To explore the common irritant components in different base sources of Polygonati Rhizoma(PR). A rabbit eye irritation experiment was conducted to compare the irritant effects of raw products of Polygonatum kingianum, P. officinale, and P. multiflorum. The irritant effects of different solvent extraction parts and needle crystals of PR were compared, and the irritant components were screened. The morphology and structure of the purified needle crystal of PR were observed by microscope and scanning electron microscope and characterized by X-ray diffraction. Rabbit eye irritation and mouse abdominal inflammation model were used to evaluate rabbit eye irritation scores, inflammatory mediators, inflammatory factors levels in the peritoneal exudate of mice, with the peritoneal pathological section used as indicators. The inflammatory effect of needle crystals of PR was studied, and the content of calcium oxalate in three kinds of PR was determined by HPLC. The common protein in three kinds of PR was screened and compared by double enzymatic hydrolysis in solution combined with mass spectrometry. The results showed that three kinds of PR raw products had certain irritant effects on rabbit eyes, among which P. kingianum had the strongest irritant effect. There were no obvious irritant effects in the different solvent extraction parts of P. kingianum. Compared with the blank group, the needle crystal of PR had a significant irritant effect on rabbit eyes, and the inflammatory mediators and inflammatory factors in the peritoneal exudate were significantly increased(P<0.05) in a dose-dependent manner. Meanwhile, the peritoneal tissue of mice was damaged with significant inflammatory cell infiltration after intraperitoneal injection of needle crystal, indicating that needle crystal had an inflammatory effect. Microscope and scanning electron microscope observations showed that the needle crystals of PR were slender, with a length of about 100-200 μm and sharp ends. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the needle crystals of PR were calcium oxalate monohydrate crystals. The results of HPLC showed that the content of calcium oxalate in P. kingianum was the highest among the three kinds of PR. It was speculated that the content of needle crystal in P. kingianum was higher than that in P. officinale and P. multiflorum, which was consistent with the results of the rabbit eye irritation experiment. The results of mass spectrometry showed that ribosome inactivating protein and mannose/sialic acid binding lectin were related to inflammation and cell metabolism in all three kinds of PR. There was no obvious irritant effect in different solvent extracts of PR. The calcium oxalate needle crystal contained was the main irritant component of PR, and three kinds of PR contained common ribosome inactivating protein and mannose/sialic acid binding lectin, which may be related to the inflammatory irritant effect of PR.
Animals ; Rabbits ; Mice ; Polygonatum/chemistry* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/toxicity* ; Rhizome/chemistry* ; Male ; Eye/drug effects* ; Female ; Humans

