Sophorae Flavescentis Radix is one of the commonly used traditional Chinese medicine in China, and a large amount of pharmaceutical residue generated during its processing and production is discarded as waste, which not only wastes resources but also pollutes the environment. Therefore, elucidating the chemical composition of the residue of Sophorae Flavescentis Radix and the differences between the residue and Sophorae Flavescentis Radix itself is of great significance for the comprehensive utilization of the residue. This study, based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) technology combined with multivariate statistical methods, provides a thorough characterization, identification, and differential analysis of the overall components of Sophorae Flavescentis Radix and its residue. Firstly, 61 compounds in Sophorae Flavescentis Radix were rapidly identified based on their precise molecular weight, fragment ions, and compound abundance, using a self-constructed compound database. Among them, 41 compounds were found in the residue, mainly alkaloids and flavonoids. Secondly, through principal component analysis(PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA), 15 key compounds differentiating Sophorae Flavescentis Radix from its residue were identified. These included highly polar alkaloids, such as oxymatrine and oxysophocarpine, which showed significantly reduced content in the residue, and less polar flavonoids, such as kurarinone and kuraridin, which were more abundant in the residue. In summary, this paper clarifies the overall composition, structure, and content differences between Sophorae Flavescentis Radix and its residue, suggesting that the residue of Sophorae Flavescentis Radix can be used as a raw material for the extraction of its high-activity components, with promising potential for development and application in cosmetics and daily care. This research provides a scientific basis for the future comprehensive utilization of Sophorae Flavescentis Radix and its residue.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods* ; Mass Spectrometry/methods* ; Sophora/chemistry* ; Flavonoids/chemistry* ; Alkaloids/chemistry*

This study aims to explore the effects of Buzhong Yiqi Decoction(BYD) on the cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate synthase(cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes(STING) signaling pathway in the mouse model of autoimmune thyroiditis(AIT) and the mechanism of BYD in alleviating the immune injury. Forty-eight NOD.H-2~(h4) mice were assigned into normal, model, low-, medium-, and high-dose BYD, and selenium yeast tablets groups(n=8). Mice of 8 weeks old were treated with 0.05% sodium iodide solution for 8 weeks for the modeling of AIT and then administrated with corresponding drugs by gavage for 8 weeks before sampling. High performance liquid chromatography was employed to measure the astragaloside Ⅳ content in BYD. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to observe the pathological changes in the mouse thyroid tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the serum levels of thyroid peroxidase antibody(TPO-Ab), thyroglobulin antibody(TgAb), and interferon-γ(IFN-γ). Flow cytometry was employed to detect the distribution of T cell subsets in the spleen. The immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of cGAS, STING, TANK-binding kinase 1(TBK1), and interferon regulatory factor 3(IRF3). Real-time PCR and Western blot were employed to determine the mRNA and protein levels, respectively, of markers related to the cGAS-STING signaling pathway in the thyroid tissue. The results showed that the content of astragaloside Ⅳ in BYD was(7.06±0.08) mg·mL~(-1). Compared with the normal group, the model group showed disrupted structures of thyroid follicular epithelial cells, massive infiltration of lymphocytes, and elevated levels of TgAb and TPO-Ab. Compared with the model group, the four treatment groups showed intact epithelial cells, reduced lymphocyte infiltration, and lowered levels of TgAb and TPO-Ab. Compared with the normal group, the model group showed increases in the proportions of Th1 and Th17 cells, a decrease in the proportion of Th2 cells, and an increase in the IFN-γ level. Compared with the model group, the four treatment groups presented decreased proportions of Th1 and Th17 cells and lowered levels of IFN-γ, and the medium-dose BYD group showed an increase in the proportion of Th2 cells. Compared with the normal group, the modeling up-regulated the mRNA levels of cGAS, STING, TBK1, and IRF3 and the protein levels of cGAS, p-STING, p-TBK1, and p-IRF3. Compared with the model group, the four treatment groups showed reduced levels of cGAS, STING, TBK1, and IRF3-positive products, down-regulated mRNA levels of cGAS, STING, and TBK1, and down-regulated protein levels of cGAS and p-STING. The high-dose BYD group showed down-regulations in the mRNA level of IRF3 and the protein levels of p-TBK1 and p-IRF3. The above results indicate that BYD can repair the imbalance of T cell subsets, alleviate immune injury, and reduce thyroid lymphocyte infiltration in AIT mice by inhibiting the cGAS-STING signaling pathway.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Thyroiditis, Autoimmune/metabolism* ; Mice ; Membrane Proteins/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred NOD ; Humans ; Female ; Nucleotidyltransferases/metabolism* ; Male ; Disease Models, Animal

OBJECTIVE: To explore the expression and function of microRNA-144 (miR-144) in β-thalassemia (β-thal). METHODS: The expression of miR-144 during the differentiation of murine erythroleukemia (MEL) cells and mouse embryonic liver-derived erythroid precursor cells was analyzed by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR); The expression levels of miR-144 in peripheral blood and day-14.5 embryonic hepatocytes of wild-type (WT) and β-thal mice, as well as the expression levels of miR-144 in peripheral blood of β-thal patients, was also measured by qRT-PCR. The proportion of Ter119 and CD71 double positive cells in peripheral blood of mild and severe β-thal mice was analyzed by flow cytometry, and the expression levels of miR-144 in the peripheral blood of mild and severe β-thal mice and patients were compared; Bone marrow nucleated erythrocytes from WT mice and β-thal mice were sorted and the expression levels of miR-144 potential target genes were analyzed by gene chip. RESULTS: The expression levels of miR-144 were gradually increased during the directed differentiation of mouse MEL cells and embryonic hepatocytes to the erythroid lineage (r _MEL=0.97, r _{embryonic hepatocytes}=0.86); Compared with WT mice, the expression levels of miR-144 in peripheral blood and 14.5-day embryonic hepatocytes of β-thal mice were significantly increased (P < 0.05); Compared with healthy controls, the patients with β-thal showed an increased expression levels of miR-144 in peripheral blood (P < 0.05). Compared with mice and humans with mild β-thal, the expression levels of miR-144 in peripheral blood of those with severe β-thal were significantly increased (P < 0.05). The expressions of potential target genes of miR-144 in nucleated erythroid cells of the β-thal mice were significantly reduced compared to the WT group. CONCLUSION The expression level of miR-144 gradually increases in erythroid development, and compared with mild β-thal patients, the expression level of miR-144 in the peripheral blood is higher in severe β-thal patients. MiR-144 is expected to be an auxiliary diagnostic indicator for β-thal in clinical practice.
MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; beta-Thalassemia/genetics* ; Animals ; Mice ; Humans ; Cell Differentiation ; Hepatocytes

Intentional tooth replantation (ITR) is an advanced treatment modality and the procedure of last resort for preserving teeth with inaccessible endodontic or resorptive lesions. ITR is defined as the deliberate extraction of a tooth; evaluation of the root surface, endodontic manipulation, and repair; and placement of the tooth back into its original socket. Case reports, case series, cohort studies, and randomized controlled trials have demonstrated the efficacy of ITR in the retention of natural teeth that are untreatable or difficult to manage with root canal treatment or endodontic microsurgery. However, variations in clinical protocols for ITR exist due to the empirical nature of the original protocols and rapid advancements in the field of oral biology and dental materials. This heterogeneity in protocols may cause confusion among dental practitioners; therefore, guidelines and considerations for ITR should be explicated. This expert consensus discusses the biological foundation of ITR, the available clinical protocols and current status of ITR in treating teeth with refractory apical periodontitis or anatomical aberration, and the main complications of this treatment, aiming to refine the clinical management of ITR in accordance with the progress of basic research and clinical studies; the findings suggest that ITR may become a more consistent evidence-based option in dental treatment.
Humans ; Tooth Replantation/methods* ; Consensus ; Periapical Periodontitis/surgery*

A precursor ion selection (PIS) based ultra high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS) analytical method was used to screen the chemical components in Jiawei Dingzhi pills (JWDZP) comprehensively and rapidly. To compile the components of the compound medicine, a total of 1 921 components were found utilizing online databases and literature. After verifying the sources, unifying the component names, merging the multi-flavor attributed components, and removing the weak polar molecules, 450 components were successfully retained. The Acquity UPLC HSS T3 column (100 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.8 μm) was used, with a 0.1% formic acid water (A)-acetonitrile (B) as the mobile phase. The flow rate was 0.35 mL·min^-1, the column temperature was 35 ℃, and an electrospray ion source was used. Data was collected with the PIS strategy in both positive and negative ion modes. Compounds were screened through matching accurate molecular weight of the database, and identified according to MS/MS data (characteristic fragment ions and neutral loss), with comparison of reference. Some compounds were confirmed using standard products. A total of 176 compounds were screened out in the extract of JWDZP, among which 26 compounds were confirmed by standard products. These compounds include 96 components from the sovereign drug, and 34 coefflux components with low ion intensity. The PIS-UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS method established in this study can quickly and comprehensively screen the chemical components of JWDZP, which enhanced the screening rate of components with co-elution compounds of low ion intensities and provided a basis for the study of the material foundation of JWDZP.

Objective To evaluate the effects of ketamine combined with sufentanil on postoperative analgesia and depression in patients undergoing hip arthroplasty.Methods A total of 60 patients who underwent elective hip arthroplasty were selected and divided into the S group,the SK1 group and the SK2 group according to the patient-controlled intravenous analgesia regimen,with 20 cases in each group.Patients in the S group were received 2 μg/kg of sufentanil for postoperative analgesia,patients in the SK1 group were received 1 mg/kg of esketamine and 2 μg/kg of sufentanil for postoperative analgesia,and patients in the SK2 group were received 2 mg/kg of esketamine and 2 μg/kg of sufentanil for postoperative analgesia.At 1,4,24,and 48 hours after surgery,the analgesic effect of patients was evaluated using the numeric rating scale(NRS),and the sedation effect of patients was evaluated using the Ramsay sedation score.Depression of patients before and 48 hours after surgery was assessed by self-rating depression scale(SDS).The adverse reactions such as nausea and vomiting,dizziness and headache,respiratory depression,and mental symptoms within 48 hours after surgery of patients were recorded.Results The NRS scores 1,4,and 24 hours after surgery of patients in the SK1 group and the SK2 group were lower than those in the S group(P<0.05);there was no statistically significant difference in the NRS scores 48 hours after surgery of patients among the three groups(P>0.05);there was no statistically significant difference in the NRS scores at different postoperative points of patients between the SK1 and SK2 groups(P>0.05).The SDS scores 48 hours after surgery of patients in each group were lower than those before surgery(P<0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the Ramsay scores at different postoperative points of patients among the three groups(P>0.05).The incidence of adverse reactions 48 hours after surgery in the SK2 group was higher than those in the S group and the SK1 group(P<0.05).Conclusion Using 1 mg/kg of esketamine combined with 2 μg/kg of sufentanil after hip arthroplasty has a good analgesic effect without obvious increase of adverse reactions or significant effect on improving depression of patients.

Aim To explore the impacts of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) on the phenotypes, endocy-tosis and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/ Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK)/P38 mitogen-ac-tivated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway in indoxyl sulfate (IS) -induced dendritic cells (DCs). Methods After treatment with 30, 300 and 600 (xmol · L

mRNA vaccines and drugs enter host cells through delivery vectors and produce target proteins using the protein synthesis mechanism of cells. mRNA and target proteins can induce the body to produce innate immunity and adaptive immunity, and the target protein itself can also play a corresponding role. Tumor cells are inhibited and cleared under the above immune effects and target proteins. This article reviews the immunogenicity of mRNA, that is, the specific mechanism of stimulating the body to produce an immune response.At the same time, the main types of cells transfected by mRNA vaccine were briefly introduced. (1) Muscle cells, epidermal cells, dendritic cells and macrophages at the injection site; (2) immune cells in peripheral lymphoid organs;(3) liver cells and spleen cells, etc. Although transfected with a variety of cells, it is mainly enriched in immune cells and liver cells because immune cells express toll-like receptors and liver cells express low-density lipoprotein receptors. mRNA vaccines and drugs are mainly divided into non-replicating mRNA (nrmRNA),self-amplifying RNA (saRNA), trans-amplifying RNA (taRNA) and circular RNA (circRNA).This article reviews how these 4 types of vaccines and drugs work, and compares their advantages and disadvantages. Due to its inherent immunogenicity, instability, and low delivery efficiency in vivo, mRNA vaccines and drugs have been unable to enter the clinic. This article describes in detail how to reformation and modify the 5'cap, 5'UTR, 3'UTR, ORF, 3'Poly(A) and some nucleotides of mRNA to eliminate its immunogenicity and instability. Due to the low efficiency of the delivery carrier, the researchers optimized it. This article briefly introduces the application of non-viral vectors and their targeting, specifically involving the mechanism of action of various types of delivery vectors and their advantages and disadvantages, and summarizes some of the current targeting vectors. Targeted carriers can improve the delivery efficiency of mRNA to specific tissues and prevent side effects of systemic exposure, such as liver injury. The specific methods of using mRNA vaccines and drugs to treat cancer are as follows: mRNA can be used to encode and transcribe tumor-associated antigens, tumor-specific antigens (TSAs), therapeutic antibodies, cytokines, tumor suppressors, oncolytic viruses, CRISPR-Cas9, CARs and TCRs, so as to play an anti-tumor role. In this paper, the specific mechanism of the above methods and the current research and development of corresponding mRNA vaccines and drugs are briefly reviewed. The successful development of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine has brought mRNA technology to the attention of the world and brought new and effective means for the prevention and treatment of cancer. mRNA vaccines and drugs have the advantages of short development cycle, dual immune mechanism, safety, high efficiency and large-scale production. At the same time, there are also many areas that need further improvement, such as the development of ideal target TSAs, the in-depth development of saRNA, taRNA and circRNA, the development of targeted nano-delivery for different tissues and organs, the expansion of mRNA administration routes, and the development of mRNA that can be stably stored at room temperature or even high temperature. These problems need to be further studied and solved. In addition to cancer therapy, mRNA vaccines and drugs can also be used in the treatment of infectious diseases, genetic diseases, regenerative medicine and anti-aging. mRNA vaccines and drugs are a very promising platform, and we believe that they will benefit cancer patients in the near future.

177Lu-prostate specific membrane antigen(PSMA)radio-ligand therapy has been approved abroad for advanced prostate cancer and has been in several clinical trials in China.Based on domestic clinical practice and experimental data and referred to international experience and viewpoints,the expert group forms a consensus on the clinical application of 177Lu-PSMA radio-ligand therapy in prostate cancer to guide clinical practice.

Tuberous sclerosis complex(TSC)is a rare genetic disease that can lead to benign dysplasia in multiple organs such as the skin, brain, eyes, oral cavity, heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, and bones. Its main symptoms include epilepsy, intellectual disabilities, skin depigmentation, and facial angiofibromas, whilst incidence is approximately 1 in 10 000 to 1 in 6000 newborns. This case presents a middle-aged woman who initially manifested with epilepsy and nodular depigmentation. Later, she developed a lower abdominal mass, elevated creatinine, and severe anemia. Based on clinical features and whole exome sequencing, the primary diagnosis was confirmed as TSC. Laboratory and imaging examinations revealed that the lower abdominal mass originated from the uterus. CT-guided biopsy pathology and surgical pathology suggested a combination of leiomyoma and abscess. With the involvement of multiple organs and various complications beyond the main diagnosis, the diagnostic and therapeutic process for this patient highlights the importance of rigorous clinical thinking and multidisciplinary collaboration in the diagnosis and treatment of rare and challenging diseases.