ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Qishao capsules on renal injury in db/db mice with diabetic kidney disease （DKD），and explore its mechanism of protecting the kidney by inhibiting podocyte apoptosis. Methodsdb/m mice （7 mice） were used as the normal group，and db/db mice （35 mice） were randomly divided into a model group，a dapagliflozin group （0.001 g·kg^-1·d^-1），and low-，medium-，and high-dose groups of Qishao capsules （0.341 3，0.682 5，and 1.365 g·kg^-1·d^-1，respectively）. Drug intervention lasted for 8 consecutive weeks. After sampling，the serum renal function indicators ［creatinine（SCr），and urea nitrogen（BUN）］，fasting blood glucose （FBG），24 h urinary protein quantification （24 h-UTP）， and other indicators of the mice were measured. The pathological tissue morphology of the kidney was observed by periodic acid-silver methenamine （PASM） and Masson's trichrome （Masson） staining. Immunohistochemical detection of cysteine-dependent aspartate-specific protease （Caspase）-3 and B-cell lymphoma 2 （Bcl-2） was performed. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of Caspase-8，Caspase-7，Caspase-3， and other molecules. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick End labeling （TUNEL） staining was used to observe apoptosis in renal tissue. Immunofluorescence staining of Wilms tumor suppressor gene-1 （WT-1） was used to observe podocyte injury. Real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was employed to detect Caspase-8 and Caspase-3 mRNA expression in the kidneys of experimental mice. Data analysis was conducted using statistical software GraphPad Prism 10. ResultsCompared with the normal group，the model group showed significantly increased 24 h-UTP，SCr，BUN，and FBG （P<0.01）. Additionally， PASM staining of renal tissue showed increased glycogen deposition，glomerular hypertrophy，and thickening of the basement membrane. Masson staining showed collagen fiber proliferation in renal tissue. Transmission electron microscopy showed thickening of the renal tissue basement membrane and fusion or loss of foot processes in the model group. The immunohistochemical results showed that Caspase-3 in the kidneys of the mice in the model group significantly increased （P<0.01），while the Bcl-2 protein expression level decreased significantly （P<0.01）. The number of TUNEL positive cells in renal tissue significantly increased （P<0.01）. The positive expression of WT-1 in podocytes was significantly reduced （P<0.01）. Western blot analysis showed significant upregulation of Caspase-8，Caspase-7，and Caspase-3 protein expression in renal tissue （P<0.01）. The mRNA expression levels of Caspase-8 and Caspase-3 in the kidneys increased significantly （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group，the Qishao capsules groups can significantly reduce the levels of 24 h-UTP，SCr，BUN，and FBG （P<0.01）. The pathological damage of renal tissue and podocyte injury were improved to some extent. Immunohistochemistry in the kidney showed a significant decrease in Caspase-3 （P<0.01） and a significant increase in Bcl-2 protein expression level （P<0.01）. Additionally， there were a significant decrease in the number of TUNEL positive cells in renal tissue （P<0.01），a significant increase in WT-1 positive expression in podocytes （P<0.01），marked downregulation of Caspase-8，Caspase-7，and Caspase-3 protein expression in renal tissue （P<0.05，P<0.01），and a significant decrease in Caspase-8 and Caspase-3 mRNA expression levels （P<0.01）. ConclusionQishao capsules can inhibit podocyte apoptosis by regulating the expression of Caspase-8，Caspase-7， and Caspase-3，thereby improving the diabetic renal injury in db/db mice.

