OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and potential mechanism of Qiangxin decoction on mitochondrion of rats with chronic heart failure （CHF）. METHODS The CHF model was established by ligating the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery. Modeled rats were divided into model group， Qiangxin decoction low-dose and high-dose groups （12.25， 24.50 g/kg， calculated by crude drug）， and chemical medicine group （Sacubitril valsartan sodium tablets， 10.42 mg/kg）， with 10 rats in each group； control group was set up without treatment. Each group of rats was orally administered with the corresponding medication or normal saline twice a day for 28 consecutive days. After the last medication， the contents of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide （NT-proBNP） and adenosine triphosphate （ATP） in serum and phosphatidic acid （PA） and cardiolipin （CL） in myocardial tissue were all detected； the pathological damage and collagen fibrosis of rat myocardial tissue were observed； the apoptosis of myocardial cells was determined； the ultrastructure of myocardial tissue was observed； the protein expressions of mitofusin 1 （Mfn1）， Mfn2， optic atrophy protein 1 （OPA1） and dynamin-related protein 1 （Drp1） were all detected in myocardial tissue. RESULTS Compared with control group，the serum content of NT-proBNP， apoptotic rate of myocardial cells， and relative expressions of S-OPA1 and Drp1 proteins were all increased significantly； serum content of ATP，contents of PA and CL， and relative expressions of Mfn1， Mfn2 and L-OPA1 proteins were all significantly reduced （P＜0.05）. There were abnormal membrane tissue structure in various layers of myocardial tissue， degeneration and necrosis of myocardial cells， and severe fibrosis； the mitochondria were swollen， with reduced or absent cristae， and uneven matrix density. After intervention with Qiangxin decoction， the levels of the aforementioned quantitative indicators in serum and myocardial tissue of rats （excluding CL content in the Qiangxin decoction low- dose group） were significantly reversed （P＜0.05）； the pathological damage of myocardial tissue had significantly improved， fibrosis had significantly reduced， mitochondrial morphology tended to be normal， cristae had increased， and matrix density was uniform. CONCLUSIONS Qiangxin decoction can regulate myocardial mitochondrial function and structural integrity of CHF rats， thereby improving myocardial energy metabolism and antagonizing myocardial fibrosis， the mechanism of which may be associated with activating PA/Mfn/CL signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and potential mechanism of Qiangxin decoction on mitochondrion of rats with chronic heart failure （CHF）. METHODS The CHF model was established by ligating the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery. Modeled rats were divided into model group， Qiangxin decoction low-dose and high-dose groups （12.25， 24.50 g/kg， calculated by crude drug）， and chemical medicine group （Sacubitril valsartan sodium tablets， 10.42 mg/kg）， with 10 rats in each group； control group was set up without treatment. Each group of rats was orally administered with the corresponding medication or normal saline twice a day for 28 consecutive days. After the last medication， the contents of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide （NT-proBNP） and adenosine triphosphate （ATP） in serum and phosphatidic acid （PA） and cardiolipin （CL） in myocardial tissue were all detected； the pathological damage and collagen fibrosis of rat myocardial tissue were observed； the apoptosis of myocardial cells was determined； the ultrastructure of myocardial tissue was observed； the protein expressions of mitofusin 1 （Mfn1）， Mfn2， optic atrophy protein 1 （OPA1） and dynamin-related protein 1 （Drp1） were all detected in myocardial tissue. RESULTS Compared with control group，the serum content of NT-proBNP， apoptotic rate of myocardial cells， and relative expressions of S-OPA1 and Drp1 proteins were all increased significantly； serum content of ATP，contents of PA and CL， and relative expressions of Mfn1， Mfn2 and L-OPA1 proteins were all significantly reduced （P＜0.05）. There were abnormal membrane tissue structure in various layers of myocardial tissue， degeneration and necrosis of myocardial cells， and severe fibrosis； the mitochondria were swollen， with reduced or absent cristae， and uneven matrix density. After intervention with Qiangxin decoction， the levels of the aforementioned quantitative indicators in serum and myocardial tissue of rats （excluding CL content in the Qiangxin decoction low- dose group） were significantly reversed （P＜0.05）； the pathological damage of myocardial tissue had significantly improved， fibrosis had significantly reduced， mitochondrial morphology tended to be normal， cristae had increased， and matrix density was uniform. CONCLUSIONS Qiangxin decoction can regulate myocardial mitochondrial function and structural integrity of CHF rats， thereby improving myocardial energy metabolism and antagonizing myocardial fibrosis， the mechanism of which may be associated with activating PA/Mfn/CL signaling pathway.

