Objective: To determine the clinical efficacy and mechanism of Piwei Peiyuan Pill (PPP) combined with moxibustion for treating patients with chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) with spleen and stomach weakness syndrome. Methods: Ninety-six CAG patients with spleen and stomach weakness syndrome who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled at the Department of Spleen and Stomach Diseases of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine from June 2022 to December 2023. The patients were randomly divided into a control, a Chinese medicine, and a combined group using a random number table method, with 32 cases in each group (two cases per group were excluded). The control group was treated with rabeprazole combined with folic acid tablets (both thrice daily), the Chinese medicine group was treated with PPP (8 g, thrice daily), and the combined group was treated with moxa stick moxibustion (once daily) on the basis of the Chinese medicine group for 12 consecutive weeks. Gastric mucosa atrophy in the three groups was observed before and after treatment. The gastric mucosal pathological score was evaluated. The Patient Reported Outcome (PRO) scale was used to evaluate the patients′ physical and mental health status and quality of life.An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4, IL-10, IL-37, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β levels in each group. Real-time fluorescence PCR was used to detect the relative expression levels of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) mRNA in each group. Western blotting was used to detect the relative expression levels of proteins related to the STAT3/mTOR signaling pathway, and the adverse drug reactions and events were recorded and compared. Results: There was no statistical difference in age, gender, disease duration, family history of gastrointestinal tumors, alcohol consumption history, and body mass index among the three groups of patients.The total therapeutic efficacy rates of the control, Chinese medicine, and combined groups in treating gastric mucosal atrophy were 66.67% (20/30), 86.67% (26/30), and 90.00% (27/30), respectively (P<0.05). Compared to before treatment, the pathological and PRO scale scores of gastric mucosa in each group decreased after treatment, and TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-37, and TGF-β levels decreased. The relative STAT3 and mTOR mRNA expression levels, as well as the relative STAT3, p-STAT3, mTOR, and p-mTOR protein expression levels decreased (P<0.05), whereas the IL-4 and IL-10 levels increased (P<0.05). After treatment, compared to the control group, the pathological score of gastric mucosa, PRO scale score, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-37, TGF-β content, relative STAT3 and mTOR mRNA expression levels, and relative STAT3, p-STAT3, mTOR, and p-mTOR protein expression levels in the Chinese medicine and combined groups after treatment were reduced (P<0.05), whereas the IL-4 and IL-10 levels increased (P<0.05). After treatment, compared to the Chinese medicine group, the combined group showed a decrease in relative STAT3, mTOR mRNA expression levels, and STAT3, p-STAT3, mTOR, and p-mTOR protein expression levels (P<0.05). Conclusion The combination of PPP and moxibustion may regulate the inflammatory mechanism of the body by inhibiting the abnormal activation of the STAT3/mTOR signaling pathway, upregulating related anti-inflammatory factor levels, downregulating pro-inflammatory factor expression, and increasing related repair factor expression, thereby promoting the recovery of atrophic gastric mucosa, reducing discomfort symptoms, and improving the physical and mental state of CAG patients with spleen and stomach weakness syndrome.

Ethanol (EtOH) is a common trigger for gastric mucosal diseases, and mitigating oxidative stress is essential for attenuating gastric mucosal damage. Capsaicin (CAP) has been identified as a potential agent to counteract oxidative damage in the gastric mucosa; however, its precise mechanism remains unclear. This study demonstrates that CAP alleviates EtOH-induced gastric mucosal injuries through two primary pathways: by suppressing the chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4)/Src/p47phox axis, thereby reducing oxidative stress, and by inhibiting the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-κB p65 (NF-κB) p65, resulting in diminished inflammatory responses. These findings elucidate the mechanistic pathways of CAP and provide a theoretical foundation for its potential therapeutic application in the treatment of gastric mucosal injuries.
Ethanol/toxicity* ; Animals ; Gastric Mucosa/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Capsaicin/pharmacology* ; Male ; NADPH Oxidases/genetics* ; Mice ; Humans ; src-Family Kinases/genetics*

