ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of topical treatment of allergic contact dermatitis （ACD） mice with Portulacae Herba based on the nuclear factor E₂-related factor 2 （Nrf2）/heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1）/nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） signaling pathway. MethodsA total of 70 6-week-old specific pathogen free （SPF） female Kunming mice were adaptively fed for 1 week and randomly divided into blank group， model group， compound dexamethasone acetate cream group （2.075×10^-2 g·g^-1）， blank matrix cream group， low-dose Portulacae Herba cream group （0.1 g·g^-1）， high-dose Portulacae Herba cream group （0.2 g·g^-1）， and Portulacae Herba + inhibitor group （0.2 g·g^-1 + 30 mg·kg^-1 ML385）， with 10 mice in each group. One day before the experiment， the mice were shaved on the neck and back. Except for the blank group， the mice in the other groups were treated with 2，4-dinitrochlorobenzene （DNCB） to establish an ACD model. After respective administration， the skin lesion of the mice was scored， and the histopathological changes of the skin were stained with hematoxylin-eosin （HE）. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect the levels of interleukin-6 （IL-6）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， reactive oxygen species （ROS）， superoxide dismutase （SOD） activity， and malondialdehyde （MDA） in serum of mice. The expression of Nrf2/HO-1/NF-κB signaling pathway-related proteins in mouse skin tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry （IHC）， Western blot， and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the mice in the model group had an increased skin lesion score （P<0.01）， severe pathological damage to skin tissue， increased content of IL-1β， IL-6， ROS， and MDA in their serum （P<0.01）， and decreased content of SOD （P<0.01）. In addition， the mRNA and protein expression levels of Nrf2， HO-1， and nuclear factor-κB inhibitor α （IκBα） in skin tissue were up-regulated （P<0.01）， while the protein expression levels of phosphorylated （p）-IκBα and p-NF-κB p65 and the mRNA expression of NF-κB p65 were down-regulated （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group and the blank matrix cream group， the mice treated with Portulacae Herba had a decreased skin lesion score （P<0.01）， reduced pathological damage to skin tissue， decreased content of IL-1β， IL-6， ROS， and MDA in their serum （P<0.01）， and increased content of SOD （P<0.01）. Additionally， the mRNA and protein expression levels of Nrf2， HO-1， and IκBα in skin tissue were down-regulated （P<0.05，P<0.01）， and the protein expression levels of p-IκBα and p-NF-κB p65 and the mRNA expression of NF-κB p65 were up-regulated （P<0.05，P<0.01）. Compared with the Portulacae Herba + inhibitor group， the high-dose Portulacae Herba cream group had a decreased skin lesion score （P<0.01）， alleviated pathological damage to skin tissue， decreased content of IL-1β， IL-6， ROS， and MDA in the serum of mice （P<0.05，P<0.01）， and increased content of SOD （P<0.01）. The protein expression levels of Nrf2， HO-1， and IκBα and the mRNA expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 in skin tissue were up-regulated （P<0.05，P<0.01）， and the protein expression levels of p-IκBα and p-NF-κB p65 and the mRNA expression of NF-κB p65 were down-regulated （P<0.05）. ConclusionPortulacae Herba can improve DNCB-induced ACD skin damage in mice by regulating the Nrf2/HO-1/NF-κB signaling pathway.

POEMS syndrome is a rare condition associated with plasma cell disorders， and it often involves multiple systems and has diverse clinical manifestations. This article reports two cases of POEMS syndrome with hepatosplenomegaly as the initial manifestation. During the course of the disease， the patients presented with lower limb weakness， hepatosplenomegaly， lymph node enlargement， ascites， hypothyroidism， positive M protein， and skin hyperpigmentation， and ¹⁸F-FDG PET-CT imaging revealed bone lesions mainly characterized by osteolytic changes and plasma cell tumors. There was an increase in the serum level of vascular endothelial growth factor. The patients were finally diagnosed with POEMS syndrome， and the symptoms were relieved after immunomodulatory treatment.

