ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate and evaluate the staged efficacy and safety of the representative empirical prescription of the “Zhu Ke Jiao” theory， Qijia Rougan prescription， combined with entecavir in the treatment of hepatic fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B. MethodsA multicenter randomized controlled clinical study was conducted， and 101 patients diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B-related hepatic fibrosis （CHB-HF） who met the diagnosis and inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to an observation group （Qijia Rougan prescription + entecavir） and a control group （entecavir）. The treatment duration was 24 weeks. Liver stiffness measurement （LSM）， fibrosis-4 index （FIB-4）， portal vein diameter， hepatitis B serology， biochemical indicators， hepatic fibrosis markers in serum ［hyaluronic acid （HA）， laminin （LN）， procollagen Ⅲ peptide （PⅢP）， and type Ⅳ collagen （Ⅳ-C）］， and traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores were used as efficacy evaluation indicators. Efficacy assessments and explorations of different staged subgroups of Qijia Rougan prescription were conducted according to LSM values based on the Metavir pathological staging standard. ResultsA total of 98 cases were included for statistical analysis， with 49 cases in the observation group and 49 in the control group. The general data of the patients in both groups were comparable. Compared with the same group before treatment， the observation group showed a significant reduction in LSM and FIB-4 （P<0.01）， as well as notable improvements in LN， Ⅳ-C， and various TCM syndrome scores （P<0.05， P<0.01）. When compared to the control group after treatment， the observation group demonstrated significant improvements in LSM， FIB-4， and various TCM syndrome score indicators （P<0.05， P<0.01）， indicating that the observation group performed better than the control group. Subgroup analysis of the regression of hepatic fibrosis stages showed that compared to the same group before treatment， the observation group had better improvement in regression of stages F2 and F3 （P<0.05）. When compared to the control group after treatment， the observation group exhibited superior improvement in regression of stage F3 （P<0.05）. No adverse events occurred in either group during the treatment period. ConclusionCompared with entecavir alone， the combination of Qijia Rougan prescription and entecavir significantly improves the degree of hepatic fibrosis and clinical TCM symptoms in patients. The optimal intervention period is primarily during stage F3， which is a potential “interception” point of the “Zhu Ke Jiao” theory.

This consensus will introduce the characteristics of fillers used in the surgical cavities of domestic nasal surgery patients based on relevant literature and expert opinions. It will also provide recommendations for the selection of cavity fillers for different nasal diseases, with chronic sinusitis as a representative example.
Humans ; Nasal Cavity/surgery* ; Nasal Surgical Procedures ; China ; Consensus ; Sinusitis/surgery* ; Dermal Fillers

Cerebral edema is characterized by fluid accumulation, and the glymphatic system (GS) plays a pivotal role in regulating fluid transport. Using the Tenecteplase system, magnesium salt of salvianolic acid B/ginsenoside Rg1 (SalB/Rg1) was injected intravenously into mice 4.5 h after middle cerebral artery occlusion and once every 24 h for the following 72 h. GS function was assessed by Evans blue imaging, near-infrared fluorescence region II (NIR-II) imaging, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). SalB/Rg1 had significant effects on reducing the infarct volume and hemorrhagic transformation score, improving neurobehavioral function, and protecting tissue structure, especially inhibiting cerebral edema. Meanwhile, the influx/efflux drainage of GS was enhanced by SalB/Rg1 according to NIR-II imaging and MRI. SalB/Rg1 inhibited matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) activity, reduced cleaved β-dystroglycan (β-DG), and stabilized aquaporin-4 (AQP4) polarity, which was verified by colocalization with CD31. Our findings indicated that SalB/Rg1 treatment enhances GS function and attenuates cerebral edema, accompanying the regulation of the MMP9/β-DG/AQP4 pathway.
Animals ; Ginsenosides/administration & dosage* ; Brain Edema/etiology* ; Male ; Benzofurans/administration & dosage* ; Glymphatic System/diagnostic imaging* ; Mice ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery/drug therapy* ; Aquaporin 4/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/metabolism* ; Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacology* ; Depsides