BACKGROUND: The clinical impact of post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) quantitative flow ratio (QFR) in patients treated with PCI for chronic total occlusion (CTO) was still undetermined. METHODS: All CTO vessels treated with successful anatomical PCI in patients from PANDA III trial were retrospectively measured for post-PCI QFR. The primary outcome was 2-year vessel-oriented composite endpoints (VOCEs, composite of target vessel-related cardiac death, target vessel-related myocardial infarction, and ischemia-driven target vessel revascularization). Receiver operator characteristic curve analysis was conducted to identify optimal cutoff value of post-PCI QFR for predicting the 2-year VOCEs, and all vessels were stratified by this optimal cutoff value. Cox proportional hazards models were employed to calculate the hazard ratio (HR) with 95% CI. RESULTS: Among 428 CTO vessels treated with PCI, 353 vessels (82.5%) were analyzable for post-PCI QFR. 31 VOCEs (8.7%) occurred at 2 years. Mean value of post-PCI QFR was 0.92 ± 0.13. Receiver operator characteristic curve analysis shown the optimal cutoff value of post-PCI QFR for predicting 2-year VOCEs was 0.91. The incidence of 2-year VOCEs in the vessel with post-PCI QFR < 0.91 (n = 91) was significantly higher compared with the vessels with post-PCI QFR ≥ 0.91 (n = 262) (22.0% vs. 4.2%, HR = 4.98, 95% CI: 2.32-10.70). CONCLUSIONS Higher post-PCI QFR values were associated with improved prognosis in the PCI practice for coronary CTO. Achieving functionally optimal PCI results (post-PCI QFR value ≥ 0.91) tends to get better prognosis for patients with CTO lesions.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of acupuncture on the neurotransmitter levels and gut microbiota in a mouse model of Tourette syndrome (TS). METHODS: Thirty-six male C57/BL6 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups using a random number table method: 3,3'-iminodipropionitrile (IDPN) group, control group, acupuncture group, and tiapride group, with 9 mice in each group. In the IDPN group, acupuncture group, and tiapride group, mice received daily intraperitoneal injections of IDPN (300 mg/kg body weight) for 7 consecutive days to induce stereotyped behaviors. Subsequently, in the acupuncture intervention group, standardized acupuncture treatment was administered for 14 consecutive days to IDPN-induced TS model mice. The selected acupoints included Baihui (DU 20), Yintang (DU 29), Waiguan (SJ 5), and Zulinqi (GB 41). In the tiapride group, mice were administered tiapride (50 mg/kg body weight) via oral gavage daily for 14 consecutive days. The control group, IDPN group, and acupuncture group received the same volume of saline orally for 14 consecutive days. Stereotypic behaviors were quantified through behavioral assessments. Neurotransmitter levels, including dopamine (DA), glutamate (Glu), and aspartate (ASP) in striatal tissue were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Dopamine transporter (DAT) expression levels were additionally quantified through quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Gut microbial composition was analyzed through 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing, while metabolic profiling was conducted using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). RESULTS: Acupuncture administration significantly attenuated stereotypic behaviors, concurrently reducing striatal levels of DA, Glu and ASP concentrations while upregulating DAT expression compared with untreated TS controls (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Comparative analysis identified significant differences in Muribaculaceae (P=0.001), Oscillospiraceae (P=0.049), Desulfovibrionaceae (P=0.001), and Marinifilaceae (P=0.014) following acupuncture intervention. Metabolomic profiling revealed alterations in 7 metabolites and 18 metabolic pathways when compared to the TS mice, which involved various amino acid metabolisms associated with DA, Glu, and ASP. CONCLUSIONS Acupuncture demonstrates significant modulatory effects on both central neurotransmitter systems and gut microbial ecology, thereby highlighting its dual therapeutic potential for TS management through gut-brain axis regulation.
Animals ; Tourette Syndrome/metabolism* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Neurotransmitter Agents/metabolism* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Male ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice

Quality marker (Q-Marker) is an innovative concept and model for quality control of Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), which will navigate the new direction of quality development of TCMs. Yet, how to characterize the overall quality attributes of TCMs and their biological effects is still debating. In view of this key scientific issue, this paper proposes a research method based on mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) technology for the discovery and confirmation of TCMs Q-Marker. MSI is powerful in investigating the spatial distribution of molecules in a variety of samples, and visualizing the information obtained from MS. On this basis, combine with the five principles of TCMs Q-Marker validation, i.e., specificity, transmission and traceability, testability, prescription compatibility, and validity, were applied to confirm the finalized Q-Marker. It will lead the new direction of quality development of TCMs.

OBJECTIVE:To systematically evaluate the clinical effectiveness of rehabilitation robots in treating lower limb motor dysfunction in patients with cerebral palsy,and to compare the differences in therapeutic effects among different robots.METHODS:PubMed,Web of Science,Embase,Cochrane Library,CNKI,CBM,VIP and WanFang databases were searched to collect randomized controlled trials on rehabilitation robotics for the treatment of motor dysfunction in patients with cerebral palsy,published from database inception to April 10,2024.The main outcome indicators included muscle strength,muscle tension,balance function,step speed,step frequency,step length,walking endurance,lower limb motor function,and activities of daily living.The above indicators were coded according to the International Classification of Functioning,Disability and Health.Meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and compare the therapeutic efficacy of different rehabilitation robots.Literature search and screening were performed by two researchers,and the quality of the included literature was evaluated using the Cochrane 5.1.0 risk of bias assessment tool.Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 software and Stata 16.0 software.RESULTS:(1)Fifteen articles were finally included,involving 512 patients with 260 in the experimental group and 252 in the control group.(2)The Meta-analysis results showed that rehabilitation robots could improve body structure and function[standardized mean difference=0.41,95%confidence interval(CI):0.24-0.58,P<0.05],activities(standardized mean difference=0.53,95%CI:0.41-0.65,P<0.05)and participation ability(mean difference=7.86,95%CI:1.54-14.18,P<0.05).In particular,the rehabilitation robot improved lower limb muscle strength,balance function,step speed,walking endurance,lower limb gross motor function,and activities of daily living in patients with cerebral palsy,but showed insignificant effects on step frequency,step length,and muscle tension.(3)The network Meta-analysis results showed that:step speed:Innowalkpro>Gait Trainer>Lokomat>3DCalt;6-minute walk test score:Gait Trainer>Lokomat>Lokohelp>Innowalkro;Gross Motor Function Measure-88D score:Lokohelp>Lokomat>KidGo>Innowalkpro>3DCalt;Gross Motor Function Measure-88E score:Lokomat>Lokohelp>KidGo>3DCalt>Innowalkpro.CONCLUSION:Based on the International Classification of Functioning,Disability,and Health,rehabilitation robot training can improve the lower limb motor function and activities of daily living in patients with cerebral palsy.The Innowalkpro robot was more effective in improving step speed;the Gait trainer robot was more effective in improving 6-minute walk test scores;the Lokohelp robot was more effective in improving Gross Motor Function Measure-88D zone scores;and the Lokomat robot was more effective in improving Gross Motor Function Measure-88E zone scores.

