Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic and non-specific inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Huanglian Ganjiang decoction (HGD), derived from ancient book Beiji Qianjin Yao Fang, has demonstrated efficacy in treating UC patients traditionally. Previous research established that the compatibility of cold herb Coptidis Rhizoma + Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex (CP) and hot herb Angelicae Sinensis Radix + Zingiberis Rhizoma (AZ) in HGD synergistically improved colitis mice. This study investigated the compatibility mechanisms through which CP and AZ regulated inflammatory balance in colitis mice. The experimental colitis model was established by administering 3% dextran sulphate sodium (DSS) to mice for 7 days, followed by CP, AZ and CPAZ treatment for an additional 7 days. M1/M2 macrophage polarization levels, glucose metabolites levels and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (PDK4) expression were analyzed using flow cytometry, Western blot, immunofluorescence and targeted glucose metabolomics. The findings indicated that CP inhibited M1 macrophage polarization, decreased inflammatory metabolites associated with tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and suppressed PDK4 expression and pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) (Ser-293) phosphorylation level. AZ enhanced M2 macrophage polarization, increased lactate axis metabolite lactate levels, and upregulated PDK4 expression and PDH (Ser-293) phosphorylation level. TCA cycle blocker AG-221 and adeno-associated virus (AAV)-PDK4 partially negated CP's inhibition of M1 macrophage polarization. Lactate axis antagonist oxamate and PDK4 inhibitor dichloroacetate (DCA) partially reduced AZ's activation of M2 macrophage polarization. In conclusion, the compatibility of CP and AZ synergistically alleviated colitis in mice through M1/M2 macrophage polarization balance via PDK4-mediated glucose metabolism reprogramming. Specifically, CP reduced M1 macrophage polarization by restoration of TCA cycle via PDK4 inhibition, while AZ increased M2 macrophage polarization through activation of PDK4/lactate axis.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Mice ; Macrophages/immunology* ; Glucose/metabolism* ; Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Acetyl-Transferring Kinase/genetics* ; Male ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Humans ; Colitis/drug therapy* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Colitis, Ulcerative/drug therapy* ; Metabolic Reprogramming

