ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism by which the Shenfu Xiongze prescription regulates autophagy in rats with myocardial remodeling through the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase （AMPK）/mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR） signaling pathway. MethodsA rat model of myocardial remodeling induced by isoprenaline （ISO） was established. Rats were divided into the blank group，the model group，the low-，medium-， and high-dose groups of Shenfu Xiongze prescription，and the captopril group， 6 rats in each group. Except for the blank group，the rat model of myocardial remodeling was established in the other groups by intraperitoneal injection of 2.5 mg·kg^-1 ISO for 3 consecutive weeks. At the same time of modeling， the low-，medium-， and high-dose groups of Shenfu Xiongze prescription were administered the corresponding doses of Shenfu Xiongze prescription solution （8.4，16.8，and 33.6 g·kg^-1），and the captopril group was administered captopril solution （25 mg·kg^-1）. As for the blank group and the model group， the same volume of normal saline was given. The treatment was continued for 3 weeks. Echocardiography was used to observe the cardiac structure and function，and the heart weight index was detected. Masson staining and hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining were used to observe the pathological morphology changes of myocardial tissue. The levels of interleukin-6 （IL-6） and B-type natriuretic peptide （BNP） in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The expression of type Ⅰ collagen （Collagen Ⅰ），type Ⅲ collagen （Collagen Ⅲ），and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 （LC3） proteins in myocardial tissue was determined by immunohistochemistry. Autophagy was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The mRNA expression of Collagen Ⅰ，Collagen Ⅲ，α-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA），LC3，yeast Atg6 homolog protein （Beclin-1），AMPK，and mTOR in myocardial tissue was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction （real-time PCR）. The protein expression of Collagen Ⅰ，α-SMA，transforming growth factor-β₁ （TGF-β₁），LC3，Beclin-1，p62， phosphorylation（p）-AMPK，p-mTOR，AMPK，and mTOR was detected by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the normal group，rats in the model group exhibited significantly decreased values of ejection fraction （EF） and left ventricular fractional shortening （FS） （P<0.01）， significantly increased values of left ventricular end-diastolic diameter （LVIDd） and left ventricular end-systolic diameter （LVIDs） （P<0.01）. Additionally， the model group also showed increased degrees of inflammatory infiltration and fibrosis of myocardial tissue， significantly elevated levels of serum IL-6 and BNP （P<0.01）， significantly increased mRNA and protein levels of Collagen Ⅰ，Collagen Ⅲ，α-SMA，and mTOR （P<0.01），and markedly decreased mRNA and protein levels of LC3，Beclin-1，and AMPK （P<0.05，P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the low-，medium-， and high-dose groups of Shenfu Xiongze prescription presented significantly elevated EF and FS values （P<0.01） and lowered LVIDd and LVIDs （P<0.05）. In these groups， the inflammation and fibrosis were alleviated significantly. They also exhibited decreased serum levels of IL-6 and BNP （P<0.01）， significantly reduced protein expression of Collagen Ⅰ， α-SMA， TGF-β₁， p62， and p-mTOR （P<0.01）， significantly decreased mRNA expression of Collagen Ⅰ， Collagen Ⅲ， α-SMA， and mTOR （P<0.01）， and significantly increased mRNA and protein levels of LC3， Beclin-1， and AMPK （P<0.05，P<0.01）. ConclusionThe Shenfu Xiongze prescription can improve the myocardial remodeling induced by ISO in rats by regulating the autophagy level，enhance cardiac function，and reduce inflammatory and fibrotic levels. This effect may be achieved through the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), nanoscale lipid bilayer vesicles actively secreted by organisms into the extracellular environment, are rich in specific bioactive substances, such as proteins, genetic materials and lipids. These vesicles are involved in intercellular interactions and can pass through the blood-brain barrier, and may thus potentially serve as important biological substances for treatment of neurological diseases. In this review, we summarize the biological origin of EVs and their therapeutic potential in neurological diseases, expound the possibility of EV-based treatment of neurological diseases using traditional Chinese medicine, and discuss the challenges and prospects of researches of EVs for the treating neurological diseases.
Extracellular Vesicles ; Humans ; Nervous System Diseases/therapy* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the protective effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) against cisplatin-induced ovarian granulosa cell injury and investigate its possible mechanisms. METHODS: Human granulosa-like tumor cell line (KGN) were treated with 2.5 µg/mL cisplatin for 24 h, followed by treatment with 100, 500, and 1000 mg/L LBP, and the changes in cell viability, apoptosis, level of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), and cell ultrastructure were detected with CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry, ELISA and transmission electron microscopy. The cellular expressions of Bax, caspase-3, Bcl-2, and the PI3K/AKT pathway proteins were analyzed using Western blotting, and the expression of miR-23a was detected with RT-qPCR. KGN cell models with lentivirus-mediated miR-23a overexpression or knockdown were used to verify the therapeutic mechanism of LBP. RESULTS: Cisplatin treatment significantly inhibited cell viability, induced apoptosis, decreased AMH level, caused ultrastructural abnormalities, increased Bax and caspase-3 expression, and lowered Bcl-2 expression in KGN cells. Cisplatin also suppressed the activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and upregulated miR-23a expression in the cells. LBP intervention obviously alleviated cisplatin-induced injuries in KGN cells, and in particular, LBP treatment at the medium dose for 24 h significantly improved KGN cell viability, reduced apoptosis, enhanced their endocrine function, and ameliorated ultrastructural abnormalities. Mechanistically, medium-dose LBP obviously activated the PI3K/AKT pathway by downregulating miR-23a in cisplatin-treated cells, subsequently inhibiting Bax and caspase-3 while upregulating Bcl-2. Overexpression of miR-23a weakened while knockdown of miR-23a significantly enhanced the protective effects of LBP. CONCLUSIONS LBP alleviates cisplatin-induced apoptosis in KGN cells by inhibiting miR-23a expression and activating the PI3K/AKT pathway, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for ovarian function preservation.
Humans ; Cisplatin/adverse effects* ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; Female ; Granulosa Cells/cytology* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Down-Regulation ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival/drug effects*

