Objective To systematically evaluate the risk prediction models for anastomotic leakage (AL) in patients with esophageal cancer after surgery. Methods A computer-based search of PubMed, EMbase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Chinese Medical Journal Full-text Database, VIP, Wanfang, SinoMed and CNKI was conducted to collect studies on postoperative AL risk prediction model for esophageal cancer from their inception to October 1st, 2023. PROBAST tool was employed to evaluate the bias risk and applicability of the model, and Stata 15 software was utilized for meta-analysis. Results A total of 19 literatures were included covering 25 AL risk prediction models and 7373 patients. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.670-0.960. Among them, 23 prediction models had a good prediction performance (AUC>0.7); 13 models were tested for calibration of the model; 1 model was externally validated, and 10 models were internally validated. Meta-analysis showed that hypoproteinemia (OR=9.362), postoperative pulmonary complications (OR=7.427), poor incision healing (OR=5.330), anastomosis type (OR=2.965), preoperative history of thoracoabdominal surgery (OR=3.181), preoperative diabetes mellitus (OR=2.445), preoperative cardiovascular disease (OR=3.260), preoperative neoadjuvant therapy (OR=2.977), preoperative respiratory disease (OR=4.744), surgery method (OR=4.312), American Society of Anesthesiologists score (OR=2.424) were predictors for AL after esophageal cancer surgery. Conclusion At present, the prediction model of AL risk in patients with esophageal cancer after surgery is in the development stage, and the overall research quality needs to be improved.

ObjectiveThis study leverages structural data from antigen-antibody complexes of the influenza A virus neuraminidase (NA) protein to investigate the spatial recognition relationship between the antigenic epitopes and antibody paratopes. MethodsStructural data on NA protein antigen-antibody complexes were comprehensively collected from the SAbDab database, and processed to obtain the amino acid sequences and spatial distribution information on antigenic epitopes and corresponding antibody paratopes. Statistical analysis was conducted on the antibody sequences, frequency of use of genes, amino acid preferences, and the lengths of complementarity determining regions (CDR). Epitope hotspots for antibody binding were analyzed, and the spatial structural similarity of antibody paratopes was calculated and subjected to clustering, which allowed for a comprehensively exploration of the spatial recognition relationship between antigenic epitopes and antibodies. The specificity of antibodies targeting different antigenic epitope clusters was further validated through bio-layer interferometry (BLI) experiments. ResultsThe collected data revealed that the antigen-antibody complex structure data of influenza A virus NA protein in SAbDab database were mainly from H3N2, H7N9 and H1N1 subtypes. The hotspot regions of antigen epitopes were primarily located around the catalytic active site. The antibodies used for structural analysis were primarily derived from human and murine sources. Among murine antibodies, the most frequently used V-J gene combination was IGHV1-12*01/IGHJ2*01, while for human antibodies, the most common combination was IGHV1-69*01/IGHJ6*01. There were significant differences in the lengths and usage preferences of heavy chain CDR amino acids between antibodies that bind within the catalytic active site and those that bind to regions outside the catalytic active site. The results revealed that structurally similar antibodies could recognize the same epitopes, indicating a specific spatial recognition between antibody and antigen epitopes. Structural overlap in the binding regions was observed for antibodies with similar paratope structures, and the competitive binding of these antibodies to the epitope was confirmed through BLI experiments. ConclusionThe antigen epitopes of NA protein mainly ditributed around the catalytic active site and its surrounding loops. Spatial complementarity and electrostatic interactions play crucial roles in the recognition and binding of antibodies to antigenic epitopes in the catalytic region. There existed a spatial recognition relationship between antigens and antibodies that was independent of the uniqueness of antibody sequences, which means that antibodies with different sequences could potentially form similar local spatial structures and recognize the same epitopes.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of caffeoylquinic acids from Erigeron breviscapus(EBCQA) on cognitive impairment and mitochondrial dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease(AD), and to explore its underlying mechanisms. The impacts of EBCQA on paralysis, β-amyloid(Aβ) oligomerization, and mRNA expression of mitophagy-related genes [PTEN-induced putative kinase 1(PINK1) homolog-encoding gene pink-1, Parkin homolog-encoding gene pdr-1, Bcl-2 interacting coiled-coil protein 1(Beclin 1) homolog-encoding gene bec-1, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3(LC3) homolog-encoding gene lgg-1, autophagic adapter protein 62(p62) homolog-encoding gene sqst-1] were examined in the AD Caenorhabditis elegans CL4176 model, along with mitochondrial functions including adenosine triphosphate(ATP) content, enzyme activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes Ⅰ,Ⅲ, and Ⅳ, and mitochondrial membrane potential. Additionally, the effects of EBCQA on the green fluorescent protein(GFP)/red fluorescent protein from Discosoma sp.