Objective To explore the method for establishing a pig left lung orthotopic transplantation model. Methods A total of 4 male Yorkshire pigs weighing (40.0±2.5) kg underwent surgical procedures, including anesthesia, tracheal intubation, donor lung procurement, and recipient lung transplantation. Histological morphology and blood gas analysis of the transplanted lungs were assessed 2 hours after reperfusion to evaluate the histological changes and function of the transplanted lungs. Results The pigs underwent left lung in situ transplantation, effectively simulating conditions relevant to human lung transplantation. Two hours after the transplantation, arterial blood gas analysis showed that arterial partial pressure of oxygen was 155.4-178.6 mm Hg, arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide was 53.1-62.4 mm Hg, and the oxygenation index was 310.8-357.2 mm Hg. Hematoxylin and eosin staining indicated a low degree of pulmonary edema and minimal cellular infiltration. Conclusion The pig left lung orthotopic transplantation model possesses strong operability and stability. Researchers can replicate this model according to the described methods and further conduct basic research and explore clinical translational applications.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the bioactive components in Jiawei Xiaoyao Pills (JWXYP) and their mechanisms for alleviating depression-like behaviors. METHODS: The active compounds, key targets, and pathways of JWXYP were identified using TCMSP and TCMIP databases. Thirty-six SD rats were randomized equally into 6 groups including a control group and 5 chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced depression groups. After modeling, the 5 model groups were treated with daily gavage of normal saline, 1.8 mg/kg fluoxetine hydrochloride (positive control drug), or JWXYP at 1.44, 2.88, and 4.32 g/kg. The depression-like behaviors of the rats were evaluated using behavioral tests, and pathological changes in the liver and hippocampus were examined with HE staining. The biochemical indicators in the serum and brain tissues were detected using ELISA. Serum metabolomics analysis was performed to identify the differential metabolites using OPLS-DA, and gut microbiota changes were analyzed using 16S rDNA sequencing. RESULTS: Network pharmacology revealed that menthone and paeonol in JWXYP were capable of penetrating the blood-brain barrier to regulate inflammatory pathways and protect the nervous system. In the rat models subjected to CUMS, treatment with JWXYP significantly improved body weight loss, sucrose preference and open field activities, reduced liver inflammation, alleviated structural changes in the hippocampal neurons, decreased serum levels of TNF‑α, IL-1β, IL-6 and LBP, and increased 5-HT and VIP concentrations in the serum and brain tissue, and these effects were the most pronounced in the high-dose group. Metabolomics analysis showed changes in such metabolites as indole-3-acetamide and acetyl-L-carnitine in JWXYP-treated rats, involving the pathways for bile acid biosynthesis and amino acid metabolism. 16S rDNA analysis demonstrated increased gut microbiota diversity and increased abundance of Lactobacillus species in JWXYP-treated rats. CONCLUSIONS JWXYP alleviates depression-like symptoms in rats by regulating the neurotransmitters, inhibiting inflammation and oxidation, and modulating gut microbiota.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Depression/drug therapy* ; Neurotransmitter Agents/metabolism* ; Rats ; Inflammation ; Male ; Hippocampus ; Behavior, Animal/drug effects*

Objective To explore the bioactive components in Jiawei Xiaoyao Pills(JWXYP)and their mechanisms for alleviating depression-like behaviors.Methods The active compounds,key targets,and pathways of JWXYP were identified using TCMSP and TCMIP databases.Thirty-six SD rats were randomized equally into 6 groups including a control group and 5 chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS)-induced depression groups.After modeling,the 5 model groups were treated with daily gavage of normal saline,1.8 mg/kg fluoxetine hydrochloride(positive control drug),or JWXYP at 1.44,2.88,and 4.32 g/kg.The depression-like behaviors of the rats were evaluated using behavioral tests,and pathological changes in the liver and hippocampus were examined with HE staining.The biochemical indicators in the serum and brain tissues were detected using ELISA.Serum metabolomics analysis was performed to identify the differential metabolites using OPLS-DA,and gut microbiota changes were analyzed using 16S rDNA sequencing.Results Network pharmacology revealed that menthone and paeonol in JWXYP were capable of penetrating the blood-brain barrier to regulate inflammatory pathways and protect the nervous system.In the rat models subjected to CUMS,treatment with JWXYP significantly improved body weight loss,sucrose preference and open field activities,reduced liver inflammation,alleviated structural changes in the hippocampal neurons,decreased serum levels of TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6 and LBP,and increased 5-HT and VIP concentrations in the serum and brain tissue,and these effects were the most pronounced in the high-dose group.Metabolomics analysis showed changes in such metabolites as indole-3-acetamide and acetyl-L-carnitine in JWXYP-treated rats,involving the pathways for bile acid biosynthesis and amino acid metabolism.16S rDNA analysis demonstrated increased gut microbiota diversity and increased abundance of Lactobacillus species in JWXYP-treated rats.Conclusion JWXYP alleviates depression-like symptoms in rats by regulating the neurotransmitters,inhibiting inflammation and oxidation,and modulating gut microbiota.

