ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Jiangtang No. 3 prescription on inflammatory pathways and insulin resistance-related indicators in rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus （T2DM）， and to elucidate its molecular mechanism in combating diabetes. MethodsA T2DM rat model was established using a high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin （STZ）. Successfully modeled rats were randomly assigned to the model group， metformin group， and low-， medium-， and high-dose Jiangtang No. 3 prescription groups， and a normal group was also set. Daily gavage was administered for 8 weeks as follows： metformin at 0.1 g·kg^-1·d^-1， Jiangtang No. 3 prescription granules at 1.62， 3.24， 6.48 g·kg^-1·d^-1 for the respective dose groups， and sterile water for the normal and model groups. Rat body weight， fasting blood glucose （FBG）， oral glucose tolerance test （OGTT）， and insulin tolerance test （ITT） were measured. After drug intervention， enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to determine serum levels of total cholesterol （TC）， triglycerides （TG）， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL）， high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL）， non-esterified fatty acids （NEFA）， interleukin （IL）-1β， IL-18， and insulin （INS）. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe morphological changes in adipose tissue. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）， nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB）， NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）， Caspase-1， IL-1β， IL-18， and gasdermin D （GSDMD） in adipose tissue. Western blot was used to measure the corresponding protein expression levels. ResultsCompared with the model group， Jiangtang No. 3 prescription groups exhibited significantly increased body weight （P<0.05， P<0.01）， significantly reduced FBG （P<0.05， P<0.01）， significant reductions in TC， TG， NEFA， and LDL （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and a significant increase in HDL （P<0.01）. Serum levels of inflammatory mediators IL-1β and IL-18 were significantly decreased （P<0.01）， the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance （HOMA-IR） index was significantly reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and adipose tissue pathology was improved. The protein expression levels of TLR4， NF-κB， NLRP3， Caspase-1， IL-1β， IL-18， and GSDMD were markedly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the mRNA expression levels of these indicators were also significantly downregulated （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Some effects were superior to those of the positive control drug metformin， and certain indicators exhibited dose-dependent improvements. ConclusionT2DM rats display significant inflammatory responses， disordered glucose and lipid metabolism， and insulin resistance. Jiangtang No. 3 prescription effectively suppresses inflammatory mediators， improves glucose and lipid metabolism and insulin resistance， and ameliorates pathological changes in adipose tissue. Its mechanism may be related to the regulation of the TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway in visceral adipose tissue， thereby influencing downstream inflammatory mediators.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the mechanism mediating the regulatory effect of miR-155-5p on proliferation of human submandibular gland epithelial cells (HSGECs) in primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS). METHODS: Dual luciferase reporter assay was used to verify the targeting relationship between miR-155-5p and the PI3K/AKT pathway. In a HSGEC model of pSS induced by simulation with TRAIL and INF-γ, the effects of miR-155-inhibitor-NC or miR-155 inhibitor on cell viability, cell cycle, apoptosis and proliferation were evaluated using CKK8 assay, flow cytometry and colony formation assay. ELISA and RT-PCR were used to detect the expressions of inflammatory cytokines and miR-155-5p mRNA in the cells; Western blotting was performed to detect the expressions of proteins in the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. RESULTS: Dual luciferase assay showed that miR-155-5p targets the PI3K/AKT pathway via PIK3R1 mRNA. The HSGEC model of pSS showed significantly decreased cell viability, cell clone formation ability and expressions IL-10 and IL-4 and increased cell apoptosis, cell percentage in G2 phase, expressions of TNF‑α, IL-6, miR-155-5p and PIK3R1 mRNA, p-PI3K/PI3K ratio, p-Akt/AKT ratio, and PIK3R1 protein expression. Treatment of the cell models with miR-155 inhibitor significantly increased the cell viability, G1 phase cell percentage, colony formation ability, and expressions of IL-10 and IL-4 levels, and obviously reduced cell apoptosis rate, G2 phase cell percentage, expressions of TNF-α, IL-6, miR-155-5p and PIK3R1 mRNA, p-PI3K/PI3K ratio, p-AKT/AKT ratio, and PIK3R1 protein expression. CONCLUSIONS In HSGEC model of pSS, inhibition of miR-155-5p can promote cell proliferation and reduced cell apoptosis by targeting PI3K1 mRNA to negatively regulate the overexpression of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
Humans ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; Cell Proliferation ; Signal Transduction ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Sjogren's Syndrome/pathology* ; Epithelial Cells/cytology* ; Submandibular Gland/cytology* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Apoptosis ; Class Ia Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase ; Cells, Cultured

Progressive fibrosing interstitial lung disease （PF-ILD） has a complex etiology， and is classified as lung impediment stage， impediment-atrophy combination stage， and lung atrophy stage according to the different clinical manifestations during the progression of disease. Based on the theory of opening-closing-pivoting to analyse the characteristics of yin and yang disease mechanism and the idea of prescriptions in the three stages. For lung impediment stage， main as three-Yang fail to keep inside， disharmony between Ying qi （营气） and Wei qi （卫气）， shaoyin impairment， treatment should use Mahuang （Ephedra sinica） and Guizhi （Neolitsea cassia） flexibly to form a formula， or choose pungent-dispersing formulas like Baidu Powder （败毒散） to move qi and save yang， and diffuse and disperse impediment pathogen， meanwhile combining saving-shaoyin medicinals like Fuzi （Aconitum carmichaelii） and Shudihuang （Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata） to reinforce healthy qi and dispel pathogen； for impediment-atrophy combination stage， rooted as yangming impairment and progressed by over-movement of qi， treatment should use Mahuang Shengma Decoction （麻黄升麻汤） to resolve and decrease over-activities， emphasis on both opening and closing， and improve impediment and atrophy； for lung atrophy stage with three-Yin in a bad condition simultaneously and poor prognosis， treatment should use modified Jinshui Liujun Decoction （金水六君煎） to consolidate qi and save yin， disperse phlegm and stasis， to improve the quality of life for patients with PF-ILD.

Objective To investigate the role of solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11)in the pathogenesis and progression of clear cell renal cell carcinoma(ccRCC)and its prognostic significance.Methods Mendelian randomization analysis was employed to identify genes causally associated with the risk of ccRCC.The expression patterns and prognostic relevance of SLC7A11 were assessed using RNA sequencing data and clinical information obtained from the UCSC Xcna pan-cancer cohort.Gene set enrichment analysis(GSEA)was conducted using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas Kidney Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma(TCGA-KIRC)dataset(training set).A prognostic model based on SLC7A11 was then developed using stepwise Cox regression and validated externally in the E-MTAB-1980 cohort(validation set).Results Elevated level of SLC7A11 was associated with an increased risk of ccRCC(HR=1.27,95％CI:1.15-1.40,P＜0.001).SLC7A11 was overexpressed in various tumors and correlated with higher T stage and poorer survival(P＜0.05).GSEA demonstrated that SLC7A11 was enriched in pathways related to proliferation and metastasis,including E2F and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition signaling pathways.Moreover,the SLC7A11 prognostic model exhibited robust predictive performance in both the training set(1-,3-,and 5-year AUC=0.78,0.73,0.71,respectively)and the external validation set(1-,3-,and 5-year AUC=0.70,0.71,0.72,respectively).Conclusion SLC7A11 can be a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for ccRCC,offering novel perspectives for precision medicine.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of buccal acupuncture on analgesia after tonsilloadenoidectomy in pediatric patients.Methods:This was a randomized controlled study. One hundred and twenty-six American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅰ or Ⅱ pediatric patients, aged 3-12 yr, weighing 12-34 kg, with body mass index <30 kg/m 2, undergoing elective tonsilloadenoidectomy with general anesthesia, were divided into 2 groups ( n=63 each) by the random number table method: buccal acupuncture group (group B) and control group (group C). All pediatric patients received the same anesthesia induction and intraoperative anesthesia maintenance. The concentration of sevoflurane was adjusted to keep the fluctuation amplitude of vital sign parameters within 20% of the baseline value. After surgery, the drug was immediately stopped and the children were transferred to the postanesthesia care unit for resuscitation under general anesthesia. In group B, the bilateral neck points, upper neck points, hologram points on the head and Zhongjiao points were selected before removal of the tracheal catheter, and disposable acupuncture needles were inserted directly into the acupoints and remained for 20-30 min. Group C received no buccal acupuncture. The pain Assessment Scale (FLACC) was used to assess the severity of postoperative pain. The postoperative agitation score was evaluated by Aono four-point rating method to evaluate the occurrence of agitation. The effective pressing times of patient-controlled analgesia, rescue analgesia and occurrence of nausea and vomiting within 48 h after operation were recorded. The occurrence of bleeding, infection and broken needle at acupuncture sites was recorded. Results:Compared with group C, the effective pressing times of patient-controlled analgesia and incidence of nausea and vomiting were significantly decreased in group B ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the rate of rescue analgesia and incidence of postoperative agitation between the two groups ( P>0.05). No infection or broken needle was found at acupuncture sites after buccal acupuncture, only 2 cases had slight bleeding at the puncture site, and there was no abnormality after pressing in group B. Conclusions:Buccal acupuncture can enhance the analgesic effect after tonsilloadenoidectomy in pediatric patients.

Objective:To investigate molecular mechanisms underlying the inflammatory response induced by Cutibacterium acnes ( C. acnes) biofilms in human primary keratinocytes. Methods:A C. acnes biofilm model was established in vitro, and confocal fluorescence microscopy was performed to examine its three-dimensional structure. The cultured human primary keratinocytes were divided into 3 groups: a dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) control group (treated with 0.01% DMSO alone), a C. acnes suspension group (co-incubated with C. acnes suspensions), and a C. acnes biofilm group (co-incubated with C. acnes biofilms). Real-time fluorescence-based quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was performed to determine the relative mRNA expression of interleukin (IL) -6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) -α in the groups after 6-hour culture, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect the free protein levels of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α in the groups after 24-hour culture, and Western blot analysis to determine the protein expression of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) in keratinocytes. In addition, some human primary keratinocytes were pretreated with key molecular blockers targeting the TLR2/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) /nuclear factor (NF) -κB signaling pathway (C29, ST2825, BAY11-7082, SB203580, U0126-EtOH), and then co-incubated with C. acnes biofilms; the DMSO control group and the C. acnes biofilm group receiving no pretreatment were simultaneously set as negative and positive controls, respectively. The mRNA and free protein expression levels of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α were then detected in the above groups. One-way analysis of variance was used for comparisons among multiple groups, and the Bonferroni method was used for multiple comparisons. Results:Confocal fluorescence microscopy demonstrated a three-dimensional C. acnes biofilm structure resembling a lawn, and the biofilm grew well. RT-qPCR and ELISA showed significant differences in the mRNA and free protein expression levels of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α among the C. acnes biofilm group, C. acnes suspension group and DMSO control group (mRNA: F = 89.70, 312.17, 46.09, respectively, all P < 0.001; free protein: F = 886.12, 634.25, 307.01, respectively, all P < 0.001) ; in detail, the mRNA and free protein expression levels of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α were significantly higher in the C. acnes biofilm group than in the C. acnes suspension group and DMSO control group (all P < 0.001) ; the C. acnes suspension group showed significantly increased expression levels of IL-6 mRNA and TNF-α free protein compared with the DMSO control group ( P < 0.001, = 0.003, respectively), while there were no significant differences in the expression of IL-6 free protein, TNF-α mRNA, or IL-8 mRNA and free protein between the 2 groups (all P > 0.05). Western blot analysis showed that the TLR2 protein expression was significantly higher in the C. acnes suspension group and C. acnes biofilm group than in the DMSO control group. After the pretreatment with molecular blockers targeting the MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway and co-incubation with C. acnes biofilms, the mRNA and free protein expression levels of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α were all significantly lower in the C29 group, ST2825 group, BAY11-7082 group, SB203580 group, U0126-EtOH group, as well as in the DMSO control group compared with the C. acnes biofilm group (all P < 0.05) . Conclusion:The C. acnes biofilms exhibited a strong ability to induce inflammatory responses in human keratinocytes, possibly through the activation of the TLR2/MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate the inhibitory effect of deoxyribonuclease Ⅰ (DNaseⅠ) on Cutibacterium acnes biofilms. Methods:Cutibacterium acnes biofilms were constructed, and then were divided into 4 groups (negative control group, 5, 10 and 20 U/ml DNase Ⅰ groups) to be treated with DNase Ⅰ at different concentrations of 0, 5, 10 and 20 U/ml respectively. The biofilm viability was evaluated by tetrazolium salt colorimetric assay, the biofilm content was determined by crystal violet staining-based semi-quantitative analysis, the biofilm structure was observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy, and the live/dead bacteria ratio was calculated. One-way analysis of variance was used to analyze differences between groups. Results:After the treatment with DNase Ⅰ, the biofilm viability was significantly inhibited in the 5, 10 and 20 U/ml DNaseⅠ groups (1.882 ± 0.421, 1.653 ± 0.287, 1.473 ± 0.154, respectively) compared with the negative control group (2.668 ± 0.245), and the inhibitory effect was gradually enhanced with the increase in concentrations of DNase Ⅰ ( F = 9.68, P = 0.005). Crystal violet semi-quantitative analysis showed that the biofilm content was also significantly lower in the 5, 10 and 20 U/ml DNaseⅠ groups (1.039 ± 0.003, 0.489 ± 0.079, 0.147 ± 0.034, respectively) than in the negative control group (1.359 ± 0.071), and the higher the DNase Ⅰ concentration, the lower the biofilm content ( F = 174.40, P < 0.001). Confocal laser scanning microscopy showed that the biofilm structure was destroyed in the 5, 10 and 20 U/ml DNase Ⅰ groups compared with the negative control group, and the higher the DNase Ⅰ concentration, the more severe the destruction of biofilm structure. Additionally, the live/dead bacteria ratio was significantly lower in the 5, 10 and 20 U/ml DNaseⅠ groups (2.303 ± 0.457, 1.534 ± 0.526, 1.263 ± 0.354, respectively) than in the negative control group (4.475 ± 0.146), and the ratio decreased with the increase in concentrations of DNase Ⅰ ( F = 56.75, P < 0.000 1) . Conclusion:DNase Ⅰ had a destructive effect on the structure of Cutibacterium acnes biofilms, and could inhibit their viability.

In view of the high incidence of malignant diseases such as malignant arrhythmias in the elderly population, accidental injuries such as falls, and the problem of no witnesses when danger occurs, the study developed a human vital signs and body posture monitoring and positioning alarm system. Through the collection and analysis of electrocardiogram (ECG), respiration (RESP) and acceleration (ACC) signals, the system monitors human vital signs and body posture in real time, automatically judges critical states such as malignant arrhythmias and accidental falls on the local device side, and then issues alarm information, opens the positioning function, and uploads physiological information and patient location information through 4G communication. Experiments have shown that the system can accurately determine the occurrence of ventricular fibrillation and falls, and issue position and alarm information.
Humans ; Aged ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac/diagnosis* ; Ventricular Fibrillation ; Electrocardiography ; Accidental Falls ; Vital Signs ; Posture ; Monitoring, Physiologic

Objective:To investigate the safety and feasibility of the CHESS endoscpic ruler (CHESS ruler), and the consistency between the measured values and the interpretation values by endoscopic physician experience.Methods:From January 2021 to January 2022, a total of 105 liver cirrhosis patients with portal hypertension were prospectively enrolled from General Hospital, Xixia Branch Hospital, Ningnan Hospital of People′s Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (29 cases), and the First People′s Hospital of Yinchuan (25 cases), General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University (18 cases), Wuzhong People′s Hospital (10 cases), the Fifth People′s Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (10 cases), Shizuishan Second People′s Hospital (6 cases), Yinchuan Second People′s Hospital (5 cases), and Zhongwei People′s Hospital (2 cases) 8 hospitals. The clinical characteristics of all the patients, including gender, age, nationality, etiolog of liver cirrhosis, and Child-Pugh classification of liver function were recorded. A big gastroesophageal varices was defined as diameter of varices ≥5 mm. Endoscopist (associated chief physician) performed gastroscopy according to the routine gastroscopy procedures, and the diameter of the biggest esophageal varices was measured by experience and images were collected, and then objective measurement was with the CHESS ruler and images were collected. The diameter of esophageal varices of 10 randomly selected patients (random number table method) was determined by 6 endoscopists (attending physician or associated chief physician) with experience or measured by CHESS ruler. Kappa test was used to test the consistency in the diameter of esophageal varices between measured values by CHESS ruler and the interpretation values by endoscopic physician experience.Results:Among 105 liver cirrhosis patients with portal hypertension, male 65 cases and female 40 cases, aged (54.8±12.2) years old, Han nationality 82 cases, Hui nationality 21 cases and Mongolian nationality 2 cases. The etiology of liver cirrhosis included chronic hepatitis B (79 cases), alcoholic liver disease (7 cases), autoimmune hepatitis (7 cases), chronic hepatitis C (2 cases), and other etiology (10 cases). Liver function of 32 cases was Child-Pugh A, Child-Pugh B 57 cases, and Child-Pugh C 16 cases. All 105 liver cirrhosis patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension were successfully measured the diameter of gastroesophageal varices by CHESS ruler, and the success rate of application of CHESS ruler was 100.0% (105/105). The procedure time from the CHESS ruler into the body to the exit of the body after measurement was (3.50±2.55) min. No complications happened in all the patients during measurement. Among 105 liver cirrhosis patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension, 96 cases (91.4%) were recognized as big gastroesophageal varices by the endoscopists. Totally 93 cases (88.6%) were considered as big gastroesophageal varices by CHESS ruler. Eight cases were recognized as big gastroesophageal varices by the endoscopist, however not by the CHESS ruler; 5 cases were recognized as big gastroesophageal varices by the CHESS ruler, but not by the endoscopists; 4 cases were not recognized as big gastroesophageal varices both by the endoscopists and CHESS ruler; 88 cases were recognized as big gastroesophageal varices both by the endoscopists and CHESS ruler. The missed diagnostic rate of big gastroesophageal varices by the endoscopists experience was 5.4% (5/93), and the Kappa value of consistency coefficient between the measurement by the CHESS ruler and the interpretation by endoscopists experience was 0.31 (95% confidence interval 0.03 to 0.60). The overall Kappa value of consistency coefficient by 6 endoscopists measured by CHESS ruler in big gastroesophageal varices diagnosis was 0.77 (95% confidence interval 0.61 to 0.93).Conclusion:As an objective measurement tool, CHESS ruler can make up for the deficiency of subjective judgment by endoscopists, accurately measure the diameter of gastroesophageal varices, and is highly feasible and safe.

Objective: To construct and identify an overexpression recombinant adenovirus vector carrying the mouse PTG gene(NM＿016854), and to lay a foundation for in-depth study of the function of PTG. Methods: The coding sequence of the mouse PTG gene was chemically synthesized, amplified by polymerase chain reaction(PCR), digested with restriction enzymes, and inserted into the GV314 vector(CMV-MCS-3 FLAG-SV40-EGFP) to obtain the recombinant shuttle plasmid pGV314-PTG. BamHⅠ/AgeⅠ double enzyme digestion was further carried out, and the product was transferred into linearized expression vector pDC315 to construct recombinant adenovirus Ad-PTG, which was transfected into HEK293 T cells and packaged into recombinant virus particles. After repeated amplification of several generations of HEK293 T cells, the recombinant adenovirus was purified and titer detected. Finally, PCR, Western blot and sequencing were used to verify the recombinant adenovirus. Results: After PCR, Western blot and sequencing, the results showed that the pGV314-CMV-MCS-3 FLAG-SV40-EGFP-PTG overexpression adenovirus vector(Ad-PTG) was successfully constructed, and the virus titer measured by end-point dilution method was 4×1010PFU/ml, Western blot and RT-qPCR showed that the protein and mRNA expression levels of PTG increased significantly. Conclusion The recombinant adenovirus vector carrying mouse PTG gene is successfully constructed, and the expression of PTG gene in hepatocytes is effectively up regulated.