ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of Tongnaoyin on the blood-brain barrier status and neurological impairment in acute ischemic stroke （AIS） patients with the syndrome of phlegm-stasis blocking collaterals by dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging （DCE-MRI）. MethodsA total of 63 patients diagnosed with AIS in the Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine from October 2022 to December 2023 were enrolled in this study. According to random number table method，the patients were assigned into a control group （32 cases） and an observation group （31 cases）. The control group received conventional Western medical treatment，and the observation group took 200 mL Tongnaoyin after meals，twice a day from day 2 of admission on the basis of the treatment in the control group. After 7 days of treatment，the patients were examined by DCE-MRI. The baseline data for two groups of patients before treatment were compared. The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale （NIHSS） score and modified Rankin Scale （mRS） score were recorded before treatment and after 90 days of treatment for both groups. The rKtrans，rKep，and rVe values were obtained from the region of interest （ROI） of the infarct zone/mirror area and compared between the two groups. ResultsThere was no significant difference in the NIHSS or mRS score between the two groups before treatment. After 90 days of treatment，the NIHSS and mRS scores declined in both groups，and the observation group had lower scores than the control group （P<0.05）. After treatment，the rKtrans and rVe in the observation group were lower than those in the control group （P<0.01）. ConclusionCompared with conventional Western medical treatment alone，conventional Western medical treatment combined with Tongnaoyin accelerates the repair of the blood-brain barrier in AIS patients，thereby ameliorating neurological impairment after AIS to improve the prognosis.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of gene mutation on the effectiveness of arsenic-containing Chinese herbal compound formulas in the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes （MDS） of different traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） patterns， so as to provide the basis for the clinical application. MethodsClinical data of 442 MDS patients who were treated with arsenic-containing herbal compound formulas were retrospectively collected， including the baseline demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients. Based on the TCM four examinations， the patients were divided into the spleen-kidney deficiency group as well as the qi-yin deficiency group， and according to the results of the next-generation sequencing （NGS） test， they were divided into the group with and without gene mutation respectively. The influence of gene mutation on the clinical effectiveness of patients with different TCM patterns was analyzed， the baseline demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients with different outcomes of the two TCM patterns were compared， and multivariate Logistic regression analysis was conducted on the influencing factors of the effective rate of MDS patients with gene mutation. ResultsA total of 190 cases were included in the spleen-kidney deficiency group （119 cases with gene mutation） and 43 cases in the qi-yin deficiency group （23 cases with gene mutation）. No statistically significant differences were noted in effectiveness assessment， total effective rate， and total response rate between the spleen-kidney deficiency group and the qi-yin deficiency group （P＞0.05）. In the spleen-kidney deficiency group， the total effective rate of MDS with gene mutation was 65.55% （78/119）， which was lower than 80.28% （57/71） of MDS without gene mutation， with statistical significance （P = 0.033）， while no statistical differences in effectiveness assessment and total response rate were noted （P＞0.05）. In the qi-yin deficiency group， no statistical differences were observed in effectiveness assessment， total effective rate， and total response rate of the patients in with or without gene mutation （P＞0.05）. In the spleen-kidney deficiency group with gene mutation， the rate of complex karyotype （P = 0.031） and the mutation rate of CBL gene （P = 0.032） in the ineffective population were higher than those in the effective population， while the mutation rate of DDX41 gene in the effective population was higher than that in the ineffective population （P = 0.033）. No statistically significant differences were found in other gene mutations， age， gender distribution， number of gene mutations， bone marrow hyperplasia degree， blast cell range， reticular fiber tissue proliferation or not， and prognosis of chromosomal abnormalities between the effective and ineffective populations （P＞0.05）. In the qi-yin deficiency group with gene mutation， no statistically significant differences were found in various items between populations with different outcomes （P＞0.05）. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that complex karyotype， CBL mutation， and DDX41 mutation were independently associated with the effective rate of MDS with spleen-kidney deficiency and gene mutation （P＜0.05）. DDX41 mutation was an independent protective factor in the spleen-kidney deficiency group （OR＞1）， while complex karyotype and CBL mutation were independent risk factors （OR＜1）. ConclusionThe arsenic-containing TCM compound formulas exhibited better effectiveness in MDS with spleen-kidney deficiency pattern without mutation； and in MDS with spleen-kidney deficiency pattern without complex karyotypes， CBL mutation， and with DDX41 mutations. Furthermore， DDX41 mutation was an independent protective factor in the spleen-kidney deficiency group， while complex karyotype and CBL mutation were independent risk factors. In MDS with qi-yin deficiency pattern， gene mutation-related factors showed no significant impact on the effectiveness of arsenic-containing TCM compound formulas.

