BACKGROUND:Previous studies by our research group discovered that Jiawei Xiaoyao San has a significant anti-liver cancer effect,but the specific mechanism of action was unclear. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the regulatory effects of the traditional Chinese medicine formula Jiawei Xiaoyao San on the levels of miRNAs in plasma exosomes of rats with diethylnitrosamine chronically induced primary liver cancer,based on high-throughput sequencing combined with bioinformatics. METHODS:SD rats were randomly divided into a blank control group,a liver cancer model group,and a Jiawei Xiaoyao San treatment group.Liver cancer models were induced by continuous administration of diethylnitrosamine for 12 weeks.Starting from the 17th week,rats in the Jiawei Xiaoyao San treatment group were administered Jiawei Xiaoyao San once daily until the end of the 20th week,while rats in the blank control and liver cancer model groups were given an equivalent volume of saline.Anti-hepatocellular carcinoma effects were validated by assessing the morphological structure of rat liver tissues,along with the expression of the hepatocellular carcinoma markers,Glypican-3 protein and serum alpha-fetoprotein.Plasma exosomes from each group of rats were isolated using ultracentrifugation.High-throughput sequencing technology was used to screen for differentially expressed miRNAs in rat plasma exosomes.Bioinformatics was used to predict the potential biomarkers through which Jiawei Xiaoyao San exerts its anti-liver cancer effects via liver cancer-derived exosomal miRNAs,followed by functional analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Jiawei Xiaoyao San significantly improved the morphological structure of liver tissues in a rat model of liver cancer.Compared with the liver cancer model group,the expression of liver cancer markers Glypican-3 protein and serum alpha-fetoprotein was significantly reduced in the Jiawei Xiaoyao San treatment group.(2)Bioinformatics analysis showed that in the Jiawei Xiaoyao San group,upregulated miR-223-3p in the liver cancer model group had target binding sites with genes E2F1 and NCOA1,which were closely related to liver cancer survival and prognosis.Therefore,Jiawei Xiaoyao San has a therapeutic effect on liver cancer,possibly by targeting negative regulation of NCOA1/E2F1 through liver cancer plasma-derived exosomal miR-223-3p,thereby playing anti-liver cancer effect.

Objective:To investigate the conversion of stromal vascular fraction (SVF) in the microenvironment of radiation-induced skin injuries to provide guidance for clinical applications.Methods:Based on a random number table, C57BL/6N mice were categorized into four groups: the blank control, negative control, acute injury, and chronic injury groups, with each group containing 25 mice. The backs of mice in the blank control, acute injury, and chronic injury groups were exposed to 15 Gy X-ray irradiation. Then, the mice in the negative control, acute injury, and chronic injury groups were injected subcutaneously with the SVF derived from B6/G-R mice. The survival of these mice was observed 1, 3, 7, 14, and 21 d after the injection through fluorescence tracing and in vivo imaging. Accordingly, the clinical SVF injection regimens were optimized based on the experimental result of mice. Finally, local SVF injection was performed on different frequencies for patients in different wound conditions, with the efficacy being observed. Results:The fluorescence of SVF was observed from the tissue slices of the acute injury, chronic injury, and negative control groups 14 d post-injection. The result showed that the fluorescence intensity of SVF 1, 3, and 7 d post-injection was in the order of the negative control group > the acute injury group > the chronic injury group. The acute injury group ranked at the top and the chronic injury group remained at the bottom 14 d after the injection. The fluorescence of SVF in each group was barely detected 21 d after the injection. Compared to the negative control group, the acute injury group exhibited statistical differences only 14 d post-injection ( t = 4.11, P < 0.05), while the chronic injury group displayed statistical differences 1, 3, 7, and 14 d after the injection ( t = 3.88-5.74, P < 0.05). Furthermore, the acute injury group exhibited significantly higher fluorescence intensity of SVF than the chronic injury group ( t = 4.73-8.38, P < 0.05). The half-life of SVF for the negative control, acute injury, and chronic injury groups was 6.336, 6.014, and 2.163 d, respectively. As indicated by the application of SVF transplantation based on traditional surgical protocols in the clinical trial, SVF can significantly promote wound repair, with earlier SVF transplantation being more beneficial for wound healing. Conclusions:The conversion of SVF differs in the microenvironments of acute and chronic radiation-induced skin injuries. This can serve as an essential guide for the administration timing and injection frequency of SVF in clinical applications.

This study aims to review the content of information needs, influencing factors, and current support status of patients undergoing tumor immunotherapy and to provide reference for developing targeted information support strategies for these patients.

