Objective : To investigate the protective effect of dimethyl fumarate(DMF) on maternal intrahepatic cholestasis(ICP) during pregnancy induced by di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate(DEHP) exposure and its mechanism. Methods : Thirty-two 8-week-old female institute of cancer research(ICR) mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: Ctrl group, DEHP group, DMF group and DEHP+DMF group. DEHP and DEHP+DMF groups were treated with DEHP(200 mg/kg) by gavage every morning at 9:00 a.m. DMF and DEHP+DMF groups were treated with DMF(150 mg/kg) from day 13 to day 16 of gestation by gavage. After completion of gavage on day 16 of pregnancy, maternal blood, maternal liver, placenta, and amniotic fluid were collected from pregnant mice after a six-hour abrosia. The body weight of the mother rats and the body weight of the fetus rats were sorted and analyzed; the levels of total bile acid(TBA), alkaline phosphatase(ALP), aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase(AST/ALT) in serum and TBA in liver, amniotic fluid and placenta were detected by biochemical analyzer; HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of liver tissue; Quantitative reverse transcription PCR(RT-qPCR) was used to detect the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin(IL)-6, IL-1, IL-18 and NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3(NLRP3) in the liver; Western blot was used to detect the expression of the nuclear factor KappaB(NF-κB) and NLRP3. Results : Compared with the control group, the body weight of the DEHP-treated dams and pups decreased(P<0.05); the levels of TBA, ALP, AST/ALT in the serum of dams and the levels of TBA in the liver, amniotic fluid, and placenta of dams increased(P<0.05); the histopathological results showed that liver tissue was damaged, bile ducts were deformed, and there was inflammatory cell infiltration around them; the levels of inflammation-related factors TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1, IL-18 and NLRP3 transcription in maternal liver increased(P<0.05); the expression of NF-κB and NLRP3 protein in maternal liver significantly increased( P<0. 05). Compared with the DEHP group,the body weight of both dams and fetuses significantly increased in DEHP + DMF group( P<0. 05); the levels of TBA,ALP,AST/ALT in the serum of dams and amniotic fluid of fetuses decreased( P<0. 05); the degree of liver lesions was improved; the transcription levels of inflammation-related factors TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1,IL-18 and NLRP3 in maternal liver decreased( P<0. 05); the expression of NF-κB and NLRP3 protein in maternal liver significantly decreased( P<0. 05). Conclusion DMF can effectively protect the DEHP exposure to lead to female ICP,and its mechanism may be through inhibiting the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway and reducing liver inflammation.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness of the comparison between pit and fissure sealants and fluoride varnishes, as well as various types of sealants, in preventing caries on the occlusal surface of children's first permanent molars (FPM). METHODS: Conduct a comprehensive search of literature published between January 1, 1988, and May 30, 2024, in the following databases: China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, China Science Periodical Database and China Biology Medicine database. Meta-analysis and subgroup analyses were performed on the literature that met the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: A total of 5 618 pieces of literature were retrieved, resulting in the inclusion of 14 in the study. Meta-analysis showed that there was no statistically significant difference in the efficacy between varies pit and fissure sealants compared to fluoride varnishes, and between varies types of sealants in preventing caries on the occlusal surface of children's first permanent molars within 24 months post-surgery (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Within 24 months, there was no significant difference in the effectiveness of using resin-based or glass iomomer pit and fissure sealants compared with fluoride varnishes in preventing occlusal caries in FPM in children; within 24 months, there was no significant difference in the effectiveness of using resin-based sealants compared with ART sealants in preventing occlusal caries in FPM in children. ART sealants are recommended over resin-based sealers for children who have no conditions for chair-side manipulation or who are poorly co-operative.