OBJECTIVE To explore the effect and potential mechanisms of berberine on formation of biofilms of clinical methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA)isolates.METHODS Totally 95 clinical MRSA iso-lates were collected from Shanghai Eighth People's Hospital from Jan.2023 to Dec.2023.The 14 biofilm forma-tion-related genes in the strains were detected by polymerase chain reaction(PCR)and multiplex PCR,the mini-mum inhibitory concentration(MIC)of berberine was determined by microbroth dilution method,the effect of berberine on resistance of biofilm formation was evaluated by crustal violet staining,fluorescence microscope,Congo red agar plate and extracelluar DNA(eDNA).The transcription levels of 9 biofilm formation-related genes were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription PCR.RESULTS All of the 95 strains of MRSA carried eno,clfA,clfB and icaA genes,the most widespread gene profile was bbp-eno-ebpS-fnbA-fib-clfA-clfB-icaA-sasG,and 29 strains had the phenotypes with strong capability of biofilm formation.The MIC score of berberine ranged between 64 and 1 024 μg/ml.Berberine with the concentration of 1/2 MIC could inhibit the biofilm formation of MRSA(P＜0.001),and the inhibiting rate of biofilm formation of the MIC ≥512 μg/ml group was higher than that of the MIC≤128 μg/ml group and the MIC 256 μg/ml group(all P＜0.05).The re-sult under the fluorescence microscope showed that the fluorescence intensity of biofilms decreased with the rise of berberine concentration.Berberine could reduce the formation of amyloid fibrils and the release of eDNA,down-regulating the transcription levels of ica A,sasG,ebpS,fib,eno,clfA,clfB,bbp and fnbA genes(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION Berberine may inhibit the biofilm formation of MRSA by downregulating expression levels of related genes,interfering the formation of amyloid fibrils and blocking the release of eDNA,which may provide experimental bases for development of drugs resisting to MRSA biofilms.

Objective:To investigate the association between abdominal fat-related indicators derived from quantitative computed tomography (QCT) and coronary artery calcification (CAC) in middle-aged and elderly individuals, as well as the diagnostic value of these indicators.Methods:This cross-sectional study enrolled middle-aged and elderly participants who underwent health check-ups at Kaifeng Central Hospital between January and December 2024. Participants were divided into a CAC group and a non-CAC group based on the presence or absence of CAC. The CAC group was then stratified into mild, moderate, and severe subgroups according to CAC severity. General clinical data were collected for all participants. All subjects underwent one-stop QCT scanning of the chest and abdomen. An automated abdominal fat analysis system was used to identify fat distribution regions. If accurate identification was not possible, a semi-automated segmentation algorithm combined with manual correction was applied instead. Two physicians performed the measurements independently, and inter-observer consistency was assessed. The average values were calculated to obtain visceral fat area (VFA) and subcutaneous fat area (SFA). The ratio of visceral fat area to subcutaneous fat area (VFA/SFA) was also computed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the factors associated with CAC in middle-aged and elderly individuals. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of these indicators for CAC. DeLong′s test was used to compare the differences in the area under the curve ( AUC). Results:A total of 252 middle-aged and elderly individuals were included, with a median age of 61 (interquartile rang: 59, 69) years. Of these individuals, 188(74.6%) were males. Among them, 172 were classified into the CAC group and 80 into the non-CAC group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that VFA, VFA/SFA ratio, age, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), and hypertension were independently associated with CAC in middle-aged and elderly individuals (all P<0.05). The mild, moderate, and severe CAC subgroups comprised 78, 51, and 43 participants, respectively. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) demonstrated that VFA and VFA/SFA increased with CAC severity, and there were statistically significant differences between the subgroups (all P<0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the AUCs of VFA and VFA/SFA for diagnosing CAC were 0.841 and 0.810, respectively, with no significant difference between them ( P>0.05). The optimal cutoff values were 177.45 cm2 for VFA (sensitivity: 83.1%, specificity: 72.5%) and 1.592 for VFA/SFA (sensitivity: 65.7%, specificity: 83.7%). For the diagnosis of moderate-to-severe CAC, the AUCs of VFA and VFA/SFA were 0.765 and 0.761, respectively ( P>0.05 for comparison), with cutoff values of 231.75 cm2 (sensitivity: 61.7%, specificity: 83.3%) and 1.962 (sensitivity: 64.9%, specificity: 80.8%). Conclusion:Abdominal VFA and VFA/SFA derived from QCT are independently associated with the presence of CAC in middle-aged and elderly individuals, demonstrating good diagnostic performance for both overall CAC and moderate-to-severe CAC.

Objective:To investigate the iodine nutrition status of children aged 8 - 10 and pregnant women in Xining City, Qinghai Province.Methods:From 2019 to 2021, a stratified cluster sampling method was used to divide 7 counties (districts) under the jurisdiction of Xining City, Qinghai Province into 5 sampling areas according to east, west, south, north, and center each year. One township (town, street) was selected from each area. Forty non boarding students aged 8 to 10 from each primary school (half male and half female, age balanced) and 20 pregnant women from each township (town, street) location were selected to collect edible salt samples at home and a random urine sample to measure salt iodine and urinary iodine level. B-ultrasound was used to measure thyroid volume in children and the goiter rate was calculated.Results:A total of 6 534 samples of household edible salt were collected from children and pregnant women, with an average salt iodine concentration of 25.58 mg/kg. The coverage rate of iodized salt was 97.50% (6 371/6 534), and the qualified iodized salt consumption rate was 89.46% (5 845/6 534). A total of 4 362 urine samples were collected from children, with a median urinary iodine level of 183.10 μg/L. The difference between different years was statistically significant ( H = 20.27, P < 0.001). A total of 2 169 urine samples were collected from pregnant women, with a median urinary iodine level of 168.90 μg/L. The difference between different years was statistically significant ( H = 107.09, P < 0.001). A total of 3 336 cases of thyroid gland examination were conducted in children, including 33 cases of thyroid enlargement, with a goiter rate of 0.99%. There was a statistically significant difference between different years (χ 2 = 15.00, P < 0.001). Conclusion:From 2019 to 2021, children aged 8 to 10 and pregnant women in Xining City are at an appropriate level of iodine, and the achievements in prevention and treatment of iodine deficiency disorders still need to be continuously consolidated.

Objective To investigate the effect of the rs3765467 polymorphism of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor(GLP-1R)gene on the efficacy of Liraglutide(Lir)in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)and metabolic associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD).Methods A total of 281 patients with T2DM from May 2022 to May 2023 were selected,including 125 patients with simple T2DM(T2DM group)and 156 patients with T2DM combined with MAFLD(T2DM+MAFLD group).120 healthy individuals during the same period were selected as the control(NC)group.The related indexes of glucose and lipid metabolism were detected.The polymorphism of GLP-1R gene rs3765467 was detected.Results BMI,FPG,HbA1c,HOMA-IR and TG in each group increased in turn(P<0.05),while the distribution frequency of genotype GG and allele G decreased in turn(P<0.05).TC and LDL-C in T2DM and T2DM+MAFLD groups were higher than those in NC group(P<0.05).TC and TG levels in genotype GA/AA patients were significantly higher than those in genotype GG patients(P<0.05).Compared with before treatment,the levels of BMI,FPG,HbA1c,HOMA-IR,TC,TG and LDL-C in T2DM patients with MAFLD were significantly decreased after Lir treatment(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in BMI and related indexes of glucose and lipid metabolism in GG and GA/AA patients before and after Lir treatment(P>0.05).Conclusions The distribution frequency of GG and G allele at rs3765467 of GLP-1R gene is reduced in T2DM patients with MAFLD.The carrying of allele A was associated with increased TC and TG levels,but did not affect the efficacy of Lir in reducing weight and improving glycolipid metabolism.

