OBJECTIVES: To explore the therapeutic effect of LuoFuShan Rheumatism Plaster (LFS) on neuropathic pain (NP) and its molecular mechanism. METHODS: Mouse models of sciatic nerve chronic constriction injury (CCI) were treated with low, medium, and high doses (2.2, 4.4, and 8.8 cm², respectively) of LFS by topical application for 14 consecutive days. The therapeutic effects were assessed by evaluating the mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT), paw withdrawal latency (PWL), plasma IL-6 and TNF-α levels, and histopathology of the sciatic nerve. Network pharmacology and molecular docking were used to identify the key targets and signaling pathways. The key targets were verified by RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry. The biosafety of LFS was evaluated by measuring the organ indices and damage indicators of the heart, liver, and kidneys. RESULTS: Compared with the CCI group, LFS dose-dependently increased MWT and PWL, reduced plasma IL-6 and TNF-α levels, and alleviated sciatic nerve inflammation in the mouse models. Network pharmacology identified 378 bioactive compounds targeting 279 NP-associated genes enriched in TLR and TNF signaling. Molecular docking showed that quercetin and ursolic acid in LFS could stably bind to TLR4 and TNF‑α. In the mouse models of sciatic nerve CCI, LFS significantly downregulated the mRNA expression levels of Tlr4 and Tnf-α in the spinal cord in a dose-dependent manner and lowered the protein expressions of TLR4 and TNF-α in the sciatic nerve. LFS treatment did not cause significant changes in the organ indices or damage indicators of the heart, liver and kidneys as compared with those in the CCI model group and sham-operated group. CONCLUSIONS LFS alleviates NP in mice by suppression of TLR4/TNF-α-mediated neuroinflammation with a good safety profile.
Animals ; Toll-Like Receptor 4/metabolism* ; Neuralgia/metabolism* ; Mice ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Sciatic Nerve/injuries* ; Male ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Disease Models, Animal ; Interleukin-6

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and possible mechanism of Sishenwan in ameliorating visceral sensitivity in the rat model of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome （IBS-D） due to spleen-kidney Yang deficiency. MethodForty male SPF-grade rats were randomly assigned into five groups： blank control， model， low- （3.51 g·kg^-1） and high-dose （7.02 g·kg^-1） Sishenwan， and Peifikang （0.54 g·kg^-1） groups. Except the blank control group， the other groups underwent maternal separation stress and Sennae Folium decoction gavage for the modeling of IBS-D due to spleen-kidney Yang deficiency. After corresponding drug interventions， the general conditions of the rats were observed， and the number of defecation pellets within 6 h and the minimum threshold of abdominal withdrawal reflex （AWR） were measured. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to measure the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α， gastrin （GAS）， corticosterone （CORT）， and adrenocorticotropic hormone （ACTH）. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was employed to observe pathological changes in the colon tissue. Toluidine blue staining was used to assess mast cell degranulation in the colon tissue. Western blot was performed to determine the protein levels of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK）， c-Jun N-terminal kinase （JNK）， transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 （TRPV1）， and protease-activated receptor 2 （PAR2） in the colon tissue. Immunohistochemistry was employed to measure the protein level of TRPV1 in the colon tissue， and immunofluorescence was used to detect the positive expression of substance P （SP） and calcitonin gene-related peptide （CGRP） in the colon tissue. ResultCompared with the blank control group， the model group showed increased number of defecation pellets within 6 h （P<0.01）， decreased minimum threshold of AWR （P<0.01）， elevated serum TNF-α level （P<0.01）， lowered levels of GAS， CORT， and ACTH （P<0.05， P<0.01）， increased mast cell degranulation rate （P<0.01）， increased positive expression of TRPV1， SP， and CGRP （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and upregulated protein levels of p38 MAPK， JNK， TRPV1， and PAR2 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the high-dose Sishenwan group showed increased minimum threshold of AWR （P<0.01）， reduced defecation frequency in both the high-dose Sishenwan and Peifikang groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）， lowered TNF-α level （P<0.05， P<0.01）， elevated levels of GAS， CORT， and ACTH （P<0.05， P<0.01）， decreased mast cell degranulation rate （P<0.01）， reduced positive expression of TRPV1， SP， and CGRP （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and downregulated protein levels of p38 MAPK， JNK， TRPV1， and PAR2 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionSishenwan can ameliorate visceral sensitivity in the rat model of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome due to spleen-kidney Yang deficiency by regulating the p38 MAPK/JNK/TRPV1 signaling pathway.

