ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Huangqi Jianzhongtang （HQJZ） on macrophage polarization and fat consumption in cancer cachexia （CC） mice. MethodsUltra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/electrostatic field Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry （UPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS） was used to control the quality of HQJZ. （1） In vitro experiment： HQJZ-containing serum was prepared， and the optimal concentration was determined by cytotoxicity assay. Mouse monocyte-derived macrophages （RAW264.7） were cultured and randomly divided into six groups， including a blank group， a classically activated macrophages （M1） group， an alternatively activated macrophages （M2） group， a HQJZ + blank group， a HQJZ+M1 group， and a HQJZ + M2 group. The relative expression of macrophage marker genes CD86， inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS）， CD206， and arginase-1 （Arg1） was detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR ）. （2） In vivo experiment： Thirty-two BALB/c mice were randomly divided into a control group， a model group， a medroxyprogesterone acetate （MPA） group， and a HQJZ group. Except for the control group， the other mice were injected with CT-26 colon cancer cells to establish a CC model. Mice in the MPA and HQJZ groups were given MPA （0.13 g·kg^-1·d^-1） or HQJZ （13.13 g·kg^-1·d^-1） by gavage， respectively， while mice in the control and model groups were given an equal volume of saline by gavage， with interventions continued for 10 d. Real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of macrophage markers （iNOS， Arg1， CD86， CD206） and fat browning-related genes uncoupling protein 1 （UCP1） and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ （PPARγ） in epididymal adipose tissue. Western blot （WB） was used to detect protein expression levels of UCP1 and PPARγ. Micro-computed tomography （micro-CT） was used to measure residual fat volume， and hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to assess fat browning and calculate pathological scores. ResultsIn vitro， the dominant effective concentration of HQJZ-containing serum was 12.5%. Real-time PCR results showed that， compared with the blank group， Arg1 expression decreased in the HQJZ+blank group （P<0.05）， CD206 showed a downward trend without statistical significance， while iNOS and CD86 expression were significantly increased （P<0.05）. Compared with the M1 group， Arg1 and CD206 expression decreased in the HQJZ+M1 group （P<0.05）. Compared with the M2 group， CD206 expression decreased in the HQJZ+M2 group （P<0.05）， CD86 expression increased significantly （P<0.01）. In vivo， Real-time PCR results showed that， compared with the control group， CD86 and CD206 expression levels were significantly increased in the model group （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， CD206 expression in the MPA group was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. In the HQJZ group， CD206 was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. WB results showed that， compared with the model group， protein expression of UCP1 and PPARγ was significantly reduced in the HQJZ group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. micro-CT results showed that the total white fat volume in the HQJZ group was greater than that in the model group （P<0.05）. HE staining results showed that pathological scores in the HQJZ group were lower than those in the model group （P<0.05）. ConclusionHQJZ may inhibit white adipose tissue browning by promoting macrophage M1 polarization and suppressing M2 polarization， thereby delaying fat consumption in CC mice.

Objective To investigate the discovery and disposal process and epidemiological characteristics of the first confirmed case of mpox (formerly named monkeypox) in Huai'an, Jiangsu Province, and to provide reference for the prevention and control of key infectious diseases in this region. Methods The on-site epidemiological investigation data of the first confirmed case of mpox on June 21, 2023, as well as the results of nucleic acid detection and gene sequencing of laboratory specimens were analyzed retrospectively. Possible sources of infection were explored. Results The first confirmed case of mpox was an AIDS patient, men who had sex with men (MSM), who had no history of travel abroad or outside the city within 21 days before the onset of the disease, but had interacted with some people outside the city, and the epidemiological trajectory was complex. The detection of mpox virus nucleic acid was positive (BioGerm reagent: Ct value 21.8, ZhuoCheng reagent: Ct value 21.2). According to genetic sequencing, the first confirmed case was classified as C.1.1 lineage of clade IIb. During the investigation on the source of infection of the first confirmed case, one new asymptomatic infected person was found. Based on the epidemiological investigation and laboratory results, the first confirmed case was believed to be caused by local infection, however, the source of infection was unclear. Although there was an epidemiological association with asymptomatic infected people, the direct evidence of mutual infection was insufficient, and it could not be ruled out that there was still a hidden transmission chain between regions. The source of infection of the asymptomatic infected person was presumed to be the first confirmed case or an unidentified person with whom he had high-risk sex and caused anal bleeding. Conclusion The first confirmed case is caused by local infection. Awareness of case diagnosis and reporting in medical institutions should be improved, and publicity and education should be provided to key exposed populations, especially those men who have sex with men, to prevent the occurrence of large-scale local epidemic.