Objective To investigate the correlation between insulin resistance, serum uric acid (SUA) and blood lipids levels and diabetic kidney disease (DKD) with renal damage in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical case data of 320 T2DM patients admitted to the hospital from January 2021 to December 2023. According to the urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR), the above patients were divided into T2DM group (UACR<30 mg/g, 136 cases), mild DKD group (UACR of 30 mg/g-300 mg/g, 106 cases) and moderate-to-severe DKD group (UACR>300 mg/g, 78 cases). The clinical baseline data, insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), SUA, and blood lipids (total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)) were collected and compared among the three groups. Spearman analysis was performed to analyze the correlation between HOMA-IR, SUA, blood lipids and occurrence of renal damage. Results Compared with the T2DM group, the levels of UACR, HOMA-IR, SUA, TC and TG in the mild DKD group and the moderate-to-severe DKD group were higher, and the levels the above indicators in the moderate-to-severe DKD group were higher than those in the mild DKD group (P<0.05). Spearman correlation test results indicated that HOMA-IR, SUA, TC and TG were positively correlated with renal damage in patients with T2DM (r=0.486, 0.537, 459, 0.472, P<0.05). Conclusion The changes of insulin resistance, SUA and blood lipids are closely related to the occurrence and development of DKD in patients with T2DM, which can be used to evaluate their renal damage and grading.

ObjectiveTo establish the specific chromatogram and quantitative analysis of multi-components by single-marker（QAMS） based on linear calibration using two reference substances（LCTRS）， explore the consistency between Hedyotis Herba dispensing granules and standard decoction， and evaluate the quality of the dispensing granules. MethodsHigh performance liquid chromatography（HPLC） specific chromatogram was established based on 15 batches of Hedyotis Herba standard decoction and 10 batches of the dispensing granules， and LCTRS was used to locate chromatographic peaks. The actual retention times of 7 characteristic peaks in the specific chromatogram was measured on 24 different types of C₁₈ columns， taking deacetyl asperulosidic acid and asperulosidic acid as the dual standard compounds， the retention times of the other 5 characteristic peaks were predicted and validated. Based on this， QAMS was developed to determine the contents of four components（deacetyl asperulosidic acid， deacetyl asperulosidic acid methyl ester， asperulosidic acid， and p-coumaric acid）. Then， the relative correction factors of deacetyl asperulosidic acid， deacetyl asperulosidic acid methyl ester and p-coumaric acid were calculated using the reference peak of asperulosidic acid in the dual standard compounds， and each component was quantified accordingly. Finally， the consistency between the dispensing granules and standard decoction was assessed by taking extract rate of the standard decoction， consistency of the specific chromatograms， contents and transfer rates of the indicator components as indexes， and the quality of the dispensing granules was evaluated. ResultsThere were 7 common peaks in the characteristic chromatogram of samples of Hedyotis Herba standard decoction and the dispensing granules， and four of them were identified by reference standards， namely deacetyl asperulosidic acid（peak 1）， deacetyl asperulosidic acid methyl ester（peak 3）， asperulosidic acid（peak 6） and p-coumaric acid（peak 7）. The similarity between the dispensing granules and the standard decoction was >0.9. The absolute deviation in the predicted retention time for each component by LCTRS was lower than that of the relative retention time method. The extract rate of the 15 batches of Hedyotis Herba standard decoction ranged from 7.89% to 14.60%， the contents of deacetyl asperulosidic acid， deacetyl asperulosidic acid methyl ester， asperulosidic acid and p-coumaric acid were 6.62-19.70， 3.83-17.99， 1.57-6.69， 1.62-4.52 mg·g^-1， and the transfer rates of these components from decoction pieces to the standard decoction were 22.89%-39.60%， 34.03%-62.24%， 24.25%-43.70%， and 40.58%-73.71%， respectively. The extract rate， index component contents and transfer rates from decoction pieces to the three batches of Hedyotis Herba dispensing granules（P1-P3）， produced by manufacturer A， were similar to those of the standard decoction prepared from the same batch of decoction pieces， and all fell within the specified range. The contents of the 4 indicator components in 7 batches of the dispensing granules（P4-P10） from manufacturers B-E were all within the range of the content converted from the standard decoction based on the quantity of the dispensing granules. ConclusionThe established specific chromatogram and QAMS based on LCTRS are reasonable and reliable. Based on the evaluation indicators of standard decoction yield， consistency of specific chromatograms， contents and transfer rates of the four index components， the 10 batches of Hedyotis Herba dispensing granules from various manufacturers have exhibited good consistency with the standard decoction， indicating that the current production process is relatively reasonable.