ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect and mechanism of action of flavonoid combination of Alpiniae Officinarum Rhizoma （A. officinarum） against Helicobacter pylori （H. pylori） gastritis in mice. MethodsAfter acclimatization for one week， 56 SPF-grade healthy C57BL/6J mice were gavaged with mixed antibiotics for three consecutive days. They were randomly divided into a normal group， model group， positive drug group （triple therapy group）， and low- and high-dose groups （100， 200 mg·kg^-1） of flavonoid combination of A. officinarum. The H. pylori gastritis mice model was established by gavage with H. pylori bacterial suspension in each group except for the normal group. After successful modeling， mice were administrated with corresponding drugs once a day for two weeks. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the pathological changes in gastric tissue. Rapid urease test paper was used to detect the positive rate of H. pylori. Silver staining was used to observe the H. pylori adherence on the surface of gastric tissue. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the protein expression of interleukin-8 （IL）-8 and myeloid differentiation factor （MyD88） in gastric tissue. The serum levels of IL-6， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， IL-8， and IL-1β were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The expressions of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B （PI3K/Akt） protein were detected by Western blot. ResultsCompared with those in the normal group， mice in the model group had lower gastric weight coefficients， higher pH of gastric juice， 100% H. pylori infection rate， and significantly changed gastric histopathology. The expressions of IL-8 and MyD88 proteins in the gastric tissue of mice in the model group were significantly elevated， and the serum levels of inflammatory factors IL-6， TNF-α， IL-8， and IL-1β were significantly up-regulated in mice. Compared with that in the model group， the gastric weight coefficient of mice in each treatment group of the flavonoid combinations of A. officinarum was elevated （P<0.01）， and the pH of gastric juice was reduced （P<0.01）. The infection rate of H. pylori was reduced. The expressions of IL-8 and MyD88 proteins in the gastric tissue of mice in the treatment groups were significantly reduced （P<0.01）， and the serum levels of inflammatory factors IL-6， TNF-α， IL-8， and IL-1β were significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner （P<0.01）. The flavonoid combinations of A. officinarum down-regulated the expression of PI3K and Akt proteins in H. pylori gastritis-infected cells （P<0.01）. ConclusionThe protective effect of flavonoid combinations of A. officinarum against H. pylori gastritis is associated with the inhibition of H. pylori infection rate and regulation of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway， resulting in inhibiting the release of inflammatory factors.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the effect of A. muciniphila gavage on intestinal microbiota and gut-brain interaction disorders (DGBIs) in gp120tg transgenic mouse models of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND). METHODS: Intestinal microbiota was detected by 16S rRNA gene sequencing in 6-, 9-, and 12-month-old wild-type (WT) mice and gp120tg transgenic mice. The 12-month-old WT and transgenic mice were divided into 2 groups for daily treatment with PBS or A.muciniphila gavage (2×10⁸ CFU/mouse) for 6 weeks. After the treatment, immunohistochemistry, ELISA and qPCR were used to detect changes in colonic expression levels of glycosylated mucins, MBP and IL-1β, eosinophil infiltration, serum lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels, and colonic expressions of occludin, ZO-1, IL-10, TNF-α and INF-γ mRNA. Morris water maze test and immunofluorescence assay were used to assess learning and spatial memory abilities and neuronal damage of the mice. RESULTS: Compared with WT mice, the transgenic mice exhibited significantly lowered Simpson's diversity of the intestinal microbiota with reduced abundance of Akkermansia genus, increased serum LPS levels and decreased colonic expression of glycosylated mucin. A.muciniphila gavage obviously ameliorated the reduction of glycosylated mucin in the transgenic mice without causing significant changes in body weight. The 12-month-old gp120tg mice had significantly decreased cdonic expressions of Occludin and ZO-1 with increased eosinophil infiltration and TNF-β, INF-γ and IL-1β levels and obviously lowered IL-10 level; all these changes were significantly mitigated by A.muciniphila gavage, which also improved cognitive impairment and neuronal loss in the hippocampus and cortex of the transgenic mice. CONCLUSIONS The gp120tg mice have lower intestinal microbiota richness and diversity than WT mice. The 12-month-old gp120tg mice have significantly reduced Akkermansia abundance with distinct DGBIs-related indexes, and A. muciniphila gavage can reduce intestinal barrier injury, colonic inflammation and eosinophil activation, cognitive impairment and brain neuron injury in these mice.