Humans ; Pit and Fissure Sealants/therapeutic use* ; Dental Caries/prevention & control* ; Molar ; Child ; Fluorides, Topical/therapeutic use* ; Dentition, Permanent

Objective : To establish a method for measuring major organic acids in the tricarboxylic acid cycle using a high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(HPLC-MS/MS) system, and to investigate the changes in six tricarboxylic acid cycle organic acids(fumaric acid, malic acid, succinic acid, α-ketoglutaric acid, cis-aconitic acid, and citric acid) in the serum, liver, and placenta of mice exposed to di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate(DEHP) during pregnancy. Methods : The serum, liver and placental samples from pregnant mice were processed and eluted through a Waters ACQUITY UPLC BEH Amide Column(130 Å, 1.7 μm, 2.1 mm × 150 mm) using a gradient elution program. Mobile phase A comprised an aqueous solution of 10 mmol/L ammonium acetate and 5 μmol/L methanephosphonic acid, while mobile phase B consisted of a 90% acetonitrile aqueous solution containing 10 mmol/L ammonium acetate and 5 μmol/L methanephosphonic acid, with a flow rate maintained at 0.35 ml/min. The mass spectrometry detection system utilized an electrospray ionization technique with negative ion mode for multiple reaction monitoring. Results : The correlation coefficients of the standard curves for the six tricarboxylic acid cycle organic acid metabolites were all above 0.996 within the quantitative range. The method's accuracy ranged from 97.14% to 108.26%, with inter-day and intra-day precision relative standard deviation between 1.35% and 6.73%. The matrix effect was between 93.29% and 107.47%, and the extraction recovery rate ranged from 94.82% to 112.57%. Analysis of six tricarboxylic acid cycle organic acids in the liver, serum, and placenta of DEHP-exposed mice during pregnancy showed significant reductions in fumaric acid, malic acid, α-ketoglutaric acid, cis-aconitic acid, and citric acid compared to the control group(P<0.05). Conclusion The HPLC-MS/MS method established in this study for detecting six tricarboxylic acid cycle organic acids in the serum, liver, and placenta of DEHP-exposed pregnant mice is stable, highly sensitive and selective. Prenatal DEHP exposure induced alterations in the levels of tricarboxylic acid(TCA) cycle organic acid metabolites in the liver, serum, and placenta of mice, suggesting that DEHP exposure during pregnancy may interfere with mitochondrial TCA cycle processes. These findings indicate potential value in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases associated with prenatal DEHP exposure.

Objective To investigate the diagnostic efficacy and clinical value of GNB4 and Riplet gene methylation alone and in combination in the diagnosis of primary liver cancer.Methods A total of 313 patients were selected,including 78 patients with primary liver cancer,41 patients with other digestive system tumors,17 patients with non-digestive system tumors,20 patients with postoperative liver cancer,and 157 patients with benign liver disea-ses.The levels of GNB4 and Riplet gene methylation in plasma were detected using quantitative methylation-specific PCR(qMSP).Serum alpha-fetoprotein(AFP)levels were measured by direct chemiluminescence.Results The sensitivity and specificity of AFP in diagnosis were 51.3％and 94.3％,respectively;the sensitivity and specificity of GNB4 gene methylation in diagnosis were 83.3％and 99.4％,respectively;the sensitivity and specificity of Riplet gene methylation in diagnosis were 73.1％and 99.4％,respectively.The sensitivity and specificity of GNB4 and Riplet gene methylation combined diagnosis were 92.3％and 98.7％,respectively;the sensitivity and specificity of AFP,GNB4 and Riplet gene methylation combined diagnosis were 92.3％and 98.7％,respectively;the sensitivity and specificity of combined diagnosis including age and gender were 93.6％and 97.5％,respective-ly.Conclusion The sensitivity and specificity of AFP in the diagnosis of primary liver cancer are limited,while the methylation levels of GNB4 and Riplet genes are higher,and the sensitivity and specificity of their combined de-tection are higher than those of AFP.The sensitivity and specificity of AFP,GNB4 and Riplet gene methylation combined diagnosis are significantly higher than those of AFP,GNB4 and Riplet gene methylation alone.