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the efficacy and safety of ropivacaine combined with oxycodone for the analgesia of iliac fascia nerve block in patients undergoing hip replacement. METHODS Sixty-six patients who underwent hip replacement at the Central Hospital of Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture from October 2023 to April 2024 were selected and randomly divided into observation group and control group， with 33 cases in each group. Before induction of anesthesia， ultrasound-guided iliac fascial nerve block was performed. Patients in the observation group were treated with 0.33% ropivacaine+0.1 mg/kg oxycodone injection mixture 30 mL， and patients in the control group were treated with 0.33% ropivacaine injection 30 mL. The time of first postoperative rescue analgesia， 24 h postoperative analgesic drug consumption， sensory block and motor block effective and maintenance time， satisfaction degree， numerical rating scale （NRS） pain score， Ramsay sedation score， muscle strength score， heart rate （HR）， mean arterial pressure （MAP）， oxygen saturation（SpO2）， sleep score， anxiety score， and the occurrence of adverse reactions in the two groups were all recorded. RESULTS Compared with the control group， the first rescue analgesia time after operation was significantly prolonged in the observation group， and 24 h postoperative analgesic drug consumption after operation decreased； the effective time of sensory block was significantly shortened， and the maintenance time of sensory block was significantly prolonged， and the satisfaction score was higher； the NRS pain score after iliac fascia nerve block was lower， HR and MAP were lower， and the anxiety score and sleep score 24 and 48 h after operation were lower （P＜0.05）. In terms of safety， patients in both groups had adverse reactions after operation， such as hypertension， nausea， vomiting， and dizziness， but there was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups （P＞0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Oxycodone combined with ropivacaine shows good efficacy and safety for iliac fascial nerve block analgesia in patients undergoing hip replacement， can significantly prolong the analgesic time of ropivacaine， reduce postoperative analgesic drug consumption， improve the sleep quality of patients， and promote the rapid recovery of patients.

Objective To assess the current state and influencing factors of multi-site work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among front-line employees in the assembly workshop of an automobile manufacturing enterprise. Methods A total of 394 front-line workers in the assembly workshop of an automobile manufacturing enterprise in Beijing City were selected as the research subjects using the judgmental sampling method. The Chinese version Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire was used to assess the presence of WMSDs over the past 12 months in nine body regions: neck, shoulders, upper back, lower back, elbows, wrists, hips and thighs, knees, ankles and feet. The multivariable logistic regression was employed to investigate the influencing factors. Results The detection rate of overall WMSDs was 32.7% (129/394), with the top three single-site WMSDs being in the neck, shoulders, and lower back, and their detection rates were 14.0%, 12.7% and 9.6%, respectively. The detection rate of multi-site WMSDs was 17.8% (70/394). The result of multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that workers who turned or bent their upper body while keeping their legs stationary, frequently performed wrist flexion/extension/lateral bending/rotation, or stood for prolonged period of time had significantly higher risks of developing multi-site WMSDs compared with those who did not (all P<0.05). Workers who perceived uncomfortable workplace lighting had higher risk of multi-site WMSDs than those who perceived it as comfortable (P<0.01). Conclusion The development of multi-site WMSDs among workers in the assembly workshop of this automobile manufacturing enterprise is strongly related to poor working postures at work.

