Objective To investigate the role of AT1 receptor autoantibody (AT1-AA) in the inhibitory action of irbesartan on endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-related apoptotic signals in rat kidney with diabetic nephropathy (DN).Methods DN model rats were induced by high-sugar and high-fat diet plus intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin,and the serum level of AT1-AA was detected by ELISA.These DN rats with positive or negative AT1-AA were divided into DN group and irbesartan treated group.After 4 weeks of irbesartan treatment,TUNEL staining was used to detect renal cell apoptosis.The protein and mRNA expressions of ERS chaperone protein glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and ERS-associated apoptosis proteins were determined by Western blot and RT-PCR.Results Compared with NC group,the apoptosis rate of renal cells in DN group was obviously increased,along with the increased expressions of GRP78,C/EBP homology protein (CHOP),phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK),and Caspase12 protein and mRNA (all P＜0.01).The cell apoptosis and protein and mRNA levels of these genes were significantly decreased after irbesartan treatment (all P＜ 0.01),especially in AT1-AA positive DN rats(all P＜0.05).The renal cell apoptosis rate,and protein and mRNA levels of these four genes in AT1-AA positive DN group were much greater than those in AT1-AA negative DN group (all P＜0.05).Conclusions AT1-AA may be involved in ERS-related cell apoptosis in the kidney of DN rats,and play a role in irbesartan-improved renal function via inhibiting ERS-associated CHOP-JNK-Caspase12 apoptotic signals and renal cell apoptosis.

Objective To observe the effects of doxazosin on the expression of type Ⅰ and type Ⅲ collagen fiber in autoantibodies against α1-adrenergic receptors (α1-AA) positive diabetic rats,and to investigate the protective mechanism of doxazosin on cardiomyopathy of diabetic rats.Methods After establishment of diabetes model with streptozocin,diabetic rats were randomly divided into diabetic group (group A,n =10),doxazosin treated group (group B,n =10),α1-AA mediated group (group C,n =8),α1-AA plus doxazosin treated group (group D,n =8).Group C and group D were injected α1-AA (100 μg/100 g) by caudal vein at 0,4,8,12,and 16 weeks.Doxazosin (0.36 mg · kg-1 · d-1) was administered by lavage for 16 weeks in group B and group D,and other groups were given the same volume of saline every day.Expressions of type Ⅰ and type Ⅲ collagen fibers in myocardium of left ventricle were detected by immunohistochemical staining.Pathological changes in the myocardium were observed by both light and electron microscopes.Changes in collagen fiber in myocardium were detected by Van Gieson staining.Results Among various groups,there was no significant difference in blood glucose levels (P ＞ 0.05).After the intervention of doxazosin,body weight in group B and group D was greater than that of group A and group C (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Expression of type Ⅰ and type Ⅲ collagen fibers in myocardium in group D was lower than that in group C (P＜0.05).Expression of type Ⅰ and type Ⅲ collagen fibers in group B was lower than that in group A (P＜0.05) as well.Myocardial pathological changes in group C were most serious,showing reduced mitochondrial,vacuolar degeneration,and interstitial collagen hyperplasia.Cardiomyopathy in group D and group B was less marked as compared with that in group C and group A,respectively.Myocardial collagen fiber in group C was significantly increased and showed poor alignment.Compared with group C,myocardial collagen deposition in group D was obviously reduced.Conclusions Doxazosin may suppress type Ⅰ and type Ⅲ collagen expressions in myocardium of α1-AA mediated diabetic rats,resulting in alleviation of myocardial fibrosis and protection of myocardium in diabetic rats.

Objective: To establish the quality standards for Zhichuang capsules. Methods: Rhubarb, Mahonia, Angelica and Borneol in the formula were identified by TLC, the content of emodin and chrysophanol from Rhubarb in Zhichuang capsules were deter-mined by HPLC. Results: The qualitative identification was easy to operate with good specificity. The linearity was good ( r =0. 999 9) within the range of 25.8-516.0ng and the average recovery was 97.31%(RSD=0.69%,n=6)for emodin, the linearity was good (r=1.000 0) within the range of 51.1-1 022.0ng and the average recovery was 97.63%(RSD=0.72%,n=6)for Chry-sophanol. Conclusion:The method is reliable and accurate, which can be applied as a quality control method of Zhichuang capsules.

Background::Pathological scars are a disorder that can lead to various cosmetic, psychological, and functional problems, and no effective assessment methods are currently available. Assessment and treatment of pathological scars are based on cutaneous manifestations. A two-photon microscope (TPM) with the potential for real-time non-invasive assessment may help determine the under-surface pathophysiological conditions in vivo. This study used a portable handheld TPM to image epidermal cells and dermal collagen structures in pathological scars and normal skin in vivo to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment in scar patients. Methods::Fifteen patients with pathological scars and three healthy controls were recruited. Imaging was performed using a portable handheld TPM. Five indexes were extracted from two dimensional (2D) and three dimensional (3D) perspectives, including collagen depth, dermo-epidermal junction (DEJ) contour ratio, thickness, orientation, and occupation (proportion of collagen fibers in the field of view) of collagen. Two depth-dependent indexes were computed through the 3D second harmonic generation image and three morphology-related indexes from the 2D images. We assessed index differences between scar and normal skin and changes before and after treatment.Results::Pathological scars and normal skin differed markedly regarding the epidermal morphological structure and the spectral characteristics of collagen fibers. Five indexes were employed to distinguish between normal skin and scar tissue. Statistically significant differences were found in average depth ( t = 9.917, P <0.001), thickness ( t = 4.037, P <0.001), occupation ( t= 2.169, P <0.050), orientation of collagen ( t = 3.669, P <0.001), and the DEJ contour ratio ( t = 5.105, P <0.001). Conclusions::Use of portable handheld TPM can distinguish collagen from skin tissues; thus, it is more suitable for scar imaging than reflectance confocal microscopy. Thus, a TPM may be an auxiliary tool for scar treatment selection and assessing treatment efficacy.

