ObjectiveTo investigate whether Huanglian Jiedutang can inhibit neutrophil infiltration in the brains of middle cerebral artery occlusion （MCAO） mice by regulating the expression of neutrophil-related chemokines in exosomes， thereby achieving therapeutic effects. MethodsA total of 130 male specific pathogen-free （SPF） C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into four groups： Sham-operated group， MCAO model group， Huanglian Jiedutang group （6 g·kg^-1）， and Ginaton group （21.6 mg·kg^-1）， with 10 mice in the Ginaton group and 40 mice in each of the remaining three groups. Mice in the Huanglian Jiedutang group and the Ginaton group were administered the corresponding drugs by oral gavage once daily at a volume of 0.15 mL·（10 g）^-1 for 7 consecutive days， while the sham-operated and model groups received an equal volume of saline via the same route. After 7 days， MCAO surgery was performed. The distal and proximal ends of the right common carotid artery （CCA） were ligated， a small incision was made between the two ligatures， and a silicone rubber-coated monofilament with a rounded tip was inserted into the lumen to occlude the CCA. The filament was left in place for 1 h to establish a focal cerebral ischemia model. At 24 h after modeling， mice were evaluated. Neurological function was assessed using the Longa score. Cerebral infarct volume was measured by 2，3，5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride （TTC） staining. Cerebral blood flow was observed by laser speckle imaging. Hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining and Nissl staining were used to observe pathological changes in brain tissues. Exosomes were isolated from mouse plasma and brain tissues by ultracentrifugation and molecular size exclusion and identified by electron microscopy， particle size analysis， and protein blotting. Long-chain RNA libraries of exosomes were constructed and sequenced. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the mRNA expression of inflammatory factors and neutrophil-related chemokines in exosomes from plasma and brain tissues of each group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect the protein expression of inflammatory factors and neutrophil-related chemokines in exosomes from brain tissues of each group. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of the neutrophil-specific protein myeloperoxidase （MPO） in the brains of mice in each group. ResultsCompared with the sham-operated group， the model group showed decreased neurological function scores （P<0.01）， obvious cerebral infarction （P<0.01）， reduced cerebral blood flow （P<0.01）， neuronal necrosis in the brain， and decreased numbers of Nissl bodies （P<0.01）. The mRNA expression levels of IL-1β， MPO， CXCL1， CXCL2， CXCL3， CXCL10， CCL2， and CCL3 in exosomes from plasma and brain tissues were significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The protein expression levels of IL-1β， MPO， CXCL2， and CXCL10 in exosomes from brain tissues were increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and MPO-positive rates and mean optical density values in brain tissues were elevated （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the Huanglian Jiedutang group and the Ginaton group showed increased neurological function scores （P<0.05）， reduced cerebral infarct volume （P<0.01）， restored cerebral blood flow （P<0.01）， reduced necrotic cells in the brain， and increased numbers of Nissl bodies （P<0.01）. In the Huanglian Jiedutang group， the mRNA expression levels of IL-1β， MPO， CXCL1， CXCL2， CXCL3， CXCL10， CCL2， and CCL3 in exosomes from plasma and brain tissues were decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The protein expression levels of IL-1β， MPO， CXCL2， and CXCL10 in exosomes from brain tissues were reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and MPO-positive rates and mean optical density values in brain tissues were decreased （P<0.01）. ConclusionHuanglian Jiedutang can effectively regulate the expression of neutrophil-related chemokines in exosomes from plasma and brain tissues of MCAO mice， thereby reducing neutrophil infiltration in the brain and achieving therapeutic effects.

