ObjectiveTo investigate the analgesic effect of Tuina at the "Weizhong （BL 40）" on neuropathic pain in a rat model of chronic constriction injury （CCI） of the sciatic nerve and its potential central spinal mechanisms. MethodsThirty-two Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups （8 rats in each group）， sham-operated group， model group， Tuina group， and blockade group. The CCI model was established in the model group， Tuina group， and the blockade group by ligating the sciatic nerve with catgut， while the sham-operated group underwent only sciatic nerve exposure without ligation. From postoperative day 4 to day 14， rats in the Tuina group and the blockade group received Tuina manipulation at the "Weizhong （BL 40）" using a dynamic pressure distribution measurement system （5 N pressure， 2 Hz frequency， 10 min per session， once daily）. The blockade group also received intraperitoneal injections of the microglial inhibitor minocycline （10 mg/kg） once daily. The sham-operated and the model group underwent the same handling and fixation as the Tuina group without actual Tuina. Mechanical withdrawal threshold （MWT） and paw withdrawal latency （PWL） were measured before surgery and on day 3， 7， 10， and 14 post-surgery. Transmission electron microscopy was used to evaluate sciatic nerve injury and repair， measuring axon diameter and total myelinated fiber diameter to calculate the g-ratio. Western Blotting was performed to detect the protein levels of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 （Iba-1）， CD206， CD68， interleukin-10 （IL-10）， and β-endorphin （β-EP） precursor pro-opiomelanocortin （POMC） in the ipsilateral spinal dorsal horn. ResultsCompared with the sham-operated group， the model group showed significantly reduced MWT and PWL on day 3， 7， 10， and 14 （P＜0.01）. Compared with the model group， the Tuina group and the blockade group showed increased MWT and PWL on day 10 and 14 （P＜0.05）. Compared with the Tuina group， the blockade group exhibited higher MWT on day 7， 10， and 14， and higher PWL on day 10 （P＜0.05）. Sciatic nerve pathological morphology revealed intact and well-structured myelin in the sham-operated group， while the model group exhibited myelin collapse， distortion， and myelin ovoid formation. The Tuina group displayed partially irregular myelin with occasional myelin collapse， whereas the blockade group exhibited partial myelin irregularities and phospholipid shedding. Compared with the sham-operated group， the model group showed a decreased g-ratio and increased levels of Iba-1 and CD68 in the spinal dorsal horn （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared with the model group， the Tuina group and the blockade group exhibited an increased g-ratio and reduced Iba-1 and CD68 levels. Additionally， the Tuina group showed elevated levels of CD206， IL-10， and POMC， whereas the blockade group had decreased CD206 levels （P＜0.05）. ConclusionTuina at "Weizhong （BL 40）" alleviates neuropathic pain in CCI rats， potentially by regulating microglial activation in the spinal cord， inhibiting M1 polarization while promoting M2 polarization， and activating the IL-10/β-EP pathway to exert analgesic effects.

INTRODUCTION: Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), originally an antimalarial drug, is currently used to treat multiple disorders, especially rheumatic diseases. Given its good efficacy and safety, HCQ is widely administered in pregnant patients. However, the safety profile of HCQ during pregnancy remains controversial due to limited research. In addition, HCQ has been reported to reduce preeclampsia in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and could potentially alleviate the symptom of preeclampsia. However, the clinical profile and molecular mechanism of HCQ in preeclampsia is yet to be fully understood. METHOD: We reviewed the literature on HCQ treatment in pregnancy with rheumatic diseases and preeclamp-sia in PubMed and Web of Science. We also discussed the safety of long-term therapy with HCQ during pregnancy. RESULTS: HCQ mainly modulates autoimmune response through inhibition of lysosomal function, toll-like receptor (TLR) signalling, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-mediated oxidative stress and autophagy. Benefits of HCQ in treating rheumatic diseases, including antiphospholipid syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren's syndrome during pregnancy, has been demonstrated in clinics. In particular, multiple clinical guidelines recommend HCQ as an indispensable therapeutic drug for pregnant patients with SLE. Additionally, it may potentially function in preeclampsia to improve clinical symptoms. CONCLUSION HCQ is effectively used for rheumatic diseases during pregnancy. The benefits of HCQ treatment in rheumatic diseases outweigh the risk of adverse reactions it induces in pregnant women.
Humans ; Hydroxychloroquine/pharmacology* ; Pregnancy ; Female ; Antirheumatic Agents/pharmacology* ; Rheumatic Diseases/drug therapy* ; Pregnancy Complications/drug therapy* ; Pre-Eclampsia/prevention & control* ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/drug therapy* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Antiphospholipid Syndrome/drug therapy* ; Sjogren's Syndrome/drug therapy*

