ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Tongluo Baoshen prescription （TLBS）-containing serum on the rat podocyte injury induced by lipopolysaccharide （LPS） and explore the potential mechanisms. MethodsSD rats were used to prepare the blank serum， losartan potassium-containing serum， and low-， medium-， and high-dose TLBS-containing sera. Rat podocytes were cultured in vitro， and the effects of drug-containing sera on podocyte viability were detected by the cell counting kit-8 （CKK-8） method. The optimal intervention volume fraction of drug-containing sera and the optimal concentration of LPS for inducing the podocyte injury were determined. Rat podocytes were grouped as follows： normal control （NC， 10% blank serum）， model control （MC， 20.00 mg·L^-1 LPS+10% black serum）， losartan potassium （LP， 20.00 mg·L^-1 LPS+10% losartan potassium-containing serum）， low-dose TLBS （TLBS-L， 20.00 mg·L^-1 LPS+10% low-dose TLBS-containing serum）， medium-dose TLBS （TLBS-M， 20.00 mg·L^-1 LPS+10% medium-dose TLBS-containing serum）， and high-dose TLBS （TLBS-H， 20.00 mg·L^-1 LPS+10% high-dose TLBS-containing serum）， and the interventions lasted for 48 h. The ultrastructure of podocytes was observed under a transmission electron microscope. The podocyte apoptosis was detected by the terminal deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick-end labeling （TUNEL） kit. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression of gasdermin D N-terminal fragment （GSDMD-NT） in podocytes. The mRNA and protein levels of G protein-coupled receptor family C group 5 member B （GPRC5B）， nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） p50， NF-κB p52， NF-κB p65， Rel B， c-Rel， NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）， cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-1 （Caspase-1）， GSDMD-NT， interleukin （IL）-1β， IL-18， nephrin， integrin α₃， and integrin β₁ in podocytes were determined by real-time quaritiative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot， respectively. ResultsCompared with the NC group， the MC group showed reduced podocyte protrusions and organelles， segmental missing of cell membranes， increased and swollen mitochondria， irregular nuclear membranes， light chromatin， increased TUNEL fluorescence-positive nuclei （P<0.01）， obviously enhanced fluorescence intensity of GSDMD-NT， up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of GPRC5B， NF-κB p50， NF-κB p52， NF-κB p65， Rel B， c-Rel， NLRP3， caspase-1， GSDMD-NT， IL-1β， and IL-18 （P<0.01）， and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of nephrin， integrin α₃， and integrin β₁ （P<0.01） in podocytes. Compared with the MC group， the LP， TLBS-M， and TLBS-H groups showed improved ultrastructure of podocytes with increased protrusions， intact cell membranes， reduced organelles， and alleviated mitochondrial swelling， decreased TUNEL fluorescence-positive nuclei （P<0.01）， weakened fluorescence intensity of GSDMD-NT， down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of GPRC5B， NF-κB p50， NF-κB p52， NF-κB p65， Rel B， c-Rel， NLRP3， caspase-1， GSDMD-NT， IL-1β， and IL-18 （P<0.01）， and up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of nephrin， integrin α₃， and integrin β₁ （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Moreover， the changes above were the most obvious in the TLBS-H group. ConclusionThe TLBS-containing serum can regulate the GPRC5B/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway to inhibit pyroptosis， thereby ameliorating the podocyte injury induced by LPS.

IgA nephropathy is the most common primary glomerular disease in China. Its clinical manifestations are mainly proteinuria， hematuria， hypertension， edema， hyperuricemia， etc. Most patients have hidden onset. 30%-40% of patients develop into end stage renal disease 10-20 years after diagnosis and rely on dialysis or kidney transplantation to maintain their lives， which is extremely harmful. Proteinuria is a common clinical manifestation of this disease， and most patients have small-to-moderate amounts of proteinuria， while 10%-24% of patients have large amounts of proteinuria. Proteinuria is the main risk factor affecting the progression of renal function in IgA nephropathy. Podocytes are the terminal part of the glomerular filtration barrier， and various factors can affect the fusion and detachment of podocyte processes that occur after podocyte injury. They are common histological lesions in IgA nephropathy and are key factors leading to proteinuria and the continuous progression of the disease. At present， Western medicine lacks targeted treatment for podocyte injury， with limited intervention methods. Drugs such as glucocorticoids are often used for treatment， and there are many adverse reactions. Based on the physiological function of podocytes， pathological and physiological changes after injury， and histological morphology of this disease， it is believed that it is closely related to traditional Chinese medicine's "Xuanfu Theory" "Kidney Collateral Syndrome" "Collateral Disease Theory"， and "Dry Blood Theory". More and more studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicine， which has the characteristics of multiple links， pathways， and targets， has a significant therapeutic effect on podocyte injury in IgA nephropathy. It can protect podocytes and reduce proteinuria and has good application and research prospects. This article systematically summarizes the mechanism and morphological changes of podocyte injury in IgA nephropathy， the understanding of podocyte injury in traditional Chinese medicine theory， and the research progress in traditional Chinese medicine treatment of podocyte injury in IgA nephropathy， so as to provide a reference for further research and application of traditional Chinese medicine intervention in podocyte injury in IgA nephropathy.