BACKGROUND: Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is indicated as a broad-spectrum medicine for a variety of diseases, including cancer and cardiac disease. While the role of ATO in hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury (HIRI) has not been reported. Thus, the purpose of this study was to identify the effects of ATO on HIRI. METHODS: In the present study, we established a 70% hepatic warm I/R injury and partial hepatectomy (30% resection) animal models in vivo and hepatocytes anoxia/reoxygenation (A/R) models in vitro with ATO pretreatment and further assessed liver function by histopathologic changes, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, cell counting kit-8, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) for extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 was transfected to evaluate the role of ERK1/2 pathway during HIRI, followed by ATO pretreatment. The dynamic process of autophagic flux and numbers of autophagosomes were detected by green fluorescent protein-monomeric red fluorescent protein-LC3 (GFP-mRFP-LC3) staining and transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: A low dose of ATO (0.75 μmol/L in vitro and 1 mg/kg in vivo ) significantly reduced tissue necrosis, inflammatory infiltration, and hepatocyte apoptosis during the process of hepatic I/R. Meanwhile, ATO obviously promoted the ability of cell proliferation and liver regeneration. Mechanistically, in vitro  studies have shown that nontoxic concentrations of ATO can activate both ERK and phosphoinositide 3-kinase-serine/threonine kinase (PI3K-AKT) pathways and further induce autophagy. The hepatoprotective mechanism of ATO, at least in part, relies on the effects of ATO on the activation of autophagy, which is ERK-dependent. CONCLUSION Low, non-toxic doses of ATO can activate ERK/PI3K-AKT pathways and induce ERK-dependent autophagy in hepatocytes, protecting liver against I/R injury and accelerating hepatocyte regeneration after partial hepatectomy.
Animals ; Arsenic Trioxide ; Autophagy/physiology* ; Reperfusion Injury/prevention & control* ; Mice ; Male ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/physiology* ; Arsenicals/therapeutic use* ; Oxides/therapeutic use* ; Liver/metabolism* ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

Objective To develop an erythrocyte-based delivery system for butyrylcholinesterase(BChE)that is capable of prophylaxis against organophosphorus nerve agents.Methods Recombinant BChE was produced and analyzed for oligomerization via polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis(PAGE)and Western blotting.A modified hypotonic preswelling method was employed to prepare BChE-loaded erythrocytes.The drug loading capacity and encapsulation efficiency were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Catalytic activity was assessed in vitro with an activity detection kit.The system was characterized via scanning electron microscopy(SEM),flow cytometry and a hematology analyzer.Results Recombinant BChE predominantly existed as dimers(85％dimer,15％monomer).The optimized volume ratio of erythrocytes to hypotonic solution was determined as 1:7.Compared with native and empty erythrocytes,BChE-loaded erythrocytes exhibited significantly higher catalytic activity(P＜0.001).The mean corpuscular volume of BChE-loaded erythrocytes increased(P＜0.001),while the mean content of corpuscular hemoglobin and hemoglobin in erythrocytes per 100 mL decreased(P＜0.001).SEM revealed no morphological differences(biconcave disc shape).Hypotonic preswelling moderately increased erythrocyte apoptosis(P＜0.001),but no statistical difference was observed between BChE-loaded and hypotonic-treated erythrocytes(P＞0.05).CD47 expression remained unchanged compared to native erythrocytes(P＞0.05).Conclusion The modified hypotonic preswelling method can generate BChE-loaded erythrocytes that retain the characteristics of native erythrocytes while conferring catalytic activity,offering a novel strategy for clinical intervention against organophosphorus poisoning.

Soil cadmium pollution can adversely affect the cultivation of the ornamental plant, Coleus scutellarioides. Upon cadmium contamination of the soil, the growth of C. scutellarioides is impeded, and it may even succumb to the toxic accumulation of cadmium. In this study, we investigated the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on the adaptation of C. scutellarioides to cadmium stress, by measuring the physiological metabolism and the degree of root damage of C. scutellarioides, with Aspergillus oryzae as the test fungi. The results indicated that cadmium stress increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT), and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and proline (Pro) within the cells of C. scutellarioides, but inhibited mycorrhizal infestation rate, root vigour and growth rate to a great degree. With the same cadmium concentration, the inoculation of AMF significantly improved the physiological indexes of C. scutellarioides. The maximum decrease of MDA content was 42.16%, and the content of secondary metabolites rosemarinic acid and anthocyanosides could be increased by up to 27.43% and 25.72%, respectively. Meanwhile, the increase of root vigour was as high as 35.35%, and the DNA damage of the root system was obviously repaired. In conclusion, the inoculation of AMF can promote the accumulation of secondary metabolites, alleviate root damage, and enhance the tolerance to cadmium stress in C. scutellarioides.
Cadmium/toxicity* ; Mycorrhizae/physiology* ; Plant Roots/drug effects* ; Soil Pollutants/toxicity* ; Stress, Physiological ; Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism*