ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism by which Qidan Yifei Tongqiao granules （QDYF） alleviate nasal mucosal remodeling in allergic rhinitis （AR） via the interleukin-33 （IL-33）/growth stimulation expressed gene 2 （ST2）/interleukin-1 receptor accessory protein （IL-1RAP） signaling pathway from the perspective of Qi-replenishing and blood-activating therapy. MethodsFirst， according to the previous network pharmacology results， this study predicted the potential mechanisms of QDYF in treating AR by screening key pathways， components， and targets. Molecular docking was performed via AutoDock and PyMOL 2.5.5. Subsequently， a rat model of ovalbumin （OVA）-induced AR was used for validation through in vivo experiments. Forty-eight rats were assigned into 6 groups： Control， model， low-dose QDYF （QDYF-L， 4.04 g·kg^-1）， medium-dose QDYF （QDYF-M， 8.08 g·kg^-1）， high-dose QDYF （QDYF-H， 16.16 g·kg^-1）， and loratadine （0.9 mg·kg^-1）. After 14 days of intervention， behavioral scores of the rats were observed. The morphological changes of nasal mucosa tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Masson staining was used to observe collagen fiber deposition in the nasal mucosal tissue and to calculate the collagen volume fraction （CVF）. The expression of E-cadherin （E-cad） in the nasal mucosa tissue was detected by immunofluorescence. The serum levels of helper T cell 2 （Th2） cytokines interleukin-4 （IL-4）， interleukin-5 （IL-5）， and interleukin-13 （IL-13） as well as helper T cell 1 （Th1） cytokines interleukin-2 （IL-2） and interferon-γ （INF-γ） were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The protein levels of transforming growth factor-beta 1 （TGF-β₁）， IL-33， ST2， and IL-1RAP in the nasal mucosa tissue were determined by Western blot. ResultsIL-33， ST2， and IL-1RAP had strong binding ability with the main active ingredients—wogonin， 7-methoxy-2-methylisoflavone， formononetin， naringenin， stigmasterol， and beta-sitosterol of QDYF， with the binding energy < -4.25 kcal⋅mol^-1（1 cal≈4.184 J）. The results of in vivo experiments showed that compared with the control group， the model group exhibited increased behavioral scores （P<0.05）， aggravated pathological damage of nasal mucosa， increased collagen fiber deposition and CVF （P<0.05）， elevated serum levels of IL-4， IL-5， and IL-13， up-regulated protein levels of TGF-β₁， IL-33， ST2， and IL-1RAP in the nasal mucosa （P<0.05）， down-regulated expression of E-cad， and declined serum levels of IL-2， IFN-γ， and IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the QDYF groups and loratadine group showed reduced behavioral scores （P<0.05）， alleviated pathological damage of nasal mucosa， reduced collagen fiber deposition and CVF （P<0.05）， and up-regulated E-cad expression （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the QDYF-H group and the loratadine group showed raised levels of INF-γ and IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio （P<0.05）， declined serum levels of IL-4， IL-5， and IL-13， and down-regulated protein levels of TGF-β₁， IL-33， ST2， and IL-1RAP in the nasal mucosa （P<0.05）. In addition， the QDYF-H group exhibited an elevated serum IL-2 level （P<0.05）. The QDYF-M group showed down-regulated protein levels of TGF-β₁， IL-33 and IL-1RAP in the nasal mucosa （P<0.05）. The QDYF-L group demonstrated a down-regulated protein level of ST2 in the nasal mucosa （P<0.05）. ConclusionQDYF may regulate the Th1/Th2 balance through the IL-33/ST2/IL-1RAP signaling pathway， thereby ameliorating nasal mucosal tissue remodeling and alleviating AR.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of Modified Yupingfeng Nasal Spray （玉屏风加味鼻喷剂， MYNS） on nasal mucosal tissue remodeling in allergic rhinitis （AR） model rats based on the Janus kinase 2 （JAK2）/ signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3） signaling pathway. MethodsThe chemical constituents of MYNS were identified and analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry （LC-MS/MS）. Network pharmacology and molecular docking were integrated to identify the potential targets and signaling pathways of MYNS in the treatment of AR， and to verify the crucial role of the JAK2/STAT3 pathway. Forty rats were randomly divided into blank group， model group， MYNS group， and mometasone furoate nasal spray group， with 10 rats per group. Except for the blank group， the AR rat model was established by ovalbumin （OVA） induction. After successful modeling， rats in the MYNS group received an intranasal instillation of 50 μl of MYNS at concentration of 1.05 g·ml^-¹ in each nostril， while the mometasone furoate nasal spray group received 50 μl of corresponding spray per nostril， and the model group received 50 μl of normal saline per nostril. Treatments were administered once daily. After 14 consecutive days of intervention， the frequencies of nosal scratching and sneezing in rats within 15 minutes were recorded. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to assess morphological changes in the nasal mucosa and perform pathological scoring. Masson staining was used to evaluate collagen fiber deposition in nasal mucosal tissue and calculate the collagen volume fraction （CVF）. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling （TUNEL） staining was performed to detect apoptosis in nasal mucosal cells and record the number of apoptotic cells. Immunofluorescence assay was used to detect the expression of E-cadherin （E-Cad） in the nasal mucosa. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to determine the serum levels of interleukin-4 （IL-4）， interferon-γ （IFN-γ）， histamine （HIS）， immunoglobulin E （IgE）， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， and malondialdehyde （MDA）. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructure of mitochondria in nasal mucosal epithelial cells. Flow cytometry was used to measure mitochondrial membrane potential （MMP） and reactive oxygen species （ROS） levels. Western Blot was used to determine the protein expression levels of collagen Ⅲ （Collagen Ⅲ）， α-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA）， Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax）， Caspase-3， JAK2， phosphorylated JAK2 （p-JAK2）， STAT3， and phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （p-STAT3）. ResultsA total of 626 chemical constituents were identified by LC-MS/MS. Network pharmacology screening identified 450 active ingredients. Nine intersecting components and 39 drug-AR intersecting targets were obtained. KEGG enrichment analysis indicated the involvement of signaling pathways including JAK2/STAT3. The animal experimental results showed that， compared with the blank group， rats in the model group exhibited significantly increased frequencies of nasal scratching and sneezing， as well as elevated CVF and the number of apoptotic cells， while the levels of E-Cad， MMP， and serum IFN-γ and SOD significantly decreased； meanwhile， the serum levels of IL-4， IgE， HIS， ROS， and MDA， along with the protein expression levels of Collagen Ⅲ， α-SMA， Bax， Caspase-3， p-JAK2， and p-STAT3 in the nasal mucosa， significantly increased （P＜0.05）， accompanied by aggravated pathological damage in the nasal mucosa， increased collagen fiber deposition， and abnormal mitochondrial morphology. Compared to the model group， rats in the MYNS group showed improvements in all the aforementioned indicators except for HIS （P＜0.05）， and those in the mometasone furoate nasal spray group showed improvements in all indicators except for IL-4， IgE， and SOD levels （P＜0.05）. ConclusionThe mechanism of MYNS in treating AR may be related to inhibiting the activation of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway， reducing inflammatory responsesand oxidative stress， ameliorating mitochondrial damage， and suppressing nasal mucosal cell apoptosis， thereby improving nasal mucosal tissue pathological remodeling.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of Modified Yupingfeng Nasal Spray （玉屏风加味鼻喷剂， MYNS） on nasal mucosal tissue remodeling in allergic rhinitis （AR） model rats based on the Janus kinase 2 （JAK2）/ signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3） signaling pathway. MethodsThe chemical constituents of MYNS were identified and analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry （LC-MS/MS）. Network pharmacology and molecular docking were integrated to identify the potential targets and signaling pathways of MYNS in the treatment of AR， and to verify the crucial role of the JAK2/STAT3 pathway. Forty rats were randomly divided into blank group， model group， MYNS group， and mometasone furoate nasal spray group， with 10 rats per group. Except for the blank group， the AR rat model was established by ovalbumin （OVA） induction. After successful modeling， rats in the MYNS group received an intranasal instillation of 50 μl of MYNS at concentration of 1.05 g·ml^-¹ in each nostril， while the mometasone furoate nasal spray group received 50 μl of corresponding spray per nostril， and the model group received 50 μl of normal saline per nostril. Treatments were administered once daily. After 14 consecutive days of intervention， the frequencies of nosal scratching and sneezing in rats within 15 minutes were recorded. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to assess morphological changes in the nasal mucosa and perform pathological scoring. Masson staining was used to evaluate collagen fiber deposition in nasal mucosal tissue and calculate the collagen volume fraction （CVF）. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling （TUNEL） staining was performed to detect apoptosis in nasal mucosal cells and record the number of apoptotic cells. Immunofluorescence assay was used to detect the expression of E-cadherin （E-Cad） in the nasal mucosa. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to determine the serum levels of interleukin-4 （IL-4）， interferon-γ （IFN-γ）， histamine （HIS）， immunoglobulin E （IgE）， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， and malondialdehyde （MDA）. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructure of mitochondria in nasal mucosal epithelial cells. Flow cytometry was used to measure mitochondrial membrane potential （MMP） and reactive oxygen species （ROS） levels. Western Blot was used to determine the protein expression levels of collagen Ⅲ （Collagen Ⅲ）， α-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA）， Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax）， Caspase-3， JAK2， phosphorylated JAK2 （p-JAK2）， STAT3， and phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （p-STAT3）. ResultsA total of 626 chemical constituents were identified by LC-MS/MS. Network pharmacology screening identified 450 active ingredients. Nine intersecting components and 39 drug-AR intersecting targets were obtained. KEGG enrichment analysis indicated the involvement of signaling pathways including JAK2/STAT3. The animal experimental results showed that， compared with the blank group， rats in the model group exhibited significantly increased frequencies of nasal scratching and sneezing， as well as elevated CVF and the number of apoptotic cells， while the levels of E-Cad， MMP， and serum IFN-γ and SOD significantly decreased； meanwhile， the serum levels of IL-4， IgE， HIS， ROS， and MDA， along with the protein expression levels of Collagen Ⅲ， α-SMA， Bax， Caspase-3， p-JAK2， and p-STAT3 in the nasal mucosa， significantly increased （P＜0.05）， accompanied by aggravated pathological damage in the nasal mucosa， increased collagen fiber deposition， and abnormal mitochondrial morphology. Compared to the model group， rats in the MYNS group showed improvements in all the aforementioned indicators except for HIS （P＜0.05）， and those in the mometasone furoate nasal spray group showed improvements in all indicators except for IL-4， IgE， and SOD levels （P＜0.05）. ConclusionThe mechanism of MYNS in treating AR may be related to inhibiting the activation of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway， reducing inflammatory responsesand oxidative stress， ameliorating mitochondrial damage， and suppressing nasal mucosal cell apoptosis， thereby improving nasal mucosal tissue pathological remodeling.

