Objective To investigate the improvement of exosomes(Exo)derived from umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)carrying miR-296-3p on blood lipid metabolism and immune function in gestational diabetes melli-tus rats.Methods After transfection of MSCs with miR-296-3p-NC and miR-296-3p mimics,Exo was extracted to obtain MSCs-Exo-miR-NC and MSCs-Exo-miR-296-3p,respectively.RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of miR-296-3p;Pregnant mice were prepared and induced to establish a GDM model by tail vein injection of strep-tozotocin.Then they were randomly grouped into a model group,MSCs-Exo-miR-NC group,and MSCs-Exo-miR-296-3p group with 10 each.In addition,10 pregnant mice were prepared as the control group.The weight of mother and fetal mice,four items of blood lipids and immune organ index in each group were measured after intervention with MSCs-Exo-miR-NC and MSCs-Exo-miR-296-3p.ELISA was applied to measure the level of serum immuno-globulin and immune inflammatory factors.Flow cytometry technology was applied to detect the immune function of peripheral blood T lymphocytes of rats in various groups,and their CD4+and CD8+values were compared.Results Compared with the control group,the maternal rat weight and fetal rat weight,serum triglycerides(TG),total cho-lesterol(TC),low-density lipoprotein(LDL-C),IL-6 and IL-8 levels and CD8+ratio of rats in model group in-creased(P＜0.05),the spleen and thymus index,serum high-density lipoprotein(HDL-C),IgA,IgG,IgM,IL-2 and IL-10 levels and CD4+ratio decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with the model group,the maternal rat weight and fetal rat weight,serum TG,TC,LDL-C,IL-6 and IL-8 level,and CD8+ratio of rats from MSCs-Exo-miR-NC group and MSCs-Exo-miR-296-3p group decreased(P＜0.05),the spleen and thymus index,serum HDL-C,IgA,IgG,IgM,IL-2 and IL-10 levels and CD4+ratio all increased(P＜0.05);MSCs-Exo-miR-296-3p had a stronger effect on various indicators of GDM rats(P＜0.05).Conclusions Exo derived from MSCs carrying miR-296-3p improves blood lipid metabolism and immune function of GDM rats.

The methodological framework for interventional clinical research of Chinese medicine （CM） under the research mode of syndrome dominating disease provides a set of technical principles and methods to design， evaluate， and implement of this kind. It consists of three main parts including general principles， research points and key design elements， with a total of 25 items. This methodological framework proposes implementing requirements and recommendations in a variety of aspects， including basic norms to be followed in relevant studies， perspectives for selecting research topics， as well as the technological details on study population （P）， intervention （I） and comparison（C）， outcome measurement （O）， time frame （T） of treatment and follow-up， sample orientation （prospective versus retrospective）， study design （S） format and type. To provide practical guidance for future studies， this article clearly explains each items of the methodological framework through some supportive cases.

Objective:To assess the utility of whole-genome sequencing (WGS) in predicting Mycobacterium tuberculosis resistance to fluoroquinolones (FQs) and to establish a quantitative relationship between resistant gene mutations and resistance levels. Methods:A total of 296 drug-resistant tuberculosis surveillance strains with various resistance profiles, preserved by the National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory of the Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Center at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention between 2013 and 2020, were included as study subjects. The Sensititre? MYCOTBI microplate method and WGS were used to assess the phenotypic and genotypic drug sensitivity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to ofloxacin and moxifloxacin. Sensitivity, specificity, and concordance (Kappa value) of WGS in predicting fluoroquinolone sensitivity were calculated using phenotypic drug susceptibility testing (DST) results as the gold standard. A summary analysis was conducted on the distribution of drug resistance mutation sites and resistance levels. The paired χ 2 test was used to compare the detection rates between the two methods, with P<0.05 indicating statistical significance. Results:Among the 296 Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains with different resistance profiles, 196 were rifampicin-resistant, 50 were resistant to other drugs, and 50 were fully sensitive. WGS identified 81 strains carrying FQs resistance-related mutations, primarily at gyrA codons 94, 90, and 91. Sensitivity, specificity, and consistency (Kappa value) of WGS in predicting ofloxacin resistance were 86.5%, 98.1%, and 0.87, respectively. For moxifloxacin resistance prediction, these values were 80.0%, 99.5%, and 0.83, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the phenotypic DST and WGS detection rates for ofloxacin resistance (30.1% vs 27.4%, χ 2=3.06, P=0.08). However, the phenotypic DST detection rate for moxifloxacin resistance (33.8%, 100/296) was significantly higher than that of WGS (27.4%, 81/296) (χ 2=15.43, P<0.01). Analysis of the distribution of resistance mutation sites and resistance levels showed that different mutation sites corresponded to different minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). Multiple mutation combinations, including gyrA_D94G, gyrA_D94Y, and gyrA_D94N were mainly associated with high-level resistance, while gyrA_D94A, gyrA_A90V, and gyrA_S91P were primarily linked to low-level resistance. Conclusion:WGS demonstrates favorable sensitivity, specificity, and consistency in predicting FQs resistance and can partially predict resistance levels.

