Objective To establish a chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for detecting chlorfenapyr and its metabolite tralopyril in blood,and to investigate the toxicokinetics in rats.Methods Chlorfenapyr(8 mg/kg)was administered orally to rats,and blood samples were collected from rats'canthus vein at 5 min,15 min,30 min,1 h,3 h,6 h,12 h,24 h and 48 h after administration.The blood samples were extracted using 100 μL of 5%formic acid solution and 400 μL of acetonitrile.Chlorfena-pyr was qualitatively and quantitatively detected by triple quadrupole gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(GC-MS/MS)and tralopyril was detected by triple quadrupole liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS).The DAS 3.0 software was used to fit the toxicokinetic equa-tions and calculate the toxicokinetic parameters.Results Chlorfenapyr was detectable from 5 min to 24 h with a peak time of 1 h.Tralopyril was detectable from 15 min to 48 h with a peak time of 3 h.The toxicokinetic process of chlorfenapyr in rat blood conformed to a first-order absorption one-compartment open model,with the toxicokinetic equation described as C=e-0.265t-e-0.175t.Tralopyril con-formed to the first-order absorption three-compartment model,and the toxicokinetic equation was C=47 361.069e-2.209t-35 404.962e-1.486t+11 956.363e-0.512t.In the equations,C stands for the concentration of the target substance in the blood,e is the natural constant(≈2.718 28),and t stands for time.Conclu-sion This study optimized the detection method for chlorfenapyr and its metabolite tralopyril in blood.The toxicokinetic equations and parameters of chlorfenapyr and tralopyril can provide a reference for the estimation of oral intake time of chlorfenapyr.

Objective To explore the mechanism by which the sanguis draconis flavones(SDF)regulates the reactive oxygen species(ROS)/thioredoxin-interacting protein(TXNIP)pathway to mediate cell pyroptosis and improve cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury(CIRI)in rats.Methods The experimental rats were randomly divided into the control group(Ctrl),the CIRI group,the low-dose SDF group(SDF-L),the high-dose SDF group(SDF-H),and the SDF-H+ROS/TXNIP pathway activator,trimethylamine oxide(TMAO)group(SDF-H+TMAO).Among them,except for the control group,the remaining rats all needed to establish the CIRI rat model by the modified suture method.Zea Longa scoring was performed on rats from each group.ELISA was used to detect the levels of serum inflammatory factors interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-18 and oxidative stress-related factors superoxide dismutase(SOD),malondialdehyde(MDA),glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px).Flow cytometry was used to measure the ROS levels.Cerebral edema was detected.Cerebral infarction was detected by 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride(TTC)staining.HE staining was used to detect the pathological changes of brain tissue.Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of pyrolytic effector protein dermolin D(GSDMD).Western blotting was used to detect the expression of proteins related to the ROS/TXNIP pathway.Results Compared with the control group,a large area of cerebral infarctions were observed in the brain tissue of the CIRI group,accompanied by mild hemorrhage and obvious infiltration of inflammatory cells.Neuronal cells underwent degeneration and necrosis,with sparse and disordered arrangement.The phenomena of nuclear condensation and nucleolus lysis were obvious.The Zea Longa score,cerebral infarction volume,brain tissue water content,levels of IL-1β,IL-18,ROS,MDA,and the expressions of GSDMD,TXNIP,nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3),apoptosis-related punctate protein(ASC),and Caspase-1 increased,while the activities of SOD and GSH-Px decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with the CIRI group,the pathological damage of brain tissues in the SDF-L group and the SDF-H group was significantly improved.The Zea Longa score,cerebral infarction volume,brain tissue water content,levels of IL-1β,IL-18,ROS,MDA,and the expressions of GSDMD,TXNIP,NLRP3,ASC,and Caspase-1 decreased.The activities of SOD and GSH-Px increased(P＜0.05);TMAO treatment partially reversed the improvement effect of SDF on CIRI in rats.Conclusion SDF ameliorates cerebral CIRI in rats by inhibiting ROS/TXNIP pathway-mediated pyroptosis.