Objective To evaluate the safety of the low glucoside composites of Epimedii Folium and clarify the pharmacokinetic characteristics of its five low glucosides.Methods Four groups of KM mice were orally administrated of corn oil,1 968,2 625 and 3 500 mg·kg-1 low glucoside composites of Epimedii Folium,respectively.Then,the living conditions,toxic symptoms,and death of the mice were observed for 7 consecutive days.After the mice were dissected,the viscera/body ratio and the viscera/brain ratio were calculated.Besides,the contents of alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and aspartate transaminase(AST)in plasma were determined by ELISA,and the pathological changes of the liver were observed by HE staining.C57BL/6J mice were intravenously or orally administered of baohuoside I,baohuoside II,sagittatoside A,sagittatoside B and sagittatoside C.Then,blood samples were collected at different time points.The plasma concentrations of the five low glucosides were measured by UHPLC-MS/MS.Results When compared with the control group,no significant differences were found in the body mass,viscera/body ratio,viscera/brain ratio,contents of ALT and AST in plasma after oral administration of different doses of low glucoside composites to mice.Moreover,no pathological changes or damages were found in the liver sections.After intravenous injection,the AUC0-t values of baohuoside Ⅰ,baohuoside Ⅱ,sagittatoside A,sagittatoside B and sagittatoside C in mice were 4.82,82.54,276.64,88.77 and 178.02 min·μg·mL-1,respectively.Meanwhile,the t1/2 values were 60.42,115.27,67.63,131.61 and 129.87 min,respectively.After oral administration,the AUC0-t values of the five low glucosides were 31.64,18.59,3.48,2.41 and 2.42 min·μg·mL-1,respectively.The Cmax values were 147.23,86.76,15.58,24.34 and 26.12 ng·mL-1,respectively.The tmax values were 21.00,78.00,78.00,30.00 and 28.00 min,respectively.The bioavailability of baohuosideⅠ,baohuosideⅡ,sagittatoside A sagittatoside B and sagittatoside C were 1.91%,0.51%,0.05%,0.06%and 0.04%,respectively.Conclusion The low glucoside composites of Epimedii Folium has high safety,and no hepatotoxicity were observed at dose of 3 500 mg·kg-1.The 5 low glucosides are quickly absorbed and rapidly eliminated in mice,and all of them have low bioavailability.

Objective To analyze the risks and related influencing factors of early screening for lung cancer,and to study prognostic factors based on survival conditions,in order to ultimately provide baseline data for the prevention and treatment of lung cancer.Methods A cluster sampling method was used to select 40 to 75 year old registered residence residents in 10 districts and 6 counties of Zhengzhou City in 2020 as screening objects.Through voluntary participation and filling in evaluation questionnaires,high-risk groups of lung cancer were evalu-ated,and then three screening tests(tumor markers,low-dose spiral CT and lung function)were performed on high-risk groups.Finally,we will adopt an active and passive follow-up approach to collect information on diag-nosed lung cancer patients.Statistically describe the screening data and describe the epidemiological results of different characteristic populations;Using multivariate logistic regression method for statistical analysis,compare the differences in various results of different factors.Results 50128 cases of early screening for lung cancer in Zhengzhou City were evaluated in 2020,with a completion rate of 100.26%.The average age of the survey was(59.86±17.67)years old,and the gender ratio was 0.81∶1.The high-risk detection rate is 30.15%.Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that males(smoking)(OR=5.43,95%CI:5.20～5.67),individuals with a history of tobacco exposure(OR=3.82,95%CI:3.67～3.98),first-degree relatives who had previously suffered from lung cancer(OR=12.06,95%CI:11.02～13.20),and other populations were more susceptible to lung cancer(all P<0.05).Conclusion Male(smoking),exposure to secondhand smoke,cancer in first-degree relatives,previous diagnosis of other tumors,symptoms of lung infection,"chest tightness,shortness of breath,and difficulty breathing in daily life",and"significant psychological trauma in the past 3 years"are independent risk factors for lung cancer,which should be given special attention and effective intervention measures should be taken.

