Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a critical clinical condition characterized by rapid renal function decline, with high morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has shown potential effects on mitigating oxidative stress and programmed cell death in AKI models. Scutellaria barbata D. Don (SB) and Scleromitrion diffusum (Willd.) R. J. Wang (SD), a classic TCM herbal pair exhibited anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Using advanced chromatographic separation technology, we enriched the effective fractions of water extracts from SB-SD, obtaining self-assembled herbal nanoparticles (SB and SD nanoparticles, SSNPs) rich in flavonoids and terpenoids. These SSNPs demonstrated robust antioxidant properties in vitro and mitigated AKI progression in vivo by activating the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway. Oral administration of SSNPs in mice resulted in absorption into the bloodstream, formation of a protein corona, reduced macrophage phagocytosis, and enhanced bioavailability and renal targeting. Furthermore, we investigated the self-assembly principle of SSNPs using representative flavonoids and terpenoids. Kinetic studies and in situ transmission electron microscopy (in situ TEM) revealed that these compounds self-assemble via supramolecular forces like hydrogen bonding and π-π interactions, forming stable nanostructures. This study elucidates the renoprotective effects and mechanisms of SB and SD, and provides a novel approach for the development of TCM-based nanomedicines, highlighting the potential of nano-TCM in AKI treatment.

Objective:To investigate the effect of tofacitinib,a pan-Janus kinase(JAK)inhibitor,on transforming growth factor-beta 1(TGF-β1)-induced fibroblast to myofibroblast transition(FMT)and to explore its mechanism.To provide a theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of connective tissue disease-related interstitial lung disease(CTD-ILD).Methods:(1)Human fetal lung fibroblast 1(HFL-1)were cultured in vitro,and 6 groups were established:DMSO blank control group,TGF-β1 in-duction group,and TGF-β1 with different concentrations of tofacitinib(0.5,1.0,2.0,5.0 μmol/L)drug intervention experimental groups.CCK-8 was used to measure the cell viability,and wound-healing assay was performed to measure cell migration ability.After 48 h of combined treatment,quantitative real-time PCR(RT-PCR)and Western blotting were used to detect the gene and protein expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),fibronectin(FN),and collagen type Ⅰ(COL1).(2)RT-PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbnent assay(ELISA)were used to detect the interleukin-6(IL-6)gene and protein expression changes,respectively.(3)DMSO carrier controls,1.0 μmol/L and 5.0 μmol/L tofacitinib were added to the cell culture media of different groups for pre-incubation for 30 min,and then TGF-β1 was added to treat for 1 h,6 h and 24 h.The phosphorylation levels of Smad2/3 and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)protein were detected by Western blotting.Results:(1)Tofacitinib inhibited the viability and migration ability of HFL-1 cells after TGF-β1 induction.(2)The expression of α-SMA,COL1A1 and FN1 genes of HFL-1 in the TGF-β1-induced groups was signifi-cantly up-regulated compared with the blank control group(P＜0.05).Compared with the TGF-β1 in-duction group,α-SMA expression in the 5.0 μmol/L tofacitinib intervention group was significantly inhi-bited(P＜0.05).Compared with the TGF-β1-induced group,FN1 gene was significantly inhibited in each intervention group at a concentration of 0.5-5.0 μmol/L(P＜0.05).Compared with the TGF-β1-induced group,the COL1A1 gene expression in each intervention group did not change significantly.(3)Western blotting results showed that the protein levels of α-SMA and FN1 in the TGF-β1-induced group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P＜0.05),and there was no significant difference in the expression of COL1A1.Compared with the TGF-β1-induced group,the α-SMA protein level in the intervention groups with different concentrations decreased.And the differences between the TGF-β1-induced group and 2.0 μmol/L or 5.0 μmol/L intervention groups were statistically significant(P＜0.05).Compared with the TGF-β1-induced group,the FN1 protein levels in the intervention groups with different concentrations showed a downward trend,but the difference was not statistically sig-nificant.There was no difference in COL1A1 protein expression between the intervention groups com-pared with the TGF-β1-induced group.(4)After TGF-β1 acted on HFL-1 cells for 48 h,the gene ex-pression of the IL-6 was up-regulated and IL-6 in culture supernatant was increased,the intervention with tofacitinib partly inhibited the TGF-β1-induced IL-6 gene expression and IL-6 in culture supernatant.TGF-β1 induced the increase of Smad2/3 protein phosphorylation in HFL-1 cells for 1 h and 6 h,STAT3 protein phosphorylation increased at 1 h,6 h and 24 h,the pre-intervention with tofacitinib inhibited the TGF-β1-induced Smad2/3 phosphorylation at 6 h and inhibited TGF-β1-induced STAT3 phosphorylation at 1 h,6 h and 24 h.Conclusion:Tofacitinib can inhibit the transformation of HFL-1 cells into myofi-broblasts induced by TGF-β1,and the mechanism may be through inhibiting the classic Smad2/3 path-way as well as the phosphorylation of STAT3 induced by TGF-β1,thereby protecting the disease progres-sion of pulmonary fibrosis.

Objective To analyze three-dimensional(3D)radiographic characterizations of bone island(BI)in jaw using cone-beam computed tomography(CBCT).Methods CBCT data from four thousand patients were selected,reconstructed and analyzed using NNT 10.0 software.The sagittal,coronal and axial planes were used to analyze the 3D radiographic characteristics of BIs,including the localization,shape,density,boundary,the relationship between BIs and tooth and bone cortex,diameter and anatomical structures and complications involved.Their relationship with gender were analyzed.Results A total of 803 people had BIs,with the prevalence rate of 20.08%,including 338 males with 389 BIs and 465 females with 526 BIs.Both males and females had a dominant BI,and the ratio between male and female was 1∶1.38,but the difference was not statistically significant(P＞0.05).The BIs of both male and female mostly occurred in the mandibular premolars and molars area,and appeared irregular in shape,dense and contact with lingual bone cortex.Mostly BIs were apical type and with unclear boundary.The mean maximum diameter of mesial/distal direction was greater than buccal/lingual direction(P＜0.05).The most commonly involved anatomy structure was the inferior alveolar neural canal,cortical infil-tration and mental foramen.Conclusion There are no significant differences between males and females in the three-dimensional image characteristics of BIs in Chinese populations.CBCT can accurately and comprehensively analyze the 3D radiographic characteris-tics of BI and its relationship with the surrounding teeth and bone.

Objective:To analyze the rules of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for treating diabetes based on the National Patent Database.Methods:In the patent search and analysis platform of the China National Intellectual Property Administration, search the invention patents of the TCM compounds for treating diabetes during January 1,2016-December 31,2020. The Ancient and Modern Medical Records Cloud Platform (V2.3.5) was used to conduct the statistics of Chinese materia medica frequency, the nature and meridian entry, and the analysis of association rules. The cluster analysis and factor analysis were carried out with the SPSS 25.0.Results:A total of 490 TCM compound patents were included, which involve 791 kinds of Chinese materia medica. For each patent, the number of the Chinese materia medica types was rough 13-14 in average. Remarkably, thirty kinds of Chinese materia medica with high frequencies were obtained, where tonic Chinese materia medica accounted for the largest number, followed by the heat-clearing Chinese materia medica. Among these Chinese materia medica the categories of nature are mainly flat, cold and slightly cold, while the flavors are mostly sweet, bitter and pungent, which mainly belongs to the three meridians of lung, kidney and spleen. As for the results of statistical analysis, the association rule analysis indicated that there were 17 effective kinds of Chinese materia medica pairs, such as Rhizoma Dioscoreae-Astragalus Membranaceus and Radix Rehmanniae Recen-Astragalus Membranaceus. Seven Chinese materia medica groups were derived by the cluster analysis, and 11 common factors were extracted through factor analysis. Conclusions:The TCM compounds for treating diabetes are based on clearing heat and moisturizing dryness, nourishing yin and fluid, supplemented by invigorating spleen and removing dampness, dispelling phlegm and dissolving blood stasis, purging fire and detoxification. Notably, in clinical application, phlegm, blood stasis, heat toxin and other pathological products are supposed to be the focus, must identifying the both symptoms and root causes.

Objective:To investigate the relationships between hyperuricemia and the incidence risk for cardiometabolic abnormity in children.Methods:Data were obtained from School-based Cardiovascular and Bone Health Promotion Program. In 2017, a total of 15 391 children aged 6-16 years in Beijing were selected through stratified cluster sampling at baseline survey. Follow-up investigation was conducted in 2019. Logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationships of uric acid quartiles and change in uric acid levels with incidence risks for cardiometabolic abnormity (hypertension, hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia).Results:A total of 8 807 children (4 376 boys, 4 431 girls) were included in the analysis, the average age of the children was (11.1±3.3) years at baseline survey. The adjusted odds ratios ( ORs) and 95% confidence intervals ( CIs) of incidence risk for hypertension in the third and fourth quartiles of the UA were 1.39 (1.11-1.75) and 1.56 (1.19-1.81), respectively. The ORs and 95% CIs of risk for high LDL-C in the second, third and fourth quartiles were 1.88 (1.16-3.05),1.98 (1.23-3.17) and 2.25 (1.42-3.57). The uric acid level increased by one standard deviation, the risk increased by 17% for hypertension and 27% for high LDL-C. The uric acid level increased by 10 μmol/L, the risk increased by 2.1% for hypertension and 2.9% for high LDL-C. The gender-stratified analysis showed that the similar results. The ORs and 95% CIs were 1.32 (1.09-1.60) and 1.50 (1.05-2.16) for hypertension, 1.90 (1.38-2.60) and 2.96 (1.58-5.52) for high TC, 1.78 (1.26-2.51) and 2.84 (1.60-5.03) for high LDL-C in the groups of newly diagnosed hyperuricemia and persistent hyperuricemia. Conclusions:Higher uric acid level was associated with increased incidence risks for hypertension, abnormal TC and LDL-C. Maintaining optimal uric acid level by children might contribute to the early prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of action of Sini powder in the treatment of liver cancer based on network pharmacology and molecular docking. MethodsTraditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform was used to obtain the compound and target of Sini powder, and the corresponding gene Symbol was obtained through Uniprot. The disease genes of liver cancer were obtained from Human Genome Database, and the genes with intersection with the target genes of Sini powder were screened out. Cytoscape3.7.1 software was used to draw the map of “traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)-compound-target” network. STRING was used to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, R studio software was used to conduct gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses on therapeutic targets, and then the results were visualized. The active component with the highest number of targets was selected as the ligand, and the target with the highest degree in the PPI network was selected as the receptor, so as to predict the structure of receptor-ligand complex and the amino acid residues that bind to each other. ResultsIn this study, 91 core targets and 141 relevant active components of Sini powder were screened out, among which quercetin and kaempferol were the main active components in the treatment of liver cancer. TP53 and HSP90AA1 were the main therapeutic targets. The GO enrichment analysis obtained 1007 items which met the screening criteria, which were mainly involved in the biological processes of antioxidation reaction, activity regulation of protein serine and threonine kinase, and cellular stress response. The KEGG enrichment analysis obtained 102 pathways, which mainly regulated the hepatitis B pathway and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway in the prevention and treatment of liver cancer. The results of molecular docking showed a synergistic antitumor effect between the crystal structure domains VAL147, CYS220, GLU221, and PRO222 of quercetin-TP53. ConclusionThis study reveals the mechanism of action of Sini powder in the treatment of liver cancer by acting on multiple targets and signaling pathways, which provides a theoretical basis for biological experiments.

Objective:To analyze the characteristics of COVID-19 case spectrum and spread intensity in different provinces in China except Hubei province.Methods:The daily incidence data and case information of COVID-19 were collected from the official websites of provincial and municipal health commissions. The morbidity rate, severity rate, case-fatality rate, and spread ratio of COVID-19 were calculated.Results:As of 20 March, 2020, a total of 12 941 cases of COVID-19 had been conformed, including 116 deaths, and the average morbidity rate, severity rate and case-fatality rate were 0.97/100 000, 13.5 % and 0.90 %, respectively. The morbidity rates in Zhejiang (2.12/100 000), Jiangxi (2.01/100 000) and Beijing (1.93/100 000) ranked top three. The characteristics of COVID-19 case spectrum varied from province to province. The first three provinces (autonomous region, municipality) with high severity rates were Tianjin (45.6 %), Xinjiang (35.5 %) and Heilongjiang (29.5 %). The case-fatality rate was highest in Xinjiang (3.95 %), followed by Hainan (3.57 %) and Heilongjiang (2.70 %). The average spread ratio was 0.98 and the spread intensity varied from province to province. Tibet had the lowest spread ratio (0), followed by Qinghai (0.20) and Guangdong (0.23). Conclusion:The intervention measures were effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19 and improved treatment effect in China. However, there were significant differences among different regions in severity, case-fatality rate and spread ratio.

Objective To investigate the effect of Osthole on memory function of sleep deprivation(SD) mice. Methods Forty-eight male mice were randomly divided into 4 groups;normal control group(NC group ), large platform control group(TC group),sleep deprivation group(M group)and Osthole group(Ost group). The model of SD in mice was estabished by using improved multi platform method. The ability of learning and memory was tested by using Morris water maze test and pathological changes of hippocampal neurons in mice were observed by HE staining. The serum,hippcampus malondialdehyde(MDA)contents and superoxide dismutase(SOD)activity, so as the hippocampus No content,were detected. Results Compared with NC group and TC group,the escape la-tency of M group increased significiantly and the number of crossing platform decreased significantly. There were in-creased levels hippocampus tissue,serum MDA level,hippocampal SOD activity and NO content. After supplemen-tation of Osthole,the escape latency significantly shortened in mice. The number of crossing platform was increased while the contents of MDA both in hippocampus and serum were decreased,and the SOD activity in hippocampus re-turned to normal. However,the level of NO in hippocampus was not decreased. Conclusion Osthole can protect the memory function of SD mice by reducing the the damage of hippocampal neurons through antioxidant stress.

