This study explores the therapeutic differences and mechanisms of salt-processed Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex in improving insulin resistance(IR) based on network pharmacology, molecular docking, and cellular experiments. The components and intersection targets of Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex in improving IR were collected from databases, and a "drug-component-target-disease" network and protein-protein interaction(PPI) network were constructed to screen core components and targets. A total of 29 active components and 240 intersection targets were identified, of which 13 were core targets. Gene Ontology(GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were used to identify key signaling pathways, and molecular docking was performed to validate the binding activity between core components and targets. An IR model in HepG2 cells was induced using insulin combined with high glucose, and the effects of Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex before and after salt-processing on cell glucose consumption were evaluated. The expression of proteins related to the mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)-protein kinase B(AKT) signaling pathways was detected by Western blot. The cellular experimental results showed that, compared with the model group, glucose consumption in the drug-treated groups was significantly increased(P<0.01), the phosphorylation level of extracellular regulated protein kinase(ERK) was decreased(P<0.05), the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and AKT were increased, and the expression of glucose transporter 4(GLUT4) was also upregulated(P<0.05). Furthermore, the effect of salt-processed Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex was better than that of raw Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex. The study demonstrates that Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex, both before and after salt-processing, improves IR by regulating the expression of related proteins in the MAPK and PI3K-AKT signaling pathways, with enhanced effects after salt-processing.
Humans ; Network Pharmacology ; Phellodendron/chemistry* ; Insulin Resistance ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Hep G2 Cells ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Protein Interaction Maps/drug effects* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/genetics* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics* ; Glucose/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: Patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection frequently develop central nervous system damage, yet the mechanisms driving this pathology remain unclear. This study investigated the primary pathways and key factors underlying brain tissue damage induced by the SARS-CoV-2 beta variant (lineage B.1.351). METHODS: K18-hACE2 and C57BL/6 mice were intranasally infected with the SARS-CoV-2 beta variant. Viral replication, pathological phenotypes, and brain transcriptomes were analyzed. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis was performed to identify altered pathways. Expression changes of host genes were verified using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. RESULTS: Pathological alterations were observed in the lungs of both mouse strains. However, only K18-hACE2 mice exhibited elevated viral RNA loads and infectious titers in the brain at 3 days post-infection, accompanied by neuropathological injury and weight loss. GO analysis of infected K18-hACE2 brain tissue revealed significant dysregulation of genes associated with innate immunity and antiviral defense responses, including type I interferons, pro-inflammatory cytokines, Toll-like receptor signaling components, and interferon-stimulated genes. Neuroinflammation was evident, alongside activation of apoptotic and pyroptotic pathways. Furthermore, altered neural cell marker expression suggested viral-induced neuroglial activation, resulting in caspase 4 and lipocalin 2 release and disruption of neuronal molecular networks. CONCLUSION These findings elucidate mechanisms of neuropathogenicity associated with the SARS-CoV-2 beta variant and highlight therapeutic targets to mitigate COVID-19-related neurological dysfunction.
Animals ; COVID-19/genetics* ; Mice ; Brain/metabolism* ; Apoptosis ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; SARS-CoV-2/physiology* ; Pyroptosis ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Transcriptome ; Male ; Female

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effectiveness of Chinese medicine (CM) Lianhua Qingwen Granule (LHQW) and Jingyin Gubiao Prescription (JYGB) in asymptomatic or mild patients with Omicron infection in the shelter hospital. METHODS: This single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted in the largest shelter hospital in Shanghai, China, from April 10, 2022 to May 30, 2022. A total of 56,244 asymptomatic and mild Omicron cases were included and divided into 4 groups, i.e., non-administration group (23,702 cases), LHQW group (11,576 cases), JYGB group (12,112 cases), and dual combination of LHQW and JYGB group (8,854 cases). The length of stay (LOS) in the hospital was used to assess the effectiveness of LHQW and JYGB treatment on Omicron infection. RESULTS: Patients aged 41-60 years, with nadir threshold cycle (C_T) value of N gene <25, or those fully vaccinated preferred to receive CM therapy. Before or after propensity score matching (PSM), the multiple linear regression showed that LHQW and JYGB treatment were independent influence factors of LOS (both P<0.001). After PSM, there were significant differences in LOS between the LHQW/JYGB combination and the other groups (P<0.01). The results of factorial design ANOVA proved that the LHQW/JYGB combination therapy synergistically shortened LOS (P=0.032). CONCLUSIONS Patients with a nadir C_T value <25 were more likely to accept CM. The LHQW/JYGB combination therapy could shorten the LOS of Omicron-infected individuals in an isolated environment.
Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; China/epidemiology* ; Hospitalization ; COVID-19 Drug Treatment ; COVID-19/epidemiology* ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Length of Stay ; Young Adult ; Aged

