ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of Qinlian Hongqutang （QLHQT） on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis （NASH）. MethodsC57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into normal and modeling groups. The NASH model was established by feeding a high-fat diet for 12 weeks. After successful modeling， mice were randomly assigned to the model group， low-， medium-， and high-dose QLHQT groups （0.51， 1.02， and 2.04 g·kg^-1）， and a positive control metformin group， with six mice in each group. The mice were treated for 8 weeks. Body weight was recorded before and after treatment. Serum levels of total cholesterol （TC）， triglycerides （TG）， and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， as well as hepatic TC， TG， and LDL-C contents， were determined by biochemical assays. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and oil red O staining were used to evaluate liver histopathology and lipid deposition， respectively. Flow cytometry， enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）， and Real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） were used to assess hepatic macrophage expression and related markers. Western blot and immunofluorescence were used to investigate the potential mechanisms of QLHQT in regulating macrophage polarization. ResultsCompared with the normal group， body weight and serum and hepatic levels of TC， TG， and LDL-C were significantly increased in the model group （P<0.01）. Liver histopathology showed unevenly distributed round lipid droplets in the hepatocyte cytoplasm， accompanied by inflammatory cell aggregation. Flow cytometry showed that the proportion of CD86-positive cells was significantly increased， whereas the proportion of CD206-positive cells was markedly decreased （P<0.05）. Hepatic inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS） levels and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） mRNA expression were significantly increased， while hepatic IL-10 levels and IL-4 mRNA expression were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The protein expression levels of Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）， tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 （TRAF6）， and myeloid differentiation factor 88 （MyD88） in the liver were significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， body weight was reduced in the high-， medium-， and low-dose QLHQT groups and in the metformin group. Serum and hepatic TC， TG， and LDL-C levels were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Liver histopathology showed alleviated hepatic lipid deposition， with markedly reduced lipid droplets and inflammation. Immunofluorescence and flow cytometry showed that the proportions of CD86-positive cells were significantly decreased， whereas the proportions of CD206-positive cells were significantly increased in the high-， medium-， and low-dose QLHQT groups （P<0.05）. Hepatic iNOS levels and TNF-α mRNA expression were significantly decreased （P<0.01）， whereas hepatic IL-10 levels and IL-4 mRNA expression were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The hepatic protein expression levels of TLR4， TRAF6， and MyD88 were significantly decreased， while signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 （STAT6） phosphorylation was significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. There was no statistically significant difference in total STAT6 protein expression. ConclusionQLHQT effectively ameliorates hepatic inflammation in NASH mice， and the mechanism may involve STAT6- and TLR4-mediated signaling pathways driving polarization of M1 macrophages toward the M2 phenotype.

ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of Qinlian Hongqutang （QLHQT） on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis （NASH）. MethodsC57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into normal and modeling groups. The NASH model was established by feeding a high-fat diet for 12 weeks. After successful modeling， mice were randomly assigned to the model group， low-， medium-， and high-dose QLHQT groups （0.51， 1.02， and 2.04 g·kg^-1）， and a positive control metformin group， with six mice in each group. The mice were treated for 8 weeks. Body weight was recorded before and after treatment. Serum levels of total cholesterol （TC）， triglycerides （TG）， and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， as well as hepatic TC， TG， and LDL-C contents， were determined by biochemical assays. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and oil red O staining were used to evaluate liver histopathology and lipid deposition， respectively. Flow cytometry， enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）， and Real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） were used to assess hepatic macrophage expression and related markers. Western blot and immunofluorescence were used to investigate the potential mechanisms of QLHQT in regulating macrophage polarization. ResultsCompared with the normal group， body weight and serum and hepatic levels of TC， TG， and LDL-C were significantly increased in the model group （P<0.01）. Liver histopathology showed unevenly distributed round lipid droplets in the hepatocyte cytoplasm， accompanied by inflammatory cell aggregation. Flow cytometry showed that the proportion of CD86-positive cells was significantly increased， whereas the proportion of CD206-positive cells was markedly decreased （P<0.05）. Hepatic inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS） levels and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） mRNA expression were significantly increased， while hepatic IL-10 levels and IL-4 mRNA expression were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The protein expression levels of Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）， tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 （TRAF6）， and myeloid differentiation factor 88 （MyD88） in the liver were significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， body weight was reduced in the high-， medium-， and low-dose QLHQT groups and in the metformin group. Serum and hepatic TC， TG， and LDL-C levels were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Liver histopathology showed alleviated hepatic lipid deposition， with markedly reduced lipid droplets and inflammation. Immunofluorescence and flow cytometry showed that the proportions of CD86-positive cells were significantly decreased， whereas the proportions of CD206-positive cells were significantly increased in the high-， medium-， and low-dose QLHQT groups （P<0.05）. Hepatic iNOS levels and TNF-α mRNA expression were significantly decreased （P<0.01）， whereas hepatic IL-10 levels and IL-4 mRNA expression were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The hepatic protein expression levels of TLR4， TRAF6， and MyD88 were significantly decreased， while signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 （STAT6） phosphorylation was significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. There was no statistically significant difference in total STAT6 protein expression. ConclusionQLHQT effectively ameliorates hepatic inflammation in NASH mice， and the mechanism may involve STAT6- and TLR4-mediated signaling pathways driving polarization of M1 macrophages toward the M2 phenotype.

