OBJECTIVES: Recent evidence suggests that the gut may be a primary site of metformin action. However, studies on the effects of metformin on gut microbiota remain limited, and its impact on gut microbial metabolites such as short-/medium-chain fatty acids is unclear. This study aims to investigate the effects of metformin on gut microbiota, short-/medium-chain fatty acids, and associated metabolic benefits in high-fat diet rats. METHODS: Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: 1) Normal diet group (ND group), fed standard chow; 2) high-fat diet group (HFD group), fed a high-fat diet; 3) high-fat diet + metformin treatment group (HFD+Met group), fed a high-fat diet for 8 weeks, followed by daily intragastric administration of metformin solution (150 mg/kg body weight) starting in week 9. At the end of the experiment, all rats were sacrificed, and serum, liver, and colonic contents were collected for assessment of glucose and lipid metabolism, liver pathology, gut microbiota composition, and the concentrations of short-/medium-chain fatty acids. RESULTS: Metformin significantly improved HFD-induced glucose and lipid metabolic disorders and liver injury. Compared with the HFD group, the HFD+Met group showed reduced abundance of Blautia, Romboutsia, Bilophila, and Bacteroides, while Lactobacillus abundance significantly increased (all P<0.05). Colonic contents of butyric acid, 2-methyl butyric acid, valeric acid, octanoic acid, and lauric acid were significantly elevated (all P<0.05), whereas acetic acid, isoheptanoic acid, and nonanoic acid levels were significantly decreased (all P<0.05). Spearman correlation analysis revealed that Lactobacillus abundance was negatively correlated with body weight gain and insulin resistance, while butyrate and valerate levels were negatively correlated with insulin resistance and liver injury (all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Metformin significantly increases the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus and promotes the production of short-/medium-chain fatty acids including butyric, valeric, and lauric acid in the colonic contents of HFD rats, suggesting that metformin may regulate host metabolism through modulation of the gut microbiota.
Animals ; Metformin/pharmacology* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Diet, High-Fat/adverse effects* ; Rats ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Male ; Fatty Acids, Volatile/metabolism* ; Fatty Acids/metabolism*

Objective To analyze the electrophysiological and genetic examination results of children with congenital stationary night blindness(CSNB)without fundus abnormalities.Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 11 children diagnosed with CSNB in our department from August 2019 to March 2025.Their full-field electroretinogram(ffERG)and the results of genetic testing were analyzed.Results Among the 11 patients,there were 10 males and 1 female,at a mean age of 7.5±2.1 years.In the optometry,1 patient had hyperopia and the other had myopia,and all of them obtained a corrected visual acuity of 0.48±0.11 after wearing glasses.In fundus photography examination,except for the leopard pattern changes in high myopia,no obvious abnormalities were found in the remaining fundus.In ffERG examination for all patients,the amplitude of the a-wave of scotopic ERG 3.0/10.0 was normal or slightly to moderately decreased,the amplitude of the b-wave was decreased significantly,and the amplitude ratio of the b-wave to the a-wave was<1,showing a negative-phase wave,which belonged to the CSNB Schubert-Bornschein waveform.The results of genetic test revealed that all the 11 patients carried pathogenic mutations,including 6 cases with CACNA1F mutations,2 cases with GPR179 mutations,2 cases with NYX mutations,and 1 case with GRM6 mutation.Conclusion For children with normal fundus manifestations but corrected visual acuity lower than normal after wearing glasses,ffERG examination should be carried out as soon as possible to screen for CSNB,and a diagnosis should be made in combination with genetic testing.This is helpful for evaluating the heredity and prognosis of the disease,increasing the chance of early detection,and reducing excessive amblyopia training and treatment.

Objective:To establish HPLC fingerprint and methods for determining the contents of four iridoid glycosides of Gentiana rigescens; To evaluate the quality of Gentiana rigescens from different origins; To improve the quality control level of Gentiana rigescens medicinal materials.Methods:Using 15 batches of Gentiana rigescens from the main production areas and authentic production areas as raw materials, the common mode of HPLC fingerprints of Gentiana rigescens was established, and the chemical components of the common peaks were identified. Referring to the common mode of fingerprints, similarity analysis was conducted on the fingerprints of Gentiana rigescens from different origins. Using chemometric methods, cluster analysis (HCA), principal component analysis (HCA), and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were performed on 15 batches of Gentiana rigescens, with the common peak area of fingerprint as the variable. The contents of four types of iridoid glycosides in Gentiana rigescens were determined. Combined with the fingerprints and the content results of four types of iridoid glycosides, the quality of Gentiana rigescens from different origins was evaluated.Results:The fingerprints of Gentiana rigescens contained 9 common peaks, with 4 identified iridoid glycosides. The similarity of the fingerprints of 15 batches of Gentiana rigescens ranged from 0.962 to 0.999. HCA and PCA divided the 15 batches of Gentiana rigescens into two categories. OPLS-DA analyzed 3 significantly different components, namely gentiopicroside, peak 7, and loganic acid. The content determination results showed that the average contents of loganic acid, swertiamarin, and gentiopicroside in Gentiana rigescens from Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture and Yunnan Province were the highest, and the total amount of four iridoid glycosides was also significantly higher than that from other regions, indicating that the overall quality of Gentiana rigescens from Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture and Yunnan Province was relatively good.Conclusion:This method is simple, fast, accurate, and can provide reference for improving the quality standards of Gentiana rigescens.