Objective To investigate the regulatory role of the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and its ligand programmed cell death protein ligand 1 (PD-L1) signaling on the subtypes and functions of natural killer (NK) cells at the maternal-fetal interface during the second trimester in mice following Toxoplasma gondii infection during the first trimester. Methods Twelve 6- to 8-week-old female mice of the C57BL/6J strain were divided into a control group and an infection group, of 6 mice in each group. On the 6.5th day of pregnancy (Gd6.5), each pregnant mouse in the infection group was intraperitoneally injected with 150 tachyzoites of the Toxoplasma gondii PRU strain, while mice in the control group were injected with an equal volume of physiological saline. On the 12.5th day of pregnancy (Gd12.5), uterus and placenta tissues were sampled from pregnant mice for pathological observations, and the mRNA expression levels of PD-1, PD-L1, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were quantified in uterus and placenta tissues. The PD-1 and DX5 expression was measured on NK cells at the maternal-fetal interface using flow cytometry. In addition, the in vitro JEG-3 trophoblast cells and NK-92MI cells co-culture system was established as the control group, and the addition of T. gondii tachyzoites in the co-culture system served as the infection group. The PD-1, PD-L1, and DX5 mRNA expression was quantified in cells using real-time fluorescence quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) assay, and the TNF-α concentration was measured in the cell culture supernatant using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results On Gd12.5, clear and intact cellular structures of placental decidual tissues were seen in pregnant mice in the control group, with no remarkable abnormal changes found in the uterine columnar epithelial cells, and inflammatory cell infiltration and blood stasis at varying degrees were found in uterine and placental tissues from pregnant mice in the infection group. The relative PD-1, PD-L1, and TNF-α mRNA expression was (1.004 ± 0.004), (1.001 ± 0.001), and (1.001 ± 0.001) in uterine tissues from pregnant mice in the control group and (2.480 ± 0.720), (3.355 ± 0.920), and (2.391 ± 0.073) in the infection group, respectively. The relative PD-1, PD-L1, and TNF-α mRNA expression was (1.007 ± 0.010), (1.006 ± 0.006), and (1.001 ± 0.001) in the uterine tissues in the control group and (6.948 ± 1.918), (3.225 ± 1.034), and (1.536 ± 0.150) in the infection group, respectively. The relative PD-1, PD-L1, and TNF-α mRNA expression was higher in both the uterine (t = 3.55, 4.43 and 33.02, all P values < 0.05) and placental tissues (t = 5.36, 3.72 and 6.18, all P values < 0.05) in the infection group than in the control group. Flow cytometry showed that the proportions of PD-1⁺ NK cells, PD-1⁺ DX5⁺ NK cells, and DX5⁺ NK cells were (12.200 ± 1.082)%, (9.373 ± 7.728)%, and (44.000 ± 4.095)% in uterine tissues from pregnant mice in the control group, and (21.733 ± 1.630)%, (18.767 ± 1.242)%, and (73.367 ± 0.611)% in the infection group, respectively. The proportions of PD-1⁺ NK cells, PD-1⁺ DX5⁺ NK cells, and DX5⁺ NK cells were (1.100 ± 0.510)%, (2.277 ± 1.337)%, and (96.167 ± 2.831)% in placental tissues from mice in the control group, and (26.867 ± 9.722)%, (23.433 ± 6.983)%, and (82.467 ± 2.248)% in the infection group, respectively. The proportions of PD-1⁺ NK cells (t = 8.45, P < 0.05) and DX5⁺ NK cells (t = 12.29, P < 0.05) were higher in uterine tissues from pregnant mice in the infection group than in the control group, and no significant difference was seen in the proportion of PD-1⁺ DX5⁺ NK cells (Z = -1.09, P > 0.05). The proportions of PD-1⁺ NK cells (t = 4.58, P < 0.05) and PD-1⁺ DX5⁺ NK cells (t = 5.15, P < 0.05) were higher in placental tissues from pregnant mice in the infection group than in the control group, while the proportion of DX5⁺ NK cells was lower in the infection group than in the control group (t = -6.56, P < 0.05). RT-qPCR assay revealed that the relative PD-1, PD-L1, and DX5 mRNA expression was (1.010 ± 0.005), (1.002 ± 0.003), and (1.001 ± 0.001) in the JEG-3 cells and NK92MI cells co-culture system and (3.638 ± 1.258), (0.397 ± 0.158), and (4.267 ± 1.750) in the control group, and ELISA measured that the TNF-α concentration was higher in the cell culture supernatant in the infection group [(22.056 ± 3.205) pg/mL] than in the control group [(12.441 ± 0.001) pg/mL] (t = 5.20, P < 0.05). The PD-1(t = 3.62, P < 0.05) and DX5 mRNA expression (t = 3.23, P < 0.05) was higher in the infection group than in the control group, and the PD-L1 mRNA expression was lower in the infection group than in the control group (t = -6.63, P < 0.05). Conclusions Following T. gondii infection, both PD-L1 expression and PD-1 expression on DX5⁺ NK cells at the maternal-fetal interface are upregulated in mice during the second trimester; however, the proportion of DX5⁺ NK cells decreases. These findings suggest that PD-1/PD-L1 signaling may suppress NK cell functions by modulating DX5⁺ NK cell subsets.

