ObjectiveMicrotube associated protein-2 （MAP-2）， alpha-tubulin （α-tubulin）， and synaptophysin （SYP） are important proteins in neuronal signal communication. This paper observed the effects of modified Zhigancao Tang on the expression of serum α-Synuclein （α-Syn） and its oligomers， MAP-2， α-tubulin， and SYP of patients with liver and kidney deficiency of Parkinson's disease （PD）， analyzed their correlation， and evaluated the therapeutic effect of modified Zhigancao Tang in patients with liver and kidney deficiency of PD based on α-Syn transmission pathway mediated by neuronal communication in vivo. MethodsA total of 60 patients with PD who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into a treatment group （30 cases） and a control group （30 cases）. Both groups were treated on the basis of PD medicine， and the treatment group was treated with modified Zhigancao Tang. Both groups were treated for 12 weeks. The changes in UPDRS score， TCM syndrome score， and expression of serum α-Syn and its oligomers， MAP-2， α-tubulin， and SYP were observed before and after 12 weeks of treatment in each group. The correlation between the above-mentioned serum biological indexes and the levels of serum α-Syn and its oligomers was analyzed. ResultsAfter treatment， the TCM syndrome score， UPDRS score， UPDRS-Ⅱ score， and UPDRS-Ⅲ score of the treatment group were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The UPDRS score， UPDRS-Ⅱ score， and UPDRS-Ⅲ scores in the treatment group were significantly decreased compared with those in the control group after treatment （P<0.05）. After treatment， the total effective rate of the control group was 63.3% （19/30）， and that of the treatment group was 86.7% （26/30）. The clinical effect of the observation group was better than the control group （Z=-2.03， P<0.05）. The total effective rate of the observation group was better than that of the control group， and the difference was statistically significant （χ²=5.136， P<0.05）. After treatment， the oligomer level of serum α-Syn and MAP-2 level in the treatment group were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The levels of serum α-Syn and its oligomers， as well as α-tubulin in the treatment group， were significantly decreased compared with those in the control group after treatment （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Serum α-Syn was correlated with serum MAP-2 and α-Syn oligomer in patients with PD （P<0.05， P<0.01） but not correlated with serum SYP . Serum α-Syn oligomers of patients with PD were correlated with serum MAP-2 and α-tubulin （P<0.05， P<0.01） but not correlated with serum SYP level. Serum SYP of patients with PD was correlated with serum MAP-2 （P<0.05）. ConclusionModified Zhigancao Tang has a therapeutic effect on patients with liver and kidney deficiency of PD by inhibiting the production of α-Syn oligomers and intervening α-Syn microtubule transport pathway in vivo.

BACKGROUND:According to existing clinical studies,vertebroplasty treatment with both the external pedicle approach and the pedicle approach can improve the pain and quality of life of patients with spinal compression fractures.Compared with the pedicle approach,the external pedicle approach has a freer puncture angle,and good bone cement dispersion effect can be obtained by adjusting the puncture angle. OBJECTIVE:To compare the impact of vertebroplasty through individualized unilateral external pedicle approach and bilateral pedicle approach on the treatment of spinal compression fractures by quantifying the dispersion effect of bone cement. METHODS:A total of 80 patients with thoracolumbar compression fracture were divided into two groups by random number table method.The bilateral pedicle group(n=40)underwent vertebroplasty through a bilateral pedicle approach,while the unilateral external pedicle group(n=40)underwent individualized vertebroplasty through a unilateral external pedicle approach.Anteroposterior and lateral X-rays of the affected vertebrae from two groups of patients were photographed to assess effect and type of bone cement dispersion within 3 days after surgery.Visual analog scale score,tenderness threshold around fracture,and Oswestry dysfunction index were assessed before,1,7 days,and 1 month after surgery. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Dispersion effect of bone cement in unilateral external pedicle group was better than that in bilateral pedicle group(P<0.001),and the amount of bone cement perfusion was higher than that in bilateral pedicle group(P<0.001).In the bilateral pedicle group,the bone cement dispersion types were mainly concentrated in type Ⅰ and type Ⅲ,while in the unilateral external pedicle group,the bone cement dispersion types were mainly concentrated in type I and type Ⅱ,and there was a significant difference in bone cement dispersion types between the two groups(P<0.001).(2)Postoperative visual analog scale scores and Oswestry disability index of both groups were lower than those before surgery(P<0.001),and postoperative tenderness threshold around fracture showed a trend of decreasing first and then increasing.At the same time point after treatment,there were no significant differences in visual analog scale score,Oswestry disability index,and tenderness threshold around fracture between the two groups(P>0.05).(3)The results indicate that individualized vertebroplasty via unilateral external pedicle approach can achieve better bone cement dispersion,and the treatment effect is consistent with the vertebroplasty via classical bilateral pedicle approach.