Objective:To investigate whether long non-coding RNA(lncRNA) AW112010 can improve insulin resistance in aging adipocytes through the miR-204/POU2F2 signaling pathway.Methods:In vivo experiment: C57BL/6 mice were divided into young control group(4 months old) and aging model group(18 months old) based on body weight. The expression levels of AW112010, miR-204-5p, POU2F2, aging related indicators(p16, p21), and insulin signaling pathway genes [insulin receptor(INSR), insulin receptor substrate 1(IRS1), phosphatidylinositol kinase(PI3K), protein kinase B(AKT)] in epididymal adipose tissue were detected using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR) and Western blotting. In vitro experiment: Using adriamycin(ADR) to induce 3T3-L1 aging adipocyte model, β-gal staining was used to observe cellular senescence, and miR-204 inhibitor and miR-204 mimic small interfering RNA were successfully constructed and transfected into 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Results:RT-qPCR and Western blot results showed that compared with the young group, the expression of AW112010 in the adipose tissue of aging mice was increased, while the expression of miR-204-5p was decreased. The expressions of POU2F2, p16, and p21 in the adipose tissue of aging mice were increased, while the expressions of INSR, IRS1, PI3K, GLUT4 mRNA and protein were decreased. The β-gal stainging results showed that the number of 3T3-L1 senescent adipocytes induced by ADR was significantly increased, and the expression levels of AW112010, POU2F2, p16, and p21 in ADR-induced senescent adipocytes were increased compared with the control group, while the expression levels of miR-204-5p, INSR, IRS1, PI3K, GLUT4 were decreased, and remaining glucose in the culture medium was increased. Compared with control, overexpression of miR-204 resulted in decreased expressions of aging indicators p16, p21, and target gene POU2F2 while the expressions of INSR and GLUT4 were increased.Conclusion:Upregulation of lncRNA AW112010 in adipocytes of aging mice may induce insulin resistance by targeting miR-204-5p/POU2F2/IRS1.

Objective To analyze and identify the volatile constituents in different parts(flowers,stems and leaves)of Huai chrysanthemumin,and to lay a theoretical foundation for the comprehensive utilization for it.Methods The volatile oil in different parts of Huai chrysanthemumin were extracted by hydrodistillation,respectively.Their constituents were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS).The compounds were identified by library search and literature screening.The relative percentage of each compound was obtained by the area normalization method.The differences in their chemical compositions were analyzed by Venn diagram,principal component analysis(PCA)and cluster heat map analysis.Results A total of 62 volatile chemical components were identified from different parts of Huai chrysanthemumin,including monoterpenes,sesquiterpenes,and their derivatives,as well as a small amount of aliphatic compounds.32,42 and 40 volatile components were detected from the flowers,stems and flowers,respectively.Furthermore 17 volatile components were shared by three parts,whereas 5,6 and 16 volatile components were unique to the flowers,stems and leaves,respectively.The results of stoichiometric analysis showed that both PCA and cluster heat map analysis could separate the flowers,stems and leaves,and their volatile components were different.Conclusion The types and contents of the volatile oil in the stems,leaves and flowers of Huai chrysanthemumin have certain variability,which provide a scientific basis for the further medicinal or industrial exploitation of different parts of Huai chrysanthemumin.

