Objective To observe the protective effect of Yuebi Decoction on adriamycin(ADR)-induced mouse glomerular endothelial cells(MGEC),and to explore the possible mechanism of action.Methods MGEC were stimulated with ADR at a concentration of 1.25 μmol·L-1 for 12 h.MGEC were divided into five groups:normal group,model group,and Yuebi Decoction low,medium,and high dosage groups(5%,10%,and 20%of drug-containing serum);the viability of cells was detected by CCK-8 assay,the cell mobility was detected by Transwell assay.The relative expression levels of MGEC VCAM-1,Rac1,STAT3,and p-STAT3 were detected by Western blot.The expression of endothelial marker CD31,VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 was detected by immunofluorescence.Results Compared with the normal group,the endothelial cell migration rate was decreased in the model group(P<0.01),the protein expression levels of VCAM-1,ICAM-1,Rac1 and p-STAT 3 were significantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01).The endothelial cell migration rate of the high-dose group of Yuebi Decoction was significantly increased compared with that of the model group(P<0.05).VCAM-1,ICAM-1,Rac1 and p-STAT3 protein expression levels of the drug-containing serum of Yuebi Decoction each group were significantly reduced(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion Yuebi Decoction inhibited ADR-induced adhesion molecule expression in MGEC,alleviated endothelial injury,and improved endothelial cell migration rate.Its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the Rac1/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Objective To observe the effects of Yuebi Decoction on adriamycin-induced nephrotic syndrome(NS)and adhesion molecule levels in rats;To explore the possible mechanism of its inhibition of NS edema.Methods A NS rat model was established by a one-time tail vein injection of 6.5 mg/kg adriamycin.The rats were randomly divided into normal group,model group,prednisone group and Yuebi Decoction group.The prednisone group and Yuebi Decoction group were given 5 mg/kg prednisone and 22.2 g/kg Yuebi Decoction by gavage,respectively.The normal group and the model group were given an equal amount of normal saline by gavage,once a day for 2 consecutive weeks.The wet and dry weight ratios of skin and kidney were detected,24 hour urine total protein quantification(24 hUTP)and the contents of blood urea nitrogen(BUN),serum creatinine(SCr),total cholesterol(TC),albumin(ALB),hemoglobin(HB)were detected,HE and PAS staining was used to observe the morphology of renal tissue,ELISA was used to detect vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1)and intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1)contents in renal tissue,the positive expressions of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 were detected by immunohistochemistry,the expressions of VCAM-1,Rac1,signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)and p-STAT3 proteins were detected by Western blot.Results Compared with the normal group,the wet dry weight ratio of the skin and kidney of the model group rats significantly increased(P<0.01),and the 24 hUTP,SCr,BUN and TC contents significantly increased(P<0.01),while the ALB and HB contents significantly decreased(P<0.01);with glomerular balloon atrophy,the renal tubules exhibit protein casts,inflammatory cell infiltration in renal interstitium,and significant increase in the contents of VCAM-1,ICAM-1 and protein expressions of VCAM-1,Rac1,p-STAT3 in renal tissue(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the wet dry weight ratio of the skin and kidneys of rats in the prednisone group and Yuebi Decoction group was significantly reduced(P<0.05,P<0.01),and the 24 hUTP,SCr,BUN and TC were significantly reduced(P<0.01),while the contents of ALB and HB significantly increased(P<0.01);the infiltration of inflammatory cells in renal tissue was reduced,the protein casts decreased,and the contents of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 in renal tissue,as well as the expressions of VCAM-1,Rac1 and p-STAT3 proteins significantly decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion Yuebi Decoction can alleviate edema,reduce urine protein,and improve capillary permeability in NS rats.Its mechanism is related to inhibiting the Rac1/STAT3 signaling pathway and reducing the expression of renal tissue adhesion molecules.

