Aralia taibaiensi, widely distributed in western China, particularly in the Qinba Mountains, has been utilized as a folk medicine for treating diabetes, gastropathy, rheumatism, and cardiovascular diseases. Saponins from A. taibaiensis (sAT) have demonstrated protective effects against oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction induced by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In vivo, middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) induced inflammatory infiltration, neuronal injury, cell apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress in the ischaemic penumbra, which were effectively mitigated by sAT. sAT increased the mRNA and protein expression levels of apelin and its receptor apelin/apelin receptors (ARs) both in vivo and in vitro. (Ala13)-Apelin-13 (F13A) and small interfering RNA (siRNA) abolished the regulatory effects of sAT on neuroprotection mediated by adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/protein kinase B (Akt). Furthermore, sAT induced apelin/AR expression by simultaneously inhibiting P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (P38 MAPK)/activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) and upregulating hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). Our findings indicate that sAT regulates apelin/AR/AMPK by inhibiting P38 MAPK/ATF4 and upregulating HIF-1a, thereby suppressing oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction.
Animals ; Reperfusion Injury/prevention & control* ; Aralia/chemistry* ; Saponins/administration & dosage* ; AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/genetics* ; Male ; Apelin/genetics* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Neuroprotective Agents/administration & dosage* ; Brain Ischemia/genetics* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Apelin Receptors/genetics* ; Humans ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Mice

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to explore the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) loci near the haplotype region hg19 chr9:100560865-100660865 of the forkhead box E1 (FOXE1) gene and the occurrence of non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P) in western Han Chinese population. METHODS: In the first stage, our study recruited 159 NSCL/P patients and performed targeted region sequencing to screen SNPs loci near the haplotype region of the FOXE1 gene associated with NSCL/P. In the second stage, we selected 21 common SNPs and re-enrolled 1 000 non-syndromic cleft lip only (NSCLO) patients, 1 000 non-syndromic cleft palate only (NSCPO) patients, and 1 000 normal controls to verify the association. PLINK software was used to perform Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) test. Association analysis for common variants, gene burden analysis for rare mutations, and function prediction of SNPs with non-synonymous mutations were performed using Mutation Taster and other software programs. RESULTS: In the first stage, 126 variants, including 76 single nucleotide variants and 50 insertion-deletions were identified. All the included SNPs confirmed to HWE, and the results of gene burden analysis and prediction of functional harmfulness for rare variants were not statistically significant. Association analysis showed that rs13292899 of the FOXE1 gene was significantly associated with NSCL/P (P=1.85E-27) and was also correlated with NSCLO (P=6.41E-23) and non-syndromic cleft lip with cleft palate (NSCLP) (P=2.36E-15) subtypes. In the validation phase, rs79268293 (P=0.013, P=0.022), rs10983951 (P=0.009 2, P=0.007 6), rs117227387 (P=0.009 2, P=0.007 6), rs3758250 (P=0.009 2, P=0.007 6), and rs116899397 (P=0.009 2, P=0.007 6) were significantly associated with NSCLO and NSCPO; rs13292899 (P=0.008 5), rs74606599 (P=0.008 3), rs143226042 (P=0.008 3), and rs117236550 (P=0.01) were associated with the occurrence of NSCLO; and rs12343182 (P=0.008 7), rs10119760 (P=0.012), rs10113907 (P=0.012), and rs13299924 (P=0.012) were associated with the occurrence of NSCPO. CONCLUSIONS This study found a new susceptible SNP rs13292899 of the FOXE1 gene that is closely associated with NSCL/P and NSCLO subtype and 13 other SNPs associated with NSCLO or NSCPO.
Female ; Humans ; Male ; China ; Cleft Lip/genetics* ; Cleft Palate/genetics* ; Forkhead Transcription Factors/genetics* ; Haplotypes ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; East Asian People/genetics*

