Objective:To investigate the therapeutic effects of Akkermansia muciniphila (AKK) on liver injury induced by cholestasis and its mechanisms in regulating bile acid metabolism. Methods:The cholestatic mouse model was established by bile duct ligation (BDL). A total of 35 male C57BL/6J mice (8 weeks old) were divided into 5 groups using a random numder table method (7 mice per group): group A (control group), group B (BDL group), group C (BDL+AKK group), group Z (BDL+AKK+Z/E-guggulsterone group), and group G (BDL+AKK+Gly-β-muricholic acid group). Preoperative and postoperative changes in liver function and bile acid metabolism indicators was observed of mice in groups A, B, and C. The liver function and fibrosis markers were compared between groups, as well as serum, liver, and fecal total bile acid levels, fecal bile acid composition, liver histopathology, and the mRNA expression of key proteins involved in the bile acid enterohepatic circulation and the farnesoid X receptor (FXR) signaling pathway were compared. Multiple groups of data were compared using analysis of variance or nonparametric Kruskal Wallis H test. Results:Twelve days after BDL, in groups A, B, and C, mice in group C exhibited milder postoperative jaundice and their body weights on postoperative days 4-5 and 7-11 were heavier than those in group B mice (all P<0.05). The liver tissues of mice in group C were milder than those in group B in terms of appearance, histopathology, inflammation and liver fibrosis (all P<0.05). The levels of serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, as well as the expression levels of liver α-smooth muscle actin and type Ⅰ collagen, and the levels of total liver bile acid and fecal β-murine bile acid in the C group mice were all lower than those of group B mice ((46±20) vs. (90±34) U/L, (96±17) vs.(122±31) U/L, (2.01±0.11)% vs. (7.55±0.21)%, (1.92±0.10)% vs. (7.28±0.51)%, (62±14) vs. (124±39) μmol/mg, 3 052 (1 522, 6 406) vs. 14 756 (6 582, 33 474) ng/g,all P<0.05). And the mRNA expression levels of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase and bile salt export pump of the ileum, etc. in group C mice were lower than those in group B mice (all P<0.05), while the mRNA expression levels of FXR and fibroblast growth factor 15 in the intestine were higher than those in group B mice (all P<0.05). In groups B, C, Z, and G, compared with group C, mice in groups Z and G had aggravated liver injury and fibrosis, increased total bile acid levels in the liver, and increased serum alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin, and expression levels of liver α-smooth muscle activator protein and type I collagen (all P<0.05). There was no statistically difference in the above indicators between group Z and group G (all P<0.05). Conclusion:AKK reduces liver bile acid synthesis, regulates bile acid metabolism, alleviate liver function damage and fibrosis, and improves clinical phenotypes by activating the intestinal FXR-fibroblast growth factor 15 signaling pathway.

Abnormal activation of the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription （JAK/STAT） signaling pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma （DLBCL）. In recent years， inhibitors targeting JAK2 and STAT3 have emerged as promising therapeutic candidates in DLBCL. This review summarizes the efficacy and safety profiles of JAK2 inhibitors （e.g.， ruxolitinib） and STAT3 inhibitors （direct small-molecule inhibitors， the antisense oligonucleotide， and proteolysis targeting chimeras， etc.） in preclinical models and clinical trials. Accumulating evidence indicates that JAK2 and STAT3 inhibitors exhibit antitumor activity and are generally well tolerated in a subset of DLBCL patients. Meanwhile， the development of novel drug delivery systems has significantly enhanced the stability， bioavailability， and targeting ability of the compounds. Furthermore， JAK2 and STAT3 inhibitors may exhibit synergistic effects when combined with other therapy strategies （such as combinations with B-cell receptor signaling pathway inhibitors， immunomodulators， or other targeted drugs）. However， current clinical applications are still in their early stages. Future research should concentrate on precision treatment strategies based on the genetic subtyping of DLBCL， and further refine the delivery systems for inhibitors as well as combination drug regimens to improve clinical outcomes.

