BACKGROUND:The Guilu Erxian Glue consists of Testudinis Plastrum,Cornu Cervi,Lycii Fructus,and Ginseng Radix.In earlier clinical observations,it is discovered that using Guilu Erxian Glue to treat patients with liver-kidney deficiency type knee osteoarthritis effectively alleviated knee pain,increased the range of motion,and improved walking ability.However,the exact mechanism by which oral administration of Guilu Erxian Glue can produce local therapeutic effects on the knee joint is still unclear.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of Guilu Erxian Glue on gut microbiota in rats with knee osteoarthritis and to evaluate its mechanism using 16S rDNA sequencing and machine learning analysis.METHODS:Totally 18 female SD rats were randomly divided into three groups:blank group,model group,and Guilu Erxian Glue group,with 6 rats in each group.A knee osteoarthritis model was prepared using the destabilization of the medial meniscus surgical method.After successful modeling,the Guilu Erxian Glue group was given a decoction of Guilu Erxian Glue by gavage,while the blank and model groups were given an equal amount of distilled water.After 28 days of continuous intervention,high performance liquid chromatography was used to detect the active ingredients of Guilu Erxian Glue.MRI imaging was used to observe the condition of rat knee articular cartilage.Fecal samples were collected;DNA was extracted using a kit,amplified and purified by PCR,and an Illumina sequencing library was constructed.The Illumina MiSeq platform was used for high-throughput sequencing to generate raw sequence data.After obtaining the raw data,QIIME2 software was used to process the data.Linear Discriminant Analysis Effect Size analysis and random forest algorithm were used to screen for differential species in microbial data.KEGG and MetaCyc functional pathway analyses were used to explore the association between key microbial communities and experimental groups.Linear discriminant analysis effect values and random forest algorithm were used to screen for differential species.Association networks were used to analyze the interactions between microbial communities,and machine learning methods were used to analyze the composition and changes of gut microbiota.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)LC-MS component identification was conducted on the traditional Chinese medicine formula of Guilu Erxian Glue,and a total of 7 effective ingredients were identified.(2)MRI imaging showed that synovitis scope of high-density shadows in rats of the Guilu Erxian Glue group was reduced,and the degeneration of medial femoral condyle cartilage was less than that in the model group.(3)16S rDNA sequencing showed that the model group rats exhibited significant microbial imbalance,with a significant decrease in the abundance of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes at the phylum level,while the proportion of Proteobacteria increased significantly(P＜0.05).The gut microbiota structure of rats in the Guilu Erxian Glue group was significantly improved,and the proportion of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes increased,restoring a more diverse microbiota composition,approaching that of the blank group(P＜0.05).(4)KEGG and MetaCyc functional pathway analysis showed that the Guilu Erxian Glue group significantly activated multiple metabolic pathways,including amino acid metabolism,lipid metabolism,and biotin synthesis pathways(P＜0.05).(5)The results indicate that Guilu Erxian Glue contains seven active ingredients,and the changes in gut microbiota of knee osteoarthritis rats were analyzed using 16S rDNA sequencing.Guilu Erxian Glue can significantly improve the imbalance of gut microbiota,restore the abundance of beneficial bacteria,and have a significant impact on the composition of gut microbiota,providing scientific basis for the efficacy and mechanism of Guilu Erxian Glue.

BACKGROUND:The Guilu Erxian Glue consists of Testudinis Plastrum,Cornu Cervi,Lycii Fructus,and Ginseng Radix.In earlier clinical observations,it is discovered that using Guilu Erxian Glue to treat patients with liver-kidney deficiency type knee osteoarthritis effectively alleviated knee pain,increased the range of motion,and improved walking ability.However,the exact mechanism by which oral administration of Guilu Erxian Glue can produce local therapeutic effects on the knee joint is still unclear.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of Guilu Erxian Glue on gut microbiota in rats with knee osteoarthritis and to evaluate its mechanism using 16S rDNA sequencing and machine learning analysis.METHODS:Totally 18 female SD rats were randomly divided into three groups:blank group,model group,and Guilu Erxian Glue group,with 6 rats in each group.A knee osteoarthritis model was prepared using the destabilization of the medial meniscus surgical method.After successful modeling,the Guilu Erxian Glue group was given a decoction of Guilu Erxian Glue by gavage,while the blank and model groups were given an equal amount of distilled water.After 28 days of continuous intervention,high performance liquid chromatography was used to detect the active ingredients of Guilu Erxian Glue.MRI imaging was used to observe the condition of rat knee articular cartilage.Fecal samples were collected;DNA was extracted using a kit,amplified and purified by PCR,and an Illumina sequencing library was constructed.The Illumina MiSeq platform was used for high-throughput sequencing to generate raw sequence data.After obtaining the raw data,QIIME2 software was used to process the data.Linear Discriminant Analysis Effect Size analysis and random forest algorithm were used to screen for differential species in microbial data.KEGG and MetaCyc functional pathway analyses were used to explore the association between key microbial communities and experimental groups.Linear discriminant analysis effect values and random forest algorithm were used to screen for differential species.Association networks were used to analyze the interactions between microbial communities,and machine learning methods were used to analyze the composition and changes of gut microbiota.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)LC-MS component identification was conducted on the traditional Chinese medicine formula of Guilu Erxian Glue,and a total of 7 effective ingredients were identified.(2)MRI imaging showed that synovitis scope of high-density shadows in rats of the Guilu Erxian Glue group was reduced,and the degeneration of medial femoral condyle cartilage was less than that in the model group.(3)16S rDNA sequencing showed that the model group rats exhibited significant microbial imbalance,with a significant decrease in the abundance of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes at the phylum level,while the proportion of Proteobacteria increased significantly(P＜0.05).The gut microbiota structure of rats in the Guilu Erxian Glue group was significantly improved,and the proportion of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes increased,restoring a more diverse microbiota composition,approaching that of the blank group(P＜0.05).(4)KEGG and MetaCyc functional pathway analysis showed that the Guilu Erxian Glue group significantly activated multiple metabolic pathways,including amino acid metabolism,lipid metabolism,and biotin synthesis pathways(P＜0.05).(5)The results indicate that Guilu Erxian Glue contains seven active ingredients,and the changes in gut microbiota of knee osteoarthritis rats were analyzed using 16S rDNA sequencing.Guilu Erxian Glue can significantly improve the imbalance of gut microbiota,restore the abundance of beneficial bacteria,and have a significant impact on the composition of gut microbiota,providing scientific basis for the efficacy and mechanism of Guilu Erxian Glue.

Metabolic diseases such as childhood and adolescent obesity,type 2 diabetes have become urgent public health challenges that need to be addressed.Endothelial dysfunction is considered as a precursor event of cardiovascular disease,and its prevention and treatment have become an essential focus of health management.Being obese and spend-ing less time exercising in children and adolescents almost exist simultaneously.In this context,time-saving high-intensity interval training(HIIT)intervention is essential to prevent cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in children and adolescents.This article aims to comprehensively review the latest research progress on HIIT intervention in improving vascular endothelial function in obese children and adolescents.Through systematic review and comprehensive analysis,it provides theoretical and practical guidance for future research and promotes the development and implementation of effective health interventions.

Metabolic diseases such as childhood and adolescent obesity,type 2 diabetes have become urgent public health challenges that need to be addressed.Endothelial dysfunction is considered as a precursor event of cardiovascular disease,and its prevention and treatment have become an essential focus of health management.Being obese and spend-ing less time exercising in children and adolescents almost exist simultaneously.In this context,time-saving high-intensity interval training(HIIT)intervention is essential to prevent cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in children and adolescents.This article aims to comprehensively review the latest research progress on HIIT intervention in improving vascular endothelial function in obese children and adolescents.Through systematic review and comprehensive analysis,it provides theoretical and practical guidance for future research and promotes the development and implementation of effective health interventions.

BACKGROUND: There are few multi-city studies on the association between temperature and mortality in basin climates. This study was based on the Sichuan Basin in southwest China to assess the association of basin temperature with non-accidental mortality in the population and with the temperature-related mortality burden. METHODS: Daily mortality data, meteorological and air pollution data were collected for four cities in the Sichuan Basin of southwest China. We used a two-stage time-series analysis to quantify the association between temperature and non-accidental mortality in each city, and a multivariate meta-analysis was performed to obtain the overall cumulative risk. The attributable fractions (AFs) were calculated to access the mortality burden attributable to non-optimal temperature. Additionally, we performed a stratified analyses by gender, age group, education level, and marital status. RESULTS: A total of 751,930 non-accidental deaths were collected in our study. Overall, 10.16% of non-accidental deaths could be attributed to non-optimal temperatures. A majority of temperature-related non-accidental deaths were caused by low temperature, accounting for 9.10% (95% eCI: 5.50%, 12.19%), and heat effects accounted for only 1.06% (95% eCI: 0.76%, 1.33%). The mortality burden attributable to non-optimal temperatures was higher among those under 65 years old, females, those with a low education level, and those with an alternative marriage status. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggested that a significant association between non-optimal temperature and non-accidental mortality. Those under 65 years old, females, and those with a low educational level or alternative marriage status had the highest attributable burden.
Female ; Humans ; China/epidemiology* ; Cities ; Cold Temperature ; Hot Temperature ; Mortality ; Temperature ; Time Factors ; Middle Aged ; Male

Viral infection can induce endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS)and unfolded protein re-sponse(UPR)in host cells,resulting in perturbation of endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis.To e-lucidate the action mechanism of isochlorogenic acid A(IAA)in regulating peste des petits rumi-nant virus(PPRV)-induced ERS and UPR,MTT assay,indirect immunofluorescence assay and Western blot were used to evaluate the anti-PPRV activity of IAA,and the effects of IAA on PPRV-induced ERS and PERK signaling pathway were studied by Western blot and quantitative real-time PCR.The results showed that the PPRV replication and virus-induced cytopathic in LDG-2 cells were significantly inhibited,and the survival rate of virus-infected cells was significantly in-creased due to IAA treatment.Compared with the virus control group,the expression levels of GRP78 and p-eIF2α,the ratios of p-PERK/PERK and p-eIF2α/eIF2α in IAA treated PPRV-infec-ted cells were significantly decreased.The expression level of GADD153 significantly decreased at 24,36 h,and significantly increased at 48,60 h.Furthermore,treatment with ERS inhibitor 4-PBA could significantly suppress the expression levels of GRP78,PPRV-N protein and GADD153 in PPRV-infected cells,and the ratios of p-eIF2α/eIF2α and p-PERK/PERK in PPRV-infected cells were also significantly decreased caused by treatment with IAA or 4-PBA and IAA combination.These findings implicated that the PPRV-induced ERS could be alleviated by inhibiting activation of the PERK-eIF2α-GADD1 53 signaling pathway,which led to restriction of PPRV replication in host cells.

Viral infection can induce endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS)and unfolded protein reac-tion(UPR)in host cells.This study aims to further explore the effects of ERS induced by pest des petits ruminants virus(PPRV)infection on UPR signaling pathway,virus replication and apopto-sis of host cells.MTT assay,indirect immunofluorescence assay(IFA)and Western blot were used to observe the proliferation of PPRV in goat kidney cells(LDG-2).Western blot and real-time flu-orescence quantitative PCR(qRT-PCR)were used to observe the effects of PPRV infection on the expression levels of GRP78,PERK and its downstream signal molecules,apoptosis-related proteins Bcl-2 and Bax.The result indicated that the cell survival rate was significantly declined with evident cytopathic effect at 36 h post-infection,and the expression level of PPRV-N protein tended to be elevated,and was significantly higher than that of cell control at 30 h post-infection.Meanwhile,the expression levels of GRP78,p-eIF2α and GADD153,the ratio of p-PERK/PERK and p-eIF2α/eIF2α were significantly increased.Moreover,the expression levels of PPRV-N protein,GRP78,p-eIF2α and GADD1 53,the ratio of p-eIF2α/eIF2α and p-PERK/PERK were significantly decreased in PPRV-infected cells due to 4-PBA treatment.The expression level of apoptosis-related Bcl-2 was down-regulated,Bax was up-regulated,and the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax was significantly decreased.Therefore,the activation of PERK/eIF2α/GADD153 signaling pathway could be induced by PPRV infection resulting in alleviating of virus-induced ERS,which is beneficial to viral replication.Bloc-king PPRV-induced ERS could inhibit the activation of PERK signaling pathway and virus replica-tion.PPRV infection and prolonged ERS can induce apoptosis of LDG-2 cells.

MTT assay,indirect immunofluorescence assay(IFA)and real-time fluorescence quanti-tative PCR(qRT-PCR)were used to observe the proliferation of PPRV in goat kidney cells(LDG-2).Western blot and qRT-PCR were used to evaluate the effects of PPRV infection on the expres-sion levels of TLR2,MyD88,NF-κB signaling pathway-related factors and their downstream in-flammatory factors.The results indicated that the significantly decreased cell survival rate and ob-vious cytopathic effect were observed at 36 h post PPRV infection,and the mRNA expression level of PPRV-N gene was significantly up-regulated.At the same time,the expression levels of TLR2,MyD88,p-p65 and p-IκBα,the ratio of p-p65/p65 and p-IκBα/IκBα and the mRNA expression levels of downstream inflammatory factors TNFα,IL-1β,IL-4 and IL-10 were significantly increased.Mo-reover,the expression levels of PPRV-N mRNA,TLR2,MyD88,p-p65 and p-IκBα,the ratio of p-p65/p65 and p-IκBα/IκBα and the mRNA expression levels of downstream inflammatory factors IL-1β and IL-4 in PPRV-infected cells were significantly decreased in the presence of the inhibitor C29 of TLR2.These findings implied that the TLR2/MyD88/NF-κBα signaling pathway can be activated by PPRV infection,which is beneficial to the replication and spread of the virus.Blocking down the activation of TLR2 can inhibit MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway and viral replication in PPRV-infected cells.