(DsRed) ratio, the expression of phosphatidylethanolamine-modified and GFP-labeled LGG-1(PE-GFP::LGG-1)/GFP-labeled LGG-1(GFP::LGG-1), and GFP-labeled SQST-1(GFP::SQST-1) proteins were investigated in transgenic C. elegans strains. The effect of EBCQA on paralysis was further evaluated after RNA interference(RNAi)-mediated suppression of the pink-1 and pdr-1 genes in CL4176 strain. An AD rat model was established through intraperitoneal injection of D-galactose and intragastric administration of aluminum trichloride. The effects of β-nicotinamide mononucleotide(NMN) and EBCQA on learning and memory ability, neuronal morphology, mitophagy occurrence, mitophagy-related protein expression(PINK1, Parkin, Beclin 1, LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ, p62), and mitochondrial functions(ATP content; enzyme activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes Ⅰ, Ⅲ, and Ⅳ; mitochondrial membrane potential) were investigated in this AD rat model. The results showed that EBCQA delayed paralysis onset in the CL4176 strain, reduced Aβ oligomer formation, and upregulated the mRNA expression levels of lgg-1, bec-1, pink-1, and pdr-1, while downregulating sqst-1 mRNA expression. EBCQA also enhanced ATP content, mitochondrial membrane potential, and the activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes Ⅰ, Ⅲ, and Ⅳ. Furthermore, EBCQA improved the PE-GFP::LGG-1/GFP::LGG-1 ratio, reduced GFP::SQST-1 expression, and decreased the GFP/DsRed ratio. Notably, the ability of EBCQA to delay paralysis was significantly reduced following RNAi-mediated suppression of pink-1 and pdr-1 in CL4176 strain. In AD rats, the administration of NMN or EBCQA significantly improved learning and memory, restored neuronal morphology in the hippocampus, increased autophagosome numbers, and upregulated the expression of PINK1, Parkin, Beclin 1, and the LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ ratio, while reducing p62 expression. Additionally, the treatment with NMN or EBCQA both elevated ATP content, mitochondrial respiratory chain complex Ⅰ, Ⅲ, and Ⅳ activities, and mitochondrial membrane potential in the hippocampus. The above findings indicate that EBCQA improves cognitive impairment and mitochondrial dysfunction in AD, possibly through activation of PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy.
Animals ; Alzheimer Disease/psychology* ; Mitophagy/drug effects* ; Mitochondria/genetics* ; Caenorhabditis elegans/metabolism* ; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases/genetics* ; Cognitive Dysfunction/physiopathology* ; Rats ; Protein Kinases/genetics* ; Humans ; Male ; Disease Models, Animal ; Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of Dendrobium officinale (Tiepi Shihu) extract (DOE) on insomnia. METHODS: Forty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (n=7 per group): normal control, model control, melatonin (MT, 40 mg/kg), and 3-dose DOE (0.25, 0.50, and 1.00 g/kg) groups. Rats were raised in a strong-light (10,000 LUX) and -noise (>80 db) environment (12 h/d) for 16 weeks to induce insomnia, and from week 10 to week 16, MT and DOE were correspondingly administered to rats. The behavior tests including sodium pentobarbital-induced sleep experiment, sucrose preference test, and autonomous activity test were used to evaluate changes in sleep and emotions of rats. The metabolic-related indicators such as blood pressure, blood viscosity, blood glucose, and uric acid in rats were measured. The pathological changes in the cornu ammonis 1 (CA1) region of rat brain were evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin staining and Nissl staining. Additionally, the sleep-related factors gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamate (GA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Finally, we screened potential sleep-improving receptors of DOE using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) array and validated the results with quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: DOE significantly improved rats' sleep and mood, increased the sodium pentobarbital-induced sleep time and sucrose preference index, and reduced autonomic activity times (P<0.05 or P<0.01). DOE also had a good effect on metabolic abnormalities, significantly reducing triglyceride, blood glucose, blood pressure, and blood viscosity indicators (P<0.05 or P<0.01). DOE significantly increased the GABA content in hippocampus and reduced the GA/GABA ratio and IL-6 level (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In addition, DOE improved the pathological changes such as the disorder of cell arrangement in the hippocampus and the decrease of Nissel bodies. Seven differential genes were screened by PCR array, and the GABA_A receptors (Gabra5, Gabra6, Gabrq) were selected for verification. The results showed that DOE could up-regulate their expressions (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION DOE demonstrated remarkable potential for improving insomnia, which may be through regulating GABA_A receptors expressions and GA/GABA ratio.
