OBJECTIVE: To explore the potential effects and mechanisms of Liang-Ge-San (LGS) for the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) through network pharmacology analysis and to verify LGS activity through biological experiments. METHODS: The key ingredients of LGS and related targets were obtained from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform. ARDS-related targets were selected from GeneCards and DisGeNET databases. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses were performed using the Metascape Database. Molecular docking analysis was used to confirm the binding affinity of the core compounds with key therapeutic targets. Finally, the effects of LGS on key signaling pathways and biological processes were determined by in vitro and in vivo experiments. RESULTS: A total of LGS-related targets and 496 ARDS-related targets were obtained from the databases. Network pharmacological analysis suggested that LGS could treat ARDS based on the following information: LGS ingredients luteolin, wogonin, and baicalein may be potential candidate agents. Mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 (MAPK14), recombinant V-Rel reticuloendotheliosis viral oncogene homolog A (RELA), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) may be potential therapeutic targets. Reactive oxygen species metabolic process and the apoptotic signaling pathway were the main biological processes. The p38MAPK/NF-κ B signaling pathway might be the key signaling pathway activated by LGS against ARDS. Moreover, molecular docking demonstrated that luteolin, wogonin, and baicalein had a good binding affinity with MAPK14, RELA, and TNF α. In vitro experiments, LGS inhibited the expression and entry of p38 and p65 into the nucleation in human bronchial epithelial cells (HBE) cells induced by LPS, inhibited the inflammatory response and oxidative stress response, and inhibited HBE cell apoptosis (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In vivo experiments, LGS improved lung injury caused by ligation and puncture, reduced inflammatory responses, and inhibited the activation of p38MAPK and p65 (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION LGS could reduce reactive oxygen species and inflammatory cytokine production by inhibiting p38MAPK/NF-κ B signaling pathway, thus reducing apoptosis and attenuating ARDS.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome/enzymology* ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Animals ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Humans ; Male ; Network Pharmacology ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Mice

Objective To investigate the effect of polystyrene microplastics(PS-MPs)on myocardial injury in mice and its molecular mechanism.Methods A total of 60 male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into normal sa-line group,0.1,1,10 mg/kg PS-MPs exposed group,and doxorubicin[5 mg/(kg·w)]group treated for 8 weeks.After treatment,we measured blood pressure,cardiac organ coefficient,cardiac histopathological changes,oxidative stress markers reactive oxygen species(ROS),malondialdehyde(MDA),glutathione(GSH),4-hydroxynonenal(4-HNE)and nuclear factor E2-related factor 2(Nrf2),serum centroid injury markers creatine kinase MB(CK-MB)and troponin(cTnT),ferroptosis marker recombinant glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),Recombinant solute carrier family 7(SLC7 A11)as well as ferrous ions(Fe2+).Results Compared with the neg-ative control group,vacuolation,inflammatory infiltration and collagen fiber deposition were evident in the hearts of mice after PS exposure.The levels of myocardial injury markers CK-MB and cTnT significantly increased.Cardiac organ coefficient decreased,blood pressure increased,oxidative stress markers and ferroptosis markers increased.Conclusion PS-MPs exposure can induce oxidative stress and activate ferroptosis pathway,resulting in myocardial injury in mice.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Wuziyuye Decoction in the treatment of type-II diabetes mellitus (DM) with qi-yin deficiency complicated by asthenospermia. METHODS: We selected 100 cases of type-II DM with qi-yin deficiency complicated by asthenospermia treated in the First Hospital Affiliated to Ningbo University from January 2023 to March 2024, and randomly assigned them to receive Wuziyuye Decoction (the trial group, n = 50) and oral L-carnitine solution (the control group, n = 50) in addition to Western medicine to reduce fasting blood glucose to normal in both groups. After 12 weeks of medication, we followed up the patients for 24 weeks, obtained their semen parameters, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome scores and levels of reproductive hormones, and the clinical pregnancy outcomes of their partners, followed by comparison of the data collected between the two groups before and after treatment. RESULTS: After 12 weeks of treatment, the trial group showed significant improvement over the baseline in the percentage of progressive motility (PR%) (［35.5±6.1］% vs ［18.0±4.2］%, P<0.05), sperm concentration (［54.0±33.4］ vs ［40.0±36.1］ × 10⁶/ml, P<0.05), and TCM syndrome score (4.5±2.3 vs 18.5±5.2, P<0.05), but no statistically significant difference in the semen volume (［2.85±0.36］ vs ［2.84±0.59］ ml, P>0.05), while the controls exhibited markedly improved percentage of PR% (［29.5±6.2］% vs ［18.5±4.5］%, P<0.05) and sperm concentration (［45.0±34.1］ vs ［42.0±38.3］ × 10⁶/ml, P<0.05), but no statistically significant difference in the semen volume (［3.04±0.89］ vs ［2.90±0.78］ ml, P>0.05) and TCM syndrome score (17.2±4.5 vs 17.8±4.8, P>0.05). The patients treated with Wuziyuye Decoction achieved even more significant improvement than the controls in the percentage of PR%, sperm concentration and TCM syndrome score (P<0.05), but there were no statistically significant differences in the reproductive hormone levels and clinical pregnancy outcomes between the two groups of patients after treatment (P>0.05). And no severe adverse reactions were observed in either group. CONCLUSION Wuziyuye Decoction is safe and effective for the treatment of type-II DM with qi-yin deficiency complicated by asthenospermia by improving the sperm motility and concentration of the patient.
Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Male ; Asthenozoospermia/complications* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/drug therapy* ; Yin Deficiency/complications* ; Adult ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Sperm Motility ; Qi ; Female ; Pregnancy

OBJECTIVES: Atrial fibrillation (AF) contributes to stroke development and progression. We aimed to quantify the mediating role of AF in the causal associations between a wide range of risk factors and stroke via a Mendelian randomization (MR) framework. METHODS: We assessed the associations of 108 traits with stroke and its subtypes in a 2-sample univariable MR approach, then conducted a bidirectional MR analysis between these 108 traits and AF to evaluate the presence and direction of their causal associations. Finally, to further investigate the extent to which AF mediated the effects of eligible traits on stroke, we applied multivariable and 2-step MR techniques in a mediation analysis where outcomes were restricted to stroke types causally affected by AF (any stroke [AS], any ischemic stroke [AIS], and cardioembolic stroke [CES]). RESULTS: Among 108 traits, 42 were putatively causal for at least 1 stroke type; of these 42 traits, 20 that had no bidirectional relationship with AF were retained. Finally, 33 associations of 15 eligible traits were examined in the mediation analysis. The mediation analyses for AS, AIS, and CES each included 11 eligible traits. After AF adjustment, the direct effects of all traits on CES were attenuated to null (all p>0.05), while the associations with AS and AIS persisted for most traits (AF-mediated proportion: from 6.6% [95% confidence interval, 2.7 to 0.6] to 52.0% [95% confidence interval, 39.8 to 64.3]). CONCLUSIONS The causal associations between all eligible traits and CES were largely mediated through AF, while most traits affected AS and AIS independently of AF.

Child ; Humans ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; Kidney Failure, Chronic

