OBJECTIVE To investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Qiwei dongqingye powder （QDP） on bronchial asthma in mice. METHODS The mice were divided into blank group （normal saline）， model group （normal saline）， dexamethasone group （2 mg/kg）， and QDP low-， medium-， and high-dose groups （200， 400， 800 mg/kg）， with 14 mice in each group. Except for the blank group， mice in all other groups were given ovalbumin via intraperitoneal injection followed by aerosol inhalation to induce a bronchial asthma model. During the modeling process， mice in each group were administered corresponding drug solutions or normal saline intragastrically/intraperitoneally. After the last medication， the number of cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid （BALF） of the mice was observed and counted； the pathological changes of the bronchus and lung tissue were observed； the levels of malondialdehyde （MDA）， nitric oxide （NO）， total superoxide dismutase （T-SOD）， and glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px） in the lung tissue of the mice were determined， and the level of interleukin-17 （IL-17） in the BALF and serum was determined. Transcriptomics was employed to predict and validate the mechanism of action of QDP against bronchial asthma. RESULTS Compared with the model group， the total cell count， neutrophil count， lymphocyte count， and macrophage counts in the BALF of the QDP high-dose group were all significantly reduced （ P ＜0.05）； the levels of MDA and NO in the lung tissue， and the levels of IL-17 in the BALF and serum were all decreased significantly （ P ＜0.05）； the levels of T-SOD and GSH-Px were significantly increased （ P ＜0.05）； the arrangement of lung tissue cells tended to normalize， with reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells and decreased exfoliation of bronchial simple columnar epithelial cells. The transcriptomic results revealed that the differentially expressed genes were B-cell receptor signaling pathway， nuclear factor κB （NF-κB） signaling pathway， ferroptosis signaling pathway， and others. Further validation revealed that， compared with the model group， the expression levels of NF-κB p65 and chemokine ligand 20， as well as the phosphorylation level of NF-κB inhibitor protein α， were significantly decreased in the lung tissues of the mice in all QDP groups （ P ＜0.05）. Conversely， the protein expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 （Nrf2） and heme oxygenase 1 （HO-1） were significantly increased （ P ＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS QDP can effectively alleviate bronchial asthma by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway， activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway， regulating oxidative stress， and reducing inflammatory responses.

ObjectiveTo explore the role of the histone deacetylase Sirtuin-1 （SIRT1）/p53 signaling pathway in promoting apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer cells （NSCLC） induced by the co-stimulatory molecule B7 homolog 3 （B7-H3）. MethodsThe GEPIA 2 platform was used for survival analysis of NSCLC patients based on B7⁃H3 gene expression levels. The Gene Enrichment Analysis （GSEA） method was used to analyze the enrichment characteristics of B7⁃H3 molecules in the gene set of cell apoptosis. In the non-small cell lung cancer A549 cell line， B7⁃H3 was knocked down， and the protein expression levels of SIRT1 and p53 were detected by Western blot. B7⁃H3 was overexpressed in A549 cells and the apoptosis rate was analyzed by flow cytometry after Annexin V/PI double staining. Overexpression of B7⁃H3 and knockdown of SIRT1 were performed in A549 cell line. The expression levels of p53 and apoptosis-related proteins B-cell lymphoma/leukemia-2 （Bcl-2） and Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax） were detected respectively by Western blot. Cell apoptosis rate was analyzed by flow cytometry after Annexin V/PI double staining. ResultsThe overall survival of the B7-H3 high-expression group was significantly lower than that of the low-expression group （P<0.01）. B7-H3 was significantly enriched in the cell apoptosis signaling pathway and the p53 signaling pathway （P<0.05）. Compared with the control group， the expression of SIRT1 was significantly downregulated， and p53 was significantly upregulated in the B7⁃H3 knockdown group （both P<0.001）. Overexpression of B7-H3 significantly up-regulated SIRT1 protein expression （P<0.05）， down-regulated p53 expression （P<0.01）， and markedly increased the Bcl-2/Bax ratio of apoptosis-related proteins （P<0.001）. The results of Annexin V/PI double staining showed that the apoptosis rate of A549 cells with overexpressed B7⁃H3 decreased （the apoptosis rate of the control group was 26.72%±4.13%， while that of the B7⁃H3 overexpression group was 13.87%±0.82%； P<0.01）. In B7-H3-overexpressing cell lines， SIRT1 knockdown significantly reversed apoptosis （P<0.05）， up-regulated p53 protein expression （P<0.001）， and markedly reduced the Bcl-2/Bax ratio （P<0.001）. ConclusionB7-H3 molecule inhibits the apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer cells via the SIRT1/p53 signaling pathway.