Animals ; Dendrobium/chemistry* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Male ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/blood* ; Plant Extracts/therapeutic use* ; Receptors, GABA-A/metabolism* ; Noise/adverse effects* ; Light/adverse effects* ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/metabolism* ; Sleep/drug effects* ; Rats ; Receptors, GABA/metabolism*

Objective To analyze the epidemic characteristics of plague epidemics, host and vector community structure, and abundance in plague focus of wild rodents in Yunnan Province, 2017-2023, providing a scientific basis for formulating plague prevention strategies and forecasting warning for this epidemic foci. Methods　Following the requirements of the "National Plague Surveillance Plan" and the "Yunnan Provincial Plague Surveillance Plan", host-vector surveillance, etiology, and serological testing were carried out, and plague epidemic data and host-vector surveillance data in plague focus of wild rodents in Yunnan Province, 2017-2023 were collected and sorted using Excel 2019 software to create a database for descriptive analysis. Results From 2017 to 2023, 11 animal plague epidemics were discovered in the wild plague foci of Yunnan Province, with 18 epidemic spots. From the altitude distribution point of view, 7 epidemic spots were distributed at an altitude of 2 800-3 000 meters, another seven at 3 000 and 3 200 meters, and four spots were located in areas with an altitude of ≥3 200 meters; a total of 36 samples of host and vector animals were detected positive, including 28 positive samples of host animals and 8 positive samples of vector animals, and 29 strains of Yersinia pestis were isolated; in terms of species composition, Eothenomys miletus accounted for the largest proportion of 41.67%, followed by Apodemus chevrieri at 22.22%; Ctenophthalmus quadratus at 11.11%; Rattus tanezumi and Neopsylla specialis each at 8.33%, and Dremomys pernyi, rat carcass, and Frontopsyllas padix each accounted for 2.78%; the epidemic peaked in April, and no human cases were found. A total of 453 220 rat cages (traps) were placed, capturing 27 677 rodents, with an average capture rate of 6.11%. A total of 25 075 main hosts, Apodemus chevrieri and Eothenomys miletus, were captured, accounting for 90.60% of the total capture rate. A total of 14 700 fleas were seized on the surface of small animals, with a total flea infection rate of 23.13% and a flea index of 0.59. The main vectors were Ctenophthalmus quadratus and Neopsylla specialis, with constituting ratios of 45.71% and 22.69%, respectively. Conclusions From 2017 to 2023, the population density of main host animals in Yunnan's wild rodent plague foci was relatively high and showed an upward trend, possibly related to the local planting structures. Plague plays a regulatory role in host population structures. Epidemics among animals showed obvious seasonality, with a trend of expanding epidemic areas. No human cases were found, but Yersinia pestis was detected in Rattus tanezumi in human settlements, raising the possibility that animal plague could spread to humans. It suggests strengthening the monitoring of areas adjacent to the epidemic source, eradicating rats and fleas in spring, improving the accuracy of plague prediction and early warning, providing strong technical support for the early detection of plague among animals, and preventing the spread of the epidemic to humans.

