Tujia ethnic group medicine Xuetong is derived from Kadsura heteroclita, the stem of which has the medicinal value for anti-rheumatoid arthritis, liver protection, anti-tumor, anti-oxidation effects, and has been widely used in Hunan and Guangdong in China. The selection of reliable and stable reference genes is the basis for subsequent molecular research on K. heteroclita. In this study, GAPDH, TUA, Actin, UBQ, EF-1α, 18S-rRNA, CYP, UBC, TUB, H2A, and RPL were selected as candidate reference genes in Kadsura heteroclita. The gene expression levels of the 11 candidate reference genes of K. heteroclita in its 6 different parts(stem-inside of the cambium, stem-outside of the cambium, fruit, flower, root, and leaf) and under different intervention conditions [drought stress, salt stress, and methyl jasmonate(MeJA) treatment] were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR). The expression stability of the 11 candidate reference genes was comprehensively analyzed and evaluated by geNorm, NormFinder, ΔCT algorithm, and RefFinder software. The results showed that the expression of UBC and RPL was relatively stable in 6 different parts, and UBC and GAPDH genes were relatively stable under different intervention conditions. To verify the reliability of reference genes for K. heteroclita, this study further examined the relative expression levels of KhFPS, KhIDI, KhCAS, KhSQE, KhSQS, KhSQS-2, KhHMGS, KhHMGR, KhMVD, KhMVK, KhDXR, KhDXS, KhPMVK, and KhGGPS in different parts and under different intervention conditions, which might relate to the synthesis of the main component(Xuetongsu) of K. heteroclita. The results showed that with UBC and RPL or UBC and GAPDH as the reference genes, the expression trends of these 14 genes were basically consistent in different parts or under different intervention conditions for K. heteroclita. In conclusion, UBC can be used as a reference gene of K. heteroclita for its different parts and different intervention conditions, which lays a foundation for further research on the biosynthetic pathway of main components in K. heteroclita.
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods* ; Reference Standards ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Plant Proteins/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal

Objective This study aimed to clarify the intervention effect of salidroside(SAL)on lung injury caused by PM2.5 in mice and illuminate the function of SIRT1-PGC-1ɑ axis. Methods Specific pathogen-free(SPF)grade male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to the following groups:control group,SAL group,PM2.5 group,SAL+PM2.5 group.On the first day,SAL was given by gavage,and on the second day,PM2.5 suspension was given by intratracheal instillation.The whole experiment consist of a total of 10 cycles,lasting 20 days.At the end of treatment,blood samples and lung tissues were collected and analyzed.Observation of pathological changes in lung tissue using inverted microscopy and transmission electron microscopy.The expression of inflammatory,antioxidants,apoptosis,and SIRT1-PGC-1ɑ proteins were detected by Western blotting. Results Exposure to PM2.5 leads to obvious morphological and pathologica changes in the lung of mice.PM2.5 caused a decline in levels of antioxidant-related enzymes and protein expressions of HO-1,Nrf2,SOD2,SIRT1 and PGC-1ɑ,and an increase in the protein expressions of IL-6,IL-1β,Bax,caspase-9 and cleaved caspase-3.However,SAL reversed the aforementioned changes caused by PM2.5 by activating the SIRT1-PGC-1α pathway. Conclusion SAL can activate SIRT1-PGC-1ɑ to ameliorate PM2.5-induced lung injury.

