ObjectiveTo explore the potential mechanism of Xianglian Huazhuo prescription （XLHZ） in treating chronic atrophic gastritis （CAG） by regulating cell cycle and inhibiting proliferation， using bioinformatics technology and animal experiments. MethodsDifferential expressed genes （DEGs） related to CAG were screened using GEO database and GEO2R tool. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis （WGCNA） was employed to search for hub genes of CAG. These hub genes were intersected with cell cycle proliferation based on GeneCards database. Eenrichment analysis of the intersecting genes was performed to obtain signaling pathways and biological processes related to CAG. Protein protein interaction （PPI） analysis of genes was conducted using the Protein Interaction Platform （STRING） database to search the super hub gene （hub 2.0）， and animal experiments were conducted for further validation. Fourteen of 70 male Wistar rats were randomly selected as the normal group， and the remaining 56 rats were prepared by the combined modeling method of "starvation disorder+N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine （MNNG） + sodium salicylate". The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into the model group， XLHZ-H， XLHZ-M， and XLHZ-L groups （36， 18， 9 g·kg^-1， respectively）， and Morodan group （1.4 g·kg^-1）. Each group was given corresponding intervention for 60 days. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the histopathological changes of gastric mucosa in rats. The ultrastructure of gastric mucosal tissue cells was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The relative expression levels of TGF-β₁， Smad2 and Smad3 proteins， S/G₂/M phase marker geminin and proliferation marker MCM2 were detected by Western blot in gastric mucosal tissue， and Spearman correlation analysis was performed. ResultsA total of 15 hub 2.0 genes were identified， including TGF-β₁， suggesting the involvement of the TGF-β₁ signaling pathway in the CAG pathogenesis. Compared with the normal group， the expressions of TGF-β₁， Smad2， geminin and MCM2 proteins in the gastric mucosa tissue of the model group were increased （P<0.05）， and the expression of Smad3 protein was decreased （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the expressions of TGF-β₁ and geminin in the gastric mucosa were decreased in the drug groups （P<0.05）. The XLHZ-M group， XLHZ-H group and Morodan group had significantly decreased protein expression of Smad2 and MCM2 （P<0.05）. The protein expression of Smad3 was significantly increased in XLHZ-M， XLHZ-H， and Morodan groups （P<0.05）. Spearman correlation analysis showed that Smad3 was negatively correlated with other indicators， and positively correlated with other indicators （P<0.01）. ConclusionXLHZ may inhibit TGF-β₁/Smads signaling pathway， regulate cell cycle， and inhibit proliferation in the treatment of CAG.

ObjectiveTo explore the potential mechanism of Xianglian Huazhuo prescription （XLHZ） in treating chronic atrophic gastritis （CAG） by regulating cell cycle and inhibiting proliferation， using bioinformatics technology and animal experiments. MethodsDifferential expressed genes （DEGs） related to CAG were screened using GEO database and GEO2R tool. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis （WGCNA） was employed to search for hub genes of CAG. These hub genes were intersected with cell cycle proliferation based on GeneCards database. Eenrichment analysis of the intersecting genes was performed to obtain signaling pathways and biological processes related to CAG. Protein protein interaction （PPI） analysis of genes was conducted using the Protein Interaction Platform （STRING） database to search the super hub gene （hub 2.0）， and animal experiments were conducted for further validation. Fourteen of 70 male Wistar rats were randomly selected as the normal group， and the remaining 56 rats were prepared by the combined modeling method of "starvation disorder+N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine （MNNG） + sodium salicylate". The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into the model group， XLHZ-H， XLHZ-M， and XLHZ-L groups （36， 18， 9 g·kg^-1， respectively）， and Morodan group （1.4 g·kg^-1）. Each group was given corresponding intervention for 60 days. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the histopathological changes of gastric mucosa in rats. The ultrastructure of gastric mucosal tissue cells was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The relative expression levels of TGF-β₁， Smad2 and Smad3 proteins， S/G₂/M phase marker geminin and proliferation marker MCM2 were detected by Western blot in gastric mucosal tissue， and Spearman correlation analysis was performed. ResultsA total of 15 hub 2.0 genes were identified， including TGF-β₁， suggesting the involvement of the TGF-β₁ signaling pathway in the CAG pathogenesis. Compared with the normal group， the expressions of TGF-β₁， Smad2， geminin and MCM2 proteins in the gastric mucosa tissue of the model group were increased （P<0.05）， and the expression of Smad3 protein was decreased （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the expressions of TGF-β₁ and geminin in the gastric mucosa were decreased in the drug groups （P<0.05）. The XLHZ-M group， XLHZ-H group and Morodan group had significantly decreased protein expression of Smad2 and MCM2 （P<0.05）. The protein expression of Smad3 was significantly increased in XLHZ-M， XLHZ-H， and Morodan groups （P<0.05）. Spearman correlation analysis showed that Smad3 was negatively correlated with other indicators， and positively correlated with other indicators （P<0.01）. ConclusionXLHZ may inhibit TGF-β₁/Smads signaling pathway， regulate cell cycle， and inhibit proliferation in the treatment of CAG.

