OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and potential mechanism of Yiqi wenyang huwei decoction （YQWY） in improving airway inflammation and remodeling in rats with bronchial asthma （BA） based on the Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）/myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 （MyD88）/nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） signaling pathway. METHODS Male SD rats were randomly divided into the normal group， the model group， the dexamethasone group （positive control， 0.5 mg/kg）， and YQWY low-， medium- and high-dose groups （5， 10， 20 g/kg， calculated by the crude drug）， with 8 rats in each group. Except for the normal group， rats in all other groups were sensitized twice with ovalbumin combined with aerosol challenge to establish a BA model. From day 14 to day 34 of the experiment， the rats in each group were administered the corresponding drug solution or normal saline intragastrically， once a day， 1 hour before aerosol challenge. At 24 hours after the final aerosol challenge， asthma symptom scores were assessed， serum levels of immunoglobulin E （IgE） were measured， and the levels of inflammatory cytokines （interleukin-4， interleukin-5， interleukin-13 and tumor necrosis factor-α） and the numbers of inflammatory cells （white blood cell， eosinophil， neutrophil， lymphocyte， monocyte and basophil） in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were determined. Pathological changes in lung tissue were observed. The mRNA expressions of TLR4， MyD88 and NF-κB， as well as the protein expressions of TLR4， MyD88， NF-κB p65 and phosphorylated NF-κB p65 in lung tissue， were detected. RESULTS Compared with the model group， the pathological changes， such as inflammatory cell infiltration， abnormal deposition of collagen fibers， and goblet cell hyperplasia in the lung tissue of rats in each drug group， were alleviated to varying degrees. The asthma symptom scores （except for the YQWY low-dose group）， the levels of IgE and inflammatory cytokines （except for interleukin-5 in the YQWY medium-dose group）， the number of inflammatory cells （except for monocyte and basophil in the YQWY low-dose group）， the mRNA expression of TLR4， MyD88 and NF-κB， as well as the protein expressions of TLR4， MyD88， NF-κB p65 and phosphorylated NF-κB p65 （except for MyD88 and NF-κB p65 proteins in the YQWY low-dose group as detected by Western blo t） were all significantly reduced or down-regulated （ P ＜0.05 or P ＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS YQWY can alleviate asthma-like manifestations in BA rats and improve their airway inflammation and remodeling； these effects may be related to the formula’s inhibition of the abnormal activation of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the predictive value of serum vasoactive intestinal peptide(VIP)and 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT)levels on the outcome of spinal cord electrical stimulation(SCS)in patients with postherpetic neuralgia(PHN).Methods A total of 96 PHN patients who received SCS treatment in Ziy-ang Central Hospital from January 2022 to December 2023 were selected.According to the disease outcomes of all PHN patients after 6 months of treatment,a good group(n=71)and a poor group(n=25)were set up.The clinical data of the two groups were collected and the serum VIP and 5-HT levels were detected in all pa-tients before treatment.The predictive value of serum VIP and 5-HT on disease outcome after SCS treatment in PHN patients was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve,and the influencing factors of disease outcome after SCS treatment in PHN patients was explored by multivariate Logistic steppe gression a-nalysis.Results The levels of serum VIP and 5-HT in poor group were higher than those in good group(P＜0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of serum VIP and 5-HT for predicting the disease outcome of PHN patients after SCS treatment were 0.829(95％CI:0.779-0.874)and 0.743(95％CI:0.693-0.793),respec-tively,and the AUC of combined prediction was 0.941(0.891-0.986).There were no significant differences in age,gender,body moss index,education,location of onset,hypertension and drinking history between the two groups(P＞0.05).The time of initial hospital admission in the poor group was longer than that in the good group,skin rash area in the poor group was larger than that in the good group,and diabetes mellitus and smoking history in the poor group were higher than those in the good group(P＜0.05).The time of admis-sion for initial treatment＞3 d(OR=2.188,95％CI:1.383-3.461),skin rash area＞10 cm2(OR=2.018,95％CI:1.283-3.173),diabetes mellitus(OR=2.264,95％CI:1.379-3.717),serum VIP level ≥41.78 ng/L(OR=3.022,95％CI:1.685-5.420),serum 5-HT level ≥99.27 ng/mL(OR=3.579,95％CI:1.885-6.793)were the influencing factors of disease outcome after SCS treatment in PHN patients(P＜0.05).Con-clusion The elevated levels of serum VIP and 5-HT before treatment are associated with poor outcomes after SCS in patients with PHN,and could be used as potential markers to predict the outcomes of SCS in patients with PHN.