Objective To investigate the impact of Qizhi Jiangtang Capsule (QZJT) on renal damage in diabetic nephropathy (DN) mice via NOD like receptors family pyrin domain containing 3/caspase-1/ Gasdermin D (NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD) signaling pathway. Methods Mice were randomly allocated into six experimental groups: a normal control group (NC), a diabetic nephropathy model group (DN), a low-dose QZJT treatment group (L-QZJT), a high-dose QZJT treatment group (H-QZJT), a positive control group administered Shenqi Jiangtang Granules (SQJT), and an ML385 group (treated with an inhibitor of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, Nrf2). Upon successful model induction, therapeutic interventions were commenced. Renal function impairment in the mice was evaluated through quantification of fasting blood glucose (FBG), 24-hour urinary albumin (UAlb), serum creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and the kidney-to-body mass ratio (K/B). Renal tissue pathology was evaluated using HE and PAS staining. Serum levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18 were quantified by ELISA. Levels of podocyte markers and proteins involved in relevant pathways were assessed using Western blot analysis. Results Compared with the NC group, FBG, 24 h UAlb, SCr, and BUN were increased in the DN group, and the K/B mass ratio was also increased. In contrast, compared with the DN group, FBG, 24 h UAlb, SCr, and BUN in both the low-dose (L-QZJT) and high-dose Quanzhou Jintang (H-QZJT) groups were decreased, and the K/B mass ratio was decreased as well. The therapeutic efficacy of H-QZJT was comparable to that of Shenqi Jiangtang Granules. QZJT ameliorated renal histopathological injury in DN mouse, increased the protein levels of Nephrin (a podocyte marker), and decreased the protein levels of NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing CARD (ASC), pro-caspase-1, and GSDMD-N. After ML385 treatment, renal cells exhibited swelling and morphological changes, the inflammatory infiltrate area was enlarged, the protein levels of NLRP3, ASC, pro-caspase-1, and GSDMD-N were up-regulated, and the levels of IL-1β and IL-18 were increased. Conclusion QZJT may inhibit podocyte pyroptosis by acting on the Nrf2 to regulate the NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD pathway, thus improving renal damage in DN mouse.
Animals ; Diabetic Nephropathies/pathology* ; Podocytes/pathology* ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/genetics* ; Pyroptosis/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Caspase 1/genetics* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Mice ; Phosphate-Binding Proteins/genetics* ; Male ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Kidney/pathology* ; Gasdermins

Stroke is a critical health issue in China, and carotid artery stenosis and plaque play key roles in its prevalence. Despite the acknowledged significance of this condition, detailed information regarding the prevalence of carotid artery stenosis and plaque across the Chinese population has been scarce. This study analyzed data from the China Stroke High-risk Population Screening and Intervention Program for 2020-2021, focusing on 194 878 Chinese adults aged 40 years and above. It assessed the prevalence of carotid artery stenosis and plaque and identified their associated risk factors. Results revealed a standardized prevalence of 0.40% for carotid artery stenosis and 36.27% for carotid plaque. Notably, the highest rates of stenosis were observed in north and south China at 0.61%, while southwestern China exhibited the highest plaque prevalence at 43.17%. Key risk factors included older age, male gender, hypertension, diabetes, stroke, smoking, and atrial fibrillation. This study highlights significant geographical and demographic disparities in the prevalence of these conditions, underlining the urgent need for targeted interventions and policy reforms. These measures are essential for reducing the incidence of stroke and improving patient outcomes, addressing this significant health challenge in China.