Objective:To discuss the inhibitory effect of Schisandrin B on the proliferation of pancreatic cancer Pan02 cells,and to clarify the mechanism.Methods:CCK-8 method was used to detect the proliferation rates of the Pan02 cells after treated with different concentrations(0,0.78,1.56,3.12,6.25,12.50,and 25.00 mg·L-1)of Schisandrin B to select the optimal concentration and treatment time of Schisandrin B.The mouse pancreatic cancer Pan02 cells were divided into control group(0 mg·L-1 Schisandrin B),2.5 mg·L-1 Schisandrin B group,5.0 mg·L-1 Schisandrin B group,and 10.0 mg·L-1 Schisandrin B group.The morpholoy of Pan02 cells invarious groups was observed with light microscope;5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine(EdU)staining assay was used to detect the positive expression rates of the Pan02 cells in various groups;flow cytometry was used to detect the percentages of the Pan02 cells at different cell cycles and the apoptotic rates of the cells in various groups;Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of cell cycle and apoptosis-related proteins in the cells in various groups.Results:The CCK-8 method results showed that after treated with Schisandrin B for 48 and 72 h,compared with 0 mg·L-1 Schisandrin B,the proliferation rates of the Pan02 cells after treated with different concentrations of Schisandrin B were decreased(P<0.01),especially at 72 h.0.25,5.0,and 10.0 mg·L-1 Schisandrin B were selected to treat the Pan02 cells,and 72 h was the treatment time.In control group,the Pan02 cells had a spindle shape,with good condition,and grew closely adhered to the wall with normal organelles and cytoplasm,in 2.5 and 5.0 mg·L-1 Schisandrin B groups,the cell volume was decreased,the intercellular adhesion was disappeared,and the cell membrane was intact but more permeable;the cytoplasm shrank and vacuolar structures appeared inside the cells,with some fragmented and floating on the surface of the solution;in 10.0 mg·L-1 Schisandrin B group,the Pan02 cells exhibited notable apoptotic bodies,indicating an apoptotic state.The EdU staining results showed that compared with control group,the rates of EdU positive cells in 2.5,5.0,and 10.0 mg·L-1 Schisandrin B groups were significantly decreased(P<0.01).The flow cytometry results showed that compared with control group,the percentages of the cells at S phase in 2.5,5.0,and 10.0 mg·L-1 Schisandrin B groups were significantly increased(P<0.01),while the percentages of the cells at G2/M phase were significantly decreased(P<0.01),and the percentages of the cells at G0/G1 phase in 5.0 amd 1.0 mg·L-1 Schisandrin groups were decreased(P<0.01);compared with control group,the apoptotic rates of the cells in 2.5,5.0,and 10.0 mg·L-1 Schisandrin B groups were significantly increased(P<0.01).The Western blotting results showed that compared with control group,the expression levels of p27,B-cell lymphoma 2(Bcl-2)associated X protein(Bax),cleaved cysteine aspartic acid protease-3(cleaved Caspase-3),and cleaved poly adenosine diphosphate(ADP)ribose polymerase(cleaved PARP)proteins in the cells in 2.5 mg·L-1 Schisandrin B group were significantly increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01),the expression levels of cyclin A2,cyclin E2,and Bcl-2 proteins in the cells in 5.0 and 10.0 mg·L-1 Schisandrin B groups were significantly decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01),while the expression levels of p27,Bax,cleaved Caspase-3,and cleaved PARP proteins in the cells in 5.0 and 10.0 mg·L-1 Schisandrin B groups were significantly increased(P<0.01).Conclusion:Schisandrin B has an inhibitory effect on proliferation of the pancreatic cancer Pan02 cells,and its mechanism may be related to the activation of the cysteine aspartic acid protease-3(Caspase-3)pathway to induce the apoptosis and activating p27 protein to induce the arrest of cell cycle at S phase.