Objective To explore the effect of Rhizoma Polygonati(RP)on arterial aging in naturally aging Wistar rats.Methods SPF Wistar rats aged 72 weeks were divided randomly divided into 4 groups:an old group and RP low,medium,and high-dose groups(n=14 rats per group).Another 14 male SPF Wistar rats aged 8～12 weeks were selected as the young group.Rats in the RP high,medium,and low-dose groups were administered with 4,2,and 1 g/kg RP,respectively,by gavage,and rats in the old and young groups were given the same amount of distilled water once a day for 12 weeks.Seven rats from each group were sacrificed under anesthesia at weeks 4 and 12 and aortas were isolated.The relative smooth muscle cell(SMC)and collagen fiber(CF)contents were analyzed,total antioxidant capacity(T-AOC),glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px),superoxide dismutase(SOD),and malondialdehyde(MDA)levels were measured,and the expression levels of cell cycle-associated proteins in arterial tissue were detected by Western Blot.Results Rats in the old group showed obvious signs of vascular aging but there was no significant changes in arterial vascular tissue indexes in the old group with increased age.Aortas were obviously injured,relative contents of SMC and CF were significantly increased(P＜0.01),T-AOC,SOD,and GSH-Px contents were significantly decreased and MDA was increased(P＜0.01)in the old group compared with the young group at 4 and 8 weeks,and expression levels of cell cycle-associated proteins were significantly up-regulated(P＜0.01).RP intervention significantly decreased the relative SMC and CF contents and MDA levels(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01)and significantly increased T-AOC,SOD,and GSH-Px(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Expression levels of cell cycle-associated proteins were also significantly decreased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).High-dose RP had the greatest effect.Conclusions Arterial aging is relatively stable in the short term in naturally aging rats.RP could delay arterial aging in naturally aging rats by regulating the level of oxidative stress and the expression of cell cycle-associated proteins.

Objective:To systematically evaluate the associations of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) with post-stroke depression (PSD).Methods:PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, and Wanfang databases were searched to collect literature comparing levels of CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α at the peripheral blood between PSD and non-PSD patients, with retrieval time limit from inception to June 2024. Literature was screened according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, and data were extracted. Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to assess the quality of included literature. Meta analysis was conducted using Stata 18.0 software, and publication bias was assessed.Results:A total of 21 pieces of literature with 3,177 participants were collected, including 1,425 patients with PSD and 1,752 patients with non-PSD. Meta analysis results showed that CRP level at the peripheral blood in PSD patients was significantly higher than that in non-PSD patients (standardized mean difference [ SMD]=0.930, 95% CI: 0.580-1.280, P<0.001). Subgroup analysis results showed that, among the 7 pieces of literature with CRP detection<14 days after stroke, CRP level at the peripheral blood in PSD patients was significantly higher than that in non-PSD patients ( SMD=0.640, 95% CI: 0.38-0.89, I2=83.9%, P<0.001); among the 4 pieces of literature with CRP detection≧14 days after stroke, CRP level at the peripheral blood in PSD patients was significantly higher than that in non-PSD patients ( SMD=1.450, 95% CI: 0.820-2.090, P<0.001), enjoying higher heterogeneity ( I2=90.6%). IL-6 level at the peripheral blood in PSD patients was significantly higher than that in non-PSD patients ( SMD=2.659, 95% CI: 1.583-3.735, P<0.001). No significant difference in TNF-α level at the peripheral blood was noted between PSD patients and non-PSD patients ( SMD=0.403, 95% CI: -0.208-1.014, P=0.196). Conclusion:CRP and IL-6 levels at the peripheral blood in PSD patients are obviuosly higher than those in non-PSD patients, suggesting that CRP and IL-6 may be potential biomarkers for early identification and intervention of PSD.

Objective To establish an electrical field(EF)stimulation model for Schwann cells(SCs),and to provide a basis for exploring the mechanisms of EF stimulation in promoting proliferation,migration and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of SCs.Methods A YC-3 bipolar programmable electrical stimulator and an electrotaxis chamber were used to construct an EF stimulation system to stimulate SCs.In the study,SCs were divided into control group(Ctrl)receiving no EF stimulation and EF group stimulated by continuous constant-voltage EF(100 mV/mm,3 h).The effects of EF stimulation on the proliferation and migration of SCs were analyzed using CCK-8 assay,and wound healing assay+Transwell assay,separately;and its effect on SCs adhesion was observed by analyzing the expressions of E-cadherin and N-cadherin using Western Blot.Results The CCK-8 assay results suggested that the absorbance at 450 nm was significantly higher in EF group than in Ctrl group(P<0.05).The results of wound healing assay+Transwell assay revealed that EF group had higher cell migration efficiency than Ctrl group(P<0.05).Western Blot results showed decreased E-cadherin expression and increased N-cadherin expression in EF group as compared with Ctrl group(P<0.05).Conclusion The improved EF stimulation system for SCs is operable.EF stimulation can promote the proliferation and migration of SCs.The decreased E-cadherin expression and increased N-cadherin expression may be related to the occurrence of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in SCs after EF stimulation.

Objective To discuss the causes and the therapeutic strategy of acute cardiac tamponade(ACT)occurring as a complication of transcatheter aortic valve replacement(TAVR)so as to improve the success rate of the surgery and to make a further understanding of this complication.Methods The general clinical data,surgical procedures,and postoperative follow-up results of five patients,who received TAVR at the Affiliated Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital of Yangzhou University of China and developed ACT from March 2018 to September 2024,were retrospectively analyzed.Results After developing ACT,all the 5 patients received pericardiocentesis together with other adjuvant therapies including blood volume expansion with infusion,vasopressors,heparin neutralization,and blood transfusion.However,due to no obvious reduction in drainage volume and unstable hemodynamics all the 5 patients had eventually to receive open-chest surgery to identify the source of bleeding and to make hemostasis.Surgical exploration revealed that the perforation or rupture of cardiac structures caused by the temporary pacemaker lead or a super-stiff guide wire during the procedure was the main cause of ACT.Finally,after active treatment four patients recovered and discharged,and one patient died.The discharged patients were followed up for 3-12 months,and no procedure-related complications such as acute coronary artery occlusion,severe arrhythmia,exacerbation of heart failure symptoms,valve displacement,or stroke occurred.Conclusion As a severe complication occurring during the TAVR procedure,ACT requires to get a rapid diagnosis and management.Improvement of surgical techniques and operative methods,comprehensive preoperative assessment,and close intraoperative monitoring are crucial points for the prevention of ACT.

Objective:To systematically evaluate the associations of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) with post-stroke depression (PSD).Methods:PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, and Wanfang databases were searched to collect literature comparing levels of CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α at the peripheral blood between PSD and non-PSD patients, with retrieval time limit from inception to June 2024. Literature was screened according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, and data were extracted. Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to assess the quality of included literature. Meta analysis was conducted using Stata 18.0 software, and publication bias was assessed.Results:A total of 21 pieces of literature with 3,177 participants were collected, including 1,425 patients with PSD and 1,752 patients with non-PSD. Meta analysis results showed that CRP level at the peripheral blood in PSD patients was significantly higher than that in non-PSD patients (standardized mean difference [ SMD]=0.930, 95% CI: 0.580-1.280, P<0.001). Subgroup analysis results showed that, among the 7 pieces of literature with CRP detection<14 days after stroke, CRP level at the peripheral blood in PSD patients was significantly higher than that in non-PSD patients ( SMD=0.640, 95% CI: 0.38-0.89, I2=83.9%, P<0.001); among the 4 pieces of literature with CRP detection≧14 days after stroke, CRP level at the peripheral blood in PSD patients was significantly higher than that in non-PSD patients ( SMD=1.450, 95% CI: 0.820-2.090, P<0.001), enjoying higher heterogeneity ( I2=90.6%). IL-6 level at the peripheral blood in PSD patients was significantly higher than that in non-PSD patients ( SMD=2.659, 95% CI: 1.583-3.735, P<0.001). No significant difference in TNF-α level at the peripheral blood was noted between PSD patients and non-PSD patients ( SMD=0.403, 95% CI: -0.208-1.014, P=0.196). Conclusion:CRP and IL-6 levels at the peripheral blood in PSD patients are obviuosly higher than those in non-PSD patients, suggesting that CRP and IL-6 may be potential biomarkers for early identification and intervention of PSD.

Objective To explore the effect of Rhizoma Polygonati(RP)on arterial aging in naturally aging Wistar rats.Methods SPF Wistar rats aged 72 weeks were divided randomly divided into 4 groups:an old group and RP low,medium,and high-dose groups(n=14 rats per group).Another 14 male SPF Wistar rats aged 8～12 weeks were selected as the young group.Rats in the RP high,medium,and low-dose groups were administered with 4,2,and 1 g/kg RP,respectively,by gavage,and rats in the old and young groups were given the same amount of distilled water once a day for 12 weeks.Seven rats from each group were sacrificed under anesthesia at weeks 4 and 12 and aortas were isolated.The relative smooth muscle cell(SMC)and collagen fiber(CF)contents were analyzed,total antioxidant capacity(T-AOC),glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px),superoxide dismutase(SOD),and malondialdehyde(MDA)levels were measured,and the expression levels of cell cycle-associated proteins in arterial tissue were detected by Western Blot.Results Rats in the old group showed obvious signs of vascular aging but there was no significant changes in arterial vascular tissue indexes in the old group with increased age.Aortas were obviously injured,relative contents of SMC and CF were significantly increased(P＜0.01),T-AOC,SOD,and GSH-Px contents were significantly decreased and MDA was increased(P＜0.01)in the old group compared with the young group at 4 and 8 weeks,and expression levels of cell cycle-associated proteins were significantly up-regulated(P＜0.01).RP intervention significantly decreased the relative SMC and CF contents and MDA levels(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01)and significantly increased T-AOC,SOD,and GSH-Px(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Expression levels of cell cycle-associated proteins were also significantly decreased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).High-dose RP had the greatest effect.Conclusions Arterial aging is relatively stable in the short term in naturally aging rats.RP could delay arterial aging in naturally aging rats by regulating the level of oxidative stress and the expression of cell cycle-associated proteins.

Objective To establish an electrical field(EF)stimulation model for Schwann cells(SCs),and to provide a basis for exploring the mechanisms of EF stimulation in promoting proliferation,migration and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of SCs.Methods A YC-3 bipolar programmable electrical stimulator and an electrotaxis chamber were used to construct an EF stimulation system to stimulate SCs.In the study,SCs were divided into control group(Ctrl)receiving no EF stimulation and EF group stimulated by continuous constant-voltage EF(100 mV/mm,3 h).The effects of EF stimulation on the proliferation and migration of SCs were analyzed using CCK-8 assay,and wound healing assay+Transwell assay,separately;and its effect on SCs adhesion was observed by analyzing the expressions of E-cadherin and N-cadherin using Western Blot.Results The CCK-8 assay results suggested that the absorbance at 450 nm was significantly higher in EF group than in Ctrl group(P<0.05).The results of wound healing assay+Transwell assay revealed that EF group had higher cell migration efficiency than Ctrl group(P<0.05).Western Blot results showed decreased E-cadherin expression and increased N-cadherin expression in EF group as compared with Ctrl group(P<0.05).Conclusion The improved EF stimulation system for SCs is operable.EF stimulation can promote the proliferation and migration of SCs.The decreased E-cadherin expression and increased N-cadherin expression may be related to the occurrence of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in SCs after EF stimulation.

Objective:To investigate the status quo of psychological contracts and influencing factors among members of the "1+N" family doctor teams in Shenzhen and to explore the impact of psychological contracts on job burnout.Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted from September 30 to October 31, 2022 among 361 members of 92 family doctor teams from 92 community health service centers which provided family doctor team service in Shenzhen city. A self-designed general information questionnaire, an employee psychological contract questionnaire (including organizational responsibility and personal responsibility dimensions), and a job burnout scale (including emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment dimensions) were used in the study. T-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression analysis were used to analyze the influencing factors of psychological contracts and job burnout.Results:Among 361 respondents, there were 299 females (82.8%) and 62 males (17.2%), and a higher proportion of general practitioners (37.5%, 129/361) and nurses (41.8%, 151/361). The total score of psychological contracts among the 361 respondents was (141.6±19.5), with organizational responsibility scoring (70.6±11.2) and personal responsibility scoring (71.0±9.3). On the job burnout scale, emotional exhaustion scored (17.89±6.82), depersonalization scored (6.51±2.54), and personal accomplishment scored (30.95±5.70). General practitioners scored lower in organizational responsibility and personal responsibility compared to other members ( F=7.341,3.119, all P<0.05), and higher in emotional exhaustion and depersonalization ( F=7.637, 2.415, all P<0.05). Members with≤5 years of work experience scored lower in personal responsibility and personal accomplishment ( F=3.656, 4.205, all P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed that scores of organizational responsibility and personal responsibility were negatively correlated with levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization ( r=-0.618, -0.526, all P<0.01), ( r=-0.404, -0.393, all P<0.01), and positively correlated with personal accomplishment ( r=0.500, 0.558, all P<0.01). Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that organizational responsibility negatively affected emotional exhaustion and depersonalization ( β=-0.554, -0.274, all P<0.01), and positively affected personal accomplishment ( β=0.172, P<0.05). Personal responsibility positively affected personal accomplishment ( β=0.404, P<0.01). Conclusions:The study demonstrates that general practitioners in family doctor teams in Shenzhen city have lower psychological contract levels and are more prone to emotional exhaustion and depersonalization; members with≤5 years of work experience have lower personal responsibility and accomplishment. The results indicate that enhancing organizational responsibility can reduce job burnout of members in family doctor teams.