Senecavirus A (SVA) is a major viral pathogen causing disease in pigs, and effective monitoring of SVA infection is critical for disease control. In this study, we aimed to develop a reliable ELISA method for rapidly detecting neutralizing antibodies against SVA. We used HEK293F cells to express an SVA-specific porcine Fab antibody and verified the biological activity of the Fab antibody by indirect ELISA, immunofluorescence assay, virus neutralization test, and Western blotting. The Fab antibody was biotinylated and used as a competitive antibody to establish a competitive ELISA (C-ELISA) for detecting neutralizing antibodies against SVA. We then evaluated the C-ELISA in terms of sensitivity, specificity, repeatability, and result agreement rate with the VNT. The results showed that we successfully prepared an SVA-specific porcine Fab antibody, which showed high affinity for SVA. We named this antibody 1M33Fab and designated it as Bio-1M33Fab after biotin labeling. The assay conditions were optimized as follows: the coating concentration of SVA particles being 1 μg/mL, the working concentration of Bio-1M33Fab being 0.5 μg/mL, the optimal serum dilution of 1:10, and the optimal dilution of enzyme-labeled avidin being 1:30 000. At a percent inhibition (PI) of 47%, the assay demonstrated the highest sensitivity (96.88%) and specificity (100%), with no cross-reactivity observed with the positive sera of major porcine viral diseases. The intra-assay coefficient of variation ranged from 1.12% to 7.34%, while the inter-assay coefficient of variation ranged from 1.10% to 8.97%, indicating good repeatability. In the detection of 224 clinical pig serum samples, C-ELISA and VNT showed a result agreement rate of 93.75%. In conclusion, we successfully develop a C-ELISA method for detecting neutralizing antibodies against SVA by using a porcine-derived Fab antibody, which lays a foundation for the development of detection kits.
Animals ; Swine ; Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay/methods* ; Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments/immunology* ; Antibodies, Viral/immunology* ; Picornaviridae/immunology* ; Humans ; HEK293 Cells ; Swine Diseases/diagnosis* ; Picornaviridae Infections/diagnosis*

Conventional chemotherapy based on cytotoxic drugs is facing tough challenges recently following the advances of monoclonal antibodies and molecularly targeted drugs. It is critical to inspire new potential to remodel the value of this classical therapeutic strategy. Here, we fabricate bisphosphonate coordination lipid nanogranules (BC-LNPs) and load paclitaxel (PTX) to boost the chemo- and immuno-therapeutic synergism of cytotoxic drugs. Alendronate in BC-LNPs@PTX, a bisphosphonate to block mevalonate metabolism, works as both the structure and drug constituent in nanogranules, where alendronate coordinated with calcium ions to form the particle core. The synergy of alendronate enhances the efficacy of paclitaxel, suppresses tumor metastasis, and alters the cytotoxic mechanism. Differing from the paclitaxel-induced apoptosis, the involvement of alendronate inhibits the mevalonate metabolism, changes the mitochondrial morphology, disturbs the redox homeostasis, and causes the accumulation of mitochondrial ROS and lethal lipid peroxides (LPO). These factors finally trigger the ferroptosis of tumor cells, an immunogenic cell death mode, which remodels the suppressive tumor immune microenvironment and synergizes with immunotherapy. Therefore, by switching paclitaxel-induced apoptosis to mevalonate metabolism-triggered ferroptosis, BC-LNPs@PTX provides new insight into the development of cytotoxic drugs and highlights the potential of metabolism regulation in cancer therapy.

Literature related to children's adenoid hypertrophy was retrieved to form an expert questionnaire.According to the group standard writing rules of the China Association of Chinese Medicine,the peer consultation,quality evaluation and suitability eval-uation were completed through three rounds of Delphi expert questionnaire surveys and expert discussion meetings,and the Clinical Practice Guidelines for TCM in Children with Adenoidal Hypertrophy was finally formed.The guidelines have been formulated to clarify the scope of application of the guidelines,normative reference documents,terms and definitions,diagnosis,syndrome differentiation,treatment,prevention and care,and to provide an important reference for the clinical practice and diagnosis and treatment norms of tra-ditional Chinese medicine for children with adenoid hypertrophy.

Objective:To investigate the ultrasonographic features of medullary thyroid carcinomas (MTCs) of different sizes and supply valid information for separating MTCs from papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs).Methods:There were 87 patients with MTC and 220 patients with PTC detected by ultrasonography and confirmed by pathology at Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital from June 2018 to March 2022. Nodules were divided into the large nodule group (the maximum diameter of the tumor was＞1 cm) and the small nodule group (the maximum diameter of the tumor was ≤1 cm). There were 97 cases in the small nodule group, including 28 cases of MTC and 69 cases of PTC. There were 210 cases in the large nodule group, including 59 cases of MTC and 151 cases of PTC. After stratification by thyroid nodules, ultrasonographic features of thyroid nodules and metastatic lymph nodes, preoperative serum calcitonin (CT) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels were compared between MTC and PTC patients.Results:In the small nodule group, the proportion of MTCs exhibiting hypoecho, smooth margins, and having blood flow signals was higher than that of PTCs, with statistically significant differences (all P＜0.05). In the large nodule group, the proportion of MTCs showing cystic solidity, hypoecho, smooth margins, blood flow, and the type Ⅳvascular distribution was higher than PTCs, and the difference of calcification type between them was also statistically significant (all P＜0.05). In contrast, the differences in the number of lesions and aspect ratio between MTCs and PTCs were not statistically significant regardless of nodule size (all P＞0.05). In the small nodule group,6 metastatic lymph nodes of medullary thyroid carcinoma (LNM-MTC) and 11 metastatic lymph nodes of papillary thyroid carcinoma (LNM-PTC) were correctly diagnosed by ultrasound, respectively. The diagnostic compliance rate of ultrasound was 78.6% (22/28) and 78.3% (54/69), respectively, with no statistically significant difference ( P=0.973). In the large nodule group, 28 LNM-MTC and 11 LNM-PTC were correctly diagnosed by ultrasound, respectively. The diagnostic compliance of ultrasound was 88.1% (52/59) and 73.5% (111/151), respectively, which was statistically significant ( P=0.022). Among them, 82.1% of LNM-MTC and 56.6% of LNM-PTC showed abnormal blood flow signals, with a statistically significant difference ( P=0.016). There were significant differences in preoperative serum CT and CEA levels of different sizes of MTCs (all P＜0.05). Conclusions:Different sizes of MTCs require diverse demonstrative criteria. Abnormal blood flow signal is of great significance in the diagnosis of LNM-MTC. Within the absence of ultrasonic characteristics, preoperative serum CT test can provide confidence for the diagnosis of MTC.

The"season-visceral-related"theory originated from Huangdi Neijing,and its content contains the"holism of five viscera"and"correspondence between nature and humans"in the theoretical system of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).Recently,the prevalence of post-stroke cognitive impairment(PSCI)has gradually increased with the increasing incidence of stroke.TCM believes that PSCI is located in the brain,however,the causative factors such as phlegm,depression,deficiency,and stasis are caused by the lesions of the five zang viscera.Therefore,PSCI can not be treated with the brain alone.Based on the"season-visceral-related"theory,this article discusses the etiology,pathogenesis,and treatment ideas for PSCI from the four seasons and five zang viscera.Xiaoyao Pill was selected as a treatment for patients with qi imbalance in spring to disperse stagnated liver qi to relieve qi stagnation.Tianwang Buxin Dan was selected as a treatment for patients with blood loss and spirit injury in the summer to nourish the blood and calm the heart and brain.Kaixin Powder was selected as a treatment for patients with spleen deficiency and phlegm blockage in late summer to strengthen the spleen,awaken the mind,and remove stasis.Wenfei Jiangzhuo Decoction was selected as a treatment for patients with qi deficiency and spirit departure in autumn to nourish the lungs,reduce turbidity,and nourish the mind.Dihuang Yinzi was selected as a treatment for patients with marrow reduction and internal toxin in winter to expel phlegm and fill the mind.Treating PSCI using the"season-visceral-related"theory reflects the overall concept of TCM and the hypothesis of syndrome differentiation and treatment and provides novel method for treating PSCI.