Aim To explore the effects of high glucose on KIAA0753 and CCSAP and the relationship between KIAA0753 and CCSAP and osteogenic differentiation and calcium signaling pathway under high glucose con-ditions.Methods Mouse embryonic osteoblast pre-cursor cells(MC3T3-E1)were induced by osteoblast medium with glucose concentrations of 5.5 and 25 mmol·L-1,and the protein expressions of KIAA0753 and CCSAP were detected by Western blot.The over-expressed plasmid was transfected into human embry-onic kidney cells(HEK-293T),and the interaction between KIAA0753 and CCSAP was detected by co-im-munoprecipitation.MC3T3-E1 cells were treated in the osteogenic medium with different glucose concentrations and induction times.Alkaline phosphatase(ALP)ac-tivity was detected with a kit.The expression of KI-AA0753,CCSAP,osteopontin,osteocalcin,and other proteins were assessed using Western blot.and then 5.5,25 mmol·L-1,and 25 mmol·L-1+OE-CCSAP three groups of MC3T3-E1 cells were set.The expression of KIAA0753,OCN,OPN protein,and ALP activity were detected successively.The diabetic mouse model dataset in Gene Expression Omnibus was used to screen differential genes for bioinformatics a-nalysis.MC3T3-E1 cells were set up in three groups,5.5,25 mmol·L-1,and 25 mmol·L-1+OE-KI-AA0753,respectively.The calcium/calmodulin-de-pendent protein kinase Ⅱ beta(CAMK2B)and phos-pholamban(PLN)were detected by Western blot.Re-sults Compared with the 5.5 mmol·L-1 group,25 mmol·L-1 inhibited the expression of KIAA0753 and CCSAP proteins in osteoblasts,and there was an inter-action between KIAA0753 and CCSAP.At the same time,25 mmol·L-1 also inhibited the expression of ALP,OPN,and OCN proteins in osteoblasts.Overex-pression of CCSAP at 25 mmol·L-1 up-regulated the expression of KIAA0753,OCN,OPN,and ALP.The differential genes of the diabetic mouse model were mainly concentrated in the aspects of"signal receptor and signal regulation".25 mmol·L-1 glucose inhibi-ted the expression of CAMK2B and PLN proteins in os-teoblasts,and overexpression of KIAA0753 at 25 mmol·L-1 upregulated the expression of CAMK2B and PLN proteins.Conclusions High glucose inhibits the expression of KIAA0753 and CCSAP protein,inhibits the osteogenic differentiation and calcium signaling in mouse embryonic osteoblast precursor cells,overex-pression of CCSAP saves the inhibitory effect of high glucose on osteogenic differentiation,and overexpres-sion of KIAA0753 reverses the inhibitory effect of high glucose on calcium signaling pathway.

