Objective The efficacy of Zang Bi Formula(ZBF)in cardiac complications of rheumatoid arthritis(RA)was observed through animal experiments.Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UHPLC-TOF-MS)and network pharmacology was used to analyze the active ingredients,targets,and pathways of ZBF for the treatment of cardiac hypertrophy,and molecular docking was applied to verify the binding ability of the ingredients to pathway-related proteins.Methods TNF transgenic(TNF-Tg)mice were used as RA and RA-complexed cardiac hypertrophy models,and the left ventricular hypertrophy of mice was observed by echocardiography after 8 weeks of continuous gavage with ZBF,and WGA staining,HE staining,and Masson staining were used to observe and analyze the pathological changes of cardiac tissues.The chemical composition of ZBF was identified by UHPLC-TOF-MS technique.The public database was then used to screen the active ingredients and component targets and disease targets,construct interaction networks,and analyze the bioconcentration data as well as the docking ability of the active ingredients and proteins.Results In animal experiments,ZBF reduced cardiac weight index and cardiac weight tibia length ratio in TNF-Tg mice(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),attenuated cardiac hypertrophy(P＜0.001)and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy(P＜0.01),and alleviated inflammatory infiltration and fibrosis in the heart(P＜0.0001).A total of 24 compounds were identified from ZBF by UHPLC-TOF-MS.A total of 105 active ingredients of ZBF were screened by network pharmacological analysis,and 187 potential targets of ZBF for cardiac hypertrophy were constructed,and the enriched pathways with significance included PI3K-AKT signaling pathway,TNF signaling pathway,and MAPK signaling pathway.Conclusion ZBF attenuated myocardial hypertrophy and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in TNF-Tg mice and alleviated inflammatory infiltration and fibrosis in the heart,and ZBF may be a potential drug for the treatment of RA and its cardiac complications in the clinic.

Objective The efficacy of Zang Bi Formula(ZBF)in cardiac complications of rheumatoid arthritis(RA)was observed through animal experiments.Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UHPLC-TOF-MS)and network pharmacology was used to analyze the active ingredients,targets,and pathways of ZBF for the treatment of cardiac hypertrophy,and molecular docking was applied to verify the binding ability of the ingredients to pathway-related proteins.Methods TNF transgenic(TNF-Tg)mice were used as RA and RA-complexed cardiac hypertrophy models,and the left ventricular hypertrophy of mice was observed by echocardiography after 8 weeks of continuous gavage with ZBF,and WGA staining,HE staining,and Masson staining were used to observe and analyze the pathological changes of cardiac tissues.The chemical composition of ZBF was identified by UHPLC-TOF-MS technique.The public database was then used to screen the active ingredients and component targets and disease targets,construct interaction networks,and analyze the bioconcentration data as well as the docking ability of the active ingredients and proteins.Results In animal experiments,ZBF reduced cardiac weight index and cardiac weight tibia length ratio in TNF-Tg mice(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),attenuated cardiac hypertrophy(P＜0.001)and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy(P＜0.01),and alleviated inflammatory infiltration and fibrosis in the heart(P＜0.0001).A total of 24 compounds were identified from ZBF by UHPLC-TOF-MS.A total of 105 active ingredients of ZBF were screened by network pharmacological analysis,and 187 potential targets of ZBF for cardiac hypertrophy were constructed,and the enriched pathways with significance included PI3K-AKT signaling pathway,TNF signaling pathway,and MAPK signaling pathway.Conclusion ZBF attenuated myocardial hypertrophy and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in TNF-Tg mice and alleviated inflammatory infiltration and fibrosis in the heart,and ZBF may be a potential drug for the treatment of RA and its cardiac complications in the clinic.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of Shengmaisan granules on myocardial fibrosis in chronic heart failure patients with Qi-Yin deficiency syndrome by cardiac magnetic resonance （CMR） imaging and serological indicators. MethodSixty-six chronic heart failure patients with Qi-Yin deficiency syndrome who visited the Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine， Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine from October 2021 to January 2023 were selected. The patients were assigned into a control group （33 cases） and an observation group （33 cases） by the minimization random method. Both groups received standardized Western medicine treatment for heart failure. In addition， the control group was treated with placebo granules， and the observation group with Shengmaisan granules for a course of 6 months. The baseline data， clinical efficacy， TCM symptom scores， serological indicators ［high-sensitivity C-reactive protein （hs-CRP）， soluble growth stimulation expressed gene 2 protein （sST2）， pro-collagen Ⅲ N-terminal peptide （PⅢNP）， interleukin （IL）-6， IL-11， transforming growth factor-β₁ （TGF-β₁）］， echocardiography ［Left atrial diameter （LAD）， left ventricular end systolic diameter （LVEDs）， left ventricular end diastolic diameter （LVEDd）］ and CMR indicators ［left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF）， myocardial extracellular volume fraction （ECV）， and longitudinal relaxation time （T1）］ were compared between the two groups. ResultFinally， 31 patients in the control group and 30 patients in the observation group were included. There was no significant difference in baseline data or indicators between the two groups before treatment. Compared with those before treatment， the scores of TCM symptoms （shortness of breath， fatigue， palpitations， spontaneous or night sweats， thirst/dry throat， feverish feeling in palms and soles， and edema in lower limbs）， total score of TCM symptoms， ECV， T1， inflammation/fibrosis indicators （hs-CRP， sST2， PⅢNP， IL-6， IL-11， and TGF-β₁） in observation group decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the scores of TCM symptoms （except feverish feeling in palms and soles）， T1， and inflammation/fibrosis indicators in the control group decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. After treatment， the observation group had lower scores of TCM symptoms （except feverish feeling in palms and soles and edema in lower limbs）， ECV， T1， and inflammation/fibrosis indicators than the control group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. After treatment， the total response rate in the observation group was 93.33% （28/30）， which was higher than that （80.65%， 25/31） in the control group （Z=2.976， P<0.01）. There was no significant difference in adverse reactions between the two groups during treatment. ConclusionFor patients with chronic heart failure with Qi-Yin deficiency syndrome， Shengmaisan Granules can alleviate the TCM symptoms， reduce inflammation， and inhibit myocardial fibrosis by regulating the TGF-β₁/IL-11 signaling axis.

