ObjectiveTo investigate the potential mechanisms of Zhimu （Anemarrhena asphodeloides）-Huangbai （Phellodendron amurense） medicinal pair in alleviating postmenopausal osteoporosis （PMOP）. MethodsSixty unpregnant female SD rats were randomly divided into five groups， blank group， model group， low-dose Zhimu-Huangbai group， high-dose Zhimu-Huangbai group， and estradiol group， with 12 rats in each group. Except for the blank group， all other groups had their ovaries removed to create PMOP rat models， while the blank group only had the fat tissue around the ovaries removed. One week after the ovarian removal， the low-dose and high-dose Zhimu-Huangbai groups received concentrated solution of Zhimu and Huangbai with 1.8， 7.2 g/（kg·d） via gavage， the estradiol group received estradiol solution 0.09 mg/（kg·d） via gavage， and the blank group and the model group received 10 ml/（kg·d） of normal saline via gavage， once daily for 12 weeks. Before sampling， the body mass of the rats was recorded， and uterine tissue was taken to calculate the uterine index. The levels of interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， interleukin-6 （IL-6） and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in serum were detected by ELISA； micro CT was used to examine the parameters of femoral microstructure， including bone volume/tissue volume （BV/TV）， trabecular number （Tb.N）， trabecular thickness （Tb.Th）， bone mineral density （BMD）， trabecular separation （Tb.Sp）， and cortical bone area （Ct.Ar）. HE staining was used to observe pathological changes in the femur； RT-qPCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of osteogenic-adipogenic differentiation-related factors in femoral tissue， including Runt-related transcription factor 2 （Runx2）， bone morphogenetic protein 2 （BMP-2）， peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ （PPARγ）， chemerin and chemokine-like receptor 1 （CMKLR1）. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the model group showed a significant increase in body mass， a significant decrease in the uterine index， BV/TV， Tb.N， Tb.Th and BMD， a significant increase in Tb.Sp， and serum IL-1β， IL-6， and TNF-α levels， a significant reduction of mRNA expression of Runx2 and BMP-2 in bone tissue， and a significant increased mRNA expression of PPARγ， chemerin， and CMKLR1 （P＜0.01）. HE staining revealed that the femoral tissue showed a reduction and sparsity of trabeculae， a significant enlargement of the medullary cavity， and a large number of fat cells. Compared to the model group， the low-dose， high-dose Zhimu-Huangbai groups， and estradiol group showed significant improvements in all the above-mentioned indicators （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. HE staining revealed a significant increase in trabeculae， more organized arrangement， and a marked reduction in fat cells. Compared to low-dose Zhimu-Huangbai group， the high-dose Zhimu-Huangbai group exhibited a significant increase in the uterine index and BMD， and a significant reduction in body mass and PPARγ and Chemerin mRNA expression （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared to high-dose Zhimu-Huangbai group， the estradiol group showed a decrease in uterine index， BV/TV， Tb.N， Tb.Th， BMD， and BMP-2 mRNA expression， while the levels of IL-1β， TNF-α， and IL-6， as well as Tb.Sp and the mRNA expressions of PPARγ， chemerin， and CMKLR1 increased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. ConclusionThe Zhimu-Huangbai medicinal pair can alleviate PMOP bone loss， and its mechanism of action is related to reducing the levels of inflammatory factors， correcting the disorder of osteogenic-adipogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells （BMSCs）， and promoting the differentiation of BMSCs into osteoblasts.

Objective To explore the clinical application value of CT radiomics in predicting the grade of liver cancer and the prognosis after hepatectomy.Methods A retrospective selection was conducted on 385 liver cancer patients who underwent preoperative CT scans,and they were divided into training group(265 cases)and testing group(120 cases).The CT radiomics features were extracted and logistic regression was used to construct radiomics markers.A retrospective analysis was performed on 60 patients with liver cancer who underwent hepatectomy and regular follow-up.Results The area under the curve(AUC)of the radiomics signature in the train-ing group was 0.889.The AUC in the testing group was 0.941.For predicting prognosis after hepatectomy,the radiomics features with filter parameter of Filter 1.0 achieved optimal performance,with Dif.Scale1.2 being a good independent predictor of overall survival(OS).Conclusion CT radiomics has certain application value in predicting the grade of liver cancer and the prognosis after hepatectomy.

Objective To explore the clinical efficacy of hip arthroscopy combined with multiple small-diameter drilling decompression in the treatment of early avascular necrosis of femoral head.Methods The study selected 150 patients with early avascular necrosis of femoral head who received treatment in our hospital from December 2019 to June 2023.According to the treatment method,they were divided into the individual drilling group(75 cases)and the multiple small-diameter drilling group(75 cases),with 4 cases in the individual drilling group and 2 cases in the multiple small-diameter drilling group.Finally,they were included in the individual drilling group(71 cases)and the multiple small-diameter drilling group(73 cases).The individual drilling group received hip arthroscopy combined with single drilling decompression,while the multiple small-diameter drilling group received hip arthroscopy combined with multiple small-diameter drilling decompression.Both groups were followed up for 1 year after surgery.The surgical related indicators,including hip joint function,pain degree(before surgery,3 months after surgery,and 1 year after surgery),muscle strength,quality of life(before surgery and 1 year after surgery),and bone metabolism indicators(before surgery and 3 months after surgery)between the two groups were compared.Results Compared with the individual drilling group,the intraoperative bleeding in the multiple small-diameter drilling group was less,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).1 year after surgery,the Harris scores of both groups were higher than those before surgery and 3 months after surgery.At 3 months after surgery,the Harris scores of both groups were higher than those before surgery,and 1 year after surgery,the Harris score of multiple small-diameter drilling group was higher than that of individual drilling group,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).1 year after surgery,the visual analogue scale(VAS)scores of the two groups were lower than those before surgery and 3 months after surgery,and lower than those before surgery at 3 months after surgery.Moreover,at 3 months and 1 year after surgery,VAS scores of the multiple small-diameter drilling group were significantly lower than those of the individual drilling group,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).Compared with before surgery,1 year after surgery,the proportion of patients with muscle strength level 4 and scores of 36-Item Short Form Health Survey in both groups increased,and compared with the individual drilling group,those in the multiple small-diameter drilling group were higher,the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).Compared with before surgery,at 3 months after surgery,the levels of serum bone morphogenetic protein 2(BMP-2),25-hydroxycholecalciferol,and insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1)in both groups increased,and compared with the individual drilling group,the multiple small-diameter drilling group was higher,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05);The levels of serum C-telopeptide of type II collagen(CTX-II)in both groups decreased,and compared with the individual drilling group,that in the multiple small-diameter drilling group was lower,the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion The use of hip arthroscopy combined with multiple small-diameter drilling decompression for the treatment of early avascular necrosis of femoral head results in relatively less intraoperative bleeding,the degree of postoperative pain is mild,and the improvement effects of bone metabolism indicators and muscle strength are superior to those of decompression by individual drilling alone.It can significantly improve the hip joint function and quality of life of patients.It is a worthy clinical application.

Objective:To compare the efficacy of transpulmonary pressure (Ptp) and driving pressure (DP) in guiding lung-protective ventilation strategies in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).Methods:In this randomized controlled trial, 22 ARDS patients of either sex, aged 18-80 yr, with a body mass index of 18-30 kg/m 2, were divided into 2 groups ( n=11 each) using a random number table method: Ptp group and DP group. DP group received a tidal volume of 4-6 ml/kg with a plateau pressure<30 cmH 2O (1 cm H 2O=0.098 kPa) and driving pressure<16 cmH 2O. In Ptp group, the positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and tidal volume were adjusted to maintain end-inspiratory Ptp <25 cmH 2O and end-expiratory Ptp 0-5 cmH 2O based on the setting mentioned in DP group. Oxygenation index, PEEP, plateau pressure, central venous pressure, heart rate, mean arterial pressure, parameters of liver and kidney function, mechanical ventilation duration, and the mortality in the intensive care unit were recorded on admission to the operating room and at 24 and 48 h after treatment. Results:Compared to DP group, significant changes were found in the main effects of oxygenation indices and time effects in Ptp group, and significant changes were found in the main effect of PEEP, with mean arterial pressure increasing ( P<0.05), and no significant differences were observed in the other parameters regarding group effects, time effects, or interactions in PEEP group ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Ptp provides a superior efficacy than DP in guiding lung-protective ventilation strategies for the patients with ARDS.

Primary liver cancer is a common malignant tumor in China. The current main treatment methods include surgical resection, liver transplantation, interventional therapy, radiofrequency ablation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. Yttrium-90 microsphere selective internal radiation therapy (⁹⁰Y-SIRT) represents a critical treatment option for converting unresectable intermediate to advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. This report details a case of a patient with a giant hepatocellular carcinoma in the right lobe treated with ⁹⁰Y resin microsphere at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University. Post-treatment, the tumor showed significant necrosis and reduction in size, with a marked decrease in alpha fetoprotein (AFP) levels and notable improvement in clinical symptoms. The case highlights the substantial efficacy of ⁹⁰Y-SIRT in controlling tumor progression and enhancing patient quality of life.

Pinellia ternata， belonging to the Pinellia genus within the Araceae family， is a medicinal plant due to its tubers. There are severe issues with unclear germplasm and mixed varieties in its cultivation， necessitating urgent new variety protection efforts. The distinctness， uniformity， and stability （DUS） testing of the plant variety is the basis for protecting new plant varieties， and the DUS test guidelines are the technical basis for DUS testing. To develop the DUS test guidelines for P. ternata， agronomic traits of 229 germplasm of P. ternata were observed and measured during its two growth stages over the years， and each character was graded and described. A total of 38 traits were selected as the test traits of the DUS test guideline for P. ternata. There were three plant traits， 19 leaf traits， six flower traits， two fruit traits， two tuber traits， five bulbil traits， and one ploidy trait. These traits could be divided into 22 quality characters， 12 quantitative characters， and four pseudo-quantitative characters， as well as seven groups， including plants， leaves， flowers， fruit， tubers， bulbils， and ploidy. By searching for standard traits， 10 standard varieties were ultimately determined. Preparing these guidelines will have great significance for reviewing and protecting P. ternata varieties， safeguarding breeders' rights， and promoting the development of the P. ternata industry.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of eculizumab in treating acute attacks of aquaporin-4 antibody(AQP4-IgG)positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder(NMOSD).Methods:Six patients with AQP4-IgG-positive NMOSD treated with eculizumab at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from August 2023 to April 2024 were included.The patients' clinical characteristics, changes in scores of neurological function, pain and spasm before and after eculizumab treatment, and adverse drug reactions during the treatment period were described, and the data were subjected to Friedman test using SPSS 25.0.Results:The median score of expanded disability status scale in the six patients decreased from 3.25 before treatment to 1.25 after treatment, and the difference was statistically significant ( F=44.77, P<0.01).The functional status score showed noticeable improvement as early as week 1, demonstrating greater sensitivity to treatment response.Three patients experienced moderate to severe pain before treatment, with a mean pain score of 6, which reduced to 4.67 and 1.33 at week 2 and 6, respectively( F=29.17, P<0.05).Two patients reported spasms before treatment, with a mean score of 3.00, which decreased to 2.00, 1.50, and 1.00 at week 2, 3, and 6 after treatment, respectively( F=18.00, P>0.05).No serious adverse reactions were reported during the treatment. Conclusion:Eculizumab can effectively improve the neurological function and alleviate pain in patients with AQP4-IgG-positive NMOSD during acute attacks, and demonstrate good safety.

The amino-terminal pro-C-type natriuretic peptide(NT-proCNP)is a diagnostic inflam-matory marker clinically used for diagnosing bacterial infections.This study aims to establish a phage display library of single-chain variable fragment(scFv)antibodies against canine NT-proC-NP and to screen for scFvs with high binding affinity to NT-proCNP.Initially,NT-proCNP was prepared using prokaryotic expression system and was used to immunize New Zealand White rab-bits.Upon achieving the desired serum titer,total RNA was extracted from the splenocytes of rab-bits and reverse transcribed into cDNA.Using this cDNA as a template,degenerate primers were employed to amplify the genes of the rabbit antibody light chain variable region(VL)and heavy chain variable region(VH).The VL and VH regions were spliced together to form a complete scFv fragment via overlap extension PCR.The scFv was then ligated into the phagemid pComb3XSS and electroporated into competent E.coli TG1 cells to construct a rabbit-derived anti-NT-proCNP scFv immunological library.This library underwent four rounds of enrichment and screening to isolate specific single-chain antibodies.The selected antibody was subsequently ex-pressed in a soluble form within a prokaryotic system,and its immunological activity was evalua-ted.Using phage display technology,this study successfully identified a single-chain antibody scFv-1-CNP with strong antigen-binding activity and genetic sequence characteristics of scFvs,providing a research direction for further exploration of scFv applications in the detection of NT-proCNP.

This study aims to establish a high-performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) method for determining the content of the classical swine fever virus (CSFV) E2 protein and screen the optimal stabilizer to enhance the stability of this protein. The optimal detection conditions were determined by optimizing the composition of the mobile phase, and characteristic chromatographic peaks were identified by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. The specificity, repeatability, precision, linearity, limit of detection (LOD), and limit of quantitation (LOQ) of the method were assessed. The method established was used to determine the content of CSFV E2 protein antigen and vaccine. Differential scanning fluorimetry (DSF) was employed to screen the buffer system, pH, and salt ion concentrations, and sugar, amino acid, and alcohol stabilizers were further screened. The results showed that using a 200 mmol/L phosphate buffer provided the best column efficiency. An antigen-specific chromatographic peak appeared at the retention time of 18 min, which was identified as the CSFV E2 protein by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. The method exhibited high specificity for detecting the CSFV E2 protein, with no absorbance peak observed in the blank control. The relative standard deviation (RSD) of the peak area for six repeated injections of the CSFV E2 protein was 0.74%, indicating good repeatability of the method. The RSD for repeated detection of two different concentrations of CSFV E2 protein samples by different operators at different time points was less than 2%, suggesting good intermediate precision of the method. The peak area of the CSFV E2 protein was linearly related to its concentration, with the regression equation showing R² of 1.000. The LOD and LOQ of the method were 14.88 μg/mL and 29.75 μg/mL, respectively. Application of the developed method in the detection of three batches of CSFV E2 protein antigen and three batches of vaccine demonstrated results consistent with those from the bicinchoninic acid (BCA) assay, which meant that the method could accurately determine the content of CSFV E2 protein antigen and vaccine. The DSF method identified 50 mmol/L Tris-HCl at pH 8.0 as the optimal buffer, and the addition of sugar and alcohol stabilizers further improved the stability of the CSFV E2 protein. The HPSEC method established in this study is simple, fast, and exhibits good accuracy and repeatability, enabling precise measurement of the CSFV E2 protein content. It is expected to play a crucial role in the quality control of the CSFV E2 vaccine. Furthermore, the strategy for improving the CSFV E2 protein stability, identified through DSF screening, has significant implications for enhancing the stability of the CSFV E2 vaccine.
Classical Swine Fever Virus/chemistry* ; Chromatography, Gel/methods* ; Animals ; Swine ; Viral Envelope Proteins/immunology*