Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease involving multiple inflammatory cells and cytokines. Its pathogenesis is complex, involving various cells and cytokines. Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) theory suggests that the pathogenesis of asthma is closely related to the dysfunction of internal organs such as the lungs, spleen, and kidneys. In contrast, modern immunological studies have revealed the central role of T helper 1(Th1)/T helper 2(Th2) and T helper 17(Th17)/regulatory T(Treg) cellular immune imbalance in the pathogenesis of asthma. Th1/Th2 imbalance is manifested as hyperfunction of Th2 cells, which promotes the synthesis of immunoglobulin E(IgE) and the activation of eosinophil granulocytes, leading to airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation.Meanwhile, Th17/Treg imbalance exacerbates the inflammatory response in the airways, further contributing to asthma pathology.Currently, therapeutic strategies for asthma are actively exploring potential targets for regulating the balance of Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg immune responses. These targets include cytokines, transcription factors, key proteins, and non-coding RNAs. Precisely regulating the expression and function of these targets can effectively modulate the activation and differentiation of immune cells. In recent years,traditional Chinese medicine active ingredients have shown unique potential and prospects in the field of asthma treatment. Based on this, the present study systematically summarizes the efficacy and specific mechanisms of TCM active ingredients in treating asthma by regulating Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg immune balance through literature review and analysis. These active ingredients, including flavonoids, terpenoids, polysaccharides, alkaloids, and phenolic acids, exert their effects through various mechanisms, such as inhibiting the activation of inflammatory cells, reducing the release of cytokines, and promoting the normal differentiation of immune cells. This study aims to provide a solid foundation for the widespread application and in-depth development of TCM in asthma treatment and to offer new ideas for clinical research and drug development of asthma.
Asthma/genetics* ; Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Th2 Cells/drug effects* ; Th17 Cells/drug effects* ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/drug effects* ; Th1 Cells/drug effects* ; Animals ; Cytokines/immunology* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

Asthma, a chronic inflammatory airway disease with a high global prevalence, has a complex pathogenesis, in which airway remodeling plays a key role in the chronicity of the disease. Airway remodeling involves a series of pathophysiological changes, including airway epithelial damage, proliferation of mucous glands and goblet cells, subepithelial fibrosis, proliferation and migration of airway smooth muscle cells, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. These complex pathological changes significantly increase airway resistance and responsiveness, forming an important pathological basis for refractory asthma. Currently, the regulatory mechanisms of airway remodeling focus on signaling pathways and regulatory targets. The signaling pathways include phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt), nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB), transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)/Smads, and mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK). The regulatory targets include microRNAs(miRNAs), competing endogenous RNAs(ceRNAs), long non-coding RNAs(lncRNAs), and circular RNAs(circRNAs). Key proteins involved in these processes include TGF-β1, silencing information regulator 2-related enzyme 1(SIRT1), chitinase 3-like protein 1(YKL-40), and adenosine deaminase-metalloproteinase 33(ADAM33). In recent years, the potential of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of asthma has become increasingly evident. Its active ingredients, extracts, and complexes can inhibit airway remodeling in asthma through multiple pathways, demonstrating a variety of effects, including anti-inflammatory actions, inhibition of smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration, regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, attenuation of fibrosis and basement membrane thickening, reduction of mucus secretion, inhibition of vascular remodeling, modulation of immune imbalance, and antioxidative stress. This paper aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the pathogenesis and therapeutic targets of asthma, offering theoretical support and innovative strategies for clinical research and drug development in the treatment of asthma.
Asthma/pathology* ; Humans ; Airway Remodeling/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Animals ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the changes of stress and displacement of intervertebral discs and vertebral bodies in adolescent idiopathic cervical kyphosis models caused by Wuqinxi () Huju() and extension movement after torque loading by finite element analysis. METHODS: One healthy male volunteer aged 24-year-old (heighted 178 cm and weighted 65 kg) was selected, software such as Mimics 21.0, Geomagic wrap 2017, SolidWorks 2017, and Ansys Workbench 17.0 were used to simulate adolescent idiopathic cervical spine model, an axial compressive load of 266 N was applied to the center of the end plate on C₂ for head physical gravity simulation, the lower part of C₇ vertebral body was set as the point of freedom constraint, a torque of 1.5 N·m was applied with C₂ as the reference point to simulate the stress on intervertebral discs and vertebral bodies after 45° movement of Wuqinxi () Huju (). RESULTS: The normal C₂-C₇ cervical spine model and adolescent idiopathic cervical kyphosis model were successfully constructed. The maximum stress value of intervertebral disc when the Huju()was raised and extended at 45° and loaded with torque occurred in C_3,4 intervertebral disc (3.588 1) MPa. The maximum stress values of each intervertebral disc were C_3,4(3.588 1 MPa)>C_2,3 (3.467 5 MPa) >C_4,5(2.597 7 MPa) >C_5,6 (2.378 8 MPa) >C_6,7 (1.404 9 MPa), respectively. The maximum stress of C6 vertebral body was 5.842 9 MPa, while the stresses of C₂, C₃, C₄, and C₅ vertebral bodies was 4.184 8, 4.437 8, 4.148 7, and 2.852 4 MPa respectively. The overall stress of vertebral body was mainly concentrated in the front of vertebral body. CONCLUSION After long-term practice of Huju()movement, the stress concentration in intervertebral discs and the front of vertebral body changes the stress load state of intervertebral discs and vertebral body. As time goes by, intervertebral discs may change, forming a shape that is higher in the front and lower in the back. The vertebral body may also undergo remodeling, resulting in a relative increase in the height of the anterior edge of vertebral body and promoting the recovery of cervical kyphosis to a physiological lordosis state.
