ObjectiveTo investigate the potential machanism of Xiaozhong Zhitong Mixture （消肿止痛合剂， XZM） in the treatment of diabetes foot ulcer （DFU）. MethodsFifty SD rats were randomly divided into blank group， model group， XZM group， inhibitor group， XZM plus inhibitor group （combination group）， with 10 rats in each group. Except for the blank group， rats were fed with high-sugar， high-fat， high-cholesterol diet， intraperitoneally injected with streptozotocin， and subjected to skin defect to establish DFU model. After successful modeling， the XZM group and the combination group were given 1 ml/（100 g·d）of XZM by gavage， while the blank group， model group， and inhibitor group were all given an equal volume of 0.9% sodium chloride injection by gavage. Thirty minutes later， the inhibitor group and the combination group were intraperitoneally injected with 5 mg/（kg·d） of Notch1 inhibitor DAPT. All groups were treated once a day. After 14 days of administration， the skin tissue from the dorsal foot of the blank group rats and wound tissue from the other groups were collected. The pathological changes of granulation tissue in the wound were detected using hematoxylin eosin （HE） staining. The microvascular density （MVD） in wounds was detected through immunohistochemical staining. Real time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR） and western blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein levels of Notch1 homolog （Notch1）， Delta-like ligand 4 （Dll4）， Delta-like ligand 4 （VEGF）， and angiopoietin 2 （Ang-2）， respectively. ResultsHistological results showed that the epidermal structure in the dorsal foot skin tissue of the rats in the blank group was intact. In the wound tissue of the model group， the epidermis exhibited excessive keratinization， vacuolar cytoplasm， and a large number of inflammatory cells infiltrating the tissue， while in the XZM group， a large amount of scab formation was observed in the epidermis， with no significant inflammatory cell infiltration and a noticeable increase in fibroblasts. In the combination group and the inhibitor group， partial epidermal scab formation was observed in the wound tissue with a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration. Compared to those in the blank group， the MVD in the wound tissue increased in the model group， as well as the mRNA expression and protein levels of Notch1 and Dll4， while VEGFA and Ang-2 mRNA expression and protein levels significantly decreased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared to those in the model group， the MVD in the wound tissue of all medication groups significantly increased， and the mRNA and protein levels of Notch1 and Dll4 decreased， while VEGFA and Ang-2 mRNA expression and protein levels increased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared to the XZM group， the inhibitor group and the combination group showed decreased MVD in wound tissue， increased Notch1 and Dll4 mRNA and protein levels， and decreased expression of VEGFA and Ang-2 mRNA and proteins （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. ConclusionXZM can effectively promote wound healing in DFU rats， and its mechanism of action may be related to the inhibition of Dll4/Notch1 signaling pathway in the wound tissue， therey promoting angiogenesis.

Fifty whitespotted bamboo sharks (Chiloscyllium playgiosum) of both sexes were used to establish a large capacity variable domain of the new antigen receptor (VNAR) library with a total capacity of over 10⁹ colony-forming units (CFU). It was applied to screen VNARs against human serum albumin (HSA) and human transcription factor EB (TFEB), respectively. Meanwhile, VNAR libraries specific to HSA and TFEB with capacities above 10⁸ CFU were obtained following conventional immunization. These two approaches were systematically studied in terms of VNAR yield and composition. By comparing the VNAR sequences obtained from naïve and antigen-immunized libraries, we found that the complementary-determining region 3 (CDR3) of the former differs in composition from that of the latter. It shares a higher degree of homology with the naïve library. Meanwhile, the binding efficiency assessed by ELISA is also different between the naïve and antigen-immunized libraries. The binding of VNARs from the TFEB-immunized library appeared to surpass that observed with the naïve libraries, whereas the performance of VNARs from the HSA-immunized library indicated that both the immunized and naïve libraries for HSA had positive binding responses in polyclonal and monoclonal ELISA. The results are useful to develop novel diagnostic and therapeutic products based on shark VNARs.