Objective:To investigate the safety and feasibility of hepatectomy in the treatment of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis with secondary cavernous transformation of the portal vein.Methods:The clinical data of 7 patients undergoing surgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from Jan 2010 to Dec 2019 were retrospectively analyzed.Results:There were 1 case of cavernous type Ⅰ transformation of the portal vein and 6 cases of type Ⅱ. All patients underwent partial hepatectomy. The average operation time was (9.24±4.09) h. Two patients underwent resection of cavernous segment of portal vein and reconstruction by graft, Albendazole was taken orally for 2 years after discharge. Anticoagulants were taken orally in patients with artificial vascular reconstruction. No recurrence and vascular complications were found. Five patients underwent palliative resection without resection of the cavernous segment of the portal vein. During the follow-up, cavernous transformation of the portal vein progressed in 3 patients, 2 of them esophageal varices rupture and bleeding.Conclusion:Radical hepatectomy and revascularization are the first choice for the treatment of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis complicated with secondary cavernous transformation of portal vein the result was fair.

AIM: To investigate the effect of dexmedetomidine (DEX) on renal injury induced by lung ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) in mice and its relationship with endoplasmic reticulum stress response.METHODS: Healthy SPF male C57BL/6J mice, weighing 20~24 g, aged 8~10 weeks, were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=10 each): sham operation group (sham group), I/R group, atipamezole (Atip) group, DEX group, and DEX+Atip group.In vivo lung I/R model was established by occlusion of the left pulmonary artery for 30 min followed by 180 min of reperfusion in the mice.The Atip (250 μg/kg), DEX (20 μg/kg) and DEX+Atip were intraperitoneally infused into the mice before left pulmonary hilus was blocked in Atip group, DEX group and DEX+Atip group, and other operations were the same as I/R group.After experiment, the mice were killed, and the renal tissues were harvested to observe the morphological changes.The enzymatic activity of caspase-3, serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen, and cell apoptotic index of the renal cells were also analyzed.The expression of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), caspase-12, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homdogous protein (CHOP) and glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) at mRNA and protein levels in the renal tissues was determined by RT-PCR and Western blot.RESULTS: Compared with sham group, the enzymatic activity of caspase-3, serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen, renal cell apoptotic index, and the mRNA and protein levels of JNK, caspase-12, CHOP and GRP78 in I/R group were significantly increased (P<0.01), and the renal tissues had obvious damage under light microscope.Compared with I/R group, Atip group and DEX+Atip group, the enzymatic activity of caspase-3, serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen, renal cell apoptotic index, and the mRNA and protein levels of JNK, caspase-12 and CHOP in DEX group were significantly decreased, and the expression level of GRP78 significantly increased (P<0.01).Furthermore, the renal tissue damage was obvious reduced.CONCLUSION: DEX effectively relieves the renal injury induced by lung I/R in mice, which may be associated with exciting α2-adrenergic receptor and inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress response.