Objective To summarize the liver biopsy and clinical features of patients with liver injury of unknown origin,and to investigate the value of ultrasound-guided percutaneous liver biopsy in the diagnosis of liver injury of unknown origin.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data and ultrasound-guided percutaneous liver biopsy results of 94 patients with liver injury of unknown origin who were admitted to Zhongshan Hospital,Xiamen University,from January 2018 to February 2023.According to the proportion of the patients with different final diagnoses,the patients were divided into autoimmune liver disease(AILD)group,metabolic associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD)group,drug-induced liver injury(DILI)group,alcoholic liver disease(ALD)group,and unknown group.An analysis of variance was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups,and the Bonferroni analysis or the Dunnett'T3 test was used for further comparison between two groups;the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups;the Fisher's exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between multiple groups.Results All 94 patients with liver injury of unknown origin underwent ultrasound-guided percutaneous liver biopsy after admission,among whom 90 patients(95.7%)had a confirmed diagnosis based on liver biopsy and clinical features.There were 43 patients(45.7%)with AILD,21(22.3%)with MAFLD,15(16.0%)with DILI,6(6.4%)with ALD,1(1.1%)with AILD and MAFLD,1(1.1%)with hemochromatosis,1(1.1%)with Budd-Chiari syndrome,1(1.1%)with congenital hepatic fibrosis,and 1(1.1%)with idiopathic portal hypertension,while 4 patients(4.3%)still had an unknown etiology after liver biopsy.There were significant differences between the patients with top five diagnoses in age(F=4.457,P<0.05),body mass index(BMI)(F=3.245,P<0.05),aspartate aminotransferase(AST)(H=11.128,P<0.05),gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase(GGT)(H=24.789,P<0.05),alkaline phosphatase(ALP)(H=26.013,P<0.05),IgG(H=19.099,P<0.05),IgM(H=21.263,P<0.05),AMA-M2 positive rate(P<0.05),and ANA positive rate(P<0.05).Compared with the MAFLD group,the AILD group had significantly higher age,AST,GGT,and ALP and a significantly lower BMI;compared with the MAFLD group and the DILI group,the AILD group had significant increases in IgG and IgM;the AILD group had significant increases in the positive rates of AMA-M2 and ANA compared with the other four groups.Conclusion AILD,MAFLD,and DILI are the most common causes in patients with liver injury of unknown origin.Ultrasound-guided percutaneous liver biopsy plays an important role in determining the cause of liver injury of unknown origin,but it is still needed to make a comprehensive analysis based on clinical history,different types of liver injury,laboratory markers,and imaging data.