Objective: To examine the associations of pet ownership and daily outdoor activity duration with depressive symptoms in middle school students, so as to provide evidence for targeted prevention strategies of depressive symptoms in middle school students. Methods: Using a stratified cluster random sampling method, 83 601 middle and high school students from 103 districts and counties in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region were selected in 2024. A questionnaire survey was conducted to collect demographic data, household pet ownership, outdoor activity duration, and depressive symptoms of the research subjects. The comparison of reporting rates of depressive symptoms among different groups of middle school students was conducted using a χ 2 test. The association between pet ownership and outdoor activity duration and depressive symptoms among middle school students was evaluated using a Logistic regression model, and stratified analysis was conducted among different genders and regions to control for potential confounding factors and evaluate the stability of the association. Results: The prevalence of depressive symptoms among middleschool students in Inner Mongolia was 17.2%. Significant differences in depressive symptom reporting rates were observed across sex, grade, ethnicity, surveillance site, parental education, menarche/spermarche status, boarding status, smoking and alcohol use, daily breakfast consumption, school bullying, continuous 30 minute headphone use in a noisy environment, and often use the Internet ( χ 2=8.07-2 672.57, all P <0.01). Both pet ownership ( OR =0.78, 95% CI =0.75-0.81) and ≥2 h/d of outdoor activity( OR =0.81, 95% CI =0.78-0.84) were inversely associated with depressive symptoms;compared to the without owning pets and < 2 h of outdoor activity daily group, students who both owned pets and engaged in ≥2 h of outdoor activity daily had an even lower risk ( OR =0.83, 95% CI =0.78-0.87)(all P <0.05). Conclusion Pet ownership and increased daily outdoor activity duration may help mitigate depressive symptoms among middle school students.

Background The Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region is a vast area with a wide array of ecological environments, resulting in considerable regional variations in air pollution characteristics. Current research is limited by a scarcity of systematic, region-wide studies and risk assessments. Objective To assess the health risks associated with inhalation exposure to nine heavy metal and metalloid elements in atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) for the population of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Methods From the 10th to the 16th of each month throughout 2023, atmospheric PM_2.5 samples were collected at designated monitoring sites in 12 leagues (cities) across the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region to analyze the characteristics and trends in concentration. The health risk assessment model developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency was employed to evaluate both the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks associated with the heavy metal elements beryllium (Be), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), hydrargyrum (Hg), plumbum (Pb), manganese (Mn), and nickel (Ni) and the metalloid elements stibium (Sb) and arsenic (As). Results In 2023, a total of 1206 valid PM_2.5 samples were analyzed from the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The annual average PM_2.5 concentrations in Inner Mongolia, as well as in the cities of Ordos, Wuhai, and the Alxa League, all exceeded the national limit of 35 μg·m⁻³. The PM_2.5 concentrations across the leagues (cities) exhibited a clear seasonal variation, peaking in winter, followed by spring, and reaching a minimum in summer and autumn. The median PM_2.5 concentration in Ordos throughout the year was higher than that in the other leagues (cities) of the region. Concerning health risks, the non-carcinogenic risks associated with the 9 elements detected in each league (city) were all below 1, indicating acceptable levels. However, the non-carcinogenic risk values for Mn, Cr, and As were relatively high; specifically, Ordos City displayed the highest non-carcinogenic risk values for Mn (7.74×10⁻¹) and Cr (2.97×10⁻²), while Chifeng City recorded the highest value for As (2.34×10⁻³). The carcinogenic risk values for As, Cd, Cr, and Ni fell within the range of 1×10⁻⁹ to 1×10⁻⁵, representing an acceptable level. The health risks varied with age, and the elderly residents faced the highest non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks. Conclusion While the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks from heavy metals and metalloids within atmospheric PM_2.5 in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region are generally within acceptable limits, the potential risks that Mn, As, and Cr pose to the health of elderly people warrants particular attention, and Ordos and Chifeng cities exhibit notably higher health risks among other areas. It is recommended that regular, long-term monitoring be conducted, taking into account the specific conditions at monitoring sites across each league (city), and that targeted air quality management strategies be implemented to protect public health.

Stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase 1 (SCD1) catalyzes the rate-limiting step of de novo lipogenesis and modulates lipid homeostasis. Although numerous SCD1 inhibitors were tested for treating metabolic disorders both in preclinical and clinic studies, the tissue-specific roles of SCD1 in modulating obesity-associated metabolic disorders and determining the pharmacological effect of chemical SCD1 inhibition remain unclear. Here a novel role for intestinal SCD1 in obesity-associated metabolic disorders was uncovered. Intestinal SCD1 was found to be induced during obesity progression both in humans and mice. Intestine-specific, but not liver-specific, SCD1 deficiency reduced obesity and hepatic steatosis. A939572, an SCD1-specific inhibitor, ameliorated obesity and hepatic steatosis dependent on intestinal, but not hepatic, SCD1. Mechanistically, intestinal SCD1 deficiency impeded obesity-induced oxidative stress through its novel function of inducing metallothionein 1 in intestinal epithelial cells. These results suggest that intestinal SCD1 could be a viable target that underlies the pharmacological effect of chemical SCD1 inhibition in the treatment of obesity-associated metabolic disorders.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of different chest compression rates (60-140 times/min) on hemodynamic parameters, return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), resuscitation success, and survival in a porcine model of cardiac arrest (CA) followed by cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). METHODS: Forty healthy male domestic pigs were randomly divided into five groups based on chest compression rate: 60, 80, 100, 120, and 140 times/min (n = 8). All animals underwent standard anesthesia and tracheal intubation. A catheter was inserted via the left femoral artery into the thoracic aorta to monitor aortic pressure (AOP), and another via the right external jugular vein into the right atrium to monitor right atrial pressure (RAP). In each group, animals were implanted with a stimulating electrode via the right external jugular vein to the endocardium, and ventricular fibrillation (VF) was induced by delivering alternating current stimulation, resulting in CA. After a 1-minute, manual chest compressions were performed at the assigned rate with a compression depth of 5 cm. The first defibrillation was delivered after 2 minutes of CPR. No epinephrine or other pharmacologic agents were administered during the entire resuscitation process. From 1 minute before VF induction to 10 minutes after ROSC, dynamic monitoring of AOP, coronary perfusion pressure (CPP), and partial pressure of end-tidal carbon dioxide (P_ETCO₂). Cortical ultrastructure was examined 24 hours post-ROSC using transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: With increasing compression rates, both the total number of defibrillations and cumulative defibrillation energy significantly decreased, reaching their lowest levels in the 120 times/min group. The number of defibrillations decreased from (4.88±0.83) times in the 60 times/min group to (2.25±0.71) times in the 120 compressions/min group, and energy from (975.00±166.90)J to (450.00±141.42)J. However, both parameters increased again in the 140 times/min group [(4.75±1.04)times, (950.00±207.02)J], the differences among the groups were statistically significant (both P < 0.01). As compression frequency increased, P_ETCO₂, pre-defibrillation AOP and CPP significantly improved, peaking in the 120 times/min group [compared with the 60 times/min group, P_ETCO₂ (mmHg, 1 mmHg≈0.133 kPa): 18.69±1.98 vs. 8.67±1.30, AOP (mmHg): 95.13±7.06 vs. 71.00±6.41, CPP (mmHg): 14.88±6.92 vs. 8.57±3.42]. However, in the 140 times/min group, these values declined significantly again [P_ETCO₂, AOP, and CPP were (10.59±1.40), (72.38±11.49), and (10.36±4.57) mmHg, respectively], the differences among the groups were statistically significant (all P < 0.01). The number of animals achieving ROSC, successful resuscitation, and 24-hour survival increased with higher compression rates, reaching a peak in the 120 times/min group (compared with the 60 times/min group, ROSC: 7 vs. 2, successful resuscitation: 7 vs. 2, 24-hour survival: 7 vs.1), then decreased again in the 140 times/min group (the animals that ROSC, successfully recovered and survived for 24 hours were 3, 3, and 2, respectively). Transmission electron microscopy revealed that in the 60, 80, and 140 times/min groups, nuclear membranes in cerebral tissue were irregular and incomplete, nucleoli were indistinct, and mitochondria were swollen with reduced cristae and abnormal morphology. In contrast, the 100 times/min and 120 times/min groups exhibited significantly attenuated ultrastructural damage. CONCLUSIONS Among the tested chest compression rates of 60-140 times/min, a chest compressions frequency of 120 times/min is the most favorable hemodynamic profile and outcomes during CPR in a porcine CA model. However, due to the wide spacing between groups, further investigation is needed to determine the optimal compression rate range more precisely.
Animals ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation/methods* ; Swine ; Male ; Heart Arrest/therapy* ; Heart Massage/methods* ; Hemodynamics