Humans ; China/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Prevalence ; Middle Aged ; Carotid Stenosis/epidemiology* ; Risk Factors ; Aged ; Adult ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic/epidemiology* ; Stroke/epidemiology* ; Aged, 80 and over

Objective:To measure and analyze upper lip morphology variation before and after the cross-arch fixed restoration of the maxillary implant-supported prostheses using cone- beam CT (CBCT) to provide an esthetic objective reference for maxillary edentulous patients.Methods:There were 32 maxillary edentulous patients selected in the Department of Dental Implantology, The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2010 to December 2023. The CBCT data of patients with maxillary full-arch implant-supported fixed prostheses were retrospectively collected before implantation (T0), at the time of radio-guide insertion (T1), and after final repair (T2). The length and thickness of the upper lip were measured and analyzed at each time point, and the correlation between the upper lip contour data and facial esthetic parameters was analyzed.Results:After the final prosthodontic treatment, the length of the upper lip was significantly increased from (21.72±2.84) mm to (24.98±2.93) mm ( t=-8.13, P<0.001) compared with that before implant treatment. The widths of the middle and vermilion of the upper lip (Sm-Hm/Ls-UP), were reduced from (13.24±1.41), (12.81±1.67) mm to (11.36±1.67), (10.21±1.69) mm, with significant differences ( t=7.79, P<0001; t=9.37, P<0.001). The lower face height (Sn-Gn) was increased from (54.52±4.95) mm to (58.70±4.42) mm, with significant differences ( t=-11.05, P<0.001). However, the nasolabial angle reduced significantly from 95.35°± 7.70°to 90.53°±7.28°( t=7.68, P<0.001). The width of the middle of the upper lip with a radiation guide was (10.94±1.24) mm, and it increased significantly compared with that after the final prosthesis treatment ( t=-0.76, P<0.05). The proportion of straight upper lip profiles accounted for 59% (19/32), and the proportion of concave upper lip profiles accounted for 41% (13/32) after the final prosthesis treatment. In addition, the results of correlation analysis showed that the nasolabial angle variation was weak and negatively correlated with residual bone height ( r=-0.37, P=0.490). Conclusions:After the treatment of the maxillary full-arch implant-supported fixed prosthesis, the length of the upper lip increases, and the thickness of the upper lip becomes significantly thin. The maxillary full-arch implant-supported fixed prostheses support upper lips to improve the patients′ side appearances.

Objective:To compare the effects of leukocyte-poor platelet-rich plasma (Lp-PRP) and leukocyte-rich platelet-rich plasma (Lr-PRP) on dorsal wound healing in rats.Methods:Thirty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into Lp-PRP group, Lr-PRP group and control group, each containing twelve rats. Venous blood was drawn and the Lp-PRP and Lr-PRP were prepared separately using a centrifugal method. Circular full-thickness skin defect wounds (15 mm in diameter) were created on the backs of the rats in the three groups. The wounds were then treated with 100 μl Lp-PRP, Lr-PRP and saline, respectively. At 7 and 14 days post-operation, the wounds were photographed, and Image J software was used to calculate the wound area rate (postoperative wound area/wound area at modeling time × 100%). At 14 days post-operation, the total neo-epithelium length and collagen deposition rate of the wounds were evaluated using HE and Masson staining, respectively. At 7 days post-operation, the relative expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the wounds was detected by Western blotting, and the number of CD31 positive microvessels in the wounds was examined by immunohistochemistry. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 28.0. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the three groups, and Tukey’s test was used for pairwise comparisons. A significance level of P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:Blood analysis revealed that the platelet concentrations in the prepared Lp-PRP and Lr-PRP were 4.1 times and 4.5 times that of whole blood, respectively ( P<0.01), with no significant difference between the two PRPs ( P>0.05). The leukocyte concentration in Lp-PRP was undetectable, while in Lr-PRP, it was 3.5 times that of whole blood ( P<0.01). The wound area rate at 7 and 14 days post-operation, the total neo-epithelium length and collagen deposition rate at 14 days post-operation, as well as the relative expression of VEGF and the number of CD31-positive microvessels at 7 days post-operation in the Lp-PRP and Lr-PRP groups were superior to those in the control group (all P<0.01). However, there was no significant difference between the two PRP groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion:Both Lp-PRP and Lr-PRP promote dorsal wound healing in rats by enhancing re-epithelialization, collagen deposition, and angiogenesis. The impacts of Lp-PRP and Lr-PRP on promoting wound healing are comparable and not influenced by the presence of leukocytes in PRPs.

