Inflammatory diseases (IDs) are a general term of diseases characterized by chronic inflammation as the primary pathogenetic mechanism, which seriously affect the quality of patient′s life and cause significant social and medical burden. Current drugs for IDs include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, immunomodulators, biologics, and antioxidants, but these drugs may cause gastrointestinal side effects, induce or worsen infections, and cause non-response or intolerance. Given the outstanding performance of metal polyphenol network (MPN) in the fields of drug delivery, biomedical imaging, and catalytic therapy, its application in the diagnosis and treatment of IDs has attracted much attention and significant progress has been made. In this paper, we first provide an overview of the types of IDs and their generating mechanisms, then sort out and summarize the different forms of MPN in recent years, and finally discuss in detail the characteristics of MPN and their latest research progress in the diagnosis and treatment of IDs. This research may provide useful references for scientific research and clinical practice in the related fields.

This study investigates the effect and underlying mechanism of Guizhi Tongluo Tablets(GZTL) in treating atherosclerosis(AS) in a mouse model. Apolipoprotein E-knockout(ApoE~(-/-)) mice were randomly assigned to the following groups: model, high-, medium-, and low-dose GZTL, and atorvastatin(ATV), and age-matched C57BL/6J mice were selected as the control group. ApoE~(-/-) mice in other groups except the control group were fed with a high-fat diet for the modeling of AS and administrated with corresponding drugs via gavage for 8 weeks. General conditions, signs of blood stasis, and body mass of mice were monitored. Aortic plaques and their stability were assessed by hematoxylin-eosin, Masson, and oil red O staining. Serum levels of total cholesterol(TC), triglycerides(TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C) were measured by biochemical assays, and those of interleukin-1β(IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), and interleukin-6(IL-6) were determined via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Apoptosis was assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL). Single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNA-seq) was employed to analyze the differential expression of CD72hi macrophages(CD72hi-Mφ) in the aortas of AS patients and mice. The immunofluorescence assay was employed to visualize CD72hi-Mφ expression in mouse aortic plaques, and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was utilized to determine the mRNA levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 in the aorta. The results demonstrated that compared with the control group, the model group exhibited significant increases in body mass, aortic plaque area proportion, necrotic core area proportion, and lipid deposition, a notable decrease in collagen fiber content, and an increase in apoptosis. Additionally, the model group showcased elevated serum levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6, alongside marked upregulations in the mRNA levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 in the aorta. In comparison with the model group, the GZTL groups and the ATV group showed a reduction in body mass, and the medium-and high-dose GZTL groups and the ATV group demonstrated reductions in aortic plaque area proportion, necrotic core area proportion, and lipid deposition, an increase in collagen fiber content, and a decrease in apoptosis. Furthermore, the treatment goups showcased lowered serum levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6. The data of scRNA-seq revealed significantly elevated CD72hi-Mφ signaling in carotid plaques of AS patients compared with that in the normal arterial tissue. Animal experiments confirmed that CD72hi-Mφ expression, along with several pro-inflammatory cytokines, was significantly upregulated in the aortas of AS mice, which were downregulated by GZTL treatment. In conclusion, GZTL may alleviate AS by inhibiting CD72hi-Mφ activity.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Atherosclerosis/immunology* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Macrophages/immunology* ; Male ; Humans ; Apolipoproteins E/genetics* ; Tablets ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Interleukin-1beta/genetics* ; Interleukin-6/genetics* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mice, Knockout

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate how spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) exerts its analgesic effects through regulating brain function in lumbar disc herniation (LDH) patients by utilizing resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). METHODS: From September 2021 to September 2023, we enrolled LDH patients (LDH group, n=31) and age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs, n=28). LDH group underwent rs-fMRI at 2 distinct time points (TPs): prior to the initiation of SMT (TP1) and subsequent to the completion of the SMT sessions (TP2). SMT was administered once every other day for 30 min per session, totally 14 treatment sessions over a span of 4 weeks. HCs did not receive SMT treatment and underwent only one fMRI scan. Additionally, participants in LDH group completed clinical questionnaires on pain using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score, whereas HCs did not undergo clinical scale assessments. The effects on the brain were jointly characterized using the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) and regional homogeneity (ReHo). Correlation analyses were conducted between specific brain regions and clinical scales. RESULTS: Following SMT treatment, pain symptoms in LDH patients were notably alleviated and accompanied by evident activation of effects in the brain. In comparison to TP1, TP2 exhibited the most significant increase in ALFF values for Temporal_Sup_R and the most notable decrease in ALFF values for Paracentral_Lobule_L (voxelwise P<0.005; clusters >30; FDR correction). Additionally, the most substantial enhancement in ReHo values was observed for the Cuneus_R, while the most prominent reduction was noted for the Olfactory_R (voxelwise P<0.005; clusters >30; FDR correction). Moreover, a comparative analysis revealed that, in contrast to HCs, LDH patients at TP1 exhibited the most significant increase in ALFF values for Temporal_Pole_Sup_L and the most notable decrease in ALFF values for Frontal_Mid_L (voxelwise P<0.005; clusters >30; FDR correction). Furthermore, the most significant enhancement in ReHo values was observed for Postcentral_L, while the most prominent reduction was identified for ParaHippocampal_L (voxelwise P<0.005; clusters >30; FDR correction). Notably, correlation analysis with clinical scales revealed a robust positive correlation between the Cuneus_R score and the rate of change in the VAS score (r=0.9333, P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Long-term chronic lower back pain in patients with LDH manifests significant activation of the "AUN-DMN-S1-SAN" neural circuitry. The visual network, represented by the Cuneus_R, is highly likely to be a key brain network in which the analgesic efficacy of SMT becomes effective in treating LDH patients. (Trial registration No. NCT06277739).
Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement/diagnostic imaging* ; Male ; Female ; Brain/diagnostic imaging* ; Adult ; Manipulation, Spinal/methods* ; Middle Aged ; Lumbar Vertebrae/physiopathology* ; Pain Management ; Rest ; Case-Control Studies