Objective:To establish a general method for the simultaneous determination of hydroxyphenyl esters and quaternary ammonium bacteriostatic agents in eye drops.Methods:The chromatographic analysis was per-formed on an Agilent C18 column(4.6 mm ×250 mm,5 μm)with 1％triethylamine solution(pH adjusted to 5.0 with phosphoric acid)as mobile phase A and methanol as mobile phase B.Gradient elution was performed at col-umn temperature of 40 ℃.The detection wavelength was 214 nm,the flow rate was 1 mL·min-1,and the injec-tion volume was 20 μL.Results:Methylparaben,ethylparaben,propylparaben,butylparaben,benzalkonium chlo-ride and benzalkonium bromide were 0.11-559.0,0.10-513.0,0.10-258.8,0.11-270.5,1.07-537.0 and 1.03-512.8 μg·mL-1,respectively.The linear range was good(r＞0.999).The average recoveries of meth-ylparaben,benzalkonium bromide and benzalkonium chloride were 104.7％(RSD=1.3％),102.6％(RSD=1.1％)and 100.9％(RSD=1.1％),respectively.The contents of bacteriostatic agent in 100 batches of eye drops from 36 varieties of 12 enterprises were determined,and the accurate results were obtained.Conclusion:This meth-od provides a reference for the content quality control and safety evaluation of bacteriostatic agents in eye drops.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided high intensity focused ultrasound(HIFU)on pain intensity,pain sensation and overall survival in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. Methods:Clinical data of advanced pancreatic cancer patients treated by HIFU were collected from the patients enrolled during August 2020 to September 2022 at the second department for oncology of Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.In this study,SPSS 26.0 software was used for the statistical analysis of NRS score and BPI score.The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis method was applied to calculate the median overall survival(OS)and then the survival curve was drawn.At the same time,the incidence of related adverse reactions during and after HIFU treatment was counted. Results:(1)Among the 45 patients,30 patients received HIFU combined with chemotherapy,and the other 15 patients only received HIFU.(2)Among the 45 patients,32 patients had pain relief after HIFU treatment,and the NRS score kept decreased across 1 week,2 weeks,3 weeks and 1 month after HIFU treatment(P＜0.05).The pain sensation score of BPI scale also decreased correspondingly,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).(3)The median OS of 45 patients was 11.1 months(95％Cl:9.30-1 2.90),of which 30 patients treated with HIFU combined chemotherapy had a median OS of 12.4 months(95％Cl:9.1 8-15.62),and 15 patients treated with HIFU only had a median OS of 4.6 months(95％Cl:1.11-8.10).(4)No serious adverse events were observed in all patients during and after HIFU treatment.Only 5 patients had asymptomatic mild elevation of blood amylase,and the incidence of mild adverse reactions was 11.1％. Conclusion:HIFU can effectively relieve pain and prolong the median survival time in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.

Self-organized blastoids from extended pluripotent stem (EPS) cells possess enormous potential for investigating postimplantation embryo development and related diseases. However, the limited ability of postimplantation development of EPS-blastoids hinders its further application. In this study, single-cell transcriptomic analysis indicated that the "trophectoderm (TE)-like structure" of EPS-blastoids was primarily composed of primitive endoderm (PrE)-related cells instead of TE-related cells. We further identified PrE-like cells in EPS cell culture that contribute to the blastoid formation with TE-like structure. Inhibition of PrE cell differentiation by inhibiting MEK signaling or knockout of Gata6 in EPS cells markedly suppressed EPS-blastoid formation. Furthermore, we demonstrated that blastocyst-like structures reconstituted by combining the EPS-derived bilineage embryo-like structure (BLES) with either tetraploid embryos or tetraploid TE cells could implant normally and develop into live fetuses. In summary, our study reveals that TE improvement is critical for constructing a functional embryo using stem cells in vitro.