Humans ; Finite Element Analysis ; Male ; Cervical Vertebrae/physiopathology* ; Kyphosis/therapy* ; Young Adult ; Adolescent ; Adult

Oral solid dosage forms require processes such as disintegration and dissolution to release the drug before it can be absorbed and utilized by the body. In this manuscript, imaging technology was used to continuously visualize and characterize the in vitro static drug release process of gliclazide modified release tablets from 15 manufacturers, combined with the traditional method of in vitro dissolution testing, to determine the release profile of gliclazide modified release tablets, to evaluate the similarity of the release profiles by using the similarity factor (f₂) method and based on the analysis of the release profiles fitted with a variety of mathematical models. The results indicate that the gliclazide modified release tablets produced by 14 companies are hydrophilic gel matrix tablets. Compared to the reference listed drug, the release profiles of formulations from 11 companies show high similarity (f₂ > 50) to the reference. Among these, formulations with visual characteristics similar to the reference exhibit similar release curves. This study provides an alternative method for the in vitro consistency evaluation of gliclazide modified release tablets, aiming to assess the in vitro release behaviour of generic formulations more accurately and comprehensively.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the independent and combined effects of air pollutants, meteorological factors, and greenspace exposure on new tuberculosis (TB) cases. METHODS: TB case data from Shanghai (2013-2018) were obtained from the Shanghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Environmental data on air pollutants, meteorological variables, and greenspace exposure were obtained from the National Tibetan Plateau Data Center. We employed a distributed-lag nonlinear model to assess the effects of these environmental factors on TB cases. RESULTS: Increased TB risk was linked to PM _2.5, PM ₁₀, and rainfall, whereas NO ₂, SO ₂, and air pressure were associated with a reduced risk. Specifically, the strongest cumulative effects occurred at various lags: PM _2.5 ( RR = 1.166, 95% CI: 1.026-1.325) at 0-19 weeks; PM ₁₀ ( RR = 1.167, 95% CI: 1.028-1.324) at 0-18 weeks; NO ₂ ( RR = 0.968, 95% CI: 0.938-0.999) at 0-1 weeks; SO ₂ ( RR = 0.945, 95% CI: 0.894-0.999) at 0-2 weeks; air pressure ( RR = 0.604, 95% CI: 0.447-0.816) at 0-8 weeks; and rainfall ( RR = 1.404, 95% CI: 1.076-1.833) at 0-22 weeks. Green space exposure did not significantly impact TB cases. Additionally, low temperatures amplified the effect of PM _2.5 on TB. CONCLUSION Exposure to PM _2.5, PM ₁₀, and rainfall increased the risk of TB, highlighting the need to address air pollutants for the prevention of TB in Shanghai.
China/epidemiology* ; Humans ; Air Pollutants/analysis* ; Tuberculosis/epidemiology* ; Incidence ; Meteorological Concepts ; Particulate Matter/adverse effects* ; Environmental Exposure ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Air Pollution ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVE: To investigate chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection's effect on gestational liver function, pregnancy and delivery complications, and neonatal development. METHODS: A total of 157 HCV antibody-positive (anti-HCV[+]) and HCV RNA(+) patients (Group C) and 121 anti-HCV(+) and HCV RNA(-) patients (Group B) were included as study participants, while 142 anti-HCV(-) and HCV RNA(-) patients (Group A) were the control group. Data on biochemical indices during pregnancy, pregnancy complications, delivery-related information, and neonatal complications were also collected. RESULTS: Elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) rates in Group C during early, middle, and late pregnancy were 59.87%, 43.95%, and 42.04%, respectively-significantly higher than Groups B (26.45%, 15.70%, 10.74%) and A (23.94%, 19.01%, 6.34%) ( P < 0.05). Median ALT levels in Group C were significantly higher than in Groups A and B at all pregnancy stages ( P < 0.05). No significant differences were found in neonatal malformation rates across groups ( P > 0.05). However, neonatal jaundice incidence was significantly greater in Group C (75.16%) compared to Groups A (42.25%) and B (57.02%) ( χ ² = 33.552, P < 0.001). HCV RNA positivity during pregnancy was an independent risk factor for neonatal jaundice ( OR = 2.111, 95% CI 1.242-3.588, P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS Chronic HCV infection can affect the liver function of pregnant women, but does not increase the pregnancy or delivery complication risks. HCV RNA(+) is an independent risk factor for neonatal jaundice.