Objective:To analyze the clinical and pathological characteristics of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and not receiving antiviral therapy.Methods:This study retrospectively included CHB patients diagnosed by liver biopsy at the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2008 to December 2022. According to the HBV DNA and HBeAg status of "immune tolerance period and immune control period", these patients were divided into three groups: chronic HBV carrier group, inactive HBsAg carrier group and indeterminate group including the patients that did not meet the inclusion criteria of the above two groups. Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups. Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of continuous data and ordered categorical data between two groups. Chi-square test or Fisher′s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. Results:A total of 284 CHB patients with normal ALT were enrolled. There were 64, 88 and 132 cases in the chronic HBV carrier group, inactive HBsAg carrier group and indeterminate group, respectively. Histopathological analysis revealed that there were 182 (64.08%) cases with pathological inflammation grade (G) and/or fibrosis stage (S)≥2, 155 (54.58%) with S≥2 and 120 (42.25%) with G≥2. The proportion of patients with G and/or S≥2 in the indeterminate group [70.45% (93/132)] was higher than that in the chronic HBV carrier group [48.44% (31/64)] and inactive HBsAg carrier group [65.91% (58/88)] (both P<0.05). Patient′s age and the ratio of patients with S≥2 in the chronic HBV carrier group [33 years old, 39.06% (25/64)] were smaller than those in the inactive HBsAg carrier group [39 years old, 56.82% (50/88)] and the indeterminate group [39 years old, 60.61% (80/132)] (all P<0.05). Patients in the inactive HBsAg carrier group (19 U/L) had lower ALT levels than those in the chronic HBV carrier group (26 U/L) and the indeterminate group (23 U/L) (both P<0.05). The proportion of patients with cytoplasmic/cytoplasmic nuclear-type HBcAg was higher in patients with G and/or S≥2 than in patients with G and S<2 [73.08% (57/78) vs 32.08% (17/53), P<0.05], and the proportion of patients with cytoplasmic/cytoplasmic nuclear-type HBcAg increased gradually with age. The proportion of patients with cytoplasmic/cytoplasmic nuclear-type HBcAg was higher in patients with G and/or S≥2 than in patients with G and S<2 in the chronic HBV carrier status and indeterminate groups [93.33% (28/30) vs 43.33%(13/30), P<0.05; 59.46% (22/37) vs 12.50% (2/16); both P<0.05]. There was a statistically significant difference in the incidence of significant liver injury between patients≤ 30 years old and >30 years old [52.7% (39/74) vs 68.1% (143/210), P<0.05]. Conclusions:Significant liver injury occurred in 64.08% (182/284) of CHB patients with normal ALT not receiving antiviral therapy, which required the attention of clinicians. Among CHB patients with normal ALT, the expression site of HBcAg in hepatocytes was related to the occurrence of significant liver injury and could be expected to serve as an important indicator for predicting the patient′s status and the necessity of antiviral treatment. CHB patients with positive HBV DNA who were older than 30 years required antiviral treatment, and CHB patients≤30 years with normal ALT and significant hepatic tissue damage also required antiviral treatment.