Animals ; Mice, Transgenic ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Mice ; Brain ; HIV Envelope Protein gp120/genetics* ; Akkermansia ; Disease Models, Animal

Objective To explore the effect of A.muciniphila gavage on intestinal microbiota and gut-brain interaction disorders(DGBIs)in gp120tg transgenic mouse models of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder(HAND).Methods Intestinal microbiota was detected by 16S rRNA gene sequencing in 6-,9-,and 12-month-old wild-type(WT)mice and gp120tg transgenic mice.The 12-month-old WT and transgenic mice were divided into 2 groups for daily treatment with PBS or A.muciniphila gavage(2×108 CFU/mouse)for 6 weeks.After the treatment,immunohistochemistry,ELISA and qPCR were used to detect changes in colonic expression levels of glycosylated mucins,MBP and IL-1β,eosinophil infiltration,serum lipopolysaccharide(LPS)levels,and colonic expressions of occludin,ZO-1,IL-10,TNF-α and INF-γ mRNA.Morris water maze test and immunofluorescence assay were used to assess learning and spatial memory abilities and neuronal damage of the mice.Results Compared with WT mice,the transgenic mice exhibited significantly lowered Simpson's diversity of the intestinal microbiota with reduced abundance of Akkermansia genus,increased serum LPS levels and decreased colonic expression of glycosylated mucin.A.muciniphila gavage obviously ameliorated the reduction of glycosylated mucin in the transgenic mice without causing significant changes in body weight.The 12-month-old gp120tg mice had significantly decreased cdonic expressions of Occludin and ZO-1 with increased eosinophil infiltration and TNF-β,INF-γ and IL-1β levels and obviously lowered IL-10 level;all these changes were significantly mitigated by A.muciniphila gavage,which also improved cognitive impairment and neuronal loss in the hippocampus and cortex of the transgenic mice.Conclusion The gp120tg mice have lower intestinal microbiota richness and diversity than WT mice.The 12-month-old gp120tg mice have significantly reduced Akkermansia abundance with distinct DGBIs-related indexes,and A.muciniphila gavage can reduce intestinal barrier injury,colonic inflammation and eosinophil activation,cognitive impairment and brain neuron injury in these mice.

Organ transplantation has emerged as a therapeutic modality for children with end-stage organ failure.With advancements in surgical techniques,organ preservation methods,and immunosuppressive thera-pies,both the success rate of transplantation and the long-term quality of life of recipients have continued to im-prove.Initially applied primarily in cardiothoracic transplantation,extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO)has gradually expanded its role in pediatric organ transplant recipients to include perioperative support for cardiopulmonary complications in abdominal organ transplants such as liver and kidney,as well as in the maintenance of deceased donors.With ongoing refinements in ECMO technology and equipment,its sig-nificance in supporting children with end-stage organ failure has become increasingly prominent,offering re-newed hope and survival for a growing number of pediatric patients with organ failure.