Background::Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) can profoundly affect the mental health of the people living with HIV (PLWH), with higher rates of anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances. The disparities in neuropsychological problems evaluated by physicians and self-assessed by patients are still unknown.Methods::A total of 5000 PLWH and 500 physicians from 167 hospitals were enrolled in this cross-sectional study from September 2022 to February 2023. 4-Item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-4) was used for the evaluation of depressive issues and anxiety issues by PLWH. Each physician assessed 10 PLWH under their care for the presence of depressive or anxiety issues. The primary outcomes of this study are the concordance rates on the depressive issues and anxiety issues evaluation between physicians and PLWH. The Cohen’s kappa test was used to assess the agreement between physicians and PLWH.Results::The concordance rate for the evaluation of depressive issues is 73.84% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 72.60-75.04%), and it is significantly different from the expected rate of 80% ( P <0.001). Similarly, the concordance rate for the evaluation of anxiety issues is 71.74% (95% CI: 70.47-72.97%), which is significantly different from the expected rate of 80% as per the null hypothesis ( P <0.001). The overestimation rate by physicians on depressive issues is 12.20% (95% CI: 11.32-13.14%), and for anxiety issues is 12.76% (95% CI: 11.86-13.71%). The mismatch rate for depressive issues is 26.16% (95% CI: 24.96-27.40%), and for anxiety issues is 28.26% (95% CI: 27.02-29.53%). The underestimation rate by physicians on depressive issues is 13.96% (95% CI: 13.03-14.95%), and for anxiety issues is 15.50% (95% CI: 14.52-16.53%). For the treatment regiments, PLWH sustained on innovative treatment regimen (IR) related to a lower prevalence of depressive issues (odds ratio [OR] = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.59-0.87, P = 0.003) and a lower prevalence of anxiety issues (OR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.52-0.76, P <0.001). PLWH switch from conventional treatment regimen (CR) to IR also related to a lower prevalence of depressive issues (OR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.64-0.98) and a lower prevalence of anxiety issues (OR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.67-0.99). Conclusion::Nearly one in three PLWH had their condition misjudged by their physicians. The findings underscore the need for improved communication and standardized assessment protocols in the care of PLWH, especially during the acute phase of HIV infection.

Objective:To explore the efficacy, safety, and feasibility of single port laparoscopic liver resection via umbilical cord, and summarize its surgical experience.Method:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 39 patients who underwent liver resection surgery at the Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from February 2022 to September 2023. There were 19 patients in the transumbilical single-port laparoscopic group, including 5 males and 14 females, aged (49.6±2.5) years. There were 20 patients in the multi-port laparoscopic group, including 7 males and 13 females, aged (49.9±3.1) years. The intraoperative blood loss, operation time, intestinal recovery time, postoperative hospital stay and postoperative complications were compared between the single-port group and multi-port group.Results:All 39 patients successfully completed the surgery without any additional foramen or conversion to open surgery. The operation time of the single hole group (166.3±59.0) min was longer than that of the multi-port group (123.2±48.0) min, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=2.50, P=0.020). There were no statistically significant differences in intraoperative blood loss, intestinal recovery time, postoperative hospital stay, and postoperative complications between these two groups (all P>0.05). All patients had no postoperative complications such as bleeding, infection, or bile leakage. Follow up for 3~21 months showed no recurrence of primary diseases such as hepatic hemangioma, hepatic adenoma, and intrahepatic bile duct stones. The aesthetic effect of the umbilical incision in the single orifice group was significant, and patient satisfaction was 100%. Conclusion:Umbilical single-port laparoscopic liver resection surgery is safe and feasible, with significant minimally invasive and aesthetic effects.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Dahuang Xiezhuo prescription on the clinical symptoms， blood uric acid， and renal tubular function of patients with immunoglobulin A （IgA） nephropathy in stages 1-2 of chronic kidney disease （CKD） complicated with hyperuricemia （HUA）. MethodSixty patients with IgA nephropathy in stages 1-2 of CKD complicated with HUA of spleen and kidney deficiency and combined turbidity and blood stasis syndromes were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group， with 30 cases in each group. The patients in the control group received basic treatment， i.e.， losartan potassium tablets 50-100 mg/time， once per day， and sodium bicarbonate tablets 0.5 g/time， three times per day by oral administration， combined with low-salt， low-fat， and low-purine diet. The patients in the observation group received Dahuang Xiezhuo prescription on the basis of basic treatment， one dose per day， twice a day in the morning and evening with warm water. Both groups were treated for two months. The total scores of traditional Chinese medicine（TCM）syndrome， blood pressure， 24 h urinary protein （24 h UTP）， blood urea nitrogen （BUN）， serum creatinine （SCr） ［glomerular filtration rate （eGFR） was calculated by CKD-epidemiology collaboration （CKD-EPI） formula］， serum uric acid （SUA）， and renal tubular function indexes ［urinary α₁-microglobulin （α₁-MG）， urinary β₂-microglobulin （β₂-MG）， urinary kidney injury molecule-1 （KIM-1）， and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin （NGAL）］ of the two groups before treatment and two months after treatment were recorded. The clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated two months after treatment. ResultAfter 2 months of treatment，the total effective rate in the observation group was 81.48%（22/27），higher than 50.00%（14/28） in the control group（χ² =6.661，P<0.05）. The total scores of TCM syndrome， 24 h UTP， and SUA in the observation group and the observation group were lower than those before treatment （P<0.05）， and compared with the control group after treatment， the observation group decreased more significantly （P<0.05）. After treatment， the blood pressure in the observation group and the observation group was lower than that before treatment （P<0.05）， and there was no significant difference in blood pressure between the two groups after treatment. After treatment， the levels of urinary α₁-MG， β₂-MG， KIM-1， and NGAL in the two groups were lower than those before treatment （P<0.05）， and the observation group was lower than the control group after treatment （P<0.05）. There were no significant inter-group and intra-group differences in BUN， SCr， and eGFR levels before and after treatment. There were no obvious abnormalities in blood routine， liver function， and electrolytes before and after treatment in the two groups， and no adverse reactions such as allergies occurred. ConclusionDahuang Xiezhuo prescription can effectively improve the clinical symptoms of IgA nephropathy with HUA （CKD1-2） patients with spleen and kidney deficiency and combined turbidity and blood stasis syndromes， reduce blood uric acid level， alleviate renal tubular injury， and protect the kidney. The curative effect is better than that of basic treatment.

Background Current evidence on whether occupational sulfur dioxide (SO₂) exposure affects the risk of hypertension is still limited, and the research results of the effect of environmental SO₂ exposure on risk of hypertension remain inconsistent. Objective To analyze the association between self-reported occupational exposure to SO₂ and the risk of hypertension, and the potential dose-response relationship between the years of exposure to SO₂ and the risk of hypertension. Methods Based on the Jinchang cohort, a nested case-control study design was adopted. A total of 841 newly diagnosed hypertension patients were followed up as the case group, and the control group was selected with 1∶1 individual matching based on non-occupational factors and occupational factors, respectively. The former matching conditions included age ±2 years old, same gender, working age ±2 years, and home address in the same sub-district. The latter was limited to working in the same workshop on the basis of the former conditions. Finally, the former included 717 controls and the latter included 488 controls. A unified questionnaire was used to collect general demographic characteristics, lifestyle habits, history of diabetes, family history of hypertension, and information on occupational exposure to SO₂ (self-reported history of occupational exposure to SO₂ and years of exposure to SO₂). Conditional logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between occupational exposure to SO₂ and hypertension, and the dose-response relationship between the years of SO₂ exposure and the risk of hypertension. Results In the nested case-control study matching with the non-occupational factors, the OR of hypertension in workers with self-reported occupational exposure to SO₂ was 2.39 (95%CI: 1.68-3.39); while when matching with the occupational factors, the OR of hypertension in workers with self-reported occupational exposure to SO₂ was 1.48 (95%CI: 1.04-2.12). The results of the dose-response relationship showed that as the SO₂ exposure years increased from 1-9 years, 10-19 years, 20-29 years, and 30 years and above, in the nested case-control study matching with non-occupational factors, the ORs of hypertension were 1.85 (95%CI: 0.68-5.08), 1.46 (95%CI: 0.58-3.67), 1.64 (95%CI: 1.00-2.67), and 4.95 (95%CI: 2.63-9.31), respectively; in the nested case-control study matching with occupational factors, the ORs of hypertension were 0.98 (95%CI: 0.40-2.41), 1.84 (95%CI: 0.72-4.70), 1.37 (95%CI: 0.82-2.29), and 2.44 (95%CI: 1.37-4.35), respectively. The two dose-response relationships were positive by χ² trend test (P_trend<0.05). Conclusion Self-reported occupational exposure to SO₂ is associated with the risk of hypertension in the study population, and the hypertension risk increases with the increase of SO₂ exposure years.

Objective: To investigate whether platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) can regulate phenotypic transformation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) via SIRT3 affecting glycolytic pathway. Methods: The PASMCs were isolated from Sprague Dawley rats. PASMCs were divided into 3 groups by using 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG), an inhibitor of the glycolytic pathway: normal control group, PDGF-BB group(30 ng/ml) and PDGF-BB (30 ng/ml)+2-DG (10 mmol/L) group. In lentivirus-mediated overexpression assay, cells were divided into control group, PDGF-BB group(30 ng/ml), PDGF-BB+deacetylase sirtuin-3 (SIRT3) overexpression group and PDGF-BB+empty vector group. The expression levels of phenotype related index such as α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (SM-MHC), calponin, vimentin were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot. Meanwhile, the expression of α-SMA was detected by cellular immunofluorescence staining. EDU staining was used to detect the proliferation of PASMCs. The expression of SIRT3 was detected by Western blot. The expressions of glucose transporter 1 and aerobic glycolytic enzymes were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot in lentivirus-mediated overexpression assay. Results: (1) PDGF-BB affects PASMCs phenotypic transformation through glycolytic pathway: compared with normal control group, PDGF-BB significantly decreased the expressions of contractile phenotype markers such as α-SMA, SM-MHC, calponin mRNA and protein (all P<0.05), but it increased the expressions of the synthetic phenotype marker vimentin mRNA and protein (both P<0.05). Cellular immunofluorescence assay showed that PDGF-BB significantly decreased the number of α-SMA positive cells, while 2-DG reversed the process. (2) PDGF-BB promoted cell proliferation through glycolytic pathway: the proliferation of PASMCs was significantly higher in PDGF-BB group than in control group (P<0.05), and which could be significantly reduced by 2-DG (P<0.05). (3) PDGF-BB inhibited the expression of SIRT3 protein in PASMCs: the expression of SIRT3 protein in PDGF-BB group was lower than that in control group (P<0.05). (4) PDGF-BB affected glycolytic pathway through SIRT3:compared with the control group, PDGF-BB significantly increased the expression levels of glucose transporter 1 (Glut1), hexokinase 2 (HK2) and 6-phosphfructo-2-kinase 3 (PFKFB3) mRNA (all P<0.05), which was reserved by over-expression of SIRT3. There were no significant difference in mRNA expression levels between PDGF-BB group and PDGF-BB+empty vector group (P>0.05).Compared with the control group, PDGF-BB significantly increased the expression levels of Glut1, HK2 and PFKFB3 protein(all P<0.05), which was reserved by over-expression of SIRT3. There were no significant differences in protein expression levels between PDGF-BB group and PDGF-BB+empty vector group (all P>0.05). Conclusion PDGF-BB regulates phenotypic transformation of PASMCs via SIRT3 affecting glycolytic pathway.

Objective To employ high-throughput next generation sequencing (NGS) for analyzing the expression of lneRNAs and mRNAs in donor samples from pediatric living donor liver transplantation and search differentially expressed lncRNAs and drag metabolic gene for individualized guidance of immunosuppressive agents.Methods Between October 2016 and December 2017,10 liver tissue specimens from living donor liver transplantation children were collected and divided into fast and slow metabolic groups (n =5 each) according to the postoperative profiles of drug metabolism.Samples were assayed for high-throughput NGS.Target analysis was used for functional pathways and screening target genes prediction.Results There were differentially expressed 908 mRNAs and 1228 lncRNAs between slow metabolic and fast metabolic groups (P＜0.05).According to the abundance and difference,22 up-regulated and 18 down-regulated mRNAs,13 up-regulated and 24 down-regulated lncRNAs were selected.In addition to CYP3A5,CYP2C19,CYP1A2 and UGT1A1 might affect the metabolism of tacrolimus.At the same time,NONHSAT108617.2 in differemially expressed lncRNAs might regulate the expression of CYP3A5 gene.Conclusions This study has comprehensively analyzed the expression of lncRNAs in donor liver from pediatric liver transplantation.Some differentially expressed drug metabolism related genes may affect tacrolimus metabolism in vivo and thus the postoperative use of immunosuppressive drugs.

Objective To investigate whether platelet?derived growth factor?BB (PDGF?BB) can regulate phenotypic transformation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) via SIRT3 affecting glycolytic pathway. Methods The PASMCs were isolated from Sprague Dawley rats. PASMCs were divided into 3 groups by using 2?deoxyglucose (2?DG), an inhibitor of the glycolytic pathway: normal control group, PDGF?BB group(30 ng/ml) and PDGF?BB (30 ng/ml)+2?DG (10 mmol/L) group. In lentivirus?mediated overexpression assay, cells were divided into control group, PDGF?BB group(30 ng/ml), PDGF?BB+deacetylase sirtuin?3 (SIRT3) overexpression group and PDGF?BB+empty vector group. The expression levels of phenotype related index such as α?smooth muscle actin (α?SMA), smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (SM?MHC), calponin, vimentin were detected by qRT?PCR and Western blot. Meanwhile, the expression of α?SMA was detected by cellular immunofluorescence staining. EDU staining was used to detect the proliferation of PASMCs. The expression of SIRT3 was detected by Western blot. The expressions of glucose transporter 1 and aerobic glycolytic enzymes were detected by qRT?PCR and Western blot in lentivirus?mediated overexpression assay. Results (1) PDGF?BB affects PASMCs phenotypic transformation through glycolytic pathway: compared with normal control group, PDGF?BB significantly decreased the expressions of contractile phenotype markers such as α?SMA, SM?MHC, calponin mRNA and protein (all P<0.05), but it increased the expressions of the synthetic phenotype marker vimentin mRNA and protein (both P<0.05). Cellular immunofluorescence assay showed that PDGF?BB significantly decreased the number of α?SMA positive cells, while 2?DG reversed the process. (2) PDGF?BB promoted cell proliferation through glycolytic pathway: the proliferation of PASMCs was significantly higher in PDGF?BB group than in control group (P<0.05), and which could be significantly reduced by 2?DG (P<0.05). (3) PDGF?BB inhibited the expression of SIRT3 protein in PASMCs: the expression of SIRT3 protein in PDGF?BB group was lower than that in control group (P<0.05). (4) PDGF?BB affected glycolytic pathway through SIRT3:compared with the control group, PDGF?BB significantly increased the expression levels of glucose transporter 1 (Glut1), hexokinase 2 (HK2) and 6?phosphfructo?2?kinase 3 (PFKFB3) mRNA (all P<0.05), which was reserved by over?expression of SIRT3. There were no significant difference in mRNA expression levels between PDGF?BB group and PDGF?BB+empty vector group (P>0.05).Compared with the control group, PDGF?BB significantly increased the expression levels of Glut1, HK2 and PFKFB3 protein(all P<0.05), which was reserved by over?expression of SIRT3. There were no significant differences in protein expression levels between PDGF?BB group and PDGF?BB+empty vector group (all P>0.05). Conclusion PDGF?BB regulates phenotypic transformation of PASMCs via SIRT3 affecting glycolytic pathway.

Environmental exposure to heavy metals has been linked to a wide range of human health hazards. We detected the levels of 15 metals in urine samples from 500 representative sub-samples in an ongoing occupational cohort study (Jinchang Cohort) to directly evaluate metal exposure levels. Fifteen metals, namely As, Ba, Be, Cd, Cs, Cr, Co, Cu, Pb, Mn, Ni, Se, Tl, U, and Zn, were detected by inductively coupled plasma quadruple mass spectrometry. The results showed that median creatinine adjustment and geometric mean urinary metal levels were higher in the heavy metal-exposed group, except Se and Zn, than other reported general or occupational populations. Further studies should address the effects of heavy metals on human health.
China ; Cohort Studies ; Environmental Pollutants ; blood ; Humans ; Metals, Heavy ; blood ; Occupational Exposure