ObjectiveBased on the theory of "spleen governing transportation and transformation"， this study investigates the efficacy of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma processed with Aurantii Fructus Immaturus juice（AMR-AFI） in improving slow-transit constipation（STC）， as well as the synergistic regulatory mechanism involving the microbiota-metabolism axis， thereby elucidating the scientific basis of its processing theory. MethodsAnimals were randomly divided into the control group， model group， positive drug（mosapride） group（3 mg·kg^-1）， and low-， medium-， and high-dose groups of AMR-AFI（3.9， 7.8， 15.6 g·kg^-1）. Except for the control group， the remaining five groups were induced with STC using loperamide hydrochloride. Following modeling， interventions were administered. All groups received continuous administration for 15 d， during which fecal samples， colon tissue， and serum were collected. Constipation improvement was assessed by measuring fecal moisture content and small intestinal propulsion rate， histological morphology of colonic tissue was observed via hematoxylin-eosin（HE） staining， and the levels of interleukin（IL）-6， tumor necrosis factor（TNF）-α， and IL-2 in serum were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA）. Furthermore， the microbial community structure in mouse feces was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing， while transcriptomic sequencing was employed to screen differentially expressed genes in colonic tissue， followed by gene ontology（GO） and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes（KEGG） enrichment analyses. Finally， Spearman correlation analysis was conducted to explore the association between differential microbiota and differential genes. ResultsCompared with the control group， the intestinal propulsion rate and fecal moisture content in the model group were significantly decreased（P<0.01）， while serum levels of IL-6， TNF-α， and IL-2 were significantly elevated（P<0.01）. HE staining showed damage and shedding of colonic mucosal epithelial cells， along with a reduction in goblet cells in the model group. In comparison with the model group， all treatment groups improved the pathological state of the colonic mucosa to varying degrees and reduced serum levels of IL-6， TNF-α， and IL-2（P<0.01）. Among these， the high-dose group of AMR-AFI significantly increased the intestinal propulsion rate and fecal moisture content of rats（P<0.05， P<0.01）. Further transcriptomic analysis revealed that a total of 104 differentially expressed genes were identified from comparisons between the model group and the control group， as well as between the model group and the high-dose group of AMR-AFI. These genes were mainly enriched in pathways closely related to STC pathogenesis， such as arachidonic acid metabolism and aldosterone-regulated sodium reabsorption. 16S rRNA sequencing results indicated that AMR-AFI reversed the structural imbalance of the gut microbiota in model mice， increased species richness， downregulated the relative abundance of pro-inflammatory bacteria such as Parasutterella， and enriched beneficial and butyrate-producing bacteria， including Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group， Ruminococcaceae， and Lachnospiraceae. Spearman correlation analysis further showed that the beneficial bacteria enriched in the AMR-AFI group were negatively correlated with genes involved in the arachidonic acid metabolic pathway and positively correlated with genes in the aldosterone-regulated sodium reabsorption pathway. In contrast， pro-inflammatory bacteria in the model group exhibited the opposite correlation trends. ConclusionAMR-AFI can effectively exert synergistic therapeutic effects on STC by regulating intestinal microbiota， arachidonic acid-mediated inflammatory metabolism， and aldosterone-regulated water-salt balance pathways.