Objective:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a novel domestic extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) mainframe in a porcine model, and to provide the basis for further clinical application.Methods:Five domestic healthy male white pigs, weighing (51±4) kg, were selected. The ECMO system was established by using a novel ECMO mainframe with imported membrane oxygenator and pipeline, and continued to run for 72 hours. ECMO parameters are as follows: veno-arterial ECMO, centrifugal pump speed 3 000-3 500 r/min, continuous infusion of heparin anticoagulation to maintain the activate clotting time (ACT) of 140-200 s. Real-time monitoring of speed, flow, pressure before pump, pressure after pump, pressure after membrane and other equipment parameters, and the equipment performance was scored. The changes of hemodynamics, blood lactic acid and blood routine were monitored dynamically. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to compare different time points within the group. At the end of the experiment, the thrombosis in the pump head and oxygenator was observed. The animals were sacrificed to obtain the tissue samples of the main organs for gross observation and pathological injury evaluation.Results:All animals successfully ran the ECMO system for 72 hours. (1) The centrifugal pump speed should be maintained at 3 029-3 483 r/min, the flow rate was maintained at 2.24-2.60 L/min, The pressure before the pump between minus 107.57 and minus 31.86 mmHg, the pressure after the pump was 197.50-282.43 mmHg, and the pressure after the membrane was 178.71-261.5 mmHg, all were in the normal range, and there was no significant difference between different time points (all P>0.05). The performance scores of the mainframe were all 4 points or above, indicating that the use requirements were met. (2) The heart rate of the animals was 50-80 beats /min, the mean arterial pressure was 85-115 mmHg, and the lactic acid was 0.996-2.25 mmol/L, all within the normal range, and there was no significant difference between different time points (all P>0.05). The free hemoglobin was 8.98-16.39 mg/L, and the hemoglobin was 6.58-7.52 g/L, both within a reasonable range, and there was no significant difference between different time points (all P>0.05). The platelet count was 69.6-231.6×10 9/L, and showed a continuous downward trend ( P<0.05). ACT was maintained at 135-169 s, which was within the target range, and there was no significant difference between different time points ( P<0.05). (3) At the end of the experiment, there was no obvious thrombosis in the pump head and oxygenator, no obvious thrombosis or infarction in the heart, brain, liver, lung and kidney, and no obvious hemorrhage or necrosis under the microscope. Conclusions:The ECMO established by the novel domestic ECMO mainframe combined with imported membrane oxygenator and pipeline ran smoothly for 72 hours, achieving the target of effect and safety.

