ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Shenkang injection in delaying diabetic kidney disease by regulating endoplasmic reticulum stress and attenuating podocyte apoptosis through the Glucose regulated protein 78 （ GRP78 ） / transcription factor C / EBP homologous protein （ CHOP ） signaling pathway （GRP78/CHOP） signaling pathway. MethodsFor the animal experiment， 10 12-week-old db/m mice were selected as a normal group， and 30 12-week-old db/db mice were randomly divided into a model group， a Shenkang injection group （15.6 mL·kg^-1）， and a dapagliflozin group （1.6 mg·kg^-1）. To observe the general condition of mice， fasting blood glucose， urinary albumin/urine creatinine （ACR）， and 24 h urine protein quantification were detected in each group before drug administration. After 12 weeks of drug treatment， mice were tested for fasting blood glucose， total cholesterol （TC）， triglyceride （TG）， low-density cholesterol （LDL）， ACR， 24 h urine protein quantification， blood creatinine （SCr）， and blood urea （UREA）. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， periodic acid-Schiff （PAS） staining， and transmission electron microscopy were used to observe the pathologic morphology in renal tissue. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expressions of nephroprotective marker protein （Nephrin）， glucose-regulated protein 78 （GRP78）， CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein （CHOP）， B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， and Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax） in renal tissue. Western blot was used to detect the expressions of GRP78， CHOP， Bcl-2， Bax， and Nephrin proteins， and Real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was employed to detect the expressions of Nephrin， GRP78， CHOP， Bcl-2， and Bax mRNAs in renal tissue. ResultsBefore drug administration， compared with those in the normal group， the body mass of db/db mice was significantly increased， and blood glucose， 24 h urine protein quantification， and ACR were significantly elevated in the Shenkang injection group and Dapagliflozin group （P<0.01）. After 12 weeks of administration， compared with those in the model group， the general state of mice in the Shenkang injection group was significantly improved， and the body mass was decreased. The blood glucose was significantly reduced （P<0.01）， and blood lipids TC， TG， and LDL were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The 24 h urine protein quantification and ACR were significantly decreased （P<0.05）， and SCr and UREA were significantly reduced （P<0.01）. Compared with those of the model group， the pathologic results of the Shenkang injection group showed that proliferation of mesangial cells， reduction of inflammatory cell infiltration， and alleviation of renal tubular vacuolization and podocyte damage were observed in renal tissue of mice. Electron microscopy showed that fusion of the pedicle protruding and thickening of the basement membrane were reduced. Immunohistochemistry results showed that the expressions of GRP78， CHOP， and Bax proteins were significantly reduced （P<0.01）， and the expressions of Nephrin and Bcl-2 proteins were significantly increased （P<0.01） in renal tissue of the Shenkang injection group. Western blot results showed that the expressions of Nephrin and Bcl-2 in the Shenkang injection group were significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the expressions of GRP78， CHOP， and Bax proteins were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Real-time PCR results showed that the expressions of GRP78， CHOP， and Bax mRNAs were down regulated in the Shenkang injection group （P<0.01）， and the expressions of Nephrin and Bcl-2 mRNAs were up regulated （P<0.01）. ConclusionShenkang injection inhibits endoplasmic reticulum stress response and podocyte apoptosis by regulating the GRP78/CHOP signaling pathway， which in turn ensures the integrity of glomerular filtration barrier， reduces the occurrence of proteinuria， improves renal function， and thus delays the progression of diabetic kidney disease.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Shenkang injection in delaying diabetic kidney disease by regulating endoplasmic reticulum stress and attenuating podocyte apoptosis through the Glucose regulated protein 78 （ GRP78 ） / transcription factor C / EBP homologous protein （ CHOP ） signaling pathway （GRP78/CHOP） signaling pathway. MethodsFor the animal experiment， 10 12-week-old db/m mice were selected as a normal group， and 30 12-week-old db/db mice were randomly divided into a model group， a Shenkang injection group （15.6 mL·kg^-1）， and a dapagliflozin group （1.6 mg·kg^-1）. To observe the general condition of mice， fasting blood glucose， urinary albumin/urine creatinine （ACR）， and 24 h urine protein quantification were detected in each group before drug administration. After 12 weeks of drug treatment， mice were tested for fasting blood glucose， total cholesterol （TC）， triglyceride （TG）， low-density cholesterol （LDL）， ACR， 24 h urine protein quantification， blood creatinine （SCr）， and blood urea （UREA）. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， periodic acid-Schiff （PAS） staining， and transmission electron microscopy were used to observe the pathologic morphology in renal tissue. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expressions of nephroprotective marker protein （Nephrin）， glucose-regulated protein 78 （GRP78）， CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein （CHOP）， B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， and Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax） in renal tissue. Western blot was used to detect the expressions of GRP78， CHOP， Bcl-2， Bax， and Nephrin proteins， and Real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was employed to detect the expressions of Nephrin， GRP78， CHOP， Bcl-2， and Bax mRNAs in renal tissue. ResultsBefore drug administration， compared with those in the normal group， the body mass of db/db mice was significantly increased， and blood glucose， 24 h urine protein quantification， and ACR were significantly elevated in the Shenkang injection group and Dapagliflozin group （P<0.01）. After 12 weeks of administration， compared with those in the model group， the general state of mice in the Shenkang injection group was significantly improved， and the body mass was decreased. The blood glucose was significantly reduced （P<0.01）， and blood lipids TC， TG， and LDL were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The 24 h urine protein quantification and ACR were significantly decreased （P<0.05）， and SCr and UREA were significantly reduced （P<0.01）. Compared with those of the model group， the pathologic results of the Shenkang injection group showed that proliferation of mesangial cells， reduction of inflammatory cell infiltration， and alleviation of renal tubular vacuolization and podocyte damage were observed in renal tissue of mice. Electron microscopy showed that fusion of the pedicle protruding and thickening of the basement membrane were reduced. Immunohistochemistry results showed that the expressions of GRP78， CHOP， and Bax proteins were significantly reduced （P<0.01）， and the expressions of Nephrin and Bcl-2 proteins were significantly increased （P<0.01） in renal tissue of the Shenkang injection group. Western blot results showed that the expressions of Nephrin and Bcl-2 in the Shenkang injection group were significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the expressions of GRP78， CHOP， and Bax proteins were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Real-time PCR results showed that the expressions of GRP78， CHOP， and Bax mRNAs were down regulated in the Shenkang injection group （P<0.01）， and the expressions of Nephrin and Bcl-2 mRNAs were up regulated （P<0.01）. ConclusionShenkang injection inhibits endoplasmic reticulum stress response and podocyte apoptosis by regulating the GRP78/CHOP signaling pathway， which in turn ensures the integrity of glomerular filtration barrier， reduces the occurrence of proteinuria， improves renal function， and thus delays the progression of diabetic kidney disease.