The differences in chemical quality characteristics between Xinjiang Rehmannia glutinosa and R. glutinosa were analyzed to provide a theoretical basis for the introduction and quality control of R. glutinosa. In this study, the high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) fingerprints of 6 batches of Xinjiang R. glutinosa and 10 batches of R. glutinosa samples were established. The content of iridoid glycosides, phenylethanoid glycosides, monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides in Xinjiang R. glutinosa and R. glutinosa was determined by high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection(HPLC-DAD), high performance liquid chromatography-evaporative light scattering detection(HPLC-ELSD), and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy(UV-Vis). The determination results were analyzed with by chemical pattern recognition and entropy weight TOPSIS method. The results showed that there were 19 common peaks in the HPLC fingerprints of the 16 batches of R. glutinosa, and catalpol, aucubin, rehmannioside D, rehmannioside A, hydroxytyrosol, leonuride, salidroside, cistanoside A, and verbascoside were identified. Hierarchical cluster analysis(HCA) and principal component analysis(PCA) showed that Qinyang R. glutinosa, Mengzhou R. glutinosa, and Xinjiang R. glutinosa were grouped into three different categories, and eight common components causing the chemical quality difference between Xinjiang R. glutinosa and R. glutinosa in Mengzhou and Qinyang of Henan province were screened out by orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA). The results of content determination showed that there were glucose, sucrose, raffinose, stachyose, polysaccharides, and nine glycosides in Xinjiang R. glutinosa and R. glutinosa samples, and the content of catalpol, rehmannioside A, leonuride, cistanoside A, verbascoside, sucrose, and glucose was significantly different between Xinjiang R. glutinosa and R. glutinosa. The analysis with entropy weight TOPSIS method showed that the comprehensive quality of R. glutinosa in Mengzhou and Qinyang of Henan province was better than that of Xinjiang R. glutinosa. In conclusion, the types of main chemical components of R. glutinosa and Xinjiang R. glutinosa were the same, but their content was different. The chemical quality of R. glutinosa was better than Xinjiang R. glutinosa, and other components in R. glutinosa from two producing areas and their effects need further study.
Rehmannia/classification* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods* ; Quality Control

PURPOSE: The rate of complications among patients undergoing surgery has increased due to infection with SARS-CoV-2 and other variants of concern. However, Omicron has shown decreased pathogenicity, raising questions about the risk of postoperative complications among patients who are infected with this variant. This study aimed to investigate complications and related factors among patients with recent Omicron infection prior to undergoing orthopedic surgery. METHODS: A historical control study was conducted. Data were collected from all patients who underwent surgery during 2 distinct periods: (1) between Dec 12, 2022 and Jan 31, 2023 (COVID-19 positive group), (2) between Dec 12, 2021 and Jan 31, 2022 (COVID-19 negative control group). The patients were at least 18 years old. Patients who received conservative treatment after admission or had high-risk diseases or special circumstances (use of anticoagulants before surgery) were excluded from the study. The study outcomes were the total complication rate and related factors. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify related factors, and odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated to assess the impact of COVID-19 infection on complications. RESULTS: In the analysis, a total of 847 patients who underwent surgery were included, with 275 of these patients testing positive for COVID-19 and 572 testing negative. The COVID-19-positive group had a significantly higher rate of total complications (11.27%) than the control group (4.90%, p < 0.001). After adjusting for relevant factors, the OR was 3.08 (95% CI: 1.45-6.53). Patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19 at 3-4 weeks (OR = 0.20 (95% CI: 0.06-0.59), p = 0.005), 5-6 weeks (OR = 0.16 (95% CI: 0.04-0.59), p = 0.010), or ≥7 weeks (OR = 0.26 (95% CI: 0.06-1.02), p = 0.069) prior to surgery had a lower risk of complications than those who were diagnosed at 0-2 weeks prior to surgery. Seven factors (age, indications for surgery, time of operation, time of COVID-19 diagnosis prior to surgery, C-reactive protein levels, alanine transaminase levels, and aspartate aminotransferase levels) were found to be associated with complications; thus, these factors were used to create a nomogram. CONCLUSION Omicron continues to be a significant factor in the incidence of postoperative complications among patients undergoing orthopedic surgery. By identifying the factors associated with these complications, we can determine the optimal surgical timing, provide more accurate prognostic information, and offer appropriate consultation for orthopedic surgery patients who have been infected with Omicron.
Humans ; COVID-19/complications* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications/epidemiology* ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Orthopedic Procedures/adverse effects* ; Aged ; Nomograms ; Adult ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

The relationship between hyperuricemia (HUA) and erectile dysfunction (ED) remains inadequately understood. Given that HUA is often associated with various metabolic disorders, this study aims to explore the multivariate linear impacts of metabolic parameters on erectile function in ED patients with HUA. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted involving 514 ED patients with HUA in the Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine (Nanjing, China), aged 18 to 60 years. General demographic information, medical history, and laboratory results were collected to assess metabolic disturbances. Sexual function was evaluated using the 5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaire. Based on univariate analysis, variables associated with IIEF-5 scores were identified, and the correlations between them were evaluated. The effects of these variables on IIEF-5 scores were further explored by multiple linear regression models. Fasting plasma glucose ( β = -0.628, P < 0.001), uric acid ( β = -0.552, P < 0.001), triglycerides ( β = -0.088, P = 0.047), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( β = -0.164, P = 0.027), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c; β = -0.562, P = 0.012), and smoking history ( β = -0.074, P = 0.037) exhibited significant negative impacts on erectile function. The coefficient of determination ( R ²) for the model was 0.239, and the adjusted R ² was 0.230, indicating overall statistical significance ( F -statistic = 26.52, P < 0.001). Metabolic parameters play a crucial role in the development of ED. Maintaining normal metabolic indices may aid in the prevention and improvement of erectile function in ED patients with HUA.
Humans ; Male ; Erectile Dysfunction/metabolism* ; Hyperuricemia/metabolism* ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Glycated Hemoglobin/metabolism* ; Blood Glucose/metabolism* ; Uric Acid/blood* ; Young Adult ; Triglycerides/blood* ; Adolescent ; Cholesterol, LDL/blood* ; Penile Erection/physiology* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

This consensus will introduce the characteristics of fillers used in the surgical cavities of domestic nasal surgery patients based on relevant literature and expert opinions. It will also provide recommendations for the selection of cavity fillers for different nasal diseases, with chronic sinusitis as a representative example.
Humans ; Nasal Cavity/surgery* ; Nasal Surgical Procedures ; China ; Consensus ; Sinusitis/surgery* ; Dermal Fillers

Aim To investigate the possible mecha-nism of UNC5B-AS1 in regulating the malignant biolog-ical behavior of osteosarcoma cells.Methods RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of UNC5B-AS1 in osteosarcoma cells MG63,osteosarcoma cells U2OS and osteoblast cells hFOB1.19.After overexpression and knockdown of UNC5B-AS1 in osteosarcoma cells,the proliferation,migration and apoptosis of osteosarco-ma cells were detected by CCK-8 assay,Transwell as-say and flow cytometry,respectively.At the same time,RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect the effects of UNC5B-AS1 overexpression and knock-down on the mRNA and protein expression of key fac-tors in the NF-κB signaling pathway.Results Com-pared with normal osteoblast hFOB1.19,UNC5B-AS1 expression was differentially increased in osteosarcoma cells MG63 and U2OS.Overexpression of UNC5B-AS1 significantly promoted the proliferation of osteosarcoma cells and significantly increased the migration ability of osteosarcoma cells,while the apoptosis rate markedly decreased,and NF-κB signaling pathway-related mR-NA and protein expressions apparently increased.Knockdown of UNC5B-AS1 evidently inhibited the pro-liferation of osteosarcoma cells and significantly re-duced the migration ability of osteosarcoma cells,while the apoptosis rate markedly increased,the NF-κB sig-naling pathway related mRNA and protein expression significantly reduced.Conclusions lncRNA UNC5B-AS1 is highly expressed in osteosarcoma cells,which may affect the malignant biological behavior of osteo-sarcoma cells by activating the NF-κB signaling path-way.

Background::Alterations in the placental expression of glucose transporters (GLUTs), the crucial maternal-fetal nutrient transporters, have been found in women with hyperglycemia in pregnancy (HIP). However, there is still uncertainty about the underlying effect of the high-glucose environment on placental GLUTs expression in HIP.Methods::We quantitatively evaluated the activity of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and expression of GLUTs (GLUT1, GLUT3, and GLUT4) in the placenta of women with normal pregnancies (CTRL, n = 12) and pregnant women complicated with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM, n = 12) by immunohistochemistry. In addition, BeWo cells were treated with different glucose concentrations to verify the regulation of hyperglycemia. Then, changes in the expression of GLUTs following the activation or suppression of the mTOR pathway were also assessed using MHY1485/rapamycin (RAPA) treatment or small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated silencing approaches. Moreover, we further explored the alteration and potential upstream regulatory role of methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) when exposed to hyperglycemia. Results::mTOR, phosphorylated mTOR (p-mTOR), and GLUT1 protein levels were upregulated in the placenta of women with T2DM compared with those CTRL. In BeWo cells, mTOR activity increased with increasing glucose concentration, and the expression of GLUT1, GLUT3, and GLUT4 as well as GLUT1 cell membrane translocation were upregulated by hyperglycemia to varying degrees. Both the drug-mediated and genetic depletion of mTOR signaling in BeWo cells suppressed GLUTs expression, whereas MHY1485-induced mTOR activation upregulated GLUTs expression. Additionally, high glucose levels upregulated METTL3 expression and nuclear translocation, and decreasing METTL3 levels suppressed GLUTs expression and mTOR activity and vice versa. Furthermore, in METTL3 knockdown BeWo cells, the inhibitory effect on GLUTs expression was eliminated by activating the mTOR signaling pathway using MHY1485. Conclusion::High-glucose environment-induced upregulation of METTL3 in trophoblasts regulates the expression of GLUTs through mTOR signaling, contributing to disordered nutrient transport in women with HIP.

In the past few decades,supercritical fluid chromatography(SFC)as a supplement to liquid chromatography(LC)separation technology has attracted people's interest,especially in the combination of SFC and mass spectrometry(MS),which has shown important application prospects in metabolomics,lipidomics,and other fields.Compared to the interface of LC-MS,the interface of SFC-MS presents some unique challenges that require special solutions to be designed.This article categorizes and summarizes the existing interfaces used for SFC-MS,focuses on the impact of different interface designs on detection performance,provides the applicable characteristics of different types of interfaces,and finally briefly introduces the application progress of SFC-MS in different fields.