Pregnancy ; Female ; Animals ; Mice ; Tetraploidy ; Blastocyst ; Embryo, Mammalian ; Cell Differentiation ; Embryonic Development

Objective: To investigate the trends in incidence of stroke in Jindong District, Jinhua City, Zhejiang Province from 2016 to 2022, so as to provide to the evidence for improving the stroke control strategy. Methods: The incidence of stroke in Jindong District from 2016 to 2022 was collected through the Zhejiang Chronic Disease Monitoring Information System, and standardized by the data of the Chinese National Population Census in 2010. The gender-, age- and subtype-specific incidence of stroke was calculated, and the trends in stroke incidence were investigated with average annual percent change (AAPC). Results: A total of 9 159 stroke cases were reported in Jindong District from 2016 to 2022, with crude incidence of 386.52/105 and standardized incidence of 276.75/105. The crude incidence of stroke appeared a tendency towards a rise (AAPC=3.704%, 95%CI: 0.792%-6.700%, P<0.05), while the standardized incidence showed no significant changing patterns (P>0.05). The crude incidence of stroke was significantly higher among men than among women (438.69/105 vs. 334.66/105; χ2=14.028, P<0.05), and the standardized incidence of stroke was significantly higher among men than among women (316.58/105 vs. 237.31/105; χ2=6.985, P<0.05). The crude incidence of stroke appeared a tendency towards a rise with age（χ2=5 290.180, P<0.05), and the crude incidence of stroke appeared a tendency towards a decline with age among residents at ages of 45 to 64 years (AAPC=-9.135%, 95%CI: -15.003% to -2.861%, P<0.05), while no significant changing patterns were found in the crude incidence of stroke among residents at other age groups (P>0.05). The crude incidence of ischemic stroke was significantly higher than that of hemorrhagic stroke (306.08/105 vs. 76.89/105; χ2=137.184, P<0.05). Conclusions The incidence of stroke appeared a tendency towards a rise in Jindong District from 2016 to 2022, with ischemic stroke as the predominant subtype. Male and middle-aged and elderly populations should be given a high priority for stroke control.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze a child with 11β hydroxylase deficiency (11β-OHD) due to CYP11B2/CYP11B1 chimeric gene. METHODS: Clinical data of the child who was admitted to Henan Children's Hospital on August 24, 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Peripheral blood samples of the child and his parents were collected and subjected to whole exome sequencing (WES). Candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing. RT-PCR and Long-PCR were carried out to verify the presence of chimeric gene. RESULTS: The patient, a 5-year-old male, had featured premature development of secondary sex characteristics and accelerated growth, and was diagnosed with 21 hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD). WES revealed that he has harbored a heterozygous c.1385T>C (p.L462P) variant of the CYP11B1 gene, in addition to a 37.02 kb deletion on 8q24.3. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), the c.1385T>C (p.L462P) was rated as a likely pathogenic variant (PM2_Supporting+PP3_Moderate+PM3+PP4). The results of RT-PCR and Long-PCR suggested that CYP11B1 and CYP11B2 genes have recombined to form a CYP11B2 exon 1~7/CYP11B1 exon 7~9 chimeric gene. The patient was diagnosed as 11β-OHD and effectively treated with hydrocortisone and triptorelin. A healthy fetus was delivered following genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis. CONCLUSION 11β-OHD may be misdiagnosed as 21-OHD due to the potential CYP11B2/CYP11B1 chimeric gene, which will require multiple methods for the detection.
Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Male ; Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital/genetics* ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP11B2/genetics* ; Exons ; Retrospective Studies ; Steroid 11-beta-Hydroxylase/genetics*