Objective:To compare the effects of leukocyte-poor platelet-rich plasma (Lp-PRP) and leukocyte-rich platelet-rich plasma (Lr-PRP) on dorsal wound healing in rats.Methods:Thirty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into Lp-PRP group, Lr-PRP group and control group, each containing twelve rats. Venous blood was drawn and the Lp-PRP and Lr-PRP were prepared separately using a centrifugal method. Circular full-thickness skin defect wounds (15 mm in diameter) were created on the backs of the rats in the three groups. The wounds were then treated with 100 μl Lp-PRP, Lr-PRP and saline, respectively. At 7 and 14 days post-operation, the wounds were photographed, and Image J software was used to calculate the wound area rate (postoperative wound area/wound area at modeling time × 100%). At 14 days post-operation, the total neo-epithelium length and collagen deposition rate of the wounds were evaluated using HE and Masson staining, respectively. At 7 days post-operation, the relative expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the wounds was detected by Western blotting, and the number of CD31 positive microvessels in the wounds was examined by immunohistochemistry. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 28.0. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the three groups, and Tukey’s test was used for pairwise comparisons. A significance level of P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:Blood analysis revealed that the platelet concentrations in the prepared Lp-PRP and Lr-PRP were 4.1 times and 4.5 times that of whole blood, respectively ( P<0.01), with no significant difference between the two PRPs ( P>0.05). The leukocyte concentration in Lp-PRP was undetectable, while in Lr-PRP, it was 3.5 times that of whole blood ( P<0.01). The wound area rate at 7 and 14 days post-operation, the total neo-epithelium length and collagen deposition rate at 14 days post-operation, as well as the relative expression of VEGF and the number of CD31-positive microvessels at 7 days post-operation in the Lp-PRP and Lr-PRP groups were superior to those in the control group (all P<0.01). However, there was no significant difference between the two PRP groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion:Both Lp-PRP and Lr-PRP promote dorsal wound healing in rats by enhancing re-epithelialization, collagen deposition, and angiogenesis. The impacts of Lp-PRP and Lr-PRP on promoting wound healing are comparable and not influenced by the presence of leukocytes in PRPs.

In this paper,a case of toxic epidermal necrolysis(TEN)after application of tigecycline in an elderly patient was analyzed,and was analyzed and discussed combined with domestic and foreign literature.According to the criteria for assessing the association of adverse drug reactions,the TEN present in this patient is likely to be related to tigecycline.It is suggested that clinicians and pharmacists should be vigilant and pay attention to TEN that may be caused by tigecycline in clinical work.

Objective The characteristics of supramolecular"imprinting template"of volatile oil of Curcuma kwangsiensis and Curcuma phaeocaulis were analyzed and studied based on the supramolecular"qixi"theory of Chinese materia medica combined with chemometrics.Methods The volatile oil of C.kwangsiensis and C.phaeocaulis were extracted by steam distillation,and the fingerprint and composition information of each batch were obtained by GC-MS.Total statistical moment method was used to compare the imprinting characteristics of the"imprinting template"of C.kwangsiensis and C.phaeocaulis.The core index(CI)of each batch of essential oil of C.kwangsiensis and C.phaeocaulis was calculated,and the topological characteristics of types of"imprinting template"of C.kwangsiensis and C.phaeocaulis were compared by chemometrics.Results There was no significant difference in the extraction rate of volatile oil between C.kwangsiensis and C.phaeocaulis.The average values of total zero order moment(AUCT)were(1.907±0.177)×108,(1.979±0.413)×108 μV·s,respectively,showing that there was no significant difference in the total content of volatile oil between the two groups.The mean values of the total first order moment(MCRTT)were(30.969±0.962)and(33.198±0.409)min.The average value of total second order moment(VCRTT)was(56.176±11.368)and(43.891±4.113)min2,respectively,indicating that there were significant differences in the content ratio and species of volatile oils between the two groups.The similarity of total statistical moments of C.kwangsiensis and C.phaeocaulis was mostly lower than the defined value,indicating that the chemical composition and composition ratio of the volatile oil were different.Principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis could obviously divide C.kwangsiensis and C.phaeocaulis into two categories.Through the analysis of P value and VIP value,the CI values of Xvp 4th order,Xvpc 5th order,Xvpc 6th order,Xvpc 7th order,Xvc 3rd order,Xvpc 4th order were the main difference values of C.kwangsiensis and C.phaeocaulis.Conclusion Through the characterization of"imprinting property"and"topological characteristics"of the supramolecular"imprinting template"and combining with chemometric analysis,it is possible to successfully distinguish C.kwangsiensis and C.phaeocaulis,and find the different CI values between two"imprinting templates".