IgA nephropathy is recognized as the most common primary glomerular disease， with up to 20%-40% of patients developing end-stage kidney disease within 20 years of onset. The deposition of IgA1-containing immune complexes targeting glycosylation defects in the mesangial region and the subsequent inflammation caused by T lymphocyte activation are considered as the main causes of IgA nephropathy， and innate immunity is also involved in the pathogenesis. Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain （NOD）-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3） is a newly discovered pattern recognition receptor expressed in renal intrinsic cells such as renal tubular epithelial cells， mesangial cells， and podocytes. Activated by external stimuli， NLRP3 can form NLRP3 inflammasomes with apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain （ASC）. The NLRP3 inflammasome can activate cysteine aspartate-specific protease-1 （Caspase-1）， causing the maturation and release of interleukin-18 （IL-18） and interleukin-1β （IL-1β） involved in inflammation. Increasing evidence has suggested that NLRP3 inflammasomes are involved in the pathogenesis and progression of IgA nephropathy and associated with the damage of renal intrinsic cells such as podocytes， mesangial cells， endothelial cells， and renal tubular epithelial cells. Chinese medicine can regulate inflammatory cytokines and their signaling pathways by acting on NLRP3 inflammasomes and related molecules， exerting therapeutic effects on IgA nephropathy. This article introduces the role of NLRP3 inflammasomes in IgA nephropathy and reviews the clinical and experimental research progress of Chinese medicine intervention in IgA nephropathy via NLRP3 inflammasomes， aiming to provide a reference for further research and application of Chinese medicine intervention in the NLRP3 inflammasome as a new therapeutic target.

Cognitive impairment caused by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) is associated with white matter injury (WMI), possibly through the alteration of autophagy. Here, the autophagy-lysosomal pathway (ALP) dysfunction in white matter (WM) and its relationship with cognitive impairment were investigated in rats subjected to two vessel occlusion (2VO). The results showed that cognitive impairment occurred by the 28th day after 2VO. Injury and autophagy activation of mature oligodendrocytes and neuronal axons sequentially occurred in WM by the 3rd day. By the 14th day, abnormal accumulation of autophagy substrate, lysosomal dysfunction, and the activation of mechanistic target of rapamycin (MTOR) pathway were observed in WM, paralleled with mature oligodendrocyte death. This indicates autophagy activation was followed by ALP dysfunction caused by autophagy inhibition or lysosomal dysfunction. To target the ALP dysfunction, enhanced autophagy by systemic rapamycin treatment or overexpression of Beclin1 (BECN1) in oligodendrocytes reduced mature oligodendrocyte death, and subsequently alleviated the WMI and cognitive impairment after CCH. These results reveal that early autophagy activation was followed by ALP dysfunction in WM after 2VO, which was associated with the aggravation of WMI and cognitive impairment. This study highlights that alleviating ALP dysfunction by enhancing oligodendrocyte autophagy has benefits for cognitive recovery after CCH.

Objective:To investigate the effect of modified transanal approach in the repair of vesicorectal fistula after radical prostatectomy.Methods:From September 2011 to December 2019, 32 cases of vesicorectal fistula after radical prostatectomy were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent cystostomy before repair operation. The average diameter of the fistulas was 19 (3-40) mm. There was only one fistula in 24 cases and 8 cases with more than 2 fistulas. The operation was performed in the jack knife position, and the fistula was prepared by resection of the fistula through the anus with bipolar resectoscope. Then bladder wall and rectum wall were separated by the loop and sutured respectively. After operation, the patients were treated with antispasmodic and anti-infective treatment, and the catheter was retained. Cystography and cystoscopy were reexamined 3 months after operation. Catheter was removed in the successful cases, and the failure was repaired again.Results:All operations were completed successfully. The mean operation time was 67(55-125) min, and the median follow-up was 22 (6-30) months. Thirty-one cases (96.8%) were successfully repaired, of which 25 cases were successfully repaired at the first operation, and 6 cases were successfully repaired again (all by transanal route). One case failed to be repaired. He had received external pelvic radiotherapy before operation. After the failure of repair, cystoscopy showed large fistula and stiff surrounding tissue. Then bilateral ureteral skin stoma and cystectomy were performed.Conclusions:Modified transanal approach in the repair of vesicorectal fistula after radical prostatectomy is an effective method. This kind of operation has less trauma, fewer complications and can be operated repeatedly. It is suitable for patients with low position, small fistula and without radiotherapy.

Objective: To study the mechanism and significance of pH change in the coronary artery microthrombosis of rats. Methods: After the sodium laurate-induced model of coronary artery microthrombosis of rats was constructed, the vascular endothelial cells were separated and then cultured in the mediums with different pH values for 24 h. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the content of von Willebrand factor (vWF) in the medium; while the real-time PCR and western blot assay were used to detect the expression of fibrinogen-like protein 2 (FGL2) at the mRNA and protein level. The comprehensive evaluation was performed to discuss the effect of pH change on the coronary artery microthrombosis of rats. Results: The expression level of vWF detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was 336.67 ± 24.95, 311.33 ± 14.98, 359.67 ± 39.63, 354.67 ± 49.01 and 332.00 ± 33.42 (pg/mL) respectively; while the expression of vWF in the model group was 570.00 ± 57.94, 524.67 ± 57.94, 437.00 ± 95.38, 415.33 ± 44.38 and 444.67 ± 74.31 respectively. Being cultured under the different pH values, the relative expression level of FGL2 mRNA in the model group was 7.93 ± 0.93, 6.70 ± 0.70, 5.03 ± 0.32, 5.13 ± 0.40 and 5.57 ± 0.83 respectively. Conclusions: The coronary artery microthrombosis of rats can cause the high expression and secretion of vWF. Meanwhile, FGL2 is also up-regulated in the thrombosis and such up-regulation is more significant in the condition with low pH, which indicates that the low pH condition may be one of factors that contribute to the cardiovascular diseases.

Background Studies showed that activation of microglia-derived nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase plays a key role in the neurodegenerative diseases and neural cell death in central nervous system.The effect of NADPH on cone degeneration have been determined in rd rats,its role in rod degeneration is relatively less studied.Objective This study was to study the expression of NADPH oxidase in the retinal degenerative process in rd mice and further explore its role in the photoreceptor degeneration.Methods rd Mice at postnatal day 8 (P8),P10,P12,P14,P16 and P18 were collected.The mice were sacrificed,and retinal sections,RNAs and proteins were prepared in above-mentioned time points.The expressions of the gp91 phox,a major subunit of NADPH oxidase,in transcript level and protein level in the retinas were semi-quantitatively detected by real-time PCR and Western blot respectively.Expression of gp91phox was localized in the rd retinas as ageing by immunohistochemstry,and the co-expression of gp91phox with CD11b,a specific marker of microglial cells,was assayed by immunofluorescent double labeling.The C57BL/6N mice were served as controls.The use and care of the animals complied with the Guideline of ARVO.Results Real-time PCR showed that gp91phox mRNA was not expressed in the retinas of C57BL/6N mice.Gp91phox mRNA was found to have less expressed in retinas of P8 rd mice.With aging,the expression level of gp91phox mRNA (gp91phox mRNA/β-actin) in rd mouse retinas was gradually increased with the highest level in P14 mice(1.136±0.370).A significant difference was seen in the gp91 phox mRNA expression among various groups of mice (F=17.81,P =0.00),and gp91phox mRNA expression was significantly elevated in P10,P12,P14,P16 and P18 rd mice compared with P8 rd mice(all at P＜0.05).The expression level of gp91phox protein (A value) in the retinas presented with a similar trend in the rd mice,with a significant difference among the various ages of rd mice and C57BL/6N mice (F =354.00,P＜0.01).The expression level of gp91 phox protein was increased in the rd mice in comparison with the C57BL/6N mice (all at P＜0.05).Immunochemistry revealed that the positive response cells for gp91phox increased in the inner layers of retinas in P10 rd mice and peaked in P14 mice.Immunofluorescent double labeling exhibited that gp91phox were seen to present a co-expression with CD11b,showing an orange fluorescence.Conclusions Expression of NADPH oxidase in the rctinas in the rd mice up-regulates and is parallels to the microglial activation and photoreceptor degeneration,suggesting that NADPH oxidase plays a role in the retinal dystrophy associated with microglial activation.

OBJECTIVETo summarize the clinical features and therapeutic approach of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) complicated by transverse myelitis (TM).

METHODSThe clinical characteristics, laboratory examinations, treatment and prognosis of 6 SLE cases with TM were retrospectively analyzed with review of the literatures.

RESULTSThe 6 patients consisted of 5 females and 1 male aged 14 to 36 years (mean 23 years). The mean duration from symptom onset of SLE to TM was 8 months (1 to 13 months). All the patients had lower limb hypodynamia, and 3 of them developed upper limb hypodynamia. MRI scanning of the spine identified lesions in the cervical spinal cord in 2 cases, thoracic lesions in 3 cases, and multiple involvement of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar cord in 1 case. Examination of the cerebrospinal fluid yielded no specific findings except for leukocytosis in 1 case and hypoglycemia in another. Five cases were treated with high-dose MP+CTX, and the other case was treated with MP (80 mg/day)+CTX. Five patients responded favorably to the treatment, while the other showed no obvious improvement.

CONCLUSIONTM is a rare complication of SLE affecting mostly young patients and occurring in the early stage of the disease. Early diagnosis and aggressive treatment might improve the prognosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; complications ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Myelitis, Transverse ; complications ; Spinal Cord ; pathology ; Young Adult