Objective To investigate the effect of dexmedetomidine (DEX) on the reduction of brain injury induced by lung ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) in mices through inhibiting excessive endoplasmic reticulum stress response (ERS).Methods Fifty healthy SPF male C57BL/6J mices,weighing 20-24 g,aged 8-10 weeks,were divided into 5 groups (n =10 each) using a random number table:sham operation group (sham group),lung ischemia/reperfusion group (I/R group),atipamezole goup (Atip group),dexmedetomidine group (DEX group),dexmedetomidine plus atipamezole group (DA group).The model of lung I/R injury was established by clamping the left hilum of lung for 30 min followed by reperfusion for 180 min.In Atip,DEX and DA groups,atipamezole 250 μg/kg,dexmedetomidine 20 μg/kg and dexmedetomidine 20 μg/kg plus atipamezole 250 μg/kg were injected intraperitoneally,respectively,at 30 min before modeling,other procedures were as the same as the I/R group.At 180 min of reperfusion,the animals were sacrificed and the brain tissues were harvested for the observation of morphological changes.The Caspase-3 activity and the apoptosis index of the brain cells were also determined.The levels of protein and mRNA expression of p-JNK,Caspase-12,CHOP and GRP78 in brain tissues were detected by Western blot and RT-PCR.The datas were analyzed using SPSS 19.0 software and multiple-group comparisons were performed using one-way ANOVA,and P ＜ 0.05 for the difference was statistically significant.Results Compared with the sham group,the Caspase3 activity and brain cell apoptosis index,the protein levels and mRNA expressions of p-JNK,Caspase12,CHOP,GRP78 were significantly increased (P ＜ 0.01),brain tissues had obvious damage in I/R,Atip,DEX and DA groups;compared with I/R,Atip and DA group,brain tissues damage was obvious reduced in DEX group,and the Caspase3 activity,brain cell apoptosis index,the protein levels and mRNA expression of p-JNK,Caspase12,CHOP in DEX group were significantly lower,and GRP78 expression increased significantly (P ＜ 0.01).Comparisons among I/R,Atip and DA groups,there were no significant differences in degree of brain injury,Caspase3 activity,brain cell apoptosis index,the protein levels and mRNA expressions of p-JNK,Caspase12,CHOP (P ＞ 0.05),while the expression of GRP78 in DA group was significantly increased (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion DEX can effectively relieve the brain injury induced by lung I/R in mice,which may be associated with stimulation of α2 adrenergic receptor and inhibition of excessive endoplasmic reticulum stress response and reducing brain cell apoptosis.

Objective: To investigate the effect of pre-pregnancy weight and the increase of gestational weight on fetal growth restriction. Methods: From May 2013 to September 2014, a total of 3 474 pregnant women who took their first antenatal care and willing to undergo their prenatal care and delivery in Ma 'anshan Maternity and Child Care Centers were recruited in the cohort study. Excluding subjects without weight data before delivery (n=54), pregnancy termination (n=162), twins live births (n=39), without fetal birth weight data (n=7), 3 212 maternal-singleton pairs were enrolled for the final data analysis. Demographic information of pregnant woman, pregnancy history, disease history, height and weight were collected. In the 24^th-28^th, 32^nd-36^th gestational week and childbirth, three follow-up visits were undertaken to collect data of pregnancy weight, pregnancy vomiting, gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes mellitus, newborn gender and birth weight. χ² test was used to compare the detection rate of fetal growth restriction in different groups. Multivariate unconditional logistic regression model and spreadsheet were used to analyze the independent and interaction effect of pre-pregnancy weight and the increase of gestational weight on fetal growth restriction. Results: The incidence of fetal growth restriction was 9.7%(311/3 212). The incidence of fetal growth restriction in pre-pregnancy underweight group was 14.9% (90/603), higher than that in normal pre-pregnancy weight group (8.7% (194/2 226)) (χ²=24.37, P<0.001). The incidence of fetal growth restriction in inadequate increase of gestational weight group was 17.9% (50/279), higher than the appropriate increase of weight group (11.8% (110/932)) (χ²=36.89, P<0.001). Multivariate unconditional logistic regression analysis showed that compared with normal pre-pregnancy weight group, pre-pregnancy underweightwas a risk factor for fetal growth restriction, with RR (95%CI) at 1.76 (1.34-2.32); Compared with the appropriate increase of gestational weight group, inadequate weight increase during pregnancy was a risk factor for fetal growth restriction, with the RR (95%CI) at 1.70 (1.17-2.48). No additive model interaction [relative excess risk of interaction, attributable proportions of interaction, the synergy index and their 95%CI were 0.75 (-2.14-3.63), 0.21 (-0.43-0.86) and 1.43 (0.45-4.53), respectively] or multiplication model interaction (RR (95%CI): 1.00 (0.44-2.29)) existed between pre-pregnancy underweight and inadequate increase of gestational weight on fetal growth restriction. Conclusion Pre-pregnancy underweight and inadequate increase of gestational weight would increase the risk of fetal growth restriction without interaction.

