This study aimed to characterize and identify the non-volatile components in aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the stems and leaves of Rhododendron tomentosum by using sensitive and efficient ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry(UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS) combined with a self-built information database. By comparing with reference compounds, analyzing fragment ion information, searching relevant literature, and using a self-built information database, 118 compounds were identified from the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of R. tomentosum, including 35 flavonoid glycosides, 15 phenolic glycosides, 12 flavonoids, 7 phenolic acids, 7 phenylethanol glycosides, 6 tannins, 6 phospholipids, 5 coumarins, 5 monoterpene glycosides, 6 triterpenes, 3 fatty acids, and 11 other types of compounds. Among them, 102 compounds were reported in R. tomentosum for the first time, and 36 compounds were identified by comparing them with reference compounds. The chemical components in the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of R. tomentosum leaves and stems showed slight differences, with 84 common chemical components accounting for 71.2% of the total 118 compounds. This study systematically characterized and identified the non-volatile chemical components in the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of R. tomentosum for the first time. The findings provide a reference for active ingredient research, quality control, and product development of R. tomentosum.
Rhododendron/chemistry* ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Mass Spectrometry/methods* ; Plant Leaves/chemistry*

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of Qingda Granule (QDG) in ameliorating hypertension-induced cardiac damage and investigate the underlying mechanisms involved. METHODS: Twenty spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were used to develope a hypertension-induced cardiac damage model. Another 10 Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats were used as normotension group. Rats were administrated intragastrically QDG [0.9 g/(kg•d)] or an equivalent volume of pure water for 8 weeks. Blood pressure, histopathological changes, cardiac function, levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory response markers were measured. Furthermore, to gain insights into the potential mechanisms underlying the protective effects of QDG against hypertension-induced cardiac injury, a network pharmacology study was conducted. Predicted results were validated by Western blot, radioimmunoassay immunohistochemistry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively. RESULTS: The administration of QDG resulted in a significant decrease in blood pressure levels in SHRs (P<0.01). Histological examinations, including hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson trichrome staining revealed that QDG effectively attenuated hypertension-induced cardiac damage. Furthermore, echocardiography demonstrated that QDG improved hypertension-associated cardiac dysfunction. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and colorimetric method indicated that QDG significantly reduced oxidative stress and inflammatory response levels in both myocardial tissue and serum (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Both network pharmacology and experimental investigations confirmed that QDG exerted its beneficial effects in decreasing hypertension-induced cardiac damage by regulating the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)/angiotensin II (Ang II)/Ang II receptor type 1 axis and ACE/Ang II/Ang II receptor type 2 axis.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Hypertension/pathology* ; Renin-Angiotensin System/drug effects* ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Male ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Blood Pressure/drug effects* ; Myocardium/pathology* ; Rats ; Inflammation/pathology*

Objective:To discuss the effect of inhibiting microRNA(miR)-193a-5p expression on pulmonary fibrosis in the rats with acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS),and to clarify the related mechanism.Methods:A total of 60 male SD rats were divided into sham operation group,model group,miR-193a-5p antagonist group(Antagomir group),and negative control group(Antagomir-NC group),and there were 15 rats in each group.The ARDS animal model was induced by administering 10 mg·kg-1 lipopolysaccharide(LPS)via tracheal instillation,while the rats in sham operation group received an equal volume of saline.After successful modeling,the rats in Antagomir group and Antagomir-NC group were treated with miR-193a-5p Antagomir or Antagomir-NC via tail vein injection.The arterial partial pressure of oxygen(PaO2)and oxygenation index(OI)of the rats in various groups were measured;HE staining and Masson staining were used to observe the pathology and collagen fiber deposition in lung tissue of the rats;kit was used to detect the level of hydroxyproline(Hyp)in lung tissue of the rats in various groups;enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)method was used to detect the levels of inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α),interleukin(IL)-1β,and IL-6 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)of the rats in various groups;real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)method was used to detect the expression levels of miR-193a-5p in lung tissue of the rats in various groups;Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of β-catenin,Snail family transcriptional repressor 1(Snail1),and α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)proteins in lung tissue of the rats in various groups.Results:Compared with sham operation group,the PaO2 and OI of the rats in model group were significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the PaO2 and OI of the rats in Antagomir group were significantly increased(P<0.05).The HE staining results showed that the lung tissue structure of the rats in sham operation group was normal,and there were no obvious inflammatory changes;compared with sham operation group,mild abnormalities in lung tissue structure,alveolar atrophy,and collapse were observed in the rats in model group and Antagomir-NC group,with a large number of lymphocytes and a small number of neutrophils infiltrating in the alveolar cavities,and widened alveolar spaces;compared with model group,the rats in Antagomir group showed a significant reduction in lymphocytes and neutrophil infiltration in the alveolar cavities and there were no obvious hyperplasia.The Masson staining results showed no obvious blue collagen fiber deposition in lung tissue of the rats in sham operation group;compared with sham operation group,significant blue collagen fiber deposition was observed in lung tissue of the rats in model group and Antagomir-NC group,with severe damage of the alveolar structure,indicating obvious pulmonary fibrosis;compared with model group,the deposition of blue-stained collagen fibers in lung tissue of the rats in Antagomir group was significantly reduced.Compared with sham operation group,the level of Hyp in lung tissue of the rats in model group was significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the level of Hyp of the rats in Antagomir group was significantly decreased(P<0.05).The ELISA results showed that compared with sham operation group,the levels of TNF-α,IL-1β,and IL-6 in BALF of the rats in model group were significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the levels of TNF-α,IL-1β,and IL-6 of the rats in Antagomir group were significantly decreased(P<0.05).The RT-qPCR results showed that compared with sham operation group,the expression level of miR-193a-5p in lung tissue of the rats in model group was significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the expression level of miR-193a-5p of the rats in Antagomir group was significantly decreased(P<0.05).The Western blotting results showed that compared with sham operation group,the expression levels of β-catenin,Snail1,and α-SMA proteins in lung tissue of the rats in model group were significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the expression levels of β-catenin,Snail1,and α-SMA proteins in lung tissue of the rats in Antagomir group were significantly decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion:Inhibition of miR-193a-5p expression can improve the lung function and alleviate the pulmonary fibrosis in the ARDS rats by reducing the inflammatory responses and downregulating the expressions of β-catenin,Snail1,and α-SMA proteins.

Objective:To explore the mechanism of hypertension inducing erectile dysfunction(ED)using transcriptomics and network pharmacology.Methods:We randomly divided 12 male rats with spontaneous hypertension(SHT)into an L-arginine(LA)group(n=6)and an SHT model control(MC)group(n=6),took another 6 Wistar Kyoto male rats as normal controls(NC),and treated the animals in the LA group by intraperitoneal injection of LA at 400 mg/kg and those in the latter two groups with physio-logical saline,once a day,all for 7 days.Then we observed the blood pressure and penile erection of the rats,and determined the ex-pressions of the cGMP/PKG signaling pathway-related proteins and mRNAs in different groups using ELISA,Western blot and RT-qPCR.Results:Transcriptomics combined with network pharmacology showed that the cGMP/PKG signaling pathway played a key role in hypertension-induced ED.In vivo animal experiments revealed a significantly lower frequency of penile erections in the MC than in the NC group(1.33±0.52 vs 2.67±0.51,P＜0.05).The protein expressions of eNOS,PKG and sGC were markedly de-creased in the model controls compared with those the normal controls(P＜0.05),but remarkably upregulated in the LA group com-pared with those in the MC group(P＜0.05).Conclusion:Hypertension decreases the expressions of eNOS,NO,sGC,cGMP and PKG proteins and the level of testosterone by inhibiting the cGMP/PKG signaling pathway,which consequently suppresses the relaxa-tion of the penile vascular smooth muscle and reduces erectile function.