Objective To observe the protective effect of Yuebi Decoction on adriamycin(ADR)-induced mouse glomerular endothelial cells(MGEC),and to explore the possible mechanism of action.Methods MGEC were stimulated with ADR at a concentration of 1.25 μmol·L-1 for 12 h.MGEC were divided into five groups:normal group,model group,and Yuebi Decoction low,medium,and high dosage groups(5%,10%,and 20%of drug-containing serum);the viability of cells was detected by CCK-8 assay,the cell mobility was detected by Transwell assay.The relative expression levels of MGEC VCAM-1,Rac1,STAT3,and p-STAT3 were detected by Western blot.The expression of endothelial marker CD31,VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 was detected by immunofluorescence.Results Compared with the normal group,the endothelial cell migration rate was decreased in the model group(P<0.01),the protein expression levels of VCAM-1,ICAM-1,Rac1 and p-STAT 3 were significantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01).The endothelial cell migration rate of the high-dose group of Yuebi Decoction was significantly increased compared with that of the model group(P<0.05).VCAM-1,ICAM-1,Rac1 and p-STAT3 protein expression levels of the drug-containing serum of Yuebi Decoction each group were significantly reduced(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion Yuebi Decoction inhibited ADR-induced adhesion molecule expression in MGEC,alleviated endothelial injury,and improved endothelial cell migration rate.Its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the Rac1/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Objective:To evaluate the predictive value of whole blood cell derived inflammatory marker (including systemic immunoinflammatory index (SII), systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI), neutrophil count/lymphocyte count (NLR), platelet count/lymphocyte count (PLR), and monocyte count/lymphocyte count (MLR)) and in combination with N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) on the prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure.Methods:This study was a retrospective cohort study. Patients with chronic heart failure hospitalized in the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University from January 2019 to August 2022 were enrolled. Patients were followed up and were divided into survival group and death group according to the follow-up results. Clinical characteristics of the two groups were compared. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the optimal cut-off value of each whole blood cell derived inflammatory marker for predicting all-cause death in patients with chronic heart failure. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was drawn, and log-rank test was used to compare the difference in survival of chronic heart failure patients with different levels of whole blood cell derived inflammatory markers. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyze the effects of whole blood cell derived inflammatory markers and NT-proBNP on the all-cause death of patients with chronic heart failure. ROC curve was used to analyze the predictive value of whole blood cell derived inflammatory markers combined with NT-proBNP on the prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure.Results:A total of 324 patients with heart failure aged (64.76±13.78) years were enrolled, with 212 males (65.43%). 297 patients (91.67%) completed follow-up, 27 patients (8.33%) were lost to follow-up. The follow-up time was 24.0 (18.0, 41.8) months. There were 258 patients in the survival group and 66 patients in the death group. The optimal cut-off values of SII, SIRI, NLR, PLR and MLR determined by ROC curve were 739.83, 1.65, 3.14, 151.95 and 0.37, respectively. Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed that patients with chronic heart failure with high levels of SII (≥739.83), SIRI (≥1.65), NLR (≥3.14), PLR (≥151.95) and MLR (≥0.37) had higher incidence of all-cause death than patients with low levels of inflammatory markers (all P<0.001). Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis showed that age ( HR=1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.06, P=0.002), NT-proBNP ( HR=2.93, 95% CI 1.64-5.23, P<0.001), SII≥739.83 ( HR=3.27, 95% CI 1.18-9.02, P=0.022) and PLR≥151.95 ( HR=2.67, 95% CI 1.02-6.96, P=0.045) were independent predictors of all-cause death in patients with chronic heart failure. ROC curve analysis showed that the predictive value of SII and PLR combined with NT-proBNP ( AUC=0.850) for the prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure was better than that of SII ( AUC=0.779)、PLR ( AUC=0.782)、NT-proBNP ( AUC=0.727) and CRP ( AUC=0.668) alone (all P<0.001). Conclusions:Whole blood cell derived inflammatory markers——SII, PLR, and NT-pro BNP were independently associated with all-cause death in patients with chronic heart failure. SII and PLR can independently predict the prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure, combination of SII and PLR with NT-pro BNP has better predictive value for the prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure.

Purpose To evaluate the diagnostic value of an abbreviated protocol MRI(AP-MRI)based on first post-contrast subtracted(FAST)images for breast cancer detection.Materials and Methods This study included imaging data from 160 female patients with solid breast lesions who underwent breast MRI in the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine from April 2021 to January 2024.Two AP-MRI protocols were extracted from the full diagnostic protocol(FDP),including:dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI(DCE-MRI)A protocol:FAST and maximum-intensity projection(MIP)images,and DCE-MRI B protocol:FAST+MIP+diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI).Lesions categorized as breast imaging reporting and data system(BI-RADS)1-3 were classified as negative,and those categorized as BI-RADS 4-5 were classified as positive.Pathological findings served as the diagnostic gold standard.Two radiologists independently evaluated the lesions as negative/positive and compared with the gold standard.The sensitivity,specificity and accuracy of the three protocols were compared.Receiver operating characteristic curves were generated for each protocol,and the area under the curve(AUC)was compared.Results The accuracy of the three protocols showed statistically significant differences(Cochran's Qreader1=6.000,P=0.050;Cochran's Qreader2=10.909,P=0.012).The accuracy of the DCE-MRI A protocol was significantly lower than that of the FDP protocol(Z=2.449,Preader1=0.043;Z=2.858,Preader2=0.013).There were no statistically significant differences in sensitivity(Cochran's Qreader1=3.000,P=0.223;Cochran's Qreader2=2.667,P=0.264)or specificity(Cochran's Qreader1=3.000,P=0.223;Cochran's Qreader2=2.800,P=0.247)between the two AP-MRI protocols and the FDP protocol.There were no statistically significant differences in AUC between the DCE-MRI B protocol and the FDP protocol(Z=1.390-1.719,all P>0.05),while the AUC of the DCE-MRI A protocol had lower AUCs than the FDP protocol(Z=1.980,2.441;both P<0.05).Conclusion The AP-MRI protocol combining FAST,MIP and DWI shows diagnostic accuracy comparable to that of the FDP and greatly saves time and cost,suggesting its potential as an alternative imaging strategy for women with dense breasts and as a new diagnostic approach for high-risk populations.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between nerve growth factor (NGF) concentration in follicular fluid and abnormal menstrual cycle in infertile patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 100 infertile patients with PCOS who underwent in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) at Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital from March 2017 to June 2019. For comparison, the 100 patients with PCOS were divided into low NGF group ( n=50) and high NGF group ( n=50) based on the median NGF concentration (1 644.03 ng/L) in follicular fluid. Baseline characteristics, menstrual status and clinical outcomes of assisted reproductive technology were compared. We performed multiple linear regression analysis to examine the effect of NGF in follicular fluid on menstrual cycle length for multivariate analysis. Results:1) PCOS patients in the low NGF group had significantly higher body mass index [(27.24±5.17) kg/m 2] and white blood cell count [7.31(5.99, 8.43)×10 9/L ] than those in the high NGF group [(25.03±4.46) kg/m 2, P=0.024; 5.95(5.08,7.01)×10 9/L, P=0.001], while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [1.15 (0.98, 1.36) mmol/L] and basic follicle-stimulating hormone level [6.51 (5.10,7.95) U/L] in the low NGF group were significantly lower than those in the high NGF group [1.36 (1.09,1.52) mmol/L, P=0.039;6.51 (5.10,7.95)U/L, P=0.040]. 2) PCOS patients in the low NGF group had significantly higher menstrual cycle length [60.00 (35.00, 180.00) d] than the high NGF group [32.50 (27.00,67.50) d, P=0.001]. 3) Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that after adjustment for body mass index, age, infertility duration, infertility type, and glucose and lipid metabolic parameters, the NGF concentration in the follicular fluid independently and negatively correlated with menstrual cycle length ( P<0.05). 4) The NGF concentration in follicular fluid was not correlated with assisted reproductive outcomes. Conclusion:NGF concentration in follicular fluid is closely related to the degree of menstrual cycle abnormalities in patients with PCOS.

Forkhead box O(FOXO)transcription factors serve as critical signaling hubs,initiating downstream autophagy-related gene expression in response to various growth factors and participating in mito-chondrial autophagy,thereby influencing cellular damage and repairing processes in acute and chronic kidney diseases.This article reviews the regulatory mechanisms of FOXO transcription factors and their impacts on au-tophagy and mitochondrial autophagy,aiming to explore the prospects of FOXO-induced mitochondrial autophagy in the treatment of renal diseases.

Objective:To investigate the characteristics of the nasal cycle and the patterns of bilateral nasal airflow distribution in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).Methods:This cross-sectional study analyzed data from 29 healthy subjects (control group: 16 males, 13 females; age range 23-60 years, mean 31.03±8.67 years) and 41 patients with OSA (OSA group: 34 males, 7 females; age range 20-62 years, mean 39.73±11.27 years) who visited the Sleep Medicine Center of Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, between March 2022 and April 2025. Whole-night split-channel nasal airflow and polysomnography were performed to calculate nasal airflow laterality, nasal cycle duration, and the effects of severity, sleep stages, and body position on bilateral nasal airflow distribution during sleep were analyzed.Results:The nasal cycle duration in OSA patients was significantly shorter than in controls (179.5 min vs. 312.5 min, χ 2=14.01, P<0.001). Apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and age were independent influencing factors. In the OSA group, the incidence of nasal cycle transitions within 10 minutes after wake [(observed)7/50 vs. 2/55(expected), χ 2=14.32, P<0.001], REM sleep [(observed)23/34 vs. 14/43(expected), χ 2=8.14, P=0.004], and position changes (21/36 vs. 11/46, χ 2=12.02, P<0.001) was higher, while, in the control group, it was only associated with REM sleep (15/15 vs. 8/22, χ 2=8.80, P=0.003). Nasal airflow lateralization in the OSA group showed a stronger correlation with body position. The nasal airflow lateralization in the supine position was significantly lower in OSA patients than in controls [REM stage: 0.626 (0.425, 0.743) vs. 0.781 (0.706, 0.857), Z=3.62, P<0.001; N3 stage: 0.526 (0.438, 0.600) vs. 0.716 (0.608, 0.853), Z=2.17, P=0.032; N1/2 stage: 0.702 (0.526, 0.787) vs. 0.747 (0.663, 0.820), Z=1.68, P=0.095]. Multiple linear regression revealed that AHI explained 31.3% of the variance in nasal airflow lateralization during supine REM sleep. Conclusions:The nasal airflow regulation during sleep in OSA patients differs from that in healthy individuals. Compared with healthy subjects, OSA patients exhibit shorter nasal cycle durations, reduced nasal airflow lateralization in the supine position, and a higher likelihood of nasal cycle transitions triggered by position changes or arousal. Healthy subjects demonstrate high and stable nasal airflow asymmetry during sleep, with minimal influence from sleep stages or body position.

Objective To observe the effects of Yuebi Decoction on adriamycin-induced nephrotic syndrome(NS)and adhesion molecule levels in rats;To explore the possible mechanism of its inhibition of NS edema.Methods A NS rat model was established by a one-time tail vein injection of 6.5 mg/kg adriamycin.The rats were randomly divided into normal group,model group,prednisone group and Yuebi Decoction group.The prednisone group and Yuebi Decoction group were given 5 mg/kg prednisone and 22.2 g/kg Yuebi Decoction by gavage,respectively.The normal group and the model group were given an equal amount of normal saline by gavage,once a day for 2 consecutive weeks.The wet and dry weight ratios of skin and kidney were detected,24 hour urine total protein quantification(24 hUTP)and the contents of blood urea nitrogen(BUN),serum creatinine(SCr),total cholesterol(TC),albumin(ALB),hemoglobin(HB)were detected,HE and PAS staining was used to observe the morphology of renal tissue,ELISA was used to detect vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1)and intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1)contents in renal tissue,the positive expressions of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 were detected by immunohistochemistry,the expressions of VCAM-1,Rac1,signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)and p-STAT3 proteins were detected by Western blot.Results Compared with the normal group,the wet dry weight ratio of the skin and kidney of the model group rats significantly increased(P<0.01),and the 24 hUTP,SCr,BUN and TC contents significantly increased(P<0.01),while the ALB and HB contents significantly decreased(P<0.01);with glomerular balloon atrophy,the renal tubules exhibit protein casts,inflammatory cell infiltration in renal interstitium,and significant increase in the contents of VCAM-1,ICAM-1 and protein expressions of VCAM-1,Rac1,p-STAT3 in renal tissue(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the wet dry weight ratio of the skin and kidneys of rats in the prednisone group and Yuebi Decoction group was significantly reduced(P<0.05,P<0.01),and the 24 hUTP,SCr,BUN and TC were significantly reduced(P<0.01),while the contents of ALB and HB significantly increased(P<0.01);the infiltration of inflammatory cells in renal tissue was reduced,the protein casts decreased,and the contents of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 in renal tissue,as well as the expressions of VCAM-1,Rac1 and p-STAT3 proteins significantly decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion Yuebi Decoction can alleviate edema,reduce urine protein,and improve capillary permeability in NS rats.Its mechanism is related to inhibiting the Rac1/STAT3 signaling pathway and reducing the expression of renal tissue adhesion molecules.

Purpose To evaluate the diagnostic value of an abbreviated protocol MRI(AP-MRI)based on first post-contrast subtracted(FAST)images for breast cancer detection.Materials and Methods This study included imaging data from 160 female patients with solid breast lesions who underwent breast MRI in the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine from April 2021 to January 2024.Two AP-MRI protocols were extracted from the full diagnostic protocol(FDP),including:dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI(DCE-MRI)A protocol:FAST and maximum-intensity projection(MIP)images,and DCE-MRI B protocol:FAST+MIP+diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI).Lesions categorized as breast imaging reporting and data system(BI-RADS)1-3 were classified as negative,and those categorized as BI-RADS 4-5 were classified as positive.Pathological findings served as the diagnostic gold standard.Two radiologists independently evaluated the lesions as negative/positive and compared with the gold standard.The sensitivity,specificity and accuracy of the three protocols were compared.Receiver operating characteristic curves were generated for each protocol,and the area under the curve(AUC)was compared.Results The accuracy of the three protocols showed statistically significant differences(Cochran's Qreader1=6.000,P=0.050;Cochran's Qreader2=10.909,P=0.012).The accuracy of the DCE-MRI A protocol was significantly lower than that of the FDP protocol(Z=2.449,Preader1=0.043;Z=2.858,Preader2=0.013).There were no statistically significant differences in sensitivity(Cochran's Qreader1=3.000,P=0.223;Cochran's Qreader2=2.667,P=0.264)or specificity(Cochran's Qreader1=3.000,P=0.223;Cochran's Qreader2=2.800,P=0.247)between the two AP-MRI protocols and the FDP protocol.There were no statistically significant differences in AUC between the DCE-MRI B protocol and the FDP protocol(Z=1.390-1.719,all P>0.05),while the AUC of the DCE-MRI A protocol had lower AUCs than the FDP protocol(Z=1.980,2.441;both P<0.05).Conclusion The AP-MRI protocol combining FAST,MIP and DWI shows diagnostic accuracy comparable to that of the FDP and greatly saves time and cost,suggesting its potential as an alternative imaging strategy for women with dense breasts and as a new diagnostic approach for high-risk populations.