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that the incidence and severity of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in patients with lung cancer are higher than those in healthy people. At present, the main anti-tumor treatments for lung cancer include surgery, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy and anti-angiogenesis therapy. While the effects of different anti-tumor treatments on the occurrence and severity of COVID-19 pneumonia are not uniform. Therefore, we aimed to describe clinical characteristics and antitumor therapy of patients with lung cancer and COVID-19 pneumonia, and examined risk factors for severity in this population. METHODS: From December 1, 2022 to February 15, 2023, a retrospective study was conducted in 217 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and pathologically confirmed lung cancer in the Jinling Hospital. We collected data about patients' clinical features, antitumor treatment regimen within 6 months, and the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19. Risk factors for occurrence and severity of COVID-19 pneumonia were identified by univariable and multivariable Logistic regression models. RESULTS: (1) Among the 217 patients included, 51 (23.5%) developed COVID-19 pneumonia, of which 42 (82.4%) were classified as medium and 9 (17.6%) were classified as severe; (2) Univariate and multivariate analysis revealed overweight (OR=2.405, 95%CI: 1.095-5.286) and intrapulmonary focal radiotherapy (OR=2.977, 95%CI: 1.071-8.274) are risk factors for increasing occurrence of COVID-19 pneumonia, while other therapies are not; (3) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) history (OR=7.600, 95%CI: 1.430-40.387) was more likely to develop severe pneumonia and anti-tumor therapies such as intrapulmonary focal radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy did not increase severity. CONCLUSIONS Intrapulmonary focal radiation therapy within 6 months increased the incidence of COVID-19 pneumonia, but did not increase the severity. However, there was no safety concern for chemotherapy, targeted therapy, surgery and immunotherapy.
Humans ; COVID-19 ; Retrospective Studies ; Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Incidence ; Pneumonia/etiology*

Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/therapy* ; Thrombotic Microangiopathies/complications*

Glycyrrizae Radix et Rhizoma has high medicinal value and is widely used in compatibility. It is used most frequently in the compatibility of Chinese medicine prescriptions，and is known as ''Guolao''（national medicine） and "master of all medicines". The characteristic active ingredients are mainly liquitin，glycyrrizic acid，glycyrrizin，and licochalcone. In different compatibilities，based on traditional and modern pharmacological theories，the corresponding effect of Glycyrrizae Radix et Rhizoma are brought into play through different mechanisms. Based on the traditional pharmacology of Glycyrrizae Radix et Rhizoma for tonifying spleen，replenishing Qi，clearing heat，removing toxin，dispelling phlegm，relieving cough and pain，and harmonizing various medicines，this paper used herbal authentication to analyze its compatibility application and mechanism. It was found that Glycyrrizae Radix et Rhizoma played corresponding effect in compatibilities through "tonification"，"harmonization"，and "regulation". For example，Glycyrrizae Radix et Rhizoma was combined with tonics including Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma to tonify the five Zang-organs through its strong tonifying effect，combined with Paeoniae Radix Alba and Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata to relieve emergencies and pains through harmonizing medicine power and properties，and combined with Rhei Radix et Rhizoma and Natrii Sulfas to reduce medicine intensity through regulating medicine properties and body characteristics. The application law and mechanism of the modern pharmacological compatibility of Glycyrrizae Radix et Rhizoma were analyzed by data mining and network pharmacology. It was found that the modern clinical formula was often compatible with Glycyrrizae Radix et Rhizoma for anti-inflammation，cardiovascular and cerebrovascular protection，anti-virus，and anti-tumor，Ephedrae Herba and Scutellariae Radix for anti-inflammation，Bambusae Caulis in Taenias，Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma，and Aurantii Fructus Immaturus for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular protection，and Ophiopogonis Radix and Chuanxiong Rhizoma for nerves protection. Meanwhile，the important targets of the characteristic ingredients were protein kinase B1 （Akt1），interleukin-6 （IL-6），tumor necrosis factor （TNF），and epidermal growth factor receptor （EGFR）. The important characteristic pathways such as tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance pathway and cyclic guanosine monophosphate （cGMP）/protein kinase G （PKG） signal pathway played the role of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular protection，and proteoglycan pathway in cancer played a neuroprotective role. This study is expected to provide references for the rational compatibility and application of Glycyrrizae Radix et Rhizoma，as well as the compatibility application of Chinese medicine prescriptions.