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic effects of Akkermansia muciniphila (AKK) on liver injury induced by cholestasis and its mechanisms in regulating bile acid metabolism. Methods:The cholestatic mouse model was established by bile duct ligation (BDL). A total of 35 male C57BL/6J mice (8 weeks old) were divided into 5 groups using a random numder table method (7 mice per group): group A (control group), group B (BDL group), group C (BDL+AKK group), group Z (BDL+AKK+Z/E-guggulsterone group), and group G (BDL+AKK+Gly-β-muricholic acid group). Preoperative and postoperative changes in liver function and bile acid metabolism indicators was observed of mice in groups A, B, and C. The liver function and fibrosis markers were compared between groups, as well as serum, liver, and fecal total bile acid levels, fecal bile acid composition, liver histopathology, and the mRNA expression of key proteins involved in the bile acid enterohepatic circulation and the farnesoid X receptor (FXR) signaling pathway were compared. Multiple groups of data were compared using analysis of variance or nonparametric Kruskal Wallis H test. Results:Twelve days after BDL, in groups A, B, and C, mice in group C exhibited milder postoperative jaundice and their body weights on postoperative days 4-5 and 7-11 were heavier than those in group B mice (all P<0.05). The liver tissues of mice in group C were milder than those in group B in terms of appearance, histopathology, inflammation and liver fibrosis (all P<0.05). The levels of serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, as well as the expression levels of liver α-smooth muscle actin and type Ⅰ collagen, and the levels of total liver bile acid and fecal β-murine bile acid in the C group mice were all lower than those of group B mice ((46±20) vs. (90±34) U/L, (96±17) vs.(122±31) U/L, (2.01±0.11)% vs. (7.55±0.21)%, (1.92±0.10)% vs. (7.28±0.51)%, (62±14) vs. (124±39) μmol/mg, 3 052 (1 522, 6 406) vs. 14 756 (6 582, 33 474) ng/g,all P<0.05). And the mRNA expression levels of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase and bile salt export pump of the ileum, etc. in group C mice were lower than those in group B mice (all P<0.05), while the mRNA expression levels of FXR and fibroblast growth factor 15 in the intestine were higher than those in group B mice (all P<0.05). In groups B, C, Z, and G, compared with group C, mice in groups Z and G had aggravated liver injury and fibrosis, increased total bile acid levels in the liver, and increased serum alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin, and expression levels of liver α-smooth muscle activator protein and type I collagen (all P<0.05). There was no statistically difference in the above indicators between group Z and group G (all P<0.05). Conclusion:AKK reduces liver bile acid synthesis, regulates bile acid metabolism, alleviate liver function damage and fibrosis, and improves clinical phenotypes by activating the intestinal FXR-fibroblast growth factor 15 signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo understand the infection characteristics and drug resistance of carbapenem-resistant Serratia marcescens (CRSM) in a general hospital in Shanghai, and to provide a theoretical basis for clinical anti-infective treatment and prevention of drug-resistant bacteria. MethodsClinical data on cases with CRSM infections detected in clinical specimens at a gradeⅢ level A general hospital in Shanghai from June 2022 to June 2024 were retrospectively collected, and their clinical distributions, factors of hospital-acquired infections, prognosis, and drug-resistant situation were analyzed simultaneously. ResultsA total of 38 cases with CRSM were detected from June 2022 to June 2024, and the number of CRSM strains accounted for 25.00% (38/152) of the number of SM strains. The 38 CRSM infection samples were all derived from sputum. CRSM were distributed in 9 clinical departments, and the top 3 departments having the highest percentages of CRSM among SM strains, were intensive care unit (ICU) (78.79%, 26/33), gastrointestinal surgery department (57.14%, 4/7), and thyroid hernia surgery department (50.00%, 1/2). Among the 38 patients with CRSM infections, 8 cases were identified as hospital-acquired infection, resulting in a hospital-acquired infection rate of 21.05. The mortality rate of the 38 cases of CRSM infected patients within 30 days after detection of CRSM was 23.68% (9/38). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score ≥6.5 points (OR=15.33, P<0.001), septic shock (OR=4.85, P=0.032), and suffering from neoplastic diseases (OR=0.12, P=0.018) were the related factors for death within 30 days after the detection of CRSM in patients with CRSM infection. The results of drug sensitivity test showed that the 38 cases of CRSM exhibited 100.00% (38/38) sensitivity to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, tigecycline, or ceftazidime/avibactam; demonstrated high resistance toβ-lactams except for ceftazidime (18.42%, 7/38), the latter of which was one of the third-generation of cephalosporins; showed elevated resistance to fluoroquinolones [levofloxacin (89.47%, 35/38), ciprofloxacin (94.74%, 36/38)]; maintained good tetracycline sensitivity [doxycycline (97.37%, 37/38), minocycline (76.32%, 29/38)]; and displayed high susceptibility to the aminoglycoside gentamicin (94.74%, 36/38) and elevated resistance to tobramycin (86.84%, 34/38). The detection rate of serine carbapenemase in the 38 strains of CRSM was 100.00%, while all strains tested negative for metallo-β-lactamases. ConclusionFrom June 2022 to June 2024, the detection rate of CRSM in a gradeⅢ level A general hospital in Shanghai was relatively high, especially in the ICU. CRSM has a high resistance rate to commonly used antibacterial drugs such as the first and second-generation cephalosporins, quinolones, and polypeptide antibacterial drugs. Therefore the dynamics of drug-resistant bacteria should be tracked in a timely manner to guide the rational clinical application of antibacterial drugs.