Objective:To study the distribution of drug resistance genes and virulence genes in multidrug-resistant Salmonella typhimurium strains.Methods:A total of 96 strains of Salmonella typhimurium were collected，and drug sensitivity tests were performed to evaluate the drug resistance and multidrug-resistance of Salmonella typhimurium.Multidrug-resistant Salmonella typhimurium strains were selected to conducted whole genome sequencing，and the distribution of drug resistance genes and virulence genes in the strain were analyzed.Results:Salmonella typhimurium strains had the highest resistance rates to ampicillin and ampicillin/sulbactam，with 89.58% and 76.04%，respectively.Followed by trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole，ceftriaxone，and aztreonam，with 47.92%，38.54% and 33.33%，respectively，and low resistance rates to ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin，with 8.33% and 4.17%，respectively.Ninety-six strains were all sensitive to carbapenem antibiotics and piperacillin/tazobactam.Fifty-seven strains（59.38%）of Salmonella typhimurium showed multidrug-resistance.Resistance genes were detected in all 57 multidrug-resistant Salmonella typhimurium strains,with higher carrier rates of 98.25%,77.19%,and 59.65% for aac(6')-Iaa,aadA22,and blaTEM-1B,respectively.The multidrug-resistant Salmonella typhimurium strains had the highest carrier rates for invA，sipA，sseL，and sopB.Conclusion:Multidrug-resistant Salmonella typhimurium strains have a high incidence and a high carrier rate for multiple drug resistance genes and virulence genes.The monitoring and prevention of Salmonella typhimurium should be strengthened in the clinic in order to reduce the spreading epidemic of multidrug-resistant strains.

Objective:To compare the efficacy of 2 fixation modes [dynamic hip screw (DHS) plus anti-rotation screw versus 3 cannulated compression screws (CCS)] in the treatment of femoral neck fractures complicated with comminuted posterior wall.Methods:The data were analyzed retrospectively of the 109 patients who had been treated for femoral neck fractures complicated with comminuted posterior wall at Department of Orthopaedics, Shenzhen Hospital, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences from February 2017 to December 2019. They were divided into 2 groups according to 2 fixation modes. There were 42 males and 16 females with an age of 48.5 (40.0, 55.3) years in CCS group of 58 cases subjected to fixation with 3 CCSs; there were 31 males and 20 females with an age of 47.0 (38.0, 53.0) years in DHS group of 51 cases subjected to fixation with DHS plus anti-rotation screw. The length of incision, operation time, intraoperative bleeding, weight-bearing time for the affected limb, visual analog scale (VAS), hip Harris score, and incidence of postoperative complications were compared between the 2 groups.Results:The comparison of preoperative general data between the 2 groups was not statistically significant, showing comparability between groups ( P>0.05). In the CCS group, the incision length [3.0 (2.9, 4.5) cm] and operation time [90.0 (73.8, 125.0) min] were significantly shorter than those in the DHS group [10.0 (9.0, 12.0) cm and 135.0 (110.0, 165.0) min], the intraoperative bleeding [40.0 (10.0, 100.0) mL] was significantly less than that in the DHS group [200.0 (150.0, 300.0) mL], the partial and complete weight-bearing durations of the affected limb [12.0 (12.0, 13.0) weeks and 24.0 (21.0, 25.0) weeks] were significantly longer than those in the DHS group [11.0 (10.0, 12.0) weeks and 19.0 (18.0, 20.0) weeks], and the perioperative VAS pain score [2.0 (2.0, 3.0) points] was significantly lower than that in the DHS group [5.0 (4.0, 6.0) points], but the incidence of follow-up complications [56.9% (33/58)] was significantly higher than that in the DHS group [33.3% (17/51)] (all P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the DHS group and the CCS group in the excellent and good rate of Harris hip score at one year after operation [94.1% (48/51) versus 91.4% (53/58)] ( P>0.05). Conclusions:In the treatment of femoral neck fractures complicated with comminuted posterior wall, DHS plus anti-rotation screw and 3 CCSs can both result in fine therapeutic outcomes but a relatively high incidence of complications at late follow-up. However, the former fixation mode can shorten the weight-bearing time for the affected limb and reduce complications but is more invasive than the latter fixation mode.