ObjectiveBased on the theory of "spleen governing transportation and transformation"， this study investigates the efficacy of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma processed with Aurantii Fructus Immaturus juice（AMR-AFI） in improving slow-transit constipation（STC）， as well as the synergistic regulatory mechanism involving the microbiota-metabolism axis， thereby elucidating the scientific basis of its processing theory. MethodsAnimals were randomly divided into the control group， model group， positive drug（mosapride） group（3 mg·kg^-1）， and low-， medium-， and high-dose groups of AMR-AFI（3.9， 7.8， 15.6 g·kg^-1）. Except for the control group， the remaining five groups were induced with STC using loperamide hydrochloride. Following modeling， interventions were administered. All groups received continuous administration for 15 d， during which fecal samples， colon tissue， and serum were collected. Constipation improvement was assessed by measuring fecal moisture content and small intestinal propulsion rate， histological morphology of colonic tissue was observed via hematoxylin-eosin（HE） staining， and the levels of interleukin（IL）-6， tumor necrosis factor（TNF）-α， and IL-2 in serum were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA）. Furthermore， the microbial community structure in mouse feces was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing， while transcriptomic sequencing was employed to screen differentially expressed genes in colonic tissue， followed by gene ontology（GO） and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes（KEGG） enrichment analyses. Finally， Spearman correlation analysis was conducted to explore the association between differential microbiota and differential genes. ResultsCompared with the control group， the intestinal propulsion rate and fecal moisture content in the model group were significantly decreased（P<0.01）， while serum levels of IL-6， TNF-α， and IL-2 were significantly elevated（P<0.01）. HE staining showed damage and shedding of colonic mucosal epithelial cells， along with a reduction in goblet cells in the model group. In comparison with the model group， all treatment groups improved the pathological state of the colonic mucosa to varying degrees and reduced serum levels of IL-6， TNF-α， and IL-2（P<0.01）. Among these， the high-dose group of AMR-AFI significantly increased the intestinal propulsion rate and fecal moisture content of rats（P<0.05， P<0.01）. Further transcriptomic analysis revealed that a total of 104 differentially expressed genes were identified from comparisons between the model group and the control group， as well as between the model group and the high-dose group of AMR-AFI. These genes were mainly enriched in pathways closely related to STC pathogenesis， such as arachidonic acid metabolism and aldosterone-regulated sodium reabsorption. 16S rRNA sequencing results indicated that AMR-AFI reversed the structural imbalance of the gut microbiota in model mice， increased species richness， downregulated the relative abundance of pro-inflammatory bacteria such as Parasutterella， and enriched beneficial and butyrate-producing bacteria， including Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group， Ruminococcaceae， and Lachnospiraceae. Spearman correlation analysis further showed that the beneficial bacteria enriched in the AMR-AFI group were negatively correlated with genes involved in the arachidonic acid metabolic pathway and positively correlated with genes in the aldosterone-regulated sodium reabsorption pathway. In contrast， pro-inflammatory bacteria in the model group exhibited the opposite correlation trends. ConclusionAMR-AFI can effectively exert synergistic therapeutic effects on STC by regulating intestinal microbiota， arachidonic acid-mediated inflammatory metabolism， and aldosterone-regulated water-salt balance pathways.

OBJECTIVE To study the mechanism of action of Rehmannia glutinosa-medicated serum （RG） in regulating lipopolysaccharide （LPS）-induced polarization of BV2 microglia to interfere with neuroinflammation. METHODS An in vitro neuroinflammation model of BV2 cells induced by LPS was established. Cells were divided into control group， LPS group， 10%RG group， 20%RG group， BAY 11-7082 [nuclear factor kappa B （NF-κB） inhibitor] group， and 20%RG+BAY 11-7082 group. Except for the control group， cells in all other groups were pretreated with corresponding drugs for 12 h and then stimulated with LPS for 24 h. The morphology of cells in each group was observed， and the fluorescence intensity of ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 （Iba-1）， inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS）， CD206， the mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， IL-1β， iNOS， IL-4， IL-10， transforming growth factor-β （TGF-β）， arginase-1 （Arg-1）， and the Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）/NF-κB/NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 （NLRP3） signaling pathway-related protein expression were detected. RESULTS Compared with the control group， the LPS group showed significant changes in cell morphology， exhibiting a typical M1 activated morphology. The fluorescence intensity of Iba-1 and iNOS， the relative expression levels of TNF-α， IL-6， IL-1β， iNOS mRNA， the relative expression levels of TLR4， NLRP3， caspase-1 p20， IL-1β p17 protein， and the phosphorylation levels of NF-κB p65 and inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B α were significantly increased （P＜0.05）. The fluorescence intensity of CD206 and the relative expression levels of IL-4， IL-10， TGF-β， and Arg-1 mRNA were significantly reduced （P＜0.05）. Compared with the LPS group， the changes in the above indicators in the cells of the 10%RG group， 20%RG group， BAY 11-7082 group， and 20%RG+BAY 11-7082 group were significantly reversed （P＜0.05）， and there was no statistically significant difference in the comparison of the last three groups （P＞0.05）. CONCLUSIONS RG can effectively inhibit the overall activation of microglia and correct their M1/M2 polarization imbalance， and its mechanism may be closely related to the inhibition of excessive activation of the TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway.