Anti-tumor traditional Chinese medicine has a long history of clinic application, in which the star molecules have always been the hotspot of modern drug research, but they are limited by the solubility, stability, targeting, bioactivity or toxicity of the monomer components of traditional Chinese medicine anti-tumor star molecules and other pharmacokinetic problems, which hinders the traditional Chinese medicine anti-tumor star molecules for further clinical translation and application. Currently, the nanosystems prepared by supramolecular technologies such as molecular self-assembly and nanomaterial encapsulation have broader application prospects in improving the anti-tumor effect of active components of traditional Chinese medicine, which has attracted extensive attention from scholars at home and abroad. In this paper, we systematically review the research progress in preparation of supramolecular nano-systems from anti-tumor star molecule of traditional Chinese medicine, and summarize the two major categories and ten small classes of carrier-free and carrier-based supramolecular nanosystems and their research cases, and the future development direction is put forward. The purpose of this paper is to provide reference for the research and clinical transformation of using supramolecular technology to improve the clinical application of anti-tumor star molecule of traditional Chinese medicine.

Objective:To compare the effectiveness of cylindrical-shaped and conical-shaped cuff catheters for airway closure using different pressure measurement methods at the lowest safe pressure and to guide the clinical application.Methods:Twenty-four patients with endotracheal intubation admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital from December 2021 to January 2022 were enrolled. Leakage test in vitro was performed on the secretion on the patients' cuff. The needle and plunger from 20 mL syringe was separated, the syringe was sealed with adhesive, and the syringe nozzle was filled thoroughly to create a tracheal model. Consecutively, both cylindrical-shaped and conical-shaped cuff catheters were inserted into the simulated trachea, and the cuff pressure was calibrated to 20 cmH 2O (1 cmH 2O≈0.098 kPa) before commencing the experiment. The viscosity of the secretion on the patients' cuff was classified (grade Ⅰ was watery subglottic secretion, grade Ⅱ was thick subglottic secretion, grade Ⅲ was gel-like subglottic secretion), and the same viscosity secretion was injected into the catheter cuff. Utilizing a self-control approach, intermittent pressure measurement was initially conducted on both the cylindrical-shaped and conical-shaped cuff by improved pressure measurement method (intermittent pressure measurement group), followed by continuous pressure measurement experiment (continuous pressure measurement group). The leakage volume of the three viscosity subglottic secretions and the values of cuff pressure measurement of different shaped cuff catheters at 4, 6, 8 hours of inflation were recorded. Results:A total of 180 retention samples were extracted from 24 patients with tracheal intubation during ventilation, with 90 samples in each of the two groups using different pressure measurement methods, and 30 samples of retention materials with different viscosities in each group. In the intermittent pressure measurement group, at 4 hours of inflation, all samples of secretion with grade Ⅰ and grade Ⅱ on cylindrical-shaped cuff leaked, while 3 samples of secretion with grade Ⅲ also leaked. For conical-shaped cuff, 28 samples of secretion with grade Ⅰ leaked, only 2 samples of secretion with grade Ⅱ leaked, and there was no leak for secretion with grade Ⅲ. At 6 hours of inflation, all samples of the three viscosity secretions on different shaped cuffs leaked. The leakage was gradually increased with the prolongation of inflation time. In the continuous pressure measurement group, at 4 hours of inflation, all samples of secretion with grade Ⅰ on cylindrical-shaped cuff leaked, while 29 samples of secretion with grade Ⅱ leaked, and there was no leak for secretion with grade Ⅲ. For the conical-shaped cuff, 26 samples of secretion with grade Ⅰ leaked, and there was no leak for secretion with grade Ⅱ and grade Ⅲ. At 6 hours of inflation, the conical-shaped cuff still had no leak for secretion with grade Ⅲ. As the inflation time prolonged, the leakage of subglottic secretion on different shaped cuffs in both groups was gradually increased. At 8 hours of inflation, all samples experienced leakage, but the leakage of subglottic secretion on different shaped cuffs in the continuous pressure measurement group was significantly reduced as compared with the intermittent pressure measurement group [leakage for secretion with grade Ⅲ (mL): 1.00 (0.00, 1.25) vs. 2.00 (1.00, 2.00) on the cylindrical-shaped cuff, 1.00 (0.00, 1.00) vs. 2.00 (2.00, 2.00) on the conical-shaped cuff, both P < 0.01]. The values of pressure measurement of cuffs with different shapes at different time points of inflation in the continuous pressure measurement group were within the set range (20-21 cmH 2O). The cuff pressure at 4 hours of inflation in the intermittent pressure measurement group was significantly lower than the initial value (cmH 2O: 18.3±0.6 vs. 20.0±0.0 in the cylindrical-shaped cuff, 18.4±0.6 vs. 20.0±0.0 in the conical-shaped cuff, both P < 0.01), and the cuff pressure in both shaped cuffs showed a significant decrease tendency as inflation time prolonged. However, there was no statistically significant difference in values of pressure measurement between the different shaped cuff catheters. Conclusions:Continuous pressure monitoring devices can maintain the effective sealing of conical-shaped cuff catheters at the lowest safe pressure. When using an improved pressure measurement method for intermittent pressure measurement and/or using a cylindrical cuff catheter, the target pressure should be set at 25-30 cmH 2O, and the cuff pressure should be adjusted regularly.

