Objective:To investigate the levels of interleukin-7 (IL-7), T helper cell 9 (Th9), and cytotoxic T cell 9 (Tc9), and to assess the regulation of exogenous IL-7 to Th9 in septic cardiomypathy patients.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted. Septic cardiomypathy patients, septic patients, and controls were enrolled in the 7th People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou between June 2018 and January 2022. Plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated. PBMCs were stimulated with recombinant IL-7. Plasma IL-7, IL-9, and soluble CD127 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. CD127 expression on T cells and Th9/Tc9 percentageswere measured by flow cytometry. mRNAexpressions of purine-rich nucleic acid binding protein 1 (PU.1) and forkhead box protein O1 (Foxo1) were semi-quantified by real-time PCR. IL-7-stimulated Th9 cells from septic cardiomypathy patients were co-cultured with autologous CD8 + T cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Target cell death, cytotoxic molecules and cytokines secretions were investigated. Kruskal-Wallis test was used for comparison among groups, while Dunns multiple test was used for comparison between the two groups. Paired t test or Wilcoxon paired test was used for comparison before and after stimulation. Results:A total of 21 septic cardiomypathy patients, 56 septic patients, and 31 controls were enrolled. IL-7 level was lower in septic cardiomypathy patients compared with in septic patients and controls [75.71(42.28, 135.59) pg/mL vs. 118.47(60.18, 171.73) pg/mL vs. 168.42(105.41, 232.30) pg/mL, P<0.05]. Soluble CD127 level was higher in septic cardiomypathy patients and septic patients compared with in controls [96.70(56.76, 147.04) pg/mL vs. 69.75(43.19, 111.28) pg/mL vs. 29.13(19.33, 42.11) pg/mL, P<0.001]. There was no significant difference of CD127 +CD8 + percentage among three groups ( P=0.477). Th9 percentage and Foxo1 mRNA expression was lower in septic cardiomypathy patients compared with in septic patients and controls ( P<0.001). Tc9 percentage, PU.1 mRNA expression and IL-9 level was lower in septic cardiomypathy patients and septic patients compared with in controls ( P<0.001). Th9 percentage, PU.1/Foxo1 mRNA expression, and IL-9 secretion was up-regulated in response to IL-7 stimulation in PBMCs from septic cardiomypathy patients ( P<0.05). IL-7 stimulated Th9 cells from septic cardiomypathy patients promoted CD8 + T cell-mediated target cell death ( P<0.05). Perforin, granzyme B, and interferon-γ levels were also increased in the supernatants ( P<0.05). Conclusion:IL-7 could enhance Th9 cell activity in septic cardiomypathy patients.

BACKGROUND:Some patients still have unsatisfactory improvement of operative limb fatigue and pain after total knee arthroplasty.Clinical findings show that Jianpi Yiqi Huoxue Formula can promote recovery after total knee arthroplasty,but the specific efficacy remains to be studied. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of Jianpi Yiqi Huoxue Formula on the muscle strength and pain of the operated limb after the primary unilateral total knee arthroplasty. METHODS:A total of 74 patients undergoing primary unilateral total knee arthroplasty were randomly divided into a trial group and a control group with 37 patients in each group.All patients received the same prostheses and surgical methods during the operation.Patients in the control group were treated with routine analgesics,anticoagulant drugs and functional exercise after the operation.The trial group received Jianpi Yiqi Huoxue Formula after the treatment in the control group.Both groups were treated continuously and followed up for 1 month.The changes in isokinetic muscle strength(peak torque and total work amount of extensor and flexor),visual analog scale score and the hospital for special surgery score of the two groups were analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The trial group had better improvement in peak torque and total work amount of extensor and flexor and the hospital for special surgery score than the control group 14 days and 1 month after surgery(P<0.05).(2)In contrast to the control group,the visual analog scale score of the trial group improved better at 7 and 14 days and 1 month after surgery(P<0.05).(3)It is indicated that Jianpi Yiqi Huoxue Formula can effectively improve the muscle strength of the operated limb,enhance the degree of postoperative joint pain,and promote functional rehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has played an important role in the prevention and treatment of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic in China. The integration of Chinese and Western medicine is an important feature of Chinese COVID-19 prevention and treatment. According to a series of evidence-based studies, TCM can reduce the infection rate of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in high-risk groups. For patients with mild and moderate forms of COVID-19, TCM can relieve the related signs and symptoms, shorten the period of nucleic-acid negative conversion, and reduce conversion rate to the severe form of the disease. For COVID-19 patients with severe and critical illnesses, TCM can improve inflammatory indicators and blood oxygen saturation, shorten the hospital stay, and reduce the mortality rate. During recovery, TCM can improve patients' symptoms, promote organ function recovery, boost the quality of patients' life, and reduce the nucleic-acid repositive conversion rate. A series of mechanism research studies revealed that capability of TCM to treat COVID-19 through antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects, immune regulation, and protection of organ function via a multicomponent, multitarget, and multipathway approach.
Humans ; COVID-19 ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Epidemics