Objective To investigate the effects of saphenous nerve combined with posterior capsular block of knee joint on stress response,analgesic effect and joint function recovery of patients after total knee arthroplasty.Methods A total of 98 patients who received total knee arthroplasty in our hospital from January 2021 to January 2022 were selected and divided into the observation group(received saphenous nerve combined with posterior capsular block of knee joint)and the control group(received saphenous nerve block)by random number table,with 49 patients in each group.The visual analogue scale(VAS)score of resting and dynamic pain 6 hours,12 hours and 24 hours after surgery of patients in the two groups were compared.The range of knee joint motion before surgery,3 days,5 days and 7 days after surgery of patients in the two groups were compared.The stress indexes[cortisol(Cor),adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH)],and pain mediator indexs[calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP),beta-endorphins(β-EP),6-keto prostaglandin E1α(6-Keto-pGE1α),substance P(SP)]before surgery,4 hours,12 hours,24 hours,and 48 hours after surgery of patients in the two groups were compared.The occurrence of adverse reactions during treatment of patients in the two groups were recorded.Results There were statistically significant differences in the resting and dynamic VAS scores at different time points of patients in the two groups in terms of time factors,inter-group factors and interaction factors(P<0.05).There were statistically significant differences in the range of knee joint motion at different time points of patients in the two groups in terms of time factors,inter-group factors and interaction factors(P<0.05).There were statistically significant differences in the Cor and ACTH contents at different time points of patients in the two groups in terms of time factors,inter-group factors and interaction factors(P<0.05).There were statistically significant differences in the contents of β-EP,SP,CGRP and 6-keto-PGE1α at different time points of patients in the two groups in terms of time factors,inter-group factors and interaction factors(P<0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion Saphenous nerve combined with posterior capsular block of knee joint for total knee arthroplasty can reduce patients' stress response,enhance postoperative analgesic effect,and improve the early motor function,with high safety.

Objective To observe the effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation(NMES)on interleukin-6(IL-6)/STAT3 signaling pathway in mice after spinal cord injury,and to explore the mechanism of its effect on motor function recovery.Methods Seventy-two SPF grade mice were randomly divided into sham operation group,spinal cord injury(SCI)group and NMES group.BMS score,inclined plane test and neuromuscular electrophysiology(EMG)were used to evaluate the recovery of spinal cord injury in mice.Western blotting and Real-time PCR were used to detect the expression of inflammatory factors,IL-6/STAT3,glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP)and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)in spinal cord tissues of three groups of mice.HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of spinal cord injury.Results BMS scores and the inclined plane test of mice in the NMES group were higher than those in SCI group(P＜0.05).The maximum amplitude of motor evoked potential in NMES group was higher than that in SCI group(P＜0.05).The expressions of TNF-α,IL-12A and GFAP in the spinal cord of NMES group were lower than that of SCI group(P＜0.05),while the expressions of TGF-β,IL-10 and BDNF were higher than that of SCI group(P＜0.05).The protein expressions of IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway of NMES group were lower than that of SCI group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Neuromuscular electrical stimulation plays an anti-inflammatory role by inhibiting the IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway,thereby promoting the recovery of hind limb motor function in mice after spinal cord injury.

Based on the literature study,the thoughts and possible therapeutic mechanism in treating male infertility from the perspective of spleen and kidney by regulating intestinal flora were explored.Disturbance of intestinal flora is one of the important factors leading to the development of male infertility,and the spleen and kidney have certain similarities to intestinal flora in the physiological function and pathological changes.Moreover,tonifying the kidney and strengthening the spleen can regulate the intestinal flora by fostering the growth of beneficial bacteria,inhibiting the reproduction of pathogenic bacteria,and protecting the barrier of the intestinal mucosa.Therefore,the possible therapeutic mechanisms in treating male infertility with the prescriptions for tonifying the kidney and strengthening the spleen to regulate intestinal flora are as follows:inhibiting the expression of inflammatory factors to reduce the inflammatory reaction of testicular tissues;improving the antioxidant capacity to alleviate the damage of spermatozoa caused by oxidative stress,and improving the bad mood to alleviate the impact of psychological stress on the reproductive system.The exploration of the thoughts for treating male infertility from the perspective of spleen and kidney by regulating intestinal flora may provide a new entry point for modern Chinese medicine clinical treatment of male infertility.