Objective To explore the relationship between the types of bicuspid aortic valves(BAV)and the outcome of functional mitral regurgitation(FMR)and the affecting factors of FMR.Methods From Jun 2018 to Sep 2022,patients with severe BAV aortic valve stenosis(AS)complicated with FMR underwent post transcatheter aortic valve replacement(TAVR)in Zhongshan Hospital,Fudan University were retrospectively analyzed.The baseline information and imaging data of different BAV patients were collected.Logistic regression was used to analyze the factors affecting the outcome of FMR(improvement and non-improvement).Result A total of 100 patients with TAVR were included,including 49 patients with type 0 of BAV and 51 patients with type 1 of BAV.Compared with patients of type 1,patients of type 0 had younger age[(72.78±6.09)y vs.(77.00±8.35)y,P=0.050],lower male ratio(47%vs.73%,P= 0.009)higher BMI[(23.19±2.62)kg/m2 vs.(21.99±3.13)kg/m2,P=0.041],and lower incidence of aortic regurgitation(69%vs.92%,P=0.040).Compared with the non-improvement group,the improvement group had a lower incidence of coronary heart disease(5%vs.18%,P=0.042),higher incidence of pulmonary hypertension(20%vs.2%,P=0.007),larger left ventricular diastolic diameter[(51.98±6.74)mm vs.(48.04±7.72)mm,P=0.009]and higher maximum flow velocity[(4.86±0.95)cm/s vs.(4.47±0.75)cm/s,P= 0.023]of the aortic valve.The results of Logistic regression analysis showed that preoperative pulmonary hypertension,left ventricular end-diastolic diameter and maximum valvular flow velocity of BAV patients were the potential affecting factors of FMR improvement after TAVR.Conclusion No significant difference was found in FMR improvement between BAV patients of type 0 and type 1 after TAVR.For BAV patients with AS,preoperative pulmonary hypertension,larger left ventricular end-diastolic diameter,and faster aortic valve flow velocity were associated with higher FMR improvement rate.

Objective To investigate the performance of brands and types of high-flow nasal cnnula oxygen therapy(HFNC)devices at different altitudes.Methods Four different models of HFNC devices,including R-80S bi-level non-invasive ventilator integrated with HFNC device,HF-60A HFNC device,HFT-300 HFNC device and H-80A HFNC device,were connected with the gas flow meter,simularted head and QuickLung and then put into a low-pressure chamber.The flow rates of the HFNC devices were set to 10,15,20,25,30,35,40,45,50,55 and 60 L/min,and the simulated altitudes of the low-pressure chamber were set to 6 000,5 000,4 000,3 000,2 000,1 000 and 0 m.The actual output airway flow rates,airway pressure changes and trends of the four HFNC devices were recorded at different setting altitudes and flow rates.SPSS 25.0 software was used for statistical analysis.Results The actual output airway flow rates of the four HFNC devices showed an increasing trend as the altitude rose with the simulated altitude of 6 000 m and the setting flow rate kept constant,which increased slowly and even went to decrease when the altitude and flow rate exceeded some limits.The degree of changes in the flow rate with the increasing altitude varied,and there was no uniform pattern.With the rising of altitude,the actual output airway pressure of the four HFNC devices with the flow rate raning from 10 to 35 L/min also increased gradually,which showed a decreasing trend(turning point)after going up to some certain value when the flow rate exceeded 35 L/min,and the altitude where the turning point appeared was lowered as the flow rate increased.Conclusion The actual output airway flow rates and airway pressure during HFNC rise at a high-altitude environment,and generally considerations have to be taken on required airway pressure,patient comfort and the altitude of the patient's usual place of residence when setting the flow rates of the HFNC device.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(6):49-58]