Hepatosplenic candidiasis (HSC) is a rare type of candidiasis that can occur in patients with hematologic malignancies, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. At present, there is still a lack of studies on HSC in patients with hematologic disorders. Based on The Chinese Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Invasive Fungal Disease in Patients with Hematological Disorders and Cancers (the 6th revision), We retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with HSC treated in Peking University Institute of Hematology from 2008 to 2022. Finally, eighteen patients were included, with 1 (5.6%) proven, 2 (11.1%) probable, and 15 (83.3%) possible HSC. Among them, 3 (16.7%) patients occurred after haploid hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and 15 (83.3%) patients occurred after chemotherapy. 6 (33.3%) patients had positive blood cultures, including 4 cases of Candida tropicalis and 2 cases of Candida albicans. At 4 weeks of antifungal therapy, 10 (58.8%) patients achieved partial response (PR), At 8 weeks, 1 (6.3%) patients achieved complete response and 10 (62.5%) patients achieved PR. At 6 months after diagnosis, 3 (16.7%) patients died of hematopoietic recurrence, and none of them died of HSC. As a rare fungal infection disease, HSC has a low positive rate of microbiological and histological examinations, a persistent treat cycle, and has difficulty in remission, reminding us of the need for vigilance in patients with hematopoietic disorders and persistent fever.

Mice ; Animals ; Humans ; Disease Models, Animal

Objective:To investigate the frequency of metabolic syndrome (MS) in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and further analyze the correlation of MS and its components with clinical features of PsA.Methods:Data including demographics, clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, MS-associated features (height, weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, serum lipid spectrum, and so on) and history of complications (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, and cerebral vascular disease) were collected from PsA patients in our hospital from Jan 2017 to Sep 2019. The frequency of MS in PsA patients was calculated and the association between PsA clinical manifestations and MS as well as its components was investigated.Results:One hundred and sixty-two PsA patients who fulfilled the Classification Criteria for Psoriatic Arthritis (CASPAR) were recruited. Hypertension was identified in 36 (22.2%) patients, diabetes mellitus in 28(17.2%) patients, coronary heart disease in 11(6.7%) patients, and cerebral vascular disease in 7 (4.3%) patients. Based on the criteria of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), 58(35.8%) patients were diagnosed as MS. Compared with MS-free patients, patients with MS, hypertension or diabetes mellitus were older [(54±10 vs 44±13; 56±11 vs 45±12; 54±11 vs 44±13, respectively, t=5.058 , 4.450, 5.150, P<0.01 for all], with higher disease activity [DAPSA scores 16.75(11.25, 26.7) vs 8.8(4.8, 16.4), 16.3(9.6, 27.8) vs 10.0 (5.1, 18.0), 14.4 (9, 25.7) vs 9.5 (5, 17.7), Z=4.539 , 3.046, 3.063, P<0.01]. There was a positive correlation between the sum of components of MS and DAPSA score ( r=0.27 , P<0.01), but multiple linear regression showed no correlation between each component with DAPSA score ( P>0.05) except for hypertension ( P<0.01, standard coefficient=0.334) and elevated fasting blood glucose ( P=0.023, standard coefficient=0.247). PsA patients with hypertension had higher ESR [16.5 (9.5, 34.25) mm/1 h vs 10 (5, 24.5) mm/1 h, Z=2.127, P=0.012]. CRP level was higher in patients with dyslipidemia [5.6(2.1, 17.8) mg/L vs 3.7(1.5, 6.5) mg/L, Z=2.543, P<0.01]. Prevalence of inflammatory back pain was also higher in dyslipidemia patients (41.3% vs 22.4%, χ2=5.901, P=0.016). DAPSA score was higher in dyslipidemia patients (14.1 vs9.9, P=0.031). Conclusion:MS and its components are not rare comorbidities in PsA patients. PsA patients with MS tend to be older with higher disease activity, which calls for more attention.

Animals ; Cognitive Dysfunction/therapy* ; Maze Learning ; Mice ; Protein Phosphatase 2 ; Restraint, Physical ; Stress, Psychological/therapy*

Objective Comparing the effects of steam sterilization on cyclic fatigue of stainless steel files. Meth-ods Fifty instruments of 25# stainless steel K files were randomly divided into 5 groups, which include 10 in each group. Group 1 was the blank control group, group 2 to 5 were subjected to 1, 3, 4, 5 steam sterilization cycles, then the files were tested by a custom-made device to assess cyclic fatigue and the number of cycles of failure (NCF) was calculated. Microstruc-ture of each file’s fracture surface was analyzed by Scanning Electron microscope (SEM). Results NCF in the 5 groups were 4 345.2 ± 384.2,3 937.9 ± 645.4,3 812.9 ± 532.5,3 626.2 ± 380.0,3 625.9 ± 565.6 respectively, and the differences among 5 groups were significantly different(F=2.598, P<0.05). After 4 or 5 times of steam sterilization, cyclic fatigue de-creased if compared with that in control group (P<0.05). Fracture surface in group 1 and group 2 was tough dimple structure and large numbers of regular, deep dimples were distributed on the surface. You could also see micro cavities clearly formed by fracture;Fracture surface in group 4 was dimple structure in brittle intergranular morphology. It is characterized by the presence of thin brittle precipitates, clean and smooth crystal interface, and a great sense of polyhedral stereo. Conclusion After 4 times of steam sterilization, cyclic fatigue strength of 25# stainless steel K files declined, which possessed the poten-tial risk of fracture.