We report a case of a long-term survivor of heart transplant who developed severe COVID-19 and was treated with a traditional Chinese medicine combined with conventional medicine. Throughout the treatment， the patient received active conventional medical treatment， and traditional Chinese medicine interventions included tonifying qi， invigorating the spleen and transforming phlegm， promoting yang and eliminating stagnation， resolving dampness and dissipating phlegm， and promoting blood circulation and eliminating stasis. The main therapeutic principles adopted were to recuperating depleted yang and rescuing the patient from collapse and to resolve phlegm and promote water. Pogezilong Xuanbai Chengqi Decoction （破格子龙宣白承气汤） with modifications was administered. In summary， it is crucial to the timely adjust the immunosuppressive regimen， combine use of various anti-infective agents with a focus on COVID-19， to protect of cardiac and renal function， and to integrate traditional Chinese medicine in the entire treatment process. As this case is rare， the diagnostic and therapeutic methods in traditional Chinese medicine， the use of immunosuppressive agents， and follow-up monitoring strategies can be a valuable reference.

This article highlighted the invaluable expertise of Academician TONG Xiaolin in managing severe cases of COVID-19， thereby providing ideas for the treatment of severe and critically ill patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection by integrating traditional Chinese and western medicine. It is believed that COVID-19 belongs to the “cold dampness epidemic” in traditional Chinese medicine， which is caused by pathogenic qi of cold and dampness. The course of the disease can be divided into four stages： constraint， block， collapse， and deficiency， and the severe cases are mainly in the block and collapse stages. The pathogenesis at the block stage is described as epidemic toxins blocking the lung， which should be treated by diffusing the lung and unblocking the bowels， resolving phlegm and unblocking collaterals. The primary formula used is Zilong Xuanbai Chengqi Decoction （子龙宣白承气汤） with modifications based on individual condition. The pathogenesis at the collapse stage is described as internal block and external collapse， which should be treated by restoring yang to save from collapse， boosting qi to relieve collapse， diffusing the lung and unblocking the bowels， resolving phlegm and unblocking collaterals， usually with the formula Poge Zilong Xuanbai Chengqi Decoction （破格子龙宣白承气汤） with modifications.

Objective : To evaluate the effectiveness of interventions for human papillomavirus ( HPV ) vaccine hesitancy among female university students based on the precaution adoption process model (PAPM), so as to provide the evidence for improving the coverage of HPV vaccine in this population. Methods : HPV vaccine hesitant female students were selected using a cluster sampling method from Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, and randomly assigned to the PAPM group and control group. Students in the PAPM group received PAPM-based interventions for HPV vaccine hesitancy, while students in the control group were given routine interventions. The HPV-related knowledge, HPV vaccine-related knowledge and HPV vaccine hesitancy scores were collected from both groups prior to interventions ( T0 ), 0 ( T1 ), 1 ( T2 ) and 3 months post-interventions ( T3 ), and the effectiveness of interventions was evaluated using analysis of variance for repeated measures. Results : There were 147 students in the PAPM group and 141 students in the control group. In the PAPM group, 36.73% of the students majored in medical sciences, and 48.23% were freshmen; in the control group, 39.72% majored in medical sciences, and 50.35% were freshmen. The mean scores of HPV- and HPV vaccine-related knowledge were significantly greater in the PAPM group than in the control group, respectively ( T1, 5.29 vs. 4.91; T2, 4.27 vs. 4.22; T3, 4.22 vs. 4.04; P<0.05 ); however, no significant differences were detected in the HPV vaccine hesitancy scores between the two groups, respectively ( T1, 2.98 vs. 2.95; T2, 3.07 vs. 3.07; T3, 3.08 vs. 2.97; P>0.05 ). The mean scores of the confidence dimension ( T1, 3.37 vs. 3.23; T2, 3.48 vs. 3.40; T3, 3.38 vs. 3.25 ) and the dimension of influence by others ( T1, 3.44 vs. 3.33; T2, 3.42 vs. 3.37; T3, 3.46 vs. 3.27 ) were significantly greater in the PAPM group than in the control group (P<0.05), while the mean scores of the complacency dimension were significantly lower in the PAPM group than in the control group ( T1, 1.98 vs. 2.03; T2, 2.06 vs. 2.20; T3, 2.18 vs. 2.15; P<0.05 ). Conclusions PAPM-based interventions for HPV vaccine hesitancy may effectively improve the awareness of HPV and HPV vaccines, reduce complacency, and enhance the influence by others among female university students.