The present situation of finite element methods was reviewed when applied in investigating the influences of structural type and structural parameters on mechanical properties of vascular stents,the differences in fatigue performance of vascular stents made of different materials and the interactions of vascular stents,blood vessels and blood.The shortcomings of finite element methods were analyzed,and improvement of simulation accuracy and optimization of vessel and vascular stent setup were suggested to be focused on when performing finite element analysis of vascular stents.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(10):107-113]

This study aimed to investigate the ameliorative effect of Xinyang Tablets on myocardial fibrosis in uremic cardiomyopathy(UCM) using single-cell sequencing technology. UCM mouse models were established by 5/6 nephrectomy(NPM) and randomly divided into the model group, Xinyang Tablets group, and sham-operated(sham) group as the control. The Xinyang Tablets group received postoperative interventions of Xinyang Tablets(0.34 g·kg~(-1)). After eight weeks, the hearts of the mice in each group were disassociated and subjected to 10×Genomics single-cell sequencing. The data were subjected to t-SNE dimensionality reduction, K-means clustering, and CellMarker annotation prior to analyzing differential expression and cell differentiation trajectories using the Seurat and Monocle3 tools. Additionally, the CellChat tool was used to parse intercellular signaling communication. The results showed that a total of nine types of cells including fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and immune cells were identified in this study. The single-cell expression results of fibroblasts and Gene Ontology(GO) enrichment analysis showed that Xinyang Tablets regulated myocardial fibrosis factors and related signals. Mimetic timing analysis identified three major differentiation trajectories of mouse cardiac fibroblasts and identified the expression of secreted phosphoprotein 1(Spp1) as consistent with the fibroblast differentiation trajectory. Cellular interaction network analysis showed that the communication signals between mouse cardiac fibroblasts and other cells were weakened in the Xinyang Tablets group compared with the model group. The results of ligand-receptor interaction analysis showed that the interaction between myeloid cell-derived osteopontin(OPN) and cardiac fibroblasts and between myeloid cell Spp1 ligand and cardiac fibroblast receptor of mice in the Xinyang Tablets group was weakened compared with the model group. In conclusion, Xinyang Tablets may improve myocardial fibrosis in UCM by inhibiting both endogenous and exogenous OPN at the single-cell level.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Mice ; Cardiomyopathies/pathology* ; Single-Cell Analysis ; Male ; Fibrosis/drug therapy* ; Myocardium/metabolism* ; Uremia/metabolism* ; Tablets ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Humans

Aim To predict the targets of Modified Danggui Shaoyao San ( MDSS) in the treatment of chronic atrophic gastritis ( CAG) based on network pharmacology and vertify the results based on experim-ention. Methods TCMSP, SWISS TARGETS, GENE CARDS and OMIM databases were used to screen the therapeutic targets of MDSS for CAG. STRING database and Cytoscape software were used to construct the protein interaction network and screen the core targets. Metascape database was used for GO analysis and KEGG enrichment pathways. And molecular docking was used for target validation. CAG rat model was pre¬pared by N-methyl-N'-nitroso-N-nitroguanidine free drink combined with sodium salicylate gastric lavage. The pathology of rat gastric mucosa was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining,and the ultrastructure of ep¬ithelial cells was observed by transmission electron mi-croscopy. The serum IL-6 and IL-10 content was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the expression of JAK2, STAT3 , p-STAT3 , c-MYC mRNA and protein in rats was detected by qPCR and Western blot. Results MDSS acted on 189 targets, mainly involved in response to oxidative stress and apoptotic signaling pathway. KEGG analysis related to pathways in cancer and JAK-STAT signaling pathway. The experimental results showed that the MDSS could improve the degree of atrophy of gastric mucosa in CAG rats and improve the status of epithelial cells, down-regulate the serum IL-6 content of CAG rats, up-regulate the IL-10 content, and reduce the expression of JAK2, STAT3 , p-STAT3 , c-MYC mRNA and protein in gastric mucosa with statistical significance. Conclusions MDSS treats CAG through multiple active ingredients, targets, and pathways, the mechanism of which may be related to the inhibition of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.