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a metabolic disorder posing significant risks to maternal and infant health, with a lack of effective early screening markers. Therefore, identifying early screening biomarkers for GDM with higher sensitivity and specificity is urgently needed. Methods: High-throughput sequencing was employed to screen for key circular RNAs (circRNAs), which were then evaluated using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between clinical characteristics, circRNA expression, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. The diagnostic accuracy of circRNAs for early and mid-pregnancy GDM was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves. Pearson correlation analysis was utilized to explore the relationship between circRNA levels and oral glucose tolerance test results. A predictive model for early GDM was established using logistic regression. Results: Significant alterations in circRNA expression profiles were detected in GDM patients, with hsa_circ_0031560 and hsa_ circ_0000793 notably upregulated during the first and second trimesters. These circRNAs were associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and effectively differentiated GDM patients, with second trimester cohorts achieving an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.836. In first trimester cohorts, these circRNAs identified potential GDM patients with AUCs of 0.832 and 0.765, respectively. The early GDM prediction model achieved an AUC of 0.904, validated in two independent cohorts. Conclusion Hsa_circ_0031560, hsa_circ_0000793, and the developed model serve as biomarkers for early prediction or midterm diagnosis of GDM, offering clinical tools for early GDM screening.

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a metabolic disorder posing significant risks to maternal and infant health, with a lack of effective early screening markers. Therefore, identifying early screening biomarkers for GDM with higher sensitivity and specificity is urgently needed. Methods: High-throughput sequencing was employed to screen for key circular RNAs (circRNAs), which were then evaluated using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between clinical characteristics, circRNA expression, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. The diagnostic accuracy of circRNAs for early and mid-pregnancy GDM was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves. Pearson correlation analysis was utilized to explore the relationship between circRNA levels and oral glucose tolerance test results. A predictive model for early GDM was established using logistic regression. Results: Significant alterations in circRNA expression profiles were detected in GDM patients, with hsa_circ_0031560 and hsa_ circ_0000793 notably upregulated during the first and second trimesters. These circRNAs were associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and effectively differentiated GDM patients, with second trimester cohorts achieving an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.836. In first trimester cohorts, these circRNAs identified potential GDM patients with AUCs of 0.832 and 0.765, respectively. The early GDM prediction model achieved an AUC of 0.904, validated in two independent cohorts. Conclusion Hsa_circ_0031560, hsa_circ_0000793, and the developed model serve as biomarkers for early prediction or midterm diagnosis of GDM, offering clinical tools for early GDM screening.