Aim To investigate the role of tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase(TDO2)in cisplatin-acute kidney in-jury(Cis-AKI)and to explore the mechanism of TDO2 in relation to apoptosis in tubular epithelial cells(TECs)to investigate the mechanism of TDO2 associ-ated with apoptosis.Methods An AKI model was es-tablished by intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin(Cis).Colorimetric assay was used to detect CRE and BUN levels,and PAS staining was employed to observe renal injury in mice.Immunohistochemistry was used to detect TDO2 protein expression and distribution and macrophage(F4/80+)infiltration;immunofluores-cence was used to detect the co-localization of TDO2 with the tubular marker LTL;TUNEL staining was used to detect apoptosis in mouse kidney;flow cytome-try was used to detect overexpression of human renal cortical proximal tubular epithelial cells(HK2)and apoptosis after administration of the TDO2 inhibitor 680C91;Western blot was used to detect TDO2 and NF-κB pathway protein levels in HK2 cells after over-expression and inhibition of TDO2.Results In the o-verall animal experiments,Cis-AKI mice showed signif-icantly higher levels of CRE and BUN and obvious tu-bular damage compared with the control group;at the same time,the renal tissues of Cis-AKI mice showed increased expression of F4/80,and the proportion of apoptotic cells in kidney cells was increased.Immuno-histochemistry and immunofluorescence showed that the expression of TDO2 increased,mainly localized in TECs.In cellular experiments,HK2 cells overexpress-ing TDO2 increased the proportion of apoptosis,and the expression of TDO2,p-IKBα,and p-p65 proteins was elevated,and p-IKBα/IκBα and p-p65/p65 were ele-vated;furthermore,the proportion of apoptosis was re-duced by the administration of 680C91,and the expres-sion of p-IκBα,and p-p65 proteins decreased,and the expression of p-IKBα/IKBα,and p-p65/p65 de-creased.Conclusions Elevated TDO2 in TECs is in-volved in the pathological mechanism of Cis-AKI,which may be related to its induction of apoptosis in TECs and activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway and consequently renal injury.

Three evaluation methods were recommended for the key properties of the intravascular catheter lubricating coating such as stability,lubricity and integrity,including insoluble particle test method,friction test procedure and appearance detection method.Fifteen batches of microcatheters produced by different manufacturers were selected for testing to clarify the three methods in test principle,step,result,characteristic.References were provided for the design,production,evaluation and regulation of intravascular catheters with lubricant coatings.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(1):66-72]

The lab module of exploratory experiment is newly designed in the practical course of bio-chemistry.Here we describe one of the experimental projects,and it originates from new scientific re-search results on the dynamic structure of ATP synthase.This exploratory experiment is organized in the form of real scientific research,which would fully mobilize the initiative and creativity of students in learning theoretical knowledge and experimental technology.Students work in groups and start with refer-ence reading.Through cooperation,they must develop certain experimental plan,handle samples with photocrosslinking technique and utilize the high-throughput electrophoresis method to analyze the dynamic structural change of ε subunit in ATP synthase under different physiological conditions.High quality re-sults from high-throughput electrophoresis can only be obtained through optimized operation and treat-ment,from which students would experience the process of technological innovation.The teaching process of this lab module embodies the student-centered teaching concept and is widely approved and supported by students.The project of ATP synthase closely combines the content of lab course with cut-ting-edge technology.Students can deeply experience the importance of experimental technology innova-tion in solving scientific problems.The practical ability of students would be comprehensively improved through this lab module.

Objective To explore the correlation between gallbladder stones and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth(SIBO).Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 393 patients who attended the Department of Gastroenterology of the Sixth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2021 to September 2023.They were divided into gallbladder stones group(n=190)and control group(n=203)based on the presence of gallbladder stones.Their general clinical data,laboratory test results,and abdominal symptoms were compared.Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors for gallbladder stones.Additionally,the total population was divided into SIBO-positive group(n=239)and SIBO-negative group(n=154),and their clinical characteristics were analyzed by logistic regression to explore the risk factors for SIBO.Results Univariate analysis revealed that gallbladder stones group had a higher rate of age,body mass index(BMI),fasting plasma glucose(FPG),glutaminase levels,prevalence of hypertension,diabetes,coronary heart disease,non-alcoholic fatty liver disease,gallbladder polyps,and SIBO,as well as a higher prevalence of CH4-positive and H2-positive in SIBO group than control group(P＜0.05).In terms of abdominal symptoms,the incidence of bad breath(48.4%vs.35.5%),dyspepsia(38.4%vs.28.6%),abdominal pain(30.5%vs.14.8%),bloating(42.1%vs.28.6%),diarrhea(20.5%vs.7.4%),and more exhaustion(46.8%vs.34.5%)were significantly higher in gallbladder stones group than those in control group(P＜0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that independent positive determinants for incident gallbladder stones were age,BMI,FPG,total bilirubin(TBIL),coronary heart disease,gallbladder polyps,and SIBO.Univariate analysis revealed that age,prevalence of gallbladder stones,proportion of single stones,triglycerides(TG),total cholesterol(TC),and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)were significantly higher in SIBO-positive group than those in SIBO-negative group(P＜0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the risk factors for SIBO were age,coronary heart disease,and gallbladder stones,while the protective factor for SIBO was high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C).Conclusion There is a significant correlation between gallbladder stones and small SIBO;interventions on related factors of gallbladder stones and small SIBO may help reduce their incidence.