OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of a variety of kidney-tonifying Chinese medicines on thymus regeneration after acute degeneration in mice. METHODS: Forty-eight 8-week-old male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into normal control group, model control group, negative control group, positive control group, the fructus of Cnidium monnieri (L.) Cuss. group, the fructus of Psoralea corylifolia (L.) group, the fructus of Rubus chingii Hu group, and the tuber onion seed group, with 6 mice in each group. Except for the normal control group, mice in the other groups received intraperitoneal injections of rapamycin (1 mg·kg^－1·d^－1) for 5 consecutive days followed by 14 h of starvation to induce acute thymus degeneration. After successful modeling, in treatment groups ethanol extract of the fructus of Cnidium monnieri (L.) Cuss. (0.78 g·kg^－1·d^－1), fructus of Psoralea corylifolia (L.) (0.39 g·kg^－1·d^－1), fructus of Rubus chingii Hu (0.78 g·kg^－1·d^－1) or the tuber onion seed(0.39 g·kg^－1·d^－1) was intraperitoneally injected once a day for 5 days; while the negative control group was given equal volume of normal saline, and the positive control group was given metformin (300 mg·kg^－1·d^－1). The grip strength was measured with a grip tester 2 h after the last administration. The pathological changes of thymus were observed by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. The structure and distribution of thymic epithelial cells were observed by multiple immunofluorescence method. The proportion of T cell subsets in thymus and peripheral blood was analyzed by flow cytometry. The level of T cell receptor excision circles (TREC) in the genomic DNA of mouse spleen mononuclear cells was detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for evaluation of thymic output function. The expression of thymus aging- and function-related factors in the thymus tissue were detected by quantitative reverse transcription PCR. The expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (p21) and tumor protein 53 (p53) were verified by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Rapamycin induced thymic atrophy and significantly reduced limb grip strength in mice (P<0.01). Compared with the negative control group, the limb grip strength of mice in the fructus of Psoralea corylifolia (L.) group, the fructus of Rubus chingii Hu group and the tuber onion seed group was significantly enhanced (all P<0.05), and the level of TREC in spleen of the mice in each administration group was reduced (all P<0.05). Among Chinese herb medicine-treatment groups, the recovery of thymus function and tissue structure in the tuber onion seed group was most obvious. Further study showed that compared with the negative control group, the proportion of CD4 single positive cells (CD3⁺TCR-β⁺CD4⁺CD8^－) in the thymus of the tuber onion seed group was significantly increased (P<0.01), and the proportion of CD3⁺CD28⁺ T cell and CD3⁺CD8⁺CD28⁺ T cell in peripheral blood was significantly increased (all P<0.01). The mRNA levels of IL-1α, IL-6, p21 and p53 in thymocytes were decreased (all P<0.05). The results of immunohistochemistry further confirmed the decrease in p21 and p53 expression. In normal mice, tuber onion seed was observed to enhance limb grip strength (P<0.01), while suppressing thymus output and change the distribution of T cell subsets, and there was no significant effect on thymus weight and the expression of Foxn1, SIRT1, p21, CXCL2 and PTMα. CONCLUSIONS The tuber onion seed and other kidney-tonifying traditional Chinese medicines can accelerate the regeneration process of mouse thymus after acute degeneration induced by rapamycin in mice, and the tuber onion seed exhibits the most pronounced therapeutic effect.
Animals ; Mice ; Male ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Thymus Gland/physiology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Sirolimus/adverse effects* ; Regeneration/drug effects*

The scientific interpretation of the theory of medicinal properties of TCM is a research hotspot in the modernization of TCM. It is of great value to clarify the property and degree of cold and heat in Chinese materia medica for guiding clinical precise medication. In recent years, the research on the cold and heat properties of Chinese materia medica has been carried out at the animal, cell and molecular levels. Based on the objective material basis of medicinal properties, from the perspective of biological effects such as thermodynamics and multiomics; with the help of infrared thermal imaging and other technologies for analysis; forming a variety of research models such as "property-structure relationship". Related research has developed from a single material component or index to a new model that tends to integrate multi-source information and multi-dimensional data. However, how to deal with the problems of large sample size, strong redundancy, high heterogeneity, and how to integrate multi-dimensional information are still research difficulties. With its powerful computing and learning ability, machine learning can show good discrimination and prediction ability in the study of cold and hot properties of Chinese materia medica, and play an important role in the study of cold and hot properties of Chinese materia medica. At present, the most widely used algorithms are linear discriminant analysis, Logistic discriminant analysis, support vector machine, decision tree, random forest and so on. The data dimension of the existing research needs to be enriched, the algorithm has room for further optimization, and a more detailed discriminant model of cold and hot properties of Chinese materia medica needs to be established.