Objective To explore the role and mechanism of mechanically sensitive ion channel Piezo2 in mechanical allodynia of rats with low back pain induced by simulating the low-frequency vibration of a helicopter.Methods Low-frequency vibration(LFV)model with 3-dimensional 6 degrees of freedom was used to induce low back pain in awake rats in a sitting position.Twenty-four male SD rats(8 weeks old)were randomly divided into control(Ctrl)group and LFV group.HE staining was used to evaluate the injury of the multifidus muscle.Von Frey test was carried out to detect pain sensitivity.Open field test was employed to assess the spontaneous activity and anxiety.ELISA,Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining were performed to detect the expression of NGF,TrkA and downstream molecule Piezo2.Dorsal root ganglia(DRG)neurons was isolated from SD rats and primarily cultured.After identified with immunofluorescence staining,the neurons were divided into the Ctrl group,the LFV group,and the LFV+D-GsMTx4(D-G4,an Piezo2 channel antagonist)group.Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression of Piezo2,and a calcium ion fluorescent probe was utilized to detect the intracellular Ca2+.The DRG neurons were pretreated with 50 ng/mL NGF for 1 h.Calcium ion fluorescent probe was used to observe the changes in intracellular Ca2+in the LFV group,the LFV+NGF group,and the LFV+NGF+D-G4 group.Results The rats of the LFV group showed abnormal morphology in multifidus muscles,accompanied with inflammatory cell infiltration,decreased paw withdrawal reflex threshold(P<0.05),and shortened total active time and active time in the centre,and decreased distance traveled in the centre(P<0.05),while prolonged total stationary time,stationary time in the periphery,and increased distance traveled in the periphery(P<0.05),and moreover,enhanced expression of Piezo2,NGF and TrkA in the DRG tissues(P<0.05).Cell experiments showed that compared with the Ctrl group,the expression of Piezo2 in the neurons was increased(P<0.05),and the intracellular Ca2+level was significantly elevated in the LFV group(P<0.05).Compared with the LFV group,the Ca2+level was higher in the LFV+NGF group(P<0.05),and the sensitization effect of NGF on Piezo2 was reversed after D-G4 treatment(P<0.05).Conclusion Sustained low-frequency vibration induces low back pain and mechanical allodynia in rats through the NGF-TrkA/Piezo2 pathway.

BackgroundDementia seriously affects the quality of life and lifespan of elderly people， with Alzheimer's disease （AD） being the most common type of dementia. Previous studies have suggested that gout may reduce the risk of developing AD， but the causal relationship between the two still requires further research. ObjectiveTo investigate the potential causal relationship between gout and AD through a two-sample Mendelian randomization （MR） analysis， so as to provide references for the prevention and treatment of AD. MethodsData from Genome-Wide Association Studies （GWAS） extracted in 2024 were analyzed， using pooled data on gout （6 810 cases in the case group and 477 788 cases in the control group） published by UK Biobank in 2021 as the exposure variable， and data on AD （3 899 cases in the case group and 214 893 cases in the control group） published by FinnGen in the same year as the outcome variable. The inverse-variance weighted， MR-Egger regression， weighted median estimation， simple model and weighted model were used to analyze the potential causal relationship between gout and AD. Pleiotropic effects were assessed using MR-Egger regression. Heterogeneity assessment was conducted using Cochran's Q test. The leave-one-out analysis was carried out for sensitivity analysis. And a funnel plot was drawn to detect potential publication bias. ResultsThe inverse-variance weighted analysis demonstrated a negative causal relationship between gout and AD （OR=0.004， 95% CI： 0~0.700， P<0.05）. The plot resembled a symmetrical inversed funnel， indicating the absence of publication bias. No heterogeneity was detected by Cochran's Q test. The MR-Egger regression indicated no significant horizontal pleiotropy. Concerning the reverse directions， no significant associations between AD and gout were noted. ConclusionThere is a negative causal relationship between gout and AD， with gout potentially reducing the risk of developing AD. ［Funded by The Third Batch of Social Welfare and Basic Research Projects （Medical and Health） of Zhongshan City in 2022 （number， 2022B3017）］

In this study,a sensitive lateral flow immunoassay(LFIA)platform based on carbon dots-mesoporous silica nanocomposite(CD-MSNs)fluorescent probes was constructed for high-performance detection of inflammatory marker interleukin-6(IL-6).Green fluorescent carbon dots(CDs)were prepared by hydrothermal method with 3,9-perylenic acid and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane(APTES)as raw materials,and highly fluorescent CD-MSNs composites were then constructed by encapsulating the prepared CDs in mesoporous silica nanoparticles(MSNs).Fluorescent probes were prepared by covalent coupling of CD-MSNs with IL-6 antibody.Fluorescent immunochromatographic test strips were constructed by spraying IL-6 capture antibody and goat anti-mouse IgG on nitrocellulose membrane as detection line(T-line)and quality control line(C-line),respectively.The fluorescence immunoassay analyzer was used to quantitatively detect the fluorescence intensity of T-line,and the experimental results showed that the LFIA platform based on this probe had a good linear relationship in IL-6 concentration range of 102-106 pg/mL,and the detection limit was 64 pg/mL,which was two orders of magnitude more sensitive than that of the traditional colloidal gold test strips.This method effectively solved the issue of insufficient sensitivity of traditional LFIA technique,and provided a rapid and highly sensitive detection method for early diagnosis of inflammatory diseases.

Background: and Purpose Myasthenia gravis (MG) is clinically heterogeneous and can be classified into subgroups according to the clinical presentation, antibody status, age at onset, and thymic abnormalities. This study aimed to determine the clinical characteristics and outcomes of generalized MG (GMG) patients based on these subgroups. Methods: Medical records of MG patients from 1976 to 2023 were reviewed retrospectively.Patients with pure ocular MG were excluded. Data on demographic, clinical characteristics, laboratory features, and outcomes were analyzed. Results: This study included 120 GMG patients. There was a slight preponderance of female patients over male patients (male:female ratio=1:1.3), with the age at onset exhibiting a bimodal distribution. Female patients peaked at a lower age (21–30 years) whereas male patients peaked at a higher age (61–70 years). Most (92%, 105 of 114) patients had positive anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies. Five patients were also tested for anti-muscle-specific tyrosine kinase antibodies, with two showing positivity. Thymectomy was performed in 62 (52%) patients, of which 30 had thymoma, 16 had thymic hyperplasia, 7 had an involuted thymus, and 6 had a normal thymus. There were significantly more female patients (68% vs. 45%, p=0.011) with early-onset disease (<50 years old) and thymic hyperplasia (33% vs. 0%, p<0.025). Most (71%) of the patients had a good outcome based on the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America postintervention status. GMG patients with early-onset disease had a significantly better outcome than patients with a late onset in univariate (58% vs. 37%, p=0.041) and multivariate (odds ratio=4.68, 95% confidence interval=1.17–18.64, p=0.029) analyses. Conclusions Female patients with early-onset MG and thymic hyperplasia had significantly better outcomes, but only early-onset disease was independently associated with a good outcome. These findings are comparable with those of other studies.

Objective To construct and apply a management plan for microaspiration of oropharyngeal secretions in ICU intubated patients.Methods Based on evidence summaries and expert consultation,a management plan for microaspiration of oropharyngeal secretions in ICU intubated patients was constructed,consisting of 19 items covering 7 aspects including identification of risk factors,position management,tube and cuff selection,cuff management,mechanical ventilation management,pain and sedation management,removal of oropharyngeal and subglottic secretions,and oral care.Convenience sampling was used to select 141 ICU intubated patients from a tertiary A comprehensive hospital in Suzhou from June,2022 to September,2023.Patients were divided into an experimental group(n=72)and a control group(n=69)according to the wards.The experimental group received the management plan for microaspiration of oropharyngeal secretions in ICU intubated patients.The control group received the nursing bundle for ventilator associated pneumonia(VAP).The incidence and time from intubation to microaspiration and VAP,duration of mechanical ventilation,ICU length of stay,and disease outcome were compared between the 2 groups.Results The incidence of microaspiration of oropharyngeal secretions,the duration of mechanical ventilation,time from intubation to microaspiration showed significant differences between the 2 groups(P<0.05).There were no significant differences in the incidence of ventilator associated pneumonia,ICU length of stay,and disease outcome between the 2 groups(P>0.05).The time from intubation to VAP in the experimental group was 7.5 days,and that in the control group was 3.8 days.Conclusion The application of the management plan for microaspiration of orophaiyngeal secretions in ICU intubated patients is beneficial for reducing the incidence of microaspiration,delaying the time from intubation to microaspiration and VAP,and shortening the duration of mechanical ventilation.

Objective To prepare FLIVIGSII peptide(FI peptide)and investigate its physicochemical properties and hemostatic effect in vivo and in vitro.Methods The self-assembling peptide-based hydrogels were prepared by the FI peptide mixed with water.After gross observation for the hydrogel state of the FI peptide,scanning electron microscopy(SEM)and transmission electron microscopy(TEM)were used for its microstructure,and dynamic light scattering(DLS)was performed for its size.The hemostatic effect of FI peptide after being mixed with blood samples treated with 3.8％sodium citrate was observed,and the microstructure of the blood clot was observed with SEM.CCK-8 assay and hemolysis assay were performed to verify its biocompatibility.After a rat model of hepatic parenchymal perforation and hemorrhage was established,15 female SD rats(6～8 weeks old,weighing 150 g)were randomly divided into control group,FI peptide group and fibrin sealant group.The hemostatic effect of FI peptide and prognosis was observed and analyzed after treatment in each group,and the hemostatic mechanism was also investigated.Results FI peptides were successfully prepared,and it could rapidly self-assemble into a nanofiber network hydrogel in water,and further cause formation of blood clots.SEM showed that FI peptides self-assembled to form fibrous hydrogels after mixing with water.TEM results verified that the FI peptide formed into nanofibers in a diameter of 13.70±2.31 nm after gelatinization in water,and DLS results verified that the FI peptide formed polydisperse and multi-size nanofibers in water(in a range of 148.2～208.0 nm or 575.0～807.0 nm).The fibrous hydrogel formed by the FI peptide mixed with the blood could envelop the red blood cells,thus form a physical hemostatic barrier to achieve blood clotting in seconds.FI peptide hydrogel had no cytotoxicity to normal hepatocytes(L-O2 cells)and did not cause hemolysis of red blood cells.In in vivo experiment,FI peptide quickly formed nanofiber hydrogel when in contact with blood,thus formed physical hemostasis barrier to achieve hemostasis within a few seconds(hemostasis time＜5 s).Conclusion The FI peptide exhibits a rapid and efficient hemostatic effect,indicating a promising clinical application in the hemostasia of hepatic parenchymal traumatic hemorrhage.

Objective To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of cyclopofol injection and propofol injection combined with afentanil injection in patients undergoing tracheoscopy under laryngeal mask ventilation under general anesthesia.Methods The patients to undergo tracheoscopy were randomly divided into treatment group and control group.Induction of anesthesia:treatment group received 20 μg·kg-1 afentanil,0.4 mg·kg-1 ciprofol and 0.2 mg·kg-1 cisatracurium;control group received 20 μg·kg-1afentanil,2 mg·kg-1 propofol and 0.2 mg·kg-1 cisatracurium.Two groups were given laryngeal mask ventilation for general anesthesia.The treatment group received 0.8 mg·kg-1·h-1 cypofol and 0.5-1.0 μg·kg-1·min-1 afentanil to perform the anesthesia maintenance;the control group was received 8 mg·kg-1·h-1propofol and 0.5-1.0 μg·kg-1·min-1 afentanil to perform the anesthesia maintenance.The vital signs,induction and recovery time,dosage of afentanil during anesthesia and safety were compared between the two groups.Results Treatment group were enrolled 70 cases,10 cases dropped out,and 60 cases were finally included in the statistical analysis.Control group were enrolled 70 cases,10 cases dropped out,and ultimately 60 cases were finally included in the statistical analysis.Three minutes after induction of anesthesia(T1),the mean arterial pressure(MAP)of treatment group and control group were(79.32±5.73)and(73.15±6.20)mmHg,the heart rate(HR)were(70.53±8.20)and(65.77±7.75)beat·min-1,respectively.At insert the bronchoscope(T2),MAP of treatment group and control group were(82.52±5.81)and(75.99±6.09)mmHg,HR were(70.27±7.94)and(65.42±7.73)beat·min-1,respectively.The MAP and HR of treatment group at T1 and T2 were significantly higher than those of control group at the same time,the differences were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).The induction time of treatment group and control group was(76.23±6.51)and(66.93±6.26)s,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).The eye opening time during anesthesia recovery of treatment group and control group was(8.42±1.94)and(8.48±2.13)min,the intraoperative dosage of fentanyl was(3 456.67±608.51)and(3 515.00±619.41)μg,respectively,the differences of above indexes in two groups were not statistical significance(all P＞0.05).The incidences of injection pain during induction period in treatment group and control group were 3.33％and 30.00％,the incidences of hypotension in treatment group and control group were 18.33％and 40.00％,the incidences of intraoperative bradycardia in treatment group and control group were 3.33％and 13.33％,respectively,the differences were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Compared with propofol injection combined with afentanil injection,cipofol injection combined with afentanil injection can better maintain hemodynamic stability during anesthesia induction and maintenance in patients undergoing tracheoscopy under general anesthesia with laryngeal mask ventilation,and has better safety.