Objective     To evaluate the effect of mediastinal drainage tube placed in the left thoracic cavity after partial resection of the mediastinum pleura in robot-assisted McKeown esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma, and to compare it with the traditional method of mediastinal drainage tube placed in mediastinum. Methods    We retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 96 patients who underwent robot-assisted McKeown esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma by the surgeons in the same medical group in our department between July 2018 and March 2021. There were 78 males and 18 females, aged 52-79 years. Left mediastinum pleura around the carcinoma during operation was resected in all patients. Patients were divided into two groups according to the method of mediastinal drainage tube placement: a control group (placed in mediastinum) and an observation group (placed through the mediastinal pleura into the left thoracic cavity with several side ports distributed in the mediastinum). The incidence of left thoracentesis or catheterization after surgery, anastomotic fistula and anastomotic healing time, other complications such as pneumonia and postoperative pain score were also compared between the two groups. Results     There was no statistical difference in baseline data or surgical parameters between the two groups. The percentage of patients in the observation group who needed re-thoracentesis or re-catheterization postoperatively due to massive pleural effusion in the left thoracic cavity was significantly lower than that in the control group (5.6% vs. 21.4%, P=0.020). The incidence of anastomotic leakage (3.7%vs. 7.1%, P=0.651) and the healing time of anastomosis (18.56±4.27 d vs. 24.33±5.48 d, P=0.304) were not statistically different between the two groups, and there was no statistical difference in other complications such as pulmonary infection. Moreover, the postoperative pain score was also similar between the two groups. Conclusion     For patients whose mediastinal pleura is removed partially during robot-assisted McKeown esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma, placing the drainage tube through the mediastinal pleura into the left thoracic cavity can reduce the risk of left-side thoracentesis or catheterization, which may promote the postoperative recovery of patients.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in the treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods: A longitudinal study was conducted. Clinical data from ASD patients with gastrointestinal symptoms and who underwent FMT in the Tenth People's Hospital affiliated to Tongji University or Jinling Hospital between May 2012 to May 2021 were retrospectively collected. Scores derived from the autism behavior checklist (ABC), the childhood autism rating scale (CARS), the Bristol stool form scale (BSFS), and the gastrointestinal symptom rating scale (GSRS) were analyzed at baseline and at the 1st, 3rd, 6th, 12th, 24th, 36th, 48th and 60th month after FMT. Records of any adverse reactions were collected. Generalized estimating equations were used for analysis of data on time points before and after FMT. Results: A total of 328 patients met the inclusion criteria for this study. Their mean age was 6.1±3.4 years old. The cohort included 271 boys and 57 girls. The percentage of patients remaining in the study for post-treatment follow-up at the 1st, 3rd, 12th, 24th, 36th, 48th and 60th month were as follows: 303 (92.4%), 284 (86.7%), 213 (64.9%), 190 (57.9%), 143 (43.6%), 79 (24.1%), 46 (14.0%), 31 (9.5%). After FMT, the average ABC score was significantly improved in the first 36 months and remained improved at the 48th month. However, the average score was not significantly different from baseline by the 60th month (1st-36th month, P<0.001; 48th month, P=0.008; 60th month, P=0.108). The average CARS score improved significantly during the first 48 months and remained improved at the 60th month (1st-48th month, P<0.001; 60th month, P=0.010). The average BSFS score was also significantly improved in the first 36 months (with an accompanying stool morphology that resembled type 4). This improvement was maintained at the 48th month. However, the average score was similar to baseline at the 60th month (1st-36th month, P<0.001; 48th month, P=0.008; 60th month, P=0.109). The average GSRS score was significantly improved during the first 24 months, but not afterwards (1st-24th month, P<0.001; 36th month, P=0.209; 48th month, P=0.996; 60th month, P=0.668). The adverse events recorded during treatment included abdominal distension in 21 cases (6.4%), nausea in 14 cases (4.3%), vomiting in 9 cases (2.7%), abdominal pain in 15 cases (4.6%), diarrhea in 18 cases (5.5%), fever in 13 cases (4.0%), and excitement in 24 cases (7.3%). All adverse reactions were mild to moderate and improved immediately after suspension of FMT or on treatment of symptoms. No serious adverse reactions occurred. Conclusion: FMT has satisfactory long-term efficacy and safety for the treatment of ASD with gastrointestinal symptoms.
Autism Spectrum Disorder/therapy* ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Fecal Microbiota Transplantation/adverse effects* ; Feces ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Diseases ; Humans ; Longitudinal Studies ; Male ; Retrospective Studies