Objective: To explore the regulatory effects of ginkgo biloba extract on airway inflammatory injury and Toll⁃like receptor 4(TLR4)/nucleotide⁃binding oligomerization domain⁃containing 3(NLRP3) pathway in rats with vided into four groups : the normal control group , Methods: Thirty⁃six male SD rats were selected and randomly divided into four groups : the normal control group , the model group , the prednisone treatment group , and the ginkgo biloba extract treatment group , with 9 rats in each group. Except for the normal control group , the COPD rat mod⁃els in the other groups was constructed by intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) combined with ciga⁃rette smoke exposure. After successful modeling , the rats were continuously administered drugs for 12 weeks , fol⁃lowed by sampling. The general conditions and respiratory symptoms of the rats were observed. The pathological changes of lung tissues were observed by hematoxylin⁃eosin (HE) staining technique ; the mRNA and protein ex⁃pression levels of TLR4 , tumor necrosis factor⁃α (TNF⁃α ) , interleukin⁃1β (IL⁃1β) and NLRP3 in rat lung tissueswere detected by real⁃time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT⁃qPCR) and Western blot. Results: Com⁃pared with the normal control group , the lung tissues of rats in the model group were significantly damaged , and the protein and mRNA expression of TLR4 , TNF⁃α , IL⁃1β , and NLRP3 increased ( P < 0. 05 ) . Compared with the model group , lung tissue damage was reduced in the prednisone group and the ginkgo biloba extract group , and TLR4 , TNF⁃α , IL⁃1β , NLRP3 protein and mRNA expression decreased (P < 0. 05) . Conclusion Ginkgo biloba airway inflammatory response by inhibiting the TLR4/NLRP3 signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of Qiangxin decoction on myocardial mitochondrial and energy metabolism in rats with chronic heart failure （CHF） based on mitophagy. METHODS Male SD rats were collected to establish CHF model by ligating the left anterior descending branch of coronary artery. The successful modeling rats were divided into model group， Qiangxin decoction group [12.25 g/（kg·d）， calculated by crude drug]， captopril group [10.38 mg/（kg·d）]， and Qiangxin decoction+captopril group （the same usage and dosage as single drug group） according to a random number table method， with 8 rats in each group. Another 8 normal rats were selected and received threading in the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery without ligation as the sham operation group. Starting from the second day after successful modeling， the rats in administration groups were given relevant drug intragastrically， twice a day， for consecutive 28 days. After the last medication， the levels of adenosine triphosphate （ATP）， adenosine monophosphate （AMP） and free fatty acid （FFA） in infarcted myocardial tissues were detected， the pathological changes and mitochondrial morphology of the infarcted myocardial tissue were observed， as well as the protein expressions of B cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， Bcl-2 related X protein （Bax）， TANK-binding kinase 1 （TBK1）， p62 were detected in each group. RESULTS Compared with the sham operation group， the infarcted myocardial tissue fibrosis was changed evidently， with a large number of mitochondrial swelling and fusion， and internal cristae rupture； the levels of AMP and FFA， the protein expressions of Bax and p62 were all increased or up-regulated significantly in infarcted myocardial tissue， while the level of ATP， and the protein expressions of Bcl-2 and TBK1 were all decreased or down-regulated significantly （P＜0.05）. Compared with the model group， the pathological changes of infarcted myocardial tissue and mitochondrial swelling had been improved； the levels of AMP and FFA， and the protein expressions of Bax and p62 in infarcted myocardial tissue were significantly decreased or down-regulated in administration groups， while the level of ATP， and the protein expressions of Bcl-2 and TBK1 were increased or up-regulated significantly （P＜0.05）. And the effect of Qiangxin decoction+captopril group was better than that of single drug group. CONCLUSIONS Qiangxin decoction can alleviate myocardial fibrosis and mitochondrial swelling in CHF rats， and improve their myocardial energy metabolism， which may be related to regulating the expression of Bcl-2， Bax， TBK1 and p62 proteins and promoting myocardial mitophagy.