Objective To investigate whether Angelica Sinensis and Astragalus capsules(AAC)regulates myocardial autophagy in heart failure rats via the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase(Akt)/mammalian target of sirolimus(mTOR)signaling pathway.Methods A rat model of heart failure was constructed by intraperitoneal 2.5 mg·kg-1 doxorubicin,and another 8 rats served as the control group.The modeling rats were randomly divided into model group,control group and experimental-L,-M,-H groups.Control group was given 30 mg·kg-1 3-methyladenine by intraperitoneal injection;experimental-L,-M,-H groups were given 150,300 and 450 mg·kg-1 AAC by gavage,respectively;blank and model groups were given the same quantity of sterile distilled water.Six groups were administered once daily for 6 weeks.The cardiac function was measured by ultrasound,and the expression levels of PI3K,Akt,mTOR,sequestosome 1(P62)and microtubule-associated light chain protein 3-Ⅱ/Ⅰ(LC3 Ⅱ/Ⅰ)in myocardial tissue were measured by Western blot.Results In the blank,model,control and experimental-H groups,the left ventricular ejection fraction values were(85.00±3.63)％,(56.75±4.83)％,(75.63±3.70)％and(72.75±4.23)％;the relative expression levels of PI3K were 1.00±0,0.28±0.05,0.64±0.08 and 0.74±0.16;phosphorylated Akt/Akt were 1.00±0,0.49±0.06,0.90±0.16 and 0.95±0.10;phosphorylated mTOR/mTOR values were 1.00±0,0.42±0.09,0.73±0.13 and 0.83±0.08;the relative expression levels of P62 proteins were 1.00±0,0.24±0.12,0.57±0.09 and 0.96±0.10;the relative expression levels of LC3 Ⅱ/Ⅰ proteins were 1.00±0,4.31±0.75,2.20±0.76 and 1.59±0.24,respectively.Compared to the model group,statistical significant were identified in the experimental-H and control groups(all P＜0.05).Conclusion AAC can regulate PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway,inhibit myocardial autophagy and improve cardiac function in rats with heart failure.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of extraperitoneal robot-assisted laparoscopic modified Y-V plasty(LMYVP)in the treatment of refractory bladder neck contracture(BNC).Methods:We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data on 10 cases of refractory BNC after transurethral resection of the prostate between September 2020 and January 2023,all with a history of recurrent urethral dilatation and at least two failures in transurethral surgical treatment of scarring.After definite diagnosis and re-moval of some of the scar tissues to flatten the elevated bladder neck under the cystoscope,we performed robot-assisted LMYVP using the da Vinci Si robotic system and a four-port extraperitoneal approach.The surgical procedure involved an inverted T-shaped incision in the bladder neck and urethral stricture ring,an inverted V-shaped excision of the scar area at the 3-9 o'clock position on the ventral side of the prostatic urethra,continuous full-layer suturing of the bladder neck and inverted V-shaped urethra with 3-0 barbed thread,and indwelling of an F20 silicone catheter for 2 weeks.At 3 months after surgery,we performed cystoscopic examination,measured the maximum urinary flow rate(Qmax),and obtained the IPSS and quality of life(QOL)scores of the patients.Results:Operations were successfully completed in all the cases.At 3 months after surgery,the patients showed significantly increased Qmax([3.65±1.27]vs[20.3±1.77]ml/s,P＜0.05),IPSS(5.9±2.02 vs 30±1.15,P＜0.05)and QOL score(1.3±0.95 vs 5.2±0.79,P＜0.05)compared with the baseline.Cystoscopy revealed a wide and flat bladder neck with good survival and hemody-namics of the bladder flap.All the patients met the criteria for clinical cure at a median follow-up of 13.2 months.Conclusion:Extraper-itoneal robot-assisted LMYVP provides a new strategy for urinary tract reconstruction in the management of refractory BNC,with the ad-vantages of minimal invasiveness,high efficiency and high success rate.