Aim To investigate the therapeutic effect of newly formulated Tadalafil tablets on liver fibrosis in mice induced by carbon tetrachloride(CCl4)and its impact on the activation of hepatic stellate cells(HSCs).Methods Liver fibrosis model was estab-lished by intraperitoneally injecting 20％CCl4 corn oil solution twice a week for eight weeks.After four weeks of modeling,the treatment group was administered ei-ther the newly formulated Tadalafil tablets(1.0 mg·kg-1)or the Cialis(2.5 mg·kg-1)via gavage for the remaining four weeks.We assessed the effects of Tadalafil on collagen deposition,tissue structural dam-age,and HSCs activation markers in the fibrotic liver of mice using serum biochemical analysis,histopathologi-cal staining,and Western blotting following the treat-ment period.LX-2 cells were cultured and treated with tadalafil after TGF β1 stimulation,and the effects of tadalafil on LX-2 cell activation were assessed via Western blot.Results Compared to the normal mice,the model group mice exhibited a significantly higher liver-specific index,increased liver function indicators,and notable hepatocyte necrosis.Additionally,liver lobules were damaged,accompanied by severe infiltra-tion of inflammatory cells.Both smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)and fibronectin(Fn)were elevated,serving as markers of HSCs activation.As a result of treatment with the newly formulated Tadalafil tablets,liver tissue damage was significantly reduced,transaminase levels decreased,necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration were reduced,and collagen fiber deposition was allevia-ted,and α-SMA and Fn expression was reduced.It was worth noting that low-dose newly formulated Tadalafil tablets were found to be as effective as high-dose Cia-lis.In a cellular model,Tadalafil significantly inhibited the activation of LX-2 cells and reduced the expression of proteins related to cell activation.Conclusions The newly formulated Tadalafil tablets can significantly inhibit HSCs activation,reduce extracellular matrix(ECM)deposition,improve liver fibrosis and liver function damage caused by CCl4.This new formulation offers a significant advantage over Cialis in terms of ef-fectiveness,with a lower effective dose.

Aim To investigate the protective effects of methyl rosmarinate(MR)on myocardial injury in-duced by high-altitude hypoxia and explore its underly-ing mechanisms.Methods BALB/c mice were ran-domly divided into a control group,a model group,and low-,medium-,and high-dose MR groups(25,50,and 75 mg·kg-1,respectively).Except for the control group,all other groups were exposed to a hypobaric hypoxia chamber and administered MR via intraperitoneal injection daily for three days.After the experiment,myocardial tissues were collected for he-matoxylin and eosin(HE)staining to observe morpho-logical changes.Levels of malondialdehyde(MDA),glutathione(GSH),and superoxide dismutase(SOD)were measured to evaluate the anti-myocardial injury activity of MR.Network pharmacology was employed to predict drug-disease interaction targets,construct a protein-protein interaction(PPI)network,and identify core targets.Functional enrichment analysis was car-ried out using Gene Ontology(GO)and Kyoto Ency-clopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathways.Molecular docking was used to verify the binding affini-ty of MR to core targets,and Western blot was conduc-ted to detect the expression of related proteins.Results MR significantly alleviated myocardial injury caused by high-altitude hypoxia.Network pharmacology analy-sis identified EGFR,Bcl-2,STAT3,MMP9,ESR1,and MTOR as key targets.Molecular docking con-firmed strong binding between MR and these core tar-gets.Western blot results demonstrated that MR im-proved myocardial injury by regulating the expression of STAT3,Bax,and Bcl-2 proteins.Conclusion MR may exert its protective effects on high-altitude hypoxi-a-induced myocardial injury through a multi-target mechanism.