Objective·To evaluate the relationship between anxiety level,alexithymia degree and quality of life in patients with anxiety disorders.Methods·Anxiety disorder patients admitted to the outpatient department of Shanghai Mental Health Center,Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from October 1,2020 to March 31,2023 were selected as the research subjects,and 438 patients were ultimately included after exclusion.Among them,there were 271 patients with generalized anxiety disorder,101 patients with panic disorder,48 patients with social anxiety disorder,12 patients with agoraphobia,and 6 patients with specific phobia.Hamilton Anxiety Scale(HAMA),Hamilton Depression Scale-17(HAMD-17),the twenty-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale(TAS-20)and World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale-Brief Form Questionnaire(WHOQOL-BREF)were used to assess the patients'anxiety level,depression level,alexithymia degree and quality of life,respectively,and the scale scores of patients with different subtypes of anxiety disorders were evaluated.Spearman correlation coefficient was used to analyze the correlation between anxiety level,depression level,alexithymia degree and quality of life in patients with anxiety disorders.Stepwise regression model was used to analyze the key variables affecting the quality of life in patients with anxiety disorders.Results·There were no significant differences in HAMA score,HAMD-17 score and TAS-20 score among patients with different subtypes of anxiety disorders,but the differences in WHOQOL-BRIEF score were statistically significant(H=10.076,P=0.039).The results of Spearman correlation analysis showed that the WHOQOL-BRIEF score of anxiety disorder patients was negatively correlated with HAMA score,HAMD-17 score and TAS-20 score(r=-0.256,P=0.000;r=-0.311,P=0.000;r=-0.342,P=0.000).The results of stepwise regression analysis showed that age,HAMA score,HAMD-17 score and TAS-20 score had significant impact on the quality of life of patients(all P<0.05).Conclusion·The quality of life in patients with different subtypes of anxiety disorders is different.The anxiety level,depression level and alexithymia degree are the key variables affecting their quality of life.

Objective·To verify the performance and explore the clinical application value of a multi-modal pulmonary nodule diagnosis model combined with metabolic fingerprints,protein biomarker CEA and Image-AI via random forest(MPI-RF).Methods·This study enrolled 289 patients with pulmonary nodules who were admitted to the Shanghai Chest Hospital,Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and were detected by low-dose helical computed tomography(LDCT).The patients were divided into malignant nodule group(n=197)and benign nodule group(n=92)based on postoperative pathological results,and the basic information of the two groups was collected and compared.Electrochemiluminescence was used to detect the preoperative serum CEA levels of the patients in the two groups,matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry(MALDI-MS)was used to detect the serum metabolic fingerprints,and the CT image artificial intelligence model Image-AI was used to calculate the image scores.CEA data,serum metabolic fingerprints data and image scores were integrated and input into MPI-RF to calculate the malignant probability score of each patient.The receiver operator characteristic curve(ROC curve)and area under the curve(AUC)were used to evaluate the performance of different models,and the DeLong test was used for comparative analysis,including the diagnostic performance of MPI-RF in different types(solid nodule,pure ground-glass nodule and part-solid nodule)and sizes(diameter<8 mm and diameter≥8 mm)of pulmonary nodules,the diagnostic performance comparison of MPI-RF with Mayo Clinic model,veterans administration(VA)model and Brock model,and the diagnostic performance comparison of MPI-RF with lung imaging reporting and data system(Lung-RADS)in benign and malignant nodules.Results·MPI-RF had good diagnostic performance in the differentiation of benign and malignant pulmonary nodules(AUC=0.887,95%CI 0.848?0.925,sensitivity 81.22%,specificity 83.70%).Among them,the AUC of MPI-RF for solid nodules was 0.877(95%CI 0.820?0.934),for part-solid nodules was 0.858(95%CI 0.771?0.946),and for pure ground-glass nodules was 0.978(95%CI 0.923?1.000).The AUC of MPI-RF was 0.840(95%CI 0.716?0.963)for nodules within 8 mm diameter and 0.891(95%CI 0.849?0.933)for nodules larger than 8 mm diameter.Compared with the existing models,the diagnostic performance of MPI-RF was better than that of Mayo Clinic model,VA model and Brock model(all P=0.000).Compared with Lung-RADS,MPI-RF had better diagnostic performance in the total samples and different types of nodules(all P=0.000).Conclusion·MPI-RF is a model for the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant pulmonary nodules with excellent performance,and has potential clinical application value.