Objective Using our team's recent research achievement"the cervical ultrasound scanning route map"as a teaching tool,to evaluate its impact on the learning effectiveness and confidence of beginners in the process of learning cervical spinal ultrasonography.Methods This study is a before and after self-control study.After recruit-ment of 40 cervical ultrasound beginners,they had completed questionnaire 1.The questionnaire was designed with three self-assessment questions on theoretical knowledge of cervical spinal ultrasound,three self-assessment ques-tions on practical skills of cervical spinal ultrasound and one question on willingness to use cervical spinal ultra-sound in the future.After traditional teaching without involving the route map,beginners completed questionnaire 2 with the same content.After a 20 min break,teacher introduced and explained the route map to the beginners,then the beginners completed questionnaire 3.Questions related to satisfaction with this learning experience had been added to questionnaire 3.The answers to all questions were scored on a scale of 1-10.In this study,the main out-come was the comprehensive learning score,calculated as(sum score of theoretical knowledge+sum score of prac-tical skills+score of willingness to use cervical ultrasound in the future)/7.Results Beginners'comprehensive learning score at the three time points were 2.9±1.3,4.8±1.8,5.7±1.8,F(2,22)= 52.11,P＜0.001,partial Eta squared=0.83.After introducing the route map,their comprehensive learning score increased 1.0(95%CI:0.46-1.49)(P＜0.001)compared to scores after traditional training.Conclusions The route map may significantly improve learning effectiveness and confidence of beginners in the field of cervical spinal ultrasonography and can be used as a routine training tool in the teaching of cervical spinal ultrasonography.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Danmu Extract Syrup (DMS) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in mice and explore the mechanism. METHODS: Seventy-two male Balb/C mice were randomly divided into 6 groups according to a random number table (n=12), including control (normal saline), LPS (5 mg/kg), LPS+DMS 2.5 mL/kg, LPS+DMS 5 mL/kg, LPS+DMS 10 mL/kg, and LPS+Dexamethasone (DXM, 5 mg/kg) groups. After pretreatment with DMS and DXM, the ALI mice model was induced by LPS, and the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected to determine protein concentration, cell counts and inflammatory cytokines. The lung tissues of mice were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, and the wet/dry weight ratio (W/D) of lung tissue was calculated. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1 β in BALF of mice were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The expression levels of Claudin-5, vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), phospho-protein kinase B (p-Akt) and Akt were detected by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: DMS pre-treatment significantly ameliorated lung histopathological changes. Compared with the LPS group, the W/D ratio and protein contents in BALF were obviously reduced after DMS pretreatment (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The number of cells in BALF and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity decreased significantly after DMS pretreatment (P<0.05 or P<0.01). DMS pre-treatment decreased the levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1 β (P<0.01). Meanwhile, DMS activated the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) pathway and reversed the expressions of Claudin-5, VE-cadherin and VEGF (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS DMS attenuated LPS-induced ALI in mice through repairing endothelial barrier. It might be a potential therapeutic drug for LPS-induced lung injury.
Mice ; Male ; Animals ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Interleukin-1beta/metabolism* ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Claudin-5/metabolism* ; Acute Lung Injury/chemically induced* ; Lung/pathology* ; Interleukin-6/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal

Objective To summarize the experience of infectous endocarditis(IE)emergency surgery.Methods A total of 76 patients admitted to the department of cardiovascular surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2019 to August 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.Summarize and share treatment experience.Results Out of 76 IE patients,55 cases(72.4%)were male and 21 patients(27.6%)were female.The ratio of male to female was 2.6∶1.The age ranged from 17-76 years,with a mean of(52.1±15.6)years.The positive rate of blood culture was 25.0%(19 cases).A total of 57 cases(75.0%)were cured,8 cases(10.5%)were discharged automatically,9 cases(11.8%)were improved,and 2 patients(2.6%)died before operation.There were 30 patients(39.5%)who underwent mitral valve surgery,24 patients(31.6%)who underwent aortic valve surgery,12 patients(15.7%)who underwent mitral and aortic valve surgery;15 patients(19.7%)with congenital heart disease,69 patients(90.8%)with rheumatic heart disease;66 patients(93.0%)with left cardiac system vegetations,4 patients(5.6%)with right cardiac systems vegetations;13 patients(17.1%)who requied emergency surgery,and no death.Conclusions The mortality of IE is high,and the current effective treatment is still surgery,but the timing of surgery is still controversial.This study summarized the experience of several cases of emergency operation and concluded that as long as the patient's condition permits,early operation can improve the survival rate of patients and improve the prognosis.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture at Baliao points combined with Jingui Shenqi Wan Decoction in the treatment of post-stroke neurogenic bladder of kidney-yang deficiency type.Methods A total of 86 patients with post-stroke neurogenic bladder(PSNB)of kidney-yang deficiency type were randomly divided into observation group and control group,with 43 cases in each group.The control group was given electroacupuncture at Baliao points and routine rehabilitation treatment.On the basis of the treatment of the control group,the observation group was treated with Jingui Shenqi Wan Decoction for four weeks.After four weeks of treatment,the clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated,and the changes of Modified Barthel Index(MBI)score,daily urination and urodynamic indexes of the two groups were observed before and after treatment.The changes of serum superoxide dismutase(SOD)level were compared before and after treatment between the two groups.Results(1)The total effective rate was 95.35％(41/43)in the observation group and 79.07％(34/43)in the control group.The curative effect of the observation group was superior to that of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).(2)After treatment,the daily urination conditions of the two groups of patients,including the average daily urination times,the average daily single urination volume and the average daily urinary incontinence times,were significantly improved(P＜0.05),and the improvement of the average daily urination times,the average daily single urination volume and the average daily urinary incontinence times in the observation group were significantly superior to those in the control group,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).(3)After treatment,the urodynamic indexes including maximum bladder capacity,maximum urinary flow rate,residual urine volume,bladder compliance,maximum urethral pressure and detrusor pressure in the two groups were significantly improved(P＜0.05),and the improvement of maximum bladder capacity,maximum urinary flow rate,residual urine volume,bladder compliance,maximum urethral pressure and detrusor pressure in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group,the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).(4)After treatment,the level of serum SOD in the two groups were significantly improved(P＜0.05),and the improvement in the observation group was superior to that in the control group,the difference being significant(P＜0.05).(5)After treatment,the MBI scores of the two groups were significantly improved(P＜0.05),and the improvement of MBI scores in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group,the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion Electroacupuncture at Baliao points combined with Jingui Shenqi Wan Decoction in the treatment of PSNB of kidney-yang deficiency type can significantly improve the urination function of patients,effectively improve the urodynamic indexes of patients,down-regulate the serum SOD level of patients,and improve the quality of daily life of patients.

Objective To observe the effects of transnasal humidified rapid-insufflation ventilatory exchange(THRIVE)on gastric air intake and SpO2 in patients with painless endoscopic mucosal resection(EMR)of colorectal polyps.Methods Seventy patients with painless colorectal polyps EMR,36 males,34 females,aged 18-64 years,BMI 18-25 kg/m2,ASA Ⅰ or Ⅱ.The patients were divided into two groups:high-flow oxygen inhalation group(group T)and conventional oxygen inhalation group(group C)by random number table method,35 cases in each group.Patients in group T were given THRIVE oxygen inhalation,and patients in group C were routinely inhaled oxygen through the nose.During anesthesia,the BIS value was maintained at 50-65.Bedside gastric ultrasonography was used to observe the gastric content and gastric air intake of patients.The HR and resting SpO2 in the supine position were recorded 5 minutes before the surgery(rest for 5 minutes),1 minute after entering the endoscope,when entering the endoscope to the ileocecal valve,and at the end of the surgery.The PaCO2,PaO2 and pH values were recorded 5 mi-nutes before surgery,when entering the endoscope to the ileocecal valve,and at the end of the surgery,so were gastric intake and satiety,and antral cross-sectional area(CSA)for 5 minutes before surgery and after surgery.The occurrence of mild,moderate,and severe hypoxia during anesthesia were recorded.The opera-tion time,the amount of propofol used during the operation,the number of dosage times of remifentanil,PACU residence time,and infusion during surgery,the occurrence of adverse reactions such as hypotension,hypertension,bradycardia,reflux aspiration,postoperative nausea and vomiting,and the sat-isfaction score of digestive endoscopy physicians and patients were recrded.Results Compared with group C,SpO2 in group T was significantly increased 1 minutes after entering the endoscope(P＜0.05),and PaCO2 was significantly decreased at the time of entering the endoscope to the ileocecal valve and the end of the surgery(P＜0.05),the incidence of mild and moderate hypoxia was significantly reduced in group T(P＜0.05).No positive gastric air intake and full stomach were found in both groups at rest for 5 minutes and after the surgery.There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions and patient satisfaction scores between the two groups.The satisfaction score of endoscopists in group T was significantly higher than that in group C(P＜0.05).Conclusion Compared with conventional nasal catheter oxygen inhalation,THRIVE ventilation does not cause hypercapnia or affect gastric intake and stomach content,does reduce the occurrence of mild to moderate hypoxia in patients undergoing painless EMR,does not in-crease the risk of reflux aspiration,and has a higher satisfaction of digestive endoscopy physicians.