Based on the teaching concept of constructivism, this study aims to promote independent inquiry-based learning and clinical thinking among students and establish the guiding ideology of "full participation, process control, in-depth discussion, and expansion of thinking". A blending learning model was adopted with offline inquiry-based group learning and in-class defense and comment, as well as online teacher-student interaction and supervision to promote learning. Case-problem-based learning (CPBL) of pathophysiology was carried out among the medical students in the class of 2017, and process management was strengthened to effectively manage the two key links of data retrieval and group discussion. The analysis of 176 teaching evaluations collected at the end of the semester show that in terms of the overall evaluation of CPBL teaching, 162 students (92.05%) had high evaluation on teaching objectives, organization, cases, and personal gains and held a very or relatively favorable attitude. There were more negative feedbacks on "appropriate time allocation"; 21 students (11.93%) held a relatively or very disapproving attitude, and 149 students (84.66%) "felt very tired". In terms of teaching effect evaluation, 150 students (85.23%) strongly or relatively agreed that CPBL teaching may help to understand professional knowledge, stimulate learning enthusiasm and initiative, improve problem solving ability, emphasize clinical practice to cultivate clinical thinking, supervise and promote learning, and enhance team cooperation and teacher-student communication. In terms of the evaluation of teachers, 167 students (94.89%) thought that teachers were rigorous, responsible, and enthusiastic in teaching, attached importance to process management, and did well in effective guidance and thinking inspiration (strongly or relatively agree). The above results suggest that the CPBL teaching reform of pathophysiology based on process management can effectively promote in-depth inquiry-based independent learning and the cultivation of clinical thinking and improve teaching effectiveness, but further improvement is needed for teaching arrangement and time allocation.

Confronted with the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, China has become an asset in tackling the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission and mutation, with several innovative platforms, which provides various technical means in this persisting combat. Derived from collaborated researches, vaccines based on the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 or inactivated whole virus are a cornerstone of the public health response to COVID-19. Herein, we outline representative vaccines in multiple routes, while the merits and plights of the existing vaccine strategies are also summarized. Likewise, new technologies may provide more potent or broader immunity and will contribute to fight against hypermutated SARS-CoV-2 variants. All in all, with the ultimate aim of delivering robust and durable protection that is resilient to emerging infectious disease, alongside the traditional routes, the discovery of innovative approach to developing effective vaccines based on virus properties remains our top priority.
Humans ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; COVID-19/prevention & control* ; SARS-CoV-2 ; China/epidemiology* ; Vaccine Development

Objective:To analyze the monitoring results of skeletal fluorosis in coal-burning type endemic fluorosis areas in Guizhou Province, and evaluate the effectiveness of comprehensive treatment of coal-burning type endemic fluorosis in the affected areas.Methods:In 2009, 2014, and 2019, monitoring of skeletal fluorosis was carried out in six counties (cities, districts) of Renhuai City, Qixingguan District, Dafang County, Qianxi City, Puding County, and Pu'an County in Guizhou Province. Age stratification was conducted in each county (city, district) for permanent residents aged 25 and above, and survey subjects were selected for X-ray examination of skeletal fluorosis.Results:The detection rates of skeletal fluorosis in 2009, 2014, and 2019 were 51.48% (798/1 550), 34.88% (308/883), and 6.51% (60/922), respectively, showing a decreasing trend year by year (χ 2trend = 505.83, P < 0.001), decreased by 44.97 percentage points from 2009 to 2019. The age distribution of patients with skeletal fluorosis was mainly in the age group of 55 years and older, with annual proportions of 53.88% (430/798), 56.49% (174/308), and 78.33% (47/60), all higher than 50%. In 2009, 2014, and 2019, 483, 222 and 21 cases of mild skeletal fluorosis were detected, and 315, 86, and 39 cases of moderate to severe skeletal fluorosis were detected. There was a statistically significant difference in disease grading among different years(χ 2 = 32.63, P < 0.001). Among them, there were statistically significant differences in the grading of skeletal fluorosis in Qixingguan District, Qianxi City, Puding County, and Pu'an County(χ 2 = 14.56, 12.24, 35.01, 23.35, P < 0.05). Conclusions:The detection rate of skeletal fluorosis in Guizhou Province decreases year by year, and the prevention and control effect is significant. Patients with skeletal fluorosis are mainly in the age group of 55 years and older, and the proportion of patients with moderate to severe skeletal fluorosis is increasing. We should continue to monitor and manage the treatment of current patients with skeletal fluorosis.