Objective This study aims to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of Compound Fufangteng Mixture(CFM)on myocardial fibrosis(MF)and explore its action targets and mechanisms through a combination of animal pharmacodynamics,cell biology,and network pharmacology approaches.Methods Thirty-five male C57BL/6J mice were divided into the normal group,model group,CFM low-dose(0.72 g/kg)group,CFM high-dose(1.44 g/kg)group,and sacubitril valsartan sodium group(20 mg/kg)based on random number table,with 7 mice in each group.Except for the normal group,the mice in the other groups were subcutaneously injected with isoproterenol(20 mg/kg)at multiple points once daily for 21 consecutive days to establish the MF model.The CFM groups were pre-administered by gavage 3 days before modeling,the sacubitril valsartan sodium group was administered starting from the day of modeling,and the normal group and model group were given an equal volume of distilled water.The active ingredients in CFM were analyzed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography(UPLC).On days 7,14,and 21 of modeling,the left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),left ventricular fractional shortening(LVFS),left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVIDd),and left ventricular end-systolic diameter(LVIDs)of mice were detected by ultrasound.The degree of myocardial fibrosis in mice was assessed by Masson staining.The levels of transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1),α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),type I collagen(COL I),and type Ⅲcollagen(COL Ⅲ)in the myocardial tissue of mice were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The average fluorescence intensity of α-SMA in myocardial tissue was detected by immunofluorescence.In addition,by integrating Cellular Thermal Shift Assay(CETSA),QE proteomic analysis,and network pharmacology techniques,we systematically explored the potential core targets and mechanisms of action by which CFM improves MF,and validated these findings using western blotting analysis.Results Main eight chemical components were identified from CFM.Compared with the normal group,the model group exhibited a decrease in LVEF and LVFS,an increase in LVIDd and LVIDs,a higher heart weight to tibia length ratio,and an increased collagen volume fraction(P<0.05),along with aggravated MF.Concurrently,the myocardial tissue showed elevated levels of TGF-β1,α-SMA,COL I,and COL Ⅲ(P<0.05),with enhanced α-SMA fluorescence signal intensity.In comparison to the model group,all groups of CFM and the sacubitril valsartan sodium group demonstrated an increase in LVEF and LVFS,and a decrease in LVIDd,LVIDs,and the heart weight to tibia length ratio(P<0.05).Simultaneously,the collagen volume fraction decreased,and the levels of TGF-β1,α-SMA,COL I,and COL Ⅲ in myocardial tissue were down-regulated(P<0.05).The degree of MF was reduced,and the fluorescence signal intensity of α-SMA expression was weakened.Furthermore,the combined analysis of CETSA,QE proteomics,and network pharmacology revealed that heat shock protein A family member 8(HSPA8)may be a potential core target for CFM in ameliorating MF.CETSA-western blotting analysis further confirmed that CFM could enhance the thermal stability of HSPA8 protein and down-regulate the relative expression level of HSPA8 protein in mouse myocardial tissue(P<0.05).Conclusion CFM can ameliorate isoproterenol-induced cardiac dysfunction in mice,reduce collagen deposition,and reverse the pathological progression of MF.The underlying mechanism may be associated with the regulation of HSPA8.

Objective This study aims to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of Compound Fufangteng Mixture(CFM)on myocardial fibrosis(MF)and explore its action targets and mechanisms through a combination of animal pharmacodynamics,cell biology,and network pharmacology approaches.Methods Thirty-five male C57BL/6J mice were divided into the normal group,model group,CFM low-dose(0.72 g/kg)group,CFM high-dose(1.44 g/kg)group,and sacubitril valsartan sodium group(20 mg/kg)based on random number table,with 7 mice in each group.Except for the normal group,the mice in the other groups were subcutaneously injected with isoproterenol(20 mg/kg)at multiple points once daily for 21 consecutive days to establish the MF model.The CFM groups were pre-administered by gavage 3 days before modeling,the sacubitril valsartan sodium group was administered starting from the day of modeling,and the normal group and model group were given an equal volume of distilled water.The active ingredients in CFM were analyzed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography(UPLC).On days 7,14,and 21 of modeling,the left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),left ventricular fractional shortening(LVFS),left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVIDd),and left ventricular end-systolic diameter(LVIDs)of mice were detected by ultrasound.The degree of myocardial fibrosis in mice was assessed by Masson staining.The levels of transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1),α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),type I collagen(COL I),and type Ⅲcollagen(COL Ⅲ)in the myocardial tissue of mice were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The average fluorescence intensity of α-SMA in myocardial tissue was detected by immunofluorescence.In addition,by integrating Cellular Thermal Shift Assay(CETSA),QE proteomic analysis,and network pharmacology techniques,we systematically explored the potential core targets and mechanisms of action by which CFM improves MF,and validated these findings using western blotting analysis.Results Main eight chemical components were identified from CFM.Compared with the normal group,the model group exhibited a decrease in LVEF and LVFS,an increase in LVIDd and LVIDs,a higher heart weight to tibia length ratio,and an increased collagen volume fraction(P<0.05),along with aggravated MF.Concurrently,the myocardial tissue showed elevated levels of TGF-β1,α-SMA,COL I,and COL Ⅲ(P<0.05),with enhanced α-SMA fluorescence signal intensity.In comparison to the model group,all groups of CFM and the sacubitril valsartan sodium group demonstrated an increase in LVEF and LVFS,and a decrease in LVIDd,LVIDs,and the heart weight to tibia length ratio(P<0.05).Simultaneously,the collagen volume fraction decreased,and the levels of TGF-β1,α-SMA,COL I,and COL Ⅲ in myocardial tissue were down-regulated(P<0.05).The degree of MF was reduced,and the fluorescence signal intensity of α-SMA expression was weakened.Furthermore,the combined analysis of CETSA,QE proteomics,and network pharmacology revealed that heat shock protein A family member 8(HSPA8)may be a potential core target for CFM in ameliorating MF.CETSA-western blotting analysis further confirmed that CFM could enhance the thermal stability of HSPA8 protein and down-regulate the relative expression level of HSPA8 protein in mouse myocardial tissue(P<0.05).Conclusion CFM can ameliorate isoproterenol-induced cardiac dysfunction in mice,reduce collagen deposition,and reverse the pathological progression of MF.The underlying mechanism may be associated with the regulation of HSPA8.

The eutR gene deletion mutant of Salmonella enteritidis was successfully constructed by homologous recombination.Through the study of its biochemical characteristics,motility,resist-ance to stress in vitro and survival ability in RAW 264.7 cells,it was found that the biochemical characteristics and motility of the eutR gene deletion mutant of Salmonella enteritidis had no sig-nificant change compared with the wild type of Salmonella enteritidis.The ability of eutR gene de-letion strain of Salmonella enteritidis to resist acid,alkali and oxidation was significantly reduced,while the ability to resist heat was not significantly changed;the survival ability of eutR gene dele-tion strain in RAW 264.7 cells was significantly reduced compared with the wild type.In order to further analyze the effect of eutR gene on the expression of virulence factors of Salmonella enterit-idis,the relative expression levels of invH,ssav,ssrA,xthA,orf245,sodC,lrp,mrr1 and hflk virulence genes of the deletion strain and the wild strain were detected by SYBR Green PCR.It was found that the expression of the virulence factors mentioned above in the eutR gene deletion strain of Salmonella enteritidis was significantly down-regulated compared with that in the wild-type strain.The LD50 of the eutR gene-deleted strain of Salmonella enteritidis was determined by ani-mal experiments,and the results showed that the LD50 of the eutR gene-deleted strain was higher than that of the wild-type strain,indicating that the eutR gene could affect the virulence of Salmonella.This study clarified the effect of eutR gene on the survival ability,some biological characteristics and virulence of Salmonella enteritidis in macrophages,and provided a new gene knockout target for the development of attenuated Salmonella enteritidis genetic engineering vac-cine.

Objective:To study the life characteristics and related risk factors of patients with depression in Shandong Province.Methods:Based on the 2015 mental epidemiological survey database in Shandong Province,a total of 832 patients with depression,807 high-risk individuals with depression,and 819 low-risk individuals were diagnosed according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,Fourth Edition(DSM-Ⅳ)and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-Ⅳ-TR Axis I Disorders,Research Version(SCID-I/P).In 2020,SCID-I/P was used for re diagnosis,and the General Health Questionnaire(GHQ-12),Simple Quality of Life question-naire,Pittsburgh sleep quality index(PSQI),Childhood Trauma Questionnaire(CTQ),Social Support Rating Scale(SSRS),Global Pain Scale(GPS),Montreal Cognitive Assessment(MoCA),Simplified Coping Style Question-naire(SCSQ)were used for evaluation.Compare changes in the quality of life of depression patients and construct a risk factor model.Results:Patients with depression had lower scores on the simple quality of life questionnaire at baseline and at retest after 5 years than those in the high-and low-risk groups,those in remission of depression had higher scores on the simple quality of life questionnaire at baseline and at retest after 5 years than those in non-re-mission,and those with new-onset disorder in the high-and low-risk groups had lower scores on the simple quality of life questionnaire at baseline and at retest after 5 years than those with no-onset disorder(Ps＜0.001).Depres-sion diagnosis and PSQI scale scores at baseline negatively predicted at retest after 5 years(β=-0.06,-0.15),while coping style tendencies at baseline positively predicted(β=0.06).The simple quality of life questionnaire at baseline negatively predicted depression diagnosis at retest after 5 years,GHQ-12 scores at retest after 5 years,and PSQI scale scores at retest after 5 years(β=-0.11,-0.17,-0.09),while the simple quality of life question-naire at baseline positively predicted coping style tendencies at retest after 5 years(β=0.13).Depression diagnosis at retest after 5 years,GHQ-12 scores at retest after 5 years,PSQI scale scores at retest after 5 years,coping style tendencies at retest after 5 years,SSRS scale scores,CTQ scale scores,GPS scale scores,and the simple quality of life questionnaire at baseline all influenced the simple quality of life questionnaire at retest after 5 years through ei-ther direct or indirect pathways.Conclusion:It suggest that the quality of life is lower in patients with depression than in the general population.Depression diagnosis,sleep,mental health,pain,social support,childhood trauma and coping are direct and indirect risk factors affecting life.

Objective To evaluate the short-term results of sleeve wrapping technique using remnant aortic wall in modified Bentall procedure. Methods The patients undergoing modified Bentall procedure with the remnant aortic wall as a sleeve to cover the sewing area of composite valved graft and the aortic annulus for proximal hemostasis between March 2021 and March 2022 in Shenzhen Fuwai Hospital were enrolled. Short-term results were assessed by cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic clamping time, mechanical ventilation time, ICU stay, postoperative hospital stay, effusion drainage on the first postoperative day, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDD), and follow-up results. Results A total of 14 patients were collected, including 12 males and 2 females, with a mean age of 55.33±10.57 years. There was no postoperative or follow-up death. Cardiopulmonary bypass time was 147.90±21.29 min, aortic clamping time was 115.70±15.23 min, mechanical ventilation time was 19.42±8.98 h, ICU stay was 99.08±49.42 h, and postoperative hospital stay was 16.33±2.74 d. Thoracic drainage volume was 333.33±91.98 mL on the first postoperative day. Only 2 patients required blood transfusion (4.5 U and 2 U, respectively). During the follow-up of 6.17±3.69 months, there was no death, no aortic or valve-related complications. There was statistical difference in the LVEDD between preoperation and before discharge after surgery (P＜0.001), and between half a year after surgery and before discharge after surgery (P＜0.001). There was a little decrease of LVEF before discharge after surgery compared with preoperative LVEF, but there was no statistical difference (P=0.219). There was no statistical difference in the LVEF half a year after operation compared with that before operation (P=1.000). Conclusion Sleeve wrapping technique using remnant aortic wall in modified Bentall procedure has good short-term results. This modification may be a simple, effective way in controlling proximal bleeding.

Threatened abortion is a common disease of obstetrics and gynecology and one of the diseases responding specifically to traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）. The China Association of Chinese Medicine organized experts in TCM obstetrics and gynecology， Western medicine obstetrics and gynecology， and pharmacology to deeply discuss the advantages of TCM and integrated Chinese and Western medicine treatment as well as the medication plans for threatened abortion. After discussion， the experts concluded that chromosome， endocrine， and immune abnormalities were the key factors for the occurrence of threatened abortion， and the Qi and blood disorders in thoroughfare and conception vessels were the core pathogenesis. In the treatment of threatened abortion， TCM has advantages in preventing miscarriages， alleviating clinical symptoms and TCM syndromes， relieving anxiety， regulating reproductive endocrine and immune abnormalities， personalized and diversified treatment， enhancing efficiency and reducing toxicity， and preventing the disease before occurrence. The difficulty in diagnosis and treatment of threatened abortion with traditional Chinese and Western medicine lies in identifying the predictors of abortion caused by maternal factors and the treatment of thrombophilia. Recurrent abortion is the breakthrough point of treatment with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine. It is urgent to carry out high-quality evidence-based medicine research in the future to improve the modern diagnosis and treatment of threatened abortion with TCM.

Objective To investigate the incidence of central obesity and characteristics and changing trend of macronutrient energy supply in adult residents of Chongqing, and to analyze the relationship between carbohydrate energy supply and central obesity. Methods Using the longitudinal tracking data of China Health and Nutrition Survey project, combined with China food composition table , the energy and nutrient intake and macronutrient energy supply ratio were calculated. The association between carbohydrate energy supply and central obesity was analyzed by multi-level statistical model. Results In 2011, 2015 and 2018, the carbohydrate supply ratio of adult residents in Chongqing was 43.02%, 46.52%, and 46.07%, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (F=18.699, P<0.001). The overweight rates in 2011, 2015, and 2018 were 29.2%, 36.7%, and 37.8%, while the obesity rates were 12.2%, 13.5%, and 19.5%, respectively, with statistically significant differences (χ²=41.416, P<0.001). The central obesity rates were 51.5%, 57.2%, and 62.8%, respectively (χ²=21.008, P<0.001). The carbohydrate supply ratio was positively correlated with waist circumference. Compared to the population with a carbohydrate to energy ratio of <55%, the risk of central obesity in the population with a carbohydrate to energy ratio of ≥ 65% was 1.63 times higher. Conclusion The ratio of carbohydrate to energy supply of adult residents in Chongqing has slightly increased. Rates of overweight, obesity and central obesity are on the rise. A high carbohydrate to energy supply ratio may be a risk factor for central obesity.

Objective:To investigate the value of ultrasonic measurement of the ratio of optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) to eyeball transverse diameter(ETD) in the diagnosis and prognosis of intracranial hypertension in patients with craniocerebral trauma.Methods:A total of 120 patients with craniocerebral trauma treated in the Xingtai General Hospital of North China Medical and Health Group from December 2021 to January 2023 were perspectively selected, and they were divided into normal intracranial pressure group (73 cases) and intracranial hypertension group (47 cases) according to the results of intracranial pressure measurements, and the intracranial hypertension group was divided into good prognosis group (20 cases) and poor prognosis group (27 cases) according to the follow-up prognosis. The efficacy of ONSD, ETD and ONSD/ETD in intracranial hypertension diagnosis and prognosis assessment were analyzed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Kaplan-Meier method was used to evaluate the 6-month risk of adverse prognosis of patients, and the comparison was made by Log-rank test.Results:The levels of intracranial pressure, ONSD, ONSD/ETD in the normal intracranial pressure group were lower than those in the intracranial hypertension group: (130.73 ± 23.63) mmH 2O (1 mmH 2O = 0.009 8 kPa) vs. (270.11 ± 35.78) mmH 2O, (5.47 ± 0.29) mm vs. (5.78 ± 0.44) mm, 0.246 ± 0.018 vs. 0.263 ± 0.018, there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). The scores of Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), intracranial pressure, ONSD, ONSD/ETD in the good prognosis group were lower than those in the poor prognosis group: (5.50 ± 1.24) scores vs. (6.41 ± 1.34) scores, (256.15 ± 30.23) mmH 2O vs. (280.44 ± 36.56) mmH 2O, (5.62 ± 0.40) mm vs. (5.90 ± 0.44) mm, 0.254 ± 0.014 vs. 0.270 ± 0.017, there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). ROC curve analysis results showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of ONSD and ONSD/ETD for diagnosing intracranial hypertension in patients with craniocerebral trauma were 0.718 and 0.765, respectively, and the critical values were 5.87 mm and 0.263, respectively. The AUC of ONSD and ONSD/ETD predicting prognosis of intracranial hypertension patients was 0.677 and 0.763, respectively, and the critical values were 5.90 mm and 0.267, respectively. Grouped by the threshold of ONSD/ETD for the prognosis of intracranial hypertension (0.267), the incidence of adverse prognosis in ONSD/ETD > 0.267 group was higher than that in the ONSD/ETD≤0.267 group, there was statistical difference ( P<0.05). Conclusions:ONSD/ETD can be used as an index for diagnosis and prognosis of intracranial hypertension.