AIM: To report three cases of viral keratitis caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2).METHODS: Slit lamp, intraocular pressure, corneal fluorescence staining, anterior segment photography, in vivo confocal microscopy(IVCM), and routine fundus screening were performed in the three confirmed patients. Treatment involved Ganciclovir, artificial tears and glucocorticoid eye drops.RESULTS: Three patients with SARS-CoV-2 keratitis(SCK)recovered well after standard treatment.CONCLUSION: SARS-CoV-2 keratitis typically presents as corneal subepithelial infiltration and can result in a decrease in corneal subepithelial nerve fiber density and an increase in dendritic cells(DC). Antiviral therapy in combination with glucocorticoid has proven to be effective.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and mechanism of total saponins from Panax japonicus （TSPJ） on white adipose tissue （WAT） browning/brown adipose tissue （BAT） activation in C57BL6/J male mice fed on a high-fat diet （HFD）. MethodThirty-two C57BL6/J male mice （8-week-old） were randomly divided into a normal group， a model group， a low-dose TSPJ group， and a high-dose TSPJ group. The mice in the low-dose and high-dose TSPJ groups were given TSPJ for four months by gavage at 25， 75 mg·kg^-1·d^-1， respectively， and those in the other groups were given 0.5% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose （CMC-Na） accordingly. After four months of feeding， all mice were placed at 4 ℃ for acute cold exposure， and the core body temperature was monitored. Subsequently， all mice were sacrificed， and BAT and inguinal WAT （iWAT） were separated rapidly to detect the corresponding indexes. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the morphological changes in each group. The effect of TSPJ on the mRNA expression of uncoupling protein 1 （UCP1）， fatty acid-binding protein 4 （FABP4）， cytochrome C （CytC）， PR domain-containing protein 16 （PRDM16）， elongation of very long chain fatty acids protein 3 （ELOVL3）， peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ （PPARγ）， and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α （PGC-1α） in iWAT and BAT was detected by Real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. Western blot was also used to detect the protein expression of UCP1， PRDM16， PPARγ， and PGC-1α in BAT and iWAT of each group. The effect of TSPJ on UCP1 expression in BAT and iWAT was detected by immunohistochemistry. Result① Compared with the model group， TSPJ could decrease the body weight and proportions of iWAT and BAT in the HFD-induced mice （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ② The body temperature of mice in the model group decreased compared with that in the normal group in the acute cold exposure tolerance test （P<0.05）. The body temperature in the high-dose TSPJ group increased compared with that in the model group （P<0.01）. ③ Compared with the normal group， the model group showed increased adipocyte diameter in iWAT and BAT and decreased number of adipocytes per unit area. Compared with the model group， the TSPJ groups showed significantly reduced cell diameter and increased number of cells per unit area， especially in the high-dose TSPJ group. ④ Compared with the normal group， the model group showed decreased mRNA expression of FABP4， UCP1， CytC， PRDM16， ELOVL3， PGC-1α， and PPARγ in adipose tissues of mice （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， after intervention with TSPJ， the mRNA expression was significantly up-regulated （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ⑤ Compared with the normal group， the model group showed decreased protein expression of UCP1， PRDM16， PPARγ， and PGC-1α in adipose tissues of mice （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， after intervention with TSPJ， the protein expression increased significantly （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionTSPJ could induce the browning of iWAT/BAT activation and enhance adaptive thermogenesis in obese mice induced by HFD. The underlying mechanism may be attributed to the activation of the PPARγ/PGC-1α signaling pathway.

Hyperhidrosis is a disease in which excessive sweat is secreted,resulting in an abnormal increase in systemic or local perspiration.In traditional Chinese medicine,hyperhidrosis belongs to the category of sweating disease.It is caused by an imbalance between yin and yang and abnormal excretion of body fluid.Many doctors treat the sweating disease from the perspective of heart,lung,and kidney;in contrast,we discuss the etiology and pathogenesis of hyperhidrosis from the perspective of liver and spleen,explain the significance of harmonizing the liver and spleen to improve the sweating disease,and put forward the key pathogenic factors of stagnation liver qi and spleen deficiency,and disharmony between nutrient qi and defensive qi,and the imbalance between yin and yang are the key pathogenic factor.Most of the clinical treatment start from the liver and spleen.The main treatment principle is based on soothing the liver and relieving depression,invigorating the spleen and nourishing blood,and regulating and harmonizing the nutrient qi and defensive qi,paying attention to the relationship between qi and blood in zangfu organs,invigorating the spleen and replenishing qi to consolidate its foundation,soothing the liver and relieving depression to regulate its qi,and invigorating qi and blood and perspiration.Treatment can be supplemented with Xiaoyao Powder plus-minus,mainly to strengthen liver wood and spleen soil,acquire nourishment,smooth qi,nourish the five zang,reconcile qi and blood,enhance physical strength and peace of mind,ensure sufficient qi to arrest sweating,coordinate the liver and spleen,balance the ascending and descending phases,and harmonize the five zang organs.

Objective To investigate the protective effect of folic acid against cholestatic liver injury in mice induced by bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate(DEHP)exposure and its mechanism.Methods ICR mice were randomly divided into control group,high-dose folic acid(H-FA)group,DEHP group,DEHP+low-dose folic acid(DEHP+L-FA)group,and DEHP+high-dose folic acid(DEHP+H-FA)group,with 6 mice in each group.The mice in the H-FA group,the DEHP+L-FA group,and the DEHP+H-FA group were given folic acid by gavage at the corresponding dose,and those in the control group and the DEHP group were given an equal volume of PBS solution by gavage.After 2 hours,the mice in the DEHP group,the DEHP+L-FA group,and the DEHP+H-FA group were given corn oil containing 200 mg/kg DEHP,and those in the control group and the H-FA group were given an equal volume of pure corn oil,by gavage for 4 weeks.Body weight and food intake were recorded every day,and blood and liver tissue samples were collected.A biochemical analyzer was used to measure the serum levels of total bile acid(TBA)and alkaline phosphatase(ALP);HE staining was used to observe the histopathological changes of liver tissue;kits were used to measure the content of malondialdehyde(MDA)and superoxide dismutase(SOD)in the liver;LC-MS/MS was used to measure serum bile acid profiles;Western blot was used to measure the expression levels of proteins associated with hepatic bile acid metabolism.A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups,and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups.Results Compared with the control group,the daily food intake of the mice in the DEHP group decreased significantly,and the body weight decreased significantly from day 10(P＜0.05),and compared with the DEHP group,the DEHP+L-FA group and the DEHP+H-FA group had basically unchanged body weight and daily food intake(P＞0.05).Compared with the control group,the DEHP group had significant increases in liver weight index and the serum levels of TBA and ALP(all P＜0.05),with enlarged portal area,bile duct deformity and hyperplasia,and a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration in liver tissue;compared with the DEHP group,the DEHP+L-FA group and the DEHP+H-FA group had a significant reduction in liver weight index(P＜0.01),and the DEHP+H-FA group had significant reductions in the serum levels of TBA and ALP(P＜0.05),with a significant improvement in liver histomorphology and structure after folic acid intervention.Compared with the control group,the DEHP group had a significant reduction in the content of SOD(P＜0.05)and a significant increase in the content of MDA in the liver(P＜0.01),and compared with the DEHP group,the DEHP+H-FA group had significant reductions in the content of MDA and SOD(P＜0.05).Compared with the control group,the DEHP group had significant increases in the serum levels of α-muricholic acid(α-MCA),β-muricholic acid(β-MCA),deoxycholic acid(DCA),lithocholic acid(LCA),taurocholic acid(TCA),taurodeoxycholic acid(TDCA),tauroursodeoxycholic acid(TUDCA),tauro-β-muricholic acid(T-β-MCA),tauro-α-muricholic acid(T-α-MCA),taurohyodeoxycholic acid(THDCA),and taurolithocholic acid(TLCA)(P＜0.05)and a significant reduction in ursodeoxycholic acid(UDCA)(P＜0.05);compared with the DEHP group,the DEHP+H-FA group had significant reductions in the serum levels of DCA,LCA,TCA,TDCA,TUDCA,T-β-MCA,T-α-MCA,THDCA,and TLCA(P＜0.05).Compared with the control group,the DEHP group had significant increases in the protein expression levels of FXR and CYP3A11 in the liver(P＜0.01)and significant reductions in the protein expression levels of CYP7A1 and MRP2(P＜0.01);compared with the DEHP group,the DEHP+L-FA group and the DEHP+H-FA group had significant reductions in the protein expression levels of FXR and CYP3A11 in the liver(P＜0.05)and a significant increase in the protein expression level of MRP2(P＜0.05),and the DEHP+H-FA group had a significant increase in the protein expression level of CYP7A1(P＜0.05).Conclusion Folic acid has a protective effect against cholestatic liver injury in mice induced by DEHP exposure,possibly by regulating bile acid synthesis,catabolism,and transport and maintaining bile acid homeostasis.