Livestock husbandry is vital to economy of the Tarim Basin, Xinjiang Autonomous Region, China. However, there have been few surveys of the distribution of ixodid ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) and tick-borne pathogens affecting domestic animals at these locations. In this study, 3,916 adult ixodid ticks infesting domestic animals were collected from 23 sampling sites during 2012-2016. Ticks were identified to species based on morphology, and the identification was confirmed based on mitochondrial 16S and 12S rRNA sequences. Ten tick species belonging to 4 genera were identified, including Rhipicephalus turanicus, Hyalomma anatolicum, Rh. bursa, H. asiaticum asiaticum, and Rh. sanguineus. DNA sequences of Rickettsia spp. (spotted fever group) and Anaplasma spp. were detected in these ticks. Phylogenetic analyses revealed possible existence of undescribed Babesia spp. and Borrelia spp. This study illustrates potential threat to domestic animals and humans from tick-borne pathogens.

Objective To investigate the preventive effect of Xuebijing injection on acute lung injury induced by cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and the underlying mechanism. Methods ① In vivo experiment: 30 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into sham group, CPB group, Xuebijing pretreatment group (XBJ+CPB group) with 10 rats in each group. CPB model was reproduced in rats; and CPB was not performed in sham group, but only through arteriovenous puncture. In the XBJ+CPB group, 4 mL/kg Xuebijing injection was injected intraperitoneally 2 hours before CPB, sham group and CPB group were injected with equal volume of normal saline at the same time. The blood from femoral artery was analyzed 4 hours after operation, and the oxygenation index (PaO2/FiO2) was calculated. Then the rats were sacrificed to collect bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and the lung permeability index (PPI) was calculated. The lung tissues were harvested, and the wet/dry weight ratio (W/D) of lung tissue was measured. The index of quantitative evaluation of alveolar injury (IQA) was measured. The levels of interleukins (IL-1, IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) in lung tissue and BALF were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activities of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in lung tissue were detected by biochemical method. The microRNA-17-5p (miR-17-5p) expression in lung tissue was determined by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).② In vitro experiments: type Ⅱ alveolar epithelial cells (AECⅡ) were cultured in vitro, and they were randomly divided into control group (the cells were treated by preoperative serum of CPB in patients with ventricular septal defect), CPB group (the cells were treated by serum after CPB in patients), and XBJ+CPB group (Xuebijing injection 10 g/L+serum after CPB in patients). After 12 hours of culture in each group, the expression of miR-17-5p was detected by RT-qPCR. AECⅡ cells were transfected with miR-17-5p mimic, inhibitor or corresponding control oligonucleotide (negative control), respectively, to observe the effect of miR-17-5p on Xuebijing regulating CPB-induced apoptosis rate and caspase-3 activity. Results ① In vivo experiment: compared with the sham group, the PPI, lung W/D ratio, IQA, and IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α in lung tissue and BALF, as well as MDA content and MPO activity in lung tissue were significantly increased, PaO2/FiO2 and SOD activity in lung tissue were significantly decreased. The parameters of the XBJ+CPB group were significantly improved, suggesting that Xuebijing pretreatment could improve CPB-induced ALI in rats. The expression of miR-17-5p in lung tissue of the CPB group was significantly down-regulated as compared with sham group (2-ΔΔCt: 0.48±0.13 vs. 1.00±0.11, P < 0.05);while the expression of miR-17-5p in the XBJ group was significantly up-regulated as compared with the CPB group (2-ΔΔCt: 1.37±0.09 vs. 0.48±0.13, P < 0.05), indicating that the improvement of Xuebijing injection on lung injury after CPB might be related to miR-17-5p. ② In vitro experiment: the changes in miR-17-5p expression in each group of AECⅡ cells confirmed in vivo results. After transfection of miR-17-5p mimic, the apoptotic rate and caspase-3 activity of each group were significantly lower than those transfected with negative control, and the decrease was more significant in the XBJ+CPB group [apoptotic rate: (7.37±0.95)% vs. (12.60±1.90)%, caspase-3 (A value): 0.82±0.09 vs. 1.37±0.08, both P < 0.05]. After transfection of miR-17-5p inhibitor, the apoptotic rate and caspase-3 activity of each group were significantly more than those transfected with negative control [in the XBJ+CPB group: apoptotic rate was (16.30±1.86)% vs. (12.60±1.90)%, caspase-3 (A value) was 1.78±0.13 vs. 1.37±0.08, both P < 0.05]. This indicated that the apoptosis of AECⅡ cells cultured in serum after CPB was significantly reduced by miR-17-5p, and further reduced by the pretreatment with Xuebijing. Conclusions Xuebiing injection can reduce the inflammatory reaction and oxidative stress of lung tissue in rats with ALI induced by CPB, and improve oxygenation. The mechanism may be related to up-regulation of miR-17-5p expression in AECⅡ cells and inhibition of apoptosis of AECⅡ cells.