Background: At the therapeutic doses, diclofenac sodium (DFS) has few toxic side effects on mammals. On the other hand, DFS exhibits potent toxicity against birds and the mechanisms remain ambiguous. Objectives: This paper was designed to probe the toxicity of DFS exposure on the hepatic proteome of broiler chickens. Methods: Twenty 30-day-old broiler chickens were randomized evenly into two groups (n = 10).DFS was administered orally at 10 mg/kg body weight in group A, while the chickens in group B were perfused with saline as a control. Histopathological observations, serum biochemical examinations, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction were performed to assess the liver injury induced by DFS. Proteomics analysis of the liver samples was conducted using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) technology. Results: Ultimately, 201 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were obtained, of which 47 were up regulated, and 154 were down regulated. The Gene Ontology classification and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis were conducted to screen target DEPs associated with DFS hepatotoxicity. The regulatory relationships between DEPs and signaling pathways were embodied via a protein-protein interaction network. The results showed that the DEPs enriched in multiple pathways, which might be related to the hepatotoxicity of DFS, were “protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum,” “retinol metabolism,” and “glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism.” Conclusions The hepatotoxicity of DFS on broiler chickens might be achieved by inducing the apoptosis of hepatocytes and affecting the metabolism of retinol and purine. The present study could provide molecular insights into the hepatotoxicity of DFS on broiler chickens.

Organic carbonates (OCs) are a class of compounds featured by a carbonyl flanked by two alkoxy/aryloxy groups. They exist in either linear or cyclic forms, of which the majority encountered in nature adopt a pentacyclic structure. However, the enzymatic basis for pentacyclic carbonate ring formation remains elusive. Here, we reported that a four-protein metabolon (AlmUII-UV) assembled by a small peptide protein (AlmUV) appends a reactive

OBJECTIVES: Cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis are major pathological manifestations observed in left ventricular remodeling induced by angiotensin II (AngII). Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) has been reported to ameliorate cardiac dysfunction and myocardial fibrosis in myocardial infarction (MI) through mechano-transduction and its downstream pathways. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether LIPUS could exert a protective effect by ameliorating AngII-induced cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis and if so, to further elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. METHODS: We used AngII to mimic animal and cell culture models of cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. LIPUS irradiation was applied in vivo for 20 min every 2 d from one week before mini-pump implantation to four weeks after mini-pump implantation, and in vitro for 20 min on each of two occasions 6 h apart. Cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis levels were then evaluated by echocardiographic, histopathological, and molecular biological methods. RESULTS: Our results showed that LIPUS could ameliorate left ventricular remodeling in vivo and cardiac fibrosis in vitro by reducing AngII-induced release of inflammatory cytokines, but the protective effects on cardiac hypertrophy were limited in vitro. Given that LIPUS increased the expression of caveolin-1 in response to mechanical stimulation, we inhibited caveolin-1 activity with pyrazolopyrimidine 2 (pp2) in vivo and in vitro. LIPUS-induced downregulation of inflammation was reversed and the anti-fibrotic effects of LIPUS were absent. CONCLUSIONS These results indicated that LIPUS could ameliorate AngII-induced cardiac fibrosis by alleviating inflammation via a caveolin-1-dependent pathway, providing new insights for the development of novel therapeutic apparatus in clinical practice.

Objective To investigate the imaging features of Ewing's sarcoma and primitive neuroectodermal tumor (ES and PNET) in sacrum.Methods Imaging data were retrospectively collected and reviewed in 17 patients with ES and PNET confirmed by pathology.X-ray was performed in all patients,CT scans in 13 patients,and MR scans in 10 patients.Results All lesions were detected solitary and lateral.X-ray and CT features were lytic bone destruction in 12 cases,2 of them with bone sclerosis; one patient showed diffuse sclerosis.Soft tissue mass in pelvic cavity can be seen in 11 cases,9 of them with adjacent large blood vessels invasive and 4 patients with sacroiliac joints invasive.On post-contrast images,mild enhancement was found in 8 cases,and 5 patients with marked enhancement.MR images showed intermediate signal intensity on T1WI in 8 cases and heterogeneous moderate to high signal intensity on T2WI/fat suppression in 10 cases.DWI showed high signal intensity in 4 cases.Unlike CT scan,contrastenhanced MR images showed significant enhancement in 7 cases.Conclusions Ewing's sarcoma and primitive neuroectodermal tumor (ES and PNET) in sacrum have some specific imaging features.Imaging examination could provide reliable evidence for clinical diagnosis.