Objective:To explore the application value of different methods of segmented latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap in repairing chest wall defects after local advanced breast cancer surgery.Methods:The clinical data of 64 patients with unilateral locally advanced breast cancer admitted to Shanxi Cancer Hospital from Feb. 2019 to Jan. 2020 were selected. All patients underwent modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer. The patients were divided into two groups according to the random number table method. Antegrade (group A, n=32 cases) and retrograde (group B, n=32 cases) were used to design and cut the segmented latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap to repair the defects. The range of skin island cut was 14 cm×6 cm-19 cm×7 cm; The donor area of the flap was closed directly. The application effects of the two groups of methods were compared. Results:In group A, one antegrade flap was partially necrotic, while in group B, six retrograde flaps were partially necrotic ( P>0.05). The delayed healing rate of donor site incision in group A was 6.25%, significantly lower than that in group B (25.00%) ( χ2=4.267, P=0.039). All the patients in both groups were followed up for 12 to 24 months, and the appearance and texture of the flaps were satisfactory; Only linear scar was left in the donor area, and the shoulder joint activity was not affected. The mean survival time was 20.8 months. Conclusion:The antegrade latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap can repair the large area defect of chest wall after LABC, which can ensure the blood supply of the flap to the greatest extent, reduce the closing tension of the donor area, the incidence of postoperative complications, and promote the healing of the incision.

With basal medium, we studied the growth status, lipid droplet distribution, total lipid content of Chlorella protothecoides CS-41 treated with different concentrations of sodium chloride (0, 150, 300 and 600 mmol/L) by optical microscopy, electron microscopy, confocal laser focusing and Nile red staining. Results show that the addition of NaCl affected the growth of Chlorella protothecoides CS-41. With the increase of NaCl concentration, the growth rate of Chlorella was inhibited. Chlorella cell wall became thicker, and lipid droplets increased. At the early stage, the amount of lipid droplets in the 600 mmol/L NaCl culture was the highest, but at the late-log stage, the amount of lipid droplets increased with the increase of the biomass of culture in 150 and 300 mmol/L NaCl culture. At the stable stage, biomass (dry weight) in 300 mmol/L NaCl culture was 73.55% of that in the control, but the total lipid content was 2.22 times higher than that in the control. A certain concentration of sodium chloride treatment can significantly increase the lipid content of Chlorella protothecoides CS-41.