The incomplete degradation of tumour cells by macrophages (Mϕ) is a contributing factor to tumour progression and metastasis, and the degradation function of Mϕ is mediated through phagosomes and lysosomes. In our preliminary experiments, we found that overactivation of NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) reduced the ability of Mϕ to degrade engulfed tumour cells. Above this, we screened out liquiritin from Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch, which can significantly inhibit NOX2 activity and inhibit tumours, to elucidate that suppressing NOX2 can enhance the ability of Mϕ to degrade tumour cells. We found that the tumour environment could activate the NOX2 activity in Mϕ phagosomes, causing Mϕ to produce excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS), thus prohibiting the formation of phagolysosomes before degradation. Conversely, inhibiting NOX2 in Mϕ by liquiritin can reduce ROS and promote phagosome-lysosome fusion, therefore improving the enzymatic degradation of tumour cells after phagocytosis, and subsequently promote T cell activity by presenting antigens. We further confirmed that liquiritin down-regulated the expression of the NOX2 specific membrane component protein gp91 phox, blocking its binding to the NOX2 cytoplasmic component proteins p67 phox and p47 phox, thereby inhibiting the activity of NOX2. This study elucidates the specific mechanism by which Mϕ cannot degrade tumour cells after phagocytosis, and indicates that liquiritin can promote the ability of Mϕ to degrade tumour cells by suppressing NOX2.

The incomplete degradation of tumour cells by macrophages(Mφ)is a contributing factor to tumour progression and metastasis,and the degradation function of Mφ is mediated through phagosomes and lysosomes.In our preliminary experiments,we found that overactivation of NADPH oxidase 2(NOX2)reduced the ability of Mφ to degrade engulfed tumour cells.Above this,we screened out liquiritin from Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch,which can significantly inhibit NOX2 activity and inhibit tumours,to elucidate that suppressing NOX2 can enhance the ability of Mφ to degrade tumour cells.We found that the tumour environment could activate the NOX2 activity in Mφ phagosomes,causing Mφ to produce excessive reactive oxygen species(ROS),thus prohibiting the formation of phagolysosomes before degradation.Conversely,inhibiting NOX2 in Mφ by liquiritin can reduce ROS and promote phagosome-lysosome fusion,therefore improving the enzymatic degradation of tumour cells after phagocytosis,and subse-quently promote T cell activity by presenting antigens.We further confirmed that liquiritin down-regulated the expression of the NOX2 specific membrane component protein gp91 phox,blocking its binding to the NOX2 cytoplasmic component proteins p67 phox and p47 phox,thereby inhibiting the activity of NOX2.This study elucidates the specific mechanism by which Mφ cannot degrade tumour cells after phagocytosis,and indicates that liquiritin can promote the ability of Mφ to degrade tumour cells by suppressing NOX2.