Objective To investigate the factors influencing the development of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis(EPTB)in patients with viral hepatitis complicated by pulmonary tuberculosis(PTB).Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 427 patients with Hepatitis B Virus(HBV)and Hepatitis C Virus(HCV)infections complicated by PTB admitted to the tuberculosis department of Kunming Third People's Hospital from January 2015 to December 2020.Patients were divided into the EPTB complication group(n=72)and the non-EPTB complication group(n=355)based on the presence of EPTB.Clinical treatment data of patients were collected.Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyse were used to screen independent risk factors for EPTB as predictive factors.A nomogram prediction model was established for Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis(EPTB)complications in patients with viral hepatitis and Pulmonary Tuberculosis(PTB),evaluated using the Hosmer-Lemeshow test and ROC curve analysis.Results Among the 427 patients,292(68.3%)were male and 135(31.7%)were female,with 72 cases of EPTB,resulting in an incidence rate of 16.86%.In the EPTB group,there were 34 males(47.2%)and 38 females(52.8%).The types of EPTB included tuberculous pleuritis(21 cases,29%),tuberculous peritonitis(16 cases,22%),lymph node tuberculosis(13 cases,18%),tuberculous encephalitis(5 cases,6%),intestinal tuberculosis(6 cases,8%),bone tuberculosis(5 cases,6%),pelvic tuberculosis(3 cases,4%),and genitourinary tuberculosis(3 cases,4%).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that gender(OR=0.425,95%CI:0.250-0.722,P=0.02),low triglyceride(TG)levels(OR=0.837,95%CI:0.717-0.978,P=0.025),the tuberculosis-specific antigen A(ESAT-6)(OR=1.007,95%CI:1.003～1.011 were independent influencing factors for EPTB in patients with PTB complicated by HBV and HCV infections.The optimal cutoff value for the nomogram model is 0.192,with a sensitivity of 0.611,specificity of 0.710,Youden index of 0.741,positive likelihood ratio of 2.103,and negative likelihood ratio of 0.548.The Hosmer-Lemeshow test yielded χ2=2.631,P=0.955.ROC curve analysis showed an AUC of 0.693,95%CI:0.629 1～0.7574.Conclusion The prediction model based on gender,low TG levels and ESAT-6 can well predict the occurrence of EPTB to some extent,providing a reference for clinical treatment.

Objective To evaluate the relationship between nutritional parameters and the risk of venous thromboembolicism(VTE)in patients with tuberculosis so as to identify the risk factors and predictors of thrombosis and assist in the early identification of high-risk factors for VTE in patients with the pulmonary tuberculosis.Methods A total of 323 patients diagnosed with the pulmonary tuberculosis and hospitalized in Kunming Third People's Hospital from August 2021 to August 2023 were collected.According to the VTE risk assessment of non-operative patients,they were divided into the high-risk group and the low-risk group respectively with 116 and 207 in each group.The nutritional indicators with statistically significant differences between the two groups were screened by Lasso regression.Multivariate Logistic regression was used to screen the independent risk factors for high VTE risk in pulmonary tuberculosis patients,and a nomogram prediction model was constructed.The prediction model was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC),calibration curve,decision curve,and influence curve.Results Patients in the high-risk group were significantly older than those in the low-risk group(59 vs.41,P<0.001),hypertension,gender,and Type 2 diabetes did not differ significantly(P values were 0.084,0.724 and 0.488,respectively).9 variables were selected from the inter-group comparison and Lasso regression,including ALB,HCT,NRS2002 scores,HBDH,RDW-SD,RDW-CV,TG,CONUT scores,and NEFA.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that ALB,NRS2002 scores,RDW-SD,and CONUT scores were independent influencing factors for the high risk of VTE scores in patients with tuberculosis(P<0.005).Area under the ROC curve showed that the AUC(0.892)for high-risk VTE scores in patients with the pulmonary tuberculosis was greater than that of ALB(0.803),NRS2002 score(0.735),RDW-SD(0.685),and CONUT score(0.774).Fitting prediction model:Logit(P):Y=0.433×NRS-0.136×ALB+0.411×CONUT score+0.072×RDW-SD-1.770,P=1/(1+e-Y)(Y:prediction index,P:prediction probability).Calibration curve showed that the model prediction tended to be consistent with the actual results(U:>0.05),and the decision curve and influence curve showed that the model can bring clinical benefits.Conclusion ALB,NRS2002 scores,RDW-SD,and CONUT scores are independent influencing factors for the high risk of VTE scores in patients with tuberculosis.They can guide the clinical practice,improve these indicators as soon as possible,reduce VTE scores,and reduce the thrombosis risk.At the same time,the prediction model performs well in the verification cohort,with its discrimination ability,calibration accuracy and clinical utility(decision curve analysis)all reaching a satisfactory level.