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive bacterium with strong pathogenicity. With the widespread use of antibiotics， its multi-drug resistance has gradually increased. Among them， methicillin-resistant S. aureus （MRSA） is one of the main pathogens of hospital and community infections. Antimicrobial peptides are short-chain peptides with good antibacterial effects and low drug resistance， which have been widely studied in recent years. This study summarizes the mechanism of action of antimicrobial peptides and related study on antimicrobial peptides against MRSA from different sources. It is found that the mechanisms of action of antimicrobial peptides include targeting bacterial cell membranes， bacterial cells， and bacterial cell walls， etc. Besides isolating antimicrobial peptides with anti-MRSA activity from animals， plants， and microorganisms， antimicrobial peptides can also be obtained through synthetic methods. Among them， GHa-derived peptides from animal sources， Ib-AMP4 from plant sources， Ph-SA from microbial sources， the synthetic peptide LLKLLLKLL-NH2， and so on， due to their effective antibacterial activity， rapid bactericidal speed， and low toxicity， are promising candidates for anti-MRSA drugs.

The effects of different robust optimization parameters on the doses to organs-at-risk(OAR)and the clinical target volume(CTV)in proton therapy plans for localized prostate cancer are explored for identifying the optimal robust optimization parameters.A retrospective analysis is conducted on 10 cases in which proton plans with a total dose of 76 Gy delivered in 38 fractions are designed.In robust optimization,uncertainties of 3.5%in range and setup errors of 3,5 and 7 mm are considered.After being grouped by setup errors,3 groups of plans are obtained.The effects of setup errors on the doses to CTV and OAR are analyzed,and the robustness of the CTV dose is assessed,including the worst-case values of dosimetric parameters and the passing rates under different scenarios.The results show that as the setup error increased,the doses to OAR tended to rise.Compared with the 3 mm plan group,the 5 mm and 7 mm plan groups experience increases of 1.99%and 5.15%in rectal V70,3.71%and 10.01%in rectal V45,0.93%and 2.55%in bladder V70,and 1.71%and 5.27%in bladder V45,respectively;similar patterns are observed for the doses to sigmoid colon and bulbous urethra,and the differences are statistically significant(P<0.05).In robustness analysis,the CTV D99 in the 5 mm and 7 mm plan groups increases by 0.68 Gy and 0.95 Gy as compared with the 3 mm plan group,with passing rates improving by 7.2%and 9.6%,respectively(passing criterion:D95 receives at least 100%of the prescribed dose),with significant differences(P<0.05).Considering both OAR dose and CTV robustness,the setup error of 5 mm is found to be a reasonable choice for robust optimization in proton therapy plans for localized prostate cancer,as it can effectively balance the enhancement of CTV dose robustness with the control of dose escalation to OAR.

Objective:To observe and analyze the subtype-specific prognostic factors for visual recovery in patients with demyelinating optic neuritis (DON) after glucocorticoid pulse therapy.Methods:A retrospective cohort study. A total of 195 patients (249 eyes) with DON diagnosed by ophthalmology examination at Department of Ophthalmology, Xi'an People's Hospital (Xi'an Fourth Hospital) from January 2021 to December 2024 were included in the study. According to the results of serum antibody detection and clinical diagnostic criteria, the patients were divided into the neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD)-associated optic neuritis (ON) (NMOSD-ON) group, the myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antitide-associated ON (MOG-ON) group, and the double antibody negative ON group. They were 51 cases (58 eyes), 72 cases (103 eyes), and 72 cases (88 eyes) respectively. Baseline clinical data, imaging characteristics, and treatment protocols were collected. The primary endpoints were complete visual recovery [best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) ≥ 1.0] and moderate recovery (BCVA ≥0.5) at 3 months post-onset. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent prognostic factors for visual outcomes within each subtype.Results:At 3 months post-onset, complete recovery rates were 9 (15.5%, 9/58) in the NMOSD-ON group, 64 (62.1%, 64/103) in the MOG-ON group, and 31 (35.2%, 31/88) in the double-seronegative ON group. The results of multivariate regression analysis showed that age [odds ratio ( OR) =0.901, 95% confidence interval ( CI) 0.854-0.950, P<0.001] and peak visual acuity ( OR=0.311, 95% CI 0.147-0.660, P=0.002) and the involvement of optic nerve length ≥1/2 ( OR=3.849, 95% CI 1.083-13.682, P=0.037) were the influencing factors for the complete recovery of visual acuity in the affected eyes of the double antibody negative ON group. Age ( OR=0.958, 95% CI 0.933-0.983, P=0.001) was the only influencing factor for the complete recovery of visual acuity in the affected eyes of the MOG-ON group. Peak visual acuity ( OR=0.288, 95% CI 0.090-0.927, P=0.037) and optic nerve involvement length ≥1/2 ( OR=19.974, 95% CI 1.905-209.559, P=0.013) were the influencing factors for the complete recovery of visual acuity in the affected eyes of the NMOSD-ON group. Age ( OR=0.936, 95% CI 0.890-0.983, P=0.009), time from onset to intravenous infusion of methylprednisolone sodium succinate intervention ( OR=0.854, 95% CI 0.759-0.961, P=0.009), optic disc edema ( OR=4.405, 95% CI 1.108-17.512, P=0.035) and peak visual acuity ( OR=0.13, 95% CI 0.046-0.365, P<0.001) were the influencing factors for the moderate recovery of visual acuity in the affected eyes of the double antibody negative ON group. Peak visual acuity was the only influencing factor for the moderate recovery of visual acuity in the MOG-ON group ( OR=0.060, 95% CI 0.010-0.352, P=0.002) and the NMOSD-ON group ( OR=0.163, 95% CI 0.053-0.500, P=0.001). Conclusions:The prognostic factors for visual recovery in patients with DON after glucocorticoid pulse therapy are subtype-specific. Peak visual acuity is a common predictor for all subtypes. For NMOSD-ON and double antibody-negative ON, attention should be paid to the length of optic nerve lesions. MOG-ON is age-related. Early intravenous infusion of methylprednisolone sodium succinate for double antiantibody negative ON is more likely to achieve moderate vision recovery.

ObjectiveTo explore the effects of the Tai Chi training on bone density， bone turnover markers， and heart rate variability for people with high-risk osteoporosis， and to provide evidence for the prevention of osteoporosis at early stage. MethodsSixty-six cases of people with high risk of osteoporosis were included， and they were divided into 33 cases each in the intervention group and the control group using the random number table method. The control group received osteoporosis health education three times a week， and the intervention group received Tai Chi training under the guidance of a trainer three times a week for 40 mins each time on the basis of the control group， and both groups were intervened for 12 weeks. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to measure the bone density of L₁~L₄ vertebrae， bilateral femoral necks and bilateral total hips in the two groups before and after the intervention； enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine bone turnover markers before and after the intervention， including pro-collagen type Ⅰ pro-amino-terminal prepropyl peptide （P1NP） and β-collagen type Ⅰ cross-linking carboxy-terminal peptide （β-CTX）. Seven cases with good compliance in the intervention group were selected. After wearing the heart rate sensor， they successively performed Tai Chi training and walking activities recommended by the guideline for 20 mins each， and the heart rate variability （HRV） during exercise was collected， including time-domain indexes such as standard deviation of normal sinus intervals （SDNN）， root-mean-square of the difference between adjacent RR intervals （RMSSD）， frequency-domain metrics such as low-frequency power （LF）， high-frequency power （HF）， and low-frequency/high-frequency power ratio （LF/HF）， as well as nonlinear metrics such as approximate entropy （ApEn）， sample entropy （SampEn）. ResultsFinally， 63 cases were included in the outcome analysis， including 30 cases in the intervention group and 33 cases in the control group. After the intervention， the differences of L₁~L₄ vertebrae， bone density of bilateral femoral neck and bilateral total hip in the intervention group were not statistically significant when compared with those before intervention （P＞0.05）， while the bone density of all parts of the control group decreased significantly compared with that before intervention （P＜0.05）， and the difference in the bone density of the L₁~L₄ vertebrae， bilateral femoral neck， and the right total hip before and after the intervention of the intervention group was smaller than that of the control group （P＜0.05）. The differences in P1NP and β-CTX between groups before and after intervention was not statistically significant （P＞0.05）. Compared with walking exercise， LF decreased， HF increased and LF/HF decreased during Tai Chi exercise （P＜0.05）； the time domain indexes and non-linear indexes between groups had no statistically significant difference （P＞0.05）. ConclusionTai Chi exercise can maintain lumbar， hip， and femoral bone density and improve sympathetic/parasympathetic balance in people at high risk for osteoporosis， but cannot significantly improve bone turnover markers.

Objective To understand the distribution characteristics of fungi on object surface in hospital environ-ment,and provide reference for the scientific and precise formulation of environment control strategies based on fun-gal in clinic.Methods From December 7 to 23,2023,a total of 60 environmental specimens of 19 categories in 6 departments of a large tertiary first-class hospital were collected and divided into water-related environmental speci-men group,complete facade environmental specimen group,and sanitary ware environmental specimen group.18S rRNA sequencing was performed on specimens with fungi detected.Results Fungal detection rate of environmental specimens was 20.00％(12/60).Sink in the department of endocrinology had the highest fungal colony count(15 CFU/cm2),followed by the air outlet of air disinfection device in the department of thoracic surgery and the in-ternal part of a faucet in the department of endocrinology(both 10 CFU/cm2).The water-related environmental specimen group detected most diverse fungal genera(14 species),with high relative abundances of Aspergillus(100％),Meyerozyma(99.06％),Ophiocordyceps genus(95.63％),and Kodamaea(87.86％).The air outlet of air disinfection device was detected with a high abundance of Chaetomium(44.08％)and Corollospora(39.71％).There was no statistically significant difference in the α-diversity(Shannon and Simpson indices,P values of 0.661 and 0.568,respectively)and β-diversity(P=0.712)among the three environmental specimens.Conclusion Under the routine implementation of basic environmental cleaning and disinfection in medical institutions,fungi are in a low prevalence in the environment.However,moist surfaces and air disinfection device are prone to fungal colonization,and it is necessary to strengthen daily monitoring and take corresponding intervention measures to reduce the risk of infection.

BACKGROUND: Preclinical studies have indicated that Angong Niuhuang Pills (ANP) reduce cerebral infarct and edema volumes. This study aimed to investigate whether ANP safely reduces cerebral infarct and edema volumes in patients with moderate to severe acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial included patients with acute ischemic stroke with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores ranging from 10 to 20 in 17 centers in China between April 2021 and July 2022. Patients were allocated within 36 h after onset via block randomization to receive ANP or placebo (3 g/day for 5 days). The primary outcomes were changes in cerebral infarct and edema volumes after 14 days of treatment. The primary safety outcome was severe adverse events (SAEs) for 90 days. RESULTS: There were 57 and 60 patients finally included in the ANP and placebo groups, respectively for modified intention-to-treat analysis. The median age was 66.0 years, and the median NIHSS score at baseline was 12.0. The changes in cerebral infarct volume at day 14 were 0.3 mL and 0.4 mL in the ANP and placebo groups, respectively (median difference: -7.1 mL; interquartile range [IQR]: -18.3 to 2.3 mL, P = 0.30). The changes in cerebral edema volume of the ANP and placebo groups on day 14 were 11.4 mL and 4.0 mL, respectively ( median difference: 3.0 mL, IQR: -1.3 to 9.9 mL, P = 0.15). The rates of SAE within 90 days were similar in the ANP (3/57, 5%) and placebo (7/60, 12%) groups ( P = 0.36). Changes in serum mercury and arsenic concentrations were comparable. In patients with large artery atherosclerosis, ANP reduced the cerebral infarct volume at 14 days (median difference: -12.3 mL; IQR: -27.7 to -0.3 mL, P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: ANP showed a similar safety profile to placebo and non-significant tendency to reduce cerebral infarct volume in patients with moderate-to-severe stroke. Further studies are warranted to assess the efficacy of ANP in reducing cerebral infarcts and improving clinical prognosis. TRAIL REGISTRATION Clinicaltrials.gov , No. NCT04475328.
Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Ischemic Stroke/drug therapy* ; Pilot Projects ; Stroke/drug therapy* ; Treatment Outcome

The present study aimed to explore whether hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) improved hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (HPH) in rats by inhibiting aerobic glycolysis-pyroptosis. Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into normal group, normal+NaHS group, hypoxia group, and hypoxia+NaHS group, with 6 rats in each group. The control group rats were placed in a normoxic (21% O₂) environment and received daily intraperitoneal injections of an equal volume of normal saline. The normal+NaHS group rats were placed in a normoxic environment and intraperitoneally injected with 14 μmol/kg NaHS daily. The hypoxia group rats were placed in a hypoxia chamber, and the oxygen controller inside the chamber maintained the oxygen concentration at 9% to 10% by controlling the N₂ flow rate. An equal volume of normal saline was injected intraperitoneally every day. The hypoxia+NaHS group rats were also placed in an hypoxia chamber and intraperitoneally injected with 14 μmol/kg NaHS daily. After the completion of the four-week modeling, the mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) of each group was measured using right heart catheterization technique, and the right ventricular hypertrophy index (RVHI) was weighed and calculated. HE staining was used to observe pathological changes in lung tissue, Masson staining was used to observe fibrosis of lung tissue, and Western blot was used to detect protein expression levels of hexokinase 2 (HK2), pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH), pyruvate kinase isozyme type M2 (PKM2), nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), GSDMD-N-terminal domain (GSDMD-N), Caspase-1, interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18 in lung tissue. ELISA was used to detect contents of IL-1β and IL-18 in lung tissue. The results showed that, compared with the normal control group, there were no significant changes in all indexes in the normal+NaHS group, while the hypoxia group exhibited significantly increased mPAP and RVHI, thickened pulmonary vascular wall, narrowed lumen, increased collagen fibers, up-regulated expression levels of aerobic glycolysis-related proteins (HK2 and PKM2), up-regulated expression levels of pyroptosis-related proteins (NLRP3, GSDMD-N, Caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18), and increased contents of IL-1β and IL-18. These changes of the above indexes in the hypoxia group were significantly reversed by NaHS. These results suggest that H₂S can improve rat HPH by inhibiting aerobic glycolysis-pyroptosis.
Animals ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Male ; Hypertension, Pulmonary/metabolism* ; Glycolysis/drug effects* ; Hydrogen Sulfide/therapeutic use* ; Hypoxia/complications* ; Rats ; Pyroptosis/drug effects*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effectiveness of arthroscopic release of elbow joint assisted by medial small incision ulnar nerve release in the treatment of non-traumatic elbow stiffness. METHODS: The clinical data of 15 patients with non-traumatic elbow stiffness treated with arthroscopic release of elbow joint assisted by medial small incision ulnar nerve release between April 2019 and September 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 6 males and 9 females with an average age of 46 years ranging from 34 to 56 years. The causes included rheumatoid arthritis in 3 cases, gouty arthritis in 2 cases, loose bodies in 3 cases, and elbow osteoarthritis in 7 cases. There were 4 cases with ulnar neuritis and 3 cases with synovial osteochondromatosis. The duration of elbow stiffness ranged from 6 to 18 months, with an average of 10 months. The operation time and intraoperative blood loss were recorded. The effectiveness was evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS) score, range of elbow motion (maximum flexion, maximum extension, and total flexion and extension), Mayo score, and Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) elbow score. RESULTS: The operation time was 60-90 minutes, with an average of 65 minutes, and the intraoperative blood loss was 40-100 mL, with an average of 62 mL. All patients were followed up 13-18 months, with an average of 14 months. There was no complication such as vascular and nerve injury, poor wound healing, collateral ligament injury, elbow joint space narrowing, osteophyte proliferation, or loose body formation around the joint. At last follow-up, the elbow range of motion (maximum flexion, maximum extension, and total flexion and extension), VAS score, and Mayo score significantly improved when compared with those before operation ( P<0.05). The HSS elbow score was 85-95, with an average of 92; 12 cases were excellent, 3 cases were good, and the excellent and good rate was 100%. CONCLUSION Arthroscopic release of elbow joint assisted by medial small incision ulnar nerve release is an effective way to treat non-traumatic elbow stiffness, which has the advantages of small trauma, short operation time, and good effectiveness. It can carry out early elbow rehabilitation training and significantly improve elbow function.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Arthroscopy/methods* ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Elbow Joint/physiopathology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Treatment Outcome ; Ulnar Nerve/surgery* ; Operative Time