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the etiology composition and outcomes of pediatric chronic critical illness (PCCI) in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). METHODS: The children who were hospitalized in the PICU of Dongguan Children's Hospital Affiliated to Guangdong Medical University and met the diagnostic criteria for PCCI from January 2017 to December 2022 were included in the study. The etiology of the children was classified based on their medical records and discharge diagnoses. Relevant clinical data during hospitalization were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 3 955 hospitalized children in the PICU from January 2017 to December 2022, 321 cases (8.12%) met the diagnostic criteria for PCCI. Among the 321 cases, the most common etiology was infection (71.3%, 229 cases), followed by unintentional injury (12.8%, 41 cases), postoperation (5.9%, 19 cases), tumors/immune system diseases (5.0%, 16 cases), and genetic and chromosomal diseases (5.0%, 16 cases). Among the 321 cases, 249 cases (77.6%) were discharged after improvement, 37 cases (11.5%) were discharged at the request of the family, and 35 cases (10.9%) died in the hospital. Among the deaths, infection accounted for 74% (26/35), unintentional injury accounted for 17% (6/35), tumors/immune system diseases accounted for 6% (2/35), and genetic and chromosomal diseases accounted for 3% (1/35). From 2017 to 2022, the proportion of PCCI in PICU diseases showed an increasing trend year by year (P<0.05). Among the 321 children with PCCI, there were 148 infants and young children (46.1%), 57 preschool children (17.8%), 54 school-aged children (16.8%), and 62 adolescents (19.3%), with the highest proportion in the infant and young children group (P<0.05). The in-hospital mortality rates of the four age groups were 14.9% (22/148), 8.8% (5/57), 5.6% (3/54), and 8.1% (5/62), respectively. The infant and young children group had the highest mortality rate, but there was no statistically significant difference among the four groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS The proportion of PCCI in PICU diseases is increasing, and the main causes are infection and unintentional injury. The most common cause of death in children with PCCI is infection. The PCCI patient population is mainly infants and young children, and the in-hospital mortality rate of infant and young children with PCCI is relatively high.
Adolescent ; Infant ; Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Child ; Critical Illness ; Prognosis ; Child, Hospitalized ; Chronic Disease ; Intensive Care Units, Pediatric

The extracellular domain (p75ECD) of p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) antagonizes Aβ neurotoxicity and promotes Aβ clearance in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The impaired shedding of p75ECD is a key pathological process in AD, but its regulatory mechanism is largely unknown. This study was designed to investigate the presence and alterations of naturally-occurring autoantibodies against p75ECD (p75ECD-NAbs) in AD patients and their effects on AD pathology. We found that the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) level of p75ECD-NAbs was increased in AD, and negatively associated with the CSF levels of p75ECD. Transgenic AD mice actively immunized with p75ECD showed a lower level of p75ECD and more severe AD pathology in the brain, as well as worse cognitive functions than the control groups, which were immunized with Re-p75ECD (the reverse sequence of p75ECD) and phosphate-buffered saline, respectively. These findings demonstrate the impact of p75ECD-NAbs on p75NTR/p75ECD imbalance, providing a novel insight into the role of autoimmunity and p75NTR in AD.
Mice ; Animals ; Alzheimer Disease/pathology* ; Receptor, Nerve Growth Factor ; Amyloid beta-Peptides ; Autoantibodies ; Mice, Transgenic

Deficits in the clearance of amyloid β protein (Aβ) by the peripheral system play a critical role in the pathogenesis of sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD). Impaired uptake of Aβ by dysfunctional monocytes is deemed to be one of the major mechanisms underlying deficient peripheral Aβ clearance in AD. In the current study, flow cytometry and biochemical and behavioral techniques were applied to investigate the effects of polysaccharide krestin (PSK) on AD-related pathology in vitro and in vivo. We found that PSK, widely used in therapy for various cancers, has the potential to enhance Aβ uptake and intracellular processing by human monocytes in vitro. After administration of PSK by intraperitoneal injection, APP/PS1 mice performed better in behavioral tests, along with reduced Aβ deposition, neuroinflammation, neuronal loss, and tau hyperphosphorylation. These results suggest that PSK holds promise as a preventive agent for AD by strengthening the Aβ clearance by blood monocytes and alleviating AD-like pathology.
Alzheimer Disease/pathology* ; Amyloid beta-Peptides/metabolism* ; Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor/metabolism* ; Animals ; Cognition ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mice ; Mice, Transgenic ; Monocytes/pathology* ; Polysaccharides/therapeutic use* ; Proteoglycans