Objective:To establish an early clinical prediction model for patients with chronic liver disease who are coinfected with hepatitis E virus (HEV), and quickly evaluate the probability of severe hepatitis in patients.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 87 patients with chronic liver diseases who were hospitalized at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from May 2018 to September 2023. Clinical features and laboratory indexes were analyszed and patients were classified to severe (TBIL >171 μmol/L with PTA <40%) and non-severe (TBIL <171 μmol/L with PTA >40%) groups. and Independent factors identified using LASSO regression were incorporated into a novel nomogram to identify patients at high risk of severe hepatitis in the early stages. The performance of the nomogram was evaluated using the area under the curve and the mean absolute error of the calibration curve.Results:Significant difference was observed in the serum total bile acid (TBA) level between the severe group [240.00 (183.30, 268.70) umol/L] and the non-severe group [93.40 (20.10, 271.70) μmol/L, U=269.00, P=0.002]. Additionally, the levels of apolipoprotein A1 (APOA1) [0.32 (0.18, 0.48) g/L] and uric acid (UA) [156.15 (117.00, 202.00) μmol/L] were significantly lower in the severe group compared to the non-severe group (APOA1: [0.77 (0.63, 1.06) g/L, U=71.00, P<0.001]; UA: [334.05 (243.70, 401.00) μmol/L, U=83.00, P<0.001]). The researchers developed a nomogram, which incorporated two independent factors (APOA1 and UA) and an additional variable (TBA), exhibiting a strong predictive ability, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.963 (95% confidence interval: 0.927-0.998) and a well-fitted calibration curve. Positive and negative predictive values of 94.0% and 88.2% were calculated, and a nomogram score of 129 or greater was considered indicative of a higher likelihood of developing severe illness. Conclusions:This nomogram offers a rapid and accurate means of evaluating the probability of severe illness in patients with chronic liver disease after overlapping infection with HEV, which can accurately and effectively predict the risk of severe illness in patients.

Objective:To understand the cognition of the family caregivers of terminal cancer patients on digital health intervention, to clarify their actual needs, and to analyze the obstacles to their acceptance of digital health intervention, so as to develop a digital health intervention plan for the family caregivers of terminal cancer patients.Methods:From February 2024 to March 2024, the family caregivers of 16 patients with terminal cancer in Hunan Cancer Hospital Pain Hospice Ward were selected by objective sampling, who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were interviewed in a semi-structured manner about the cognition and needs of digital health intervention, and the interview contents were sorted and analyzed using the Colaizzi7 step method.Results:A total of 16 family caregivers of terminal cancer patients, 4 males and 12 females, aged 26-55 years, were interviewed. Four themes were distilled from the interview results: family caregivers of terminally cancer patients agree on the importance of digital health interventions; lack of awareness of digital health interventions; expectations of digital health interventions; and possible confounders affecting digital health interventions.Conclusions:The family caregivers of terminal cancer patients had insufficient awareness of digital health intervention, but all showed affirmation of the development of digital health intervention services. It is recommended to actively improve the basic conditions of digital health services, strengthen publicity, raise the level of awareness of the family caregivers, and positively overcome the relevant interfering factors, so as to gradually promote the development of digital health services.

Objective To explore the effect and mechanism of berberine combined with curcumin on ath-erosclerosis(AS)by mediating M1 macrophages polarization.Methods M1-type macrophages were obtained from mouse mononuclear macrophages(RAW264.7)induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS,100 ng/mL)and interferon(IFN)-γ(20 ng/mL).A cell model was established.The cells were divided into a control group,model group,berberine group,curcumin group and berberine plus curcumin group.Concentrations of berberine and curcumin were detected by CCK-8 assay.The expression levels of M1-type macrophage markers iNOS,TNF-α,CXCL9 and p-STAT6/STAT6 in macrophage supernatant were detected by ELISA.Levels of iNOS,TNF-α and CXCL9 mRNA were detected by RT-PCR.Levels of iNOS,STAT6 and p-STAT6 proteins in each group were detected by Western blot.After down-regulation of STAT6 level by siRNA technology,expression of p-STAT6 protein was detected by Western blot.Expression levels of iNOS,TNF-α,CXCL9 and p-STAT6 were detected by ELISA.Results In the polarization of M1 macrophages induced by LPS and IFN-γ,berberine(25 μmol/L)and curcumin(20 μmol/L)were the best concentrations as compared with other drug concentration groups,and neither alone nor combined use could significantly inhibit the viability of RAW264.7 cells(P<0.05).As compared with the normal group,iNOS,TNF-α and CXCL9 mRNA and protein levels were increased in the model group,while P-STAT6/STAT6 levels were decreased,with statistical differences(P<0.05).As compared with the model group,iNOS,TNF-α and CXCL9 mRNA and protein levels in the berberine group,curcumin group,and berberine plus curcumin group were decreased,while P-STAT6/STAT6 levels were increased,and the changes were more obvious in berberine plus curcumin group,with statistical difference(P<0.05).After transfection of STAT6 siRNA in M1 macrophages in the berberine plus curcumin group,P-STAT6 levels were down-regulated,while expressions of iNOS,TNF-α and CXCL9 were up-regulated,with statistical differences(P<0.05).Conclusions Both berberine and curcumin can inhibit the activity of M1-type macrophages and reduce inflammatory response.The action of berberine combined with curcumin is more advantageous than that of either drug alone,which may be the main mechanism of action through activation of STAT6.

Objective To construct a telemedicine-based home care system of palliative care for end-of-life cancer patients,and to evaluate its application effect.Methods The construction of the system was based on the literature research,interview results of the patients and their caregivers,and expert group meeting discussions.From May to August 2023,a total of 88 patients,who were about to be discharged from the palliative care ward of a cancer hospital in Hunan Province,were selected as the study subjects using a convenient sampling method,and then they were divided into an experimental group and a control group according to the order of admission.The experimental group was given home care services based on the system,while the control group was given routine discharge guidance and follow-up visits.The duration of the intervention was 8 weeks.The Chinese version of the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale and the Chinese version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 15 palliative were used to evaluate the symptom burden and quality of life between 2 groups before and after intervention;the Telemedicine Satisfaction Questionnaire was used to evaluate the care satisfaction of the experimental group.Results The system of patient side includes 8 main features,namely personal health record establishment,doctor-patient communication,palliative care knowledge library,medication assistance,smart reporting and monitoring,intelligent Q&A,intelligent follow-up,and intelligent forms.The healthcare professional side includes 7 main functions,namely workbench,case management,follow-up management,warning reminder,popularization push,statistical analysis and user management.A total of 67 patients completed the intervention,with 33 in the experimental group and 34 in the control group.The symptom burden of the experimental group was lower than that of the control group(P＜0.05);the quality of life in the experimental group was better than that in the control group(P＜0.05);the score of care satisfaction was(59.00±6.66),which indicated a high level of satisfaction.Conclusion The system can reduce the symptom burden and improve the quality of life of end-of-life cancer patients with good practicality

Objective To evaluate the effect of Internet-based psychosocial intervention for primary caregivers of patients with terminal stage cancer.Methods The relevant randomized controlled trials of Internet-based psychosocial intervention for primary caregivers of patients with terminal stage cancer were systematically searched from 10 databases,such as Chinese Biomedical Literature Database,CNKI,PubMed,Embase and CINAHL and etc.The search period was from the establishment to December 18,2023,and 2 investigators screened the literature according to inclusion and exclusion criteria and extracted data.Cochrane Manual 5.1.0 was used to assess the quality of the literature.Meta-analysis was performed using Revman 5.4 software.Results A total of 9 pieces of the literature including 592 primary caregivers were included.Meta-analysis showed that Internet-based psychosocial intervention reduced the level of anxiety and depression for primary caregivers of patients with terminal stage cancer[MD=-1.64,95％CI(-2.68,-0.59),P=0.002]and the burden of care[SMD=-0.39,95％CI(-0.60,-0.18),P＜0.001],and improved quality of life[SMD=0.25,95％CI(0.01,0.48),P=0.040];further research is needed to explore the effect of reducing the level of distress[MD=-0.88,95％CI(-1.91,0.16),P=0.100].Conclusion The Internet-based psychosocial intervention is effective in improving the anxiety,depression and the burden of care of the primary caregivers of patients with terminal stage cancer,and it can improve the quality of life;further research is needed to explore the level of distress reduction.

Objective To explore the effect and possible mechanism of berberine on the macro-phage polarization of human myeloid leukemia monocytic cell line THP-1 induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein(ox-LDL).Methods THP-1 cells were induced into macrophages by PMA,and then according to different concentrations of berberine,the cells were divided into con-trol group,and 5,10,20,40 and 50 μmol/L berberine groups.After intervention for 24 or 48 h,CCK8 assay was used to detect cell viability for optimal concentration and time of berberine treat-ment.PMA-induced THP-1 macrophages were assigned into blank group,model group(ox-LDL),berberine group,inhibitor group(phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase(PI3K)inhibitor LY294002)and berberine+inhibitor group(berberine+LY294002).The contents of inducible nitric oxide syn-thase(iNOS)and TGF-β1 were detected by ELISA.qPCR was employed to measure the mRNA expression of TNF-α,arginase 1(Arg1),PI3K and protein kinase B Akt1,and Western blotting was applied to detect the protein levels of Akt1 and phosphorylated protein kinase B antibody(p-Akt1).Results In 24 h after intervention,the macrophage activity was significantly lower in the 40 and 50 μmol/L berberine groups than the control group(P＜0.05),and after 48 h,the ac-tivity in all the 5 doses of berberine groups was obviously lower than that in the control group[(0.89±0.02)％,(0.82±0.03)％,(0.71±0.02)％,(0.62±0.03)％and(0.53±0.02)％vs(1.01±0.01)％,P＜0.05].Berberine treatment of 20 μmol/L for 24 h had little effect on cell viability,and the dose and the time were regarded as the best concentration and time.Compared with the blank group,iNOS content and TNF-α mRNA level were increased in the model group,while TGF-β1 content,mRNA levels of Arg1,PI3K and Akt1,and p-Akt1/Akt1 protein levels were de-creased(P＜0.05).iNOS content and TNF-α mRNA level were decreased,while TGF-β1 content,mRNA levels of Arg1,PI3K and Akt1 and protein levels of p-Akt1/Akt1s were increased in the berberine group than the model group(P＜0.05).Compared with the berberine group,iNOS con-tent and TNF-α mRNA level were increased,while mRNA levels of Arg1,PI3K and Akt1 and protein levels of p-Akt1/Akt1 were decreased in the berberine+inhibitor group(P＜0.05).Con-clusion Berberine can inhibit the inflammatory response of THP-1 macrophages induced by ox-LDL by activating PI3K/Akt1 pathway,and inhibit the M1 polarization and promote the M2 polarization of macrophages.

Objective To construct a time series analysis fusion tool using multisource internet data and then accurately predict the incidence trend of hepatitis in Chongqing.Methods The incidence rate of hepatitis were obtained from the database of the Centre for Health and Disease Control.Air pollutant data were obtained from the official website of the China Environmental Monitoring Station,climate data were obtained from the National Meteorological Galaxy Center,and network index data were obtained through Baidu search engine.The time duration was from November 2013 to May 2023.Based on existing time series analysis methods,multisource data were used to correct the residual part of the decomposition model.A delayed input neural network(DINN)was constructed based on the respective advantages of non autoregressive(NAR)and long short-term memory(LSTM)recurrent neural networks.Afterwards,optimization modules such as the Nutcracker Optimization Algorithm(NOA)and Joint Quantile Huber Loss(JQHL)were added to the foundation,and then DINN+was constructed.Results Compared to common single-input models and synchronous multi-input models,DINN achieved the best prediction performance.After adding hyperparameters and loss function optimization,the predictive performance of DINN+was further improved,with a mean-square error(MSE)of 0.170 9,a mean absolute error(MAE)of 0.461 2,a root-mean-square error(RMSE)of 0.582 1,a mean absolute percentage error(MAPE)of 0.062 6,and a R-square(R2)of 0.884 0 in a testing set.Conclusion Based on the ideas of diverse methods and multidimensional data fusion,we propose a DINN+optimization model with good accuracy and generalization ability on the basis of previous time series analysis.This model enriches and supplements the methodological research content of using multisource data to calibrate infectious disease time series prediction analysis and can serve as a new benchmark for future analysis of influencing factors and trend prediction of infectious disease public health.

As a representative chemotherapeutic drug, docetaxel (DTX) has been used for breast cancer treatment for decades. However, the poor solubility of DTX limits its efficacy, and the DTX based therapy increases the metastasis risk due to the upregulation of C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) expression during the treatment. Herein, we conjugated CXCR4 antagonist peptide (CTCE) with DTX (termed CTCE-DTX) as an anti-metastasis agent to treat breast cancer. CTCE-DTX could self-assemble to nanoparticles, targeting CXCR4-upregulated metastatic tumor cells and enhancing the DTX efficacy. Thus, the CTCE-DTX NPs achieved promising efficacy on inhibiting both bone-specific metastasis and lung metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer. Our work provided a rational strategy on designing peptide-drug conjugates with synergistic anti-tumor efficacy.