Objective To explore the clinical value of 99mTc-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid(DTPA)renal dynamic imaging in evaluating renal tubulointerstitial injury in early adult primary nephrotic syndrome(PNS)patients.Methods A total of 42 early adult PNS patients were selected as case group,and the diagnostic efficacy of 99mTc-DTPA renal dynamic imaging quantitative indicators and biochemical indicators of serum creatinine(SCr),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),blood uric acid(UA),blood retinol-binding protein(RBP),and blood β2-microglobulin(β2-MG)levels in renal tubulointerstitial injury was analyzed based on pathological results with or without renal interstitial injury as the standard.Results ①The total glomerular filtration rate(GFR),left kidney GFR and right kidney GFR were negatively correlated with blood SCr,BUN and β2-MG levels of patients in case group.②The diagnostic efficiency of total GFR in diagnosis of tubulointerstitial injury in early adult PNS patients is better than that of blood SCr,BUN and β2-MG,total GFR combined with time to peak(Tp),half discharge time(T1/2)and 20 minute residual rate(R20/p)can improve the diagnostic efficiency.Conclusion 99mTc-DTPA renal dynamic imaging is helpful in early diagnosis of tubulointerstitial injury in early adult PNS patients.

Objective To investigate the protective effect of recombinant Schistosoma japonicum cystatin(rSj-Cys)against acute liver injury induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS)and D-GalN in mice.Methods Adult male C57BL/6J mice with or without LPS/D-GaIN-induced acute liver injury were given intraperitoneal injections of rSj-Cys or PBS 30 min after modeling(n=18),and serum and liver tissues samples were collected from 8 mice in each group 6 h after modeling.The survival of the remaining 10 mice in each group within 24 h was observed.Serum levels of ALT,AST,TNF-α and IL-6 of the mice were measured,and liver pathologies was observed with HE staining.The hepatic expressions of macrophage marker CD68,Bax,Bcl-2 and endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS)-related proteins were detected using immunohistochemistry or immunoblotting,and TUNEL staining was used to detect hepatocyte apoptosis.Results The survival rates of PBS-and rSj-Cys-treated mouse models of acute liver injury were 30%and 80%at 12 h and were 10%and 60%at 24 h after modeling,respectively;no death occurred in the two control groups within 24 h.The mouse models showed significantly increased serum levels of AST,ALT,IL-6 and TNF-α and serious liver pathologies with increased hepatic expressions of CD68 and Bax,lowered expression of Bcl-2,increased hepatocyte apoptosis,and up-regulated expressions of ERS-related signaling pathway proteins GRP78,CHOP and NF-κB p-p65.Treatment of the mouse models significantly lowered the levels of AST,ALT,IL-6 and TNF-α,alleviated liver pathologies,reduced hepatic expressions of CD68,Bax,GRP78,CHOP and NF-κB p-p65,and enhanced the expression of Bcl-2.In the normal control mice,rSj-Cys injection did not produce any significant changes in these parameters compared with PBS.Conclusion rSj-Cys alleviates LPS/D-GalN-induced acute liver injury in mice by suppressing ERS,attenuating inflammation and inhibiting hepatocyte apoptosis.

