Nitrofurazone(NFZ)is an antibiotic that is used as a veterinary drug in aquaculture.NFZ abuse can lead to a series of environmental and health issues,making it crucial to establish a rapid and highly sensitive method for NFZ detection.In this study,platinum nanoparticle(PtNPs)-loaded zeolitic imidazolate framework(ZIF-8)was used as a precursor,and PtNPs functionalized nitrogen doped porous carbon(NC)was obtained through pyrolysis.Pt@NC was combined with multi-walled carbon nanotubes(MWCNTs)and cast onto a glassy carbon electrode(GCE)surface to construct an electroch-emical sensor.Electrochemical tests revealed that Pt@NC/WCNT/GCE exhibited an electrochemical active area of 0.066 cm2 and a heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant(k0)of 2.03×10-3 cm/s,which were higher than other materials.Compared with the electrodes modified by other materials,the NFZ generated the highest peak current of irreversible reduction peak on the Pt@NC/WCNT/GCE electrode.In comparison with Pt@ZIF-8/WCNT/GCE,after pyrolysis and carbonization treatment,the reduction current of NFZ increased by 2.19 times,and the reduction peak potential shifted positively by 19 mV simultaneously.When compared with NC/WCNT/GCE,the PtNPs in the composite material enhanced the NFZ current by 4.25 times.Additionally,the experimental conditions for detecting NFZ using the sensor were optimized,including the carbonization temperature of Pt@ZIF-8,ratio of Pt@NC to CNT,loading amount of the modified material,and electrolyte pH.Under the optimized conditions,the sensor demonstrated a linear detection range for NFZ of 0.20-240 μmol/L,a sensitivity of 9.995 μA/((μmol/L)?cm2)and a limit of detection(LOD)of 0.06 μmol/L.The sensor exhibited excellent anti-interference capability,good reproducibility,and stability,with spiked recoveries for NFZ in water samples ranging from 94.6%to 105.6%.This study provided a novel electrochemical sensing approach for NFZ detection.

BACKGROUND: Based on the China-VHD database, this study sought to develop and validate a Valvular Heart Disease- specific Age-adjusted Comorbidity Index (VHD-ACI) for predicting mortality risk in patients with VHD. METHODS & RESULTS: The China-VHD study was a nationwide, multi-centre multi-centre cohort study enrolling 13,917 patients with moderate or severe VHD across 46 medical centres in China between April-June 2018. After excluding cases with missing key variables, 11,459 patients were retained for final analysis. The primary endpoint was 2-year all-cause mortality, with 941 deaths (10.0%) observed during follow-up. The VHD-ACI was derived after identifying 13 independent mortality predictors: cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary artery hypertension, low body weight, anaemia, hypoalbuminaemia, renal insufficiency, moderate/severe hepatic dysfunction, heart failure, cancer, NYHA functional class and age. The index exhibited good discrimination (AUC, 0.79) and calibration (Brier score, 0.062) in the total cohort, outperforming both EuroSCORE II and ACCI (P < 0.001 for comparison). Internal validation through 100 bootstrap iterations yielded a C statistic of 0.694 (95% CI: 0.665-0.723) for 2-year mortality prediction. VHD-ACI scores, as a continuous variable (VHD-ACI score: adjusted HR (95% CI): 1.263 (1.245-1.282), P < 0.001) or categorized using thresholds determined by the Yoden index (VHD-ACI ≥ 9 vs. < 9, adjusted HR (95% CI): 6.216 (5.378-7.184), P < 0.001), were independently associated with mortality. The prognostic performance remained consistent across all VHD subtypes (aortic stenosis, aortic regurgitation, mitral stenosis, mitral regurgitation, tricuspid valve disease, mixed aortic/mitral valve disease and multiple VHD), and clinical subgroups stratified by therapeutic strategy, LVEF status (preserved vs. reduced), disease severity and etiology. CONCLUSION The VHD-ACI is a simple 13-comorbidity algorithm for the prediction of mortality in VHD patients and providing a simple and rapid tool for risk stratification.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Yangxue Qingnao Pills (YXQNP) combined with amlodipine in treating patients with grade 1 hypertension. METHODS: This is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study. Adult patients with grade 1 hypertension of blood deficiency and Gan (Liver)-yang hyperactivity syndrome were randomly divided into the treatment or the control groups at a 1:1 ratio. The treatment group received YXQNP and amlodipine besylate, while the control group received YXQNP's placebo and amlodipine besylate. The treatment duration lasted for 180 days. Outcomes assessed included changes in blood pressure, Chinese medicine (CM) syndrome scores, symptoms and target organ functions before and after treatment in both groups. Additionally, adverse events, such as nausea, vomiting, rash, itching, and diarrhea, were recorded in both groups. RESULTS: A total of 662 subjects were enrolled, of whom 608 (91.8%) completed the trial (306 in the treatment and 302 in the control groups). After 180 days of treatment, the standard deviations and coefficients of variation of systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels were lower in the treatment group compared with the control group. The improvement rates of dizziness, headache, insomnia, and waist soreness were significantly higher in the treatment group compared with the control group (P<0.05). After 30 days of treatment, the overall therapeutic effects on CM clinical syndromes were significantly increased in the treatment group as compared with the control group (P<0.05). After 180 days of treatment, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity, ankle brachial index and albumin-to-creatinine ratio were improved in both groups, with no statistically significant differences (P>0.05). No serious treatment-related adverse events occurred during the study period. CONCLUSIONS Combination therapy of YXQNP with amlodipine significantly improved symptoms such as dizziness and headache, reduced blood pressure variability, and showed a trend toward lowering urinary microalbumin in hypertensive patients. These findings suggest that this regimen has good clinical efficacy and safety. (Registration No. ChiCTR1900022470).
Humans ; Amlodipine/adverse effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Male ; Female ; Hypertension/complications* ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Adult ; Blood Pressure/drug effects* ; Double-Blind Method ; Aged ; Antihypertensive Agents/adverse effects*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Shexiang Tongxin Dropping Pill (STDP) in treating stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome by exercise duration and metabolic equivalents. METHODS: This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial enrolled stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome from 22 hospitals. They were randomized 1:1 to STDP (35 mg/pill, 6 pills per day) or placebo for 56 days. The primary outcome was the exercise duration and metabolic equivalents (METs) assessed by the standard Bruce exercise treadmill test after 56 days of treatment. The secondary outcomes included the total angina symptom score, Chinese medicine (CM) symptom scores, Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) scores, changes in ST-T on electrocardiogram and adverse events (AEs). RESULTS: This trial enrolled 309 patients, including 155 and 154 in the STDP and placebo groups, respectively. STDP significantly prolonged exercise duration with an increase of 51.0 s, compared to a decrease of 12.0 s with placebo (change rate: -11.1% vs. 3.2%, P<0.01). The increase in METs was significantly greater in the STDP group than in the placebo group (change: -0.4 vs. 0.0, change rate: -5.0% vs. 0.0%, P<0.01). The improvement of total angina symptom scores (25.0% vs. 0.0%), CM symptom scores (38.7% vs. 11.8%), reduction of nitroglycerin consumption (100.0% vs. 11.3%), and all domains of SAQ, were significantly greater with STDP than placebo (all P<0.01). The changes in Q-T intervals at 28 and 56 days from baseline were similar between the two groups (both P>0.05). Twenty-five participants (16.3%) with STDP and 16 (10.5%) with placebo experienced AEs (P=0.131), with no serious AEs observed. CONCLUSION STDP could improve exercise tolerance in patients with stable angina and phlegm-heat and blood stasis syndrome, with a favorable safety profile. (Registration No. ChiCTR-IPR-15006020).
Humans ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Angina, Stable/physiopathology* ; Aged ; Syndrome ; Treatment Outcome ; Placebos ; Tablets

Background: and Purpose Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) following endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is a severe complication associated with adverse functional outcomes and increased mortality rates. Currently, a reliable predictive model for sICH risk after EVT is lacking. Methods: This study used data from patients aged ≥20 years who underwent EVT for anterior circulation stroke from the nationwide Taiwan Registry of Endovascular Thrombectomy for Acute Ischemic Stroke (TREAT-AIS). A predictive model including factors associated with an increased risk of sICH after EVT was developed to differentiate between patients with and without sICH. This model was compared existing predictive models using nationwide registry data to evaluate its relative performance. Results: Of the 2,507 identified patients, 158 developed sICH after EVT. Factors such as diastolic blood pressure, Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score, platelet count, glucose level, collateral score, and successful reperfusion were associated with the risk of sICH after EVT. The TREAT-AIS score demonstrated acceptable predictive accuracy (area under the curve [AUC]=0.694), with higher scores being associated with an increased risk of sICH (odds ratio=2.01 per score increase, 95% confidence interval=1.64–2.45, P<0.001). The discriminatory capacity of the score was similar in patients with symptom onset beyond 6 hours (AUC=0.705). Compared to existing models, the TREAT-AIS score consistently exhibited superior predictive accuracy, although this difference was marginal. Conclusions The TREAT-AIS score outperformed existing models, and demonstrated an acceptable discriminatory capacity for distinguishing patients according to sICH risk levels. However, the differences between models were only marginal. Further research incorporating periprocedural and postprocedural factors is required to improve the predictive accuracy.

Aim To investigate the intestinal protection and possible mechanism of magnolol(MG)in newborn rats with necrotizing enterocolitis(NEC).Methods The rats were randomly divided into control group(Ctrl group),model group(NEC group)and treatment group(MG group).The NEC model was induced by hypoxia,cold stimulation,deep formula milk and LPS intragastric administration in 7-day-old rats for four days.They were killed after five days of treatment with MG(20 mg·kg-1).HE staining was used to observe the intestinal pathological injury.Western blot was used to detect the expressions of IL-1 β,TNF-α,NL-RP3,ASC,caspase-1 and tight junction protein in the distal ileum of rats.Colon contents were collected for 16S rDNA sequencing to understand the gut microbio-ta.Results MG improved the body mass and intesti-nal injury of NEC neonatal rats.The expressions of in-testinal IL-1β,TNF-α,NLRP3,ASC and caspase-1 proteins were down-regulated,and the expressions of Claudin,Occludin and ZO-1 proteins were up-regula-ted.16S rDNA showed that MG increased the diversity of intestinal flora,and at the phylum level,MG in-creased the abundance of firmicutes and bacteroides in NEC model,and decreased the abundance of pro-teobacteria.At the genus level,MG treatment in-creased the abundance of Lactobacillus,unclassified_Muribaculaceae,Racteroides,but decreased the abun-dance of Escherichia_Shigella,Rodentibacter and Fuso-bacterium.Conclusion MG intervention can protect the intestinal tract of NEC rats by potentially improving barrier function,and regulating the intestinal microbiota through the NLRP3/ASC/caspase-1 signaling pathway.

Guided by the theory of "the kidney storing essence, governing the bones, and producing marrow", this study explored the mechanism of icariin(ICA) in regulating the osteogenic differentiation of rat bone mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs) through caveolin-1(Cav1) via in vitro and in vivo experiments, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis with traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). Primary cells were obtained from 4-week-old female SD rats using the whole bone marrow adherent method. Flow cytometry was used to detect the expression of surface markers CD29, CD90, CD11b, and CD45. The potential for osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation was assessed. The effect of ICA on cell viability was determined using the CCK-8 assay, and the impact of ICA on the formation of mineralized nodules was verified by alizarin red staining. A stable Cav1-silenced cell line was constructed using lentivirus. The effect of Cav1 silencing on osteogenic differentiation was observed via alizarin red staining. Western blot analysis was conducted to detect the expression of Cav1, Hippo/TAZ, and osteogenic markers such as Runt-related transcription factor 2(RUNX2) and alkaline phosphatase(ALP). The results showed that primary cells were successfully obtained using the whole bone marrow adherent method, positively expressing surface markers of rat BMSCs and possessing the potential for both osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation. The CCK-8 assay and alizarin red staining results indicated that 1×10~(-7) mol·L~(-1) was the optimal concentration of ICA for intervention in this experiment(P<0.05). During osteogenic induction, ICA inhibited Cav1 expression(P<0.05) while promoting TAZ expression(P<0.05). Alizarin red staining demonstrated that Cav1 silencing significantly promoted the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. After ICA intervention, TAZ expression was activated, and the expression of osteogenic markers ALP and RUNX2 was increased. In conclusion, Cav1 silencing significantly promotes the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, and ICA promotes this differentiation by inhibiting Cav1 and regulating the Hippo/TAZ signaling pathway.
Animals ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism* ; Caveolin 1/genetics* ; Osteogenesis/drug effects* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects* ; Female ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Flavonoids/administration & dosage* ; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Cells, Cultured ; Humans

Chaihu and Longgu Muli Decoction has demonstrated significant efficacy in the treatment of tachyarrhythmia accompanied by anxiety and depression. However, there is a lack of standardized guidelines for its clinical application. In this study, the Chaihu and Longgu Muli Decoction was investigated through extensive research on ancient and modern literature, as well as a collection of clinical medical records. The basic information, medication details, and diagnostic information from medical records, personal experience literature, and clinical cases in the treatment of tachyarrhythmia accompanied by anxiety were extracted and analyzed to preliminarily identify the prescription characteristics and syndrome patterns. Subsequently, the Delphi method was employed to construct an item pool based on the data obtained in the first step. An expert questionnaire was prepared to collect scores and revision opinions from experts regarding these items. After statistical analysis and group discussions, a second round of questionnaires was formed by screening out certain items. This process was repeated until a final item set for the treatment of tachyarrhythmia accompanied by anxiety with Chaihu and Longgu Muli Decoction was determined. These findings provided guidance for clinical prescription practices. By extracting 71 syndromes and signs, as well as 33 tongue and pulse characteristics, the main syndrome features included palpitations, chest tightness, irritability, etc., which were basically consistent with the ancient syndromes. Through frequency analysis and group discussions, 71 items were screened out. After screening, modification, and primary and secondary division, 11 main diagnostic items and 10 secondary diagnostic items were determined. On this basis, the research team believes that Chaihu and Longgu Muli Decoction is mainly indicated for the following syndromes in the treatment of tachyarrhythmia accompanied by anxiety(palpitations, poor sleep, bitter taste, dry mouth, irritability/easily angered/anxiety/fearfulness/easily startled, red tongue with greasy yellow coating, rapid pulse, high work/life pressure, tachyarrhythmia on electrocardiogram/Holter monitor, and positive results on anxiety scale). Secondary syndromes include chest tightness, shortness of breath, feeling heavy and weak in the body, sweating, poor appetite, constipation, greasy white tongue coating, wiry pulse, slippery pulse, or knotted and intermittent pulse.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Humans ; Delphi Technique ; Anxiety/complications* ; Tachycardia/psychology* ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Aged