Methods:From February 2018 to January 2022, the clinical data of 1 123 patients who underwent Starclose vascular closure device, Angio-Seal and Exoseal vascular occlusion devices and Perclose ProGlide vascular suture device at femoral artery puncture hemostasis after neuro-intervention, in the Department of Interventional Radiology (Eastern District), The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into three groups based on the intervention method: the closure group (Starclose, n=271), the occlusion group (Angio-Seal, n=327 and Exoseal, n=352) and the suture group (ProGlide, n=173). Next, the hemostatic efficacy and complications associated with the three devices were analyzed and compared. Additionally, regression analysis was conducted to identify any relevant factors that may contribute to complications. Results:Three vascular hemostatic devices demonstrated effective hemostasis and the success rate were 92.6% in the closure group (Starclose), 93.4% in the occlusion group (Angio-Seal 93.0% and Exoseal 93.8%) and 89.6% in the suture group (ProGlide). There was no statistically significant difference( χ2=3.026, P=0.388). Single or multiple complications were observed in 102 patients (9.1%), including local oozing (16 cases in the closure group, 39 cases in the occlusion group, 13 cases in the suture group), local hematoma (14 cases in the closure group, 31 cases in the occlusion group, 11 cases in the suture group), pseudoaneurysm (13 cases in the closure group, 35 cases in the occlusion group, 10 cases in the suture group), local infection (2 cases in the closure group, 3 cases in the occlusion group, 1 case in the suture group). There were no statistically significant differences ( P>0.05). Moreover, serious complications such as femoral artery occlusion, embolus shedding and permanent nerve injury weren′t observed in the three groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that overweight ( OR=1.562,95% CI 1.023—2.385, P=0.039), femoral artery with calcified plaque ( OR=1.934,95% CI 1.172-3.189, P=0.010), combined use of multiple antiplatelet drugs ( OR=1.769,95% CI 1.103—2.839, P=0.018), use of an 8F sheath( OR=2.824,95% CI 1.406—5.671, P=0.004) and the operator′s proficiency ( OR=0.508,95% CI 0.328—0.788, P=0.002) were the independent factors influencing complications, of which the first four were identified as risk-promoting factors for complications while the operator′s rich experience and high proficiency were the protective factors. Conclusions:Three hemostatic devices demonstrate effective hemostasis and comparable rates of complications at femoral artery puncture hemostasis after neuro-intervention. Overweight, femoral artery with calcified plaque, combined use of multiple antiplatelet drugs, use of an 8 F sheath and the operator′s proficiency were independent factors influencing complications.Ojective:To investigate the efficacy and complications associated with vascular suture, closure and occlusion devices at femoral artery puncture hemostasis after neuro-intervention.

AIM To establish the HPLC characteristic chromatogram of Baqi Rougan Decoction reference sample,and to investigate its quantitative transmission laws.METHODS The contents of calycosin 7-O-glucoside,hesperidin,rosmarinic acid,curcumenol and nystose were determined.The transfer rates of decoction piece-aqueous decoction-reference sample were calculated,after which the paste-forming rate and pH value were recorded.RESULTS There were sixteen characteristic peaks in fifteen batches of reference samples with the similarities of 0.90,nine of which were identified.The average transfer rates of nystose and calycosin 7-O-glucoside in the reference sample were(83.14±6.25)%and(77.81±8.31)%,while those of rosmarinic acid and curcumenol in the aqueous decoction-reference sample were(81.71±6.27)%and(72.16±5.91)%,along with the average paste-forming rate and pH value of(38.91%±1.46%)and 5.13±0.08,respectively.CONCLUSION This stable and feasible method can provide a reference for the selection of preparation process and evaluation of key chemical properties for Baqi Rougan Decoction.

【Objective】 To explore the expression of PCDH9 loss in regulating cell cycle and promoting tumor progression. 【Methods】 The clinical records of 127 cases of prostate cancer treated during 2018 and 2023 were collected, including 87 paraffin tissue samples from the G4-5 group and 40 from the G1-3 group. The expressions of PCDH9, p53, Rb and STAT3 were detected with immunohistochemical staining, and the relationship between their expressions and clinicopathological characteristics was analyzed. 【Results】 The expression deletion rate of PCDH9 in prostate cancer tissues in G4-5 group (44.8% vs.7.5%) was significantly higher than that in G1-3 group (P<0.001). The positive expression rates of p53 and STAT3 were 34.5% and 89.7%, respectively, and the expression loss rate of Rb was 27.6% in G4-5 group. The expression loss rates of PCDH9 and Rb were associated with neuroendocrine-like histological morphology, nerve invasion and vascular invasion (P<0.05). In G4-5 group of prostate cancer, PCDH9 expression was positively correlated with the expressions of p53 (r=0.345, P<0.05), Rb (r=0.503, P<0.05) and STAT3 (r=0.224, P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 PCDH9 is prone to loss of expression in high-group prostate cancer tissues, especially in cases with neuroendocrine-like histological morphology, which may regulate the cell cycle through the STAT3 signaling pathway, thereby promoting tumor progression.