Objective To investigate the effect of standardized lymph node sorting on postoperative results of gas-troesophageal junction malignant tumors.Methods The data of all patients with malignant gastroesophageal junc-tion in gastric cancer database were analyzed retrospectively.Lymph nodes were sorted according to whether sur-geons were present immediately after surgery.Patients were divided into lymph node sorting group(sorting group)and lymph node unsorting group(unsorting group).General data included gender,age,body mass index(BMI),carcinogenic antigen(CEA),postoperative albumin level,preoperative hemoglobin,etc.Perioperative and patho-logical data included operation time,intraoperative blood loss,postoperative hospital stay,tumor differentiation,distance from superior incisal margin,total number of lymph nodes,number of positive lymph nodes,etc.Kaplan-Meier curve and Log-rank test were used for survival analysis,and propensity score matching analysis adjusted for confounding factors between groups.Results A total of 386 patients were included,including 133 in lymph node sorting group and 253 in non-sorting group.The median follow-up time was 40.18 months.The total number of lymph nodes and the number of positive lymph nodes in the sorting group were(26.38±12.18)and(6.63±10.14),respectively,while the total number and the number of positive lymph nodes in the non-sorting group were(12.25±7.06)and(3.07±3.77),respectively.There were statistically significant differences in the total num-ber of lymph nodes and the number of positive lymph nodes between the sorting group and the non-sorting group(P＜0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in survival between the sorting group and the non-sorting group before matching.There were 112 and 203 patients with advanced gastric cancer in the two groups,respec-tively.The overall survival curve of patients in the sorting group was better than that in the non-sorting group,and the difference in median survival time was statistically significant(P＜0.05).The caliper value was set to 0.02,and 94 pairs of patients were preferentially matched.After matching,the total number of lymph nodes and the num-ber of positive lymph nodes in the sorting group were(24.71±12.03)and(5.70±9.95),respectively,while the total number and the number of positive lymph nodes in the non-sorting group were(13.05±7.63)and(3.37±4.32),respectively.The difference between the two groups was statistically significant(P＜0.05).The overall survival curve of patients in the sorting group was better than that in the non-sorting group,and the median survival time was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion Postoperative lymph node sorting for gastric cancer can significantly increase the number of total lymph nodes and positive lymph nodes,reduce lymph node migration,and improve postoperative survival time.

Objective To investigate the protective effect of recombinant Schistosoma japonicum cystatin(rSj-Cys)against acute liver injury induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS)and D-GalN in mice.Methods Adult male C57BL/6J mice with or without LPS/D-GaIN-induced acute liver injury were given intraperitoneal injections of rSj-Cys or PBS 30 min after modeling(n=18),and serum and liver tissues samples were collected from 8 mice in each group 6 h after modeling.The survival of the remaining 10 mice in each group within 24 h was observed.Serum levels of ALT,AST,TNF-α and IL-6 of the mice were measured,and liver pathologies was observed with HE staining.The hepatic expressions of macrophage marker CD68,Bax,Bcl-2 and endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS)-related proteins were detected using immunohistochemistry or immunoblotting,and TUNEL staining was used to detect hepatocyte apoptosis.Results The survival rates of PBS-and rSj-Cys-treated mouse models of acute liver injury were 30%and 80%at 12 h and were 10%and 60%at 24 h after modeling,respectively;no death occurred in the two control groups within 24 h.The mouse models showed significantly increased serum levels of AST,ALT,IL-6 and TNF-α and serious liver pathologies with increased hepatic expressions of CD68 and Bax,lowered expression of Bcl-2,increased hepatocyte apoptosis,and up-regulated expressions of ERS-related signaling pathway proteins GRP78,CHOP and NF-κB p-p65.Treatment of the mouse models significantly lowered the levels of AST,ALT,IL-6 and TNF-α,alleviated liver pathologies,reduced hepatic expressions of CD68,Bax,GRP78,CHOP and NF-κB p-p65,and enhanced the expression of Bcl-2.In the normal control mice,rSj-Cys injection did not produce any significant changes in these parameters compared with PBS.Conclusion rSj-Cys alleviates LPS/D-GalN-induced acute liver injury in mice by suppressing ERS,attenuating inflammation and inhibiting hepatocyte apoptosis.

