Aim To explore how Danzhi Jiangtang cap-sules(DJC)safeguard the mitochondrial activity of vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs)by controlling the LncRNA TUG1/β-catenin signaling pathway to de-crease vascular calcification(VC).Methods Vascu-lar smooth muscle cell calcification models were in-duced with β-glycerin and diabetic vascular calcifica-tion rat models were induced with vitamin D3+high-fat diet.Von Kossa staining was applied to detect cal-cification of cells and vascular tissue.Colorimetric method of phthalein complex was used to determine calcium content.P-nitrobenzene phosphate colorimetry was employed to assess alkaline phosphatase(ALP)activity.RT-qPCR was used to analyze the expression of VSMCs'osteoblast transformation related genes bone morphogenetic protein2(BMP2),smooth muscle actin alpha(α-SMA),taurine up-regulated1,LncRNA Tug1(Lnc-RNA TUG1),and β-catenin.Western blotting was utilized to detect the protein expression of BMP2,α-SMA and β-catenin.The mitochondrial membrane potential was detected by JC-1 fluorescence probe.Mitochondrial structure was observed by trans-mission electron microscope.Results DJC reduced LncRNA TUG1 expression,down-regulated β-catenin expression,decreased ALP activity and calcium depo-sition,protected mitochondrial function,restored mem-brane potential,and decreased osteoblastic transforma-tion of VSMCs induced by glycerin phosphate.Impor-tantly,DJC attenuated diabetic lower limb VC by down-regulating the expression of LncRNA TUG1,β-catenin,and elevating the expression of α-SMA.Con-clusions DJC capsules significantly improved VSMCs by protecting mitochondrial function by LncRNA TUG1/β-catenin signaling to reduce VSMCs'osteo-blast transformation.

DPP4 is a serine exopeptidase that is immobilized on the cell membrane and plays a crucial regulatory role in various physiological and pathological activities within the human body.In addition to acting as a transcription factor to regulate the tran-scription and expression of downstream target genes,DPP4 also functions as a transcription-independent regulator through pro-tein-protein interactions.In recent studies,DPP4 has been strongly linked to various diseases,and several substances with the potential to target DPP4 have been identified.This paper mainly reviews the multifunctionality of DPP4 in regulating vari-ous aspects of energy metabolism,inflammation,tissue repair and carcinogenesis in the body.It also reviews the screening of in vitro inhibitors of DPP4 and its research progress in regulating chronic liver disease,based on the pathological development process of chronic liver disease.

Objective:To investigate the current situation and characteristics of post-intensive care syndrome in elderly patients during the transitional period, and explore its influencing factors.Methods:From December 2022 to September 2023, convenience sampling was used to select 119 elderly patients in the Intensive Care Unit of China-Japan Friendship Hospital as the research subject. The General Information Questionnaire, Short Physical Performance Battery, Fatigue Scale-14, Barthel Index, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Mini-mental State Examination were used to evaluate patients for post-intensive care syndrome from cognitive, psychological, and physiological aspects 7 days after their transfer from the Intensive Care Unit. Binomial Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of post-intensive care syndrome in elderly patients.Results:Among 119 elderly patients, 84 developed post-intensive care syndrome, with an incidence of 70.6%. The binomial Logistic regression showed that women and high nutritional risk were risk factors for the occurrence of post-intensive care syndrome in elderly patients ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:The incidence of post-intensive care syndrome is high in elderly patients during the transition period, with females and patients with high nutritional risk being prone to developing post-intensive care syndrome. Medical and nursing staff should pay attention to identifying gender differences, focus on high-risk populations, and dynamically evaluate different symptoms early on to provide precise interventions for elderly patients.

This study was aimed at investigating the pathogenic and molecular characteristics of Klebsiella pneumoniae(KP)in fecal samples of diarrhea cases in a district of Beijing.Fecal samples from diarrhea cases in an outpatient department in a district of Beijing from 2018 to 2021 were collected,and used for isolation and culture of KP.The KP strains isolated strains were subjected to drug resistance phenotype testing and whole-genome sequencing.Multilocus sequence typing and whole-genome phyletic evolution analysis were performed on the sequencing results.The cases'epidemiological and clinical characteristics were analyzed.From 2018 to 2021,1 103 fecal samples were collected and detected.The total detection rate of KP was 10.43％(115/1 103),and the infection rate of KP mixed with other diarrhea-causing pathogens was 42.61％(49/115).The positivity rate was slightly high(12.47％,61/489)a-mong females and was highest in young adults 16-45 years of age.Small peaks were observed in January,April to May,and August to September.The gastrointestinal symptoms in cases were mainly nausea and watery stool,and the suspicious food was unknown.Ampicillin,tetracycline,and sulfafurazole were the top three antibiotics to which these 115 KP strains showed resistance,and 29 strains were resistant to multiple antibiotics.The strains were divided into 72 sequence types,among which ST23 was dominant.According to the phylogenetic tree,the strains were divided into four main branches,among which 14 ST23 strains had a very close genetic relationship with the highly virulent NTUH-K2044 reference strain.KP infection persisted in fecal samples from diarrhea cases in the district of Beijing.Women and young adults were particularly susceptible.The drug resistance of KP strains in this region was very serious,and the ST types were diverse.Moreover,the ST23 pathogenic strains were closely related to high virulence strains.

In order to meet the market demand for the fast and accurate genetic detection of African swine fever virus(ASFV),a new method for EIS-qPCR detection was established with a rapid,high sensitivity,and pollution prevention.Primers and probes for a duplex qPCR were designed based on the conserved region of ASFV virus p72 gene and the endogenous internal standard(EIS)cytb gene sequence in pigs.An anti-contamination system was established with uracil DNA N-gly-cosylase enzyme in the reaction system.The results showed that the method can finish the rapid qPCR detection of ASFV within 30 min with a minimal detection limit of 4.12 copies/μL.Moreo-ver,the method only detected the ASFV p72 gene,and no amplifications of classical swine fever vi-rus(CSFV),pseudorabies virus(PRV),porcine parvo virus(PPV),porcine reproductive and re-spiratory syndrome virus(PRRSV)and porcine circovirus type 2(PCV2)were observed.Repeti-tive results showed a coefficient of variation below 2％.With strong anti-pollution capacity,the method can effectively eliminate false-positive amplification caused by low-dose aerosol pollution.Detection results of 146 clinical samples showed a 100％consistence with the results of the com-mercial ASFV detection kit.Compared with similar technologies,the EIS-qPCR established in this study was faster,sensitive,and suitable for the rapid diagnosis of ASFV infection in the early stage,which provided the tool for the monitoring and precise prevention and control of African swine fever.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of single center adult chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase(CML-CP).Methods:Clinical data of 41 adult CML-CP patients in Department of Hematology,Shanghai Fengxian District Central Hospital from January 2015 to May 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.The clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients between＜60 years group and ≥ 60 years group were compared.Results:The 41 patients included 27(65.9％)males and 14(34.1％)females.The median age of the patients was 56(19-84)years,with 22 cases(53.7％)＜60 years and 19 cases(46.3％)≥60 years.Univariate analysis indicated that the proportions of patients with comorbidities,intermediate/high-risk Sokal score,myelofibrosis,and lactate dehydrogenase ≥1 000 U/L were significantly increased in ≥60 years group compared with＜60 years group at initial diagnosis(all P＜0.05).There were no statistical differences in the distribution of sex,ELST score,white blood cell count,platelet count,peripheral blood basophil percentage,peripheral blood eosinophil percentage and bone marrow primitive cell percentage between the two groups(P＞0.05).The proportion of patients taking reduced-dose imatinib in≥60 years group significantly increased(P＜0.001).Patients＜60 years had a higher proportion of molecular biological remission after treatment of tyrosine kinase inhibitors(TKIs)than patients ≥ 60 years(P＜0.001).The incidence of non-hematologic adverse reactions to TKI therapy significantly increased in patients ≥ 60 years(P＜0.001).Multivariate analysis showed that no adverse factors affecting the efficacy and prognosis of TKI.Conclusion:Compared with adult CML-CP patients＜60 years,patients ≥ 60 years gain fewer benefits from TKI treatment and increased adverse reactions.

Objective To investigate the effect of plasma microRNA(miR)-93-5p on ovarian granulosa cell proliferation in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS)and its possible mechanism.Methods A total of 120 PCOS patients of childbearing period who were treated at Jiaozuo People's Hospital from January 2022 to January 2023 were selected as the PCOS group,and 18 healthy women of childbearing period who were physically examined at the same hospital during the same period were selected as the control group.The age,body weight and height of the subjects in the two groups were recorded,and the body mass index(BMI)was calculated.Fasting venous blood was collected from the subjects during the follicular phase of the natural menstrual cycle or the progesterone-induced withdrawal bleeding phase,and serum levels of luteinizing hormone(LH),follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH),total testosterone(TT),anti-Mullerian hormone(AMH),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),fasting insulin(FINS),and fasting blood glucose(FBG)were measured by using the electrochemical method;and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA-IR)was calculated.Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)was used to detect the expression level of miR-93-5p in plasma of patients in the two groups.Human ovarian granulosa cells(KGN cells)in logarithmic growth phase were cultured in 6-well plates with 3 × 105 cells per well,and they were randomly divided into the miR-93-5p mimics group,LY294002+miR-93-5p group,AZD5363+miR-93-5p group,negative control(NC)group,and blank control group.The KGN cells in the miR-93-5p group were transfected with miR-93-5p mimics;the KGN cells in the LY294002+miR-93-5p group were transfected with miR-93-5p mimics and treated with 50 mmol·L-1 LY294002 one hour before transfection;the KGN cells in the AZD5363+miR-93-5p group were transfected with miR-93-5p mimics and treated with 50 μmol·L-1 AZD5363 one hour before transfection;the KGN cells in the NC group were transfected with the negative control plasmids;and the KGN cells in the blank control group were not treated at all.The expression of miR-93-5p in the KGN cells in each group was detected by qRT-PCR,and the proliferation of the KGN cells in each group was detected by cell counting kit-8.Results There was no significant differences in age,FSH,ALT,and AST levels of patients between the PCOS group and the blank control group(P＞0.05).The BMI,TT,AMH,LH,FINS,FBG,and HOMA-IR of patients in the PCOS group were significantly higher than those in the blank control group(P＜0.05).The relative expression of miR-93-5p in plasma of patients in the PCOS group was significantly higher than that in the blank control group(t=-5.549,P＜0.001).miR-93-5p was moderately positively correlated with TT,FINS and HOMA-IR(r=0.434,0.622,0.586;P＜0.001)and was mildly positively correlated with FBG and LH(r=0.398,0.398;P＜0.001).The receiver operating characteristic curve showed that the optimal cut-off value for plasma miR-93-5p in diagnosing PCOS was 1.380,the area under the curve was 0.906(95％confidence interval:0.839-0.973,P＜0.001),the sensitivity was 0.858,the specificity was 0.833,and the Youden index was 0.691.The relative expression of miR-93-5p in the KGN cells in the miR-93-5p mimics group,LY294002+miR-93-5p group and AZD5363+miR-93-5p group was significantly higher than that in the blank control group and NC group(P＜0.05).After 24,48 and 72 hours of culture,the proliferation of the KGN cells in the miR-93-5p mimics group,LY294002+miR-93-5p group and AZD5363+miR-93-5p group was significantly higher than that in the blank control group and the NC group(P＜0.05);the proliferation of the KGN cells in the LY294002+miR-93-5p group and AZD5363+miR-93-5p group was significantly lower than that in the miR-93-5p mimics group(P＜0.05).Conclusion miR-93-5p in plasma is overexpressed in PCOS patients,and it may be involved in the occurrence and development of PCOS by mediating the proliferation of ovarian granulosa cells through the phosphoinositide 3 kinase/protein kinase B signaling pathway.The miR-93-5p level in plasma has a certain diagnostic value for PCOS.

Objective To explore the expression level of microRNA(miR)-320a-3p in peripheral blood in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS)and its possible mechanism for regulating PCOS.Methods A total of 149 PCOS patients admitted to the Jiaozuo People's Hospital from July 2021 to July 2022 were selected as the research subjects(PCOS group),and 18 healthy volunteers with a regular menstrual cycle(28-35 d),no clinical or biochemical manifestations of hyperandrogenism,and no polycystic ovary changes detected by ultrasonography were selected as the control group.Clinical data of the subjects in the two groups were collected and compared.The expression level of miR-320a-3p in plasma of subjects in the two groups was detected by using the real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.The correlation between plasma miR-320a-3p expression and clinical indexes was evaluated by using the Pearson partial correlation analysis.The predictive value of miR-320a-3p for PCOS was analyzed by using the receiver operating characteristic curve.The relationship between miR-320a-3p and androgen receptor was evaluated by using the dual luciferase reporter gene assay.Results There was no significant difference in age,hip circumference,follicle stimulating hormone(FSH),prolactin(PRL),and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)between the two groups(P＞0.05).The body mass index,waist circumference,total testosterone(TT),anti-Miillerian hormone(AMH),luteinizing hormone(LH),fasting insulin(FINS),fasting blood glucose(FBG),2-hour postprandial blood glucose(2 h BG),homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA-IR),total cholesterol,triglycerides(TG),and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)of patients in the PCOS group were significantly higher than those in the control group,while the level of estradiol(E2)was significantly lower than that in the control group(P＜0.05).The relative expression level of miR-320a-3p in plasma of patients in the PCOS group was significantly lower than that in the control group(P＜0.05).The expression level of miR-320a-3p was moderately negatively correlated with TT(r=-0.594,P＜0.05)and slightly negatively correlated with waist circumference,FINS,2 h BG,HOMA-IR,and LDL-C(r=-0.293,-0.208,-0.227,-0.208,-0.208;P＜0.05),and showed no significant correlation with hip circumference,AMH,FSH,E2,PRL,FBG,TG,and HDL-C(r=-0.079,0.020,-0.042,0.089,0.005,-0.141,-0.116,0.059;P＞0.05).The area under the curve of miR-320a-3p for predicting PCOS was 0.968(95％confidence interval:0.922-1.000,P＜0.05),with a cut-off value of 0.515,a sensitivity of 0.917,a specificity of 0.789,and a Jordon index of 0.706.miR-320a-3p negatively regulated androgen receptors.Conclusion miR-320a-3p is abnormally low expressed in peripheral blood of PCOS patients and may participate in the occurrence and development of PCOS by negatively regulating androgen receptors to increase TT levels.It has high predictive value for diagnosing PCOS.

AIM:To investigate the effects of Panax notoginseng compound formula(PN)on endometrial fibro-sis by regulating inflammatory reaction and intestinal flora(IF)in a rat model of intrauterine adhesion(IUA).METHODS:The rat IUA model was established by following the mechanical injury method.A total of 50 rats were randomly divided in-to sham group,model group,low-dose(210 mg/kg)PN group,medium-dose(420 mg/kg)PN group and high-dose(840 mg/kg)PN group.After 8 weeks of intragastric administration,the uterus was collected to observe morphological changes with naked eye.The degree of uterine tissue damage and fibrosis was evaluated through hematoxylin-eosin(HE)and Mas-son staining.The collagen type Ⅰ(Col Ⅰ)was detected by immunohistochemistry.The interleukin-6(IL-6)and IL-10 pro-tein expression was detected by Western blot.The levels of IL-6,IL-1β,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and vascular endothelial growth factor B(VEGFB)were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The IF diversity and population structure were observed by 16S amplicon.RESULTS:Compared with the sham group,the uteruses of rats in the model group showed:reduced elasticity,accompanied by congestion and edema;decreased number of glands and blood vessels,and thinned endometrium(P<0.01);increased collagen fibers and Col Ⅰ protein expression(P<0.01);sig-nificantly increased IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α and VEGFB levels in the uterine tissue(P<0.01);decreased IL-10 level(P<0.01);and reduced IF diversity(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the drug intervention groups exhibited:re-covered elasticity of the uterus and relieved congestion and edema;increased number of endometrial glands and blood ves-sels(P<0.05);decreased collagen fibers and Col Ⅰ protein expression(P<0.01);reduced IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α lev-els to varying degrees in the uterine tissue(P<0.05);elevated IL-10 level(P<0.01);and improved IF diversity(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:The PN is able to significantly improve the endometrial tissue fibrosis in IUA rats.The under-lying mechanisms may be related to the inhibition of IL-6,IL-1β and TNF-α expression,up-regulation of IL-10,and im-provement of IF diversity.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of pneumococcal meningitis(PM),and drug sensitivity of Streptococcus pneumoniae(SP)isolates in Chinese children.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical information,laboratory data,and microbiological data of 160 hospitalized children under 15 years old with PM from January 2019 to December 2020 in 33 tertiary hospitals across the country.Results Among the 160 children with PM,there were 103 males and 57 females.The age ranged from 15 days to 15 years,with 109 cases(68.1% )aged 3 months to under 3 years.SP strains were isolated from 95 cases(59.4% )in cerebrospinal fluid cultures and from 57 cases(35.6% )in blood cultures.The positive rates of SP detection by cerebrospinal fluid metagenomic next-generation sequencing and cerebrospinal fluid SP antigen testing were 40% (35/87)and 27% (21/78),respectively.Fifty-five cases(34.4% )had one or more risk factors for purulent meningitis,113 cases(70.6% )had one or more extra-cranial infectious foci,and 18 cases(11.3% )had underlying diseases.The most common clinical symptoms were fever(147 cases,91.9% ),followed by lethargy(98 cases,61.3% )and vomiting(61 cases,38.1% ).Sixty-nine cases(43.1% )experienced intracranial complications during hospitalization,with subdural effusion and/or empyema being the most common complication[43 cases(26.9% )],followed by hydrocephalus in 24 cases(15.0% ),brain abscess in 23 cases(14.4% ),and cerebral hemorrhage in 8 cases(5.0% ).Subdural effusion and/or empyema and hydrocephalus mainly occurred in children under 1 year old,with rates of 91% (39/43)and 83% (20/24),respectively.SP strains exhibited complete sensitivity to vancomycin(100% ,75/75),linezolid(100% ,56/56),and meropenem(100% ,6/6).High sensitivity rates were also observed for levofloxacin(81% ,22/27),moxifloxacin(82% ,14/17),rifampicin(96% ,25/26),and chloramphenicol(91% ,21/23).However,low sensitivity rates were found for penicillin(16% ,11/68)and clindamycin(6% ,1/17),and SP strains were completely resistant to erythromycin(100% ,31/31).The rates of discharge with cure and improvement were 22.5% (36/160)and 66.2% (106/160),respectively,while 18 cases(11.3% )had adverse outcomes.Conclusions Pediatric PM is more common in children aged 3 months to under 3 years.Intracranial complications are more frequently observed in children under 1 year old.Fever is the most common clinical manifestation of PM,and subdural effusion/emphysema and hydrocephalus are the most frequent complications.Non-culture detection methods for cerebrospinal fluid can improve pathogen detection rates.Adverse outcomes can be noted in more than 10% of PM cases.SP strains are high sensitivity to vancomycin,linezolid,meropenem,levofloxacin,moxifloxacin,rifampicin,and chloramphenicol.[Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics,2024,26(2):131-138]