Humans ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Adult ; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/epidemiology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Infant, Newborn ; Viremia/virology* ; Hepatitis C ; Hepacivirus/physiology* ; Hepatitis C, Chronic/virology* ; Young Adult ; Alanine Transaminase/blood*

Objective To investigate the status of population dynamics and distribution changes of Aedes aegypti in Guangdong Province.Methods Continuous monitoring was conducted from May 2018 to July 2024 in Wushi Town and Qishui Town,Leizhou City,Zhanjiang City,Guangdong Province.Additionally,a survey of the distribution of Ae.aegypti along the Leizhou Peninsula coast was carried out.Results The density of Ae.aegypti in Zhanjiang showed a gradual decline from 2018 to 2024.The last detection of adult Ae.aegypti in Wushi Town was in September 2021,and the last larva was found in October 2023.No Ae.aegypti was detected in Qishui Town during surveys from 2021 to 2024.A survey of 18 coastal villages in the Leizhou Peninsula revealed no detections of Ae.aegypti.Conclusions This study provides a basis for understanding the distribution and population density fluctuations of Ae.aegypti,assessing its invasion risk,and scientifically conducting relevant prevention and control efforts.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between the virulence and the carbapenem resistance phenotype of Klebsiella pneumoniae from blood infection,and to identify carbapenem-resistant and hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae(CR-HVKP)strains.Methods:A total of 192 Klebsiella pneumoniae strains were isolated from blood culture of patients with bloodstream infections from 2016 to 2019,of which 96 isolates were carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae(CRKP)and 96 were carbapenem-sensitive Klebsiella pneumoniae(CSKP).The drug susceptibility was detected by VITEK-2 automatic microbial analyzer;carbapenemase genes,virulence genes and capsule typing were detected by polymerase chain reaction;the high viscosity phenotype of strains was detected by string test,and the genome characteristics of CR-HVKP were detected by whole genome sequencing.Serum killing and biofilm formation test were used to further verify the virulence of CR-HVKP.Results:There were significant differences in drug resistance to common antibiotics,except for minocycline between CSKP and CRKP isolates(all P<0.05).92 out of 96 CRKP isolates carried carbapenemase genes,mainly blaKPC-2.The string tests were positive in 4 isolates of CRKP and 36 isolates of CSKP(P<0.05).The detection rates of virulence genes Kfu,aerobictin,iutA,ybtS,rmpA,magA,allS,and capsule antigen K1 and K2 in CSKP group were significantly higher than those in CRKP group(all P<0.05).One HVKP strain was detected in the CRKP group(CR-HVKP)and 36 HVKP was detected in the CSKP group(P<0.05).The CR-HVKP strain belonged to the MLST412,serotype K57,expressed iutA,entB,mrkD,fimH,and rmpA virulence genes,and showed strong biofilm formation and significantly increased serum resistance.Whole genome sequencing results showed that this CR-HVKP isolate carried blaSHV-145,blaTEM-1,blaCTX-M-3,fosA6,oqxA5,oqxB26,and aac(3)-Ⅱd resistance genes,accompanied by abnormalities in outer membrane protein K(OmpK)35 and OmpK36.Conclusions:The drug resistance of CRKP is significantly higher than that of CSKP,while CRKP carrying fewer virulence genes in both number and types compared to CSKP.A new MLST type of carbapenem-resistant and hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae strain has been detected,which requires clinical awareness and epidemiological monitoring.