Objective:To explore the health literacy of elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) , and analyze its influencing factors.Methods:From July to December 2021, 180 elderly KOA patients who visited the Orthopedic Clinic of Xi 'an Honghui Hospital affiliated to Xi'an Jiaotong University were selected as the research object by convenience sampling. The General Information Questionnaire and Scale on Health Literacy for Patients with Chronic Disease were used to investigate the patients. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of health literacy of elderly KOA patients. A total of 180 questionnaires were distributed, and 172 valid questionnaires were recovered, with a valid recovery rate of 95.56%. Results:Among 172 elderly KOA patients, the total score of Scale on Health Literacy for Patients with Chronic Disease was (93.62±12.68) , 51.74% (89/172) of elderly KOA patients had good health literacy. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that gender, marital status, education level and course of disease were the influencing factors of the health literacy of elderly KOA patients ( P<0.05) , accounting for 27.7% of the total variation. Conclusions:The health literacy level of elderly KOA patients is low, and the ability to improve their health will needs to be improved. Health education should be strengthened and emphasized for elderly female KOA patients with low education level, long course of disease and poor marital status.

Diabetes have been shown to cause progressive neuronal injury with pain and numbness via advanced glycation end-products (AGEs)-induced neuronal cell apoptosis; however, the valuable drug targets for diabetic neuropathy have been poorly reported so far. In this study, we discovered a natural small-molecule schisandrol A (SolA) with significant protective effect against AGEs-induced neuronal cell apoptosis. ATP6V0D1, a major subunit of vacuolar-type ATPase (V-ATPase) in lysosome was identified as a crucial cellular target of SolA. Moreover, SolA allosterically mediated ATP6V0D1 conformation via targeting a unique cysteine 335 residue to activate V-ATPase-dependent lysosomal acidification. Interestingly, SolA-induced lysosome pH downregulation resulted in a mitochondrial-lysosomal crosstalk by selectively promoting mitochondrial BH3-only protein BIM degradation, thereby preserving mitochondrial homeostasis and neuronal cells survival. Collectively, our findings reveal ATP6V0D1 is a valuable pharmacological target for diabetes-associated neuronal injury via controlling lysosomal acidification, and also provide the first small-molecule template allosterically activating V-ATPase for preventing diabetic neuropathy.

Acute kidney injury (AKI), characterized by acute renal dysfunction, is an increasingly common clinical problem and an important risk factor in the subsequent development of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Regardless of the initial insults, the progression of CKD after AKI involves multiple types of cells, including renal resident cells and immune cells such as macrophages. Recently, the involvements of macrophages in AKI-to-CKD transition have garnered significant attention. Furthermore, substantial progress has also been made in elucidating the pathophysiological functions of macrophages from the acute kidney to repair or fibrosis. In this review, we highlight current knowledge regarding the roles and mechanisms of macrophage activation and phenotypic polarization, and transdifferentiation in the development of AKI-to-CKD transition. In addition, the potential of macrophage-based therapy for preventing AKI-to-CKD transition is also discussed.
Acute Kidney Injury/drug therapy* ; Disease Progression ; Humans ; Kidney ; Macrophages ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic

China Pharmaceutical University proposed and established the first second-level discipline of pharmaceutical pedagogy in China under the first-level discipline of pharmacy in 2021.Through exploring the value of pharmaceutical pedagogy and clarifying its connotation and development path, the construction of the discipline will be firmly pushed forward with a good start, laying a solid foundation for the connotative and high-quality development of pharmaceutical education in China.Using comparison, literature review and historical survey, iconic discipline factors in similar disciplines of pharmaceutical pedagogy, like medical pedagogy, nursing pedagogy, health education and social & administrative pharmacy were investigated.Our researches showed that pharmaceutical pedagogy in its narrow sense refers to the discipline of studying the phenomena and problems of pharmaceutical education with the cultivation of pharmaceutical talents as the core, and revealing the laws and characteristics of pharmaceutical education.The construction of pharmaceutical pedagogy should be further promoted with more academic achievements, stronger academic teams, organizations and journals with better and higher platforms of academic research.It was suggested that pharmaceutical pedagogy should be guided by Marxist philosophy in improving its academic system, academic institutions, academic teams and ability in participating in academic governance independently and openly.Pharmaceutical pedagogy is expected to accelerate the construction of theoretical system and discourse system of pharmaceutical education with Chinese characteristics, aiming to provide stronger intellectual support and knowledge contribution for pharmaceutical education in China and for China.