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a metabolic disorder posing significant risks to maternal and infant health, with a lack of effective early screening markers. Therefore, identifying early screening biomarkers for GDM with higher sensitivity and specificity is urgently needed. Methods: High-throughput sequencing was employed to screen for key circular RNAs (circRNAs), which were then evaluated using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between clinical characteristics, circRNA expression, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. The diagnostic accuracy of circRNAs for early and mid-pregnancy GDM was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves. Pearson correlation analysis was utilized to explore the relationship between circRNA levels and oral glucose tolerance test results. A predictive model for early GDM was established using logistic regression. Results: Significant alterations in circRNA expression profiles were detected in GDM patients, with hsa_circ_0031560 and hsa_ circ_0000793 notably upregulated during the first and second trimesters. These circRNAs were associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and effectively differentiated GDM patients, with second trimester cohorts achieving an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.836. In first trimester cohorts, these circRNAs identified potential GDM patients with AUCs of 0.832 and 0.765, respectively. The early GDM prediction model achieved an AUC of 0.904, validated in two independent cohorts. Conclusion Hsa_circ_0031560, hsa_circ_0000793, and the developed model serve as biomarkers for early prediction or midterm diagnosis of GDM, offering clinical tools for early GDM screening.

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a metabolic disorder posing significant risks to maternal and infant health, with a lack of effective early screening markers. Therefore, identifying early screening biomarkers for GDM with higher sensitivity and specificity is urgently needed. Methods: High-throughput sequencing was employed to screen for key circular RNAs (circRNAs), which were then evaluated using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between clinical characteristics, circRNA expression, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. The diagnostic accuracy of circRNAs for early and mid-pregnancy GDM was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves. Pearson correlation analysis was utilized to explore the relationship between circRNA levels and oral glucose tolerance test results. A predictive model for early GDM was established using logistic regression. Results: Significant alterations in circRNA expression profiles were detected in GDM patients, with hsa_circ_0031560 and hsa_ circ_0000793 notably upregulated during the first and second trimesters. These circRNAs were associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and effectively differentiated GDM patients, with second trimester cohorts achieving an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.836. In first trimester cohorts, these circRNAs identified potential GDM patients with AUCs of 0.832 and 0.765, respectively. The early GDM prediction model achieved an AUC of 0.904, validated in two independent cohorts. Conclusion Hsa_circ_0031560, hsa_circ_0000793, and the developed model serve as biomarkers for early prediction or midterm diagnosis of GDM, offering clinical tools for early GDM screening.

Nigella sativa L. seeds have been traditionally utilized in Chinese folk medicine for centuries to treat vitiligo. This study revealed that the ethanolic extract of Nigella sativa L. (HZC) enhances melanogenesis and mitigates oxidative stress-induced cellular senescence and dysfunction in melanocytes. In accordance with established protocols, the ethanol fraction from Nigella sativa L. seeds was extracted, concentrated, and lyophilized to evaluate its herbal effects via 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays, tyrosinase activity evaluation, measurement of cellular melanin contents, scratch assays, senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) staining, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and Western blot analysis for expression profiling of experimentally relevant proteins. The results indicated that HZC significantly enhanced tyrosinase activity and melanin content while notably increasing the protein expression levels of Tyr, Mitf, and gp100 in B16F10 cells. Furthermore, HZC effectively mitigated oxidative stress-induced cellular senescence, improved melanocyte condition, and rectified various functional impairments associated with melanocyte dysfunction. These findings suggest that HZC increases melanin synthesis in melanocytes through the activation of the MAPK, PKA, and Wnt signaling pathways. In addition, HZC attenuates oxidative damage induced by H₂O₂ therapy by activating the nuclear factor E2-related factor 2-antioxidant response element (Nrf2-ARE) pathway and enhancing the activity of downstream antioxidant enzymes, thus preventing premature senescence and dysfunction in melanocytes.
Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Melanocytes/cytology* ; Cellular Senescence/drug effects* ; Nigella sativa/chemistry* ; Plant Extracts/pharmacology* ; Seeds/chemistry* ; Mice ; Animals ; Melanins/metabolism* ; Monophenol Monooxygenase/metabolism* ; Humans

