ObjectiveTo investigate the inhibitory effect of Biejiajian Pills （BJJW） on the growth of liver cancer， as well as its potential mechanism in mediating the AMP-activated protein kinase （AMPK）/mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR） pathway through mitochondrial energy metabolism. MethodsHuman hepatoma Huh7 cells were used to establish a nude mouse model of subcutaneous xenograft tumor. A total of 18 tumor-bearing nude mice were randomly divided into model group， BJJW group （2.2 g/kg）， and metformin group （250 mg/kg）， and the corresponding drug was given by gavage for 14 consecutive days. Tumor volume and weight were monitored during the experiment； HE staining was used to observe histopathological changes； the levels of reactive oxygen species （ROS） and adenosine triphosphate （ATP） in tumor tissue were measured； immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used to measure the expression levels of proteins associated with the AMPK/mTOR pathway. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups， and the Tukey’s test was used for further comparison between two groups； the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups， and the Dunn’s test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the model group， the BJJW group had a tumor inhibition rate of 45.73%， with significant reductions in both tumor volume and weight （P<0.01）. Pathological examination showed that compared with the model group， the BJJW group had a significant reduction in the number of tumor cells and the presence of extensive necrosis. Mechanistic studies showed that compared with the model group， the BJJW group had a significant increase in ROS level （P<0.001） and a significant reduction in ATP level （P<0.001）， as well as significant increases in p-AMPK/AMPK ratio （0.81±0.20 vs 0.13±0.04， P<0.01） and p-ULK1/ULK1 ratio （0.69±0.17 vs 0.18±0.13， P<0.01） and a significant reduction in p-mTOR/mTOR ratio （1.34±0.16 vs 3.20±0.62， P<0.01）. ConclusionBJJW may inhibit the growth of liver cancer by inducing mitochondrial energy metabolism dysfunction， increasing the level of ROS， reducing the level of ATP， and activating the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway.

Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. Septic shock is the primary cause of mortality in sepsis, with its core pathophysiological mechanism being severe ischemia and hypoxia in critical units—composed of microcirculation and the mitochondria of functional cells—resulting from disruptions in blood flow and oxygen flow following a dysregulated host response. Due to the systemically convergent yet clinically heterogeneous nature of the host response, current understanding and management strategies for hemodynamics remain inconsistent, often leading to inadequate resuscitation or overtreatment. To improve the quality of care, based on a systematic review of the "blood flow-oxygen flow" theory, an expert panel emphasizes reevaluating septic shock from an integrated perspective of blood flow and oxygen flow, and has formulated the Expert Consensus on Blood Flow and Oxygen Delivery Phenotyping and Clinical Management of Septic Shock (2025). The consensus proposes that clinical typing of blood flow-oxygen flow should comprehensively consider cardiac function, vascular tone, oxygen flow utilization status in critical units, and disease trajectory, while optimizing subtype identification by integrating host response phenotypes and artificial intelligence technologies. It advocates establishing a continuous assessment system through multi-site oxygen flow monitoring for organ perfusion, peripheral perfusion monitoring, and critical care ultrasound. Under the framework of the "critical care triangle", the consensus promotes the implementation of individualized, bundled management strategies, providing guidance for multiple management points to restore blood flow-oxygen flow matching, reduce the risk of organ failure, and decrease patient mortality.

Objective To establish a highly efficient and sensitive technical system for the identification and analysis of platycodin-type saponins, systematically compare the differences in platycodin-type saponins among Platycodon grandiflorum from different producing areas, and provide scientific references for the screening of high-quality Platycodon grandiflorum resources, authenticity evaluation, and construction of standardized quality control systems. Methods A total of 45 batches of P. grandiflorum medicinal materials from 3 producing areas （Anhui, Henan, and Jilin, with 15 batches per area） were selected as research objects. Qualitative identification and semi-quantitative analysis of saponin components were performed based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry （UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS） technology. Meanwhile, two multivariate statistical methods, principal component analysis （PCA） and partial least squares-discriminant analysis （PLS-DA）, were combined to analyze the differences in platycodin-type saponins of Platycodon grandiflorus from different producing areas. Results A total of 28 saponin components were identified from Platycodon grandiflorus of the three producing areas. PCA results showed that there were minor differences in platycodin-type saponins between Henan Platycodon grandiflorus and Jilin Platycodon grandiflorus, while Anhui P. grandiflorum exhibited significant differences from both. PLS-DA further screened 15 major differential compounds. Among them, the contents of 6 components including 3''-O-acetylpolygalacin D2 and platycodin H in Anhui Platycodon grandiflorus were higher than those in Henan and Jilin Platycodon grandiflorus; platycodigenic acid A had the highest content in Jilin Platycodon grandiflorus; the contents of platycodin D3, polygalacin J, and polygalacin D were relatively higher in Henan Platycodon grandiflorus. Conclusion This study clarified the characteristic differences in core components of Platycodon grandiflorus from the three major producing areas, which provided an important theoretical basis for the screening of high-quality Platycodon grandiflorus resources, elucidation of the mechanism underlying its authenticity, and construction of a standardized quality control system.

Objective To explore risk factors of sodium-dependent glucose transporters 2 （SGLT2） inhibitor-associated euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis （euDKA） and to construct a risk prediction model. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of type 2 diabetes patients treated with SGLT2 inhibitors in Dongnan Hospital of Xiamen University from January 2020 to December 2023, including age, gender and course of diabetes. The risk factors of SGLT2 inhibitor-associated euDKA were analyzed by univariate analysis and multivariate Logistic regression, and a prediction model was established. According to the receiver's operating characteristic （ROC） curve, the area under the curve （AUC） and the optimal critical value of the prediction model were determined. The prediction model was subjected to both internal and external validation. Results A total of 119 patients with type 2 diabetes treated with SGLT2 inhibitors were included in this study. Among them, there were 98 cases without euDKA （non-euDKA group）and 21 cases with euDKA （euDKA group）. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed the DKA history (OR=114.153), appetite or diet decreased three days before admission (OR=21.774), elevated neutrophil count (OR=2.056) and pre-hospital adjustment of hypoglycemic agents (OR=45.745) were independent factors to increase risks of euDKA associated with SGLT2 inhibitors （P<0.05）. Surgical history before admission was an independent factor to reduce this risk （OR=0.007, P<0.05）. By establishing the calculation formula of the prediction model = neutrophil count+6.571 （DKA history）−6.874 （surgical history before admission）+4.273 （appetite or diet decreased three days before admission）+5.302 （pre-hospital adjustment of hypoglycemic drugs）, the ROC curve was drawn. The AUC of the ROC of the prediction model was 0.982 （95%CI: 0.961-1.000, P<0.001）, with accuracy of 94.96%, sensitivity of 0.905, specificity of 0.959 and a critical value of 7.405. The AUC of ROC curve after the model’s ten-fold cross validation was 0.930. And the accuracy of the external validation of the prediction model was 85.29%. Conclusion The DKA history, appetite or diet decreased three days before admission, elevated neutrophil count and pre-hospital adjustment of hypoglycemic agents increased the risk of SGLT2 inhibitor-associated euDKA, while the surgical history before admission reduced this risk. The risk prediction model constructed on this basis could better predict the risk of SGLT2 inhibitor-associated euDKA.

Background/Aims: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a primary malignant neoplasm with an extremely poor prognosis. While combined chemoradiotherapy has been demonstrated to delay CCA progression to a certain extent, the absence of specific molecular biomarkers or targets significantly hinders the diagnosis and treatment of CCA. Methods: Through cross-analysis of proteomics and ADMA modificationomics, we identified DDX1 overexpressed in CCA with elevated R602-ADMA modifications. HPLC-MS/MS identified PRMT1 as the methyltransferase and USP10 as the deubiquitinating enzyme for DDX1. Immunofluorescence and nuclear-cytoplasmic partitioning experiments confirmed DDX1’s nuclear localization. GO and KEGG analyses clarify the biological functions of DDX1 in response to hypoxia. RNA-seq transcriptomics analyzed key pathways influenced by DDX1. A hydrodynamic in situ CCA mouse model was established to validate the chemopreventive effects of the PRMT1-specific inhibitor GSK715 on CCA development. Results: DDX1 promotes CCA progression both in vivo and in vitro and can be inhibited by GSK715. Mechanistically, PRMT1 mediates ADMA modification at position R602 of DDX1. This modification promotes DDX1 nuclear localization by recruiting USP10 to deubiquitinate DDX1, while simultaneously inhibiting PRMT1 degradation. DDX1 promotes the transcription of PRMT1 and USP10 by binding to the mRNA 3’UTR region, establishing a positive feedback regulatory pathway. This mechanism promotes the occurrence and development of CCA and can serve as a target for the inhibitor GSK715 to suppress CCA progression. Conclusions Our study identified DDX1-R602-ADMA modification as a novel ADMA modification in CCA. It further confirmed its pivotal role in CCA progression. Targeting the USP10-PRMT1-DDX1 axis may represent a significant therapeutic approach for CCA.

ObjectiveTo investigate the inhibitory effect of Biejia Decoction Pill on the proliferation， migration， and aerobic glycolysis of hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） using cell experiments， as well as related mechanisms. MethodsHuman liver cancer cell line Huh7 was selected， and Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into blank serum group， inhibitor group， and high-， middle-， and low-dose Biejia Decoction Pill groups. Rat serum containing the drug was prepared for the incubation of Huh7 cells. CCK8 assay and scratch assay were used to explore the effect of Biejia Decoction Pill on the proliferation and migration of HCC cells； glycolytic rate-limiting enzymes and metabolites were measured to explore the effect of Biejia Decoction Pill on aerobic glycolysis of liver cancer cells； RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to explore the effect of Biejia Decoction Pill on the mRNA expression， related proteins， and phosphorylation of the protein kinase B （AKT）/mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR） signaling pathway. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups， and the least significant difference t-test or the Dunnett’s T3 test were used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the blank serum group， the Biejia Decoction Pill groups had significant reductions in OD value， migration rate during different periods of time， glycolytic rate-limiting enzymes （hexokinase， phosphofructokinase， pyruvate kinase）， and glycolytic metabolites （pyruvate， lactic acid， ATP） （all P<0.05）. RT-qPCR results showed that compared with the blank serum group， the high-， middle-， and low-dose Biejia Decoction Pill groups had a significant reduction in the mRNA expression level of mTOR， and the high- and low-dose Biejia Decoction Pill groups had a significant reduction in the mRNA expression level of AKT （all P<0.05）. Western blot results showed that compared with the blank serum group， the high-， middle-， and low-dose Biejia Decoction Pill groups had significant reductions in the expression levels of mTOR-related proteins and phosphorylated proteins， and the high- and middle-dose Biejia Decoction Pill groups had significant reductions in the expression levels of AKT-related proteins and phosphorylated proteins （all P<0.05）. ConclusionThis study preliminarily verifies that the serum containing Bijia Decoction Pill can inhibit the aerobic glycolysis of human hepatoma Huh7 cells， thereby inhibiting their proliferation and migration， possibly by inhibiting the expression of the proteins related to the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo study the effect of the herb pair Mori Folium-Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma （HMG） on glucose and lipid metabolism in the mouse model of type 2 diabetes mellitus and decipher the possible treatment mechanism. MethodsThe db/db mice were chosen as the mouse model of type 2 diabetes mellitus and then treated with HMG at low and high doses （1.56， 3.12 g∙kg^-1， respectively） or metformin （0.26 g∙kg^-1） by gavage for 6 weeks. The normal group and the model group were treated with double distilled water at the same time according to body weight. The 8-h fasting blood glucose and body weight were measured once a week. The oral glucose tolerance test （OGTT） was conducted at the 6th week of dosing. The mice were sacrificed after the end of dosing. Serum levels of lipids ［total cholesterol （TC）， triglycerides （TG）， high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL）， and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL）］， liver function indicators ［aspartate aminotransferase （AST） and alanine aminotransferase （ALT）］， non-esterified fatty acids （NEFA）， glycosylated serum protein （GSP）， serum glucose （GLU）， fasting insulin （FINS）， and renal function indicators ［creatinine （Crea） and blood urea nitrogen （BUN）］ were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The protein levels of peroxidase proliferator-activating receptor gamma （PPARγ）， acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase （ACC）， and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 （SREBP-1） were determined by Western blot. The pathological changes in the liver and pancreas were examined. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group presented increased body weight， elevated levels of blood glucose， TG， TC， AST， ALT， GLU， NEFA， GSP， and HDL-C， up-regulated protein levels of ACC and SREBP-1， and down-regulated protein level of PPARγ （P<0.01）. Meanwhile， the model group presented a large amount of lipid droplets and steatosis in the liver， as well as karyopyknosis and lymphocyte infiltration in the pancreas. Compared with the model group， the high- and low-dose HMG groups showed decreased body weight， declined levels of blood glucose， TG， TC， AST， ALT， GLU， NEFA， and GSP， and elevate level of HDL-C （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Moreover， the two groups showcased reduced lipid droplets and steatosis in the liver， as well as enlarged islets with clear boundaries and alleviated lymphocyte infiltration and karyopyknosis. Western blot results showed that the high-dose herb pair group demonstrated down-regulated protein levels of ACC and SREBP-1 and up-regulated protein level of PPARγ （P<0.01）. ConclusionThe HMG can effectively improve the glucose and lipid metabolism in db/db mice by regulating the expression of PPARγ， SREBP-1， and ACC.

To analyze the in vitro antibacterial effects of colistin (COL) or tigecycline (TGC) in combination with imipenem (IPM), amikacin (AMK), and cefoperazone-sulbactam (CSL) against carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii(CRAB), so as to provide evidence for screening effective combination regimens for clinical microbial infections.

ObjectiveTo explore the regulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal （HPG） axis by modified Erxian decoction in rats with perimenopausal syndrome （PMS） and to further analyze the expression of proteins related to the silent information regulator 1 （SIRT1）/hypothalamic kisspeptin （Kisspeptin）/gonadotropin-releasing hormone （GnRH） signaling pathway in the arcuate nucleus region （ARC） of the hypothalamus， so as to reveal the potential target of action and molecular biological mechanism of modified Erxian decoction for the treatment of perimenopausal syndrome. MethodsAn animal model was established via the incomplete castration method， with successful modeling confirmed by the exfoliated cervical cell smear method. The 48 rats were divided into six groups based on the randomization principle after successful modeling， including a sham operation group， a model group， an estradiol valerate group （0.09 mg∙kg^-1∙d^-1）， high-， medium-， and low-dose modified Erxian decoction groups （7.614， 3.807，1.903 5 g∙kg^-1∙d^-1）， with 8 rats in each group. The estradiol valerate group and the high-， medium- and low-dose modified Erxian decoction groups were continuously administered by gavage for 28 days， and the indicators were detected 24 hours after the last administration. Body weights and uterine indices were measured. The pathological changes of the uterus were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was performed to measure the levels of estradiol （E₂）， follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH）， luteinizing hormone （LH）， and gonadotropin-releasing hormone （GnRH）. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot were used to determine the expression levels of SIRT1， Kisspeptin， kisspeptin receptor （GPR54）， and GnRH in the ARC region of the hypothalamus and gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor （GnRH-R） in pituitary. ResultsCompared with the sham operation group， rats in the model group had a significantly increased body weight （P0.01）， reduced wet weight and index of uterus （P0.01）， endometrial thinning or atrophy， glandular atrophy， and a decreasing number of glands. Additionally， serum levels of E₂ and the expression of SIRT1 in the ARC region of the hypothalamus significantly decreased （P0.01）. Serum levels of FSH， LH， and GnRH， the expression of Kisspeptin， GPR54， and GnRH in the ARC region of the hypothalamus， and GnRH-R in pituitary significantly increased （P0.01）. Compared with the model group， the estradiol valerate group and the high-， medium-dose modified Erxian decoction groups had significantly reduced body weight， serum levels of FSH， LH， and GnRH， and expression of Kisspeptin， GPR54， and GnRH in the ARC region of the hypothalamus and GnRH-R in pituitary （P0.05， P0.01） and significantly increased wet weight and index of uterus， serum level of E₂， and expression of SIRT1 in the ARC region of the hypothalamus （P0.05， P0.01）. In addition， they showed thickened endometrium， increased number of endometrial glands， and improved glandular atrophy. ConclusionModified Erxian decoction regulates the function of the HPG axis through multi-targets， and its mechanism of action may be related to the up-regulation of the expression of SIRT1 in the ARC region of the hypothalamus， the inhibition of the over-activation of the Kisspeptin/GnRH signaling pathway， the regulation of the expression of GnRH-R in the pituitary， the restoration of secretion balance of gonadotropins， and the elevation of the estrogen level. This study provides an experimental basis for the interpretation of the scientific connotation of modified Erxian decoction in the treatment of perimenopausal syndrome and a theoretical reference for the development of a novel therapeutic strategy based on the SIRT1/Kisspeptin/GnRH pathway.

As a mercury-containing elixir， Hongshengdan has been known as a sacred medicine for surgery by ancient medical practitioners because of its precise curative effects. It originated from Yizong Shuoyue in the Qing dynasty， Qing dynasty and modern medical practitioners have adapted and modified its formula for clinical application. Employing bibliometric methods， the authors systematically organized relevant ancient literature of the Qing dynasty and modern literature， and analyzed the composition and dosage， preparation method， and clinical application. Among the 25 ancient books concerning Hongshengdan， a total of 12 medicinal formulas， 15 refining methods and 9 clinical applications were obtained. Research confirms that Hongshengdan consisted of mercury， saltpeter， alum， soap alum， cinnabar and realgar. Using measurement conversion standards of Qing dynasty， the modern single-batch formulation comprised 37.30 g of mercury， 149.20 g of saltpeter， 37.30 g of alum， 22.38 g of soap alum， 18.65 g of cinnabar， and 18.65 g of realgar. In modern refining of Hongshengdan， most medical practitioners take the core medicines， with dosages approximately 30 g of mercury， 30 g of saltpeter， and 30 g of alum. Refining method involves pretreatment stewing the materials during preparation， and alum， soap alum， and saltpeter are first ground together， then combined with mercury， cinnabar， and realgar for grinding until mercury and other drugs grind to the degree of no star points. The mixture is then placed in a pot or vessel by cold-forming method. After covering， the opening is sealed using either raw gypsum salt mud or honey-dipped cotton paper strips. Sand is packed around the vessel and then pressurized. During the calcination process， begin with a low flame（30 min）， then increase to a medium flame（30 min）， followed by a high flame（30 min）， after removing fire toxins， collect the final product. Hongshengdan has the efficacy of lifting the poison， removing the corrosion， producing muscle and dispersing， and is often used in the treatment of surgical sore and carbuncle type of diseases. Modern research indicates that Hongshengdan is commonly used to treat skin system diseases such as ulcers and herpes. The aforementioned findings provide a reference basis for the subsequent refining method and clinical application of Hongshengdan.