Aim To clarify the mechanism by which Qishen Yixin Granules improved microcirculation vas-cular endothelial dysfunction(VED)in mice,through activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway to regulate oxidative stress.Methods C57 mice were randomly divided into six groups:blank group,model group,pos-itive drug group,and low-,medium-,and high-dose groups of Qishen Yixin Granules.The VED model was established by long-term infusion of Ang Ⅱ combined with a high-fat diet.Each treatment group received the corresponding drug intervention.After four weeks of drug intervention,cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography.Carstairs staining was used to ob-serve the formation of microthrombi in myocardial tis-sue.The micro vascular ischemia was evaluated by Hei-denhain staining.The ultrastructure of endothelial cells was observed by electron microscopy.The levels of EMPs,ROS,NO,ET-1,TF,TM,VWF,and TXA2 in serum were measured by ELISA.The expression levels of MDA,SOD,and GSH-Px in mouse heart tissue were determined by chemical methods.Cardiac microvascu-lar density and the expression of Nrf2,Keap1,and HO-1 proteins were detected by Immunohistochemical stai-ning.The protein expressions of Keap1,cytoplasmic Nrf2,nuclear Nrf2,and HO-1 in myocardial tissue were detected by Western blot.Results Qishen Yixin Granules could effectively improve the cardiac function of mice,alleviate the damage of endothelial cells and endothelial function.They could up-regulate serum NO levels and the activities of antioxidant enzymes SOD and GSH-Px,while down-regulating the expression of ROS and vascular inflammatory injury factors such as ET-1,VWF,TXA2,TF,TM,and EMPs.Qishen Yixin Granules also increased the positive counts of CD34,Nrf2,and HO-1,as well as microvessel density.Fur-thermore,they inhibited the expression of MDA,Keap1,and cytoplasmic Nrf2 protein in myocardial tis-sue,while increasing the expression of nuclear proteins HO-1 and Nrf2.Conclusions Qishen Yixin Granules may inhibit oxidative stress and inflammatory response by regulating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway,thereby improving vascular endothelial damage and cardiac function in VED mice.

Objective To explore the association between mid-upper arm circumference(MUAC)and sarcopenia in middle-aged and elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods A total of 402 middle-aged and elderly patients with T2DM admitted to Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Group Suqian Hospital from March 2022 to October 2024 were selected.Among them,308 patients with simple diabetes mellitus were included in non-sarcopenia group,and 94 patients with combined sarcopenia were included in sarcopenia group.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association between MU AC and sarcopenia in middle-aged and elderly patients with T2DM.The predictive ability of MUAC for sarcopenia in middle-aged and elderly patients with T2DM was evaluated by using the receiver operating characteristic curve.Results There were statistically significant differences in age,body mass index,MUAC,triglycerides,direct bilirubin,alanine aminotransferase,aspartate aminotransferase,appendicular skeletal muscle mass,appendicular skeletal muscle mass index,grip strength and 6-meter walking speed between two groups of patients(P＜0.05).The results of multivariate Logistic regression showed that a smaller MUAC and increased age were both risk factors for sarcopenia in middle-aged and elderly patients with T2DM(P＜0.05).The optimal cutoff value of MUAC for diagnosing sarcopenia in middle-aged and elderly patients with T2DM:27.90cm for males and 26.95cm for females.Conclusion MUAC is associated with sarcopenia in middle-aged and elderly patients with T2DM and can be used for the early identification and diagnosis of middle-aged and elderly T2DM patients with sarcopenia.

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic efficacy of artificial intelligence(AI)software combined with contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)on portal hypertension of cirrhosis.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 106 patients with cirrhosis who admitted to Handan Communicable Disease Hospital from January 2024 to June 2024 and were confirmed by surgical pathology.In them,60 cases with positive portal hypertension were included in positive group,and 46 cases with negative portal hypertension were included in negative group.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to analyze the diagnostic values of ultrasound characteristics via preoperative AI quantization,enhanced ultrasound mode and the combination of them for portal hypertension of cirrhosis.Results:The mean peak intensity,mean vessel density and branching morphology index of AI software were respectively 201.23±10.18,0.62±0.11 and 1.23±0.24 in diagnosing portal hypertension of positive group,all of which were significantly higher than those of negative group(t=8.551,3.707,2.054,P<0.05).However,the mean peak reaching time,uniformity of flow perfusion,mean flow velocity and uniformity of microcirculation perfusion of the positive group were respectively(18.22±2.18)seconds,(75.22±5.46)%,(10.09±2.22)cm/s,(80.78±5.11)%,all of which were significantly lower than those in the negative group(t=3.729,5.237,4.969,4.491,P<0.05).The enhancement speed and degree of liver parenchyma,the enhancement speed of portal vein,and the enhancement speed and degree of spleen in CEUS of positive group were significantly higher than those of negative group,and the differences were significant(t=4.770,12.781,7.313,5.501,4.645,7.513,P<0.05).ROC curve analysis showed that the area under curve(AUC)value of CEUS combined with AI algorithm was 0.926 in diagnosis,which was significantly better than single CEUS and single AI analysis(0.853,0.925).Conclusion:CEUS technique combines with AI software can show higher diagnostic efficacy in the diagnosis for portal hypertension of cirrhosis,which diagnostic effect was better than single either of two methods.

Aim To investigate the possible mechanism of the myocardial protective effect of Danzhi Jiangtang capsules(DJC)on db/db mice based on NLRP3 in-flammasome-mediated pyroptosis.Methods The db/db mice were randomly divided into the model group,DJC low,medium,and high dose groups,and the met-formin group,and the db/m mice were taken as the blank group.The administration lasted for eightweeks.At the end of drug administration,blood glucose,blood lipids,cardiac enzymes and inflammatory factors were detected in each group of mice.HE and Masson stai-ning was performed to observe the morphology and fi-brosis of myocardial tissue.TUNEL staining was per-formed to detect apoptosis.RT-qPCR was performed to detect the mRNA expression of ANP,BNP and β-MHC,and Western blot was performed to detect the protein expression of NLRP3,ASC,caspase-1,cleaved-caspase-1,GSDMD and GSDMD-NT in myocardial tis-sue.Results DJC could alleviate myocardial patho-logical damage,reduce collagen deposition and apopto-sis,reduce the levels of blood glucose,blood lipid,myo-cardial enzyme and inflammatory factors in db/db mice.DJC could reduce the mRNA expressions of ANP,BNP and β-MHC,and the protein expressions of NLRP3,ASC,caspase-1,cleavedcaspase-1,GSDMD and GSDMD-NT in myocardial tissues.Conclusion DJC attenuates myocardial injury in db/db mice,prob-ably by inhibiting the activation of NLRP3 inflamma-somes,attenuating cardiomyocyte pyroptosis,and amel-iorating the inflammatory state.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Qixian Tongluo Formula in the treatment of post-cerebral infarction paralysis with kidney deficiency and blood stasis syndrome,and to preliminarily explore the molecular mechanism of Qixian Tongluo Formula in improving impaired motor function from the perspective of cross-kingdom regulation of Chinese medicine microRNA(miRNA).Methods A pragmatic randomized controlled trial was conducted with 102 patients in the recovery period of post-cerebral infarction paralysis with kidney deficiency and blood stasis syndrome in our hospital.Patients were randomly divided into trial group and control group,with 51 cases in each group.The control group received standard Western medicine standard treatment,while the trial group received Qixian Tongluo Formula in addition to the standard treatment,with one dose per day,boiled in water,and taken warm after breakfast and dinner for a course of 2 months.The disability rate was used as the main efficacy indicator,and the incidence of adverse reactions was used as a safety indicator.miRNA from patient serum and Qixian Tongluo decoction were extracted respectively,and high-throughput sequencing was performed.The two sequences were compared to screen out the cross-kingdom gene transfer of Chinese medicine miRNA.Finally,its target genes of miRNA were predicted,and GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were carried out.Results A total of 67 patients completed the clinical trial,including 36 cases in the trial group and 31 cases in the control group;The disability rate in the trial group(13.9%)was lower than that in the control group(35.5%)(P<0.05);The incidence of adverse reactions was similar between the trial group(7.69%)and the control group(6.06%)(P>0.05);A total of 9530 Qixian Tongluo decoction miRNA sequences were screened,with 150 potentially involved in cross-kingdom gene transfer,including families such as miR-15 and miR-17;According to the target gene prediction of the top 10 miRNAs in cross-kingdom gene transfer of Chinese medicine,345 overlapping target genes were obtained;GO functional enrichment analysis revealed 16 biological processes,7 cellular components,and 2 molecular functions among the top 25 enriched functions,while KEGG pathway analysis mainly focused on the transforming growth factor-βsignaling pathway,neurotrophin signaling pathway,which are closely related to neural repair and functional recovery processes such as glial scar formation and synaptic plasticity after cerebral ischemia.Conclusion Qixian Tongluo Formula can significantly improve the functional independence level of patients with kidney deficiency and blood stasis syndrome in the recovery period of paralysis after cerebral infarction,offering a safe and effective treatment option for these patients;There were a large number of miRNAs in Qixian Tongluo decoction,some of which could cross-kingdom transferred into the human blood circulation,and promote the recovery of motor function in patients with cerebral infarction through multi-target,multi link and multi pathway gene network regulation.This study provides a new idea for subsequent clinical and basic research.

Objective To investigate the distribution and antimicrobial resistance profiles of common pathogens isolated from cerebrospinal fluid(CSF)in CHINET program from 2015 to 2021.Methods The bacterial strains isolated from CSF were identified in accordance with clinical microbiology practice standards.Antimicrobial susceptibility test was conducted using Kirby-Bauer method and automated systems per the unified CHINET protocol.Results A total of 14 014 bacterial strains were isolated from CSF samples from 2015 to 2021,including the strains isolated from inpatients(95.3％)and from outpatient and emergency care patients(4.7％).Overall,19.6％of the isolates were from children and 80.4％were from adults.Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria accounted for 68.0％and 32.0％,respectively.Coagulase negative Staphylococcus accounted for 73.0％of the total Gram-positive bacterial isolates.The prevalence of MRSA was 38.2％in children and 45.6％in adults.The prevalence of MRCNS was 67.6％in adults and 69.5％in children.A small number of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium(2.2％)and linezolid-resistant Enterococcus faecalis(3.1％)were isolated from adult patients.The resistance rates of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae to ceftriaxone were 52.2％and 76.4％in children,70.5％and 63.5％in adults.The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant E.coli and K.pneumoniae(CRKP)was 1.3％and 47.7％in children,6.4％and 47.9％in adults.The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii(CRAB)and Pseudomonas aeruginosa(CRPA)was 74.0％and 37.1％in children,81.7％and 39.9％in adults.Conclusions The data derived from antimicrobial resistance surveillance are crucial for clinicians to make evidence-based decisions regarding antibiotic therapy.Attention should be paid to the Gram-negative bacteria,especially CRKP and CRAB in central nervous system(CNS)infections.Ongoing antimicrobial resistance surveillance is helpful for optimizing antibiotic use in CNS infections.