OBJECTIVETo explore the impact of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) knockdown by NGAL siRNA encapsulated with urocanic acid-modified chitosan nanoparticles (UAC) on the proliferation, migration and apoptosis of human colon cancer cells.

METHODSNGAL siRNA was encapsulated by UAC and chitosan (CTS) respectively, and then was transfected into human colon cancer cell lines HT29. The NGAL mRNA was detected by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-QPCR). Relationships of NGAL gene silencing with the proliferation, migration and apoptosis of HT29 cell were analyzed.

RESULTSUnder the fluorescence microscope, the transfection efficiency of siRNA in UAC group was (37.52±7.17)%, which was significantly higher than (11.32±3.39)% in CTS group (t=6.102, P=0.005). Forty-eight hours after transfection, RT-QPCR examination showed that the level of NGAL mRNA expression was 0.350 in UAC group and 0.529 in CTS group with significant difference (t=-3.743, P=0.02), meanwhile both levels were significantly lower as compared to control group(F=163.538, P<0.001). Proliferation analysis revealed that after silencing NGAL gene, proliferation rate of UAC group and CTS group was slightly lower than control group, and no significant differences were found (F=9.520, P=0.438). However, migration assay demonstrated that the 24-hour migration rate of UAC group and CTS group was significantly lower than that of control group (F=6.756, P=0.029), meanwhile the migration rate of UAC group was slightly lower than that of CTS group [(77.90±7.14)% vs. (87.67±3.98)%, t=-1.704, P=0.164]. Apoptosis detection revealed that the apoptosis rate in UAC group was significantly higher than that in CTS group and the control group 2 days after transfection [(15.800±1.054)% vs. (12.900±0.656)%, (11.933±1.914)%, F=7.004, P=0.027].

CONCLUSIONSThe encapsulated ability and transfection efficiency of chitosan modified by urocanic acid elevate significantly. Silencing NGAL gene by UAC carrier can down-regulate the expression of NGAL mRNA in HT29 colon cell line, inhibit their migration and facilitate their apoptosis.

Objective To explore the effect of NGAL knockdown by NGAL siRNA encapsulated with urocanic acid-modified chitosan nanoparticles (UAC).MethodsNGAL siRNA encapsulated by UAC and chitosan (CTS) respectively, which were then used to transfect human colon cancer cell lines HT29.The expression level of NGAL protein were detected by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay(ELISA).ResultsThe ELISA study revealed that the expression level of NGAL protein in UAC group(average 0.583μg/L) was significantly lower than in CTS group (average 0.772μg/L) and control group(average 1.071μg/L) (P<0.05).ConclusionThe NGAL expression of mRNA and protein in HT29 cells could be down-regulated by siRNA encapsulated by UAC.

BACKGROUND:Mineralized nodules are the mature marker of osteoblast differentiation, and the observation methods mainly use alizarin red staining.
OBJECTIVE:To compare the observation results of mineralized nodules by three methods, and to explore their characteristics and advantages, as wel as further application in the research of bone disease.
METHODS:The rat osteoblast-like cellline UMR-106 were cultured in the fresh medium that was changed every day, for 14 days. Alizarin red staining-light microscope, tetracycline fluorescence labeling-laser confocal scanning microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy were used to observe mineralized nodules. The calcium content of mineralized nodules was quantified using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. In addition, tumor necrosis factor alpha that could inhibit the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts was used as the control.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The three morphology methods could be used to observe the mineralized nodules of normal osteoblasts. As for tumor necrosis factor alpha, no mineralized nodules of osteoblasts were observed by alizarin red staining-light microscopy;smal mineralized nodules were observed by tetracycline staining-laser scanning confocal microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, suggesting tetracycline staining and scanning electron microscopy were more sensitive in the observation. Scanning electron microscopy could be used to observe the submicroscopic structures of mineralized nodules in the osteoblasts, and the formation of mineralized nodules, including the calcium secretion. Additional y, scanning electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis can successful y quantify and position the mineralized nodules, indicating a potential application in the research of bone diseases.