain （shock period）. According to the four-dimensional qualitative principle of epidemic pathogen tropism， it corresponds to disease of both wei and qi syndrome， then blazing of both qi and ying syndrome， and then heat blocking pericardium， exuberant heat stirring wind， and internal block and external collapse syndrome. This article explored the laws of transmission among wei-qi-ying-blood and its underlying diseases described in On Warm Heat （《温热论》）， and revealed the original appearance of the disease model under the laws of transmission among wei-qi-ying-blood to guide the clinical practice.

We reported a case of a patient dignosed as tuberculosis and severe malnutrition with coronavirus disease 2019 （critical type） treated with a combination of Chinese medicine and Western medicine. Through the retrospective analysis of the diagnosis and treatment process of this patient， on the basis of Chinese medicine's understanding of the etiology and pathogenesis of “old state” and “deficient state”， the critical coronavirus pneumonia combined with pulmonary tuberculosis and severe malnutrition was mostly due to the physical condition and the invasion of epidemic toxin， resulting in dysfunctions of the internal organs such as the lungs， spleens， kidneys and other organs. Based on the understanding of the cause and mechanism of the coronavirus disease， the treatment combined Chinese and Western medical therapies was given. The western medicine was used with the main treatments of oxygen therapy， anti-viral， intestinal nutritional support， and anti-coagulation， while the Chinese medicine was used by tonifying qi， blood， yin， and yang， warming yang and dissipating cold， and clearing heat and dampness， then tonifying qi， nourishing yin and eliminating heat， in which tonifying middle and replenishing qi ran through the whole process. The integrated treatment eventually improved the patient's symptoms and accelerated the negative conversion of nucleic acid of the coronavirus.