Objective:To investigate the preventive and therapeutic effects of iridoid glycosides from Boschniakia rossica(IGBR)on precancerous lesions of liver cancer in rats,and to clarify its possible mechanism.Methods:Thirty Wistar rats were selected and the precancerous liver lesion model was established using the modified Solt-Faber method.The rats were randomly divided into sham operation group,model group,and IGBR group,and there were 10 rats in each group.The morphology of liver tissue of the rats in various groups were observed;the liver weights,liver indexes and liver regeneration degrees of the rats in various groups were measured;HE staining was used to observe the pathomorphology of liver tissue of the rats in various groups;immunohistochemistry method was used to detect the expression of glutathione-S-transferase(GST)-Pi protein in liver tissue of the rats in various groups;colorimetric method was used to detect the activities of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase(γ-GT),catalase(CAT),superoxide dismutase(SOD),glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)and glutathione S-transferase(GST),and the level of malondialdehyde(MDA)in liver tissue and mitochondria of the rats in various groups;Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),collagen type Ⅰ alpha 1 chain(ColⅠα1),matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)13,MMP2,tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase(TIMP)1,TIMP2,transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1),TGF-β1 receptor(TβR),mothers against decapentaplegic homolog(Smad)2/3,Smad4,and Smad7 proteins in liver tissue of the rats in various groups.Results:Compared with sham operation group,the liver weight,liver index and degree of liver regeneration of the rats in model group were increased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the liver weight and liver index of the rats in IGBR group showed a decreasing trend,but the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05).The HE staining results showed that the liver lobule structure in sham operation group was intact and clear,with large hepatocytes,abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm,and hepatocytes arranged in single cords radiating from the central vein;there were irregular hepatic sinusoids between plates,with only a small amount of collagen fibers and inflammatory cell infiltration in the portal area,and no degeneration or necrosis of hepatocytes.In model group,the normal arrangement of hepatocytes disappeared,the liver lobule structure was disrupted,small cell hyperplasia(mainly oval cells)was observed in the portal area,with massive collagen deposition and significant fibrous tissue hyperplasia in the fibrous septum;hepatocytes showed extensive degenerative edema,hydropic degeneration or even ballooning degeneration and focal necrosis;basophilic hepatocytes formed proliferative areas with clear cytoplasm,centrally located nuclei and 1-2 prominent nucleoli;glassy hepatocytes with enlarged nuclei and pale transparent cytoplasm were also observed.In IGBR group,the liver lobule structure was basically preserved,with reduced inflammatory lesions,mild edema,and scattered spotty or focal necrosis;nuclear atypia and pathological mitotic figures or binucleation were observed.The immunohistochemistry results showed GST-Pi protein positive foci with brown-yellow cytoplasmic staining in round or oval nodules.The GST-Pi protein positive foci were observed in liver tissue of the rats in model group,indicating successful establishment of precancerous liver lesion model.The scattered GST-Pi protein positive foci were observed in IGBR group,which were significantly reduced compared with model group.Compared with sham operation group,the activity of γ-GT in liver tissue of the rats in model group was increased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the activity of γ-GT in liver tissue of the rats in IGBR group was decreased(P<0.05).Compared with sham operation group,the GST activity and MDA level in liver tissue and liver mitochondria of the rats in model group were increased(P<0.05),while the activities of SOD,CAT,and GSH-Px were decreased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the GST activity and MDA level in liver tissue and liver mitochondria of the rats in IGBR group were decreased(P<0.05),while the activities of SOD,CAT,and GSH-PX were increased(P<0.05).The Western blotting results showed that compared with sham operation group,the expression levels of α-SMA,ColⅠα1,TIMP1,and TIMP2 proteins in liver tissue of the rats in model group were increased(P<0.05),while the expression levels of MMP13 and MMP2 proteins were decreased(P<0.05),and the ratios of TIMP1/MMP13 and TIMP2/MMP2 were increased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the expression levels of α-SMA,ColⅠα1,and TIMP2 proteins in liver tissue of the rats in IGBR group were decreased(P<0.05),while the expression levels of MMP13 and MMP2 proteins were increased(P<0.05),and the ratios of TIMP1/MMP13 and TIMP2/MMP2 were decreased(P<0.05).Compared with sham operation group,the expression levels of TGF-β1 and Smad2/3 proteins in liver tissue of the rats in model group were increased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the expression levels of TGF-β1,Smad2/3 and Smad 4 proteins in liver tissue of the rats in IGBR group were decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion:IGBR can inhibit precancerous liver lesions and liver fibrosis in rats,and its mechanism may be related to enhancing the antioxidant capacity of liver tissue,inhibiting TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway and regulating TIMP/MMP balance.

Objective:The epidemiological characteristics of tuberculosis deaths among Chinese residents from 2006 to 2021 were analyzed, and the tuberculosis mortality rate from 2022 to 2027 was predicted to provide a reference for tuberculosis prevention and control in China.Methods:The data set of tuberculosis deaths from 2006 to 2021 was published regularly by the China CDC, and the crude mortality rate (CMR) and age-standardized mortality rates (ASMR) were calculated according to the population structure of China in 2000. The distribution characteristics of age, sex, region, and time of tuberculosis deaths were analyzed, the Joinpoint regression analysis model was used to analyze the changing trend, and the grey model was applied to predict CMR and ASMR from 2022 to 2027.Results:From 2006 to 2021, the CMR and ASMR of tuberculosis showed a downward trend among males and females, urban and rural areas, and all age groups, in a word, all the Chinese residents. Except for the age group ≥85 years old, the mortality trend was insignificant. In the eastern, central, or western regions. CMR and ASMR were significantly higher in males than in females.CMR and ASMR were significantly lower in urban areas than in rural areas. In general, active tuberculosis patients present a higher mortality rate. The CMR and ASMR in the western region were higher than those in the eastern and central regions and lower in the eastern region than in the central region, but the differences were less obvious. The ASMR of the eastern cities was lower than that of the central and western regions, and the ASMR of the central cities was higher than that of the western region from 2006 to 2009 and 2012 and lower than that of the western region in other years. The ASMR in the western countryside was higher than that in the eastern and central regions and lower in the eastern part than in the central region, but the difference was not obvious. The grey model prediction results show that the CMR (/100 000) of Chinese residents from 2022 to 2027 is 1.585, 1.471, 1.360, 1.250, 1.143, and 1.038, and the ASMR (/100 000) is 0.779, 0.653, 0.531, 0.411, 0.295 and 0.181, respectively.Conclusions:The CMR and ASMR of tuberculosis will continue to decline, and extraordinary achievements have been made in tuberculosis prevention and control in Chinese residents from 2006 to 2021 and, presumably, from 2022 to 2027. However, tuberculosis screening and treatment programs in the western region, men, the elderly population, and rural areas should be further strengthened, and targeted prevention and control measures should be formulated to reduce mortality.

Objective:To identify XMA09,a broadly neutralizing antibody against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavi-rus 2(SARS-CoV-2),and to explore the potential mechanism of XMA09 to broadly neutralize variants of SARS-CoV-2,so as to pro-vide a reference for vaccine design and broadly neutralizing antibody screening against SARS-CoV-2.Methods:XMA09 protein was expressed and purified by ExpiCHO expression system and Protein A chromatography column.The key amino acid sites on receptor binding domain(RBD)recognized by XMA09 were identified by Cryo-EM,and the affinity of XMA09 to Spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants was detected by indirect ELISA and Surface Plasmon Resonance(SPR).The pseudovirus neutralization assay based on vesicular stomatitis virus(VSV)was used to detect the neutralization ability of XMA09 to wild-type and variants of SARS-CoV-2.Results:In this study,it was found that the epitopes recognized by XMA09 were conservative,who has an excellent binding ability to Spike protein of many kinds of variants,and could neutralize the variants of concern(VOCs),including the widespread BA.4/5.Conclusion:XMA09 is a broadly neutralizing antibody,which has the potential to be used as a therapeutic antibody against SARS-CoV-2,and can provide reference for broad-spectrum vaccine design and antibody drug development against SARS-CoV-2.

Objective: Network pharmacology combines drug and disease targets with biological information networks based on the integrity and systematicness of the interactions between drugs and disease targets. This study aims to explore the molecular basis of Hanshi Zufei formula for treatment of COVID-19 based on network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques. Methods: Using TCMSP, the chemical constituents and molecular targets of Atractylodis Rhizoma, Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex, Pogostemonis Herba, Tsaoko Fructus, Ephedrae Herba, Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix, Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, and Arecae Semen were investigated. The predicted targets of novel coronavirus were screened using the NCBI and GeneCards databases. To further screen the drug-disease core targets network, the corresponding target proteins were queried using multiple databases (Biogrid, DIP, and HPRD), a protein interaction network graph was constructed, and the network topology was analyzed. The molecular docking studies were also performed between the network's top 15 compounds and the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) 3CL hydrolytic enzyme and angiotensin conversion enzyme II (ACE2). Results: The herb-active ingredient-target network contained nine drugs, 86 compounds, and 49 drug-disease targets. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis resulted in 1566 GO items (P < 0.05), among which 1438 were biological process items, 35 were cell composition items, and 93 were molecular function items. Fourteen signal pathways were obtained by enrichment screening of the KEGG pathway database (P < 0.05). The molecular docking results showed that the affinity of the core active compounds with the SARS-CoV-2 3CL hydrolase was better than for the other compounds. Conclusion: Several core compounds can regulate multiple signaling pathways by binding with 3CL hydrolase and ACE2, which might contribute to the treatment of COVID-19.

Severe liver disease during pregnancy is uncommon in clinical practice. The most common cause of liver disease during pregnancy is liver dysfunction, with an overall prevalence rate of approximately 3%. Liver disease during pregnancy is classified into the liver diseases directly caused by pregnancy and those co-existing with pregnancy, i.e., pre-existing liver disease or occasional liver disease during pregnancy. A differential diagnosis of pre-existing and co-existing liver diseases may help to improve maternal and fetal outcome. During clinical diagnosis and selection of treatment and intervention measures, priority should be given to the potential impact on mother and fetus. This article introduces the latest research advances in the general information, pathogenesis, treatment, and pregnancy outcome of major liver diseases during pregnancy and elaborates on the risk of pregnancy and related coping measures for patients with pre-existing liver disease, so as to guide clinical diagnosis and treatment and patient management.

Objective To evaluate the performance of transfection with a complex plasmid encoding green fluorescent protein tagged CatD (GFP-CatD)in researches on chronic photodamaged fibroblasts. Methods Human dermal fibroblasts (HSFs)were irradiated with ultraviolet A (UVA)at 25 J/cm2 once a day for 21 consecutive days to establish a chronic photodamaged cell model. A plasmid encoding GFP-CatD was constructed and transfected into some chronic photodamaged fibroblasts (experimental group). The photodamaged HSFs receiving no treatment served as the blank control group, and those transfected with the negative plasmid encoding GFP only as the negative control group. After additional culture, fluorescence microscopy and Western-blot analysis were performed to observe and measure the expression of GFP-CatD in HSFs respectively, flow cytometry and methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT)assay to evaluate the apoptosis and proliferation of chronic photodamaged fibroblasts respectively. Results Fluorescence microscopy showed the expression of GFP-CatD in cytoplasm of chronic photodamaged fibroblasts at 96 hours after transfection with the GFP-CatD-encoding plasmid. Western-blot analysis revealed that the expression of CatD in the experimental group was 1.28 times that in the blank control group. There were no significant differences in the apoptosis rate(4.29% ± 1.30%vs. 3.03% ± 1.70% , P > 0.05)or proliferative rate (45.20% ± 4.70% vs. 43.60 ± 3.90% , P > 0.05)between the experimental group and blank control group. Conclusion CatD could be traced in chronic photodamaged fibroblasts with no changes in biological activity or cell cycle after transfection with the GFP-CatD-encoding complex plasmid.

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effect of acupuncture plus herbal medicine on vascular dementia (VD). Methods: Thirty cases of vascular dementia were treated by acupuncture plus Chinese herbal medicine for 2 months, in comparison with western medication (Nimodipine) in the control group, to observe the evaluation value of Hasegawa Dementia Scale (HDS) before and after the treatments between the two groups, the clinical therapeutic effect and changes of plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) before and after the treatments between the two groups. Results and Conclusion: There were significant differences in intelligence and therapeutic effect between the two groups (P＜0.01) before and after the treatment, but the therapeutic effect was better in the acupuncture plus medicine group than in the western medication group. Judging from content of atrial natriuretic peptide, there was no significant difference between VD patients and normal adults before the treatment (P＞0.05). Plasma ANP significantly increased in the acupuncture plus medicine group and western medicine group after the treatment (P＜0.01), more remarkably in the acupuncture plus medicine group (P＜0.01).