ObjectiveTo investigate whether Huanglian Jiedutang can inhibit neutrophil infiltration in the brains of middle cerebral artery occlusion （MCAO） mice by regulating the expression of neutrophil-related chemokines in exosomes， thereby achieving therapeutic effects. MethodsA total of 130 male specific pathogen-free （SPF） C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into four groups： Sham-operated group， MCAO model group， Huanglian Jiedutang group （6 g·kg^-1）， and Ginaton group （21.6 mg·kg^-1）， with 10 mice in the Ginaton group and 40 mice in each of the remaining three groups. Mice in the Huanglian Jiedutang group and the Ginaton group were administered the corresponding drugs by oral gavage once daily at a volume of 0.15 mL·（10 g）^-1 for 7 consecutive days， while the sham-operated and model groups received an equal volume of saline via the same route. After 7 days， MCAO surgery was performed. The distal and proximal ends of the right common carotid artery （CCA） were ligated， a small incision was made between the two ligatures， and a silicone rubber-coated monofilament with a rounded tip was inserted into the lumen to occlude the CCA. The filament was left in place for 1 h to establish a focal cerebral ischemia model. At 24 h after modeling， mice were evaluated. Neurological function was assessed using the Longa score. Cerebral infarct volume was measured by 2，3，5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride （TTC） staining. Cerebral blood flow was observed by laser speckle imaging. Hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining and Nissl staining were used to observe pathological changes in brain tissues. Exosomes were isolated from mouse plasma and brain tissues by ultracentrifugation and molecular size exclusion and identified by electron microscopy， particle size analysis， and protein blotting. Long-chain RNA libraries of exosomes were constructed and sequenced. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the mRNA expression of inflammatory factors and neutrophil-related chemokines in exosomes from plasma and brain tissues of each group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect the protein expression of inflammatory factors and neutrophil-related chemokines in exosomes from brain tissues of each group. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of the neutrophil-specific protein myeloperoxidase （MPO） in the brains of mice in each group. ResultsCompared with the sham-operated group， the model group showed decreased neurological function scores （P<0.01）， obvious cerebral infarction （P<0.01）， reduced cerebral blood flow （P<0.01）， neuronal necrosis in the brain， and decreased numbers of Nissl bodies （P<0.01）. The mRNA expression levels of IL-1β， MPO， CXCL1， CXCL2， CXCL3， CXCL10， CCL2， and CCL3 in exosomes from plasma and brain tissues were significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The protein expression levels of IL-1β， MPO， CXCL2， and CXCL10 in exosomes from brain tissues were increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and MPO-positive rates and mean optical density values in brain tissues were elevated （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the Huanglian Jiedutang group and the Ginaton group showed increased neurological function scores （P<0.05）， reduced cerebral infarct volume （P<0.01）， restored cerebral blood flow （P<0.01）， reduced necrotic cells in the brain， and increased numbers of Nissl bodies （P<0.01）. In the Huanglian Jiedutang group， the mRNA expression levels of IL-1β， MPO， CXCL1， CXCL2， CXCL3， CXCL10， CCL2， and CCL3 in exosomes from plasma and brain tissues were decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The protein expression levels of IL-1β， MPO， CXCL2， and CXCL10 in exosomes from brain tissues were reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and MPO-positive rates and mean optical density values in brain tissues were decreased （P<0.01）. ConclusionHuanglian Jiedutang can effectively regulate the expression of neutrophil-related chemokines in exosomes from plasma and brain tissues of MCAO mice， thereby reducing neutrophil infiltration in the brain and achieving therapeutic effects.

ObjectiveTo investigate whether Huanglian Jiedutang （HLJD） and its major active constituents （geniposide， baicalin， and berberine） can inhibit the inflammatory response of BV2 cells under lipopolysaccharide （LPS） stimulation via the high-mobility group protein B1 （HMGB1）/Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）/nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） signaling pathway， and to explore differences in therapeutic efficacy among the three monomers， their combined formula， and HLJD under equal content ratios. MethodsBV2 microglial cells were used as the primary experimental model. Cell viability was assessed using the cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） method to examine the effects of different concentrations of dimethyl sulfoxide （DMSO， 0.8%， 0.4%， 0.2%， 0.1%， and 0.05%） on cell viability. IncuCyte was employed to monitor the growth of cells under different concentrations of HLJD （200， 100， 50， 25， 12.5， 6.25 mg·L^-1）. Nitric oxide （NO） assay was used to screen the optimal HLJD concentration. High-performance liquid chromatography （HPLC） determined the content of geniposide， baicalin， and berberine in HLJD， and experimental groups were subsequently established according to the relative proportions of these constituents. CCK-8 assay evaluated cell viability under different treatments. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） measured levels of inflammatory factors （TNF-α， IL-1β， IL-6， IL-10） in the supernatant. Flow cytometry assessed the effects of treatments on M1-type polarization of BV2 cells. Western blot determined the expression levels of HMGB1， TLR4， and NF-κB-related proteins. ResultsCompared with the blank group， DMSO at concentrations ≤0.2% did not affect cell viability within 48 h. BV2 cell growth plateaued at 24 h after treatment with 200 mg·L^-1 HLJD. Under stimulation with 2 mg·L^-1 LPS， this concentration of HLJD effectively reduced NO release， and 6 h pre-treatment had a stronger inhibitory effect on NO than direct administration. HPLC results showed that 1 mg of HLJD freeze-dried powder contained approximately 24 μg of geniposide， 15 μg of baicalin， and 30 μg of berberine. Based on these ratios， experimental groups were blank， LPS （2 mg·L^-1）， HLJD （200 mg·L^-1）， monomer combination， geniposide （4.8 mg·L^-1）， baicalin （3 mg·L^-1）， and berberine （6 mg·L^-1）. The monomer combination group consisted of all three active constituents dissolved together. LPS and HLJD or its active constituents did not affect cell viability compared with the blank group. LPS significantly increased TNF-α， IL-1β， IL-6， and IL-10 in the supernatant （P<0.01）. HLJD and its active constituents significantly reduced pro-inflammatory factors TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-6 （P<0.05， P<0.01） while upregulating anti-inflammatory IL-10 （P<0.01）， with the monomer combination showing the strongest effect （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the blank group， LPS significantly increased the proportion of CD80⁺CD86⁺ （M1-type） BV2 cells （P<0.01）. HLJD and its constituents partially inhibited M1 polarization （P<0.05， P<0.01）， with the monomer combination exhibiting the most pronounced effect （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the blank group， LPS upregulated HMGB1， TLR4， and NF-κB-related proteins （P<0.01）， whereas HLJD and its active constituents significantly reduced their expression （P<0.05， P<0.01）， with the monomer combination having the strongest regulatory effect （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionHLJD and its major active constituents （geniposide， baicalin， berberine） can inhibit LPS-induced inflammatory responses in BV2 cells. The combination of the three active constituents demonstrates the most potent anti-inflammatory effect， significantly attenuating M1-type polarization of BV2 cells via the HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo evaluate and analyze the syndrome characteristics of Qi and Yin deficiency accompanied by Qi stagnation and blood stasis in a rhein-induced cathartic colon （CC） rat model. MethodsTwenty-four rats were divided into a normal group and a model group （CC group）. The rats were administered equal volumes of physiological saline or 2% rhein suspension by gavage to establish the model over three cycles （approximately 118 days）. The first cycle lasted 46 days， with a dosage of 12 mL·kg^-1·d^-1， administered every other day. The second cycle lasted 37 days， with a dosage of 12 mL·kg^-1·d^-1， administered for 5 consecutive days followed by 2 days of cessation. The third cycle lasted 35 days， with a dosage of 16 mL·kg^-1·d^-1， also administered for 5 consecutive days followed by 2 days of cessation. Each cycle ended when 80% of the rats no longer exhibited loose stools. Body mass， 24 h food intake， coat condition， and coat red （R）， green （G）， and blue （B） values were recorded. The open field test （OFT） was used to measure the total distance traveled to evaluate Qi deficiency. The body mass coefficient and 24 h water intake were recorded to assess Yin deficiency. The sucrose preference test （SPT） was used to determine the sucrose preference rate （SPR）， and the average speed in OFT was measured to evaluate depressive status （liver depression and Qi stagnation）. Tongue images and their R， G， and B values were recorded. Whole blood viscosity （WBV） and plasma viscosity （PV） were measured using an automatic hemorheological analyzer to evaluate blood stasis. A carbon ink propulsion test was performed to determine the intestinal transit rate （ITR） for disease model evaluation. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe histopathological changes in the colon. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the mRNA expression of transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 （TRPA1） and tryptophan hydroxylase 1 （TPH1） in colon tissue. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of TRPA1 and TPH1. ResultsIn terms of syndrome indicators， compared with the normal group， the body mass of the CC group decreased （P<0.05）， while 24 h food intake increased （P<0.01）. The coats of the CC group appeared withered， disheveled， and dull， and the R， G， and B values of the coat decreased （P<0.01）. The total distance traveled in OFT decreased （P<0.01）. The body mass coefficient decreased （P<0.01）， while 24 h water intake increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The SPR decreased （P<0.01）， and the average speed in OFT slowed （P<0.01）. The tongue appeared dark red， and the R， G， and B values of tongue images decreased （P<0.01）. WBV and PV increased （P<0.01）. Regarding disease indicators， compared with the normal group， the ITR decreased in the CC group （P<0.01）. Pathologically， HE staining showed necrosis and shedding of colonic mucosal epithelial cells， disruption of mucosal continuity， and infiltration of inflammatory cells in the lamina propria in the CC group. Semi-quantitative analysis showed increased HAI scores （P<0.05） and increased inflammatory cell counts and area proportion （P<0.05）. In terms of molecular biological indicators， compared with the normal group， the mRNA and protein expression levels of TRPA1 and TPH1 in colon tissue decreased in the CC group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionThe rhein-induced CC rat model conforms to the traditional Chinese medicine syndrome characteristics of Qi and Yin deficiency accompanied by Qi stagnation and blood stasis.