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of Nuanxinkang on plaque formation in obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome(OSAHS)comorbid with atherosclerosis(AS)mice by inhibiting endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition(EndMT).Methods Male ApoE-/-mice were randomly divided into six groups:control group,model group,atorvastatin group(2.6 mg·kg-1)and Nuanxinkang low-,medium-and high-dose groups(crude drug 3.5,7.0,14.0 g·kg-1),with eight mice in each group.The mice were exposed to chronic intermittent hypoxia(CIH)environment during sleep for a long time,and fed with high-fat diet to replicate OSAHS comorbid with AS mouse model.Oil red O staining was used to observe the formation of plaque on aortic intima in mice.Masson trichrome staining was used to evaluate the collagen content of atherosclerotic plaques in the aortic root of mice.The expressions of endothelial cell marker CD31 and EndMT marker Vimentin in aortic plaque were detected by immunofluorescence.Blood lipid levels were determined by ELISA;the mRNA expression levels of EndMT markers α-SMA and Cdh2 in aortic tissue were detected by qPCR.Results Compared with the control group,the area of aortic atherosclerotic plaque in the model group was significantly increased(P＜0.01),and the area of collagen deposition in the aortic root plaque was significantly increased(P＜0.01).The number of CD31 positive cells in the plaque were significantly decreased(P＜0.01),and the number of Vimentin positive cells were significantly increased(P＜0.01).Serum TG,T-CHO and LDL-C levels were significantly increased(P＜0.01),and HDL-C level was significantly decreased(P＜0.01).The mRNA expression levels of α-SMA and Cdh2 in aortic tissue were significantly increased(P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the area of aortic atherosclerotic plaque in Nuanxinkang groups were significantly reduced(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),and the collagen deposition area of aortic root atherosclerotic plaque were significantly reduced(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).The number of CD31 positive expression cells in the plaque of Nuanxinkang high-dose group were significantly increased(P＜0.05),and the number of Vimentin positive expression cells in the plaque of Nuanxinkang medium-and high-dose groups were significantly decreased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).The serum TG level of mice in the high-dose group of Nuanxinkang was significantly decreased(P＜0.01).The serum T-CHO and LDL-C levels of mice in each Nuanxinkang administration group were significantly decreased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).The serum HDL-C levels of mice in the medium-and high-dose groups of Nuanxinkang were significantly increased(P＜0.01).The mRNA expression levels of α-SMA and Cdh2 in aortic tissue of mice in each treatment group were significantly decreased(P＜0.01).Conclusion Nuanxinkang can effectively reduce the plaque formation in OSAHS comorbid with atherosclerosis mice,which may be related to its inhibition of EndMT and reduction of collagen fiber formation.

Objective To explore the mechanism of Xinkang Prescription (Descurainiae Semen Lepidii Semen,Armeniacae Semen Amarum,Poria,Astragali Radix,Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium,Sparanii Rhizoma) for purging the lung and promoting diuresis in treating heart failure by regulating phosphorylation of phospholamban (PLN). Methods Forty-eight C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into sham-operation group,model group,low-,medium-and high-dose Xinkang Prescription groups(0.455,0.91,1.82 g·kg-1),as well as Entresto group (25 mg·kg-1),with eight mice in each group. The model of ischemic heart failure was established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery in mice. After the model was successfully replicated,mice were orally administered with the above-mentioned dosages of Xinkang Prescription and Entresto once a day for four weeks,while sham-operation group and model group were given 0.9％ sodium chloride solution by gavage at the same time. Echocardiography was used to detect the cardiac function of the mice in each group,including left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF),left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS),left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD) and left ventricular end systolic diameter (LVESD). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the pathological changes in cardiac tissue of mice. qRT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of BNP. Western Blot and Jess were used to detect the expression of PLN,p-Thr17-PLN,p-Ser16-PLN,sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase 2a (SERCA2a),protein kinase A (PKA),p-PKA,Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinaseⅡ(CaMKⅡ) and p-CaMKⅡ in cardiac tissue,and to calculate the ratio of SERCA2a/PLN. The SERCA2a activity was determined by the inorganic phosphorus method.Results Compared with the sham-operation group,the model group showed a significant decrease in LVEF and LVFS(P<0.01) and a significant increase in LVEDD and LVESD (P<0.01). HE staining showed the fibril of cardiac muscle broke and disarranged,accompanied by inflammatory cell infiltration. The mRNA expression of BNP was significantly up-regulated (P<0.01),and the protein expressions of p-Ser16-PLN,p-Thr17-PLN,p-PKA,the ratio of SERCA2a/PLN and SERCA2a activity were significantly down-regulated (P<0.01),while the expression of p-CaMKⅡ was up-regulated (P<0.01). Compared with the model group,LVEF and LVFS in medium-,high-dose Xinkang Prescription groups were significantly increased(P<0.01),while LVEDD and LVESD were significantly decreased (P<0.01). HE staining showed significant improvement in the pathological damage of cardiac tissue. The expression level of BNP was significantly decreased (P<0.01),while the protein expressions of p-Ser16-PLN,p-Thr17-PLN,p-PKA,the ratio of SERCA2a/PLN and SERCA2a activity were significantly increased (P<0.01). The protein expression of p-CaMKⅡ was remarkably decreased(P<0.05). Conclusion Xinkang Prescription can effectively improve cardiac function of mice with heart failure,which may be related to enhance phosphorylation levels of phospholamban.