BACKGROUND:There is no consensus on the optimal bone tunnel position in the lateral clavicle,which guides coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction.Postoperative complications such as enlargement of the lateral clavicle bone tunnel,bone osteolysis,clavicle fracture,and failure of internal fixation are likely to occur.Bone mass density plays an important role in the strength and stability of endophytic fixation.Regional differences in the bone mass density of the distal clavicle should not be overlooked in the repair and reconstruction of acromioclavicular dislocation.Currently,there are no quantitative clinical studies in humans regarding the bone mass density of the distal clavicle. OBJECTIVE:To measure the magnitude of bone mass density in different regions of the distal clavicle by quantitative CT to provide a reference for surgeons to repair and reconstruct the coracoclavicular ligament. METHODS:101 patients undergoing quantitative CT checking in Fuyang People's Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University from October to December 2022 were enrolled,from which 1 616 samples of subdivisional bone mass density of the distal clavicle were measured.For each of the quantitative CT samples,firstly,the distal clavicle was divided medially to laterally into the following four regions:conical nodal region(region A),inter-nodal region(region B),oblique crest region(region C)and distal clavicular region(region D).Secondly,each region was divided into the first half and the second half to determine eight subdivisions,then setting semiautomatic region of interest(ROI)in each subdivision:(ROI A1,A2,B1,B2,C1,C2,D1,and D2).Thirdly,each quantitative CT scan was transferred to the quantitative CT pro analysis workstation,and cancellous bone mass density was measured in the distal clavicle ROI.Finally,the clavicular cortex was avoided when measuring. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)There was no statistically significant difference in bone mineral density on the different sides of the shoulder(P＞0.05).(2)The analysis of bone mineral density in eight sub-areas of the distal clavicle A1,A2,B1,B2,C1,C2,D1,and D2 showed statistically significant differences(P＜0.05).It could be considered that there were differences in bone mineral density in different areas of the distal clavicle.After pairwise comparison,there was no statistically significant difference in bone mineral density between A1 and A2,D1 and D2,A2 and B1(P＞0.05),and there was a statistically significant difference in bone mineral density between the other sub-areas(P＜0.05).(3)The bone mineral density in the region A2 of the anatomical insertion of the conical ligament was significantly higher than that in the inter-nodular area(region B)(P＜0.05).The bone mineral density in the region A1 was higher than that in the region A2,but the difference was not statistically significant(P＞0.05).The bone mineral density in the region C1 of the anatomical insertion of the trapezium ligament was higher than that in regions C2,D1 and D2,and the bone mineral density in the inter-nodular area(region B)was significantly higher than that in regions C and D(P＜0.05).(4)These results have suggested that there are differences in bone mass density in different regions of the distal clavicle;regional differences in bone mass density in the distal clavicle during repair and reconstruction of acromioclavicular dislocation cannot be ignored.Consideration should be given not only to biomechanical factors but also to the placement of implants or bone tunnels in regions of higher bone mass density,which could improve the strength and stability of implant fixation and reduce the risk of complications such as bone tunnel enlargement,osteolysis,fracture and implant failure.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Yinlian Gargle in the treatment of acute radiation-induced oropharyngeal mucositis after nasopharyngeal carcinoma radiotherapy.Methods Thirty-two patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma,who had received first radiation,were randomly split into two groups:the trial group(19 cases)and the control group(13 cases).After all groups were treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy,the control group was given rinse treatment with saline whereas the trial group was given Yinlian Gargle.The incidence of severe acute radiation-induced oropharyngeal mucositis,the duration and intensity of oropharyngeal discomfort and pain(NRS score),quality of life(QOL-NPC score),duration and intensity of radiation-induced side effects(SE-QOL-NPC score)and symptoms of dry mouth(SE1 score)were monitored before and after intervention in two groups.Results The incidence of grade Ⅲ or above radiation-induced oropharyngeal mucositis until the sixth week of radiotherapy in the trial group was considerably lower than that in the control group(P＜0.001),while the incidence of grade I or above radiation-induced oropharyngeal mucositis at 1 month after radiotherapy in the trial group was obviously lower than that in the control group(P＜0.001).The NRS score of pharyngeal discomfort of the trial group was lower than that of the control group starting from the second week of radiotherapy(P＜0.05).The NRS score of oral and oropharyngeal pain was lower than that of the control group starting from the fourth week of radiotherapy(P＜0.05).The SE1 score of the trial group was higher than that of the control group starting from the fifth week of radiotherapy(P＜0.05).After one month of the completion of the radiotherapy,the NRS score of pharyngeal discomfort and the NRS score of oral and oropharyngeal pain in the trial group were lower than those of the control group(P＜0.001).The QOL-NPC score,SE-QOL-NPC score,and SE1 score were all higher than those in the control group(P = 0.05 or P＜0.05).Conclusion Patients with nasopharyngeal cancer can greatly reduce their risk of developing severe acute radiation-induced oropharyngeal mucositis,effectively delay and relieve related symptoms,and enhance quality of life by consistently using Yinlian Gargle during radiotherapy.Additionally,a month after the completion of radiotherapy,it still has positive therapeutic effects on acute radiation-induced oropharyngeal mucositis.

OBJECTIVE: To establish a deep-learning architecture based on faster region-based convolutional neural networks (Faster R-CNN) algorithm for detection and sorting of red ginseng (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma Rubra) with internal defects automatically on an online X-ray machine vision system. METHODS: A Faster R-CNN based classifier was trained with around 20 000 samples with mean average precision value (mAP) of 0.95. A traditional image processing method based on feedforward neural network (FNN) obtained a bad performance with the accuracy, recall and specificity of 69.0%, 68.0%, and 70.0%, respectively. Therefore, the Faster R-CNN model was saved to evaluate the model performance on the defective red ginseng online sorting system. RESULTS: An independent set of 2 000 red ginsengs were used to validate the performance of the Faster R-CNN based online sorting system in three parallel tests, achieving accuracy of 95.8%, 95.2% and 96.2%, respectively. CONCLUSION The overall results indicated that the proposed Faster R-CNN based classification model has great potential for non-destructive detection of red ginseng with internal defects.

