OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of Qingda Granule (QDG) in ameliorating hypertension-induced cardiac damage and investigate the underlying mechanisms involved. METHODS: Twenty spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were used to develope a hypertension-induced cardiac damage model. Another 10 Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats were used as normotension group. Rats were administrated intragastrically QDG [0.9 g/(kg•d)] or an equivalent volume of pure water for 8 weeks. Blood pressure, histopathological changes, cardiac function, levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory response markers were measured. Furthermore, to gain insights into the potential mechanisms underlying the protective effects of QDG against hypertension-induced cardiac injury, a network pharmacology study was conducted. Predicted results were validated by Western blot, radioimmunoassay immunohistochemistry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively. RESULTS: The administration of QDG resulted in a significant decrease in blood pressure levels in SHRs (P<0.01). Histological examinations, including hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson trichrome staining revealed that QDG effectively attenuated hypertension-induced cardiac damage. Furthermore, echocardiography demonstrated that QDG improved hypertension-associated cardiac dysfunction. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and colorimetric method indicated that QDG significantly reduced oxidative stress and inflammatory response levels in both myocardial tissue and serum (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Both network pharmacology and experimental investigations confirmed that QDG exerted its beneficial effects in decreasing hypertension-induced cardiac damage by regulating the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)/angiotensin II (Ang II)/Ang II receptor type 1 axis and ACE/Ang II/Ang II receptor type 2 axis.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Hypertension/pathology* ; Renin-Angiotensin System/drug effects* ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Male ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Blood Pressure/drug effects* ; Myocardium/pathology* ; Rats ; Inflammation/pathology*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether electroacupuncture (EA) at sensitized acupoints could reduce sympathetic-sensory coupling (SSC) and neurogenic inflammatory response by interfering with 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)ergic neural pathways to relieve colitis and somatic referred pain, and explore the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Rats were treated with 5% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) solution for 7 days to establish a colitis model. Twelve rats were randomly divided into the control and model groups according to a random number table (n=6). According to the "Research on Rat Acupoint Atlas", sensitized acupoints and non-sensitized acupoints were determined. Rats were randomly divided into the control, model, Zusanli-EA (ST 36), Dachangshu-EA (BL 25), and Xinshu (BL 15) groups (n=6), as well as the control, model, EA, and EA + GR113808 (a 5-HT inhibitor) groups (n=6). The rats in the control group received no treatment. Acupuncture was administered on 2 days after modeling using the stimulation pavameters: 1 mA, 2 Hz, for 30 min, with sparse and dense waves, for 14 consecutive days. GR113808 was injected into the tail vein at 5 mg/kg before EA for 10 min for 7 consecutive days. Mechanical sensitivity was assessed with von Frey filaments. Body weight and disease activity index (DAI) scores of rats were determined. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed to observe colon histopathology. SSC was analyzed by immunofluorescence staining. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to detect 5-HT and substance P (SP) expressions. The calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in skin tissue and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) protein levels in DRG were detected by Western blot. The levels of hyaluronic acid (HA), bradykinin (BK), prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) in skin tissue, 5-HT, tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (TPH1), serotonin transporters (SERT), 5-HT 3 receptor (5-HT3R), and 5-HT 4 receptor (5-HT4R) in colon tissue were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: BL 25 and ST 36 acupoints were determined as sensitized acupoints, and BL 15 acupoint was used as a non-sensitized acupoint. EA at sensitized acupoints improved the DAI score, increased mechanical withdrawal thresholds, and alleviated colonic pathological damage of rats. EA at sensitized acupoints reduced SSC structures and decreased TH and CGRP expression levels (P<0.05). Furthermore, EA at sensitized acupoints reduced BK, PGI2, 5-HT, 5-HT3R and TPH1 levels, and increased HA, 5-HT4R and SERT levels in colitis rats (P<0.05). GR113808 treatment diminished the protective effect of EA at sensitized acupoints in colitis rats (P<0.05). CONCLUSION EA at sensitized acupoints alleviated DSS-induced somatic referred pain in colitis rats by interfering with 5-HTergic neural pathway, and reducing SSC inflammatory response.
Rats ; Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Serotonin ; Acupuncture Points ; Pain, Referred ; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide ; Signal Transduction ; Colitis/therapy* ; Indoles ; Sulfonamides

ObjectiveBased on fluorescence lifetime imaging technology, a novel method for viscosity detection is proposed and the capability of different weighting of fluorescence lifetimes in distinguishing the viscosity of glycerol-water mixtures is evaluated, aiming to enhance the accuracy and reliability of viscosity differentiation. MethodsThis approach incorporates the principles of electronic weighting, introducing both amplitude-weighted average fluorescence lifetime (τ_m) and intensity-weighted average fluorescence lifetime (τ_i). Viscosity changes in glycerol-water mixtures are detected through τ_m and τ_i. τ_m Reflects the relationship between fluorescence signal amplitude and time, while τ_i focuses on the time-varying characteristics of fluorescence signal intensity. ResultsThe results of both τ_m and τ_i mutually corroborate each other, not only enhancing the reliability in detecting viscosity changes in glycerol-water mixtures but also revealing their unique roles in the detection process. Although τ_m plays a crucial role in capturing changes in fluorescence signal amplitude, τ_i exhibits higher accuracy in viscosity detection when considering the time-varying characteristics of fluorescence signal intensity. It is particularly noteworthy that, due to τ_i’s greater sensitivity, microenvironment viscosity detection can be directly analyzed using τ_i. This provides a more convenient approach for real-time, highly sensitive microfluidic viscosity monitoring. Therefore, through the comprehensive utilization of τ_m and τ_i, a more thorough and accurate understanding of the viscosity information in glycerol-water mixtures can be obtained, and specific parameters can be selected for in-depth analysis based on specific needs. ConclusionThe combination of amplitude weighting and intensity weighting allows for a more sensitive identification of subtle changes in viscosity under different conditions. The innovation of this method lies in its simultaneous consideration of multiple parameters, enhancing sensitivity and distinguishability to variations in viscosity. Therefore, this weighted-dependent fluorescence lifetime imaging technique not only introduces a novel approach for viscosity detection in glycerol-water mixtures but also provides a powerful analytical tool for various fields, including microfluidics, rheology, and research on novel functional materials.

【Objective】 To understand the prevalence of overweight/obesity among school-age children in Pudong New Area of Shanghai, and to explore the influence of gestational weight gain and pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) on weight status of school-age children. 【Methods】 From November to December 2020,a stratified cluster sampling method was adopted to select first-grade students from 13 primary schools in Pudong New Area of Shanghai.After matching with the birth monitoring database, 755 students with complete birth information were selected as the study subjects.The relevant information of mothers before and during pregnancy was retrospectively collected, and the effects of pregnancy weight gain combined with pre-pregnancy BMI on overweight/obesity in school-age children were analyzed. 【Results】 1) The prevalence rates of overweight and obesity of first-grade children were 15.89% and 18.41%, respectively.2) Maternal excessive weight gain during pregnancy (OR=1.678) and overweight/obesity before pregnancy (OR=2.315,2.412) were risk factors for overweight/obesity of the offspring at school age(P<0.05).3) For mothers who were underweight before pregnancy, excessive weight gain during pregnancy was associated with overweight/obesity in school-age children in their offspring (OR=7.436, 95%CI: 1.489 - 37.143,P<0.05).4) Excessive weight gain during pregnancy combined with overweight/obesity before pregnancy significantly increased the risk of overweight/obesity in offspring (OR=3.606, 95%CI: 2.030 - 6.405, P<0.05). Mothers who gained a moderate amount of weight during pregnancy and were emaciated before pregnancy had a significantly lower risk of overweight/obesity in their school-age children (OR=0.217, 95%CI: 0.049 - 0.967, P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 Excessive weight gain during pregnancy increases the risk of overweight/obesity in school-age children in their offspring, strengthening pregnancy health education and perinatal care to help pregnant women maintain appropriate weight gain during pregnancy may be an important and novel strategy to prevent childhood obesity.

Objective To explore the spatial epidemiological characteristics of mortality and probability of premature death caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among residents in Pudong New Area of Shanghai from 2010 to 2020, and to provide reference for the formulation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease prevention and control strategies according to local conditions. Methods The death data of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were obtained from the local death surveillance system of Pudong New Area. Crude mortality, age-standardized mortality, and probability of premature death caused by COPD in each subdistricts and towns of Pudong New Area were calculated. The geographical information system (GIS) was used to plot the spatial distribution maps of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease death. The trend surface analysis and the spatial autocorrelation analysis were performed to analyze the spatial distribution of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease death. Results The crude mortality, age-standardized mortality and probability of premature death caused by COPD among residents in Pudong New Area between 2010 and 2020 were 58.40/100,000, 22.35/100,000, and 0.26%, respectively. The results of trend surface analysis showed that the crude mortality, age-standardized mortality and probability of premature death caused by COPD gradually increased from north to south. In the east-west direction, the crude mortality, age-standardized mortality, and probability of premature death showed an upward trend from west to east. The global autocorrelation analysis suggested that there existed a positive spatial autocorrelation for the crude mortality, age-standardized mortality, and probability of premature death. The local spatial autocorrelation analysis showed that the high-high clustering areas of COPD crude mortality, standardized mortality and premature mortality were all located in the rural areas of the southeast of Pudong New Area. Conclusion There are urban and rural differences in the mortality of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among residents in Pudong New Area from 2010 to 2020. The residents living in rural southeast coast of Pudong New Area are more seriously affected by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and should be paid more attention.

BACKGROUND: Extreme temperature events, including extreme cold, are becoming more frequent worldwide, which might be harmful to pregnant women and cause adverse birth outcomes. We aimed to investigate the association between exposure to low ambient temperature in pregnant women and adverse birth outcomes, such as preterm birth, low birth weight, and stillbirth, and to summarize the evidence herein. METHODS: Relevant studies were searched in PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase electronic databases until November 2021. Studies involving low ambient temperature, preterm birth, birth weight, and stillbirth were included. The guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses were followed to conduct this study risk of bias and methods for data synthesis. RESULTS: A total of 34 studies were included. First, pregnant women exposed to low ambient temperature had an increased risk of preterm birth (risk ratio [RR] 1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04-1.13). Subgroup analyses revealed that exposure during late pregnancy was more likely to induce preterm birth. In addition, only pregnant women exposed to <1st percentile of the mean temperature suffered increased risk of preterm birth. Moreover, pregnant women living in medium or hot areas were more prone to have preterm births than those in cold areas when exposed to low ambient temperatures. Asians and Blacks were more susceptible to low ambient temperatures than Caucasians. Second, pregnant women exposed to low ambient temperature had an increased risk of low birth weight (RR 1.07; 95% CI 1.03-1.12). Third, pregnant women had an increased risk of stillbirth while exposed to low ambient temperature during the entire pregnancy (RR 4.63; 95% CI 3.99-5.38). CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to low ambient temperature during pregnancy increases the risk of adverse birth outcomes. Pregnant women should avoid exposure to extremely low ambient temperature (<1st percentile of the mean temperature), especially in their late pregnancy. This study could provide clues for preventing adverse outcomes from meteorological factors. REGISTRATION No. CRD42021259776 at PROSPERO ( https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/ ).
Pregnancy ; Infant, Newborn ; Female ; Humans ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Premature Birth/epidemiology* ; Stillbirth/epidemiology* ; Temperature ; Pregnancy Complications

ObjectiveTo assess the value of apparent diffusion coefficient （ADC） in the treatment of uterine fibroid using magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound surgery （MRgFUS）. MethodsThe MRI and clinical data of 56 patients with uterine fibroid before， at 3 and 6 months after MRgFUS treatment， at Foshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from December 2018 to October 2022， were retrospectively analyzed. The correlation between the ADC value and lesion volume， symptoms severity score （SSS） and uterine fibroid symptoms quality of life questionnaire （UFS-QOL） were analyzed. ANOVA was used to compare the differences in related parameters before and after treatment， and Pearson’s method was performed to analyze data correlation. ResultsThere were significant differences in ADC value ［（1.11±0.13）， （1.84±0.09）， （2.12±0.24），×10^-3/（mm²/s）］， lesion volume （102±35.30， 56.70±18.88， 46.93±18.99，cm³）， SSS （36.73±11.74， 21.77±10.21， 17.66±9.30） and UFS-QOL score （59.05±17.48， 76.54±16.50， 82.46±12.37） between before treatment and each time point after treatment （F value was 557.837， 73.589， 53.976 and 37.606， respectively， all P<0.05）. The ADC values were negatively correlated with lesion volume and SSS， and positively correlated with UFS-QOL score， with correlation coefficients of -0.586， -0.630 and 0.592， respectively （all P<0.05）. ConclusionThe ADC value has clinical significance for the treatment of uterine fibroid using MRgFUS.

As arsenic widely exists in nature and has been used in the pharmaceutical preparations, the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) with arsenic include realgar(As_2S_2 or As_4S_4), orpiment(As_2S_3), and white arsenic(As_2O_3). Among the above representative medicine, the TCM compound formulas with realgar are utilized extensively. Just in Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2020 edition), there are 37 Chinese patent medicines including realgar. The traditional element analysis focuses on the detection of the total amount of elements, which neglects the study on the speciation and valence of elements. The activity, toxicity, bioavailability, and metabolic pathways of arsenic in vivo are closely related to the existence of its form, and different forms of arsenic have different effects on organisms. Therefore, the study on the speciation and valence of arsenic is of great importance for arsenic-containing TCMs and their compound formulas. This paper reviewed four aspects of the speciation and valence of arsenic, including property, absorption and metabolism, toxicity, and analytical assay.
Arsenic/analysis* ; Arsenicals/analysis* ; Sulfides ; Arsenic Trioxide ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/analysis* ; Biological Products

Animal survival necessitates adaptive behaviors in volatile environmental contexts. Virtual reality (VR) technology is instrumental to study the neural mechanisms underlying behaviors modulated by environmental context by simulating the real world with maximized control of contextual elements. Yet current VR tools for rodents have limited flexibility and performance (e.g., frame rate) for context-dependent cognitive research. Here, we describe a high-performance VR platform with which to study contextual behaviors immersed in editable virtual contexts. This platform was assembled from modular hardware and custom-written software with flexibility and upgradability. Using this platform, we trained mice to perform context-dependent cognitive tasks with rules ranging from discrimination to delayed-sample-to-match while recording from thousands of hippocampal place cells. By precise manipulations of context elements, we found that the context recognition was intact with partial context elements, but impaired by exchanges of context elements. Collectively, our work establishes a configurable VR platform with which to investigate context-dependent cognition with large-scale neural recording.
Animals ; Mice ; Rodentia ; Virtual Reality ; Cognition ; Recognition, Psychology