OBJECTIVE To construct a double helix model for evaluating the job competency of licensed pharmacists in retail pharmacies， and to provide a reference for building a talented team of licensed pharmacists and promoting the high-quality development of pharmaceutical care. METHODS Based on the competency iceberg model and double helix structure theory， literature analysis and the Delphi method were adopted to explore the model indicators； questionnaires were designed to survey licensed pharmacists in retail pharmacies from Shandong Province. The exploratory factor analysis was used to correct the model indicators and establish a double helix model for evaluating the job competency of licensed pharmacists in retail pharmacies， which was examined by validation factor analysis. RESULTS The recovery rate of the questionnaires in the two rounds of expert consultation was greater than 90%， the expert authority coefficients were both more than 0.86， and the overall Kendall’s W values were 0.288 and 0.510， respectively； after the correction of the exploratory factor analysis， the double helix model for evaluating the job competency of licensed pharmacists in retail pharmacies was established， which contained 4 first-level indexes such as occupational literacy， occupational knowledge， occupational competency and internal motivation， and 23 second-level indexes. The model contained occupational knowledge and occupational competency in the explicit competency chain， occupational literacy and internal motivation in the implicit competency chain， and policy support， incentive mechanism， education and training as the hydrogen bonds connecting the two main chains. The validation factor analysis showed that the model’s goodness of fit index， comparative fit index， and normed fit index all exceeded 0.9； the reliability of the combination of the four first-level indexes ranged from 0.89 to 0.95； the average variance extracted ranged from 0.58 to 0.75， and Cronbach’s α coefficients for both the overall model and the first-level indicators were all greater than 0.84. CONCLUSIONS The constructed double helix model for evaluating the job competency of licensed pharmacists in retail pharmacies is scientific， reasonable and practical.

ObjectiveTo explore the protective effects of Dahuang Tangluo pills on early diabetic kidkdey disease （DKD） in db/db mice. MethodEight db/m mice were selected as the control group. Forty male db/db mice were selected and blood samples were collected via tail vein to measure fasting blood glucose （FBG）. Mice with FBG ≥ 16.7 mmol·L^-1， increased urine output， and persistent albuminuria were considered successful in model establishment. After successful modeling， they were randomly divided into a model group， a dapagliflozin group （1.5 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）， and high， medium， and low dose groups of Dahuang Tangluo pills （3.6， 1.8， 0.9 g·kg^-1·d^-1， respectively）， with eight mice in each group. All medication groups were administered orally， while the control and model groups were given an equal amount of distilled water by gavage daily. After continuous administration for 10 weeks， the survival status of the mice was observed， and their body weight， FBG， and kidney function-related indicators were measured. Inflammatory indicators in renal tissues were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， Masson staining， and electron microscopy were used to observe the pathological changes in renal tissues in each group. Immunofluorescence was employed to examine the expression of advanced glycation end products （AGEs） and receptors for advanced glycation end products （RAGE） proteins. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot were utilized to detect the gene and protein expression levels of AGEs， RAGE， inhibitor of nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） kinase （IKK）， and NF-κB in the renal tissues of mice in each group. ResultCompared with control group， the model group showed a significant increase in body weight， FBG， serum creatinine （SCr）， urinary microalbumin/urine creatinine ratio （ACR）， total cholesterol （TC）， and triglycerides （TG） （P<0.05）. The levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 （ICAM-1）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and tumor necrosis factor-alpha （TNF-α） in renal tissues were significantly elevated （P<0.05）. Renal histopathological staining and electron microscopy revealed loose arrangement， gaps， structural disarray， mesangial proliferation， and significant fibrosis in renal tissues. Real-time PCR results showed a significant increase in the expression of RAGE， IKK， and NF-κB genes in renal tissues （P<0.05）. Immunofluorescence results demonstrated a significant increase in the expression of AGEs and RAGE proteins in renal tissues （P<0.05）. Western blot results showed a significant increase in the