Objective:This study aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Dibai Yijing Formula(DYF)in the treat-ment of male infertility with essence deficiency in the kidney and damp-heat in the essence chamber(Abbreviation:kidney deficiency and damp-heat type).Methods:This study employed a randomized,controlled clinical trial design,recruiting 72 male patients with infertility due to kidney deficiency and damp-heat type.Patients were randomly assigned to an treatment group(36 patients)and a control group(36 patients)using a random number table.The control group received oral Clomiphene Citrate Capsules(50 mg,twice daily),while the treatment group received oral DYF(one dose daily,200 ml each time,30 minutes after breakfast and dinner).Both groups underwent a 12-week treatment period.After treatment,sperm concentration(SC),percentage of progressively motile sperms(PR),total sperm motility[PR+percentage of non-progressively motile sperms(NP)],and semen volume(SV)were compared between the two groups before and after treatment.Additionally,the total score of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)syndrome score and sperm DNA fragmentation index(DFI)and pregnancy outcomes of the patients'spouses were compared between the two groups.Results:Three patients dropped out from the treatment group and four from the control group.There were no statistically sig-nificant differences in semen parameters between the two groups(P＞0.05).After treatment,the patients in the treatment group showed significant difference in the percentage of SC([19.42±5.30]x 106/ml vs[10.75±2.41]x 106/ml),PR([27.72±6.62]％vs[20.04±4.10]％),PR+NP([49.86±10.68]％vs(33.74±5.58)％],DFI([12.33±3.43]％vs[15.06±3.98]％)and TCM symtom score([7.45±1.82]vs[13.85±1.91]),and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).The patients in the control group showed significant difference in the percentage of SC([19.56±5.24]× 106/ml vs[11.31±2.08]× 106/ml)and TCM symptom score([12.81±1.86]vs[14.06±1.64]).But no significant changes were observed in the PR([21.75±5.93]％vs[20.05±4.67]％),PR+NP([34.23±7.15]％vs[32.35±4.09]％),SV([3.19±1.08]ml vs[3.12±1.13]ml),and DFI([15.11±4.76]％vs[15.51±4.35]％)were not statistically significant(P＞0.05).Improve-ments in PR,PR+NP,TCM symptom score and DFI in the treatment group were better than those in the control group after treatment(P＜0.05);the differences in SC and SV and spousal pregnancy in the treatment group were not statistically significant compared with those in the control group(P＞0.05).No serious adverse events occurred in both groups during the treatment period.Conclusion:The treatment of male infertility with DYF is effective and safe.

Objective: To investigate the incidence and risk factors of systemic allergic reactions induced by subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) in patients undergoing SCIT injections in Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH). Methods: This is a single center retrospective cohort study. Using the outpatient information system of PUMCH, the demographic information and injection-related reaction data of patients undergoing SCIT injection in Allergy Department of PUMCH from December 2018 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed to count the incidence and risk factors of systemic allergic reactions caused by SCIT. Mann-Whitney nonparametric test or chi-square test was used for single-factor analysis, and multiple logistic regression was used for multiple-factor analysis. Results: A total of 2 897 patients received 18 070 SCIT injections in Allergy Department during the four years, and 40 systemic allergic reactions occurred, with the overall incidence rate of 0.22%. The incidence of systemic allergic reaction was 0.37% when using imported dust mite preparation and 0.15% when using domestic multi-component allergen preparation. The risk factors significantly related with SCIT-induced systemic allergic reactions in patients using imported dust mite preparation were age less than 18 years old (OR=3.186,95%CI: 1.255-8.085), highest injection concentration (OR value could not be calculated because all patients with systemic reactions were injected with highest concentration), and large local reaction in previous injection (OR=22.264,95%CI: 8.205-60.411). The risk factors for SCIT-induced systemic allergic reactions in patients using domestic allergen preparation were 5 or more types of allergens (OR=3.455,95%CI: 1.147-10.402), highest injection concentration (OR=3.794,95%CI: 1.226-11.740) and large local reaction in previous injection (OR=63.577,95%CI: 22.248-181.683). However, SCIT injection in pollen allergic patients during the pollen season did not show a correlation with systemic allergic reaction. Conclusion: The incidence of SCIT-induced systemic allergic reactions was low in the Chinese patient population of this study. Patients with one or more risk factors, such as multiple allergen injection, highest injection concentration, large local reaction in previous injection, should be given high attention and vigilance against systemic allergic reactions.
Humans ; Allergens ; Asian People ; Desensitization, Immunologic/adverse effects* ; Hypersensitivity/epidemiology* ; Retrospective Studies

Objective: To investigate the incidence and risk factors of systemic allergic reactions induced by subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) in patients undergoing SCIT injections in Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH). Methods: This is a single center retrospective cohort study. Using the outpatient information system of PUMCH, the demographic information and injection-related reaction data of patients undergoing SCIT injection in Allergy Department of PUMCH from December 2018 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed to count the incidence and risk factors of systemic allergic reactions caused by SCIT. Mann-Whitney nonparametric test or chi-square test was used for single-factor analysis, and multiple logistic regression was used for multiple-factor analysis. Results: A total of 2 897 patients received 18 070 SCIT injections in Allergy Department during the four years, and 40 systemic allergic reactions occurred, with the overall incidence rate of 0.22%. The incidence of systemic allergic reaction was 0.37% when using imported dust mite preparation and 0.15% when using domestic multi-component allergen preparation. The risk factors significantly related with SCIT-induced systemic allergic reactions in patients using imported dust mite preparation were age less than 18 years old (OR=3.186,95%CI: 1.255-8.085), highest injection concentration (OR value could not be calculated because all patients with systemic reactions were injected with highest concentration), and large local reaction in previous injection (OR=22.264,95%CI: 8.205-60.411). The risk factors for SCIT-induced systemic allergic reactions in patients using domestic allergen preparation were 5 or more types of allergens (OR=3.455,95%CI: 1.147-10.402), highest injection concentration (OR=3.794,95%CI: 1.226-11.740) and large local reaction in previous injection (OR=63.577,95%CI: 22.248-181.683). However, SCIT injection in pollen allergic patients during the pollen season did not show a correlation with systemic allergic reaction. Conclusion: The incidence of SCIT-induced systemic allergic reactions was low in the Chinese patient population of this study. Patients with one or more risk factors, such as multiple allergen injection, highest injection concentration, large local reaction in previous injection, should be given high attention and vigilance against systemic allergic reactions.
Humans ; Allergens ; Asian People ; Desensitization, Immunologic/adverse effects* ; Hypersensitivity/epidemiology* ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVE: Physical exercise, a common non-drug intervention, is an important strategy in cancer treatment, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the mechanism remains largely unknown. Due to the importance of hypoxia and cancer stemness in the development of HCC, the present study investigated whether the anti-HCC effect of physical exercise is related to its suppression on hypoxia and cancer stemness. METHODS: A physical exercise intervention of swimming (30 min/d, 5 d/week, for 4 weeks) was administered to BALB/c nude mice bearing subcutaneous human HCC tumor. The anti-HCC effect of swimming was assessed in vivo by tumor weight monitoring, hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) detection of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Ki67. The expression of stemness transcription factors, including Nanog homeobox (NANOG), octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT-4), v-Myc avian myelocytomatosis viral oncogene homolog (C-MYC) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), was detected using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. A hypoxia probe was used to explore the intratumoral hypoxia status. Western blot was used to detect the expression of HIF-1α and proteins related to protein kinase B (Akt)/glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β)/β-catenin signaling pathway. The IHC analysis of platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (CD31), and the immunofluorescence co-location of CD31 and desmin were used to analyze tumor blood perfusion. SMMC-7721 cells were treated with nude mice serum. The inhibition effect on cancer stemness in vitro was detected using suspension sphere experiments and the expression of stemness transcription factors. The hypoxia status was inferred by measuring the protein and mRNA levels of HIF-1α. Further, the expression of proteins related to Akt/GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling pathway was detected. RESULTS: Swimming significantly reduced the body weight and tumor weight in nude mice bearing HCC tumor. HE staining and IHC results showed a lower necrotic area ratio as well as fewer PCNA or Ki67 positive cells in mice receiving the swimming intervention. Swimming potently alleviated the intratumoral hypoxia, attenuated the cancer stemness, and inhibited the Akt/GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling pathway. Additionally, the desmin⁺/CD31⁺ ratio, rather than the number of CD31⁺ vessels, was significantly increased in swimming-treated mice. In vitro experiments showed that treating cells with the serum from the swimming intervention mice significantly reduced the formation of SMMC-7721 cell suspension sphere, as well as the mRNA expression level of stemness transcription factors. Consistent with the in vivo results, HIF-1α and Akt/GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling pathway were also inhibited in cells treated with serum from swimming group. CONCLUSION Swimming alleviated hypoxia and attenuated cancer stemness in HCC, through suppression of the Akt/GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling pathway. The alleviation of intratumoral hypoxia was related to the increase in blood perfusion in the tumor. Please cite this article as: Xiao CL, Zhong ZP, Lü C, Guo BJ, Chen JJ, Zhao T, Yin ZF, Li B. Physical exercise suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma progression by alleviating hypoxia and attenuating cancer stemness through the Akt/GSK-3β/β-catenin pathway. J Integr Med. 2023; 21(2): 184-193.
Humans ; Animals ; Mice ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/drug therapy* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen/therapeutic use* ; Mice, Nude ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta/genetics* ; beta Catenin/therapeutic use* ; Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Desmin/therapeutic use* ; Ki-67 Antigen ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Hypoxia ; RNA, Messenger/therapeutic use* ; Cell Proliferation

Currently, the national schistosomiasis control program of China is moving from transmission interruption to elimination, and there are multiple challenges during the stage moving towards the progression of schistosomiasis elimination, including a high difficulty in shrinking snail-infested areas, unstable achievements for infectious source control, imperfect surveillance system and a reduction in schistosomiasis control and administration. Based on the core suggestions proposed in the 2022 WHO guideline on control and elimination of human schistosomiasis, recommendations on schistosomiasis surveillance system building, development of novel diagnostics, adjustment of the schistosomiasis control strategy and maintaining and improvements of the schistosomiasis control capability are proposed for the national schistosomiasis control program of China in the new era according to the actual status of schistosomiasis control in China. Formulation of the national schistosomiasis control strategy and goal from One Health perspective, verification of transmission interruption and elimination of schistosomiasis, precision implementation of schistosomiasis control interventions with adaptations to local circumstances, development and application of highly sensitive and specific diagnostics are recommended for elimination of schistosomiasis in China. In addition, the implementation of the 2022 WHO guideline on control and elimination of human schistosomiasis may guide the elimination of schistosomiasis in China.
Animals ; China/epidemiology* ; Goals ; Humans ; Schistosomiasis/prevention & control* ; Snails ; World Health Organization

This report presented the endemic status of schistosomiasis in the People’s Republic of China at a national level in 2020, and analyzed the data collected from the national schistosomiasis prevention and control system and national schistosomiasis surveillance sites. Among the 12 provinces (municipality and autonomous region) endemic for schistosomiasis in China, Shanghai Municipality, Zhejiang Province, Fujian Province, Guangdong Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region continued to consolidate the achievements of schistosomiasis elimination, and Sichuan and Jiangsu provinces maintained the criteria of transmission interruption, while Yunnan, Hubei, Anhui, Jiangxi and Hunan provinces maintained the criteria of transmission control by the end of 2020. A total of 450 counties (cites, districts) were found to be endemic for schistosomiasis in China, with 28 376 endemic villages covering 71 370 400 people at risk of infections. Among the 450 endemic counties (cities, districts), 74.89% (337/450), 21.87% (98/450) and 3.33% (15/450) achieved the criteria of elimination, transmission interruption and transmission control of schistosomiasis, respectively. By the end of 2020, 29 517 cases with advanced schistosomiasis were documented in China. In 2020, 11 117 655 individuals received inquiry examinations and 1 798 580 were positive; 5 263 082 individuals received serological tests and 83 179 were sero-positive. A total of 273 712 individuals received stool examinations and 3 were positive, including one case of acute schistosomiasis. In 2020, snail survey was performed in 19 733 endemic villages in China and Oncomelania snails were found in 7 309 villages, accounting for 37.04% of all surveyed villages, with 15 villages identified with emerging snail habitats. Snail survey covered an area of 736 984.13 hm² and 206 125.22 hm² snail habitats were found, including 1 174.67 hm² emerging snail habitats and 1.96 hm² habitats with infected snails. In 2020, 544 424 bovines were raised in the schistosomiasis-endemic areas of China, and 147 887 received serological examinations, with 326 positives detected, while 130 673 bovines received stool examinations, with no positives identified. In 2020, there were 19 214 patients with schistosomiasis receiving praziquantel chemotherapy, and 964 103 person-time individuals and 266 280 herd-time bovines were given expanded chemotherapy. In 2020, molluscicide treatment was performed in 136 141.92 hm² snail habitats, and the actual area of chemical treatment was 71 980.22 hm², while environmental improvements were performed in snail habitats covering an area of 1 464.03 hm². Data from the national schistosomiasis surveillance sites of China showed that the mean prevalence of Schistosoma japonicum infections were both zero in humans and bovines in 2020, and no S. japonicum infection was detected in snails. The results demonstrate that the overall endemic status of schistosomiasis remains at a low level in China and the goal of the National Thirteenth Five-Year Plan for Schistosomiasis Control was achieved as scheduled; however, the endemic situation of schistosomiasis rebounded in local areas. Precision schistosomiasis control and intensified monitoring of the endemic situation and transmission risk of schistosomiasis are required to be performed to facilitate the progress towards elimination of schistosomiasis steadily.