Objective:To understand the current status of anemia, iron deficiency, and iron-deficiency anemia among preschool children in China.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted with a multi-stage stratified sampling method to select 150 streets or townships from 10 Chinese provinces, autonomous regions, or municipalities (East: Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shandong, and Hainan; Central: Henan; West: Chongqing, Shaanxi, Guizhou, and Xinjiang; Northeast: Liaoning). From May 2022 to April 2023, a total of 21 470 children, including community-based children aged 0.5 to<3.0 years receiving child health care and kindergarten-based children aged 3.0 to<7.0 years, were surveyed. They were divided into 3 age groups: infants (0.5 to<1.0 year), toddlers (1.0 to<3.0 years), and preschoolers (3.0 to<7.0 years). Basic information such as sex and date of birth of the children was collected, and peripheral blood samples were obtained for routine blood tests and serum ferritin measurement. The prevalence rates of anemia, iron deficiency, and iron-deficiency anemia were analyzed, and the prevalence rate differences were compared among different ages, sex, urban and rural areas, and regions using the chi-square test.Results:A total of 21 460 valid responses were collected, including 10 780 boys (50.2%). The number of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers were 2 645 (12.3%), 6 244 (29.1%), and 12 571 (58.6%), respectively. The hemoglobin level was (126.7±14.8) g/L, and the serum ferritin level was 32.3 (18.5, 50.1) μg/L. The overall rates of anemia, iron deficiency, and iron-deficiency anemia were 10.4% (2 230/21 460), 28.3% (6 070/21 460), and 3.9% (845/21 460), respectively. The prevalence rate of anemia was higher for boys than for girls (10.9% (1 173/10 780) vs. 9.9% (1 057/10 680), χ2=5.58, P=0.018), with statistically significant differences in the rates for infants, toddlers and preschoolers (18.0% (475/2 645), 10.6% (662/6 244), and 8.7% (1 093/12 571), respectively, χ2=201.81, P<0.01), and the rate was significantly higher for children in rural than that in urban area (11.8% (1 516/12 883) vs. 8.3% (714/8 577), χ2=65.54, P<0.01), with statistically significant differences in the rates by region ( χ2=126.60, P<0.01), with the highest rate of 15.8% (343/2 173) for children in Central region, and the lowest rate of 5.3% (108/2 053) in Northeastern region. The prevalence rates of iron deficiency were 33.8% (895/2 645), 32.2% (2 011/6 244), and 25.2% (3 164/12 571) in infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, respectively, and 30.0% (3 229/10 780) in boys vs. 26.6% (2 841/10 680) in girls, 21.7% (1 913/8 821), 40.0% (870/2 173), 27.1% (2 283/8 413), 48.9% (1 004/2 053) in Eastern, Central, Western, and Northeastern regions, respectively, and each between-group showed a significant statistical difference ( χ2=147.71, 29.73, 773.02, all P<0.01). The prevalence rate of iron-deficiency anemia showed a significant statistical difference between urban and rural areas, 2.9% (251/8 577) vs. 4.6% (594/12 883) ( χ2=38.62, P<0.01), while the difference in iron deficiency prevalence was not significant ( χ2=0.51, P=0.476). Conclusions:There has been a notable improvement in iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia among preschool children in China, but the situation remains concerning. Particular attention should be paid to the prevention and control of iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia, especially among infants and children in the Central, Western, and Northeastern regions of China.

ObjectiveTo reveal the targets and molecular mechanisms of the action of Qiangxin Decoction （强心汤） for the treatment of chronic heart failure based on the combination of network pharmacology and molecular docking. MethodsThe active ingredients of Qiangxin Decoction were retrieved from TCMSP database， and the targets of chronic heart failure were screened by searching GeneCards， OMIM， TTD， PharmGkb， and DrugBank databases， and the intersections were taken to obtain the intersecting targets of Qiangxin Decoction for the treatment of chronic heart failure. STRING platform was used to construct the protein-protein interaction network （PPI）， Cytoscape 3.8.0 software was used to calculate the network topology to screen the core targets， and R 4.2.3 was used to construct the “active ingredient-target” network by analyzing the GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. AutoDock 1.5.7 was used for molecular docking to predict the binding performance of active ingredients and core targets. ResultsSeventy-five intersecting targets were identified for the treatment of chronic heart failure with Qiangxin Decoction， among which the core targets were estrogen receptor 1 （ESR1， degree value=7）， nuclear receptor coactivator 1 （NCOA1， degree value=8）， glucocorticoid receptor （NR3C1， degree value=7）， and nuclear receptor coactivator 2 （NCOA2， degree value=7）. GO enrichment analysis showed that the top 3 items with the smallest P value in molecular function were G protein-coupled amine receptor activity， postsynaptic neurotransmitter receptor activity， and neurotransmitter receptor activity （P＜0.01）； the top 3 items with the smallest P value in biological process were adenylyl cyclase-activated adrenergic receptor signaling pathway， adrenergic receptor signaling pathway， and adenylyl cyclase-regulated G protein-coupled receptor signaling pathway （P＜0.01）； the top 3 items with the smallest P values in cellular composition were components of the postsynaptic membrane， synaptic membrane， and presynaptic membrane （P＜0.01）. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the top 5 key signaling pathways were neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions， calcium signaling pathway， dopaminergic synapses， cocaine addiction， and cyclic guanosine monophosphate-protein kinase G （cGMP-PKG） signaling pathway. The molecular docking results showed that lignans and isoflavones had lower binding energies and more structural stability with the four core targets （ESR1， NCOA1， NR3C1， NCOA2）. ConclusionThe treatment of chronic heart failure by Qiangxin Decoction was associated with neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions， calcium signaling pathway， dopaminergic synapses， chemoattractant-receptor activation， cGMP-PKG signaling pathway， lipids and atherosclerosis， and cAMP signaling pathway， and lignans and isoflavones may be the core active compounds in its treatment of chronic heart failure.

Humans ; Asthma/drug therapy* ; Biological Therapy

Objective:To investigate the clinical features, risk factors and prognosis of Clostridium difficile infection/colonization (CDI/CDC) in emergency intensive care unit (EICU) of Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, then provides theoretical basis for clinical treatment. Methods:A retrospective case-control study was conducted. The data of EICU patients admitted to Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine from June 2016 to June 2020 were collected. Taking the CDI/CDC patients as research objects [ Clostridium difficile (CD) positive group] and the CD negative patients with the same gender and age difference less than 5 years who were admitted to the hospital during the same period as the control (CD negative group). Demographic information, risk factors, prognosis and stool samples were collected. Single factor analysis and binary Logistic regression were used to analyze the CD positive infection rate, risk factors, and hospital death of patients with different clinical characteristics. Results:About 487 patients in EICU were included, 76 cases were taken into CD positive group, CD positive rate was 15.6%, including CDI 11 cases, CDC 65 cases. Among the CD positive group, all of the cases used proton pump inhibitor (PPI), and 75 cases used at least one antibiotic. Seventy-six CD negative patients with or without diarrhea (CD negative group) were included in this study. Among them, 75 patients used PPI and 74 patients used at least one antibiotic. Univariate analysis showed that acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHEⅡ), duration of hospitalization, and carbapenem use were the risk factors for CDI/CDC. There were significant differences in the above indicators between CD positive group and CD negative group [APACHEⅡ: 18.0 (12.2, 25.8) vs. 10.0 (7.0, 14.0), duration of hospitalization (days): 46.0 (30.5, 72.5) vs. 18.5 (9.2, 37.0), proportion of carbapenems: 81.6% (62/76) vs. 64.5% (49/76), all P < 0.05]. Binary Logistic analysis regression analysis showed that APACHEⅡ score [odds ratio ( OR) = 0.802, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was 0.730-0.882, P < 0.01] and duration of hospitalization ( OR = 0.960, 95% CI was 0.942-0.978, P < 0.01) were independent risk factors for CDI/CDC. There was no difference in overall mortality between the CD positive group and CD negative group [27.6% (21/76) vs. 38.2% (29/76), P = 0.167]. Conclusions:Critically ill patients in EICU routinely use PPI and antibiotics, and the use of antibiotics does not affect the CD positive rate. The independent risk factors of CDI/CDC are the APACHEⅡ score and the duration of hospitalization, but fecal CD positive has no obvious influence on death.