Objective:To explore the effect of Bushen Huoxue Decoction on ventricular remodeling and myocardial nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) protein in rats with chronic heart failure.Methods:60 male SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group (15 rats) and experimental group (45 rats). The rats of the experimental group was established CHF model by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery combined with exhaustive swimming and starvation. Rats with chronic heart failure were randomly divided into model group, Bushen Huoxue group and lisinopril group.The Bushen Huoxue group was perfused with 15.75 g/(kg·d) Bushen Huoxue Decoction, the lisinopril group was perfused with 1.8 mg/(kg·d) of lisinopril suspension, and the sham operation group and model group were perfused with equal volume of distilled water. After 4 weeks of administration, the general mental state of rats was observed. The left ventricular internal systolic diameter (LVIDs) and internal diastolic diameter (LVIDd) were measured by cardiac color Doppler ultrasound, and the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and short axis shortening fraction (LVFS) were calculated. The expression of NF-κB protein in rat myocardium was detected by Western blot, and the morphology of left ventricular myocytes was observed by hematoxylin eosin staining.Results:Compared with the model group, the myocardial fibers of rats in Bushen Huoxue group and lisinopril group were arranged orderly, with few pyknosis, a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration. Compared with the model group, the levels of LVIDs [(6.00±0.58)mm vs. (6.99±0.90)mm] and LVIDd [(3.96±0.51)mm vs. (5.14±0.57)mm] significantly decreased, LVEF [(54.48±6.75)% vs. (30.28±4.85)%] and LVFS [(33.86±4.27)% vs. (26.10±4.96)%] significantly increased, as well as the expression of myocardial NF-κB (1.06±0.10 vs. 1.58±0.29) protein significantly decreased ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Bushen Huoxue Decoction can resist ventricular remodeling,improve cardiac function and treat heart failure of CHF rats and the possible mechanism might be it could down-regulate myocardial NF-κB expression.

Objective To investigate the clinical and pathological features of children with glycogen storage disease (GSD). Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for ten children with GSD who were admitted to the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University and The Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2002 to January 2022, based on medical history, liver biochemistry, and liver biopsy, and population characteristics, clinical manifestations, biochemical parameters, and liver histopathological characteristics were compared and analyzed. Results All ten children had developmental retardation and a short stature, with the manifestations of abnormal liver function, mild weakness, poor appetite, yellow urine, and yellow eyes, and four children had hepatosplenomegaly. Among the ten children, six had the clinical manifestations of hypoglycemia, and one had bilateral gastrocnemius hypertrophy and positive Gower sign. Two children had positive CMV IgG. Liver histopathological manifestations included diffuse enlargement of hepatocytes, light cytoplasm, and small nucleus in the middle like plant cells, with or without fibrous tissue proliferation. Conclusion Most patients with GSD have developmental retardation and abnormal aminotransferases, and liver pathological examination shows specific pathological features.

OBJECTIVE：To study t he effects of bro mophenylcurcumin（GL63）on the apoptosis ，migration and invasion of human cholangiocarcinoma RBE cells ，and to investigate its mechanism based on JAK/STAT signaling pathway. METHODS ：MTT assay was used to detect the effects of different concentrations of GL 63 [0（blank control ，similarly hereinafter ），1.25，2.5，5，10， 20，40 μ mol/L] on the proliferation of RBE cells after 48 h treatment ；the IC 50 was calculated. The effects of different concentrations of GL 63（0，5，10，20 μmol/L）on colony formation were detected by crystal violet staining after 48 h treatment. Flow cytometry ，Hoechst 33342 staining，cell scratch test and Transwell chamber invasion test were used to detect the effects of different concentrations of GL 63（0，5，10，20 μmol/L）on cell cycle distribution ，apoptosis，migration and invasion ability after 24 h treatment. Western blotting assay was adopted to detect the effects of different concentration of GL 63（0，5，10，20 μmol/L） on the expression of JAK 2/STAT3 signal pathway associated proteins. RESULTS ：The proliferation inhibition rates of RBE cells in different concentrations of GL 63 groups（1.25-40 μmol/L）were significantly increase d，compared with blank control group （P＜ 0.01），and showed a dose-dependent trend ，with IC 50 of （8.46±1.30）μmol/L. Compared with blank control group， 85917439。E-mail：zhaoji-an-88@163.com inhibition rates of RBE cell colony formation were significantly decreased in different concentrations （5，10，20 μmol/L）of GL 63 groups（P＜0.01）. The percentage of RBE cells at G 0/G1 phase increased significantly ，while that at S phase decreased significantly （P＜0.01）. The apoptotic rate increased significantly（P＜0.01），and the nucleus showed dense pyknosis and apoptotic bodies. The rate of cell migration and healing was significantly decreased （P＜0.01），and the number of invasive cells through basement membrane was significantly decreased （P＜ 0.01）. The protein expression of p-JAK 2， p-STAT3， Bcl-2， MMP-2， MMP-9， Pro-caspase-9 and P ro-caspase-3 were down-regulated significantly while the expression of Bax ，Cyt-c，Cleaved-caspase-9 and Cleaved-caspase- 3 were up-regulated significantly（P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS ：GL63 may inhibit the proliferation ，migration and invasion of RBE cells and promote its apoptosis by inhibiting JAK 2/STAT3 signal pathway.

