ObjectiveTo establish fingerprint profiles and a quantitative determination method for Lycii Cortex， providing a scientific basis for the formulation of quality standards for Lycii Cortex and its roasted products. MethodsHigh performance liquid chromatography（HPLC） was developed for the quantitative method for determining kukoamine B in Lycii Cortex and its roasted products on an Alphasil XD-C₁₈ CH column（4.6 mm×250 mm， 5 μm）. HPLC fingerprint profiles were established for 10 batches of Lycii Cortex and its roasted products， and ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry（UPLC-Q-TOF-MS） was used to identify the common peaks based on reference standards， literature and MS information. Quality evaluation indicators included yield of decoction pieces， appearance properties， content of kukoamine B， and fingerprint profiles. The temperature and time of the roasting process were investigated to select the optimal preparation process， which was then verified. Additionally， chemical pattern recognition was combined to assess the differences in the chemical composition of Lycii Cortex before and after roasting， as well as among samples from different origins. ResultsQuantitative analysis indicated that the contents of kukoamine B in Lycii Cortex and its roasted products were 0.35%-5.51% and 0.24%-4.15%， respectively. The transfer rate of kukoamine B was 58.6%-78.9% after roasting. The fingerprint profile analysis demonstrated that the method established in this study effectively separated kukoamine B from other components in the samples and distinctly differentiated it from its impurity peak， cis-N-caffeoylputrescine. The HPLC fingerprint profiles of Lycii Cortex and its roasted products showed high similarity（all above 0.95）， with 7 common peaks identified and five common components， including kukoamine B， cis-N-caffeoylputrescine， N-coumaroyl tyramine， feruloyltyramine， and glucosyringic acid， confirmed. Process optimization confirmed that baking at 110 ℃ for 20 min was a stable and feasible method for roasting Lycii Cortex. Principal component analysis and cluster analysis showed that there was little difference in the chemical composition between raw and roasted Lycii Cortex， but the quality of Lycii Cortex from different origins differed greatly. ConclusionThis study successfully established the fingerprint profiles and a quantitative method for the effective component kukoamine B in Lycii Cortex and roasted Lycii Cortex. The qualitative and quantitative analyses clarified that the impact of the roasting process on the chemical composition of Lycii Cortex was less significant than the variations due to its geographical origin. The findings of this study offer a reference for the development of quality evaluation methods and the establishment of quality standards for Lycii Cortex and its processed products.

ObjectiveTo explore psychological experiences and care needs of elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) following dysphagia. MethodsFrom April to June, 2024, 13 elderly patients with COPD and dysphagia received treatment in Yixing No. 2 People's Hospital (Yixing Occupational Disease Institute) and Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital were interviewed. Nvivo 11.0 and content analysis were employed to analyze and summarize themes. ResultsTwo main themes were identified. The psychological experiences included fear of eating due to swallowing and choking, swallowing anxiety in social situations, concerns about malnutrition, and emotional loss related to family. The care needs included improvement in swallowing function, adjustment of food texture, assistance with disease adaptation and effective access to health education information. ConclusionHealthcare professionals should thoroughly understand the psychological and needs of elderly patients with COPD-related dysphagia, and comprehensive nursing strategies should be developed and implemented to improve swallowing function and overall quality of life.