Background: and Purpose Live cell-based assays (LCBA) are increasingly used for serological antibody detection due to their ability to preserve antigen conformation, offering moderately higher sensitivity than fixed cell-based assays. However, the clinical necessity of prioritizing LCBA for the detection of aquaporin-4 immunoglobulin G (AQP4-IgG) in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) remains unclear, especially when compared to its established role in diagnosing myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease. Methods: We compared the performance of live cell-based assays using immunofluorescence (LCBA-IF) and fixed cell-based assays using immunofluorescence (FCBA-IF) in detecting AQP4-IgG in 90 cases of NMOSD meeting 2015 International Panel for Neuromyelitis Optica Diagnosis criteria, alongside 40 controls. Additionally, we further investigated the relationship between AQP4-IgG titers as measured by LCBA-IF and FCBA-IF and clinical parameters in NMOSD patients. Results: Results showed 96.9% agreement between LCBA-IF and FCBA-IF (Cohen’s κ=0.935), with a strong Spearman correlation (0.977, p<0.001). Both methods demonstrated 100% specificity, with LCBA-IF showing slightly higher sensitivity compared to FCBA-IF. Within LCBAIF-tested groups, statistically significant differences in annualized relapse rates were observed across all pairwise comparisons (low-titer vs. moderate-titer, low-titer vs. high-titer, and moderate-titer vs. high-titer; all p<0.050). However, this association reached statistical significance in some FCBA-IF-tested groups. Conclusions Overall, there is a strong concordance between LCBA-IF and FCBA-IF in detecting AQP4-IgG, where LCBA-IF shows slightly higher sensitivity. Furthermore, there is a potential link between elevated AQP4-IgG titers and an increased risk of relapse, and this correlation may appear more pronounced when using LCBA-IF.

Polygonati Rhizoma demonstrates significant potential for addressing both chronic and hidden hunger. The supply of high-quality seedlings is a primary factor influencing the development of the Polygonati Rhizoma industry. Warm water soaking is often used in agriculture to promote the rapid germination of seeds, while its application and molecular mechanism in Polygonati Rhizoma have not been reported. To rapidly obtain high-quality seedlings, this study treated Polygonatum kingianum var. grandifolium seeds with sand storage at low temperatures, warm water soaking, and cultivation temperature gradients. The results showed that the culture at 25 ℃ or sand storage at 4 ℃ for 2 months rapidly broke the seed dormancy of P. kingianum var. grandifolium, while the culture at 20 ℃ or sand storage at 4 ℃ for 1 month failed to break the seed dormancy. Soaking seeds in 60 ℃ warm water further increased the germination rate, germination potential, and germination index. Specifically, the seeds soaked at 60 ℃ and cultured at 25 ℃ without sand storage treatment(Aa25) achieved a germination rate of 78. 67%±1. 53% on day 42 and 83. 40%±4. 63% on day 77. The seeds pretreated with sand storage at 4 ℃ for 2 months, soaked in 60 ℃ water, and then cultured at 25 ℃ achieved a germination rate comparable to that of Aa25 on day 77. Transcriptomic analysis indicated that warm water soaking might promote germination by triggering reactive oxygen species( ROS), inducing the expression of heat shock factors( HSFs) and heat shock proteins( HSPs), which accelerated DNA replication, transcript maturation, translation, and processing, thereby facilitating the accumulation and turnover of genetic materials. According to the results of indoor controlled experiments and field practices, maintaining a germination and seedling cultivation environment at approximately 25 ℃ was crucial for the one-year seedling cultivation of P. kingianum var. grandifolium.
Germination ; Seedlings/genetics* ; Water/metabolism* ; Seeds/metabolism* ; Polygonatum/genetics* ; Temperature ; Plant Proteins/genetics* ; Plant Dormancy

