OBJECTIVE: To accurately measure human energy metabolism with high temporal resolution, a respiratory gas analysis system was designed using a breath-by-breath approach. METHODS: Firstly, indirect calorimetry was employed in respiratory gas analysis to measure the respiratory flow and concentration signals in real-time. Secondly, oxygen consumption QO2 and carbon dioxide production QCO2 were calculated through respiratory characteristic alignment and respiratory signal segmentation. Finally, metabolic indexes were calculated according to the Weir formula. Furthermore, a controlled trial was formulated for validation comparisons with the MGC ULTIMA SYSTEM PFX CARDIO2. RESULTS: The results indicate that the data points of metabolic indexes measured by this system all fall within the confidence interval when compared with those of the MGC. CONCLUSION The system has high consistency with the MGC measurement results. Thus, the system can accurately measure metabolism in real-time and provide data support for clinical nutrition assessment and therapy.
Humans ; Energy Metabolism ; Breath Tests/instrumentation* ; Calorimetry, Indirect/instrumentation* ; Equipment Design

Edema， as a common pathological phenomenon， is essentially the abnormal accumulation of body fluids in the interstitial spaces of human tissues and is often a direct manifestation of various underlying diseases， such as heart failure， impaired renal filtration function， or liver metabolic disorders. In the Western medical system， strategies for treating edema primarily focus on the use of diuretics to promote the excretion of excess fluid in the body， while simultaneously addressing the underlying causes through targeted treatment. However， long-term reliance on the use of diuretics may lead to a decrease in drug sensitivity and induce side effects， including electrolyte disorders such as hypokalemia and hypercalcemia， posing a potential threat to patients' overall health. Compared with Western medicine， traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） has demonstrated well-recognized and sustained efficacy in treating edema with its unique theoretical system. Zhulingtang， as a classic and commonly used TCM formula， is widely applied as it can effectively relieve edema and related symptoms. In recent years， ongoing in-depth studies on the treatment of edema with Zhulingtang have revealed multiple mechanisms of action of Zhulingtang， including the regulation of water metabolism and the reduction of inflammatory responses， thereby providing a solid theoretical basis for clinical practice. This review summarized the research progress on the treatment of edema with Zhulingtang in recent years and analyzed the active ingredients and action pathways of Zhulingtang. Additionally， the primary mechanisms of action and efficacy were systematically analyzed， so as to provide references for the clinical application of Zhulingtang in treating various types of edema， such as cardiogenic edema， renal edema， and hepatogenic edema. This review aims to offer theoretical support and practical guidance for clinicians in deciding treatment approaches， as well as references for subsequent in-depth studies， thereby promoting further development of TCM in the treatment of edema.

Edema， as a common pathological phenomenon， is essentially the abnormal accumulation of body fluids in the interstitial spaces of human tissues and is often a direct manifestation of various underlying diseases， such as heart failure， impaired renal filtration function， or liver metabolic disorders. In the Western medical system， strategies for treating edema primarily focus on the use of diuretics to promote the excretion of excess fluid in the body， while simultaneously addressing the underlying causes through targeted treatment. However， long-term reliance on the use of diuretics may lead to a decrease in drug sensitivity and induce side effects， including electrolyte disorders such as hypokalemia and hypercalcemia， posing a potential threat to patients' overall health. Compared with Western medicine， traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） has demonstrated well-recognized and sustained efficacy in treating edema with its unique theoretical system. Zhulingtang， as a classic and commonly used TCM formula， is widely applied as it can effectively relieve edema and related symptoms. In recent years， ongoing in-depth studies on the treatment of edema with Zhulingtang have revealed multiple mechanisms of action of Zhulingtang， including the regulation of water metabolism and the reduction of inflammatory responses， thereby providing a solid theoretical basis for clinical practice. This review summarized the research progress on the treatment of edema with Zhulingtang in recent years and analyzed the active ingredients and action pathways of Zhulingtang. Additionally， the primary mechanisms of action and efficacy were systematically analyzed， so as to provide references for the clinical application of Zhulingtang in treating various types of edema， such as cardiogenic edema， renal edema， and hepatogenic edema. This review aims to offer theoretical support and practical guidance for clinicians in deciding treatment approaches， as well as references for subsequent in-depth studies， thereby promoting further development of TCM in the treatment of edema.

The Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK-STAT) control natural killer (NK) cells development and cytotoxic functions, however, whether long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in this pathway remains unknown. We found that miR155HG was elevated in activated NK cells and promoted their proliferation and effector functions in both NK92 and induced-pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)-derived NK (iPSC-NK) cells, without reliance on its derived miR-155 and micropeptide P155. Mechanistically, miR155HG bound to miR-6756 and relieved its repression of JAK3 expression, thereby promoting the JAK-STAT pathway and enhancing NK cell proliferation and function. Further investigations disclosed that upon cytokine stimulation, STAT3 directly interacts with miR155HG promoter and induces miR155HG transcription. Collectively, we identify a miR155HG-mediated positive feedback loop of the JAK-STAT signaling. Our study will also provide a power target regarding miR155HG for improving NK cell generation and effector function in the field of NK cell adoptive transfer therapy against cancer, especially iPSC-derived NK cells.

Nine novel compounds, comprising seven tetrahydroanthraquinones (auxarthrolones A-G, 1-7), a γ-butenolide glycoside (malfilamentoside E, 26), and a γ-butenolide (auxarthrolide A, 27), together with eighteen known compounds (8-25) were isolated from rice-based solid culture of Auxarthron umbrinum (A. umbrinum) DSM3193 using the one strain many compounds (OSMAC) approach. The structural elucidation of these compounds was accomplished through nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), mass spectrometry (MS), and NMR calculation combined with DP4+ analysis or MAEΔΔδ parameter, while the absolute configurations of new compounds were established through single-crystal X-ray diffraction, electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectroscopic data analysis and/or chemical derivatization. Austrocortilutein (10) and auxarthrol H (14) demonstrated moderate cytotoxicity against U87 and U251 [half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) 3.5-12.1 μmol·L^-1]. Additionally, auxarthrolone A (1), auxarthrol H (14), eupolyphagin B (15), and 7-hydroxy-2-(2-hydroxypropyl)-5-methylchromone (17) exhibited torsional effects on fibroblast proliferation challenges induced by oleic acid, thus demonstrating fibroblast proliferation-promoting activity.
4-Butyrolactone/pharmacology* ; Molecular Structure ; Anthraquinones/pharmacology* ; Humans ; Animals ; Mice ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

Objective:To screen active antibacterial components from licorice extract using BamA and BamD, the core components of Escherichia coli ( E. coli) β-barrel assembly machinery (BAM), as targets in order to combat the increasingly serious problem of antibiotic resistance. Methods:Affinity ultrafiltration combined with high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) was used to screen the potential components interacting with BamA and BamD from licorice extract. Changes in the expression of bamA and bamD genes of E. coli after treatment with the compounds were detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR, and the effects of the compounds on the function of the BAM complex to integrate outer membrane proteins into the bacterial outer membrane were analyzed using an in vitro recombination system. The influence of the compounds on the integrity of bacterial membranes was evaluated through analyzing the accumulation of SDS within the bacterial cells. Results:Bioaffinity ultrafiltration combined with HPLC-MS screening revealed that 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid could interact with BamD. After 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid treatment, the expression of bamA gene increased by 1.5 times, and the expression of bamD gene increased by 2 times. However, the inhibitory effect of 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid on the membrane insertion function of the BAM complex was not observed in the in vitro recombinant system assay, and the cell membrane integrity assay experiments did not reveal any disruption of the E. coli cell membrane by 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid. Conclusions:Using BamA and BamD proteins as targets, a natural product screening method using affinity ultrafiltration combined with HPLC-MS is established. The screening result shows that 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid can interact with BamD and affect the expression of outer membrane proteins in E. coli. Therefore, the screening and experimental procedures established in this study are of good reference value for the screening of novel antimicrobial drugs from other sources targeting outer membrane proteins, and this study also suggests that the selection of the relevant target sites is crucial for the successful screening of the corresponding natural products.

Objective To investigate the safety and clinical effect of prophylactic ileostomy using right lower abdominal specimen extraction incision in laparoscopic rectal low anterior resection and its impact on ileos-tomy closure.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 127 patients who underwent laparoscopic low anterior resection of rectal cancer combined with prophylactic ileostomy in Department of General Surgery in our hospital from January 2020 to December 2023.Patients were divided into observation group(n=60)and control group(n=67)based on whether with prophylactic ileostomy using the right lower abdominal specimen extraction incision or not.Relevant data and clinical data of ileostomy closure were compared between the two groups.Results(1)There was no significant difference in baseline clinical data between the two groups(P>0.05).(2)In terms of operation time,pain score within three days after surgery and postoperative first exhaust time,the observation group was better than the control group,showing statistical difference(P<0.05).In the observation group,the average length of the incision was longer than that in the control group,and it was significantly different between the two groups(P<0.05).There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of blood loss,post-operative feeding time and postoperative hospital stay(P>0.05).(3)There was no significant difference between the two groups in postoperative and ostomy-related complication S(P>0.05).(4)The observation group was better than the control group in terms of postoperative pain score and postoperative first exhaust time,indicating statistical significance(P<0.05).There were no significant differences in surgical time,abdominal adhesion,blood loss,postoperative hospital stay and postoperative complications between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion The patients undergoing laparoscopic rectal low anterior resection who needs prophylactic ileostomy using right lower abdominal specimen extraction incision can improve the appearance of the incision,shorten operation time,reduce postoperative pain of the patients but does not increase postoperative complications and the difficulty of ileostomy closure.It is safe and feasible,which worthy for clinical promotion.

Objective To explore the feasibility and potential application value of establishing the neonatal pig models of islet transplantation under the renal capsule. Methods Nine wild-type neonatal Duroc pigs were selected, including 1 animal as the control (p6307), 6 as islet transplant donors and 2 as islet transplant recipients (p6210, p6207). After islet isolation and differentiation in vitro, islet transplantation under the renal capsule of the pig was performed. Immunosuppressive therapy of tacrolimus (Tac) combined with sirolimus was given after operation. Postoperative body weight, blood glucose and serum creatinine levels of the recipients were monitored. The p6210 recipient neonatal pig was sacrificed at postoperative 4 weeks, while the p6207 recipient and the control neonatal pig were sacrificed at postoperative 8 weeks. The islet grafts under the renal capsule were collected for pathological staining and insulin immunofluorescent staining. Results After islet transplantation under the renal capsule of the pigs, the growth rate of body weight of the recipients was significantly slower than that of the control neonatal pig, accompanied with intermittent symptoms, such as anorexia and diarrhea, etc. However, the blood glucose and serum creatinine levels of the recipients did not significantly differ from preoperative levels and those of the control neonatal pig. Evident islet mass was observed under the renal capsule of the p6210 recipient. Pathological staining and insulin immunofluorescent staining confirmed that the islet mass had the function of secreting insulin, whereas no obvious islet mass could be seen under the renal capsule of the p6207 recipient. Pathological staining detected no evident islet mass, suggesting the possibility of islet transplantation failure caused by rejection in the p6207 recipient. Conclusions The establishment of neonatal pig models of islet transplantation under the renal capsule is a feasible technique, which provides preliminary evidence for the establishment of composite islet-kidney donor graft in pig models for xenotransplantation in the treatment of end-stage diabetic nephropathy.

Objective:To compare the clinical utility of 18F-fibroblast activating protein inhibitor (FAPI)-42 and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT imaging in newly diagnosed lung cancer patients. Methods:From May 2020 to September 2021, the images of 43 lung cancer patients (32 males, 11 females, age: 37-80 years) who pathologically confirmed and received 18F-FDG and 18F-FAPI-42 PET/CT within 2 weeks in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University were prospectively analyzed. The maximum standardized uptake value (SUV max) of 18F-FDG and 18F-FAPI-42 and the number of lesions detected by 2 imaging methods were compared by using paired t test and Wilcoxon rank sum test. Results:The 43 newly diagnosed lung cancer patients included 35 adenocarcinoma, 2 squamous cell carcinoma, 4 small cell lung cancer, and 2 high-grade neuroendocrine tumors. 18F-FAPI-42 had a very high tumor uptake (SUV max: 12.24±3.97) and lesion detection rate (positive rate: 100%(37/37)) in primary lung adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. The uptake of 18F-FAPI-42 in lymph node (10.13±5.43), pleura (6.75(4.96, 8.58)) and bone lesion (7.18(4.33, 9.66)) were significantly higher than those of 18F-FDG (6.35±3.30, 2.69(1.81, 5.00), 4.38(2.96, 6.36); t=12.19, z values: 5.47, 5.79, all P<0.001). In lung adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, although the uptake of 18F-FAPI-42 in brain metastases was significantly lower than that of 18F-FDG (0.72(0.15, 1.82) vs 6.53(4.65, 9.34); z=6.42, P<0.001), the tumor/background (T/B) ratio was significantly higher than that of 18F-FDG (3.54(1.15, 14.88) vs 0.96(0.77, 1.04); z=6.05, P<0.001). In lung adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, the number of lesions detected by 18F-FAPI-42 PET/CT was significantly more than that of 18F-FDG (lymph node: 6.0(2.3, 11.5) vs 4.5(2.0, 10.8); brain: 2.0(1.0, 3.0) vs 0.0(0.0, 0.0); pleura: 6.0(2.8, 10.0) vs 4.0(0.8, 5.5); z values: 2.16, 3.10, 2.04, all P<0.05). However, in high-grade neuroendocrine tumors and small cell lung cancer, the SUV max of 18F-FAPI-42 in primary lesions (8.05±2.60), lymph node lesions (5.98±2.21) and brain lesions (0.44(0.13, 0.82)) were lower than those of 18F-FDG (16.28±5.17, 12.30±5.47, 4.94(4.84, 6.25); t values: 3.58, 7.52, z=3.06, all P<0.05). Conclusions:In lung adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, 18F-FAPI-42 has a very high tumor uptake and lesion detection rate in primary tumor. In addition, compared with 18F-FDG PET/CT, 18F-FAPI-42 PET/CT shows clearer tumor contours and more lesions. Therefore, 18F-FAPI-42 is more suitable for preliminary staging of lung adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma than 18F-FDG, while the opposite is true in small cell lung cancer and high-grade neuroendocrine tumors.

Endophytic fungi are promising producers of bioactive small molecules. Bioinformatic analysis of the genome of an endophytic fungus