Objective:To investigate the effectiveness and safety of domestic upper gastrointestinal endoscopic ultrasound (EUS).Methods:A total of 160 patients undergoing EUS at Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University (Center1) and Shenzhen People's Hospital (Center 2) from March to July 2021 were randomly selected by stratified blocked randomization, and were treated with SonoScape EG-UG5T (the test group) or Fujifilm EG-580UT (the control group). The primary outcome was the ultrasound image quality excellence rate, and the comparison was verified by non-inferiority. The secondary outcomes were the endoscopic image quality excellence rate, the operational performance excellence rate, and the system stability evaluation. The safety evaluation was based on the occurrence of intraoperative and postoperative adverse events in the subjects.Results:In the intention-to-treat analysis set (ITT), the excellence rate of ultrasound image quality in the test group and the control group was 100.0% (78/78) and 100.0% (77/77), respectively. The rate difference between the two groups was 0.0% (95% CI: -4.7%-4.8%). In the per protocol analysis set (PPS), the excellence rate of ultrasound image quality in the test group and the control group was 100.0% (78/78) and 100.0% (75/75), respectively. The rate difference between the two groups was 0.0% (95% CI: -4.7%-4.9%). The lower limit of the confidence interval of ultrasound image quality excellence rate of both data sets was greater than the non-inferiority threshold value of -8%, which inferred that the non-inferiority hypothesis of the test machine non-inferior to the control machine was valid. The endoscopic image quality excellence rate and the operational performance excellence rate of the test group and the control group was 100.0% in both the ITT and PPS analyses, and there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups ( P=1.000). The system instability event rate was 0.0% (0/78) in the test group and 3.9% (3/77) in the control group ( P=0.120). No adverse event occurred in either group. Conclusion:The domestic upper gastrointestinal endoscopic ultrasound is standard-compliant for clinical application under normal conditions in terms of effectiveness, safety, and stability.

Objective:To establish a method for obtaining planning target volume (PTV) and planning risk volume (PRV) margins caused by rotation in the use of adapt-to-position (ATP) modality of magnetic resonance linear accelerator (MRL) for patients with intracranial tumors.Methods:Clinical data of 6 patients with intracranial tumors (150 fractions in total) who received MRI-guided online ATP radiotherapy in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from November 2023 to January 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. The pre-planned CT structure was copied onto each segmented MR image and then the structures were traced back to the CT image according to the three-dimensional registration relationship. The anisotropic distance of the structure based on the original CT structure was calculated to obtain the variation range of the target and the organs at risk. The maximum anisotropic value was taken as the result of the PTV and the relationship between the results and intracranial location of different patients was analyzed. Group comparison was performed by Chi-square test. Two group comparison was conducted by post-hoc Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results:After the rotation deviation was included, the range of target changes in the six directions of left and right (L/R), anterior and posterior (A/P) and superior and inferior (S/I) of the 6 patients were: (1.24± 0.86) mm/(1.91± 1.07) mm, (2.02± 1.26) mm/(1.66± 1.07) mm, (1.84± 1.84) mm /(2.94±1.93) mm, respectively. The results in the SI direction were significantly different, and the values in the I direction in 2 patients exceeded 4 mm, the margins suitable for all patients were 3.01 mm/2.4 mm(A/P), 1.9 mm/2.93 mm(L/R) and 3.14 mm/4.62 mm(S/I) in different directions, respectively. The L/R direction of the lens and the S/I direction of the optic nerve were significantly changed, and the A/P direction of the brain stem was (3.99± 4.64) mm. Larger values might be required when the target was in the posterior brain (left-down area, right-down area).Conclusions:The rotation deviation, organ movement and intracranial location affect the PTV and the organs at risk PRV in the MRI-guided ATP modality in intracranial tumors patients. The margin generation method based on image fusion can help to quantify the margin value reasonably.

Objective:To investigate the effects of TYRO protein tyrosine-binding protein(TYROBP)on neuroinflammation and autophagy via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in a transgenic APP/ PS1 mouse model of AD. Methods:C57BL/6J, TYROBP-/- and APP/ PS1 transgenic male mice aged 15-month-old were randomly divided into 3 group: the C57BL/6J group, the TYROBP-/- group and the APP/ PS1 group, with 19 in each group.The eight-arm maze test and novel object recognition test were conducted to assess the learning and memory ability of mice.The activation of microglia and NLRP3 inflammasomes were assessed by immunofluorescence.The mRNA levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β were measured by real-time PCR, and the protein expression levels of NLRP3, cleaved caspase-1, SQSTM1, LC3B, TYROBP, p-PI3K, PI3K, p-AKT and AKT were assayed by Western blot. Results:Compared with the C57BL/6J group, the learning and memory abilities were significantly decreased(all P<0.05), activated microglia and NLRP3 inflammasomes were increased(all P<0.05), the mRNA and protein expression levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β were increased(all P<0.05)and the protein expression levels of LC3B-Ⅱ, SQSTM1, TYROBP, p-PI3K, p-AKT were increased(all P<0.05)in the APP/ PS1 group.Compared with C57BL/6J group, the protein expression levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, LC3B Ⅱ, SQSTM1, p-PI3K and p-AKT were decreased(all P<0.05). Conclusions:TYROBP promotes the inflammatory response and inhibits autophagy possibly by activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, thus participating in the occurrence and development of AD.

Objective:To explore the correlation between serum microRNA(miR)-124 and miR-181c expression and the treatment outcome of Solitaire stent thrombectomy in patients with acute cerebral infarction and its influencing factors.Methods:Eighty-one patients with acute cerebral infarction performed Solitaire stent thrombectomyfrom June 2018 to October 2020 in the Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical College were selected. The predictive value of miR-124, miR-181c expression in patients with acute cerebral infarction were analyzed.Results:In 81 patients, 21 patients with poor outcome(poor outcome group) and 60 patients with favorable outcome (favorable outcome group). The ratio of age ≥ 60 years in poor outcome group was higher than that in the favorable outcome group: 76.19% (16/21) vs. 46.67% (28/60), there was statistical difference ( χ2 = 5.46, P<0.05). The levels of miR-124, miR-181c before surgery and postoperative 1-day, 7-day in the favorable outcome group were higher than those in poor outcome group: 2.81 ± 0.82 vs. 2.24 ± 0.74, 3.01 ± 1.52 vs. 2.07 ± 1.04, 3.25 ± 1.67 vs. 1.86 ± 0.92; and the levels of miR-181c before surgery and postoperative 1-day, 7-day in the favorable outcome group were lower than those in the poor outcome group: 1.43 ± 0.59 vs. 1.79 ± 0.65, 1.35 ± 0.62 vs. 1.94 ± 0.79, 1.24 ± 0.60 vs. 2.16 ± 1.08, there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). The results of Logistic multivariate analysis showed that the age, the levels of miR-124, miR-181c before operation and postoperative 1-day, 7-day were influencing factors for the treatment outcome of Solitaire stent thrombectomy. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that the area under the curve of miR-124, miR-181c on the postoperative 7-day were 0.806, 0.861, and were higher than those before operation and the postoperative 1-day, the diagnostic sensitivity were 71.43%, 76.19%, the specificity were 88.33%, 85.00%. Conclusions:The expression of miR-124 and miR-181c in the serum of acute cerebral infarction is related to the outcome of Solitaire stent thrombectomy, especially the expression level on the postoperative 7-day has better application value. It can be used to predict the outcome of surgery.

Objective To explore the clinical efficacy of marginal liver from elderly donors in liver transplantation. Methods According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the clinical data of 127 donors and recipients were retrospectively analyzed. According to the age of donors, 127 donors were divided into the elderly group (n=27) and control group (n=100). The recovery of liver function, the occurrence of postoperative complications and survival rate of the recipients after transplantation were statistically analyzed between two groups. Results The incidence of primary nonfunction (PNF) and initial poor graft function (IPGF) did not significantly differ between the elderly and control groups (both P > 0.05). Within postoperative 2 weeks, the average levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and serum total bilirubin (TB) of liver transplant recipients in the elderly group was not significantly different from those in the control group (both P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications in the postoperative elderly group compared with the control group (all P > 0.05). The 1-and 3-year survival rates of the recipients in the elderly group were 84% and 78% respectively, which did not significantly differ from 89% and 79% in the control group (both P > 0.05). Conclusions Strict and sufficient quality evaluation and functional maintenance should be done for elderly donor livers. It can achieve good transplantation results by intraoperative fine operation, reducing bleeding and trauma, shortening the time of cold ischemia and operation, strengthening postoperative monitoring and implementing enhanced recovery after surgery.

Enterohepatic circulation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Bile acid is the basic substance of enterohepatic circulation and plays an important role in lipid metabolism, intestinal flora regulation, and host immunity. This article summarizes the research advances in bile acid which acts as a signal molecule to activate bile acid receptors in the liver and intestine, such as farnesoid X receptor, G protein-coupled receptor 5, pregnane X receptor, and vitamin D receptor, and is thus involved in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. It is expected to develop effective drugs for the treatment of NALFD based on the above targets, but there is still a need for further exploration.