Objective To explore the therapeutic mechanism of maggot for psoriasis-like lesions in mice from the perspective of immune stress and complement activation regulation.Methods Thirty-six male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group,model group,maggot(1.25%,2.5%,and 5%)groups,and Benvitimod(1%)group.Psoriasis-like lesions were induced by application of imiquimod cream,and the severity of skin lesions was assessed using the modified Psoriasis Area and Severity Index(MPASI)score.Auricular swelling of the mice was observed,and histopathological changes of the skin lesions were examined with HE staining.Scratching behavior of the mice was observed and the spleen index was calculated.Toluidine blue staining was used to detect mast cells in the skin lesions,and serum levels of IgG,IgM,the complements CH50,C1s,C3,C3a,C5 and C5a,and the inflammatory factors IL-23,IL-17A and TNF-α were determined with ELISA.Results In mice with imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like skin lesions,treatment with the maggot at the 3 doses significantly decreased MPASI score,alleviated auricular swelling and pathologies in the skin lesions,reduced scratching behaviors,spleen index,and the number of mast cells in the lesions.Treatment with high-dose maggot significantly lowered serum levels of IgG,C1s,C3a,C5a,IL-23,IL-17A and TNF-α and the levels of C1s,C3,C3a,C5 and C5a in the lesion tissue,and increased serum levels of CH50,C3,and C5.The therapeutic effect of maggot showed a dose-effect dependence.Conclusion Maggot can alleviate psoriasis-like skin lesions in mice by inhibiting immune stress and complement activation.

ObjectiveTo mine the medication patterns of Chinese medicines for neurodermatitis based on contemporary medical cases in published articles. MethodThe medical cases of treating neurodermatitis with Chinese medicines were retrieved from the medical case articles published by contemporary famous and old Chinese medicine doctors in the library of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine， CNKI， VIP， and Wanfang Data. A case library was established， and SPSS Statistics 26.0 and SPSS Modeler 18.0 were employed to analyze the symptoms and syndromes of neurodermatitis and mine the medication patterns. ResultAccording to the inclusion and exclusion criteria， 130 medical case articles were included in this study. Neurodermatitis was prevalent in young adults between 20 and 39 years old （female patients of 30-49 years old and male patients of 20-39 years old）， and male patients were more than female patients. The patients mainly presented the clinical manifestations of itchy rashes， thickened skin， and lichenification. Symptoms included skin injury， emotional abnormalities， and Yin damage caused by prolonged illness. Red tongue， thin white or yellow tongue coating， and wiry pulse were common in the patients. The patients with the syndrome of blood deficiency and wind dryness were often treated with Angelicae Sinensis Radix， Rehmanniae Radix， Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma， Tribuli Fructus， and Chuanxiong Rhizoma. The commonly used herb pairs included Chuanxiong Rhizoma-Paeoniae Radix Alba， Chuanxiong Rhizoma-Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma， and Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata-Saposhnikoviae Radix， and the commonly used prescriptions were Siwutang and Dangguiyinzi. The patients with the syndrome of muscle and skin dystrophy were mainly treated with Rehmanniae Radix， Sophorae Flavescentis Radix， Paeoniae Radix Alba， Tribuli Fructus， and Dictamni Cortex. The commonly used herb pairs included Polygoni Multiflori Caulis-Sophorae Flavescentis Radix， Polygoni Multiflori Caulis-Dictamni Cortex， and Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma-Paeoniae Radix Alba， and the commonly used prescriptions were Jingjie Siwutang and Baixianpiyin. The patients with the syndrome of liver depression transforming into fire were often treated with Rehmanniae Radix， Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma， Gardeniae Fructus， Bupleuri Radix， and Scutellariae Radix. The commonly used herb pairs included Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma-Polygoni Multiflori Caulis， Polygoni Multiflori Caulis-Gardeniae Fructus， and Gentianae Radix et Rhizoma-Saposhnikoviae Radix， and the commonly used prescriptions were Longdan Xiegantang and Danzhi Xiaoyaosan. ConclusionThis study enriches the knowledge about neurodermatitis， clarifies the treatment principles and methods as well as the medication patterns， and provides a theoretical basis for clinical treatment and medication based on syndrome differentiation.

Objective:To explore the feasibility of the post process of computed tomography angiography(CTA)on head and neck based on artificial intelligence(AI)deep learning on stenosis assessment.Methods:A total of 108 patients who underwent CTA on head and neck at Shunyi Hospital of Beijing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital from January 2022 to June 2023 were selected,and they were divided into an AI group(54 cases)and a manual group(54 cases)based on different diagnostic methods.Dual source CT was used to conduct examination,and data was transmitted to"Shenrui Dr.Wise Head and Neck CTA Intelligent Assistance System"and"Siemens Syngo View Post Process Workstation".The image evaluation was conducted on a 5-point scale.The time-consuming of post process and diagnosis of CTA images of the artery of head and neck between two groups were observed and compared,and the quality of CTA images of the artery of head and neck,and the diagnostic results of the degree of the artery stenosis of head and neck also were observed and compared between two groups.Results:The differences of the time-consuming of post process of images and the time-consuming of diagnosis between two groups were all statistically significant(t=52.315,24.509,P<0.05),respectively.The intra-group correlation coefficient(ICC)of each branch of the artery of head and neck was 0.996 between two physicians.In AI group,the score of common carotid artery was(4.77±0.12),and the score of internal carotid artery was(4.56±0.13),and the score of vertebral artery was(4.55±0.16),and the score of middle cerebral artery was(4.78±0.16).In manual group,the score of common carotid artery was(3.02±0.12),and the score of internal carotid artery was(3.02±0.12),and the score of vertebral artery was(3.02±1.14),and the score of middle cerebral artery was(3.11±1.09).The differences of the image scores of each main branch of the artery of head and neck between two groups were significant(t=107.165,94.590,13.812,15.753,P<0.05),respectively,and scores of AI group all higher than these of manual group.The result of digital subtraction angiography(DSA)was used as the"gold standard".A total of 44 stenosis arteries were included for comparison,and the DSA results indicated that there were 12 cases with mild stenosis,12 cases with moderate stenosis and 10 cases with severe stenosis in AI group,and there were 12 cases with mild stenosis,8 cases with moderate stenosis and 7 cases with severe stenosis in manual group.There was a favorable diagnostic consistency in AI group(Kappa=0.898,P<0.05).The compliance rate of each stenosis of AI group was higher than that of manual group.The sensitivity(96.80%)and specificity(66.52%)of AI group were all higher than those(68.36 and 14.75%)of manual group,and the difference of specificity was significant.Conclusion:The time-consuming of post process,the time-consuming of diagnosis and the quality of CTA image of the artery of head and neck in AI mode are better than those in manual mode,and the consistency of diagnostic efficacy between two modes is favorable.

Objective To explore the therapeutic mechanism of maggot for psoriasis-like lesions in mice from the perspective of immune stress and complement activation regulation.Methods Thirty-six male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group,model group,maggot(1.25%,2.5%,and 5%)groups,and Benvitimod(1%)group.Psoriasis-like lesions were induced by application of imiquimod cream,and the severity of skin lesions was assessed using the modified Psoriasis Area and Severity Index(MPASI)score.Auricular swelling of the mice was observed,and histopathological changes of the skin lesions were examined with HE staining.Scratching behavior of the mice was observed and the spleen index was calculated.Toluidine blue staining was used to detect mast cells in the skin lesions,and serum levels of IgG,IgM,the complements CH50,C1s,C3,C3a,C5 and C5a,and the inflammatory factors IL-23,IL-17A and TNF-α were determined with ELISA.Results In mice with imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like skin lesions,treatment with the maggot at the 3 doses significantly decreased MPASI score,alleviated auricular swelling and pathologies in the skin lesions,reduced scratching behaviors,spleen index,and the number of mast cells in the lesions.Treatment with high-dose maggot significantly lowered serum levels of IgG,C1s,C3a,C5a,IL-23,IL-17A and TNF-α and the levels of C1s,C3,C3a,C5 and C5a in the lesion tissue,and increased serum levels of CH50,C3,and C5.The therapeutic effect of maggot showed a dose-effect dependence.Conclusion Maggot can alleviate psoriasis-like skin lesions in mice by inhibiting immune stress and complement activation.

We conducted a randomized, open-label, parallel-controlled, multicenter trial on the use of Shuanghuanglian (SHL), a traditional Chinese patent medicine, in treating cases of COVID-19. A total of 176 patients received SHL by three doses (56 in low dose, 61 in middle dose, and 59 in high dose) in addition to standard care. The control group was composed of 59 patients who received standard therapy alone. Treatment with SHL was not associated with a difference from standard care in the time to disease recovery. Patients with 14-day SHL treatment had significantly higher rate in negative conversion of SARS-CoV-2 in nucleic acid swab tests than the patients from the control group (93.4% vs. 73.9%, P = 0.006). Analysis of chest computed tomography images showed that treatment with high-dose SHL significantly promoted absorption of inflammatory focus of pneumonia, which was evaluated by density reduction of inflammatory focus from baseline, at day 7 (mean difference (95% CI), -46.39 (-86.83 to -5.94) HU; P = 0.025) and day 14 (mean difference (95% CI), -74.21 (-133.35 to -15.08) HU; P = 0.014). No serious adverse events occurred in the SHL groups. This study illustrated that SHL in combination with standard care was safe and partially effective for the treatment of COVID-19.
COVID-19 ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Research ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE：To study the protective effects of butein on oxidative stress injury of PC12 cell and its effects on mitochondrial function. METHODS：Rats PC12 cells were divided into normal control group，model group，solvent control group（1 ‰ dimethyl sulfoxide），butein high，medium and low concentration groups（2，1，0.5 μmol/L）. The latter 4 groups were given relevant reagent/medicine for intervention；24 h later，other groups were given 100 mU/mL glucose oxidase to induce oxidant stress model except for normal control group. After 4 h culture，cell survival rate，apoptosis rate，the levels or activities of ROS，MDA，SOD，CAT，GSH-Px，ATP，IL-1β and TNF-α as well as the change of MMP were detected. RESULTS：Compared with normal control group，cell survival rate，the levels or activities of SOD，CAT，GSH-Px and ATP were all decreased significantly，and apoptotic rate，the content of ROS，the levels of MDA，IL-1β and TNF-α were all increased significantly（P＜0.05 or P＜0.01），while the MMP was decreased significantly. Compared with model group，above indexes of solvent control group had no significant change （P＞0.05），cell survival rates，the levels or activities of SOD （except for medium and low concentration groups），CAT，GSH-Px（except for medium and low concentration groups），ATP（except for low concentration group）were increased significantly in butein high，medium and low concentration groups，while apoptotic rates，the content of ROS，the levels of MDA，IL-1 β and TNF-α were decreased significantly（P＜0.05 or P＜0.01），while the MMP were increased significantly. CONCLUSIONS：Butein can increase the antioxidant enzyme activity， stabilize mitochondrial function， inhibit oxidative stress and inflammationthus， increase energy generation inhibiting neuronal cell apoptosis ultimately exerting a neuroprotective effect.

OBJECTIVE： To promote rational use of proton pump inhibitors （PPIs） during perioperative period. METHODS： PDCA （Plan， Do， Check， Action） cycle management was used， the irrational use of PPIs of 300 medical records in neurosurgery department of our hospital were collected. The reasons were analyzed， management target was formulated and measures were implemented. The effects of management were evaluated through comparing the rate of irrational drug use and ratio of irrational type of PPIs in 300 medical records of neurosurgery department during perioperative period after management. RESULTS： Through collecting related data to confirm risk factors of stress ulcer， establishing rationality evaluation criteria for perioperative prophylactic use of PPIs， conducting rational drug use training among medical staff， drawing up various management systems and strengthening supervision and management， the rate of irrational use of PPIs was decreased significantly in our hospital； the number of irrational drug use cases decreased from 240 before management to 156 after management， among which the rate of prophylactic drug use without indication decreased from 37.33％ to 29.00％ （P＜0.05）； the irrational dosage rate decreased from 11.33％ to 6.33％ （P＜0.05）； the rate of irrational dosing frequency dropped from 12.67％ to 5.00％ （P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS： PDCA cycle management of our hospital can standardize the prophylactic use of PPIs in neurosurgery department during perioperative period and promote rational use of PPIs.

Objective To investigate the protective effect of FLPNF and the improvement of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion against dexamethasone-induced apoptosis of islet cells. Methods INS-1 cells were treated with oligopeptide FLPNF and dexamethasone, either separately or in combination. Proliferation of INS-1 cells in each group was assessed with CCK-8 assay and the insulin secretion stimulated by glucose was detected by ELISA. The apoptotic condition of the cells was observed and assessed with TUNEL and the apoptosis rate of each group was detected using flow cytometry. The expression of major target protein molecules related to apoptosis and Glut2 was detected by Western blotting analysis. Results Dexamethasone inhibited the growth of INS-1 cells in the group treated with dexamethasone. Cell damage was obvious with observable nuclear shrinkage and nuclear rupture. In addition, apoptosis rate was found to be 40.6％±2.4％. The expression of the apoptosis-related protein Bcl-2 and Glut2 was significantly reduced, whereas that of Bax and caspase-3 was significantly increased. After the combined treatment of oligopeptide FLPNF and dexamethasone, the results were reversed, and the apoptosis rate declined to 27.2％±2.0％ (P ＜ 0.001), cell morphology was improved, and the expression of apoptosis-related protein molecules of islet cells and protein Glut2 was significantly improved. Conclusion FLPNF has the ability of protecting islet cells from dexamethasone-induced apoptosis and improving the glucose-stimulated insulin secretion of islet cells.