Objective:To investigate the expression of von Hippel-Lindau (VHL), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in endolymphatic sac tumor (ELST) and its clinical significance, and to analyze its association with VHL gene mutation.Methods:Twenty-four cases of ELST, which were surgically resected and diagnosed by pathological examination in Beijing Tongren Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing, China during 2012-2020, were recruited as the ELST group, and 24 cases of otitis media diagnosed in the same hospital were selected as the control group. The expression of VHL, VEGF, and HIF-1α was assessed using EnVision immunohistochemical staining and compared between the ELST and control groups. Sanger sequencing was performed to detect the VHL mutation status in 24 ELSTs. The correlations among VHL, VEGF and HIF-1α expression were analyzed. The associations of VHL, VEGF and HIF-1α expression with age of onset, gender, tumor size, bone invasion and clinical stage in ELST were also analyzed.Results:The expression rate of VHL in the ELST group was significantly lower than that in the control group ( P<0.05), but the expression rates of VEGF and HIF-1α in the ELST group were significantly higher than those in the control group ( P<0.05). VHL expression was inversely correlated with VEGF and HIF-1α expression. The expression of VEGF and HIF-1α was associated with bone invasion and clinical stage ( P<0.05), but the expression of VHL, VEGF and HIF-1α had no significant associations with the age of onset, gender, or tumor size of ELST ( P>0.05). Conclusions:The expression of VHL is decreased while that of VEGF and HIF-1α increased in ELST. Expression of VHL is inversely correlated with that of VEGF and HIF-1α. The expression of VEGF and HIF-1α is correlated with bone invasion and clinical stage. Thus, VEGF and HIF-1α may be therapeutic targets of ELST.

Objective: To observe the clinicopathologic features of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma associated with human papilloma virus (OPSCC-HPV) and discuss the role and value of different in situ hybridization (ISH) detection methods for HPV in pathologic diagnosis. Methods: Fifteen cases of OPSCC-HPV were collected from Department of Pathology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2016 to August 2018. These cases were diagnosed in accordance with the WHO classification of head and neck tumors. The histopathologic features and the clinicopathologic data were retrospectively analyzed. Immunohistochemistry (two-step EnVision method) was done to evaluate the expression of p16, Ki-67 and p53. ISH was used to detect HPV DNA (6/11 and 16/18). RNAscope technology was used to evaluate the presence of HPV mRNAs (16 and 18). Results: The mean age for the 15 patients (8 males, 7 females) was 47 years (range from 30 to 69 years). OPSCC-HPV typically presentedat an advanced clinical stage, six patients had cervical lymphadenopathy (large and cystic), seven had tonsillar swelling, one had tumor at base of tongue, and one had odynophagia. Microscopically the tumors exhibited distinctive non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma morphology. Cervical nodal metastases were large and cystic, with thickening of lymph node capsules. OPSCC-HPV raised from crypt epithelium and extended beneath the tonsillar surface epithelial lining as nests and lobules, often with central necrosis. Tumor cells displayed a high N: C ratio, and high mitotic and apoptotic rates. Tumor nests are often embedded within lymphoid stroma, and may be infiltrated by lymphoid cells.Fifteen cases (15/15) were strongly positive for p16; Ki-67 index were 60%-90%; they were focally positive or negative for p53. Ten cases (10/10) were negative for HPV 6/11 DNA, and one case(1/10) was focally positive for HPV16/18 DNA. Eleven cases (11/11) were strongly positive for HPV16 mRNA, one case was focally positive for HPV18 mRNA. Conclusions OPSCC-HPV is a pathologically and clinically distinct form of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. OPSCC-HPV is associated with high-risk HPV (type 16) in all cases. Detection of high-risk HPV16 mRNA by RNAscope is of great significance in the final diagnosis and pathogen identification.