Objective To explore the value of transvaginal ultrasound parameters combined with clinical features for predicting success pregnancy or not of polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS)patients with infertility after in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection(IVF/ICSI).Methods Totally 348 PCOS patients with infertility were retrospectively analyzed.Patients with presence of a gestational sac on ultrasound and did not experience miscarriage within 4 months after IVF/ICSI were classified as success pregnancy(pregnancy group,n=178),while the rest 170 patients were enrolled in non-pregnancy group.Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed to assess clinical data,IVF/ICSI and transvaginal ultrasound parameters to identify the independent predictors of non-pregnancy in PCOS patients with infertility after IVF/ICSI,and a regression equation was constructed.The predictive efficacy,calibration and clinical value of this model were evaluated.Results Patients'age,duration of infertility,ovulation induction protocol(long protocol),duration of gonadotropin treatment,numbers of antral follicles and dominant follicles,total ovarian area,ovarian medullary area and endometrial thickness showed on transvaginal ultrasound before IVF/ICSI,as well as IVF with 2 pronuclei(IVF 2PN)and ICSI with 2 pronuclei(ICSI 2PN)or not were all independent predictors of success pregnancy or not in PCOS patients with infertility after IVF/ICSI(all P＜0.05).The area under the curve of the regression model was 0.771,and its predicted probabilities correlated with actual probabilities.Decision curve analysis indicated that the regression model had good clinical benefit.Conclusion Transvaginal ultrasound parameters combined with clinical features could effectively predict success pregnancy or not in PCOS patients with infertility after IVF/ICSI.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the clinical characteristics and influential factors of drug-induced liver injury （DILI） in children caused by intravenous azithromycin. METHODS Clinical data of 157 DILI pediatric cases caused by intravenous azithromycin， reported by the Hengshui Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring Center from January 2015 to January 2025， were collected as the observation group. Clinical data of pediatric patients who received intravenous azithromycin but did not develop DILI during the same period at Hengshui People’s Hospital were collected in a 1∶1 ratio to serve as the control group. The clinical classification， severity and prognosis of DILI in pediatric patients from the observation group were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were used to screen the independent risk factors for DILI in children caused by intravenous azithromycin. RESULTS Among 157 DILI cases， 92 cases （58.60%） had hepatocellular injury-type， 51 cases （32.48%） had cholestatic-type， and 14 cases （8.92%） had mixed-type. DILI severity was grade 1 in 117 cases （74.52%）， grade 2 in 33 cases （21.02%）， and grade 3 in 7 cases （4.46%）. Liver function had all recovered after stopping medication and symptomatic treatment. Combined with acetaminophen [OR＝3.769， 95%CI （1.615， 8.235）， P＝0.021]， daily dose of azithromycin＞10 mg/kg [OR＝ 2.237， 95%CI （1.075， 4.655）， P＝0.034] were independent risk factors for DILI in children caused by intravenous azithromycin. CONCLUSIONS Hepatocellular injury-type and cholestatic-type are relatively common in children with DILI caused by intravenous azithromycin， with mild severity being predominant and showing a favorable prognosis. Combination with acetaminophen and daily dose＞10 mg/kg are independent risk factors for azithromycin-induced DILI in children.

BACKGROUND: The sirtuin family is well recognized for its crucial involvement in various cellular processes. Nevertheless, studies on its role in the human endometrium are limited. This study aimed to explore the expression and localization of the sirtuin family in the human endometrium, focusing on sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) and its potential role in the oxidative imbalance of the endometrium in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: Endometrial specimens were collected from both patients with PCOS and controls undergoing hysteroscopy at the Center for Reproductive Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, from July to August 2015 and used for cell culture. The protective effects of SIRT3 were investigated, and the mechanism of SIRT3 in improving endometrial receptivity of patients with PCOS was determined using various techniques, including cellular bioenergetic analysis, small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) silencing, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry analysis. RESULTS: The sirtuin family was widely expressed in the human endometrium, with SIRT3 showing a significant increase in expression in patients with PCOS compared with controls ( P <0.05), as confirmed by protein and gene assays. Concurrently, endometrial antioxidant levels were elevated, while mitochondrial respiratory capacity was reduced, in patients with PCOS ( P <0.05). An endometrial oxidative stress (OS) model revealed that the downregulation of SIRT3 impaired the growth and proliferation status of endometrial cells and reduced their receptivity to day 4 mouse embryos. The results suggested that SIRT3 might be crucial in maintaining normal cellular state by regulating antioxidants, cell proliferation, and apoptosis, thereby contributing to enhanced endometrial receptivity. CONCLUSIONS Our findings proposed a significant role of SIRT3 in improving endometrial receptivity in patients with PCOS by alleviating OS and regulating the balance between cell proliferation and apoptosis. Therefore, SIRT3 could be a promising target for predicting and improving endometrial receptivity in this patient population.
Humans ; Female ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome/metabolism* ; Endometrium/metabolism* ; Sirtuin 3/genetics* ; Oxidative Stress/genetics* ; Adult ; Animals ; Mice ; Apoptosis/physiology* ; Immunohistochemistry ; Cell Proliferation/physiology*

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a life-threatening gastrointestinal disorder for which no effective pharmacological treatments are currently available. One of the pharmacological targets that merits further research is the neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R), which is found on pancreatic acinar cells and responds to the neuropeptide substance P (SP) that participates in AP. Although a few studies have stated the involvement of SP/NK1R in neurogenic inflammation in AP development, the regulatory mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we found that following activation of NK1R by SP, β-arrestin1, a scaffold protein of NK1R, down-regulated transcription of Adss, Adsl, and Ampd in the purine nucleotide cycle, thereby inhibiting mitochondrial function through fumarate depletion. Interestingly, we identified magnolol as a new and natural NK1R inhibitor with a non-nitrogenous biphenyl core structure. It exhibited a beneficial effect on AP by restoring purine nucleotide cycle metabolic enzymes and fumarate levels. Our study not only provides new therapeutic strategies, leading compounds, and drug translation possibilities for AP, but also provides important clues for the study of downstream mechanisms driven by SP in other diseases.

