Objective To analyze the application of NCompass nitinol stone retrieval basket in ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy, and to evaluate its roles in reducing stone retropulsion and improving stone-free rate(SFR)and stone acquisition rate.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of patients with upper ureteral stones＞1 cm who underwent ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy at China-Japan Friendship Hospital during Jan.2018 and Dec.2023, including 96 cases were in the NCompass group, and 68 cases in the non-basket group.The operation time, stone retropulsion rate, usage rate of flexible ureteroscopy, SFR and stone acquisition rate were compared between the two groups.Results There were no significant differences in the operation time [(29.2±8.4)min vs.(30.9±7.2)min, P=0.170] and stone retropulsion rate(15.6% vs. 27.9%, P=0.055)between the NCompass group and non-basket group.The NCompass group had significantly lower usage rate of flexible ureteroscopy than the non-basket group(24.0% vs. 47.1%, P=0.002), higher SFR 2 days(80.2% vs. 45.6%, P＜0.001)and 1 month(93.8% vs. 83.8%, P=0.040)after operation, as well as the stone acquisition rates 2 days(100% vs. 44.1%, P＜0.001)and 1 month(100% vs. 58.8%, P＜0.001)after operation. Conclusion The NCompass nitinol stone retrieval basket plays dual roles in ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy, which can effectively intercept stones and extract stone fragments, thus significantly improving the SFR and stone acquisition rate, and reducing stone retropulsion and the use of flexible ureteroscopy.

ObjectiveTo investigate the association between insulin resistance （IR） and cardiovascular metabolic indicators， including blood pressure， blood lipids， and serum uric acid， in a middle-aged population. MethodsBased on the baseline survey of the Hong Sifang cohort of China National Salt Industry Group， a total of 575 participants were included. According to the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance， the participants were divided into an IR group （n=116） and a non-IR group （n=459）. Differences between the two groups were compared using the t-test and chi-square test. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the associations between IR and abnormalities in metabolic indicators. ResultsA total of 575 participants were included， including 390 men and 185 women， with a mean age of （48.58 ± 5.14） years and a mean body mass index （BMI） of （24.16 ± 2.97） kg/m². Blood pressure， serum uric acid， and blood lipid levels were significantly higher in the IR group than in the non-IR group （P<0.001）. After adjusting for potential confounders including age， sex， and BMI， IR was independently associated with hypertension， dyslipidemia， and hyperuricemia， with odds ratios （OR） and 95% confidence intervals （CI） of 2.57 （1.61-4.09）， 3.81 （2.36-6.17）， and 2.68 （1.53-4.71）， respectively （all P<0.001）. ConclusionInsulin resistance is significantly associated with multiple cardiovascular metabolic risk factors in the middle-aged population. Monitoring IR may contribute to the early prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanisms of Zuojinwan in the treatment of colorectal cancer from the perspective of inhibiting M2 polarization of tumor-associated macrophages. MethodsA colorectal cancer mouse model was established by azoxymethane （AOM）/dextran sulfate sodium （DSS）. Body weight was recorded， disease activity index （DAI） and tumor number were calculated， and hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe colonic pathological changes. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect the levels of interleukin-6 （IL-6）， transforming growth factor-β （TGF-β）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in colonic homogenates. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect proliferating cell nuclear antigen （PCNA） expression in the colon， and immunofluorescence was used to detect mannose receptor （CD206） expression in macrophages. In vitro， M2 macrophages were induced using IL-4/IL-13， and macrophages were treated with different concentrations of Zuojinwan-containing serum. CD206 and differentiation cluster 86 （CD86） were analyzed by flow cytometry. A CT26 and RAW264.7 macrophage co-culture system was established， and the migration and proliferation abilities of CT26 cells were detected using Transwell assays and trypan blue exclusion. Finally， proteomics was used to screen key proteins and signaling pathways involved in Zuojinwan-mediated inhibition of M2 polarization of tumor-associated macrophages in colorectal cancer， and Western blot was used for validation. ResultsIn animal experiments， compared with the blank group， mice in the model group showed significantly decreased body weight （P<0.05）， significantly increased DAI scores （P<0.01）， and significantly increased tumor number （P<0.01）， with severe colonic carcinogenesis and lymphatic metastasis. The protein expression levels of PCNA and CD206 were significantly increased （P<0.01）， and the levels of IL-6， IL-1β， TNF-α， and TGF-β in colonic homogenates were significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， mice in the Zuojinwan intervention group showed significantly higher body weight （P<0.05）， significantly decreased DAI scores （P<0.01）， and significantly reduced tumor numbers （P<0.01）. The protein levels of PCNA and CD206 were significantly decreased （P<0.05）， and the levels of IL-6， IL-1β， TNF-α， and TGF-β in colonic homogenates were significantly decreased （P<0.05）. In the CT26 and RAW264.7 co-culture system in vitro， compared with the blank group， co-culture with M2-type RAW264.7 macrophages significantly increased CT26 cell migration rate and proliferation number （P<0.01）. Compared with the M2 group （M2-type macrophages）， the proportion of CD86 was significantly increased in the Zuojinwan-containing serum group （P<0.01）， while the CT26 cell migration rate and proliferation number were significantly decreased in the 8% Zuojinwan-containing serum group （P<0.01）. Proteomics analysis indicated that tumor necrosis factor-α-induced protein 8-like protein 1 （TIPE1） may be a key target through which Zuojinwan regulates macrophage phenotypic transformation to inhibit colorectal cancer. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt） signaling pathway showed the highest enrichment. Compared with the blank group， the levels of TIPE1， p-PI3K， and p-Akt in M2 macrophages were significantly increased （P<0.05，P<0.01）. After treatment with Zuojinwan-containing serum， the levels of TIPE1， p-PI3K， and p-Akt were significantly decreased （P<0.05，P<0.01）. ConclusionZuojinwan may inhibit colorectal cancer proliferation and migration by suppressing M2 polarization of tumor-associated macrophages， which may be associated with inhibition of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in tumor-associated macrophages.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanisms of Zuojinwan in the treatment of colorectal cancer from the perspective of inhibiting M2 polarization of tumor-associated macrophages. MethodsA colorectal cancer mouse model was established by azoxymethane （AOM）/dextran sulfate sodium （DSS）. Body weight was recorded， disease activity index （DAI） and tumor number were calculated， and hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe colonic pathological changes. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect the levels of interleukin-6 （IL-6）， transforming growth factor-β （TGF-β）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in colonic homogenates. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect proliferating cell nuclear antigen （PCNA） expression in the colon， and immunofluorescence was used to detect mannose receptor （CD206） expression in macrophages. In vitro， M2 macrophages were induced using IL-4/IL-13， and macrophages were treated with different concentrations of Zuojinwan-containing serum. CD206 and differentiation cluster 86 （CD86） were analyzed by flow cytometry. A CT26 and RAW264.7 macrophage co-culture system was established， and the migration and proliferation abilities of CT26 cells were detected using Transwell assays and trypan blue exclusion. Finally， proteomics was used to screen key proteins and signaling pathways involved in Zuojinwan-mediated inhibition of M2 polarization of tumor-associated macrophages in colorectal cancer， and Western blot was used for validation. ResultsIn animal experiments， compared with the blank group， mice in the model group showed significantly decreased body weight （P<0.05）， significantly increased DAI scores （P<0.01）， and significantly increased tumor number （P<0.01）， with severe colonic carcinogenesis and lymphatic metastasis. The protein expression levels of PCNA and CD206 were significantly increased （P<0.01）， and the levels of IL-6， IL-1β， TNF-α， and TGF-β in colonic homogenates were significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， mice in the Zuojinwan intervention group showed significantly higher body weight （P<0.05）， significantly decreased DAI scores （P<0.01）， and significantly reduced tumor numbers （P<0.01）. The protein levels of PCNA and CD206 were significantly decreased （P<0.05）， and the levels of IL-6， IL-1β， TNF-α， and TGF-β in colonic homogenates were significantly decreased （P<0.05）. In the CT26 and RAW264.7 co-culture system in vitro， compared with the blank group， co-culture with M2-type RAW264.7 macrophages significantly increased CT26 cell migration rate and proliferation number （P<0.01）. Compared with the M2 group （M2-type macrophages）， the proportion of CD86 was significantly increased in the Zuojinwan-containing serum group （P<0.01）， while the CT26 cell migration rate and proliferation number were significantly decreased in the 8% Zuojinwan-containing serum group （P<0.01）. Proteomics analysis indicated that tumor necrosis factor-α-induced protein 8-like protein 1 （TIPE1） may be a key target through which Zuojinwan regulates macrophage phenotypic transformation to inhibit colorectal cancer. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt） signaling pathway showed the highest enrichment. Compared with the blank group， the levels of TIPE1， p-PI3K， and p-Akt in M2 macrophages were significantly increased （P<0.05，P<0.01）. After treatment with Zuojinwan-containing serum， the levels of TIPE1， p-PI3K， and p-Akt were significantly decreased （P<0.05，P<0.01）. ConclusionZuojinwan may inhibit colorectal cancer proliferation and migration by suppressing M2 polarization of tumor-associated macrophages， which may be associated with inhibition of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in tumor-associated macrophages.