Objective:To analyze the gene variants in patients with primary distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA), and explore the correlation between the genotype and phenotype.Methods:The Sanger direct sequencing or whole-exome sequencing was used to identify causal variants and the variation pathogenicity was evaluated according to 2015 American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) standards and guidelines in 44 dRTA patients (37 families) diagnosed in the Affiliated Qingdao Municipal Hospital of Qingdao University and the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from April 2010 to September 2020. The clinical features of the patients were summarized, and the correlation between the genotype and phenotype was investigated.Results:Seven variants of SLC4A1 gene, 17 variants of ATP6V0A4 gene, and 15 variants of ATP6V1B1 gene were identified in 44 patients with dRTA, and of which 11 variants were new ones. According to ACMG guidelines, the pathogenic, likely pathogenic, benign variants among the 39 variants were 22, 16 and 1, respectively. Nine patients were autosomal dominant hereditary dRTA caused by SLC4A1 gene mutation, 4 patients with autosomal recessive hereditary dRTA complicated with Southeast Asian ovalocytosis and anemia were caused by SLC4A1 gene mutation, and 14 patients caused by ATP6V0A4 gene mutation and 8 patients caused by ATP6V1B1 gene mutation were autosomal recessive hereditary dRTA; Two children with dRTA were found to carry one monoallelic defect in ATP6V1B1, and no causal gene mutation was identified in 7 patients. One patient showed incomplete dRTA, and the other 43 patients showed complete dRTA. The prevalence of sensory neural hearing loss caused by ATP6V0A4 and ATP6V1B1 mutation were 2/14 and 6/10 respectively. The frequency of chronic kidney disease in adults, children and infants were 4/4, 2/4, and 1/36, separately. After the drug treatment based on potassium citrate and sodium citrate, the growth and development (28/40) and electrolyte disturbance (41/44) of most patients were significantly improved. Conclusions:The present study has identified 39 variants of SLC4A1, ATP6V0A4 and ATP6V1B1 genes in 44 patients with dRTA, including 11 novel ones. There is a close relationship between genotype and phenotype in dRTA patients and most patients' conditions were improved after proper treatment. This study enriches the human gene mutation database and provides valuable references for diagnosis, treatment and genetic counseling in patients with dRTA.