Objective To explore the distribution and characteristics of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype in the region in Guangxi with high incidence of primary liver cancer (PLC). Methods 103 pairs of samples from the sex- and age-matched members with HBsAg-positive from PLC-clustering families (the experimental group) and carcinoma-free families (control group) were collected. Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing methods were applied for the analysis of HBV genotype. Results Four HBV genotypes: B, C, B/C and D, were detected, the percentages of them in the two groups were 31.1%, 63.1%, 1.9%, 1.9% and 30.1%, 55.3%, 6.8%, 2.9%, respectively, showed no significant differences (P > 0.05). HBeAg positive rates were significantly different between genotype C and B (P < 0.05), but no significant differences were showed in such factors as gender, age, ethnic group and HBV DNA level in them (P > 0.05). Conclusions The main genotypes were types B and C besides a small number of combined genotypes B/C and D in the regions of Guangxi with a high incidence of PLC. There may be few relationships between HBV genotypes and the high incidence of PLC for familial clustering in Guangxi.

ObjectiveTo elucidate the association of immune response to hepatitis B vaccination with HLA-DRB1 * 12 allele as well as the level of IL-4 and IFN-γ.MethodsSeventy-four healthy college students from Guangxi province who had non- or hypor -response to recombinant hepatitis B vaccination and 64 medium- or hyper-responders with the conditions of similar were selected randomly and involved in this study.HLA-DRB1 * 12 was detected by PCR-SSP,the level of IFN-γ and IL-4 cytokines were examined by ELISA.Results(1)The allelic frequencies of HLA-DRB1 * 12 was lower in the non- or hypor-responders than that in the medium- or hyper-responders ( 10.8％ vs 32.8％,P=0.002) ; (2)The expression level of IFN-γ in the non- or hypor-responders ( 7.21±7.92 ) ng/ml was much less than that of the medium- or hyper- responders ( 16.36± 11.00) ng/ml ( P=0.000).(3) The expression level of IL-4 in the non- or hyporresponders (3.18±4.45) ng/ml was much less than that of the medium- or hyper- responders (7.76±5.71 ) ng/ml(P=0.000).(4)No significant differences was seen between the expression level of IFN-γ in the HLA-DRB1 * 12 positive ( 13.18± 11.24) ng/ml and the negative ( 11.00± 10.29 ) ng/ml ( P =0.349 ).(5)No significant differences was seen between the expression level of IL-4 in the HLA-DRB1 * 12 positive (5.947±4.530) ng/ml and the negative (5.132±5.800) ng/ml (P=0.423).ConclusionHLA-DRB1 * 12 might be the allele enhanced immune response to hepatitis B vaccination.The expression levels of IFN-γand IL-4 correlating to Thl/Th2 cells might affect on the immune response to hepatitis B vaccination.

Objective To assess the effects of cyclic stretch on fibroblast orientation in order to find the appropriate cyclic stretch to cause maximum fibroblast orientation and to explore the mechanism of cell signalling since cells are known to orient in response to the application of mechanical forces. Methods Human forehead dermal fibroblasts were seeded onto collagen coated flexible membranes. Membranes were then deformed at 10 cycles per minute by the application of 135 mmHg subatmospheric pressure. This corresponded to strain levels of 0% to 24% from the center to extremity of the flexible membrane. Cells orientation angles were studied by inverted microscopy. Integrin ?1 distribution were studied with immunocytochemical staining and confocal microscopy. Integrin ?1 expression and focal adhesion kinase ( FAK) phosphorylation were analyzed with Western blot analysis. Results A minimum of 15% cell stretch was required to significantly stimulate the fibroblast orientation response. Cyclic stretch induced integrin ?1 redistribution and FAK phosphorylation. Incubation of cells with anti-integrin ?1 prior to the application of stretch abrogated fibroblast orientation and FAK phosphorylation. Conclusion Fibroblast orientation in response to cyclic stretch is mediated at least in part by integrin ?1 through phosphorylation of FAK.

The nutritional survey was made in 184 anorexia children aged 3-7, 123 of them were treated with various measures for three months. The results indicated that the children with anorexia had low intake and deficiency in energy, protein, minerals and vitamins. Most of them had zinc deficiency, but they simultaneously had two to three nutrients deficiency.The zinc treatment could improve most patient's syndrome and nutritional status. The effect of zinc treatment with vitamines and iron preparations was better than zinc treatment only. The effect of treatment with Chinese medicine also was able to cure the children with anorexia to certain extent.