GPR126, also known as ADGRG6, is one of the most deeply studied aGPCRs. Initially, GPR126 was thought to be a receptor associated with muscle development and was primarily expressed in the muscular and skeletal systems. With the deepening of research, it was found that GPR126 is expressed in multiple mammalian tissues and organs, and is involved in many biological processes such as embryonic development, nervous system development, and extracellular matrix interactions. Compared with other aGPCRs proteins, GPR126 has a longer N-terminal domain, which can bind to ligands one-to-one and one-to-many. Its N-terminus contains five domains, a CUB (complement C1r/C1s, Uegf, Bmp1) domain, a PTX (Pentraxin) domain, a SEA (Sperm protein, Enterokinase, and Agrin) domain, a hormone binding (HormR) domain, and a conserved GAIN domain. The GAIN domain has a self-shearing function, which is essential for the maturation, stability, transport and function of aGPCRs. Different SEA domains constitute different GPR126 isomers, which can regulate the activation and closure of downstream signaling pathways through conformational changes. GPR126 has a typical aGPCRs seven-transmembrane helical structure, which can be coupled to Gs and Gi, causing cAMP to up- or down-regulation, mediating transmembrane signaling and participating in the regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation and migration. GPR126 is activated in a tethered-stalk peptide agonism or orthosteric agonism, which is mainly manifested by self-proteolysis or conformational changes in the GAIN domain, which mediates the rapid activation or closure of downstream pathways by tethered agonists. In addition to the tethered short stem peptide activation mode, GPR126 also has another allosteric agonism or tunable agonism mode, which is specifically expressed as the GAIN domain does not have self-shearing function in the physiological state, NTF and CTF always maintain the binding state, and the NTF binds to the ligand to cause conformational changes of the receptor, which somehow transmits signals to the GAIN domain in a spatial structure. The GAIN domain can cause the 7TM domain to produce an activated or inhibited signal for signal transduction, For example, type IV collagen interacts with the CUB and PTX domains of GPR126 to activate GPR126 downstream signal transduction. GPR126 has homology of 51.6%-86.9% among different species, with 10 conserved regions between different species, which can be traced back to the oldest metazoans as well as unicellular animals.In terms of diseases, GPR126 dysfunction involves the pathological process of bone, myelin, embryo and other related diseases, and is also closely related to the occurrence and development of malignant tumors such as breast cancer and colon cancer. However, the biological function of GPR126 in various diseases and its potential as a therapeutic target still needs further research. This paper focuses on the structure, interspecies differences and conservatism, signal transduction and biological functions of GPR126, which provides ideas and references for future research on GPR126.

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Tangning Tongluo tablets in the treatment of nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy （DR）. MethodsFourteen research centers participated in this study， which spanned a time interval from September 2021 to May 2023. A total of 240 patients with nonproliferative DR were included and randomly assigned into an observation group （120 cases） and a control group （120 cases）. The observation group was treated with Tangning Tongluo tablets， and the control group with calcium dobesilate capsules. Both groups were treated for 24 consecutive weeks. The vision， DR progression rate， retinal microhemangioma， hemorrhage area， exudation area， glycosylated hemoglobin （HbA1c） level， and TCM syndrome score were assessed before and after treatment， and the safety was observed. ResultsThe vision changed in both groups after treatment （P<0.05）， and the observation group showed higher best corrected visual acuity （BCVA） than the control group （P<0.05）. The DR progression was slow with similar rates in the two groups. The fundus hemorrhage area and exudation area did not change significantly after treatment in both groups， while the observation group outperformed the control group in reducing the fundus hemorrhage area and exudation area. There was no significant difference in the number of microhemangiomas between the two groups before treatment. After treatment， the number of microhemangiomas decreased in both the observation group （Z=-1.437， P<0.05） and the control group （Z=-2.238， P<0.05）， and it showed no significant difference between the two groups. As the treatment time prolonged， the number of microhemangiomas gradually decreased in both groups. There was no significant difference in the HbA1c level between the two groups before treatment. After treatment， the decline in the HbA1c level showed no significant difference between the two groups. The TCM syndrome score did not have a statistically significant difference between the two groups before treatment. After treatment， neither the TCM syndrome score nor the response rate had significant difference between the two groups. With the extension of the treatment time， both groups showed amelioration of TCM syndrome compared with the baseline. ConclusionTangning Tongluo tablets are safe and effective in the treatment of nonproliferative DR， being capable of improving vision and reducing hemorrhage and exudation in the fundus.