OBJECTIVE：To compare the an ti-hepatocarcinoma effects of curcumin （CUR）and its derivative hydrazincurcumin （HZC），and to explore the mechanism. METHODS ：MTT assay was used to detect the effects of CUR or HZC （2.5，5，10，20， 40，80 μmol/L）on the proliferation of HepG 2 cells. Flow cytometry was used to detect the effects of CUR or HZC （10，20，40 μmol/L）on cell cycle distribution and apoptosis of HepG 2 cells. Western blotting assay was used to detect the effects of CUR or HZC（10，20，40 μmol/L）on the expression of apoptosis-related protein in HepG 2 cells. The male SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group （n＝10），CUR control group （n＝10），HZC control group （n＝10），model group （n＝30），CUR protection group （n＝30）and HZC protection group （n＝30）. CUR control group and HZC control group were given CUR 85917439。E-mail：zhaoji-an-88@163.com or HZC （80 mg/kg） intraperitoneally. Model group ，CUR protection group and HZC protection group were given diethylnitrosamine （50 mg/kg）intraperitoneally to establish hepatocarcinoma model ；at the same time ，2 protection groups were given CUR or HZC （80 mg/kg）intraperitoneally，twice a day，for consecutive 12 weeks. During medication ，the change of body weight and death of rats were recorded. Twenty four weeks later，liver index of rats was calculated and appearance was observed ；the number of cancer nodules was counted ；HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of liver tissue and calculate the nuclear division index of hepatocarcinoma ；the proliferating cell nuclear antigen （PCNA）index was detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS ：CUR and HZC could increase the inhibitory rate of HepG 2 cells（P＜0.05），and increased the percentage at G 0/G1 phase and apoptotic rate of HepG 2 cells（P＜ 0.05）. CUR and HZC could significantly decrease the protein expression of p-JAK 2，p-STAT3，Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl ，while increased the protein expression of Bax ，Cyt-c，Caspase-9，Caspase-3 and PAPR （P＜0.05）. Above effects of HZC were significantly better than those of CUR （P＜0.05）. The results of animal experiment showed that there was no death ，no liver canceration and no pathological changes in liver appearance and tissue section of the three control groups ；there was no statistical significance in body weight and its increased weight ，liver index ，nuclear division index of carcinoma or PCNA index （P＞0.05）. Compared with model group， survival rate of rats were increased significantly in CUR protection group and HZC protection group ， while hepatocarcinoma incidence and the number of cancer nodules were decreased significantly （P＜0.05）；body weight and its increased weight were increased significantly ，while liver index ，nuclear division index of carcinoma and PCNA index were decreased significantly （P＜0.05）. There were some pathological changes in liver appearance and tissue section ；cancerous lesions with focal necrosis or cancerous lesions with patchy necrosis were observed. There was no statistical significance in the improvement of above indexes in 2 protection groups （P＞0.05）. CONCLUSIONS ：HZC could inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of HepG 2 cells by inhibiting JAK 2/STAT3 signaling pathway and regulating the activation of mitochondrial endogenous pathway，which shows stronger anti-hepatocarcinoma effect in vitro than CUR. On the other hand ，there was no significant difference in the improvement of liver caner indexes in hepatic cancer model rats between HZC and CUR.

Objective:To clarify the clinical efficacy of Yiqi Huoxue recipe in the treatment of liver fibrosis of chronic viral hepatitis.Methods:An open, positive-drug, parallel-controlled study method was applied. A total of 207 cases of liver fibrosis with chronic hepatitis B and C diagnosed with liver biopsy and transient elastography were selected. According to the principle of syndrome differentiation in traditional Chinese medicine, self-made Yiqi Huoxue recipe ( n = 127) and Fuzheng Huayu capsule ( n = 80) were used for the treatment course of 24-48 weeks. Change score of TCM symptom, liver biochemistry, liver stiffness measurement (LSM), and noninvasive liver fibrosis index [aspartate transaminase to platelet ratio index (APRI), and fibrosis-4 score (FIB-4)] were compared between the two groups to evaluate the therapeutic effect of Yiqi Huoxue recipe on liver fibrosis. Results:Yiqi Huoxue recipe group and Fuzheng Huayu capsule group baseline LSM, APRI and FIB-4 was compared, and there was no statistically significant difference between them ( P > 0.05). Yiqi Huoxue recipe and Fuzheng Huayu capsule received patients had improved symptom scores to a certain extent. Hepatic facies, discomfort over liver area, and soreness and weakness of waist and knees ( P < 0.05) was significantly improved in Yiqi Huoxue recipe than Fuzheng Huayu capsule. Liver biochemical indicators (ALT, AST, GGT, ALP) had gradually relapsed with the extension of treatment duration and the normalization rate between the two groups after 24 to 48 weeks had reached 100% vs. 100%, 100% vs. 93.8%, 96.8% vs. 92.3% and 87.5% vs. 81.8%. After 12 weeks of treatment, APRI values ??of both groups had significantly reduced, and after 48 weeks of treatment, LSM values of both groups had significantly improved. Moreover, Yiqi Huoxue recipe FIB-4 score was significantly improved after 48 weeks of treatment, and the difference was statistically significant compared to Fuzheng Huayu capsule group ( P < 0.05). After treatment, LSM, APRI, and FIB-4 total effectiveness in the two groups were 80.0% vs. 63.6%, P = 0.046; 68.4% vs. 52.0%, P = 0.052; 68.4% vs. 62.0%, P = 0.437, respectively. LSM total effectiveness was significantly higher in Yiqi Huoxue recipe treated group than Fuzheng Huayu capsule group. Conclusion:Traditional Chinese medicine Yiqi Huoxue decoction can be used as an optimal treatment for liver fibrosis of chronic viral hepatitis.