Objective:To investigate the mechanism of immunomodulatory effects of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells(UC-MSCs)modified by miR-125b-5p on systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE).Methods:The expression level of miR-125b-5p was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR in UC-MSCs and peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs)from SLE patients and health checkers.Annexin V-FITC/PI apoptosis detection kit was used to detect the effect of miR-125b-5p on apoptosis of UC-MSCs.MRL/lpr mice in each group were injected with UC-MSCs via tail vein,and T-lymphocyte subsets in the spleen of the MRL/lpr mice were detected by flow cytometry after 5 weeks.The expression levels of interleukin(IL)-4 and IL-17A in serum of MRL/lpr mice were detected by ELISA.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the pathological manifestations of the lungs and kidneys of the MRL/lpr mice.Results:miR-125b-5p was significantly down-regulated in PBMCs of SLE patients compared with healthy controls(P＜0.01).Compared with the UC-MSCs group,the expression of miR-125b-5p in UC-MSCs modified by miR-125b-5p group was increased(P＜0.01).The survival rate of UC-MSCs was significantly increased by miR-125b-5p(P＜0.01).Compared with the untreated group of MRL/lpr mice,the expression level of IL-4 in serum was increased(P＜0.05);the expression level of IL-17A was decreased(P＜0.05);the proportion of Th17 cells in the spleen of MRL/lpr mice was decreased(P＜0.05);the inflammatory cells infiltration and micro-thrombosis of lungs and kidneys of MRL/lpr mice were significantly reduced in the UC-MSCs modified by miR-125b-5p treatment group.Conclusion:UC-MSCs modified by miR-125b-5p have immunomodulatory effects on systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of non-invasive bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) ventilator combined with oxygen atomization in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) complicated with type Ⅱ respiratory failure.Methods:A total of 80 patients with COPD complicated with type Ⅱ respiratory failure admitted to Haiyan County People′s Hospital from June 2019 to July 2021 were selected, and they were divided into the observation group and the control group by the random number table method, with 40 cases in each group. Patients in both groups received conventional treatment, while patients in the control group were connected with BiPAP non-invasive ventilator and received non-invasive mechanical ventilation in S/T mode; the observation group was given aerosol inhalation drugs during ventilation, and both groups were treated for 7 d. Blood gas indicators and vital signs were collected before treatment and 7 d after treatment. Clinical symptoms were investigated by COPD patient Caring Assessment Tool (CAT) and Dyspnea Scale (DECAF). Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and CD 4+/CD 8+ were determined, and treatment outcomes and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups. Results:After treatment, the partial pressure of oxygen (PaO 2) and the oxygen saturation (SaO 2) in the observation group were higher than those in the control group: (73.41 ± 5.26) mmHg(1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa) vs. (65.11 ± 4.33) mmHg, 0.921 ± 0.052 vs. 0.884 ± 0.039; the arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO 2), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR) were lower than those in the control group: (45.20 ± 5.33) mmHg vs. (50.52 ± 5.96) mmHg, (90.12 ± 8.56) times/min vs. (98.52 ± 9.63) times/min, (17.41 ± 2.26) times/min vs. (22.10 ± 3.05) times/min, there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). After treatment, CAT scores and DECAF scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group: (8.45 ± 1.63) scores vs. (12.77 ± 2.36) scores, (0.89 ± 0.15) scores vs. (1.15 ± 0.19) scores, there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). After treatment, the levels of IL-10 and CD 4+/CD 8+ in the observation group were higher than those in the control group: (15.28 ± 3.12) ng/L vs. (13.41 ± 2.96) ng/L, 1.71 ± 0.38 vs. 1.54 ± 0.30; while the level of TNF-α was lower than that in the control group: (215.27 ± 33.96) ng/L vs. (251.11 ± 50.95) ng/L, there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). The hospitalization time in the observation group was shorter than that in the control group: (13.52 ± 3.96) d vs. (15.22 ± 2.74) d, there was statistical difference ( P<0.05). The rates of tracheal intubation and the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups had no significant differences ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Non-invasive BiPAP ventilator combined with oxygen atomization can improve blood gas index, vital signs and clinical symptoms of COPD patients complicated with type Ⅱ respiratory failure and reduce inflammatory response.

Tumor cells use glycolysis to provide material and energy under hypoxic conditions to meet the energy requirements for rapid growth and proliferation， namely the Warburg effect. Even under aerobic conditions， tumor cells mainly rely on glycolysis to provide energy. Therefore， glucose transporter protein 1（GLUT1）， which is involved in the process of glucose metabolism， plays an important role in tumorigenesis， development and drug resistance， and is considered to be one of the important targets in the treatment of malignant tumors. In recent years， research on tumor glucose metabolism has gradually become a hot spot. It has been shown that various factors are involved in the regulation of tumor energy metabolism， among which the role of GLUT1 is the most critical. In this paper， the authors reviewed the latest research progress of GLUT1-targeted traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） active ingredient nano-delivery system in tumor therapy， aiming to reveal the feasibility and effectiveness of this system in the delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs. The GLUT1-targeted TCM active ingredient nano-delivery system can overcome the bottleneck of the traditional targeting strategy as well as the high-permeability long retention（EPR） effect. In summary， the authors believe that the GLUT1-targeted TCM active ingredient nano-delivery system provides a new strategy for targeted treatment of tumors and has a broad application prospect in tumor prevention and treatment.