Computational analysis can accurately detect drug-gene interactions(DGIs)cost-effectively.However,transductive learning models are the hotspot to reveal the promising performance for unknown DGIs(both drugs and genes are present in the training model),without special attention to the unseen DGIs(both drugs and genes are absent in the training model).In view of this,this study,for the first time,proposed an inductive learning-based model for the precise identification of unseen DGIs.In our study,by integrating disease nodes to avoid data sparsity,a multi-relational drug-disease-gene(DDG)graph was constructed to achieve effective fusion of data on DDG intro-relationships and inter-actions.Following the extraction of graph features by utilizing graph embedding algorithms,our next step was the retrieval of the attributes of individual gene and drug nodes.In this way,a hybrid feature charac-terization was represented by integrating graph features and node attributes.Machine learning(ML)models were built,enabling the fulfillment of transductive predictions of unknown DGIs.To realize inductive learning,this study generated an innovative idea of transforming known node vectors derived from the DDG graph into representations of unseen nodes using node similarities as weights,enabling inductive predictions for the unseen DGIs.Consequently,the final model was superior to existing models,with significant improvement in predicting both external unknown and unseen DGIs.The practical feasibility of our model was further confirmed through case study and molecular docking.In summary,this study establishes an efficient data-driven approach through the proposed modeling,suggesting its value as a promising tool for accelerating drug discovery and repurposing.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic mechanism of Danzhi Jiangtang Capsule(DZJTC)for repairing renal vascular endothelial injury in rats with diabetic nephropathy(DN).Methods Fifty male SD rat models of DN,established by left nephrectomy,high-sugar and high-fat diet and streptozotocin injection,were randomized into DN model group,low-,medium-,and high-dose DZJTC treatment groups,and DAPT(a γ-secretase inhibitor)treatment group,with 10 rats with normal feeding as the control group.DZJTC was administered by daily gavage at 0.315,0.63,or 1.26 g/kg,and DAPT(20 mg/kg,dissolved in 50%CMC-Na solution)was given by gavage every other day for 4 weeks;normal saline was given in the control and model groups.After treatment,the levels of creatinine(CRE),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),and microalbuminuria(mALB)were detected with ELISA,and renal pathologies were observed by transmission electron microscopy.Renal expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)and endothelin-1(ET-1)were measured by immunohistochemistry,and the protein expressions of CD31 and Notch signaling pathway components were detected using Western blotting.Results The rat models of DN showed significantly increased CRE,BUN,and mALB levels,obvious renal pathologies under electron microscopy,increased renal VEGF,ET-1 and CD31 expressions,and upregulated Notch1,NICD,and MAML1 protein levels.Treatment with DZJTC at the 3 doses and DAPT significantly reduced CRE,BUN,and mALB levels,improved renal pathology,decreased VEGF,ET-1 and CD31 expressions,and lowered Notch1,NICD and MAML1 levels,and the effects were the most pronounced with high-dose DZJTC.Conclusion DZJTC ameliorates hyperproliferation and dysfunction of renal vascular endothelium in DN rats possibly by regulating renal VEGF and ET-1 levels via inhibiting NICD-and MAML1-mediated Notch signaling pathway.

Objective:To explore the role and mechanism of serum response factor (SRF) and lncRNA FGD5-AS1 in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD).Methods:The plasma and tissue wax of LUAD patients treated in Tangshan People's Hospital from 2020 to 2022 and the plasma of healthy people were collected. The expression of SRF in LUAD tissues and cells, and the expression of lncRNA FGD5-AS1 in LUAD tissues, plasma and cells were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The expression levels of SRF and lncRNA FGD5-AS1 in LUAD tissue microarray were detected by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. LUAD cells A549, H1299 and H1975 were cultured in vitro and divided into si-NC and si-SRF groups, si-NC and si-lncRNA FGD5-AS1 groups, pcDNA3.1 and lncRNA FGD5-AS1 groups, si-NC+pcDNA3.1/si-SRF+pcDNA3.1/si-SRF+lncRNA FGD5-AS1 groups. The effects of the above groups on the proliferation, invasion and migration of LUAD cells were detected by CCK-8, cloning formation, EdU, Transwell and scratch test. The JASPAR database was used to predict the downstream lncRNA FGD5-AS1 that can be regulated by SRF; double luciferase experiment, chromatin Immunoprecipitation (CHIP) and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) experiment were used to verify the regulatory effect between SRF and lncRNA FGD5-AS1, and the subcutaneous tumorigenesis experiment in nude mice was used to detect the effects of cells that stably knock down SRF and stably overexpress lncRNA FGD5-AS1 on the growth of transplanted tumors. Results:The results of immunohistochemistry showed that the mean optical density of SRF in LUAD tissues (1.49±0.33) was higher than that in adjacent tissues (1.00±0.00, P＜0.001). The expression level of SRF in paraffin tissues of LUAD patients was higher than that in normal tissues adjacent to cancer ( P=0.037). CCK-8, cloning, scratch and Transwell experiments showed that knockdown SRF could inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion of A549 and H1299 cells, respectively. [For A549 cells: The clone formation count, migration count, invasion count, and 48-h migration distance ratio were (233.70±18.50), (808.70±6.11), (489.70±53.00), and 1.00±0.03, respectively, in the si-NC group; and (131.30±22.50), (403.00±9.54), (372.70±26.27), and 2.14±0.09, respectively, in the si-SRF group. For H1299 cells: The clone formation count, migration count, invasion count, and 48-h migration distance ratio were (194.30±20.98), (988.70±64.52), (907.70±67.02), and 1.00±0.05, respectively, in the si-NC group; and (137.70±7.77), (665.70±157.10), (565.70±67.01), and 1.52±0.03, respectively, in the si-SRF group. All comparisons showed statistically significant differences ( P＜0.05)] JASPAR database prediction shows that SRF and lncRNA FGD5-AS1 have binding site. The double luciferase experiment, CHIP and EMSA experiments showed that SRF could regulate lncRNA FGD5-AS1. In situ hybridization showed that the mean optical density of lncRNA FGD5-AS1 in tissue microarray of LUAD patients (1.28±0.31) was higher than that in adjacent tissues (1.00±0.00, P＜0.001). The results of qRT-PCR experiment showed that the expression level of lncRNA FGD5-AS1 in wax tissues of LUAD patients was higher than that in normal tissues adjacent to cancer ( P=0.017). The expression level of lncRNA FGD5-AS1 in plasma of LUAD patients (3.48±2.62) was higher than that of healthy people (1.02±0.03, P＜0.001). CCK-8, cloning, EDU, scratch and Transwell experiments showed that overexpression of lncRNA FGD5-AS1 could promote cell proliferation [For A549 cells: The clone formation count, EdU-positive cell count, invasion count, and 48-h migration distance ratio were (22.67±5.86), (1.00±0.09), (135.70±13.20), and 0.35±0.02, respectively, in the pcDNA3.1 group; and (46.33±9.07), (1.65±0.10), (205.00±13.23), and 0.20±0.01, respectively, in the FGD5-AS1-overexpressing group. All comparisons showed statistically significant differences ( P＜0.05)], migration and invasion and vice versa [For H1975 cells: The clone formation count, EdU-positive cell count, invasion count, and 48-h migration distance ratio were (75.33±4.16), (1.00±0.02), (258.70±45.79), and 0.18±0.01, respectively, in the NC group; and (37.00±4.00), (0.52±0.07), (130.70±9.07), and 0.53±0.04, respectively, in the lncRNA FGD5-AS1 knockdown group (si-lncRNA FGD5-AS1 group). All comparisons showed statistically significant differences ( P＜0.05)]. Overexpression of lncRNA FGD5-AS1 could rescue the effect of knockdown SRF on the proliferation, migration and invasion of A549 and H1299 cells. The results of subcutaneous tumorigenesis experiment in nude mice indicated that the tumorigenicity of LUAD cells stably knockdown SRF was weakened and vice versa. Conclusion:SRF can promote the progress of LUAD by regulating lncRNA FGD5-AS1.

Objective:To analyze the clinical features and genetic sequencing results of a patient with Kallmann syndrome(KS) carrying digenic mutations who initially presented with osteoporosis, and to enhance awareness of this disease phenotype.Methods:Clinical data were collected, and peripheral blood DNA was extracted for whole-exome sequencing. Relevant literature was reviewed to summarize phenotypes associated with digenic/oligogenic variants involving CHD7.Results:The patient exhibited back pain, delayed development of secondary sexual characteristics, and hyposmia. Laboratory tests revealed reduced sex hormones and gonadotropin levels, while pituitary imaging was unremarkable. Bone mineral density imaging confirmed osteoporosis, and thoracolumbar X-rays showed multiple vertebral compression fractures. Genetic analysis identified a heterozygous splice-site mutation in CHD7(c.2698-1G>T) and a heterozygous missense mutation in WDR11(c.439G>A: p.D147N). According to ACMG criteria, the CHD7 mutation was classified as pathogenic, while the WDR11 variant was defined as a variant of uncertain significance(VUS). Literature review indicated that 40% of KS patients with digenic/oligogenic variants involving CHD7 presented with hearing or ocular abnormalities.Conclusion:This study reports a novel CHD7 mutation and a previously undescribed digenic combination of CHD7 and WDR11 variants in a KS patient. CHD7 variants may be implicated in auditory or ocular involvement in KS cases with digenic/oligogenic inheritances. KS patients may also manifest skeletal abnormalities in addition to hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Tailored management of sex hormones and osteoporosis therapies across life stages is essential for optimizing bone health in KS.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and independent risk factors of severe disease in patients with anti-nuclear matrix protein (NXP) 2 antibody-positive juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM).Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted, including 219 anti-NXP2 antibody-positive JDM patients admitted to 23 children′s hospitals across China from July 2011 to July 2023. Patients were classified into severe and non-severe groups based on classification criteria for severe dermatomyositis. Demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, and laboratory parameters were compared between the 2 groups using independent sample t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, or χ2 test. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for severe disease. The receiver operating characteristic curve was employed to calculate optimal cut-off values. Results:Among the 219 patients, 108 were male and 111 were female, with an age at onset of 6.3 (3.5, 9.4) years. The severe group comprised 69 patients, and the non-severe group 150 patients. The severe group had significantly higher rates of fever, heliotrope rash, subcutaneous edema, periorbital edema, anti-Ro52 antibody positivity, as well as elevated levels of ferritin-to-albumin ratio (FAR), creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (all P<0.05). Multivariate analysis identified anti-Ro52 antibody positivity ( OR=13.26, 95% CI 1.37-128.29) and elevated FAR ( OR=1.90, 95% CI 1.09-2.31) as independent risk factors for severe anti-NXP2 antibody-positive JDM (both P<0.05). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that a FAR cutoff value of 6.82 predicted severe disease with an area under the curve of 0.87 (95% CI 0.81-0.94, P<0.001), sensitivity of 0.85, and specificity of 0.70. All patients received glucocorticoid therapy, and the severe group received higher proportions of steroid pulse therapy, cyclophosphamide, mycophenolate mofetil, intravenous immunoglobulin, biologics, and adjuvant treatments compared to the non-severe group (all P<0.05). In terms of outcomes, 2 patients (2.9%) in the severe group died (due to neurological involvement and intestinal perforation, respectively), while the remaining patients achieved complete clinical response or remission. All patients in the non-severe group achieved remission. Conclusions:The primary clinical features of anti-NXP2 antibody-positive JDM included fever, heliotrope rash, subcutaneous edema, periorbital edema, anti-Ro52 antibody positivity, and elevated levels of CK, AST, LDH, and FAR. Furthermore, anti-Ro52 antibody positivity and a FAR>6.82 were identified as independent risk factors.

Objective To prepare a dissolvable microneedle(MN)patch loaded with sodium houttuyfonate(SH)combined with erythromycin(ERY)(SH+ERY-MN patch),to characterize its properties,and to investigate its synergistic anti-acne effects and the mechanisms involved.Methods The SH+ERY-MN patch was prepared by two-step centrifugation.The morphology and skin puncture performance of the microneedles were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy,puncture tests,and other methods.The combined antibacterial effect was assessed using the checkerboard assay.The in vitro anti-inflammatory effect of the SH+ERY-MN patch was evaluated by quantitative PCR(qPCR)and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The therapeutic effect of the SH+ERY-MN patch on acnes in mice was investigated using an animal model.Results The microneedle patch prepared in the study had well-aligned microneedles,excellent needle shape,and good mechanical properties,which could effectively penetrate the skin to reach the superficial dermis.The minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC)of ERY against acne was 1.28 mg/mL.When ERY was combined with SH,the results showed that the fractional inhibitory concentration(FIC)was 0.375,indicating that the medication combination had a synergistic antibacterial effect.In particular,the MIC value of ERY in combination was 1/4 of that of ERY used alone.The results of in vitro qPCR showed that SH+ERY-MN could downregulate the production of interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-18,tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α),inhibitor of κB(I-κB),Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4),NLR family pyrin domain containing 3(NLRP3),and cysteine-aspartic proteases(Caspase-1)induced by Propionibacterium acnes(PA)in cell culture supernatant(P＜0.05).According to the in vivo findings,SH+ERY-MN had a significant anti-acne effect and effectively alleviated cytokine-mediated inflammatory responses.The results of qPCR and ELISA showed that SH+ERY-MN could effectively reduce the levels of IL-1β,IL-18,NLRP3,and Caspase-1 in the serum of the mouse acne inflammation model(P＜0.01),and had good antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects.Conclusion SH+ERY-MN patch was successfully prepared and demonstrated obvious anti-acne effects.The SH+ERY-MN patch enhances the transdermal delivery of SH combined with ERY.It provides an innovative method for acne treatment and creates new possibilities for achieving effective drug delivery and improving therapeutic efficacy.

Objective To investigate the effects of early statin therapy on collateral circulation,responsible vessel improvement,and thromboxane B2(TXB2)/prostaglandin F1(PGF1α)in acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion(AIS-LVO).Methods From May 2021 to May 2023,105 AIS-LVO patients treated with statins within 3 days of admission were selected as the statin group from the Neurology Department of Taiyuan Iron and Steel(Group)General Hospital.Concurrently,105 early AIS-LVO patients not treated with statins were selected as the non-statin group.The study compared symptom scores[National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS),modified Rankin Scale(mRS),Swallowing Standard Assessment(SSA),and Functional Oral Intake Scale(FOIS)scores],responsible vessel improvement,TXB2/PGF1α levels,and endothelial function indicators[basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF)and circulating endothelial cells(CECs)].Results Af-ter 1 and 2 weeks,the statin group showed lower NIHSS,mRS,and SSA scores,and higher FOIS scores compared to the non-statin group(P<0.02).The statin group demonstrated higher rates of responsible vessel velocity increase,collateral circulation compensation,and superior CTA collateral circulation grading(P<0.05).At 1 and 2 weeks,the statin group had lower TXB2 and TXB2/PGF1α levels,and higher PGF1α levels compared to the non-statin group(P<0.02).The statin group showed lower bFGF levels and higher CECs levels(P<0.02).After 3 months,the statin group had a higher proportion of mRS scores of 0～2(P<0.05).Conclusion Early statin therapy in AIS-LVO patients can improve responsible vessel blood flow and endothelial function,regulate TXB2/PGF1α levels,promote collateral circulation compensation,and enhance swallowing and neurological function recovery.

Objective To analyze the characteristics of HIV-1 pretreatment drug resistance(PDR)and molecular transmission networks in Yubei District,Chongqing,providing evidence for targeted interventions.Methods Using a cross-sectional design,plasma samples were collected from HIV/AIDS patients receiving antiretroviral therapy(ART)in Yubei District from January 2022 to December 2023.Pol gene fragments were extracted and amplified for HIV-1 genotyping and drug resistance analysis.Molecular transmission networks were constructed based on genetic distance calculations.Results Among 478 HIV-1 pol sequences,eight geno-types were identified:with CRF07_BC(60.4%,289/478),CRF08_BC(15.5%,74/478),CRF01_AE(11.7%,56/478),and CRF85_BC(5.9%,28/478).The overall PDR rate was 6.3%(30/478),with resistance to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors(NRTIs)and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors(NNRTIs)at 1.7%(8/478)and 5.2%(25/478),respectively.No protease inhibitor(PI)resistance was de-tected.The molecular network included 177 cases(37.0%network entry rate),forming 53 clusters with 198 connections.Cluster sizes ranged from 2 to 17 nodes,and 75.3%(149/198)of connections were associated with five subdistricts/towns:Shuanglonghu Street,Huixing Street,Luoqi Town,Gulu Town,and Baoshenghu Street.Conclusion HIV-1 genotypes in Yubei District exhibit diversity and complexity,with moderate PDR prevalence.Regional clustering of transmission networks suggests the need for enhanced molecular surveil-lance and targeted interventions based on analytical findings.