Objective To evaluate the effect of small interfering RNA targeting caspase-12 (caspase-12-siRNA) pretreatment on lung ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in mice.Methods Forty male C57BL/6J mice,aged 6-8 weeks,weighing 16-24 g,were randomly allocated into 4 groups (n =10 each) using a random number table:sham operation group (group S),group I/R,negative control group (group NC) and caspase-12-siRNA pretreatment group (group siRNA).Lung I/R was induced by clamping the left pulmonary hilum for 30 min followed by 3 h reperfusion in anesthetized mice in IR,NC and siRNA groups.At 48 h before ischemia,negative control siRNA 20 μg and caspase-12-siRNA 20 μg were instilled intranasally in NC and siRNA groups,respectively,and the total volume was 50 μl.At 3 h of reperfusion,the animals were sacrificed and the left lung was removed for determination of wet/dry lung weight (W/D) ratio and lung water content in lung tissues and for microscopic examination.Pulmonary ultrastructure was examined with electron microscope.The quantitative evaluation index (QEI) for alveolar damage and apoptosis rate were calculated.Results Compared with group S,W/D ratio,lung water content,QEI for alveolar damage and apoptosis index were significantly increased in IR and NC groups,QEI for alveolar damage and apoptosis index were increased in group siRNA (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with IR and NC groups,W/D ratio,lung water content,QEI for alveolar damage and apoptosis index were significantly decreased (P ＜ 0.05),and the pathological changes of lungs were alleviated in group siRNA.There was no significant difference in the indices mentioned above between groups IR and NC (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Caspase-12-siRNA pretreatment can attenuate lung I/R injury in mice.

Objective To investigate the expression of liver cancer stem cells(LCSCs) biomarkers and tumour angiogenesis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its clinical significance.Methods Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of CD90,CD133 and CD34 in tumor tissues from 61 patients with HCC undergoing curative hepatectomy.Results The positive rates of CD90and CD133 in HCC tissues were 29.5％ (18/61)and 31.1％ (19/61),the positive rates of CD90 and/or CD133 in HCC were 45.9％ (28/61).The positive rate of LCSCs biomarkers in patients with vascular invasion,tumor differentiation Ⅲ/Ⅳ,non-complete encapsulation,and TNM stage Ⅲ/Ⅳ was significantly higher than those with non-vascular invasion,tumor differentiation Ⅰ / Ⅱ,with complete encapsulation,and TNM stage Ⅰ/Ⅱ.There were a significant positive correlation between LCSCs biomarkers expression and MVD(r =0.5,P ＜ 0.05).As compared with negative LCSCs expression and MVD low group,patients with a positive LCSCs biomarkers expression and MVD high in tumours had significantly lower overall survival (OS) and poor relapse-free survival (RFS).Conclusions High expression levels of LCSCs biomarkers are related to markers of angiogenesis microvessel density (MVD).By combining two of those we can classify paitients and anticipate the prognosis after surgery.

Objective To investigate the influence of injection carthamus tinctorius D. (1C) on the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1) during the ischemia-reperfusion injury of lung (LIRI) in rabbits and its potential mechanism. Method Single lung ischemia-reperfusion animal model was induced in rabbits. A total of 30 Japanese white rabbits were randomly divided into sham-operation group (S group, n =10), ischemia-reperfusion group (I/R group, re = 10) and ischemia-reperfusion plus 1C group (1C group, n = 10) .The rabbits of 1C group received 1C 2.0 ml/kg injected intravenously just at 20 min before ligation of artery involved and the same dose of 1C instantly at the initiation of reperfusion. Malondialdehyde (MDA) , superoxide dismutase (SOD) and xanthine oxidase(XO) in serum were measured. The lung tissue was sampled and assayed wet/dry weight ratio (W/D), contents of myeloperoxidase (MPO) at the end of the experiment, and ultrastructure changes were observed under electron microscope. The expression of ICAM-1 was measured by using immunohistochemistry(IHC) . snd one-way ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. Results In I/R group, serum XO and MDA increased and SOD decreased, whereas the same pattern of changes but less magnitude happened in 1C group ( P < 0.01). The values of W/D and MPO were much higher in I/R group, but lower in 1C group. Under electron microscope, the ultrastructure of lung tissue showed pathological changes in the rabbits of I/R group,and these changes were greatly attenuated in the rabbits of 1C group . The IHC showed that ICAM - 1 in lung tissue of I / R group was (2.94±0.48) which was significantly higher than that of 1C group(1.75 (P < 0.01). Conclusions Injection Carthamus tinctorius D. may meliorate the ischemia-reperfusion injury of lung by way of suppressing the expression of ICAM-1, inhibiting neutrophil aggregation, lowering oxygen free radical level and decreasing lipid peroxidation.