Objective To investigate the effect of long non-coding RNA(lncRNA)nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1(NEAT1)in regulating osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells(hBMSCs)through regulating cell pyroptosis.Methods hBMSCs were cultured for 7 days to induce osteogenic differentiation,and then divided into the control group(common culture),the osteogenic differentiation group(osteogenic differentiation induction),the pcD-NEAT1 group(transfected with NEAT1 overexpression plasmid),the pcD-null group(transfected with negative control of NEAT1 overexpression plasmid),the osteogenic differentiation+CML group[treated with osteogenic differentiation induction and NOD-like receptor family protein 3(NLRP3)inflammasome activator of carboxy methyl lysine(CML)],and the osteogenic differentiation+CML+pcD-NEAT1 group(treated with osteogenic differentiation and pcD-NEAT1 as well as CML).The cell mineralization was detected using alizarin red staining,the alkaline phosphatase(ALP)activity was determined by ALP activity assay,the cell survival rate was determined by CCK-8,and the morphological change was observed under a high-power microscope.The cell apoptosis was determined using the TUNEL assay.The expression of NEAT1 was detected using qRT-PCR.The protein expression of IL-1β,IL-18,NLRP3,cleaved-caspase 1(cleaved-CASP1),gasdermin D,Runt-related transcription factor 2(RUNX2),ALP,and osteopontin(OPN)were detected using Western blot.Results Compared with the control group,the degree of cell mineralization in the osteogenic differentiation group was increased,the ALP activity was elevated(P<0.05),and the expression of NEAT1 and the protein expression of RUNX2,ALP,and OPN were upregulated(P<0.05).Compared with the pcD-null group,the degree of cell mineralization in the pcD-NEAT1 group was increased,the ALP activity was elevated(P<0.05),and the expression of NEAT1 and the protein expression of RUNX2,ALP,and OPN were upregulated(P<0.05).Compared with the osteogenic differentiation group,the degree of cell mineralization in the osteogenic differentiation+CML group was reduced,the ALP activity was decreased(P<0.05),the cell survival rate was reduced(P<0.05),the cell apoptosis was increased(P<0.05),cell membrane rupture occurred,cells showed enlarged deformation,the expression of NLRP3 and the protein expression of IL-1β,IL-18,cleaved-CASP1,and gasdermin D were significantly upregulated(P<0.05),while the protein expression of RUNX2,ALP and OPN were significantly downregulated(P<0.05).Compared with the osteogenic differentiation+CML group,the degree of cell mineralization in the osteogenic differentiation+CML+pcD-NEAT1 group was increased,the ALP activity was increased(P<0.05),the protein expression of RUNX2,ALP and OPN were significantly upregulated(P<0.05),the cell survival rate was increased(P<0.05),the cell apoptosis rate was decreased(P<0.05),the cell membrane was intact with the normal cell shape,the expression of NLRP3 and the protein expression of IL-1β,IL-18,cleaved-CASP1 and gasdermin D were significantly downregulated(P<0.05).Conclusion The overexpression of NEAT1 promotes the osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated cell pyroptosis.

Objective To observe the efficacy of 577 nm subthreshold micropulse laser photocoagulation(SMLP)on central serous chorioretinopathy(CSC)and explore the baseline characteristics and prognostic features of multimodal ima-ging-based CSC.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 44 patients(46 eyes)with CSC diagnosed at the Ophthalmology Department of the General Hospital of Central Theater Command,PLA from June 2017 to May 2022.The pa-tients were classified into the simple CSC group(23 eyes)and the complex CSC group(23 eyes)based on the multimodal imaging classification.All patients underwent 577 nm SMLP treatment.The best corrected visual acuity(BCVA)and cen-tral macular thickness(CMT)of patients between the two groups were compared before treatment and at 1,3 and 6 months after treatment.The intra-group and inter-group changes and the complete absorption rate of subretinal fluid(SRF)in CSC eyes of patients between the two groups were assessed before treatment and at 6 months after follow-up.Results The BCVA of patients in the simple CSC group significantly improved at 6 months after treatment compared with the base-line(P=0.010);the BCVA of patients in the complex CSC group significantly improved at 3 and 6 months after treatment compared with the baseline(both P＜0.01).The CMT of patients in the simple CSC group was significantly lower than the baseline at 1,3,and 6 months after treatment(all P＜0.05);the CMT of patients in the complex CSC group was signifi-cantly lower than the baseline at 1 and 6 months after treatment(both P＜0.05);the change in CMT from baseline after 6 months of treatment for simple CSC was(-163.74±88.10)μm,the change in CMT from baseline after 6 months of treat-ment for complex CSC was(-71.96±164.30)μm,and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(P=0.023).During the follow-up period,the number of eyes with persistent SRF in the simple CSC group was significant-ly lower than that in the complex CSC group(P＜0.05).The complete absorption rate of SRF at 6 months after treatment in the simple CSC group was greater than that in the complex CSC group(P＜0.05).Conclusion The prognosis of sim-ple CSC treated with 577 nm SMLP is better than that of complex CSC,and the new multimodal imaging classification has a certain value in predicting the prognosis of CSC after SMLP.