ObjectiveTo explore the therapeutic effect of Xuebijing injection （XBJ） on severe acute pancreatitis induced acute lung injury （SAP-ALI） by regulating formyl peptide receptors （FPRs）/nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor 3 （NLRP3） inflammatory pathway. MethodsSixty rats were randomly divided into a sham group， a SAP-ALI model group， low-， medium-， and high-dose XBJ groups （4， 8， and 12 mL·kg^-1）， and a positive drug （BOC2， 0.2 mg·kg^-1） group. For the sham group， the pancreas of rats was only gently flipped after laparotomy， and then the abdomen was closed， while for the remaining five groups， SAP-ALI rat models were established by retrograde injection of 5% sodium taurocholate （Na-Tc） via the biliopancreatic duct. XBJ and BOC2 were administered via intraperitoneal injection once daily for 3 d prior to modeling and 0.5 h after modeling. Blood was collected from the abdominal aorta 6 h after the completion of modeling， and the expression of interleukin （IL）-1β， IL-6， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in plasma was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The amount of ascites was measured， and the dry-wet weight ratios of pancreatic and lung tissue were determined. Pancreatic and lung tissue was taken for hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining to observe pathological changes and then scored. The protein expression levels of FPR1， FPR2， and NLRP3 in lung tissue were detected by the immunohistochemical method. Western blot was used to detect the expression of FPR1， FPR2， and NLRP3 in lung tissue. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the mRNA expression of FPR1， FPR2， and NLRP3 in lung tissue. ResultsCompared with the sham group， the SAP-ALI model group showed significantly decreased dry-wet weight ratio of lung tissue （P<0.01）， serious pathological changes of lung tissue， a significantly increased pathological score （P<0.01）， and significantly increased protein and mRNA expression levels of FPR1， FPR2， and NLRP3 in lung tissue （P<0.01）. After BOC2 intervention， the above detection indicators were significantly reversed （P<0.01）. After treatment with XBJ， the groups of different XBJ doses achieved results consistent with BOC2 intervention. ConclusionXBJ can effectively improve the inflammatory response of the lungs in SAP-ALI rats and reduce damage. The mechanism may be related to inhibiting the expression of FPRs and NLRP3 in lung tissue， which thereby reduces IL-1β and simultaneously antagonize the release of inflammatory factors IL-6 and TNF-α.

Atopic dermatitis （AD） is a common pruritic and chronic inflammatory dermatosis in clinical practice and is one of the diseases responding specifically to traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）. With the launch of biological agents and small molecule drugs and the development and implementation of guidelines of diagnosis and treatment， clinical pathways of treatment of moderate to severe AD， and consensus on the whole-process management of AD， the clinical efficacy of moderate to severe AD has been significantly improved. However， there are still many unmet clinical needs that require more effective methods to meet. In response to the Opinions of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on Facilitating the Inheritance， Innovation， and Development of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the spirit of the National Conference on TCM， the China Association of Chinese Medicine organized more than 20 experts in TCM dermatology， Western medicine dermatology， interdisciplinary fields， and industries to discuss the difficulties and advantages of TCM in the treatment of AD. TCM treatment for AD can not only improve rash and relieve itching but also solve many concomitant syndromes. The abundant external treatment methods of TCM have advantages for different special populations and rash characteristics. The concept of treating disease before its onset in TCM is in line with the chronic disease management mode of prevention and treatment of atopic march and prevention of recurrence. In addition， TCM therapy can reduce the use of topical glucocorticoids and has good safety. Regarding the comorbidity of AD， equal emphasis on TCM and Western medicine and multidisciplinary joint treatment should be advocated to achieve maximum benefit for patients. The exchange of TCM and Western medicine has clarified the positioning and advantages of TCM intervention in AD， providing guidance for clinical and scientific research.