Objective:To establish fingerprints of Faeces Bombycis and simultaneously determine the content of four amino acids; To evaluate the quality of Faeces Bombycis from different regions. The fingerprint of Faeces Bombycis was established and the contents of 4 amino acids were determined.Methods:Kromasil 100-5 C18 (4.6 mm×250 mm, 5 μm) column was used for phenyl isothiocyanate (PITC) pre-column derivation-high performance liquid chromatography with acetonitrile-0.1 mol/L sodium acetate solution (pH adjusted to 6.5 with acetic acid) (7:93) mixed solution, and acetonitrile-water (4:1) mixed solution were mobile phase for gradient elution. The flow rate was 1.0 ml/min; the column temperature was 35 ℃; the detection wavelength was 254 nm; the injection amount was 5 μl. The fingerprints of 17 batches of Faeces Bombycis were established, the common peaks were identified by comparison of reference materials, and the similarity evaluation and principal component analysis (PCA) were carried out. The contents of glycine, alanine, proline and phenylalanine were determined simultaneously.Results:A total of 12 common peaks were identified from the fingerprints of Faeces Bombycis, and 12 amino acids were identified. The similarity of 17 batches of samples was greater than 0.95. PCA analysis showed that the regional difference of the quality of Faeces Bombycis was not significant. Faeces Bombycis produced in Qujing city in Yunnan Province had the highest total contents of 4 amino acids.Conclusion:The method has good repeatability and can provide reference for the quality evaluation and standard improvement of Faeces Bombycis.

Objective:To determine the contents of four flavonoids by establishing HPLC specific chromatogram for Alpiniae Katsumadai Semen; To evaluate the differences of Alpiniae Katsumadai Semen from different producing areas.Methods:The specific chromatogram was developed on a column of Thermo Acclaim C18 with acetonitrile-0.1% phosphoric acid solution as the mobile phase by gradient elution at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min. The detective wavelength was 260 nm, and the column temperature was 30 ℃. Similarity evaluation, PCA analysis, and OPLS-DA analysis were conducted. The contents of Alpinetin, Pinocembrin, Cardamonin, Alnustone in 16 batches of Alpiniae Katsumadai Semen.Results:There were 9 characteristic peaks in the specific chromatogram of Alpiniae Katsumadai Semen. Except the sample of S2 (Hainan producing area), the similarity of Alpiniae Katsumadai Semen in different producing areas was greater than 0.90; PCA analysis divided 16 batches of Alpiniae Katsumadai Semen into 2 categories, and OPLS-DA analysis identified 4 differential biomarkers, with the order of impact being peak 3>peak 5>Alpinetin>Cardamonin. Among them, the quality of Alpiniae Katsumadai Semen from Guangdong producing area was generally stable. Moreover, there were significant differences in the contents of Alpinetin and Cardamonin among the indicator components of Alpiniae Katsumadai Semen from different producing areas.Conclusion:This method can effectively analyze the differences in the quality of Alpiniae Katsumadai Semen from different producing areas, providing reference for the quality evaluation of Alpiniae Katsumadai Semen.

Objective:To establish a quality control method for Aiye standard decoction.Methods:The ultra performance liquid chromatogrphy (UPLC) column Waters ACQUITY HSS T3 C18 (2.1 mm×150 mm,1.8 μm) was used to gradient elution by acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid in water. 16 batches of Aiye standard decoction fingerprints were established by UPLC and the common peaks were determined in the fingerprints. The contents of 12 components were determined. The 16 batches of Aiye standard decoction were analyzed by similarity calculation, hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) for analysis of differential components of Artemisiae Argyi Folium from different origins.Results:A total of 13 common peaks were marked in the fingerprints of 16 batches of Aiye standard decoction, 12 of which were identified by comparison with reference substance, including chlorogenic acid, sochlorogenic acid A, neochlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, caffeic acid,1,3-O-Dicaffeoylquinic acid, schaftoside, isochlorogenic acid B,1,5-O-Dicaffeoylquinic acid, isochlorogenic acid C, jaceosidin and eupatilin. Similarity evaluation, PCA and HCA all classified the 16 batches of Aiye standard decoction into 2 categories. Orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis screened 5 differential biomarkers from 13 common peaks. The content determination results showed that the phenolic compounds and flavonoids in samples from Hubei were significantly higher than that in samples from other areas.Conclusion:This method can effectively analyze the differences in the quality of Aiye standard decoction from different origins, and provide reference for the formulation of quality standards for Aiye standard decoction and related preparations.