expression of AGEs， RAGE， IKK， and NF-κB proteins in renal tissues （P<0.05）. After drug intervention， compared with model group， the dapagliflozin group and the high-dose Dahuang Tangluo pills group showed significant reductions in body weight， FBG， SCr， and ACR （P<0.05）， and a significant decrease in TC in mouse serum （P<0.05）， while the high-dose Dahuang Tangluo pills group showed a significant decrease in TG in mouse serum （P<0.05）. All treatment groups showed a significant reduction in ICAM-1， IL-6， and TNF-α in renal tissues （P<0.05）. Renal histopathological staining and electron microscopy showed improved kidney injury， decreased collagen fiber deposition， and reduced mesangial proliferation in all treatment groups. Real-time PCR results showed a significant decrease in the expression of RAGE， IKK， and NF-κB genes in the dapagliflozin group and the high- and medium-dose Dahuang Tangluo pills groups （P<0.05）. Immunofluorescence results demonstrated a significant decrease in the expression of AGEs and RAGE proteins in the dapagliflozin group and the high- and medium-dose Dahuang Tangluo pills groups （P<0.05）. Western blot results showed a significant decrease in the expression of AGEs， RAGE， IKK， and NF-κB proteins in the dapagliflozin group and the high- and medium-dose Dahuang Tangluo pills groups （P<0.05）. ConclusionDahuang Tangluo pills can improve the pathological structure of the kidneys and reduce renal inflammation in DKD mice， possibly through inhibiting the AGEs/RAGE/IKK/NF-κB pathway.

The complex barriers to drug delivery in the eye make it difficult for traditional ophthalmic preparations to reach pathological tissues in the posterior segment of the eye via ocular surface. Therefore, intravitreal drug injection has been widely used for treating posterior segment diseases, but this invasive approach to drug delivery has disadvantages such as short drug half-lives, repeated injections, and many complications. Ophthalmic nanodrug delivery systems, which can overcome ocular drug delivery barriers, enhance drug permeability, and improve drug bioavailability, now make it possible to efficiently deliver drugs to the posterior segment of the eye. However, the carrier materials utilized for nanomedicine delivery are inherently intricate, and substantial disparities exist among research findings, posing a hindrance to the subsequent advancement of pertinent drug formulations. Consequently, this review centers on the principal physiological obstacles encountered in ocular drug delivery, emphasizing the utilization of diverse nanomedicine delivery systems in posterior segment pathologies. It aims to delve into their research progress in posterior segment diseases and establish a safer, more effective therapeutic approach for treating these ocular conditions.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism of Yifei xuanfei jiangzhuo formula （YFXF） against vascular dementia （VD）. METHODS The differentially expressed genes of YFXF （YDEGs） were obtained by network pharmacology. High-risk genes were screened from YDEGs by using the nomogram model. The optimal machine learning models in generalized linear， support vector machine， extreme gradient boosting and random forest models were screened based on high-risk genes. VD model rats were established by bilateral common carotid artery occlusion， and were randomly divided into model group and YFXF group （12.18 g/kg， by the total amount of crude drugs）， and sham operation group was established additionally， with 6 rats in each group. The effects of YFXF on behavior （using escape latency and times of crossing platform as indexes）， histopathologic changes of cerebral cortex， and the expression of proteins related to the secreted phosphoprotein 1 （SPP1）/phosphoinositide 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （aka Akt） signaling pathway and the mRNA expression of SPP1 in cerebral cortex of VD rats were evaluated. RESULTS A total of 6 YDEGs were obtained， among which SPP1， CCL2， HMOX1 and HSPB1 may be high-risk genes of VD. The generalized linear model based on high-risk genes had the highest prediction accuracy （area under the curve of 0.954）. Compared with the model group， YFXF could significantly shorten the escape latency of VD rats， significantly increase the times of crossing platform （P＜0.05）； improve the pathological damage of cerebral cortex， such as neuronal shrinkage and neuronal necrosis； significantly reduce the expressions of SPP1 protein and mRNA （P＜0.05）， while significantly increase the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and Akt （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS VD high-risk genes SPP1， CCL2， HMOX1 and HSPB1 may be the important targets of YFXF. YFXF may play an anti-VD role by down-regulating the protein and mRNA expressions of SPP1 and activating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.