Objective: To investigate the effect of neurite outgrowth inhibitor extracellular peptide residues 1-40 (NEP1-40) combined with poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and gelatin electrospun fiber membrane on facial nerve repair in rats. Methods: According to the principle of random grouping, 108 male SD rats were divided into four groups (n = 27 in each group, approved by the ethics committee), namely, the sham group, control group, PLGA group, and NEP1-40 + PLGA group. A facial nerve fracture model was established for all of the groups except for the sham group. The control group received no further treatment, the PLGA group and the NEP1-40+PLGA group were supported by PLGA membrane, and the NEP1-40+PLGA group received one immediate local injection of NEP1-40 (5 μg/μL) at a dose of 10 μL. Facial nerve function analysis, electrophysiological examination, transmission electron microscope observation, HE staining, and immunohistochemical staining of myelin marker S100β and axonal marker β3-tubulin were used to evaluate the recovery of injured facial nerves of rats at 2, 4 and 8 weeks. Results : At 8 weeks, the facial nerve function score of the NEP1-40+PLGA group was better than that of the control group and PLGA group (P < 0.001), and facial nerve function was significantly restored. Electrophysiological examination of nerve action potentials at the injured facial nerve showed that the amplitude in the NEP1-40+PLGA group was higher than that of the control group and PLGA group (P < 0.001), but there was no significant difference in latency and conduction velocity results between the groups (P > 0.05). At 2, 4, and 8 weeks, transmission electron microscopy showed that the number of myelinated nerve fibers and myelin sheath thickness in the cross-section of the injured facial nerve in the NEP1-40+PLGA group were greater than those in the other groups (P < 0.05). At 8 weeks, HE staining showed that the facial nerves in the control group had partially recovered, but the overall cell distribution was uneven and the boundary with surrounding tissues was slightly blurred. In contrast, the NEP1-40+PLGA group had a relatively uniform cell distribution and a clearer boundary with surrounding tissues. At 2, 4, and 8 weeks, the immunohistochemical results showed that in the cross-section of the injuried facial nerve, NEP1-40 increased the expression of neural markers S100 β and β3-tubulin, especially β3-tubulin, which was close to normal levels (P > 0.05) Conclusion NEP1-40 is beneficial for the generation of new myelin sheaths and axons at the site of injury, and it can promote the repair and regeneration of injured facial nerves to a certain extent, thus accelerating the recovery of injured nerve function.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of different fermentation methods and times on the fungal flora and chemical composition of Aurantii Fructus， in order to obtain the optimal fermentation conditions and flora structure， and to ensure the stability and controllability of the fermented varieties. MethodsScanning electron microscopy was used to observe and analyze the colony characteristics on the surface of Aurantii Fructus under different fermentation conditions. Internal transcribed spacer 2（ITS2） high-throughput sequencing， combined with fungal community diversity analysis and fungal community structure analysis， were used to obtain the fungal flora microbial categories of Aurantii Fructus under the conditions of traditional pressure-shelf fermentation and non-pressure-shelf natural fermentation for 7， 14， 21 d（numbered Y1-Y3 for the former， and numbered F1-F3 for the latter）， respectively. At the same time， the chemical components in the fermentation process were detected by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry（UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS）， combined with principal component analysis（PCA）， partial least squares-discriminant analysis（PLS-DA） and compound retention time， parent ions， characteristic fragment ions and other information， the differential compounds between the different fermentation samples were screened and identified. ResultsThe analysis of fungal community diversity showed that the dominant flora did not change at different fermentation time points in the traditional pressure-shelf fermentation method， while in the non-pressure-shelf natural fermentation method， there was a significant difference with the fermentation process， and at the genus level， the dominant genus of samples Y1， Y2， Y3 and F2 was Aspergillus， while the dominant genera of samples F1 and F3 were both Rhizopus. This indicated that the microbial growth environment provided by the traditional fermentation method was more stable， and the microbial community structure was more stable， which was more conducive to the stable and controllable fermentation process and fermented products. A total of 155 compounds were identified by compositional analysis， including 70 flavonoids， 38 coumarins， 10 alkaloids， 34 organic acids and 3 other compounds. After fermentation， two new components of ribalinine and pranferin were produced. Different fermentation conditions also brought about differences in chemical composition， multivariate statistical analysis obtained 26 differential compounds under two different fermentation methods， mainly including flavonoids， organic acids and coumarins. Comprehensively， the microbial community structure of samples fermented by the traditional pressure-shelf method of Aurantii Fructus for 14 d was stable， the species richness was high and the overall content of differential compounds was high， which was the optimal processing condition. ConclusionCompared with non-pressure-shelf natural fermentation， the traditional method has obvious advantages in terms of the stability of the microbial community structure and the content of chemical compounds， and the optimal condition is 14 days of fermentation. This study is helpful to promote the quality stability and fermentation bioavailability of fermented products of Aurantii Fructus， as well as to provide an experimental basis for the further improvement of the quality control methods of this variety.