ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect of Astragali Radix-mediated changes in gut microbiota on treating type 2 diabetes （T2DM）. MethodsA 12-week randomized， placebo-controlled clinical trial enrolled eighty patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes and poor glycemic control in the Qi deficiency type. All patients received insulin therapy. The observation group （40 cases） was administered with Astragali Radix Granules， while the control group （40 cases） received a placebo. Both treamtents were taken orally twice daily. Changes in gut microbiota were assessed by 16s rDNA sequencing. Serum glucagon-like peptide-1 （GLP-1） levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Glucose metabolism indicators including fasting blood glucose （FPG）， 2-hour postprandial blood glucose （2 h PG），glycated albumin（GA）， and glycated hemoglobin （HbA1c） were evaluated. Pancreatic function was evaluated using fasting C-peptide （FCP）， 2-hour postprandial C-peptide （2 h CP）， and C-peptide area under the curve （AUC_cp）. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome scores， clinical efficacy， and safety indicators were also observed. ResultsIn terms of glucose metabolism indicators， compared with the baseline， both groups exhibited significantly lower FPG， 2 h PG， GA and HbA1C （P<0.01），while FCP， 2 h CP and AUC_cp were significantly higher （P<0.01）. Compared with the control group after the treatment， the observation group showed significantly lower FPG， 2 h PG， GA and HbA1C（P<0.05， P<0.01），and significantly higher FCP， 2 h CP and AUC_cp （P<0.05， P<0.01）， indicating that Astragali Radix can improve glucose metabolism. In terms of the diversity of gut microbiota， no significant differences were detected in the Chao1， Shannon and Simpson indexes of the two groups compared with their respective baselines. However， compared with the post-treatment control group， the observation group demonstrated significant increases in the Chao1， Shannon and Simpson indexes （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The β-diversity analysis showed significant separation in gut microbiota composition before and after treatment in both groups， indicating that Astragali Radix can significantly alter the structure and improve the diversity of gut microbiota. At the phylum level， compared with the baseline， both groups showed a significant increase in the relative abundance of Bacteroidota（P<0.01）. The relative abundance of the potentially harmful phylum Proteobacteria was significantly lower in the observation Group after treatment （P<0.01）. Compared with the post-treatment control group， the observation group had a significantly higher relative abundance of Bacteroidota（P<0.01）. No significant difference was found in Firmicutes/Bacteroidota （F/B） ratio between the two groups after treatment， and other phyla showed no significant differences. At the genus level， compared with the baseline， the observation group exhibited a significant increase in Bacteroides （P<0.01） and a significant decrease in Escherichia-Shigella （P<0.01）， whereas no significant difference was seen in the control group . Compared with the control group after treatment， the observation group after treatment had a significantly higher relative abundance of Bacteroides （P<0.01）. No significant differences were seen in other genera. Linear discriminant analysis （LDA） identified potential characteristics taxa： in the observation group， Bacteroidota at the phylum level and Bacteroides and Dubosiella at the genus level， in the control group， Proteobacteria at the phylum level as well as Barnesiella and Staphylococcus at the genus level. Correlation analysis based on a heatmap revealed that GLP-1 levels were positively correlated with Firmicutes， F/B ratio and Fusobacterium， and negatively correlated with Bacteroidota， Proteobacteria， Bacteroides and Escherichia-Shigella. In terms of clinical efficacy， compared with the control group， the total effective rate of the observation group was significantly higher （P<0.05）. Compared with the baseline， the scores for shortness of breath， fatigue， weakness， spontaneous sweating and reluctance to speak significantly decreased in both groups （P<0.01）. Compared with the control group after treatment， the score for weakness was significantly lower in the observation group （P<0.01），indicating that Astragali Radix could improve clinical symptoms and alleviate weakness symptoms. In terms of safety， compared with the baseline， alanine aminotransferase （ALT） levels significantly decreased in both groups （P<0.05，P<0.01），indicating that Astragali Radix did not induce any significant abnormalities in liver and kidney functions. ConclusionAstragali Radix demonstrates the potential to significantly improve the gut microbiota environment in patients of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes with Qi deficiency. The therapeutic effect may contribute to glycemic control， possibly mediated by an elevation in GLP-1 level. These findings may support its further clinical investigations and potential applications.

OBJECTIVE To explore the levels of helper T lymphocytes(Th)in patients with hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection who were treated with entecavir and observe the impact on viral clearance.METHODS A total of 149 patients with HBV infection who were treated with entecavir in Yan'an Hospital of Kunming City from Jan.2020 to Jan.2024 were enrolled in the study,82 of whom were chronic hepatitis B(CHB),and 67 were chro-nic hepatitis B virus carriers.The enrolled patients were divided into the clearance group with 64 cases and the no clearance group with 85 cases according to the levels of serum hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg)at Week 72 of the treatment.The clinical data were compared between the two groups,and the changes of Th1 and Th2 levels during the treatment were analyzed.Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed for the association be-tween virological change during the treatment and immune level.The risk factors for failed clearance of viruses were analyzed by logistic regression model.RESULTS There were significant differences in the age,the levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and HBV DNA between the baseline and Week 24,the levels of aspartate trans-aminase(AST)at the baseline and Week 12,the HBsAg level at Week 24,and the baseline levels of Th1,Th1/Th2 between the CHBc treatment group and the CHB treatment group(P＜0.05).There were linear correlations between the HBV DNA,HBsAg,hepatitis E antigen(HBeAg)and the Th1,Th2 and Th1/Th2,respectively(P＜0.05).Totally 64 patients were accumulatively eradicated with HBsAg on Week 72,with the eradication rate 42.95％.After the confounding factors were adjusted,multivariate analysis showed that the high levels of Th1,Th2 and Th1/Th2 were the risk factors for the failed clearance of viruses(P＜0.05).CONCLUSIONS Among the patients with HBV infection,there is difference in the immune level between the CHB patients and the CHB virus carriers.The levels of Th1,Th2 and Th1/Th2 are strongly correlated with the HBV DNA,HBsAg,HBeAg and efficiency of viral clearance during the treatment with entecavir.

OBJECTIVE To explore the levels of helper T lymphocytes(Th)in patients with hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection who were treated with entecavir and observe the impact on viral clearance.METHODS A total of 149 patients with HBV infection who were treated with entecavir in Yan'an Hospital of Kunming City from Jan.2020 to Jan.2024 were enrolled in the study,82 of whom were chronic hepatitis B(CHB),and 67 were chro-nic hepatitis B virus carriers.The enrolled patients were divided into the clearance group with 64 cases and the no clearance group with 85 cases according to the levels of serum hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg)at Week 72 of the treatment.The clinical data were compared between the two groups,and the changes of Th1 and Th2 levels during the treatment were analyzed.Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed for the association be-tween virological change during the treatment and immune level.The risk factors for failed clearance of viruses were analyzed by logistic regression model.RESULTS There were significant differences in the age,the levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and HBV DNA between the baseline and Week 24,the levels of aspartate trans-aminase(AST)at the baseline and Week 12,the HBsAg level at Week 24,and the baseline levels of Th1,Th1/Th2 between the CHBc treatment group and the CHB treatment group(P＜0.05).There were linear correlations between the HBV DNA,HBsAg,hepatitis E antigen(HBeAg)and the Th1,Th2 and Th1/Th2,respectively(P＜0.05).Totally 64 patients were accumulatively eradicated with HBsAg on Week 72,with the eradication rate 42.95％.After the confounding factors were adjusted,multivariate analysis showed that the high levels of Th1,Th2 and Th1/Th2 were the risk factors for the failed clearance of viruses(P＜0.05).CONCLUSIONS Among the patients with HBV infection,there is difference in the immune level between the CHB patients and the CHB virus carriers.The levels of Th1,Th2 and Th1/Th2 are strongly correlated with the HBV DNA,HBsAg,HBeAg and efficiency of viral clearance during the treatment with entecavir.

Objective:To investigate the expulsion rate of GyneFix postpartum intrauterine device (PPIUD) placed immediately after cesarean section within one year and its influencing factors.Methods:A prospective cohort study was conducted. Women who volunteered to use a GyneFix PPIUD placed immediately after cesarean section (within 10 min after placenta delivery) for postpartum contraception were recruited from September 2017 to November 2020. The relevant information was collected through questionnaires before, during and 24 h after cesarean section. Outpatient follow-up was conducted at 42 d, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after delivery to obtain information on expulsion of GyneFix PPIUD and unwanted pregnancy. Life table and Cox regression model were used to analyze the cumulative expulsion rate and related influencing factors.Results:A total of 470 subjects were recruited and 461 (98%) subjects were eligible for this study. The cumulative expulsion rate of GyneFix PPIUD within one year after cesarean section was 8.4% (95% CI: 7.0%-9.8%). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that women aged >35 years had significantly lower risk of PPIUD expulsion than those aged <25 years ( HR=0.16, 95% CI: 0.04-0.64). The risk of GyneFix PPIUD was not statistically significantly associated with cesarean section history and breastfeeding mode (all P>0.05). Nevertheless, this risk was statistically significant between hospitals. The Pearl index of contraceptive failure of the device was 2.37 (95% CI: 1.09-4.50) per 100 person-years. The rate of contraceptive failure was not associated with maternal age, breastfeeding mode, and history of cesarean delivery (all P>0.05). Conclusion:The one-year cumulative expulsion rate of GyneFix PPIUD placed immediately after cesarean section is 8.4%. Young mothers were at a higher risk of expulsion than their older counterparts. The device users should be counseled regarding the signs of expulsion. In case of expulsion, women should be offered reinsertion or other contraceptive methods. The training of service skills of GyneFix PPIUD should be strengthened in order to mitigate the risk of the device expulsion.

Objective:To investigate the expulsion rate of GyneFix postpartum intrauterine device (PPIUD) placed immediately after cesarean section within one year and its influencing factors.Methods:A prospective cohort study was conducted. Women who volunteered to use a GyneFix PPIUD placed immediately after cesarean section (within 10 min after placenta delivery) for postpartum contraception were recruited from September 2017 to November 2020. The relevant information was collected through questionnaires before, during and 24 h after cesarean section. Outpatient follow-up was conducted at 42 d, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after delivery to obtain information on expulsion of GyneFix PPIUD and unwanted pregnancy. Life table and Cox regression model were used to analyze the cumulative expulsion rate and related influencing factors.Results:A total of 470 subjects were recruited and 461 (98%) subjects were eligible for this study. The cumulative expulsion rate of GyneFix PPIUD within one year after cesarean section was 8.4% (95% CI: 7.0%-9.8%). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that women aged >35 years had significantly lower risk of PPIUD expulsion than those aged <25 years ( HR=0.16, 95% CI: 0.04-0.64). The risk of GyneFix PPIUD was not statistically significantly associated with cesarean section history and breastfeeding mode (all P>0.05). Nevertheless, this risk was statistically significant between hospitals. The Pearl index of contraceptive failure of the device was 2.37 (95% CI: 1.09-4.50) per 100 person-years. The rate of contraceptive failure was not associated with maternal age, breastfeeding mode, and history of cesarean delivery (all P>0.05). Conclusion:The one-year cumulative expulsion rate of GyneFix PPIUD placed immediately after cesarean section is 8.4%. Young mothers were at a higher risk of expulsion than their older counterparts. The device users should be counseled regarding the signs of expulsion. In case of expulsion, women should be offered reinsertion or other contraceptive methods. The training of service skills of GyneFix PPIUD should be strengthened in order to mitigate the risk of the device expulsion.

Objective To investigate the effect of Liu-Shen-Wan on transplanted tumors in mice with colon cancer based on the polarization of M2 macrophages in the tumor microenvironment. Methods We established a subcutaneous transplantation tumor model of mice with CT26 colon cancer. Mice were randomly divided into vehicle, oxaliplatin, and oxaliplatin combined with Liu-Shen-Wan groups. Treatment was administered for three weeks, and tumor volume was measured. All mice were weighed during the administration. After the end of the treatment, the mice were dissected and tumors were photographed and weighed. Spleen index was calculated. The expression levels of IFN-γ and IL-12P40 in serum and related blood biochemical indices were measured. The expression levels of M2 macrophage polarization indices, namely, IL-10 and TGF-β, in serum and tumor tissues were detected. The infiltration degree of M2 macrophages in each group was observed by immunohistochemical experiments. Results The tumor volume and mouse weight in the oxaliplatin combined with Liu-Shen-Wan group significantly decreased compared with those in the vehicle group. The spleen index increased, and the expression levels of IFN-γ and IL-12P40 in serum also significantly increased. The mice had no obvious side effects after the drug treatment. In addition, the expression levels of IL-10 and TGF-β in the serum and tissues of mice in the oxaliplatin combined with Liu-Shen-Wan group significantly decreased. The expression levels of CD68 and CD206 in tumor tissues also decreased. Conclusion The anti-tumor effect of Liu-Shen-Wan on the transplanted tumors of mice with colon cancer is related to the inhibition of M2 macrophage polarization in the tumor microenvironment.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of iron deficiency(ID)and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in pregnant women in urban areas of China. Methods The study was a national cross-sectional survey conducted from September 19th, 2016 to November 20th, 2016. According to the classification of the National Bureau of Statistics, all survey sites were set up in 6 regions of the country. Pregnant women were continuously selected using multistage stratified sampling. A total of 12 403 pregnant women were collected and examined for serum ferritin and hemoglobin levels. Results The median serum ferritin level during pregnancy was 20.60 μg/L(11.78-36.98 μg/L), the hemoglobin level was(118±12)g/L. With the progress of pregnancy, the levels of serum ferritin and hemoglobin decreased gradually. The median serum ferritin levels in the first, second trimester and third trimester were 54.30 μg/L(34.48-94.01 μg/L), 28.60 μg/L(16.40-50.52 μg/L), and 16.70 μg/L(10.20-27.00 μg/L)respectively(P<0.01). The mean hemoglobin levels were(127 ± 10)g/L,(119 ± 11)g/L and(117 ± 11)g/L respectively(P<0.01). The prevalence of ID in urban pregnant women was 48.16%(5 973/12 403), and IDA prevalence was 13.87% (1 720/12 403). The prevalence of IDA in the first, second trimester and third trimester were 1.96% (20/1 019), 8.40%(293/3 487)and 17.82%(1 407/7 897), respectively(P<0.01). The prevalence of standardized ID and IDA were significantly different in various regions of China(P<0.01). The standardized prevalence of ID were relatively higher in East China and Northeast China, 57.37% and 53.41% respectively, while it was the lowest in Southwest China, 30.51%. The standardized prevalence of IDA in South Central, Northwest, and East China were relatively high, 21.30%, 16.97% and 17.53% respectively, and the standardized prevalence of IDA in Southwest China was the lowest, 5.44%,the differents in various regions were significant(all P<0.01). Conclusion The current phenomenon of ID and IDA in pregnant women is still very common,and nutrition and health care during pregnancy should be strengthened.

This study aimed at the molecular mechanism of Cordyceps sinensis polysaccharide-A(CPS-A) on angiotensin (Ang Ⅱ)-induced injury of L02 cells.The effect of AngⅡ and CPS-A on the proliferation of L02 cells was analyzed by MTT assay.PCR,Real-Time PCR and Western blot were also employed to determine the expression of IL-1β,AT1R,AT2R,NF-κB p65,TNFα and other inflammatory factors at mRNA and protein levels.The results showed that Ang Ⅱ and CPS-A could inhibit the proliferation of L02 cells by 1 × 10-5 mol/L and 200 μg/ mL,respectively.PCR,Real-Time PCR and Western blot showed that CPS-A could significantly down-regulate IL-1 β,TNF-α,NF-κB and AT1R.CPS-A has a good protective effect on AngⅡ-induced L02 cell injury.

Objective To improve the safety of surgery,the application of indocyanine green fluorescein(ICG)angiography in intracranial aneurysm surgery was investigated.Methods Fifty cases of intracranial aneurysms were retrospectively analyzed.All the patients were received ICG angiography before and after intracranial aneurysm clipping.The efficiency of the surgery was evalu-ated with CT angiography(CTA)and(or)digital subtraction angiography(DSA).The postoperative follow-up was conducted using Glasow outcomes score(GOS).Results Of the 50 patients,3 cases of aneurysmal neck remnant,one case of parent arteries steno-sis,one case of nearby branch stenosis and two cases of “false-negative”were observed after ICG angiography.The clips were adjus-ted until the satisfactory blood flew was restored.Postoperative CTA and(or)DSA confirmed the results of intraoperative ICG an-giography.Of the 40 patients underwent follow-up,GOS score was 5 in 30 cases,4 in 7 case,3 in 2 case and 2 in 1 case.Conclusion ICG angiography is a useful way to assess the clipping of aneurysms,blood flew of parent arteries and nearby branches during the aneurysm surgery.It could raise the safety of surgery and further improve the clinical outcomes of intracranial aneurysms.

We in the present study observed the effect of N-fructose modified chitosan quaternary ammonium derivatives on on rat skin wound healing through animal experiments. Forty rats were randomly divided into eight groups (5 in each group). Four groups among the all 8 groups were the experimental groups, while the other 4 groups were the control groups. Next to the skin along the back of the spine, 1.50 cm x 2.00 cm x 0.16 cm full-thickness skin was cut to make an excision wound model for every rat. Those in the experimental groups were treated with the N-fructose-modified chitosan quaternary ammonium derivatives ointment dressing the wound, while those in the control groups with sterile medical vaseline processing. We dressed the wounds twice a day to observe the wound healing of all rats in different groups. We then observed the wound healing and wound pathology after 3, 7, 10, 15 days re spectively in different groups. Results showed significant differences of the time of wound healing, area of wound healing and volume of wound healing between the experimental groups and control groups (P < 0.05). It can be well concluded that N-fructose-modified chitosan quaternary ammonium derivatives does not harm the skin, but could promote skin healing, so that they could be suitable skin repair materials and ideal raw materials for medical dressing.
Animals ; Bandages ; Chitosan ; therapeutic use ; Polymers ; therapeutic use ; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Skin ; pathology ; Wound Healing