Objective To study the transcriptional expression of Chlorophyti Laxi R.Br.using high-throughput sequencing technology.Methods Total RNA of Chlorophtum laxum R.Br.was extracted,followed by library construction,sequencing,and de novo assembly to obtain unigene sequences.These sequences were then annotated and compared to acquire genetic information of the Chlorophtum laxum R.Br.transcriptome.Results A total of 29 325 unigene were identified,with an average length of 1 026 bp and an N50 of 1 697 bp.Among them,20 338 unigene were functionally annotated in at least one database,with Chlorophtum laxum R.Br.showing the highest sequence similarity to Asparagus officinalis.In the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)database,13 392 unigene were annotated,including genes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis and ubiquinone and other terpenoid-quinone biosynthesis pathways.Thirty-five upstream genes related to Chlorophtum laxum R.Br.saponin biosynthesis were identified.In the Gene Ontology(GO)database,16 728 unigene were annotated,covering cellular anatomical entities,binding,and biological processes.Using the Microsatellite Identification Tool(MISA),11 486 assembled unigene longer than 1 000 bp were analyzed for simple sequence repeats(SSRs),resulting in the identification of 5 178 SSR loci,for which primers were designed using Primer 3.0.By comparing Chlorophtum laxum R.Br.unigene with the transcription factor database,657 transcription factors,including bHLH,MYB,and WRKY,were identified.Conclusion The transcriptome data provide a foundation for studying the biosynthetic pathways and functional genes of medicinal active components in Chlorophtum laxum R.Br.,and also contribute to the conservation and development of its resources.

Objective To explore the relationship between the head injury criterion(HIC)values in anterior-posterior(AP)collisions and lateral-medial(LM)collisions.Methods A total of 102 male SD rats were randomly divided into a control group of 0 m(6 rats),4 AP groups(12 rats/group)and 4 LM groups(12 rats/group).After adaptive training,the classical Marmarou model was used to execute the brain AP and LM collisions under a series of different height impacts,and the HIC values were calculated.The experimental group data of the walk-pole test and grip strength test were collected at 24 hours before and after injury,and the data of the proportion of hemorrhage in the corpus callosum and pyramidal tracts were collected at 24 hours after injury.Results As the collision heights increased in both AP and LM groups,there were positive correlations with changes in WP test time and peak GS,and corresponding increases in the proportion of hemorrhage in the cc and py.According to the mathematical relationships between the comprehensive injury degrees and HIC values,it was found that at the same injury degree,LM-HIC value was less than AP-HIC value.A mathematical relationship between AP-HIC and LM-HIC was fitted based on the comprehensive injury degrees.At the same HIC,LM group experienced more severe injuries,and AP group was more tolerant to head collision.Conclusion The injury severity in LM group is greater than that of AP group at the same HIC.Preliminary results show there is a linear mathematical relationship between AP-HIC and LM-HIC.These results can be expected to expand the application scope of HIC and achieve an accurate assessment of the LM collision severity.