To confirm that Bartonella and Wolbachia were carried by sheep keds (Melophagus ovinus) in southern Xinjiang of China, 17 M. ovinus samples, which were collected in Aksu Prefecture, Xinjiang, were randomly selected. In this study, the Bartonella gltA and Wolbachia 16S rRNA gene were amplified through conventional PCR and the sequence of those amplified products, were analyzed. The results demonstrated that Bartonella was carried by all of the 17 sheep keds and Wolbachia was carried by 15 out of them. Bartonella was identified as B. melophagi. Three strains of Wolbachia were supergroup F and 1 strain has not been confirmed yet. It is the first report about Wolbachia supergroup F was found in sheep keds and provided the molecular evidence that B. melophagi and Wolbachia supergroup F were carried by sheep keds in Aksu Prefecture of southern Xinjiang, China. The 2 pathogens were found in sheep keds around Taklimakan Desert for the first time.
Bartonella ; China ; Genes, rRNA ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sheep ; Wolbachia

The bursa of Fabricius (BF) is a central humoral immune organ unique to birds. Four bursal peptides (BP-I, BP-II, BP-III, and BP-IV) have been isolated and identified from the BF. In this study, the immunoadjuvant activities of BPs I to IV were examined in mice immunized with H9N2 avian influenza virus (AIV) vaccine. The results suggested that BP-I effectively enhanced cell-mediated immune responses, increased the secretion of Th1 (interferon gamma)- and Th2 (interleukin-4)-type cytokines, and induced an improved cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response to the H9N2 virus. BP-II mainly elevated specific antibody production, especially neutralizing antibodies, and increased Th1- and Th2-type cytokine secretion. BP-III had no significant effect on antibody production or cell-mediated immune responses compared to those in the control group. A strong immune response at both the humoral and cellular levels was induced by BP-IV. Furthermore, a virus challenge experiment followed by H&E staining revealed that BP-I and BP-II promoted removal of the virus and conferred protection in mouse lungs. BP-IV significantly reduced viral titers and histopathological changes and contributed to protection against H9N2 AIV challenge in mouse lungs. This study further elucidated the immunoadjuvant activities of BPs I to IV, providing a novel insight into immunoadjuvants for use in vaccine design.
Adjuvants, Immunologic ; Animals ; Antibodies, Neutralizing ; Antibody Formation ; Birds ; Bursa of Fabricius ; Cytokines ; Immunity, Cellular ; Immunity, Humoral ; Influenza A Virus, H9N2 Subtype ; Influenza in Birds ; Lung ; Mice ; Peptides ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic