OBJECTIVE To investigate ameliorative effects and mechanisms of two probiotics （Bacillus subtilis， Lactobacillus acidophilus） combined with Aurantii Fructus Immaturus （AFI） on functional dyspepsia （FD） in rats. METHODS Rats were randomly divided into blank group， model group， positive control group （domperidone group， 2.7 mg/kg）， AFI group （9 g/kg）， L. acidophilus group （5×107 cfu/kg）， B. subtilis group （5×107 cfu/kg）， L. acidophilus+ AFI group （L. acidophilus 5×107 cfu/kg+ AFI 9 g/kg）， and B. subtilis+AFI group （B. subtilis 5×107 cfu/kg+AFI 9 g/kg）， with 8 rats in each group. Except for the blank group， FD model was established by tail-clamping stimulation+hunger and satiety disorder+swimming exhaustion in other groups. After modeling， each group was given the corresponding drug/probiotic suspensions/physiological saline intragastrically， once a day， for 14 consecutive days. After the last medication， gastric emptying rate and the rate of propulsion of the small intestine in rats were measured； the levels of brain-gut peptide-related indicators [gastrin （GAS）， substance P （SP）， vasoactive intestinal peptide （VIP）， somatostatin （SS） and cholecystokinin （CCK）] in the serum of rats were measured. The pathological morphology of the gastric antrum tissue and duodenal tissue was observed. Cecal contents from the rats were collected for gut microbiota sequencing analysis. The protein expression levels of tyrosine kinase receptor c-Kit and stem cell factor （SCF） in the gastric antrum tissue， as well as Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）， myeloid differentiation factor 88 （MyD88）， and nuclear factor κB （NF-κB） in the duodenal tissue of the rats were detected. RESULTS Compared with the blank group， model group showed significantly lower gastric emptying rate， small intestinal propulsion rate， serum levels of GAS and SP， relative abundance of Firmicutes， Ace， Chao and Sobs indexes of the gut microbiota， and protein levels of SCF and c-Kit in gastric antrum （P＜0.05）， while serum levels of VIP， SS and CCK， relative abundance of Bacteroidetes， as well as protein expressions of TLR4， MyD88， and NF-κB， were significantly higher （P＜0.05）. The histological structure JZYC23S53） of the gastric antrum tissue appeared basically normal； however， abnormalities were observed in the duodenal structure， with a significant infiltration of inflammatory cells visible. Compared with the model group， all treatment groups significantly modulated most of the above indexes （P＜0.05）. The histological structure of the gastric antrum tissue was normal. Except for the B. subtilis group and the B. subtilis+AFI group， the pathological states of the duodenum in the remaining rats gradually recovered. Compared with each single drug group， most of above indexes in rats from each combination group showed further improvement （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS The combination of AFI with two probiotics can improve gastrointestinal motility in FD rats， and the effect is superior to that of using the drugs alone. The specific underlying mechanisms may be related to the activation of the SCF/c-Kit signaling pathway and the inhibition of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the mechanism by which suppressor of cytokine signaling 3(SOCS3)regulates microglial inflammation through nuclear factor-kappaB(NF-κB),providing novel mechanistic insights into microglial involvement in Parkinson's disease(PD)pathogenesis.Methods ① Ten male C57BL/6 mice(12 weeks old,weighing 20～25 g)were subjected to intraperitoneal injection of 15 mg/kg MPTP to establish a PD model.Rotarod test was used to assess motor function.Western blotting was employed to detect the protein expression of tyrosine hydroxylase(TH)and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1(IBA-1)in the substantia nigra.RT-qPCR was utilized to measure the mRNA level of SOCS3 in the substantia nigra.Immunohistochemistry was performed to assess NF-κB p65 subunit expression.The expression of SOCS3,NF-κB and p-NF-κB was measured with Western blotting.② Microglial cell line BV2 was stimulated with 1 000 ng/mL lipopolysaccharide(LPS)for 6 h to establish an inflammatory model.Subsequently,SOCS3 was knocked down.NF-κB inhibitor BAY 11-7082 was used to treat the cells.RT-qPCR and Western blotting were used to measure the expression of SOCS3 at mRNA and protein levels.Western blotting was also applied to detect the expression of NF-κB and p-NF-κB,and ELISA was conducted to measure TNF-α and IL-1β levels in the culture supernatant.Immunofluorescence assay was carried out to localize NF-κB(nuclear vs cytoplasmic).③ A co-culture system of BV2 microglia and N2a neuroblastoma cells was established to investigate the regulatory effects of microglia on neuronal cells.MTT assay and TUNEL staining were used respectively to determine cell viability and apoptosis of N2a cells.Results ① Compared to the control mice,the PD mouse model exhibited reduced rotarod fall latency,down-regulation in TH and SOCS3(P<0.01),up-regulation in IBA-1 and increased p-NF-κB/NF-κB ratio(P<0.01).② In BV2 cells,LPS stimulation increased TNF-α,IL-1β,and p-NF-κB/NF-κB ratio(P<0.01),while down-regulated SOCS3 expression(P<0.01).SOCS3 knockdown in LPS-stimulated BV2 cells further increased the p-NF-κB/NF-κB ratio(P<0.01),increased nuclear localization of NF-κB,and elevated TNF-α and IL-1β levels(P<0.01).BAY 11-7082 treatment in these SOCS3-knockdown,LPS-stimulated cells resulted in reduced p-NF-κB/NF-κB ratio,TNF-α,and IL-1β(P<0.01),and decreased NF-κB nuclear distribution.③ LPS-stimulated BV2 cells reduced cell viability and increased cell apoptosis in N2a cells(P<0.01).SOCS3 knockdown in BV2 cells exacerbated the reduction in N2a cell viability(P<0.01)and the increase in cell apoptosis in N2a cells(P<0.01).BAY 11-7082 treatment of these SOCS3-knockdown BV2 microglia attenuated the reduction in N2a cell viability and decreased apoptosis in N2a cells(P<0.01).Conclusion SOCS3 inhibits microglia inflammatory response through down-regulation of NF-kB activity,and in turn attenuates neuronal cell death and ameliorates PD nerve injury.

Objective To demonstrate that neferine(Nef)alleviates Parkinson's disease(PD)by inhibiting microglial pyroptosis mediated through the reactive oxygen species(ROS)/NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)/Caspase-1 pathway.Methods BV2 microglial cells were divided into:control group,lipopolysaccharides(LPS)-adenosine triphosphate(ATP)group,and LPS-ATP+Nef group.Pyroptosis was induced by 1 μg/mL LPS+5 mmol/L ATP,with 2 mmol/L Nef pretreatment.Eighteen 10-12-week-old male C57BL/6 mice(22～25 g)were randomly assigned to:control(n=6),1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine(MPTP)(n=6),and MPTP+Nef(n=6)groups.Detection methods included:flow cytometry for pyroptosis,Cell Counting Kit-8(CCK-8)for viability,2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate(DCFH-DA)for ROS,commercial kits for malondialdehyde(MDA),superoxide dismutase(SOD),glutathione(GSH),ELISA/Western blot for interleukin-1β(IL-1β)/IL-18,immunofluorescence/immunohistochemistry for NLRP3/Caspase-1,tyrosine hydroxylase(TH)immunohistochemistry,hematoxylin-eosin staining for neuropathology,and modified neurological severity score(mNSS).Results Versus control,LPS-ATP group showed decreased viability(P=0.002),increased pyroptosis(P<0.001),elevated ROS(P<0.001)/MDA(P<0.001)/IL-1β(P<0.001)/IL-18(P<0.001),upregulated NLRP3(P<0.001)/Caspase-1(P<0.001),and reduced GSH(P<0.001)/SOD(P<0.001).Nef treatment reversed these effects(all P<0.05).According to the results of murine studies,compared with the control group,the MPTP group had increased mNSS(P<0.001)/tissue ROS(P<0.001),downregulated TH(P<0.001),upregulated NLRP3(P<0.001)/Caspase-1(P<0.001).Nef treatment significantly attenuated the MPTP-induced deleterious effects(P<0.05).Histopathological analysis revealed that control group exhibited uniformly distributed hippocampal neurons with distinct nuclear morphology;MPTP group showed neuronal swelling,interstitial edema,and nuclear atrophy;MPTP+Nef group demonstrated ameliorated neuronal damage.Conclusion Nef inhibits microglial pyroptosis via ROS/NLRP3/Caspase-1 axis,ameliorating PD neuroinflammation and pathology.

Objective To investigate the value of serum cell cycle protein-dependent kinase 1(CDK1)and aurora kinase A(AURKA)in the diagnosis of patients with hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma(HBV-HCC).Methods A total of 50 HBV-HCC patients,50 patients with hepatitis B virus-related liver cirrhosis(HBV-LC),and 50 chronic hepatitis B(CHB)patients who were hospitalized in Department of Gastroenterology,Gansu Provincial Hospital,from June 2022 to December 2023 were enrolled,and 50 healthy individuals,matched for age and sex,who received physical examination at Physical Examination Center during the same period of time were enrolled as control group.Related data were recorded for all patients,including age,sex,complications,and the results of routine blood test,liver function,and coagulation for the first time after admission.ELISA was used to measure the serum levels of CDK1 and AURKA.A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups,and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups;the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups and the least significant difference Bonferroni test was used for further comparison between two groups;the chi-square test or the Fisher's exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups.The Spearman correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation between CDK1 and AURKA,and the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve and the area under the ROC curve(AUC)were used to investigate the value of CDK1 and AURKA in the diagnosis of HBV-HCC.Results There were significant differences in liver function parameters between the HBV-HCC patients and the control group(all P<0.05);there were significant differences between the CHB group and the HBV-HCC group in albumin,Glb,direct bilirubin,aspartate aminotransferase(AST),gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase(GGT),and alkaline phosphatase(all P<0.05);there were significant differences between the HBV-LC group and the HBV-HCC group in Glb,AST,and GGT(all P<0.05).The HBV-HCC group had significantly higher serum levels of CDK1 and AURKA than the HBV-LC group,the CHB group,and the control group(all P<0.05).There was a significant positive correlation between CDK1 and AURKA in the overall study population and the HBV-HCC patients(r=0.526 6 and 0.815 2,P<0.001).With the control group as reference,CDK1 had an AUC of 0.832 3 in the diagnosis of HBV-HCC,with a sensitivity of 92.86%and a specificity of 75%,and AURKA had an AUC of 0.886 6 in the diagnosis of HCC,with a sensitivity of 95.80%and a specificity of 74%.With the CHB group as reference,CDK1 had an AUC of 0.833 3 in the diagnosis of HBV-HCC,with a sensitivity of 93.75%and a specificity of 75%,and AURKA had an AUC of 0.972 7 in the diagnosis of HBV-HCC,with a sensitivity of 95.83%and a specificity of 91.67%.With the HBV-LC group as reference,CDK1 had an AUC of 0.608 5 in the diagnosis of HBV-HCC,with a sensitivity of 66.67%and a specificity of 54.17%,and AURKA had an AUC of 0.762 2 in the diagnosis of HBV-HCC,with a sensitivity of 95.83%and a specificity of 47.92%.Conclusion The serum levels of CDK1 and AURKA increase with the progression of hepatitis B-associated chronic liver disease,and significant increases in serum CDK1 and AURKA have a certain value in the diagnosis of HBV-HCC.

Objective:To analyze and summarize the efficacy and safety of thalidomide in the treatment of refractory systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis（sJIA）.Methods:The clinical data of ten patients with refractory sJIA admitted to Department of Nephrology and Immunology in Children's Hospital of Hebei Province from January 2015 to March 2022 were collected，and the clinical manifestations，efficacy and safety of thalidomide in the treatment of refractory sJIA were analyzed retrospectively. Systemic juvenile arthritis disease activity score（sJADAS）was used to evaluate the efficacy of the treatment. Statistical analysis was performed by repeated measurements using general linear models.Results:Among the 10 children（4 males and 6 females）with refractory sJIA，the average age of onset was（7.5±3.3）years. Seven patients were complicated with macrophage activation syndrome at an early stage of disease.The average course of disease was（4.4±1.7）years，and the longest course of disease was 8.3 years. Before the application of thalidomide，all the 10 children experienced relapses（ranging from 2 to 10 times）. The indices of 10 children treated with thalidomide at 6 months and 12 months were compared with those before treatment. Peripheral blood leukocytes［（10.19±3.67）×10 9/L，（8.53±2.83）×10 9/L vs.（16.11±7.81）×10 9/L， F=7.918，11.084， P=0.020，0.009］，C-reactive protein［19.13（0.38，35.21）mg/L，8.05（0.10，18.00）mg/L vs. 59.34（24.20，131.90）mg/L， F=7.030，12.731， P=0.026，0.006］，sJADAS scores［6.00（1.50，12.50）scores，3.00（0，12.50）scores vs. 20.00（11.50，28.00）scores， F=14.710，17.870， P=0.004，0.002］were decreased significantly. The doses of prednisone［0.13（0，0.45）mg/（kg·d），0.02（0，0.06）mg/（kg·d）vs. 0.42（0.16，1.47）mg/（kg·d）， F=5.890，7.623， P=0.041，0.022］were significantly decreased.All the differences were statistically significant. Prednisone was successfully discontinued in 7 cases. Tocilizumab was gradually withdrawn in 3 cases，and tocilizumab administration interval was prolonged in 1 case. None of the 10 children had serious adverse reactions. Conclusion:Thalidomide is clinically effective in the treatment of sJIA，and can reduce the required dose of prednisone and prolong the tocilizumab free remission.

AIM:To rapidly evaluate the effective-ness,safety and economy of dienogest in the treat-ment of endometriosis so as to provide evidence-based reference for clinical drug selection and deci-sion.METHODS:Retrieved from PubMed,Embase,Cochrane Library,CNKI,SinoMed,Wanfang and health technology assessment(HTA)organization websites,HTA report,systematic review/Meta-anal-ysis and pharmacoeconomic study were included during the inception to Sep 2023.Data extraction and quality evaluation were carried out for the lit-erature that met the inclusion and exclusion crite-ria,and the research results were summarized and analyzed qualitatively.RESULTS:Nine systematic re-view/Meta-analyses,and 2 pharmacoeconomic studies were included.The quality of Meta-analysis literatures was low,and the quality of economic re-search was good.In terms of effectiveness,com-pared with no treatment,dienogest can significant-ly reduce postoperative recurrence rate,VAS score,and improve pregnancy rate and effective rate;Di-enogest has similar therapeutic effects in terms of recurrence rate as GnRHa and COC;With regard to recurrence rate and pregnancy rate,dienogest is superior to danazol,gestrinone,and mifepristone.In terms of safety,compared with placebo,the inci-dence of vaginal bleeding and headache was signifi-cantly increased with dienogest,and there was no difference in bone loss;The incidence of vaginal bleeding caused by dienogest was significantly high-er than that of GnRHa,but the incidence of hot flashes and bone loss was lower.In terms of econo-my,dienogest has a more cost-effective advantage comparing with GnRHa,but does not have econom-ic benefits comparing with COC.CONCLUSION:Di-enogest has good effectiveness and safety in the treatment of endometriosis,and economically su-perior to GnRHa,but inferior to COC.

Hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） is a common tumor in the digestive tract， the formation mechanism of which remains to be fully elucidated. Although surgery， radiation， chemotherapy， targeted therapy， and immunotherapy have achieved significant results in the treatment of HCC， these methods are accompanied by a considerable number of adverse reactions and complications. In recent years， Chinese medicine has shown remarkable efficacy in the treatment of HCC， and both basic experiments and clinical studies have confirmed the effectiveness of Chinese medicine， which exerts therapeutic effects via multiple components and multiple targets. However， the pathogenesis of HCC is exceptionally complex and not fully understood， which means that studies remain to be carried out regarding the specific mechanism of Chinese medicine in preventing and treating HCC. Network pharmacology and molecular biology can be employed to decipher the mechanism of Chinese medicine in the treatment of diseases. Studies have shown that Chinese medicine can regulate various pathways such as the mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK）， phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B （PI3K/Akt）， Hedgehog， Wnt/β-catenin， nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB）， Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （JAK2/STAT3）， and transforming growth factor-β （TGF-β）/Smad signaling pathways. Chinese medicine can exhibit its anti-HCC effects by inducing cell apoptosis， inhibiting cell proliferation and migration， and blocking the cell cycle via the above pathways. However， the specific mechanisms remain to be systematically studied. This study comprehensively reviews the regulatory effects of Chinese medicine on HCC-related signaling pathways to reveal the molecular mechanisms of Chinese medicine in the treatment of HCC. This view holds the promise of providing new targets， new perspectives， and new therapies for HCC treatment and advancing the modernization and development of Chinese medicine.

AIM:To investigate the effects of skeletal muscle mass on cardiac structure and function in rats subjected to abdominal aortic constriction(AAC),and to explore its potential mechanisms.METHODS:(1)Thirty male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups:control(CON)group(n=10),muscular atrophy(MA)group(n=10),and muscular hypertrophy(MH)group(n=10).The rats in MA group underwent bilateral tibial nerve removal to induce MA,while those in MH group engaged in weight-bearing running to promote MH.Four weeks later,skeletal muscle sam-ples were collected,and indicators of MA and MH were assessed.(2)Another rats after modeling above were divided into 4 groups:CON group(n=10),cardiac pathological remodeling group(AAC group;n=10),MA+AAC group(n=10),and MH+AAC group(n=10).All rats,except those in CON group which underwent a sham operation,received AAC sur-gery.Four weeks after surgery,cardiac structure and function were assessed by echocardiography,while morphological changes of the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles and myocardium were evaluated by pathological staining.Serum myo-statin(MSTN)level was measured using ELISA.The mRNA expression levels of atrial natriuretic peptide(ANP)and brain natriuretic peptide(BNP)in the myocardium,and MSTN in the skeletal muscle and myocardium were detected by real-time PCR.RESULTS:After 4 weeks of either denervation or weight-bearing running,significant atrophy and hyper-trophy of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles were observed in MA and MH groups,respectively,compared with CON group.However,no significant differences were noted in heart weight/body weight ratio,left ventricular end-diastolic wall thickness,ejection fraction,or other related indexes among these groups(P>0.05).In comparison to AAC group,the rats in MA+AAC group showed a significant increase in heart weight/body weight ratio and left ventricular end-diastolic an-terior wall thickness,a decrease in end-diastolic internal diameter,an increase in ejection fraction(P<0.05 or P<0.01),and exacerbated myocardial fibrosis.Conversely,in MH+AAC group,there was a significant decrease in heart weight/body weight ratio and left ventricular end-diastolic wall thickness,an increase in end-diastolic internal diameter,and a lower ejection fraction(P<0.05 or P<0.01),with reduced myocardial fibrosis.Compared with AAC group,myocardial ANP and BNP mRNA expression significantly increased in MA+AAC group and decreased in MH+AAC group(P<0.01).Additionally,soleus and gastrocnemius muscle MSTN mRNA expression,myocardial MSTN mRNA expression,and se-rum MSTN level significantly increased in MA+AAC group(P<0.01)and significantly decreased in MH+AAC group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Atrophic skeletal muscle exacerbated the pathological remodeling induced by AAC surgery,whereas hypertrophic skeletal muscle mitigated this remodeling.Skeletal muscle mass plays a critical role in cardiac patho-logical remodeling,with MSTN potentially regulating this process.

Objective:To compare the similarities and differences of macrophage activation syndrome（MAS）combined with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis（sJIA）versus with juvenile onset systemic lupus erythematosus（JSLE）.Methods:The clinical data of 48 children with MAS admitted to the Department of Nephrology and Immunology in Children's Hospital of Hebei Province from May 2015 to January 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into sJIA-MAS and JSLE-MAS group，and the clinical manifestations，laboratory indicators and treatment of the two groups were compared.Results:Among the 48 children（14 males and 34 females）with MAS，the average age of onset was 9.5（3.0，11.8）years. There were 28 cases（11males and 17 females）of sJIA-MAS and 20 cases（3 males and 17 females）of JSLE- MAS. All the 48 children with MAS had fever and hyperferinemia，and the fever with sJIA-MAS was mostly continued fever or remittent fever. Respiratory tract infection was the most common trigger in sJIA-MAS［15 cases（53.6%）］，and disease activity was the most common trigger in JSLE-MAS［13 cases（65.0%）］.Additionally，viral infections（EB virus and cytomegalovirus）were also one of the triggers in MAS［sJIA：7 cases（25%），JSLE：4 cases（20%）］.Compared with JSLE-MAS，the number of days with fever［15.0（12.0，21.0）days vs. 6.0（4.0，9.5）days， Z=-3.812， P=0.001］and the length of hospital stay［29.0（26.3，39.8）days vs.26.0（19.3，30.8）days， Z=-1.958， P=0.049］were longer in sJIA. Compared with JSLE-MAS，ALT［（685.32±561.67）U/L vs.（139.61±124.44）U/L， t=4.973， P=0.001］，AST［784.00（235.25，1 251.25）U/L vs.189.50（53.25，374.08）U/L， Z=-3.283， P=0.001］，CRP［11.48（3.56，28.89）mg/L vs.1.91（0.53，8.98）mg/L， Z=-3.200， P=0.001］，ferritin［32 167.0（12 384.8，65 963.8）μg/L vs.2 003.5（922.5，11 430.0）μg/L， Z=-4.130， P=0.001］，ferritin max/ESR min［1 353.35（355.75，4 342.53）vs.91.92（34.94，291.53）， Z=-4.120， P=0.001］were higher in sJIA.The decrease of CRP was greater in sJIA［80.04（45.64，143.71）mg/L vs.10.20（6.27，25.64）mg/L， Z=-4.433， P=0.001］.Compared with sJIA-MAS，peripheral white blood cell counting［4.05（2.90，7.73）×10 9/L vs.1.56（1.15，3.47）×10 9/L， Z=-3.577， P=0.001］and platelet counting［（162.68±92.19）×10 9/L vs.（110.10±72.99）×10 9/L， t=2.118， P=0.040］were lower in JSLE-MAS. Kidney involvement was more common in JSLE-MAS［10 cases（50%）vs.0 cases（0%）， χ 2=17.684， P=0.001］.There was no significant difference in the incidence of sJIA-MAS and JSLE-MAS meeting the criteria of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis［6 cases（21.4%）vs.5 cases（25.0%）， χ 2=0.084， P=0.772］. Conclusion:Compared with JSLE-MAS，sJIA-MAS is more dangerous and difficult to control，while JSLE-MAS involves more organs，among which the blood system and kidney are more common.

Objective To investigate the status quo of pain empathy of nursing students and its influencing factors in DSecond Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University,so as to provide the basis for intervention education and improve their pain empathy.Methods A survey was conducted in 230 nursing students in The Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University from July 2021 to April 2022 by self-made demographic data questionnaire,Chinese version of empathy for pain scale(EPS-C),short-egnaminnenav barndoms uppfostran for Chinese(s-EMBU-C),and care ability inventory(CAI)scale.Results The total score of pain empathy of the nursing students was 2.83±0.68.The score of the body and mind discomfort reactions was 2.69±0.75 and the score of empathy reactions was 3.24±0.69.The results of multivariate analysis showed that gender,education level,being only child or not,liking watching violent films or not,and parental rearing pattern were the influencing factors for pain empathy(all P<0.05).Conclusion The nursing students have a medium level of empathy for pain in this military hospital.Nursing educators should develop targeted intervention programs for nursing students with different characteristics according to the actual situation of military hospitals,and guide them to establish good pain empathy.