AIM:To evaluate the effects of liposo-mal bupivacaine for interscalene brachial plexus block on postoperative analgesia and diaphragmat-ic function in patients undergoing arthroscopic ro-tator cuff repair surgery based on a randomized controlled trial.METHODS:Forty patients who scheduled to undergo arthroscopic rotator cuff re-pair surgery,regardless of gender,aged 18 to 65 years,ASA grade Ⅰ or Ⅱ were selected from October 2023 to February 2024.The patients were random-ly divided into bupivacaine liposome group(group LB)and the levobupivacaine group(group BV),with 20 cases in each group.Patients in both groups re-ceived an ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus block,15 mL mixed liquids(bupivacaine lipo-some 10 mL+0.5％levobupivacaine 10 mL)were in-jected into the level of C5-C6 nerve roots and 5 mL onto the surface of prevertebral fascia in the LB group,and same volume of 0.375％levobupiva-caine were injected at the same sites in the BV group respectively.Standardized general anesthe-sia and standardized postoperative analgesia were followed.The primary outcome measures included 48 h rest/motor numerical rating scale(NRS)scores after surgery and the incidence of hemidiaphrag-matic paralysis(HDP)after block.The secondary outcome measures included rest/motor NRS scores at other time points after surgery,pulse oxygen sat-uration(SpO2)30 min after block,duration of sen-sory and motor block,number of analgesic pump presses,time of first postoperative used of opioid drugs and opioid consumption,use of additional analgesics in the wards,satisfaction with analgesia,and the occurrence of perioperative adverse ef-fects and neurological complications.RESULTS:Compared with group BV,patients in LB group showed lower rest NRS scores at 48 h postopera-tion(P＜0.05)and higher incidence of HDP at 24 h after block(45％vs.5.3％,P＜0.05).However,there was no significant difference in motor NRS scores at 48 h,HDP incidence at 30 min and 6 h after block between the two groups(P＞0.05).Both groups showed a decrease in SpO2 after block com-pared to before block(P＜0.05).Compared with BV group,patients in LB group had a significantly lon-ger duration of sensory and motor block(P＜0.01),fewer effective presses with the analgesic pump(P＜0.01),delay in first opioid use and less opioid con-sumption(P＜0.05),higher level of satisfaction with analgesia(P＜0.01),and a lower rate of use of addi-tional analgesics in the ward(P＜0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the total in-traoperative remifentanil consumption,incidence of perioperative adverse reactions and neurological complication between the two groups(P＞0.05).CONCLUSION:Compared with using levobupiva-caine alone,the addition of liposomal bupivacaine for interscalene brachial plexus block in arthroscop-ic rotator cuff repair can reduce postoperative NRS scores,decrease postoperative opioid dosage and significantly prolong blockduration,but can easily lead to longer duration of HDP in patients.

Objective To explore the relationship between the head injury criterion(HIC)values in anterior-posterior(AP)collisions and lateral-medial(LM)collisions.Methods A total of 102 male SD rats were randomly divided into a control group of 0 m(6 rats),4 AP groups(12 rats/group)and 4 LM groups(12 rats/group).After adaptive training,the classical Marmarou model was used to execute the brain AP and LM collisions under a series of different height impacts,and the HIC values were calculated.The experimental group data of the walk-pole test and grip strength test were collected at 24 hours before and after injury,and the data of the proportion of hemorrhage in the corpus callosum and pyramidal tracts were collected at 24 hours after injury.Results As the collision heights increased in both AP and LM groups,there were positive correlations with changes in WP test time and peak GS,and corresponding increases in the proportion of hemorrhage in the cc and py.According to the mathematical relationships between the comprehensive injury degrees and HIC values,it was found that at the same injury degree,LM-HIC value was less than AP-HIC value.A mathematical relationship between AP-HIC and LM-HIC was fitted based on the comprehensive injury degrees.At the same HIC,LM group experienced more severe injuries,and AP group was more tolerant to head collision.Conclusion The injury severity in LM group is greater than that of AP group at the same HIC.Preliminary results show there is a linear mathematical relationship between AP-HIC and LM-HIC.These results can be expected to expand the application scope of HIC and achieve an accurate assessment of the LM collision severity.

AIM:To evaluate the effects of liposo-mal bupivacaine for interscalene brachial plexus block on postoperative analgesia and diaphragmat-ic function in patients undergoing arthroscopic ro-tator cuff repair surgery based on a randomized controlled trial.METHODS:Forty patients who scheduled to undergo arthroscopic rotator cuff re-pair surgery,regardless of gender,aged 18 to 65 years,ASA grade Ⅰ or Ⅱ were selected from October 2023 to February 2024.The patients were random-ly divided into bupivacaine liposome group(group LB)and the levobupivacaine group(group BV),with 20 cases in each group.Patients in both groups re-ceived an ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus block,15 mL mixed liquids(bupivacaine lipo-some 10 mL+0.5％levobupivacaine 10 mL)were in-jected into the level of C5-C6 nerve roots and 5 mL onto the surface of prevertebral fascia in the LB group,and same volume of 0.375％levobupiva-caine were injected at the same sites in the BV group respectively.Standardized general anesthe-sia and standardized postoperative analgesia were followed.The primary outcome measures included 48 h rest/motor numerical rating scale(NRS)scores after surgery and the incidence of hemidiaphrag-matic paralysis(HDP)after block.The secondary outcome measures included rest/motor NRS scores at other time points after surgery,pulse oxygen sat-uration(SpO2)30 min after block,duration of sen-sory and motor block,number of analgesic pump presses,time of first postoperative used of opioid drugs and opioid consumption,use of additional analgesics in the wards,satisfaction with analgesia,and the occurrence of perioperative adverse ef-fects and neurological complications.RESULTS:Compared with group BV,patients in LB group showed lower rest NRS scores at 48 h postopera-tion(P＜0.05)and higher incidence of HDP at 24 h after block(45％vs.5.3％,P＜0.05).However,there was no significant difference in motor NRS scores at 48 h,HDP incidence at 30 min and 6 h after block between the two groups(P＞0.05).Both groups showed a decrease in SpO2 after block com-pared to before block(P＜0.05).Compared with BV group,patients in LB group had a significantly lon-ger duration of sensory and motor block(P＜0.01),fewer effective presses with the analgesic pump(P＜0.01),delay in first opioid use and less opioid con-sumption(P＜0.05),higher level of satisfaction with analgesia(P＜0.01),and a lower rate of use of addi-tional analgesics in the ward(P＜0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the total in-traoperative remifentanil consumption,incidence of perioperative adverse reactions and neurological complication between the two groups(P＞0.05).CONCLUSION:Compared with using levobupiva-caine alone,the addition of liposomal bupivacaine for interscalene brachial plexus block in arthroscop-ic rotator cuff repair can reduce postoperative NRS scores,decrease postoperative opioid dosage and significantly prolong blockduration,but can easily lead to longer duration of HDP in patients.

Objective:To utilize routinely available clinical parameters to uncover the clinical features of different clusters in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyp (CRSwNP) through unsupervised clustering analysis.Methods:The clinical data from 155 CRSwNP patients undergoing nasal endoscopic surgery at Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from 2021 to 2023 were prospectively collected, including 112 males and 43 females, aged from 7 to 87 years. Unsupervised clustering analysis was conducted using various clinical parameters, including age, gender, smoking and drinking history, local eosinophil (EOS) and neutrophil (NEU) counts, comorbid allergic rhinitis (AR), comorbid asthma, recurrence status, serum-specific IgE, total IgE, cytokine levels, peripheral blood EOS count and percentage, Lund-Mackay CT score, the ratio of CT scores for the maxillary sinus and ethmoid sinus (E/M ratio), visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Lund-Kennedy endoscopic score, and other common clinical indicators to elucidate the clinical characteristics of each cluster. Statistical analysis was conducted using GraphPad Prism 9.5 software.Results:Hierarchical clustering analysis identified four main clusters (Cluster A1-A4), showcasing distinct characteristics such as mild nasal polyps with higher peripheral blood cytokines levels, nasal polyps accompanied by allergies and asthma, a subtype of nasal polyps with high recurrence rates dominated by neutrophils, and nasal polyps with high eosinophil levels. Further subset clustering revealed two clusters of mild polyps (Cluster B1-B2) featuring high cytokine expression and comorbid AR; and two clusters of severe polyps (Cluster B3-B4) presented with severe symptoms, high Lund-Mackay CT score, and high Lund-Kennedy endoscopic score. Variations between Cluster B3 and B4 included symptom complexity, the degree of eosinophil infiltration, and the probability of comorbid asthma. Further clustering analysis for eosinophilic nasal polyps revealed a cluster characterized by highly neutrophilic infiltration and recurrent nasal polyps. The comprehensive analysis of multi-index correlations demonstrated valuable insights into the relationships between common clinical parameters of nasal polyps, providing valuable information for a deeper understanding of the pathogenesis of CRSwNP.Conclusion:The clustering analysis in this study categorizes CRSwNP patients into different clusters based on clinical features and disease outcomes, providing a new perspective for more precise clinical treatment strategies.