Internal carotid artery(ICA)occlusion is one of the main causes of ischemic stroke.Endovascular treatment is one of the main surgical methods for symptomatic non-acute ICA occlusion.However,how to optimize the surgical strategy to improve the success rate of recanalization of occluded vessels require further exploration.The authors reported a case of subacute ICA occlusion treated with endovascular treatment.During the operation,intravascular ultrasound(IVUS)was used for high-resolution and precise assessment of the lumen morphology,plaque characteristics and vessel wall structure in the occluded segment.The surgical strategy was individualized,ultimately achieving successful recanalization of the occluded vessel.Combined with literature review of the clinical characteristics of subacute ICA occlusion and the application of IVUS in this type of lesion,in order to provide reference and inspiration for further optimization of interventional surgical strategies.

Objective This study analyzes the optical coherence tomography(OCT)characteristics of patients with symptomatic carotid artery stenosis(CAS)prior to carotid stenting and the influencing factors associated with symptomatic CAS.Methods This study retrospectively included consecutive CAS patients who underwent carotid OCT examination prior to carotid stenting at Department of Nerolgical Intervention and Nerological Intensive Care,Central Hospital of Dalian University of Technology(Dalian Municipal Central Hospital)from November 2022 to November 2024.Patients were categorized into symptomatic and asymptomatic CAS groups.General clinical data and laboratory test results were collected and compared between the two groups,including age,sex,body mass index,systolic and diastolic blood pressure(measured on the morning of procedure without antihypertensive medication intervention with patient at resting state for over 30 minutes),medical history(including hypertension,diabetes,atrial fibrillation,coronary heart disease,stroke,and transient ischemic attack),smoking history,alcohol consumption history,and fasting laboratory results obtained on the morning before procedure laboratory results(including,white blood cell count,red blood cell count,monocyte percentage,neutrophil percentage,lymphocyte percentage,platelet count,blood creatinine,blood glucose,international normalized ratio,D-dimer,total cholesterol,triglycerides,homocysteine,low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol).Additionally,OCT image parameters were collected and compared between the two groups,including the minimum lumen diameter and minimum lumen area of the target lesion segment,the distal lumen diameter and area of the reference vessel(internal carotid artery),the percentage of lumen area stenosis([reference vessel lumen cross-sectional area-minimum lumen cross-sectional area]/reference vessel lumen cross-sectional area×100%),the lesion length,fibrous cap thickness,lipid arc,and the presence of fibrous plaques,calcified plaques,lipid plaques,white thrombus,cholesterol crystals,macrophage infiltration,microchannels,and plaque rupture.Variables with P＜0.05 from univariate analysis were included in the multivariate Logistic regression analysis to assess the influencing factors of symptomatic CAS.Results A total of 68 patients with CAS were enrolled,comprising 57males and 11females,aged 53 to 84 years with a mean age of(68±7)years.Among them,32 patients were categorized into the symptomatic CAS group and 36 into the asymptomatic CAS group.(1)Compared to the asymptomatic CAS group,patients in the symptomatic CAS group exhibited higher systolic blood pressure([150±23]mmHg vs.[138±21])mmHg,P=0.025).There were no statistically significant differences in general,clinical data,and laboratory test results between the two groups(all P＞0.05).The preoperative OCT imaging parameters comparison between the two groups of CAS patients revealed that the reference vessel distal lumen area was significantly smaller in the symptomatic CAS group([18.67±5.44]mm2 vs.[21.95±5.57]mm2,P=0.017),and the proportion of patients with white thrombus(40.62%[13/32]vs.13.89%[5/36],P=0.013)and microchannels(21.88%[7/32]vs.2.78%[1/36],P=0.014)were higher.(2)A multivariate Logistic regression analysis was conducted using systolic blood pressure,white thrombus,microchannels,and the reference vessel(internal carotid artery)distal lumen area as independent variables.The results indicated that high systolic blood pressure(OR,1.030,95%CI 1.002-1.060,P=0.038),and the presence of white thrombus(OR,3.956,95%CI 1.072-14.600,P=0.039)and microchannels(OR,13.850,95%CI 1.277-150.203,P=0.031)were independent risk factors for symptomatic CAS.Conclusions Compared to patients with asymptomatic CAS,those with symptomatic CAS exhibited higher preoperative(pre-carotid stenting)systolic blood pressure and a smaller distal lumen area of the reference vessel(internal carotid artery),as observed through OCT.Furthermore,a higher proportion of symptomatic CAS patients presented with white thrombus and microchannels.Preoperative systolic blood pressure,along with the presence of white thrombus and microchannels on OCT,are identified as independent risk factors for symptomatic CAS.The conclusions drawn from this study necessitate further validation through large-scale,multicenter,prospective research.

Objective:To investigate the computed tomography (CT) imaging features of patients with chronic hydrocephalus after intracerebral hemorrhage surgery and the difference between endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) and ventricular peritoneal shunt (VPS).Methods:A total of 158 patients with intracerebral hemorrhage who received surgical treatment in the Department of Neurosurgery of the People′s Hospital of Jinan from January 2021 to June 2023 were retrospectively selected as the study objects, including 78 patients with chronic hydrocephalus after surgery as the hydrocephalus group, and 80 patients with no hydrocephalus after surgery as the non-hydrocephalus group, and the CT imaging data of the patients were statistically analyzed. Hydrocephalus group was divided into ETV group (42 cases) and VPS group (36 cases) according to different treatment methods. The efficacy and quality of life of the two groups were compared, and the incidence of complications in the two groups were counted.Results:There was no significant difference between hydrocephalus group and non-hydrocephalus group in the site of cerebral hemorrhage, hematoma morphology and the proportion of patients with mixed signs, lobular signs and black hole signs (all P>0.05). The proportion of patients with ventricular dilation and hematoma enlargement in hydrocephalus group was significantly higher than that in non-hydrocephalus group (all P<0.05). The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores of hydrocephalus patients in the two groups were measured continuously at different time points, and there was no significant difference in NIHSS scores between the ETV group and the VPS group before treatment, at 2 weeks and 4 weeks of treatment (all P>0.05). There was no significant difference between the ETV group and the VPS group ( P>0.05). The recurrence rate of the ETV group was lower than that of the VPS group ( P<0.05). The quality of life scores of patients in ETV group were higher than those in the VPS group at 3 months and 6 months after surgery ( P<0.05). Conclusions:CT examination of patients with chronic hydrocephalus after intracerebral hemorrhage will show obvious characteristics of hematoma enlargement and ventricle enlargement. The efficacy of ETV and VPS in the treatment of chronic hydrocephalus after intracerebral hemorrhage surgery is similar, but the former has a lower recurrence rate and a higher postoperative quality of life.

Objective This study analyzes the optical coherence tomography(OCT)characteristics of patients with symptomatic carotid artery stenosis(CAS)prior to carotid stenting and the influencing factors associated with symptomatic CAS.Methods This study retrospectively included consecutive CAS patients who underwent carotid OCT examination prior to carotid stenting at Department of Nerolgical Intervention and Nerological Intensive Care,Central Hospital of Dalian University of Technology(Dalian Municipal Central Hospital)from November 2022 to November 2024.Patients were categorized into symptomatic and asymptomatic CAS groups.General clinical data and laboratory test results were collected and compared between the two groups,including age,sex,body mass index,systolic and diastolic blood pressure(measured on the morning of procedure without antihypertensive medication intervention with patient at resting state for over 30 minutes),medical history(including hypertension,diabetes,atrial fibrillation,coronary heart disease,stroke,and transient ischemic attack),smoking history,alcohol consumption history,and fasting laboratory results obtained on the morning before procedure laboratory results(including,white blood cell count,red blood cell count,monocyte percentage,neutrophil percentage,lymphocyte percentage,platelet count,blood creatinine,blood glucose,international normalized ratio,D-dimer,total cholesterol,triglycerides,homocysteine,low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol).Additionally,OCT image parameters were collected and compared between the two groups,including the minimum lumen diameter and minimum lumen area of the target lesion segment,the distal lumen diameter and area of the reference vessel(internal carotid artery),the percentage of lumen area stenosis([reference vessel lumen cross-sectional area-minimum lumen cross-sectional area]/reference vessel lumen cross-sectional area×100%),the lesion length,fibrous cap thickness,lipid arc,and the presence of fibrous plaques,calcified plaques,lipid plaques,white thrombus,cholesterol crystals,macrophage infiltration,microchannels,and plaque rupture.Variables with P＜0.05 from univariate analysis were included in the multivariate Logistic regression analysis to assess the influencing factors of symptomatic CAS.Results A total of 68 patients with CAS were enrolled,comprising 57males and 11females,aged 53 to 84 years with a mean age of(68±7)years.Among them,32 patients were categorized into the symptomatic CAS group and 36 into the asymptomatic CAS group.(1)Compared to the asymptomatic CAS group,patients in the symptomatic CAS group exhibited higher systolic blood pressure([150±23]mmHg vs.[138±21])mmHg,P=0.025).There were no statistically significant differences in general,clinical data,and laboratory test results between the two groups(all P＞0.05).The preoperative OCT imaging parameters comparison between the two groups of CAS patients revealed that the reference vessel distal lumen area was significantly smaller in the symptomatic CAS group([18.67±5.44]mm2 vs.[21.95±5.57]mm2,P=0.017),and the proportion of patients with white thrombus(40.62%[13/32]vs.13.89%[5/36],P=0.013)and microchannels(21.88%[7/32]vs.2.78%[1/36],P=0.014)were higher.(2)A multivariate Logistic regression analysis was conducted using systolic blood pressure,white thrombus,microchannels,and the reference vessel(internal carotid artery)distal lumen area as independent variables.The results indicated that high systolic blood pressure(OR,1.030,95%CI 1.002-1.060,P=0.038),and the presence of white thrombus(OR,3.956,95%CI 1.072-14.600,P=0.039)and microchannels(OR,13.850,95%CI 1.277-150.203,P=0.031)were independent risk factors for symptomatic CAS.Conclusions Compared to patients with asymptomatic CAS,those with symptomatic CAS exhibited higher preoperative(pre-carotid stenting)systolic blood pressure and a smaller distal lumen area of the reference vessel(internal carotid artery),as observed through OCT.Furthermore,a higher proportion of symptomatic CAS patients presented with white thrombus and microchannels.Preoperative systolic blood pressure,along with the presence of white thrombus and microchannels on OCT,are identified as independent risk factors for symptomatic CAS.The conclusions drawn from this study necessitate further validation through large-scale,multicenter,prospective research.

A high level of self-compassion can effectively relieve stress, reduce the psychological distress, and improve mental health. This paper reviews the conception, measurement tools, influencing factors, and intervention measures of self-compassion among caregivers for elderly dementia patients. It analyzes the deficiencies in current research and puts forward feasible suggestions, aiming to provide a reference for future related research.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of liver injury induced by tripterygium glycosides tablets （TG） and the molecular mechanism of compound glycyrrhizin tablets （CG） in alleviating the abnormalities of cholesterol metabolism caused by TG via cholesterol metabolism. MethodsAccording to the body weights， male Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly grouped as follows： control （pure water）， low-dose TG （TG-L， 189.0 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）， high-dose TG （TG-H， 472.5 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）， TG-L+CG （189.0 mg·kg^-1·d^-1 TG + 20.25 mg·kg^-1·d^-1 CG）， and TG-H+CG （472.5 mg·kg^-1·d^-1 TG + 20.25 mg·kg^-1·d^-1 CG）， with 6 rats in each group. Rats were administrated with corresponding drugs once daily for 3 weeks. At the end of the last administration， the mRNA and protein levels of liver X receptor-alpha （LXR-α）， low-density lipoprotein receptor （LDLR）， adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette transporter A1 （ABCA1）， adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette transporter G1 （ABCG1）， 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase （HMGCR）， cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase （CYP7A1）， cholesterol 12α-hydroxylase （CYP8B1）， and sterol 27-hydroxylase （CYP27A1） in the liver tissue were determined by Real-time PCR and Western blotting， respectively. The level of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase （HMG-CoAR）， a regulatory enzyme of cholesterol synthesis， was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. HepG2 cells were used to observe the effect of TG on the cell proliferation in vitro. Specifically， HepG2 cells were grouped as follows： Low-dose TG （TG-l， 15 mg·L^-1）， medium-dose TG （TG-m， 45 mg·L^-1）， high-dose TG （TG-h， 135 mg·L^-1）， fenofibrate （FB， 10 μmol·L^-1）， CG extract， TG-h+FB （135 mg·L^-1 TG + 10 μmol·L^-1 FB）， TG-m+FB （45 mg·L^-1 TG + 10 μmol·L^-1 FB）， TG-l+FB （15 mg·L^-1 TG + 10 μmol·L^-1 FB）， TG-h+CG （135 mg·L^-1 TG + 60 μmol·L^-1 CG）， TG-m+CG （45 mg·L^-1 TG + 60 μmol·L^-1 CG）， and TG-l+CG （15 mg·L^-1 TG + 60 μmol·L^-1 CG）. The mRNA and protein levels of LXR-α， ABCG1， LDLR， CYP7A1， CYP8B1， and CYP27A1 in HepG2 cells were determined by Real-time PCR and Western blotting， respectively. ResultsThe rat experiment showed that compared with the control group， the TG-H group showed down-regulated mRNA levels of CYP7A1， CYP8B1， and CYP27A1 in the liver tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）， which were up-regulated by the application of CG （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the TG-H+CG group showed up-regulated mRNA level of LDLR （P<0.01）. Compared with the control group， the TG-L and TG-H groups showed down-regulated protein levels of LDLR， CYP7A1， and CYP8B1 in the liver tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In addition， the protein levels of ABCG1 and LXR-α were down-regulated in the TG-H and TG-L groups， respectively （P<0.05）. Compared with TG alone， TG+CG up-regulated the protein levels of ABCG1 and LDLR （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the protein levels of CYP7A1 and CYP8B1 in the TG-H+CG group were up-regulated （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The cell experiment showed that compared with the control group， the TG-h group presented up-regulated mRNA level of LXR-α （P<0.01）， and the TG-m and TG-h groups showcased down-regulated mRNA levels of LDLR and CYP7A1 （P<0.01） and up-regulated mRNA level of CYP27A1 （P<0.01） in HepG2 cells. The combination of CG with TG restored the above changes （P<0.01）. Western blotting results showed that compared with the control group， the TG-m and TG-h groups showed down-regulated protein levels of LXR-α， ABCG1， LDLR， CYP7A1， CYP8B1， and CYP27A1 in HepG2 cells （P<0.01）. Compared with the TG-h group， the TG-h+CG group showed up-regulated protein level of LDLR （P<0.05）. Compared with the TG-m group， the TG-m+CG group showcased up-regulated protein levels of LDLR， ABCG1， CYP7A1， and CYP27A1 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionThe administration of TG at 189.0， 472.5 mg·kg^-1 for 3 weeks could modulate the signaling pathways associated with cholesterol efflux， endocytosis， and cholesterol biotransformation in hepatocytes， leading to the accumulation of cholesterol and subsequent liver injury in rats. CG could ameliorate the liver injury induced by lipid metabolism disorders caused by TG by up-regulating the expression of LXR-α， LDLR， ABCG1， CYP7A1， CYP8B1， and CYP27A1 to promote cholesterol biotransformation.