Objective:To investigate the role and mechanism of metformin in algesia of rats with type 2 diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP).Methods:Eighty sprague-dawley rats were randomly divided into normal control group ( n=15) and high-fat and high-glucose group ( n=65); normal diet and high-fat and high-sugar diet were given, respectively; before and 8 weeks after feeding, the body mass of rats and fasting blood glucose level were recorded, fasting insulin level was detected by ELISA, and insulin sensitivity index (ISI) was calculated. Mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) 8 weeks after feeding (baseline values) were measured in the high-fat and high-glucose group; after 12 h of fasting, intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 35 mg/kg) was performed; 3 d after fasting, blood glucose was measured; 14 d after STZ injection, body mass was recorded and MWT and TWL were measured again: when MWT and TWL were ≤85% baseline values, it was defined that DNP model was successfully established ( n=45); and the left were into the diabetic painless group ( n=15). The rats with successful DNP were randomly divided into DNP group, DNP+vehicle group and DNP+metformin group ( n=15); 14 d after STZ injection, rats in the DNP+metformin group were given intraperitoneal injection of metformin (200 mg/kg) once daily for 14 consecutive d; DNP group did not accept any treatment, and rats in DNP+vehicle group were intraperitoneally injected with same amount of normal saline. MWT and TWL of all rats were measured 14 d after STZ injection, and 3, 7, 14 and 21 d after metformin injection. The expression levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were detected by ELISA 7, 14 and 21 d after metformin injection. The fluorescence intensity of ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule-1 (Iba-1) in the spinal cord was detected by immunofluorescence staining, and the expression levels of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), nuclear transcription factor (NF)-κB, phosphorylated (p)-NF-κB, adenylate activated protein kinase (AMPK), p-AMPK, and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ coactivator (PGC)-1α in the spinal cord were detected by Western blotting 21 d after metformin injection. Results:(1) After 8 weeks of feeding, the body mass of rats in the high-fat and high-glucose group was significantly higher than that in the normal control group ( P<0.05); and the body mass of rats in the high-fat and high-glucose group was statistically lower than that in the normal control group 14 d after STZ injection ( P<0.05). Three d after STZ injection, the blood glucose level in high-fat and high-glucose group was significantly higher than that in normal control group ( P<0.05). After 8 weeks of feeding, the insulin level of high-fat and high-glucose group was statistically higher than that of normal control group, and the ISI in the high-fat and high-glucose group was significantly decreased as compared with that in the normal control group ( P<0.05). (2) As compared with those in the normal control group and diabetic painless group, MWT and TWL of DNP group and DNP+vehicle group were significantly decreased at each time point ( P<0.05). Three, 7, 14 and 21 d after metformin injection, MWT and TWL in DNP+metformin group were significantly increased as compared with those in DNP group and DNP+vehicle group ( P<0.05). (3) Seven, 14, and 21 d after metformin injection, the levels of IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α in the spinal cord of rats in the DNP group and DNP+vehicle group were significantly increased as compared with those in the normal control group and diabetic painless group ( P<0.05); as compared with those in the DNP group and DNP+vehicle group, the levels of IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α in the spinal cord of DNP+metformin group were significantly decreased ( P<0.05). (4) As compared with normal control group and diabetic painless group, the fluorescence intensity of Iba-1 and number of Iba-1 positive cells in the spinal cord tissues of DNP group and DNP+vehicle group were significantly increased ( P<0.05); while the fluorescence intensity of Iba-1 and number of Iba-1 positive cells in spinal cord tissues of DNP+metformin group were significantly decreased as compared with those in the DNP group and DNP+ vehicle group ( P<0.05). (5) As compared with those in the normal control group and diabetic painless group, the TLR4 and p-NF-κB protein expressions and p-NF-κB/NF-κB values in the spinal cord tissues of DNP group and DNP+vehicle group were significantly increased ( P<0.05); while those in the spinal cord tissues of DNP+metformin group were significantly decreased as compared with those in the DNP group and DNP+vehicle group ( P<0.05). As compared with those in the normal control group and diabetic painless group, the PGC-1α protein expression and p-AMPK/AMPK values in the spinal cord tissues of DNP group and DNP+vehicle group were significantly decreased ( P<0.05); while those in the spinal cord tissues of DNP+metformin group were significantly increased as compared with those in the DNP group and DNP+vehicle group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Metformin, by activating AMPK/PGC-1α signaling pathway, may inhibit the TLR4/NF-κB expression, reduce the activation of microglia and the expressions of pro-inflammatory factors, and thus alleviate DNP.

Objective:To evaluate the diagnostic value of coronary angiography-based fractional flow reserve(caFFR)versus a wire-based fractional flow reserve(FFR)in elderly patients with stable ischemic heart disease.Methods:A total of 168 patients(186 vessels)who underwent a pressure wire(PW)-based FFR measurement from Jan.2015 to Dec.2019 in Beijing hospital were enrolled and analyzed retrospectively.Coronary angiography images and matched steady-state aortic pressure of patients were sent to the core laboratory for caFFR measurement under the blind method.All patients were divided into the non-elderly group(<65 years, n=93)and the elderly group(≥65 years, n=75). The diagnostic value of caFFR was evaluated by using the wire-based FFR cut-off value of ≤0.80 as the reference standard.The correlation and consistency of caFFR and wire-based FFR were analyzed, and compared between the non-elderly and elderly groups.Results:The caFFR had a good correlation and consistency with wire-based FFR in the elderly group( r=0.796, P<0.01). In non-aged versus elderly groups, diagnostic accuracy of caFFR was 91.9% versus 93.1%, diagnostic sensitivity of caFFR was 91.8% vs.93.2%, diagnostic specificity of caFFR was 92.3% vs.93.0%, all P>0.05.The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve of caFFR had no significant difference between the non-elderly and elderly patients(0.964 vs.0.972, Z=0.00823, 95% CI: -0.037-0.052, P>0.05). Conclusions:The caFFR has a good diagnostic correlation and consistency with wire-based FFR in the elderly group, and caFFR's diagnostic performance in the elderly is similar to that in the non-elderly patients.