Emerging research suggests a potential association of progression of Alzheimer's disease(AD)with al-terations in synaptic currents and mitochondrial dynamics.However,the specific associations between these pathological changes remain unclear.In this study,we utilized Aβ42-induced AD rats and primary neural cells as in vivo and in vitro models.The investigations included behavioural tests,brain magnetic resonance imaging(MRI),liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS/MS)analysis,Nissl staining,thioflavin-S staining,enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,Golgi-Cox staining,trans-mission electron microscopy(TEM),immunofluorescence staining,proteomics,adenosine triphosphate(ATP)detection,mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP)and reactive oxygen species(ROS)assess-ment,mitochondrial morphology analysis,electrophysiological studies,Western blotting,and molecular docking.The results revealed changes in synaptic currents,mitophagy,and mitochondrial dynamics in the AD models.Remarkably,intervention with Dengzhan Shengmai(DZSM)capsules emerged as a pivotal element in this investigation.Aβ42-induced synaptic dysfunction was significantly mitigated by DZSM intervention,which notably amplified the frequency and amplitude of synaptic transmission.The cognitive impairment observed in AD rats was ameliorated and accompanied by robust protection against structural damage in key brain regions,including the hippocampal CA3,primary cingular cortex,prelimbic system,and dysgranular insular cortex.DZSM intervention led to increased IDE levels,augmented long-term potential(LTP)amplitude,and enhanced dendritic spine density and length.Moreover,DZSM intervention led to favourable changes in mitochondrial parameters,including ROS expression,MMP and ATP contents,and mitochondrial morphology.In conclusion,our findings delved into the realm of altered synaptic currents,mitophagy,and mitochondrial dynamics in AD,concurrently highlighting the therapeutic potential of DZSM intervention.

In order to solve the problem of strong subjectivity and difficulty in quantification,clinical objectification mainly adopts the techniques of image processing,computer vision and machine learning.The acquisition and processing of prior knowledge is a key link in the objectification of inspection,as well as an important elaboration of the quantification of subjective judgment and macro performance in objectification research.However,there is still a lack of in-depth summary and parametric processing of prior knowledge.Based on the analysis of the current research status of objectification of inspection,this paper uses data mining technology to summarize the experience of TCM inspection.Moreover,the observation information can be transformed into quantifiable digital features through natural language processing and representation learning.Meanwhile,the application of deep learning can realize automatic diagnosis and analysis of observation images to improve accuracy and efficiency,and promote the process of TCM modernization.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the types and control measures of major microorganisms in pharmaceutical water systems, so as to provide guidance for effective control of pharmaceutical water systems. METHODS The main microbial species, abundance and harmfulness of drinking water, purified water and water for injection were reviewed, and the control measures on microorganisms in pharmaceutical water were discussed. RESULTS There were differences in the main microbial types in pharmaceutical water. Burkholderia cepacia complex and Ralstonia pickettii were conditioned pathogens in pharmaceutical water, thus causing certain biological safety hazards. CONCLUSION Pharmaceutical companies can strengthen the control of microorganisms in the water system by establishing microbial databases and common microbial strain banks at all levels. Trend analysis should to be conducted based on alert limits and action limits, so as to strengthen the control of microorganisms in the water system.

OBJECTIVE To establish a rapid and accurate PCR method for detecting 24 strains of Burkholderia cepacia complex(Bcc) by comparing three detection methods of loop-mediated isothermal amplification(LAMP), SYTO 9 dye method based on polymerase chain reaction(PCR) and TaqMan probe real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR method( TaqMan probe method). METHODS According to the molecular biological information of 24 strains of Bcc in the NCBI database, multiple candidate sequence fragments unique to Bcc were screened out, and specific primer and probe that could simultaneously detect 24 strains of Bcc were designed. At the same time, the detection methods of LAMP, SYTO 9 dye method based on PCR and Taqman probe were explored, and the optimal annealing temperature was optimized and screened. The 39 experimental strains were used to verify the Bcc detection method. RESULTS LAMP method could not effectively detect Bcc, SYTO 9 dye method and TaqMan probe method could effectively detect more than 20 strains of Bcc, while TaqMan probe method had higher amplification effect, better detection sensitivity, repeatability and stability, which could meet the requirements of this study. CONCLUSION In this study, a TaqMan probe method for rapid detection of Bcc was established. Compared with LAMP method and SYTO 9 dye method, this method has the advantages of fast, simple and high sensitivity, and provides technical support for the rapid detectionof Bcc.