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of different fermentation methods and times on the fungal flora and chemical composition of Aurantii Fructus， in order to obtain the optimal fermentation conditions and flora structure， and to ensure the stability and controllability of the fermented varieties. MethodsScanning electron microscopy was used to observe and analyze the colony characteristics on the surface of Aurantii Fructus under different fermentation conditions. Internal transcribed spacer 2（ITS2） high-throughput sequencing， combined with fungal community diversity analysis and fungal community structure analysis， were used to obtain the fungal flora microbial categories of Aurantii Fructus under the conditions of traditional pressure-shelf fermentation and non-pressure-shelf natural fermentation for 7， 14， 21 d（numbered Y1-Y3 for the former， and numbered F1-F3 for the latter）， respectively. At the same time， the chemical components in the fermentation process were detected by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry（UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS）， combined with principal component analysis（PCA）， partial least squares-discriminant analysis（PLS-DA） and compound retention time， parent ions， characteristic fragment ions and other information， the differential compounds between the different fermentation samples were screened and identified. ResultsThe analysis of fungal community diversity showed that the dominant flora did not change at different fermentation time points in the traditional pressure-shelf fermentation method， while in the non-pressure-shelf natural fermentation method， there was a significant difference with the fermentation process， and at the genus level， the dominant genus of samples Y1， Y2， Y3 and F2 was Aspergillus， while the dominant genera of samples F1 and F3 were both Rhizopus. This indicated that the microbial growth environment provided by the traditional fermentation method was more stable， and the microbial community structure was more stable， which was more conducive to the stable and controllable fermentation process and fermented products. A total of 155 compounds were identified by compositional analysis， including 70 flavonoids， 38 coumarins， 10 alkaloids， 34 organic acids and 3 other compounds. After fermentation， two new components of ribalinine and pranferin were produced. Different fermentation conditions also brought about differences in chemical composition， multivariate statistical analysis obtained 26 differential compounds under two different fermentation methods， mainly including flavonoids， organic acids and coumarins. Comprehensively， the microbial community structure of samples fermented by the traditional pressure-shelf method of Aurantii Fructus for 14 d was stable， the species richness was high and the overall content of differential compounds was high， which was the optimal processing condition. ConclusionCompared with non-pressure-shelf natural fermentation， the traditional method has obvious advantages in terms of the stability of the microbial community structure and the content of chemical compounds， and the optimal condition is 14 days of fermentation. This study is helpful to promote the quality stability and fermentation bioavailability of fermented products of Aurantii Fructus， as well as to provide an experimental basis for the further improvement of the quality control methods of this variety.

ObjectiveTo observe ovarian microvascular damage in rats with cold coagulation and blood stasis syndrome and to explore the mechanism by which Liangfang Wenjing decoction improves this condition in rats. MethodsFifty SPF female SD rats were randomly divided into a blank group， a model group， low-dose （8.1 g·kg^-1） and high-dose groups （16.2 g·kg^-1） of Liangfang Wenjing decoction， and a 4-phenylbutyric acid （0.1 g·kg^-1） group， with 10 rats in each group. The ice-water bath method was employed to establish the rat model of cold coagulation and blood stasis syndrome. Concurrent with modeling， Liangfang Wenjing decoction was administered continuously for 21 days， once daily. The rats' syndrome manifestations and estrous cycles were recorded. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect serum reproductive hormone levels and levels of endothelin-1 （ET-1）， nitric oxide （NO）， thrombomodulin （TM）， and von Willebrand factor （vWF） in ovarian tissue. Prothrombin time （PT）， activated partial thromboplastin time （APTT）， thrombin time （TT）， and fibrinogen （FIB） were measured. The ovarian microcirculatory blood perfusion was detected by laser speckle contrast imaging. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was performed to observe the ovarian histopathology， flow cytometry to detect ovarian apoptosis rate， and transmission electron microscopy to observe the ultrastructure of ovarian microvascular endothelial cells. Western blot was employed to detect the protein expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase （eNOS）， phosphorylated eNOS （p-eNOS）， Caspase-3， B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax）， glucose-regulated protein 78 （GRP78）， C/EBP homologous protein （CHOP）， inositol-requiring enzyme1α （IRE1α）， p-IRE1α， apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 （ASK1）， p-ASK1， c-Jun N-terminal kinase （JNK）， and p-JNK. Immunofluorescence was used to detect ovarian Bax and Bcl-2 expression in microvascular endothelial cells. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the model group showed signs of cold coagulation and blood stasis syndrome， prolonged estrus cycles， and reproductive hormone disorders. Histopathological results revealed a decrease in follicle counts at all stages and disorganized granulosa cell arrangement. Ovarian microcirculatory perfusion was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. PT， APTT， and TT were reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while FIB levels were increased （P<0.05）. In ovarian tissue， NO content was decreased， while ET-1， vWF， and TM levels were increased significantly （P<0.01）. The apoptosis rate of ovarian cells was markedly increased （P<0.01）. Furthermore， p-eNOS/eNOS and Bcl-2 were decreased （P<0.05）， whereas Bax， cleaved-Caspase-3/Caspase-3， GRP78， CHOP， p-IRE1α/IRE1α， p-ASK1/ASK1， and p-JNK/JNK expression showed significant increases （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， Liangfang Wenjing decoction intervention alleviated the symptoms of cold coagulation and blood stasis， gradually restored the estrus cycle， and improved ovarian histopathology and endothelial cell ultrastructure. Microcirculatory blood perfusion was significantly elevated （P<0.05）. NO content in ovarian tissue was elevated， while ET-1， vWF， and TM levels were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The p-eNOS/eNOS ratio and Bcl-2 expression were significantly elevated （P<0.05）， while the expression of Bax， cleaved-Caspase-3/Caspase-3， GRP78， CHOP， p-IRE1α/IRE1α， p-ASK1/ASK1， and p-JNK/JNK was significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionLiangfang Wenjing decoction may regulate the IRE1α/ASK1/JNK signaling pathway to inhibit endoplasmic reticulum stress， attenuate apoptosis， and improve microvascular endothelial injury in ovaries of rats with cold coagulation and blood stasis syndrome.

Objective To establish a prediction model for the occurrence of non-occupational carbon monoxide poisoning events in Beijing, and to provide scientific basis and theoretical support for the prevention and warning of poisoning events. Methods Based on the monitoring data of non-occupational carbon monoxide poisoning events in Beijing from 2016 to 2024, the seasonal ARIMA model and seasonal index model were established to analyze the data and predict the occurrence of events. Results Between 2016 and 2024, a total of 436 cases of non-occupational carbon monoxide poisoning were reported in Beijing, showing a downward trend. The established SARIMA model and seasonal index model were SARIMA (1,0,0) (1,1,0) 12, Yt = (-0.0339t+5.8863) × St, and the average relative errors were 65.42% and 29.19%, respectively. In terms of months, the SARIMA model had better predictive performance during April and summer (June to August), while the seasonal index model was superior in other months. By combining the two models, the predicted number of events in 2025 was as follows: 3, 2, 2, 3, 1, 5, 2, 7, 1, 1, 1, and 2. Conclusion The seasonal index model has the best prediction effect on the non-occupational carbon monoxide poisoning events in Beijing throughout the year, and the number of summer events predicted by SARIMA model is closer to the actual values. The two models can be combined to predict the trend of non-occupational carbon monoxide poisoning, which provides a scientific basis for the prevention and control of carbon monoxide poisoning in the future.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) at neuro-arterial stimulation points with topical western medication in treating post-stroke shoulder-hand syndrome (SHS). METHODS: A total of 72 patients with post-stroke SHS were randomly assigned to an observation group (n=36, 2 cases dropped out) and a control group (n=36, 3 cases dropped out). Both groups received standard neurological treatment, comprehensive rehabilitation, and physical therapy. The observation group received EA at neuro-arterial stimulation points, including the ipsilateral stellate ganglion point, vagus nerve trunk and auricular branch (left side), and stimulation points of the radial and ulnar arteries, radial nerve, ulnar nerve, and median nerve, once daily for 4 weeks. The control group was treated with topical diclofenac diethylamine emulgel, and mucopolysaccharide polysulfate cream was added for patients with pronounced early-stage edema, twice a day for 4 weeks. The VAS pain score and hand edema volume were recorded before treatment, at 2 and 4 weeks during treatment, and 2 weeks after treatment completion (follow-up). Musculoskeletal ultrasound was used to measure the thickness of the dorsal hand and middle finger skin on the affected side before and after 4 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: Compared before treatment, the VAS pain scores and edema volume of the affected hand in both groups were decreased at week 2, week 4, and follow-up (P<0.05). At week 4, both groups showed lower VAS pain scores and edema volume than those at week 2 (P<0.05); during follow-up, both VAS pain scores and edema volume were further reduced compared to those at week 4 (P<0.05). At week 2, week 4, and follow-up, the VAS scores and edema volume of the affected hand in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). Compared before treatment, the dorsal hand skin thickness and middle finger skin thickness on the affected side were decreased in both groups after 4 weeks of treatment (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the observation group showed thinner dorsal hand and middle finger skin thickness after 4 weeks of treatment (P<0.05). CONCLUSION EA at neuro-arterial stimulation points effectively alleviates pain and edema in patients with post-stroke SHS, and demonstrates superior efficacy compared to topical western medication.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Electroacupuncture ; Aged ; Stroke/complications* ; Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy/physiopathology* ; Treatment Outcome ; Hand

OBJECTIVE: To explore the predictive efficacy of the early lactic acid/albumin ratio (LAR) for the occurrence of acute skin failure (ASF) in patients with sepsis. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted to collect the clinical data of 115 patients with sepsis admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University from June 2022 to March 2024. The patients' gender, age, length of ICU stay, past medical history, and severity scores, use of mechanical ventilation or vasoactive drugs, albumin (Alb), lactic acid (Lac), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and blood gas analysis indicators within 24 hours of ICU admission were collected, and LAR was calculated. The patients were divided into two groups based on whether they developed ASF, and the clinical data between the two groups were compared. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to screen the risk factors for the occurrence of ASF in patients with sepsis. The receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) was drawn to analyze the predictive value of LAR for the occurrence of ASF in patients with sepsis. RESULTS: A total of 115 patients with sepsis were enrolled in the final analysis, among whom 35 developed ASF and 80 did not. The incidence of ASF was 30.43%. Univariate analysis showed that compared with the non-ASF group, the ASF group had higher acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) score, proportion of using vasoactive drugs, Lac, and LAR as well as lower Alb and MAP, with statistically significant differences. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was conducted on the factors with statistical significance in the univariate analysis, and the results showed that Alb [odds ratio (OR) = 0.639, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was 0.474-0.862, P = 0.003], Lac (OR = 17.228, 95%CI was 1.517-195.641, P = 0.022), MAP (OR = 0.905, 95%CI was 0.855-0.959, P = 0.001), and LAR (OR < 0.001, 95%CI was < 0.001-0.005, P = 0.033) were independent risk factors for the occurrence of ASF in patients with sepsis. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of LAR for predicting the occurrence of ASF in patients with sepsis was 0.867 (95%CI was 0.792-0.943), which was superior to Alb, Lac, and MAP [AUC (95%CI) was 0.739 (0.648-0.829), 0.844 (0.760-0.929), and 0.860 (0.783-0.937), respectively]. When the optimal cut-off value of LAR was 0.11, the sensitivity was 65.7%, the specificity was 96.3%, and the Youden index was 0.620. Patients were grouped based on the optimal cut-off value of LAR, and the results showed that the incidence of ASF in the LAR > 0.11 group was significantly higher than that in the LAR ≤ 0.11 group [88.89% (24/27) vs. 12.50% (11/88), P < 0.05]. CONCLUSIONS LAR has early predictive value for the occurrence of ASF in patients with sepsis, and its efficacy is superior to that of Lac or Alb alone.
Humans ; Sepsis/blood* ; Retrospective Studies ; Lactic Acid/blood* ; Male ; Female ; Intensive Care Units ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Serum Albumin/analysis* ; ROC Curve ; Aged

Membrane vesicles (MVs) are non-replicating spherical nanoparticles produced by bacteria. The MVs actively released from Gram-negative bacteria are termed outer membrane vesicles (OMVs). OMVs carry various biomolecules, such as lipopolysaccharides, peptidoglycans, proteins, and nucleic acids for material exchange between cells and perform component-dependent physiological functions. In recent years, OMVs have been developed into various biological products, such as vaccines, adjuvants, drug delivery carriers, and cancer immunotherapy agents because of their unique structures and functions. This review describes the biogenesis, composition, and physiological functions of OMVs of Gram-negative bacteria, summarizes the recent research progress of OMVs in product development and cell modifications or engineering, highlights new methods for OMV preparation and characterization, and provides an outlook on the future research directions, with the aim to provide a good reference for study and development of the application of OMVs in the biomedical field.
Gram-Negative Bacteria/metabolism* ; Bacterial Outer Membrane/metabolism* ; Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins/metabolism* ; Lipopolysaccharides/metabolism*