In this experiment, self-assembled nanoparticles(SANs) were prepared by the pH-driven method, and Her-HCP SAN was constructed by using herpetrione(Her) and Herpetospermum caudigerum polysaccharides(HCPs). The average particle size and polydispersity index(PDI) were used as evaluation indexes for process optimization, and the quality of the final formulation was evaluated in terms of particle size, PDI, Zeta potential, and microstructure. The proposed Her-HCP SAN showed a spheroid structure and uniform morphology, with an average particle size of(244.58±16.84) nm, a PDI of 0.147 1±0.014 8, and a Zeta potential of(-38.52±2.11) mV. Her-HCP SAN significantly increased the saturation solubility of Her by 2.69 times, with a cumulative release of 90.18% within eight hours. The results of in vivo unidirectional intestinal perfusion reveal that Her active pharmaceutical ingredient(API) is most effectively absorbed in the jejunum, where both K_a and P_(app) are significantly higher compared to the ileum(P<0.001). However, the addition of HCP leads to a significant reduction in the P_(app) of Her in the jejunum(P<0.05). Furthermore, the formation of the Her-HCP SAN results in a notably lower P_(app) in the jejunum compared to Her API alone(P<0.001), while both K_a and P_(app) in the ileum are significantly increased(P<0.001, P<0.05). The absorption of Her-HCP SAN at different concentrations in the ileum shows no significant differences, and the pH has no significant effect on the absorption of Her-HCP SAN in the ileum. The addition of the transporter protein inhibitors(indomethacin and rifampicin) significantly increases the absorption parameters K_a and P_(app) of Her-HCP SAN in the ileum(P<0.05,P<0.01), whereas the addition of verapamil has no significant effect on the intestinal absorption parameters of Her-HCP SAN, suggesting that Her may be a substrate for multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 and breast cancer resistance proteins but not a substrate of P-glycoprotein.
Nanoparticles/metabolism* ; Polysaccharides/pharmacokinetics* ; Intestinal Absorption/drug effects* ; Animals ; Rats ; Particle Size ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacokinetics* ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Drug Carriers/chemistry* ; Drug Compounding ; Cucurbitaceae/chemistry*

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Yangxin Tongmai Formula （养心通脉方） by midnight-noon ebb-flow administration method for rat models of premature coronary heart disease （PCHD） with blood stasis syndrome， and to explore the possible mechanism of action from the perspective of DNA methylation differential gene expression. MethodsThere were 3 SD rats in each of the blank group， model group and Yangxin Tongmai Formula group， and the rats in the model group and Yangxin Tongmai Formula group were fed with high-fat chow plus vitamin D3 by gavage plus isoproterenol hydrochloride by subcutaneous injection to construct rat models of PCHD with blood stasis syndrome. After successful modelling， rats in Yangxin Tongmai Formula group were gavaged with 18 g/（kg‧d） of Yangxin Tongmai Formula， and rats in blank group and the model group were gavaged with 4 ml/（kg‧d） of 0.9% NaCl solution， and serum samples of rats in each group were collected for DNA methylation sequencing after 3 weeks to screen for the relevant DNA methylation differentiation genes. In addition， rats with successful modelling of PCHD with blood stasis were randomly divided into model group， Yangxin Tongmai Formula with midnight-noon ebb-flow administration method group ［18 g/（kg‧d） of Yangxin Tongmai Formula was gavaged twice in the heart channel period （12：00） and pericardium channel period （20：00）］， the Yangxin Tongmai Formula control group ［18 g/（kg‧d） of Yangxin Tongmai Formula was gavaged twice at 8：00 and 18：00］ and the Atorvastatin Calcium group ［atorvastatin calcium tablets solution 1.8 mg/（kg‧d） at the same intervention time as that in Yangxin Tongmai Formula control group］， and set up a blank group of 8 rats in each group. The model group and blank group were gavaged with 0.9% NaCl solution 4 ml/（kg‧d） for the same time as the Yangxin Tongmai Formula control group. After 3 weeks of gavage， the blood lipids ［including total cholesterol （TC）， low-density lipoprotein （LDL）， high-density lipoprotein （HDL）］ levels of rats in each group were detected； the HE staining of myocardial tissues and thoracic aorta was used to observe the pathomorphological changes； the levels of serum inflammation indexes ［tumour necrosis factor alpha （TNF-alpha）， lipopolysaccharide （LPS）， and interleukin 10 （IL-10）］ were detected； immunoprecipitation-realtime fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the relative expression of cardiac tissue screening differential genes. ResultsThe genes screened for differentially methylated regions were calmodulin 2 （Calm2）， calcium voltage-gated channel subunit α1s （Cacna1s）， and phospholipase Cβ1 （Plcb1）. Compared with the blank group， rats in the model group showed elevated levels of TC， LDL， TNF-α and LPS， and decreased levels of HDL and IL-10 （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）； HE staining showed obvious swelling of myocardial fibres， accompanied by a large number of inflammatory cell infiltration， and thickening of the inner wall of the aortic vessels with internal wall damage， which was visible as a large number of lipid cholesterol crystals and obvious inflammatory cell infiltration. Compared with the model group， the TC， LDL， TNF-α and LPS contents of rats in the Yangxin Tongmai Formula with midnight-noon ebb-flow administration method group， the Yangxin Tongmai Formula control group， and the atorvastatin calcium group all reduced， and the contents of HDL and IL-10 all elevated （P＜0.05）， with the improvement of myocardial tissue damage and the reduction of inflammatory infiltration， and the improvement of the damage of the inner lining of the thoracic aorta and the reduction of lipid infiltration. Compared with Yangxin Tongmai Formula control group， LDL， TNF-α and LPS contents reduced， and IL-10 contents increased in the midnight-noon ebb-flow administration method group （P＜0.05）. Compared with the model group， the relative expression of Calm2 and Plcb1 genes decreased and the relative expression of Cacna1s gene increased in Yangxin Tongmai Formula control group and the midnight-noon ebb-flow administration method group （P＜0.05）； compared with the Yangxin Tongmai Formula control group， the relative expression of Calm2 gene decreased and the relative expression of Cacna1s gene increased in the midnight-noon ebb-flow administration method group （P＜0.05）. ConclusionThe intervention of Yangxin Tongmai Formula in the heart channel period （12：00） and pericardium channel period （20：00） was more effective in improving the blood lipid level， inhibiting inflammation， and improving myocardial tissue damage in rats of PCHD with blood stasis syndrome， and Calm2 and Cacna1s genes may be the key targets of Yangxin Tongmai Formula in intervening the blood stasis syndrome of PCHD.

Objective To investigate plasma protein expression changes in heatstroke patients using proteomics technology and to identify reliable prognostic biomarkers.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 20 heatstroke patients hospitalized at the 908th Hospital of the Chinese PLA Joint Logistics Support Force from July 2022 to February 2024.Patients were divided into survival(n=16)and death groups(n=4)based on 28-day outcomes.Fasting venous blood samples were collected from both groups for proteomic analysis.Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS)was used to identify and screen differentially expressed proteins.Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)and Gene Ontology(GO)enrichment analyses were performed.LASSO regression was applied to screen key prognostic biomarkers,and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis was used to evaluate their predictive value.Results A total of 27 upregulated and 90 downregulated proteins were identified between the two groups.These proteins were primarily involved in biological processes such as immune responses,complement activation,and metabolic processes.LASSO regression analysis indicated that actin-related protein 2(ARP2),cysteine-rich scavenger receptor type 1 M130(CD163),and catalase(CAT)could serve as effective biomarkers for evaluating heatstroke prognosis.ROC curve analysis demonstrated that ARP2 had higher diagnostic efficacy(AUC=0.98,sensitivity=0.80,specificity=1.00)compared to CD163(AUC=0.94,sensitivity=0.76,specificity=1.00),CAT(AUC=0.96,sensitivity=0.67,specificity=1.00),and acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ(APACHE Ⅱ)score(AUC=0.79,sensitivity=0.44,specificity=1.00).Conclusion Elevated plasma ARP2 level has good clinical value for predicting poor prognosis in heatstroke patients.

Drug-induced liver injury(DILI)is a common adverse drug reaction in clinical practice,which can lead to acute liver failure and even death in severe cases.In recent years,with the continuous introduction of new drugs and the expansion of their usage,the incidence and mortality rates of DILI have shown an upward trend,posing significant challenges to public health and clinical treatment.Macrophages,as a crucial component of the innate immune system,exhibit high plasticity and heterogeneity.They can polarize into pro-inflammatory M1 type or anti-inflammatory M2 type in response to microenvironmental signals.Research has demonstrated that macrophage polarization plays a central regulatory role in the occurrence and progression of DILI by influencing various processes such as inflammatory responses,cell apoptosis,and tissue repair.This review focuses on elucidating the regulatory mechanisms and roles of macrophage polarization in DILI,providing a theoretical framework for developing precise immunotherapeutic strategies.