A variety of chromatographic techniques, including silica gel, ODS, Sephadex LH-20, and HPLC, were employed to isolate and purify the fermentation products of rice with Monascus sanguineus. A total of 38 compounds were isolated, and their structures were identified by UV, IR, NMR, MS, calculated ECD, and comparison with literature data. Compounds 1-4 were identified as new natural products, and other compounds were isolated from this fungus for the first time. A RAW264.7 macrophage model of lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced inflammation was used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activities of all the compounds. The results showed that compound 6 exhibited a certain inhibitory effect on the production of nitric oxide in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells, with an inhibition rate of 53.08%.
Monascus/chemistry* ; Mice ; Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/isolation & purification* ; RAW 264.7 Cells ; Macrophages/immunology* ; Nitric Oxide/immunology* ; Oryza/metabolism* ; Fermentation

PURPOSE: Lateral patellar compression syndrome (LPCS) is characterized by a persistent abnormally high stress exerted on the lateral articular surface of the patella due to lateral patellar tilt without dislocation and lateral retinaculum contracture, leading to anterior knee pain. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and prognosis of lateral retinaculum release (LRR) combined with chondroplasty in the treatment of LPCS. METHODS: This retrospective study evaluated 40 patients who underwent LRR combined with chondroplasty for LPCS between 2020 and 2021. The assessment included improvement in postoperative tenderness and knee joint function. Patients were evaluated using the Lysholm, Tegner, and International Knee Documentation Committee 2000 scoring systems, as well as the visual analog scale, both preoperatively and postoperatively, with the paired comparisons analyzed using a t-test. Additionally, intraoperative observations were made regarding knee joint lesions, including cartilage damage and osteophyte formation, with analysis by the Chi-square test. RESULTS: The visual analog scale score for tenderness showed a significant decrease after surgery (p < 0.001). Evaluation of knee joint function also indicated significant improvements, as demonstrated by increased Lysholm, Tegner, and International Knee Documentation Committee 2000 scores postoperatively (p < 0.001, p = 0.011, p < 0.001, respectively). Furthermore, all LPCS patients included in the study presented with cartilage injuries and osteophyte formation. Significant differences were noted in the incidence of cartilage damage and osteophyte formation at different locations within the knee among patients with LPCS. CONCLUSION LRR combined with chondroplasty is an effective surgical approach for treating patients with LPCS, with satisfactory recovery observed at the 1-year follow-up. Additionally, the incidence of cartilage damage and osteophyte formation in LPCS patients varies significantly depending on the specific location within the knee joint.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Retrospective Studies ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Patella/surgery* ; Knee Joint/physiopathology* ; Recovery of Function ; Young Adult ; Treatment Outcome ; Cartilage, Articular/surgery* ; Adolescent

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is prevalent among men, but its relationship with dietary habits is uncertain. The aim of our study was to assess whether dietary patterns enhance erectile function by reviewing the literature published before August 1, 2022, via PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases. The data compiled included author details; publication dates, countries, treatments, patient numbers, ages, follow-ups, and clinical trial outcomes, such as ED cases, odds ratios (ORs), confidence intervals (CIs), and International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) scores with means and standard deviations. An analysis of 14 studies with 27 389 participants revealed that plant-based diets (OR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.66-0.75; P < 0.00001), low-fat diets (OR = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.13-0.53; P = 0.0002), and alternative diets such as intermittent fasting and organic diets (OR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.36-0.80; P = 0.002) significantly reduced ED risk. High-protein low-fat diets (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.12-1.64; P < 0.00001) and high-carb low-fat diets (HR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.55-1.04; P < 0.00001) improved IIEF-5 scores. Combined diet and exercise interventions decreased the likelihood of ED (OR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.28-0.85; P = 0.01) and increased the IIEF-5 score (OR = 3.40, 95% CI: 1.69-5.11; P < 0.0001). Diets abundant in fruits and vegetables (OR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.96-0.98; P < 0.00001) and nuts (OR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.37-0.80; P = 0.002) were also correlated with lower ED risk. Our meta-analysis underscores a strong dietary-ED association, suggesting that low-fat/Mediterranean diets rich in produce and nuts could benefit ED management.
Humans ; Male ; Erectile Dysfunction/epidemiology* ; Diet ; Diet, Fat-Restricted ; Feeding Behavior ; Penile Erection/physiology* ; Diet, Vegetarian

Prostate cancer is the second most common malignancy and the sixth leading cause of cancer-related death in men worldwide. Radical prostatectomy (RP) is the standard treatment for localized prostate cancer, but the procedure often results in postoperative erectile dysfunction (ED). The poor efficacy of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors after surgery highlights the need to develop new therapies to enhance cavernous nerve regeneration and improve the erectile function of these patients. In the present study, we aimed to examine the potential of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) in preserving erectile function in cavernous nerve injury (CNI) mice. We found that HB-EGF expression was reduced significantly on the 1 st day after CNI in penile tissue. Ex vivo and in vitro studies showed that HB-EGF promotes major pelvic ganglion neurite sprouting and neuro-2a (N2a) cell migration. In vivo studies showed that exogenous HB-EGF treatment significantly restored the erectile function of CNI mice to 86.9% of sham levels. Immunofluorescence staining showed that mural and neuronal cells were preserved by inducing cell proliferation and reducing apoptosis and reactive oxygen species production. Western blot analysis showed that HB-EGF upregulated protein kinase B and extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation and neurotrophic factor expression. Overall, HB-EGF is a major promising therapeutic agent for treating ED in postoperative RP.
Animals ; Male ; Heparin-binding EGF-like Growth Factor/therapeutic use* ; Erectile Dysfunction/etiology* ; Mice ; Penis/drug effects* ; Nerve Regeneration/drug effects* ; Penile Erection/drug effects* ; Peripheral Nerve Injuries/drug therapy* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Cell Movement/drug effects* ; Prostatectomy/adverse effects* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect and mechanism of Shuangshi Tonglin Capsules (SSTL) in the treatment of prostate fibrosis (PF). METHODS: Human prostate stromal cells (WPMY-1) were used for in vitro experiments to establish PF cell models induced with estradiol (E₂). The cell proliferation, migration and clonogenic capacity were determined by cell counting kit-8, scratch assay, and crystal violet staining, respectively. Sprague-Dawley rats were used for in vivo experiments. The changes in histomorphology and organ index of rat prostate by SSTL were determined. Pathologic changes and collagen deposition changes in rat prostate were observed by haematoxylin and eosin (HE) and Masson staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits were used to determine changes in rat PF markers fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23), E₂ and prostate specific antigen (PSA). Mechanistically, changes in oxidative stress indicators by SSTL were determined in WPMY-1 cells and PF rats. Then the expressions of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/Smad pathway-related proteins as well as Nrf2 and TGF-β1 mRNA were further detected by Western blot or quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction both in vivo and in vitro. RESULTS: In the efficacy study, SSTL significantly reduced the proliferation, migration, and clonogenic ability of cells, improved the morphology of the glandular tissue, significantly reduced the prostate index, reduced glandular fibrous tissue and collagen deposition, and resulted in a significant decrease in the levels of FGF-23, E₂ and PSA (P<0.01 or P<0.05). In the mechanistic study, SSTL ameliorated oxidative stress by significantly increasing superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase levels and decreasing malondialdehyde level in WPMY-1 cells and rats (P<0.01 or P<0.05). SSTL significantly elevated the expressions of Nrf2, HO-1, NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO-1), and Smad7 proteins in both cells and rats, and significantly decreased the expressions of TGF-β1, collagen I, α-smooth muscle actin and Smad4 proteins (P<0.01 or P<0.05). SSTL also elevated the content of Nrf2 mRNA and decreased the content of TGF-β1 mRNA in cells and rats (P<0.01 or P<0.05). The Nrf2 inhibitor ML385 was added in in vitro experiments to further validate the pathway relevance. CONCLUSION SSTL was effective in improving PF in vivo and in vitro, and its mechanism of action may function through the Nrf2/TGF-β1 signaling pathway.
Male ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism* ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Humans ; Fibrosis ; Prostate/drug effects* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Capsules ; Cell Movement/drug effects* ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Rats