Objective To suggest countermeasures by analyzing the aviation effects on pilots' lymphocyte and its subsets in peripheral blood and to provide basis for taking active counter measures and managing their immune function of lymphocyte.Methods We sampled the peripheral blood from 51 male fighter pilots (pilot group),who were hospitalized for physical examination,and 25 healthy male military personnel (control group) to detect the surface markers of CD45+ lymphocytes,CD3+T lymphocytes,CD4+T lymphocytes,CD8+T lymphocytes,native T lyrnphocytes,memory T lymphocytes and regulatory T lymphocytes in peripheral blood by flow cytometry.The pilot group was further divided into other subgroups by flying hours:＜1 000 h,1 000-2 000 h and ＞2 000 h.The detect results were compared between pilot and control groups and among flying hour groups.Results As compared with the control group,the mean values of surface marker of CD45+ lymphocyte and CD8+ T lymphocytes in peripheral blood of pilot group were significantly higher (0.365±0.074 vs.0.308±0.084,0.370±0.075 vs.0.320+0.071).The comparison showed statistical differences (t=3.051,2.752,P＜0.01).The CD4+/CD8+ ratio of pilot group was significantly lower than that of control group (1.34±0.54 vs.2.04±1.54,t=2.928,P＜0.01).Other comparisons had no significant difference between two groups.The mean value of CD4+/CD8+ ratio,the mean values of the surface marker of CD8+ native T lymphocytes and CD8+ memory T lymphocytes in peripheral blood showed significances among different flying hour groups (P＞0.05),but the mean values of surface marker CD45+ lymphocytes,CD3+ T lymphocytes,CD4+ T lymphocytes,CD8+ T iymphocytes,CD4+ native T lymphocytes,CD4+ memory T lymphocytes and regulatory T lymphocytes had no significant difference(P＞0.05).Conclusions There are statistical differences on the mean values of surface marker of CD45+ lymphocytes,CD8+ T lymphocytes in peripheral blood and CD4+/CD8+ ratio between pilot group and control group.The mean values of CD4+/CD8+ ratio and surface marker of CD8+ memory T lymphocytes,CD8+ native T lymphocytes show differences among different hour groups.Those indicate certain immune disorder in the fighter pilots.It may relate to the flying environment factors.The corresponding protection is suggested.

Objective To suggest countermeasures by analyzing the aviation effects on pilots' lymphocyte and its subsets in peripheral blood and to provide basis for taking active counter measures and managing their immune function of lymphocyte.Methods We sampled the peripheral blood from 51 male fighter pilots (pilot group),who were hospitalized for physical examination,and 25 healthy male military personnel (control group) to detect the surface markers of CD45+ lymphocytes,CD3+T lymphocytes,CD4+T lymphocytes,CD8+T lymphocytes,native T lyrnphocytes,memory T lymphocytes and regulatory T lymphocytes in peripheral blood by flow cytometry.The pilot group was further divided into other subgroups by flying hours:＜1 000 h,1 000-2 000 h and ＞2 000 h.The detect results were compared between pilot and control groups and among flying hour groups.Results As compared with the control group,the mean values of surface marker of CD45+ lymphocyte and CD8+ T lymphocytes in peripheral blood of pilot group were significantly higher (0.365±0.074 vs.0.308±0.084,0.370±0.075 vs.0.320+0.071).The comparison showed statistical differences (t=3.051,2.752,P＜0.01).The CD4+/CD8+ ratio of pilot group was significantly lower than that of control group (1.34±0.54 vs.2.04±1.54,t=2.928,P＜0.01).Other comparisons had no significant difference between two groups.The mean value of CD4+/CD8+ ratio,the mean values of the surface marker of CD8+ native T lymphocytes and CD8+ memory T lymphocytes in peripheral blood showed significances among different flying hour groups (P＞0.05),but the mean values of surface marker CD45+ lymphocytes,CD3+ T lymphocytes,CD4+ T lymphocytes,CD8+ T iymphocytes,CD4+ native T lymphocytes,CD4+ memory T lymphocytes and regulatory T lymphocytes had no significant difference(P＞0.05).Conclusions There are statistical differences on the mean values of surface marker of CD45+ lymphocytes,CD8+ T lymphocytes in peripheral blood and CD4+/CD8+ ratio between pilot group and control group.The mean values of CD4+/CD8+ ratio and surface marker of CD8+ memory T lymphocytes,CD8+ native T lymphocytes show differences among different hour groups.Those indicate certain immune disorder in the fighter pilots.It may relate to the flying environment factors.The corresponding protection is suggested.