OBJECTIVE To provide a scientific basis for the quality evaluation and clinical application of Qingwen hufei granules. METHODS Fourteen batches of Qingwen hufei granules were used as samples to establish high-performance liquid chromatography （HPLC） fingerprints using the Similarity Evaluation System for Chromatographic Fingerprint of Traditional Chinese Medicine （2012 Edition）. The chromatographic peaks were identified and the similarity was evaluated. Cluster analysis （CA）， principal component analysis （PCA）， and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis （OPLS-DA） were used to conduct chemical pattern recognition analysis on the 14 batches of samples. Meanwhile， the contents of neochlorogenic acid （NGA）， chlorogenic acid （CHA）， cryptochlorogenic acid （CGA）， forsythoside A （FTA）， 3，5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid （3，5-O- DA）， 4，5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid （4，5-O-DA）， and angoroside C （AGC） in the samples were determined by HPLC. RESULTS The methodological investigation results of both the fingerprint and the content determination complied with the relevant requirements. Fourteen common peaks were indicated in the HPLC fingerprints of the 14 batches of samples， and 7 of them were identified [NGA （peak 2）， CHA （peak 3）， CGA （peak 5）， FTA （peak 11）， 3，5-O-DA （peak 12）， 4，5-O-DA （peak 13）， and AGC （peak 14）]； the similarity of each sample was greater than 0.94. The results of CA and PCA showed that the samples could be classified into 3 categories； the results of OPLS-DA indicated that peak 4 （unknown）， peak 11 （FTA）， peak 8 （unknown）， peak 9 （unknown）， and peak 1 （unknown） were the differential components. The content ranges of NGA， CHA， CGA， 3，5-O-DA， FTA， 4，5-O-DA and AGC in the 14 batches of samples were 0.210 4-0.458 7， 0.269 1-0.506 3， 0.228 1-0.461 1， 0.443 9-1.044 6， 0.066 7-0.155 7， 0.062 8-0.143 8， and 0.057 4-0.105 7 mg/g， respectively. CONCLUSIONS The HPLC fingerprint and multi-component content determination methods established in this study are efficient and reliable， and can be used for the quality evaluation of Qingwen hufei granules.

AIM:To analyze differential proteins associated with the pathogenesis of dry eye(DE)using bioinformatics methods, in order to reveal their potential molecular mechanisms.METHODS: Articles published in PubMed and EMBASE databases from the inception of the database to August 31, 2023, that used proteomic methods to detect protein expression in clinical samples of dry eye were searched. Differential proteins were selected and further analyzed using the STRING database and Cytoscape software for hub gene screening and module analysis. Protein-protein interaction(PPI)analysis, gene ontology(GO)functional annotation, and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment analysis were performed.RESULTS: A total of 21 articles were included, identifying 74 differentially expressed proteins. The most frequently occurring differential proteins were calgranulin A(SA1008), lipocalin-1(LCN1), lysozyme C(LYZ), mammaglobin-B(SCGB2A1), proline-rich protein 4(PRR4), transferrin(TF), and calgranulinB(S100A9). The top 10 hub genes were serum albumin(ALB), tumor necrosis factor(TNF), interleukin 6(IL6), IL1B, IL8, matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP9), alpha-1-antitrypsin(SERPINA1), IL10, complement component 3(C3), and lactotransferrin(LTF). Module analysis suggested MMP9 and PRR4 as seed genes. KEGG analysis showed that differential proteins were mainly enriched in the IL17 signaling pathway(61.9%).CONCLUSION: The results reveal potential molecular targets and pathways for DE and confirm the association between the pathogenesis of DE and inflammation. Further in-depth research is needed to confirm the significance of these biomarkers in clinical practice.

Polymyxin is an essential antibiotic for treating multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections； however， its significant nephrotoxicity greatly limits its clinical application. To enhance its safety and improve patient outcomes， the study of novel biomarkers for the early prediction of polymyxin-associated acute kidney injury is critically important. Novel biomarkers， such as cystatin C， kidney injury molecule-1， neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin， N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase， β2- microglobulin， have shown obvious advantages in the early prediction of polymyxin-associated acute kidney injury. Compared to traditional biomarkers， these biomarkers can provide sensitive and specific diagnostic information in the early stages of kidney injury， helping to optimize individualized treatment plans and reduce clinical risks. However， the high cost of detection and complex operation still limit their clinical promotion. Future research should focus on optimizing the detection technology of new biomarkers， simplifying the operation process and reducing costs， while conducting multi-center， large-scale randomized controlled trials to systematically evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of various novel biomarkers， in order to promote their application in the field of prediction of renal injury in clinical practice.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of Guben Kechuan Granules （固本咳喘颗粒） in treating chronic bronchitis （CB） with lung qi weakness pattern. MethodsA multicenter， randomized controlled trial was conducted， and 180 patients with CB of lung qi weakness pattern were randomly divided into 120 cases in the treatment group and 60 cases in the control group according to a 2∶1 ratio. The control group received health education for 24 weeks， while conventional symptomatic treatment was given when acute exacerbation of CB occurred. Treatment group was treated with the oral administration of Guben Kechuan Granules， 2 g each time， 3 times a day， for a total of 24 weeks on the basis of treatment of the control group. Both groups were followed up for 24 weeks after 24 weeks of treatment. Primary effectiveness indicators included the number of CB acute exacerbations occurence during the treatment and follow-up period， and the total number of CB acute exacerbations from the start of treatment to the end of follow-up. Secondary effectiveness indicators included the details of CB acute exacerbations， i.e.， time to first acute exacerbation， time between acute exacerbations， duration of each time of acute exacerbation， and acute exacerbation symptom severity scores， and lung function indices. The scores of cough， sputum， and wheeze and total symptom scores were compared prior to treatment， at 4， 8， 12， 16， 20， and 24 weeks of treatment， and at 24 weeks of follow-up. The occurrence of adverse events during the study period was recorded and safety indices including blood routine， liver function， kidney function， and urine routine were tested. ResultsA total of 179 participants completed the trial including 119 in the treatment group and 60 in the control group. Compared to pre-treatment scores within the group， the treatment group showed reductions in cough， sputum， and wheeze scores， and total symptom scores at weeks 4， 8， 12， 16， 20， and 24 of treatment， as well as at 24 weeks of follow-up； in the control group， cough scores decreased at weeks 16， 20， and 24， sputum and wheeze scores decreased at week 24 of treatment and at 24 weeks of follow-up， and total symptom scores decreased at weeks 20， 24 of treatment， and at 24 weeks of follow-up （P＜0.05）. Compared with the control group， the treatment group showed reductions in the number of CB acute exacerbations occurence during the treatment and follow-up period， and the total number of CB acute exacerbations from the start of treatment to the end of follow-up， the duration of acute exacerbations， the acute exacerbation symptom severity scores， and the scores for cough， sputum， wheeze， and total symptoms at weeks 8， 12， 16， 20， 24 of treatment， and at 24 weeks of follow-up； while the time to the first acute exacerbation of CB was significantly prolonged in the treatment group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. There were no statistically significant differences in lung function indicators between groups before treatment and at 24 weeks after treatment （P＞0.05）. Safety indicators showed no significant abnormalities before or after treatment in either group， and the incidence of adverse events during the treatment period showed no significant differences between the groups （P＞0.05）. ConclusionGuben Kechuan Granules can reduce the risk of acute exacerbations in CB patients with lung qi weakness pattern， improve clinical symptoms such as cough， sputum， and wheeze， and show good safety.

[Objective] To extract hemoglobin (Hb) from red blood cells using osmotic pressure swelling method, expected to achieve a hemoglobin dissolution rate of ≥80% and a cell membrane integrity rate of ≥70%. [Methods] Human umbilical cord blood red blood cells were used as raw materials and phosphate buffer solution was used as the swelling solution for red blood cells. A three factor three-level orthogonal experiment (n=3) was conducted to determine the optimal matching conditions for selecting the osmolality molar concentration of phosphate buffer solution, pH value of hypotonic phosphate buffer solution and volume ratio of hypotonic phosphate buffer solution to washed red blood cells. Red blood cell swelling solution samples (n=6) were prepared by the optimal matching conditions and the original process conditions. The hemoglobin dissolution rate and cell membrane integrity rate were checked. In the expanded comparative experiment, red blood cell swelling solution samples (n=6) were prepared by the optimal matching conditions and the original process conditions, which was filtered by ultrafiltration membranes. The filtration time and hemoglobin yield were checked. [Results] The optimal matching conditions for preparing red blood cell swelling solution were obtained through orthogonal experiment as follows: osmotic pressure molar concentration was 30 mOsmol/Kg, pH was 7.8, and phosphate buffer to red blood cell volume ratio was 6∶1. On the basis of the above conditions, the red blood cell swelling solution sample was compared with the original process sample: the hemoglobin dissolution rate was (82.4±1.8)% vs (78.6±3.0)% (P<0.05), and the cell membrane integrity rate was (65.8±4.0)% vs (28.7±2.3)% (P<0.05). In the expanded comparative experiment, the optimal matching conditions were compared with the original process conditions: filtration time(s) (327±9) vs (434±13) (P<0.05), and hemoglobin yield was (72.3±1.2)% vs (66.0±1.4)% (P<0.05). [Conclusion] Compared with the original preparation process, the hemoglobin extraction process which optimized through orthogonal experiments greatly reduces the cell membrane fragmentation rate and minimizes the entry of cell membrane matrix into the target solution, ensuring a slightly higher hemoglobin dissolution rate, and reducing the preparation difficulty for the subsequent cell membrane separation and further purification.

Polymyxin is an essential antibiotic for treating multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections； however， its significant nephrotoxicity greatly limits its clinical application. To enhance its safety and improve patient outcomes， the study of novel biomarkers for the early prediction of polymyxin-associated acute kidney injury is critically important. Novel biomarkers， such as cystatin C， kidney injury molecule-1， neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin， N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase， β2- microglobulin， have shown obvious advantages in the early prediction of polymyxin-associated acute kidney injury. Compared to traditional biomarkers， these biomarkers can provide sensitive and specific diagnostic information in the early stages of kidney injury， helping to optimize individualized treatment plans and reduce clinical risks. However， the high cost of detection and complex operation still limit their clinical promotion. Future research should focus on optimizing the detection technology of new biomarkers， simplifying the operation process and reducing costs， while conducting multi-center， large-scale randomized controlled trials to systematically evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of various novel biomarkers， in order to promote their application in the field of prediction of renal injury in clinical practice.

Objective To investigate the suitable habitats of Phlebotomus chinensis in Gansu Province, so as provide insights into effective management of mountain-type zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (MT-ZVL). Methods The geographical coordinates of locations where MT-ZVL cases were reported were retrieved in Gansu Province from 2015 to 2023, and data pertaining to 26 environmental variables were captured, including 19 climatic variables (annual mean temperature, mean diurnal range, isothermality, temperature seasonality, maximum temperature of the warmest month, minimum temperature of the coldest month, temperature annual range, mean temperature of the wettest quarter, mean temperature of the driest quarter, mean temperature of the warmest quarter, mean temperature of the coldest quarter, annual precipitation, precipitation of the wettest month, precipitation of the driest month, precipitation seasonality, precipitation of the wettest quarter, precipitation of the driest quarter, precipitation of the warmest quarter, and precipitation of the coldest quarter), five geographical variables (elevation, annual normalized difference vegetation index, vegetation type, landform type and land use type), and two population and economic variables (population distribution and gross domestic product). Twelve species distribution models were built using the biomod2 package in R project, including surface range envelope (SRE) model, generalized linear model (GLM), generalized additive model (GAM), multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS) model, generalized boosted model (GBM), classification tree analysis (CTA) model, flexible discriminant analysis (FDA) model, maximum entropy (MaxEnt) model, optimized maximum entropy (MAXNET) model, artificial neural network (ANN) model, random forest (RF) model, and extreme gradient boosting (XGBOOST) model. The performance of 12 models was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), true skill statistics (TSS), and Kappa coefficient, and single models with high performance was selected to build the optimal ensemble models. Factors affecting the survival of Ph. chinensis were identified based on climatic, geographical, population and economic variables. In addition, the suitable distribution areas of Ph. chinensis were predicted in Gansu Province under shared socioeconomic pathway 126 (SSP126), SSP370 and SSP585 scenarios based on climatic data during the period from 1991 to 2020, from 2041 to 2060 (2050s), and from 2081 to 2100 (2090s) . Results A total of 11 species distribution models were successfully built for prediction of potential distribution areas of Ph. chinensis in Gansu Province, and the RF model had the highest predictive accuracy (AUC = 0.998). The ensemble model built based on the RF model, XGBOOST model, GLM, and MARS model had an increased predictive accuracy (AUC = 0.999) relative to single models. Among the 26 environmental factors, precipitation of the wettest quarter (12.00%), maximum temperature of the warmest month (11.58%), and annual normalized difference vegetation index (11.29%) had the greatest contributions to suitable habitats distribution of Ph. sinensis. Under the climatic conditions from 1991 to 2020, the potential suitable habitat area for Ph. chinensis in Gansu Province was approximately 5.80 × 10⁴ km², of which the highly suitable area was 1.42 × 10⁴ km², and primarily concentrated in the southernmost region of Gansu Province. By the 2050s, the unsuitable and lowly suitable areas for Ph. chinensis in Gansu Province had decreased by varying degrees compared to that of 1991 to 2020 period, while the moderately and highly suitable areas exhibited expansion and migration. By the 2090s, under the SSP126 scenario, the suitable habitat area for Ph. chinensis increased significantly, and under the SSP585 scenario, the highly suitable areas transformed into extremely suitable areas, also showing substantial growth. Future global warming is conducive to the survival and reproduction of Ph. chinensis. From the 2050s to the 2090s, the highly suitable areas for Ph. chinensis in Gansu Province will be projected to expand northward. Under the SSP126 scenario, the suitable habitat area for Ph. chinensis in Gansu Province is expected to increase by 194.75% and 204.79% in the 2050s and 2090s, respectively, compared to that of the 1991 to 2020 period. Under the SSP370 scenario, the moderately and highly suitable areas will be projected to increase by 164.40% and 209.03% in the 2050s and 2090s, respectively, while under the SSP585 scenario, they are expected to increase by 195.98% and 211.66%, respectively. Conclusions The distribution of potential suitable habitats of Ph. sinensis gradually shifts with climatic changes. Intensified surveillance and management of Ph. sinensis is recommended in central and eastern parts of Gansu Province to support early warning of MT-ZVL.

This study aims to investigate the molecular mechanism by which naringin alleviates cerebral ischemia/reperfusion(CI/R) injury through DRP1/LRRK2/MCU signaling axis. A total of 60 SD rats were randomly divided into the sham group, the model group, the sodium Danshensu group, and low-, medium-, and high-dose(50, 100, and 200 mg·kg~(-1)) naringin groups, with 10 rats in each group. Except for the sham group, a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion(tMCAO/R) model was established in SD rats using the suture method. Longa 5-point scale was used to assess neurological deficits. 2,3,5-Triphenyl tetrazolium chloride(TTC) staining was used to detect the volume percentage of cerebral infarction in rats. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and Nissl staining were employed to assess neuronal structural alterations and the number of Nissl bodies in cortex, respectively. Western blot was used to determine the protein expression levels of B-cell lymphoma-2 gene(Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax), cleaved cysteine-aspartate protease-3(cleaved caspase-3), mitochondrial calcium uniporter(MCU), microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3(LC3), and P62. Mitochondrial structure and autophagy in cortical neurons were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Immunofluorescence assay was used to quantify the fluorescence intensities of MCU and mitochondrial calcium ion, as well as the co-localization of dynamin-related protein 1(DRP1) with leucine-rich repeat kinase 2(LRRK2) and translocase of outer mitochondrial membrane 20(TOMM20) with LC3 in cortical mitochondria. The results showed that compared with the model group, naringin significantly decreased the volume percentage of cerebral infarction and neurological deficit score in tMCAO/R rats, alleviated the structural damage and Nissl body loss of cortical neurons in tMCAO/R rats, inhibited autophagosomes in cortical neurons, and increased the average diameter of cortical mitochondria. The Western blot results showed that compared to the sham group, the model group exhibited increased levels of cleaved caspase-3, Bax, MCU, and the LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ ratio in the cortex and reduced protein levels of Bcl-2 and P62. However, naringin down-regulated the protein expression of cleaved caspase-3, Bax, MCU and the ratio of LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ ratio and up-regulated the expression of Bcl-2 and P62 proteins in cortical area. In addition, immunofluorescence analysis showed that compared with the model group, naringin and positive drug treatments significantly decreased the fluorescence intensities of MCU and mitochondrial calcium ion. Meanwhile, the co-localization of DRP1 with LRRK2 and TOMM20 with LC3 in cortical mitochondria was also decreased significantly after the intervention. These findings suggest that naringin can alleviate cortical neuronal damage in tMCAO/R rats by inhibiting DRP1/LRRK2/MCU-mediated mitochondrial fragmentation and the resultant excessive mitophagy.
Animals ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury/genetics* ; Flavanones/administration & dosage* ; Rats ; Dynamins/genetics* ; Male ; Brain Ischemia/genetics* ; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*

This paper aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of action of the Yiqi Fumai Formula(YQFM), a kind of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), on mice with experimental heart failure based on the "heart-gut axis" theory. Based on the network pharmacology integrated with the group collaboration algorithm, the active ingredients were screened, a "component-target-disease" network was constructed, and the potential pathways regulated by the formula were predicted and analyzed. Next, the model of experimental heart failure was established by intraperitoneal injection of adriamycin at a single high dose(15 mg·kg~(-1)) in BALB/c mice. After intraperitoneal injection of YQFM(lyophilized) at 7.90, 15.80, and 31.55 mg·d~(-1) for 7 d, the protective effects of the formula on cardiac function were evaluated using indicators such as ultrasonic electrocardiography and myocardial injury markers. Combined with inflammatory factors in the cardiac and colorectal tissue, as well as targeted assays, the relevant indicators of potential pathways were verified. Meanwhile, 16S rDNA sequencing was performed on mouse fecal samples using the Illumina platform to detect changes in gut flora and analyze differential metabolic pathways. The results show that the administration of injectable YQFM(lyophilized) for 7 d significantly increased the left ventricular end-systolic internal diameter, fractional shortening, and ejection fraction of cardiac tissue of mice with experimental heart failure(P<0.05). Moreover, markers of myocardial injury were significantly decreased(P<0.05), indicating improved cardiac function, along with significantly suppressed inflammatory responses in cardiac and intestinal tissue(P<0.05). Additionally, the species of causative organisms was decreased, and the homeostasis of gut flora was improved, involving a modulatory effect on PI3K-Akt signaling pathway-related inflammation in cardiac and colorectal tissue. In conclusion, YQFM can affect the "heart-gut axis" immunity through the homeostasis of the gut flora, thereby exerting a therapeutic effect on heart failure. This finding provides a reference for the combination of TCM and western medicine to prevent and treat heart failure based on the "heart-gut axis" theory.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Heart Failure/microbiology* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Male ; Disease Models, Animal ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Heart/physiopathology* ; Humans ; Signal Transduction/drug effects*

This study integrates metabolomics and transcriptomics to explore the immediate effects of Angong Niuhuang Pills(ANP) in intervening traumatic brain injury(TBI) in rats. A TBI model was successfully established in rats using the optimized Feeney free-fall impact technique. Rats were randomly divided into sham operation(sham) group, model(Mod) group, positive drug(piracetam) group, ANP low-dose(ANP-L) group, and ANP high-dose(ANP-H) group according to a random number table. Nissl staining and immunofluorescence were used to count the number of Nissl bodies and detect B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2) gene, caspase-3, and tumor protein 53(TP53) expression in brain tissue, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to measure prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2(PTGS2) level in rat brain tissue. Metabolomics and transcriptomics analyses were conducted for brain tissue from sham, Mod, and ANP-H groups. Gene Ontology(GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) enrichment analyses were carried out to indicate the mechanisms of ANP in the intervention of TBI. Integrative metabolomics and transcriptomics analysis revealed the metabolic pathways involved in ANP's intervention in TBI. The results showed that ANP significantly increased the number of Nissl bodies in TBI rat brain tissue, upregulated Bcl-2 expression, and downregulated the levels of caspase-3, TP53, and PTGS2. Compared to the Mod group, the ANP-H group significantly upregulated 12 differential metabolites(DMs) and downregulated 25 DMs. Five key metabolic pathways were identified, including glycerophospholipid metabolism, pyrimidine metabolism, glycine, threonine, and serine metabolism, arginine and proline metabolism, and D-amino acid metabolism. Transcriptomics identified 730 upregulated and 612 downregulated differentially expressed genes(DEGs). Enrichment analysis highlighted that biological functions related to inflammatory responses and apoptotic processes, and key signaling pathways, including phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt) and mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) were significantly enriched. The data of transcriptomics and metabolomics pinpointed three key metabolic pathways, i.e., glycerophospholipid metabolism, pyrimidine metabolism, and glycine, threonine, and serine metabolism.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Rats ; Brain Injuries, Traumatic/metabolism* ; Male ; Metabolomics ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transcriptome/drug effects* ; Cyclooxygenase 2/genetics* ; Brain/metabolism* ; Caspase 3/genetics* ; Humans ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/genetics*