OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect and mechanism of Jingangteng capsules in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD）. METHODS Thirty-two SD rats were randomly divided into normal group and modeling group. The modeling group was fed a high-fat diet to establish a NAFLD model. The successfully modeled rats were then randomly divided into model group， atorvastatin group[positive control， 2 mg/（kg·d）]， and Jingangteng capsules low- and high-dose groups [0.63 and 2.52 mg/（kg·d）]， with 6 rats in each group. The pathological changes of the liver were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining and oil red O staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to determine the serum levels of triglycerides （TG）， total cholesterol （TC）， high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， alanine transaminase （ALT）， aspartate transaminase （AST）， tumour necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， IL-6， IL-18. 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing and metabolomics techniques were applied to explore the effects of Jingangteng capsules on gut microbiota and metabolisms in NAFLD rats. Based on the E-mail：591146765@qq.com metabolomics results， Western blot analysis was performed to detect proteins related to the nuclear factor kappa-B （NF-κB）/NOD-like receptor family protein 3 （NLRP3） signaling pathway in the livers of NAFLD rats. RESULTS The experimental results showed that Jingangteng capsules could significantly reduce the serum levels of TG， TC， LDL-C， AST， ALT， TNF-α， IL-1β， IL-6， IL-18， while increased the level of HDL-C， and alleviated the hepatic cellular steatosis and inflammatory infiltration in NAFLD rats. They could regulate the gut microbiota disorders in NAFLD rats， significantly increased the relative abundance of Romboutsia and Oscillospira， and significantly decreased the relative abundance of Blautia （P＜0.05）. They also regulated metabolic disorders primarily by affecting secondary bile acid biosynthesis， fatty acid degradation， O-antigen nucleotide sugar biosynthesis， etc. Results of Western blot assay showed that they significantly reduced the phosphorylation levels of NF-κB p65 and NF-κB inhibitor α， and the protein expression levels of NLRP3， caspase-1 and ASC （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS Jingangteng capsules could improve inflammation， lipid accumulation and liver injury in NAFLD rats， regulate the disorders of gut microbiota and metabolisms， and inhibit NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway. Their therapeutic effects against NAFLD are mediated through the inhibition of the NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway.

AIM:To investigate the efficacy of Shenxiankang(SXK)in mitigating renal fibrosis in unilateral ureteral obstruction(UUO)mice,and elucidate its regulatory mechanism targeting the differentiation antagonizing non-protein coding RNA(DANCR)/TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling axis.METHODS:Mice were randomly assigned to:normal group(NC),model group(UUO),low,medium and high doses(1 500,3 000 and 4 500 mg·kg-1·d-1)of SXK group,and benazepril(10 mg·kg-1·d-1)group.Chronic kidney disease was modeled via unilateral ureteral ligation.Renal DAN-CR overexpression was induced using tail vein injection coupled with ultrasound microbubble technology.In vitro,human renal tubular epithelial cells(HK-2)were stimulated with TGF-β1;DANCR was either knocked down or overexpressed,followed by SXK intervention in both in vivo and in vitro models.Renal tissues were harvested for pathological assessment.DANCR expression and localization were analyzed using fluorescence in situ hybridization.Fibrosis deposition was evaluat-ed by immunohistochemistry(IHC).Western blot quantified the expression of fibrosis markers(α-SMA,FN)and key components of the TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling axis(p-Smad3,Smad3,TGF-β1).RESULTS:UUO mice exhibited signifi-cant renal tubular dilation.SXK intervention ameliorated renal lesions and reduced fibrosis.In UUO mice with DANCR overexpression,levels of renal fibrosis markers(α-SMA,FN)and TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling axis proteins(p-Smad3,Smad3,TGF-β1)were increased;these effects were reversed by SXK.In vitro,DANCR knockdown decreased the expres-sion of fibrotic proteins/mRNA and TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling axis components.SXK treatment effectively counteracted the fibrotic injury and TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling axis activation induced by DANCR overexpression.CONCLUSION:SXK ef-fectively mitigates renal fibrosis in UUO mice,potentially through regulation of the DANCR/TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling axis.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography(18F-FDG PET/CT)and tumor markers and the prognosis of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer(DTC)treated with surgery combined with iodine-131,and to construct a nomogram prediction model.Methods:The clinical data of 134 patients with DTC who underwent surgery combined with iodine-131 treatment in our hospital from January 2021 to January 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.According to the prognosis after 1 year of treatment,they were divided into a good prognosis group(n=106)and a poor prognosis group(n=28).The general data,18F-FDG PET/CT related parameters[maximum standardized uptake value(SUVmax),metabolic volume(MTV),total lesion gly-colysis(TLG)]and serum tumor markers[thyroglobulin(Tg),thyroglobulin antibody(TgAb)]levels were compared between the two groups.Pearson correlation coefficient was used to analyze the correlation between the related parameters and the tumor marker levels.Logistic multivariate analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors of DTC prognosis.Re-ceiver operating characteristic curve(ROC)was used to analyze the predictive efficacy of related parameters combined with tumor markers on poor prognosis.Anomogram prediction model for poor prognosis was constructed and the predic-tive efficacy of the model was evaluated.Results:The proportion of stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ,the proportion of total resection and the levels of thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH),SUVmax,MTV,TLG,Tg and TgAb in the poor prognosis group were higher than those in the good prognosis group,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).Pearson correlation co-efficient showed that SUVmax,MTV,TLG and Tg,TgAb levels were positively correlated with tumor markers(P<0.05).Lo-gistic analysis showed that after adjusting for confounding variables,SUVmax,MTV,TLG,Tg and TgAb were independent influencing factors for the poor prognosis of DTC(P<0.05).ROC analysis showed that the combination of SUVmax,MTV,TLG,Tg and TgAb was significantly better than each parameter alone in predicting poor prognosis(P<0.05).The nomo-gram prediction model was constructed.ROC evaluation showed that the model had good prediction performance.K-fold cross validation showed that the model had stable performance and good generalization ability.Conclusion:The 18F-FDG PET/CT related parameters SUVmax,MTV,TLG and tumor markers Tg and TgAb are all independent factors affecting the poor prognosis of DTC patients treated with surgery combined with iodine-131.The prognostic nomogram prediction model based on the above factors has good predictive efficacy and can be used to guide clinical decision-making.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography(18F-FDG PET/CT)and tumor markers and the prognosis of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer(DTC)treated with surgery combined with iodine-131,and to construct a nomogram prediction model.Methods:The clinical data of 134 patients with DTC who underwent surgery combined with iodine-131 treatment in our hospital from January 2021 to January 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.According to the prognosis after 1 year of treatment,they were divided into a good prognosis group(n=106)and a poor prognosis group(n=28).The general data,18F-FDG PET/CT related parameters[maximum standardized uptake value(SUVmax),metabolic volume(MTV),total lesion gly-colysis(TLG)]and serum tumor markers[thyroglobulin(Tg),thyroglobulin antibody(TgAb)]levels were compared between the two groups.Pearson correlation coefficient was used to analyze the correlation between the related parameters and the tumor marker levels.Logistic multivariate analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors of DTC prognosis.Re-ceiver operating characteristic curve(ROC)was used to analyze the predictive efficacy of related parameters combined with tumor markers on poor prognosis.Anomogram prediction model for poor prognosis was constructed and the predic-tive efficacy of the model was evaluated.Results:The proportion of stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ,the proportion of total resection and the levels of thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH),SUVmax,MTV,TLG,Tg and TgAb in the poor prognosis group were higher than those in the good prognosis group,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).Pearson correlation co-efficient showed that SUVmax,MTV,TLG and Tg,TgAb levels were positively correlated with tumor markers(P<0.05).Lo-gistic analysis showed that after adjusting for confounding variables,SUVmax,MTV,TLG,Tg and TgAb were independent influencing factors for the poor prognosis of DTC(P<0.05).ROC analysis showed that the combination of SUVmax,MTV,TLG,Tg and TgAb was significantly better than each parameter alone in predicting poor prognosis(P<0.05).The nomo-gram prediction model was constructed.ROC evaluation showed that the model had good prediction performance.K-fold cross validation showed that the model had stable performance and good generalization ability.Conclusion:The 18F-FDG PET/CT related parameters SUVmax,MTV,TLG and tumor markers Tg and TgAb are all independent factors affecting the poor prognosis of DTC patients treated with surgery combined with iodine-131.The prognostic nomogram prediction model based on the above factors has good predictive efficacy and can be used to guide clinical decision-making.

AIM:To investigate the efficacy of Shenxiankang(SXK)in mitigating renal fibrosis in unilateral ureteral obstruction(UUO)mice,and elucidate its regulatory mechanism targeting the differentiation antagonizing non-protein coding RNA(DANCR)/TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling axis.METHODS:Mice were randomly assigned to:normal group(NC),model group(UUO),low,medium and high doses(1 500,3 000 and 4 500 mg·kg-1·d-1)of SXK group,and benazepril(10 mg·kg-1·d-1)group.Chronic kidney disease was modeled via unilateral ureteral ligation.Renal DAN-CR overexpression was induced using tail vein injection coupled with ultrasound microbubble technology.In vitro,human renal tubular epithelial cells(HK-2)were stimulated with TGF-β1;DANCR was either knocked down or overexpressed,followed by SXK intervention in both in vivo and in vitro models.Renal tissues were harvested for pathological assessment.DANCR expression and localization were analyzed using fluorescence in situ hybridization.Fibrosis deposition was evaluat-ed by immunohistochemistry(IHC).Western blot quantified the expression of fibrosis markers(α-SMA,FN)and key components of the TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling axis(p-Smad3,Smad3,TGF-β1).RESULTS:UUO mice exhibited signifi-cant renal tubular dilation.SXK intervention ameliorated renal lesions and reduced fibrosis.In UUO mice with DANCR overexpression,levels of renal fibrosis markers(α-SMA,FN)and TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling axis proteins(p-Smad3,Smad3,TGF-β1)were increased;these effects were reversed by SXK.In vitro,DANCR knockdown decreased the expres-sion of fibrotic proteins/mRNA and TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling axis components.SXK treatment effectively counteracted the fibrotic injury and TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling axis activation induced by DANCR overexpression.CONCLUSION:SXK ef-fectively mitigates renal fibrosis in UUO mice,potentially through regulation of the DANCR/TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling axis.

ObjectiveTo explore the role and molecular mechanism of Weifuchun （WFC） in inhibiting inflammation and alleviating gastric precancerous lesions （GPL）. MethodHuman gastric mucosal epithelial cells （GES-1） were stimulated with N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine （MNNG） for the modeling of GPL （MC cells）， with Caspase-3 inhibition by Z-DEVD-FMK. MC cells were divided into control （20% blank serum）， WFC （15% and 20% WFC-containing serum）， and caspase-3 inhibitor groups. The cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） was used to examine the viability of GES-1 cells or MC cells. The Transwell assay and 5-acetylidene-2′-deoxyuridine （EdU） staining were employed to examine cell invasion and proliferation， respectively. Flow cytometry was employed to determine the level of reactive oxygen species. Real-time PCR was conducted to determine the mRNA levels of interleukin （IL）-1， IL-6， and tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α. Gene Expression Omnibus （GEO） was used to analyze the role of pyroptosis in gastric cancer progression. Western blotting was employed to determine the protein levels of nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） p65， gasdermin E （GSDME）， and Caspase-3. Immunofluorescence staining was employed to detect the NF-κB p65 protein level and nuclear translocation. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was carried out to observe the pathological changes in the gastric mucosa before and after WFC treatment in the patients. ResultCompared with the control group， MC cells presented enhanced proliferation and invasion energy （P<0.01）. Compared with the blank serum group， WFC-containing serum inhibited the proliferation and invasion of MC cells （P<0.01）， down-regulated the mRNA levels of IL-1， IL-6， and TNF-α， and lowered the level of reactive oxygen species （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The transcriptome data at different stages of gastric cancer showed that pyroptosis was involved in gastric cancer progression， and the GSDME level was significantly higher in GPL patients than in the normal group. Compared with the blank serum， WFC-containing serum lowered the level of NF-κB and inhibited the nuclear translocation of NF-κB （P<0.05）， and it inhibited pyroptosis by suppressing the cleavage of Caspase-3 on GSDME （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The analysis of patient specimens further demonstrated that WFC treatment down-regulated the NF-κB level and GSDME cleavage （P<0.01）， inhibited pyroptosis， and alleviated gastric mucosal inflammation and intestinal epithelial metaplasia. ConclusionPyroptosis is involved in the progression of gastric cancer， and WFC inhibits pyroptosis via the NF-κB/GSDME pathway， thereby alleviating gastric mucosal inflammation in GPL.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of Liuwei Anshen Capsules combined with Amlodipine+Benazepril Tablets in the treatment of senile essential hypertension(EH)patients complicated with anxiety and depressive disorders and its intervention effect on the expression of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 2B subunit(NR2B)protein.Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 138 senile EH patients complicated with anxiety and depressive disorders of accumulation of excess phlegm-heat syndrome treated in the Geriatric Department of Sinopharm Gezhouba Central Hospital from December 2020 to December 2022.The patients were divided into an observation group and a control group according to the treatment schemes,with 69 cases in each group.The control group was treated with Amlodipine+Benazepril Tablets and routine psychotherapy,and the observation group was treated with Liuwei Anshen Capsules orally on the basis of treatment for the control group.The course of treatment lasted for one month.The changes of blood pressure indicators of systolic blood pressure(SBP)and diastolic blood pressure(DBP),Hamilton Anxiety Scale(HAMA)score,17-Item Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD-17)score,NR2B protein expression,and the levels of monoamine neurotransmitters of dopamine(DA),epinephrine(NE),and 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT)in the two groups were observed before and after treatment.After treatment,the clinical efficacy and total incidence of adverse reactions were compared between the two groups.Results(1)After one month of treatment,the total effective rate of the observation group was 95.65%(66/69),and that of the control group was 75.36%(52/69).The intergroup comparison(tested by chi-square test)showed that the curative effect of the observation group was significantly superior to that of the control group(P＜0.01).(2)After treatment,the SBP and DBP of the two groups were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the decrease of SBP and DBP in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.01).(3)After treatment,the HAMA score and HAMD-17 score of the two groups were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the decrease of HAMA score and HAMD-17 score in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.01).(4)After treatment,the expression level of NR2B protein in the two groups was significantly decreased compared with that before treatment(P＜0.05),and the decrease in the observation group was superior to that in the control group(P＜0.01).(5)After treatment,the levels of serum DA,NE and 5-HT in the two groups were significantly decreased in comparison with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the decrease of serum DA,NE and 5-HT levels in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.01).(6)The total incidence of adverse reactions in the observation group was 2.90%(2/69)and that in the control group was 5.80%(4/69).There was no significant difference between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion Liuwei Anshen Capsules combined with Amlodipine+Benazepril Tablets can effectively alleviate the bad mood,decrease blood pressure,inhibit the overexpression of NR2B protein,and correct the disorder of monoamine neurotransmitters in senile EH patients complicated with anxiety and depressive disorders of accumulation of excess phlegm-heat syndrome.The combined treatment does not cause serious adverse reactions,which is safe and effective.

Objective:To investigate the application value of single-sperm sequencing in resolving the carrier status of preim-plantation genetic testing(PGT)for chromosomal structural rearrangements in Robertsonian translocations.Methods:Haplotypes were constructed by single-sperm isolation combined with single-sperm sequencing for a patient with 45,XY,der(13;14)(q10;q10).Twenty single-sperm samples were isolated by mechanical braking and subjected to whole-genome amplification(WGA),and then the Asian Screening Array(ASA)gene chip was used to detect the 183 708 single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNP)of the WGA products.The single sperm associated with the translocation that could be used as haplotype inference was detected by copy number variation(CNV)sequencing,and the chromosomal haplotypes with normal and Robertsonian translocations were inferred.Three biopsy samples of embryonic trophoblast cells were used as the objects.After whole-genome amplification,high-throughput sequencing was employed to determine the status of the translocation chromosome carried by the embryos.The available blastocysts were selected for transfer,and the amniotic fluid samples were taken at 18 weeks of gestation to confirm whether the fetus carried the pathogenic muta-tion.Results:A total of 6 037 SNP sites were screened by single-sperm sequencing,and 30 sites selected to distinguish normal and translocation haplotypes.Preimplantation haplotype analysis showed that all the three embryos were euploids without Robertsonian translocation chromosome.Genetic testing of amniotic fluid in the second trimester confirmed that the karyotype of the fetus was 46,XN,carrying no Robertsonian translocation chromosome.Conclusion:For male carriers of Robertsonian translocation,single sperm sequencing can be used to screen SNP sites to construct haplotypes for distinguishing normal and Robertsonian translocation em-bryos,and to provide a basis for embryo selection by preimplantation chromosomal structural genetic testing.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the risk factors for neonatal asphyxia in Hubei Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture and establish a nomogram model for predicting the risk of neonatal asphyxia. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted with 613 cases of neonatal asphyxia treated in 20 cooperative hospitals in Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture from January to December 2019 as the asphyxia group, and 988 randomly selected non-asphyxia neonates born and admitted to the neonatology department of these hospitals during the same period as the control group. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify risk factors for neonatal asphyxia. R software (4.2.2) was used to establish a nomogram model. Receiver operator characteristic curve, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis were used to assess the discrimination, calibration, and clinical usefulness of the model for predicting the risk of neonatal asphyxia, respectively. RESULTS: Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that minority (Tujia), male sex, premature birth, congenital malformations, abnormal fetal position, intrauterine distress, maternal occupation as a farmer, education level below high school, fewer than 9 prenatal check-ups, threatened abortion, abnormal umbilical cord, abnormal amniotic fluid, placenta previa, abruptio placentae, emergency caesarean section, and assisted delivery were independent risk factors for neonatal asphyxia (P<0.05). The area under the curve of the model for predicting the risk of neonatal asphyxia based on these risk factors was 0.748 (95%CI: 0.723-0.772). The calibration curve indicated high accuracy of the model for predicting the risk of neonatal asphyxia. The decision curve analysis showed that the model could provide a higher net benefit for neonates at risk of asphyxia. CONCLUSIONS The risk factors for neonatal asphyxia in Hubei Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture are multifactorial, and the nomogram model based on these factors has good value in predicting the risk of neonatal asphyxia, which can help clinicians identify neonates at high risk of asphyxia early, and reduce the incidence of neonatal asphyxia.
Infant, Newborn ; Humans ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Female ; Nomograms ; Retrospective Studies ; Cesarean Section ; Risk Factors ; Asphyxia Neonatorum/etiology*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment of one patient with primary adrenal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (PANKTCL), and to strengthen the understanding of this rare type of lymphoma. METHODS: The clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment process, and prognosis of the patient admitted in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Combined with pathology, imaging, bone marrow examination， etc, the patient was diagnosed with PANKTCL (CA stage, stage II; PINK-E score 3, high-risk group). Six cycles of "P-GemOx+VP-16" regimen（gemcitabine 1 g/m² d1 + oxaliplatin 100 mg/m² d 1 + etoposide 60 mg/m² d 2-4 + polyethylene glycol conjugated asparaginase 3 750 IU d 5） was performed, and complete response was assessed in 4 cycles. Maintenance therapy with sintilimab was administered after the completion of chemotherapy. Eight months after the complete response, the patient experienced disease recurrence and underwent a total of four courses of chemotherapy, during which hemophagocytic syndrome occurred. The patient died of disease progression 1 month later. CONCLUSION PANKTCL is rare, relapses easily, and has a worse prognosis. The choice of the "P-GemOx+VP-16" regimen combined with sintilimab help to improve the survival prognosis of patient with non-upper aerodigestive tract natural killer /T-cell lymphoma.
Humans ; Treatment Outcome ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use* ; Retrospective Studies ; Etoposide ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/drug therapy* ; Asparaginase ; Deoxycytidine ; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral/drug therapy* ; Lymphoma, Extranodal NK-T-Cell/therapy* ; Oxaliplatin/therapeutic use*