Objective:To establish a method for the determination of triterpenes and nucleosides in Poria based on HPLC; To accurately determine the various bioactive components in Poria.Methods:Similarity evaluation, clustering analysis and principal component analysis were used to analyze the similarities and differences of different medicinal parts of Poria, and the key chromatographic peaks that could reflect the characteristics were found.Results:The Poricoic acid A and dehydroeburiconic acid could be used as the identification basis for Poriae Cutis and White Poria; at the same time, Polyporenic acid C, dehydropachymic acid and dehydrotrametenolic acid could be used to evaluate Rubra Poria and Poriae Cutis; uridine, guanosine and adenosine may be essential ingredients for evaluating the quality of White Poria, Poriae Cutis and Rubra Poria. In different medicinal parts of Poria, the triterpenes were showed significant differences; by contrary, there were little differences among the same medicinal parts.Conclusion:This study reveals the quality differences between different medicinal parts of Poria, which can provide a scientific basis for the rational application and pharmacodynamic standardization of Poria.

Objective To analyze the acupoint selection law of acupuncture and moxibustion for pediatric cerebral palsy based on data mining techniques.Methods Clinical research literature about acupuncture and moxibustion for the treatment of pediatric cerebral palsy was retrieved from CNKI,Wanfang Data,VIP,CBM,PubMed,Web of Science,Embase and Cochrane Library from the establishment of the databases to April 1,2024.Excel 2021 was used to establish a database of prescription acupoints.The frequency of use of acupoints,attributed to the meridians,parts and specific acupoints were under statistically analysis,and SPSS Modeler 18.0 and SPSS Statistics 27.0 were used to conduct the association rules analysis,factor analysis and clustering analysis of acupoints.Results A total of 579 articles were included,579 prescriptions were extracted,containing 245 acupoints with the frequency of 6 422 times.The high-frequency acupoints were Zusanli,Baihui,Hegu,Sanyinjiao and Quchi,etc.The commonly used meridians were Governor Vessel,gall bladder meridian,stomach meridian,large intestine meridian and bladder meridian;mostly used acupoints were in the lower limbs,head and neck,upper limbs,waist and back.The association rules analysis showed that the top combinations were"Hegu-Quchi","Zusanli-Quchi","Zusanli-Quchi-Hegu","Hegu-Quchi-Zusanli";clustering analysis showed that 6 valid clusters were extracted;factor analysis extracted 7 valid common factors.Conclusion Acupuncture and moxibustion treatment for pediatric cerebral palsy is based on the principle of strengthening the brain,improving intelligence and tonifying the five zang organs,reflecting the principle of matching acupoints far and near.The core combination of acupoints is"Zusanli-Quchi-Hegu".

Objective To explore the efficacy of hypofractionated radiotherapy at different time intervals after surgery for keloid,and to analyze the factors affecting the efficacy.Methods A total of 76 patients who underwent 20 Gy/5 postoperative radiotherapy regimen in the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2021 to June 2023 were selected as study subjects,and a total of 100 keloids were divided into effective group(n=79)and recurrence group(n=21).Regular follow-up and record of the patients after radiotherapy treatment effect and adverse effects,and multivariate Logistic was used to analyze factors of recurrence in keloid patients.Results Multivariate Logistic regression analysis found that postoperative radiotherapy time and scar incision length were related to recurrence after treatment,radiotherapy within 7h of surgery was an independent risk factor for recurrence after treatment(OR＞1,P=0.022),and scar incision≤5cm was an independent protective factor for recurrence after treatment(OR＜1,P=0.028).Conclusion Surgical excision combined with hypofractionated radiotherapy is one of the effective measures to prevent and treat keloid recurrence,though keloids on the trunk may need more effective treatment options.The recurrence rate of radiotherapy initiated 7-48h after surgery is relatively the lowest,and it is worthy of clinical promotion and application.

Objective To understand the clinical applicability and implementation of expert consensus on the implementation and removal of protective restraints in psychiatry,and to provide references for promoting the standardized practice of psychiatric protective restraints and updating the consensus.Methods By the convenience sampling method,a questionnaire survey was conducted among nurses from 480 hospitals in 30 provinces from June 15 to July 15,2024.The survey was conducted using the instrument for evaluating clinical applicability of guide-lines(version 2.0)and a self-compiled questionnaire on the clinical implementation of the restraint consensus.Results A total of 7,844 valid questionnaires were collected,with a valid questionnaire recovery rate of 93.78％.The results of clinical applicability scoring showed that the consensus had the lowest availability score(64.72％)and the highest acceptability score(76.74％).The results showed that nurses' receiving training and the level of their hospitals were the main influencing factors for scores in various dimensions(P＜0.05).4,774 participants(87.42％)believed that the application of consensus could enhance the standardization of nurses' restraint operations.The safety rate of the restraint consensus was 79.51％,and the economic ratio was 76.87％.Among the evaluators,1,739(22.17％)believed that there were implementation obstacles in the consensus.Conclusion The clinical applicability of the consensus is relatively good,and the application of the consensus helps to improve the standardization of clinical operations.In the future,efforts should be made to strengthen the promotion and training of the consensus,develop hierarchical promotion strategies according to the characteristics of medical institutions,and improve the quality of evidence for the consensus,so as to further enhance the clinical application effect of the consensus.