Body weight abnormalities, including overweight, obesity, and underweight, have become a dual public health challenge in Chinese adults: overweight and obesity lead to a variety of chronic complications, while underweight increases the risks of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and organ dysfunction. To systematically address these issues, multidisciplinary experts in endocrinology, sports science, nutrition, and psychiatry from various regions have held multiple weight management seminars. Based on the latest epidemiological data and clinical evidence, they expanded the guideline to include assessment and intervention strategies for underweight, in addition to the core content of obesity management. This guideline outlines the etiological mechanisms, evaluation methods, and multidimensional management strategies for overweight and obesity, covering key areas such as diagnosis and assessment, medical nutrition therapy, exercise prescription, pharmacological intervention, and psychological support. It is intended to provide a scientific and standardized approach to weight management across the adult population, aiming to curb the rising prevalence of obesity, mitigate complications associated with abnormal body weight, and improve nutritional status and overall quality of life.

Objective:To explore the feasibility of transvaginal core needle biopsy for pelvic masses under finger guidance during a vagino-recto-abdominal examination.Methods:The clinicopathological data and follow-up information of 29 patients with pelvic masses who underwent transvaginal core needle biopsy under finger guidance during a vagino-recto-abdominal examination at Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from January 2020 to July 2024 were collected, and the safety and diagnostic accuracy of the procedure were retrospectively analyzed.Results:(1) A total of 29 patients with pelvic masses were enrolled in this study, with a median age of 50 years (range: 29-73 years), and a median tumor diameter of 3.9 cm (range: 2.7-13.3 cm). Among these patients, 7 were newly diagnosed, and 22 were follow-up. The pre-procedure disease types included 21 patients (72%, 21/29) cervical cancer, 6 patients (21%, 6/29) epithelial ovarian cancer, and 2 patients (7%, 2/29) other suspected gynecologic tumors. (2) Among 29 patients with pelvic masses, 8 cases (28%, 8/29) were diagnosed with benign diseases according to core needle biopsy pathological findings, and 1 case suggested possible residual cervical cancer in the parametrial region by contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging after radical chemoradiotherapy 3 months, while the result of core needle biopsy for this patient was negative, with follow-up after 1 year revealed progression of the lesion in the right parametrial area. Another patient underwent fine-needle aspiration cytology, which suggested gastrointestinal stromal tumor, requiring differentiation from endometriosis, and core needle biopsy pathology confirmed endometriosis, with follow-up at 6 months revealed no evidence of malignancy in this patient. The remaining 6 patients with benign diagnoses had follow-up periods exceeding 1 year without imaging or clinical evidence of local lesion progression or malignancy. Among the 21 patients (72%, 21/29) diagnosed with malignant tumors by core needle biopsy, 14 cases were suspected cases of residual or recurrent cervical cancer, 6 cases had advanced ovarian cancer, and 1 case had rectal cancer metastasis, with all biopsy diagnoses being consistent with preoperative clinical findings and imaging results. The overall diagnostic accuracy of the core needle biopsy was 97% (28/29). Among the 7 newly diagnosed patients, the diagnostic accuracy was 7/7, while it was 95% (21/22) for the 22 follow-up patients, with no statistically significant difference observed between the two groups ( P=1.000). (3) All 29 patients with pelvic masses successfully underwent transvaginal core needle biopsy guided by vagino-recto-abdominal examination. Among them, 28 cases (97%, 28/29) reported tolerable pain during the procedure, while 1 case (3%, 1/29) experienced transient syncope at the end of the procedure due to pain, which resolved within seconds. Vaginal bleeding exceeding 50 ml occurred in 3 patients (10%, 3/29) during paracervical tissue sampling, with the maximum blood loss being 150 ml, and hemorrhage was successfully controlled using vaginal tamponade. The overall incidence of adverse events during the core needle biopsy procedure was 14% (4/29). Conclusion:Transvaginal core needle biopsy for pelvic masses guided by vagino-recto-abdominal examination is a simple, safe, and accurate diagnostic method, suitable for patients with gynecologic malignancies, non-gynecologic malignancies suspected of pelvic mass metastasis, and other benign pelvic lesions.