This study aims to investigate the potential effect of the water extract of fresh Rehmanniae Radix on hypercholesterolemia in mice that was induced by a high-fat and high-cholesterol diet and explore its possible mechanism from bile acid reabsorption. Male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned into the following groups: control, model, low-and high-dose(4 and 8 g·kg~(-1), respectively) fresh Rehmanniae Radix, and positive drug(simvastatin, 0.05 g·kg~(-1)). Other groups except the control group were fed with a high-fat and high-cholesterol diet for 6 consecutive weeks to induce hypercholesterolemia. From the 6th week, mice were administrated with corresponding drugs daily via gavage for additional 6 weeks, while continuing to be fed with a high-fat and high-cholesterol diet. Serum levels of total cholesterol(TC), triglycerides(TG), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol(LDL-c), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol(HDL-c), and total bile acid(TBA), as well as liver TC and TG levels and fecal TBA level, were determined by commercial assay kits. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, oil red O staining, and transmission electron microscopy were performed to observe the pathological changes in the liver. Three livers samples were randomly selected from each of the control, model, and high-dose fresh Rehmanniae Radix groups for high-throughput transcriptome sequencing. Differentially expressed genes were mined and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis was performed to predict the key pathways and target genes of the water extract of fresh Rehmanniae Radix in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. RT-qPCR was employed to measure the mRNA levels of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase(CYP7A1) and cholesterol 27α-hydroxylase(CYP27A1) in the liver. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of CYP7A1 and CYP27A1 in the liver as well as farnesoid X receptor(FXR), apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter(ASBT), and ileum bile acid-binding protein(I-BABP) in the ileum. The results showed that the water extract of fresh Rehmanniae Radix significantly lowered the levels of TC and TG in the serum and liver, as well as the level of LDL-c in the serum. Conversely, it elevated the level of HDL-c in the serum and TBA in feces. No significant difference was observed in the level of TBA in the serum among groups. HE staining, oil red O staining, and transmission electron microscopy showed that the water extract reduced the accumulation of lipid droplets in the liver. Further mechanism studies revealed that the water extract of fresh Rehmanniae Radix significantly down-regulated the protein levels of FXR and bile acid reabsorption-related proteins ASBT and I-BABP. Additionally, it enhanced CYP7A1 and CYP27A1, the key enzymes involved in bile acid synthesis. Therefore, it is hypothesized that the water extract of fresh Rehmanniae Radix may exert an anti-hypercholesterolemic effect by regulating FXR/ASBT/I-BABP signaling, inhibiting bile acid reabsorption, and increasing bile acid excretion, thus facilitating the conversion of cholesterol to bile acids.
Animals ; Male ; Bile Acids and Salts/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice ; Diet, High-Fat/adverse effects* ; Cholesterol/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Hypercholesterolemia/genetics* ; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear/genetics* ; Rehmannia/chemistry* ; Liver/drug effects* ; Humans ; Cholesterol 7-alpha-Hydroxylase/genetics* ; Plant Extracts

Objective:To explore the application value of cinematic rendering reconstruction technology in laparoscopic resection of giant adrenal tumors.Methods:As many as 21 patients with large adrenal tumors who underwent laparoscopic resection in Yongchuan Hospital Affiliated to Chongqing Medical University from January 2021 to January 2024 were retrospectively analyzed, with a median age of 54.0 (40.5, 58.0) years and a median tumor diameter of 7.3 (6.8, 8.8) cm. All patients underwent preoperative cinematic rendering 3D reconstruction imaging. All patients underwent enhanced CT scans. Their CT images were three-dimensionally reconstructed on the post-processing workstation platform. By changing image perspectives, adjusting the visualization of organs or blood vessels, and using physical volume rendering, real-shadow-rendered images were obtained. With these images, surgeons can intuitively understand important preoperative information, like the relationship between the tumor and surrounding organs and the path of tumor-feeding blood vessels, for preoperative planning. Following thorough preoperative preparation, laparoscopic transabdominal resection was performed. During surgery, 20 tumors were found to be located in the adrenal gland, and 1 in the retroperitoneum, with 13 on the left side and 8 on the right side. Preoperative cinematic rendering 3D imaging was consistent with intraoperative findings.Results:All 21 patients underwent successful surgeries, with an average operation time of (199.0±95.3) minutes, a median blood loss of 220 (150, 500) ml, and a median blood transfusion volume of 200 (150, 400) ml. No significant damage of vital organs or major blood vessels occurred, and there were no case of conversion to open surgery.Conclusions:For retroperitoneal giant adrenal tumors, utilizing cinematic rendering 3D reconstruction imaging enables a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between the tumor and surrounding organs and vessels preoperatively. This approach can reduce intraoperative bleeding and collateral injuries, improve the success rate of laparoscopic resection, and enhance overall surgical safety.

Acute pancreatitis(AP)is a common digestive disorder associated with moderate to high nutritional risks,necessitating timely nutritional support.Over the past five decades,medical nutrition therapy for AP has undergone a paradigm shift,transitioning from traditional fasting based on the"pancreatic rest theory"to the current emphasis on early enteral feeding to"awaken the gut."Currently,nutritional treatment has become a cornerstone of comprehensive AP management.The European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism(ESPEN),founded in 1980,is a leading professional organization dedicated to advancing research,clinical practice,and education in clinical nutrition and metabolism.To date,ESPEN has published five evidence-based guidelines on nutritional management in pancreatic diseases.This article reviews the evolution of AP nutritional therapy as outlined in these ESPEN guidelines,highlighting key recommendations and their clinical implications.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the chain mediating role of family care and emotional management in the relationship between social support and anxiety among rural primary school students. METHODS: A questionnaire survey was conducted among students in grades 4 to 6 from four counties in Hunan Province. Data were collected using the Social Support Rating Scale, Family Care Index Scale, Emotional Intelligence Scale, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder -7. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors of anxiety symptoms. Mediation analysis was conducted to assess the chain mediating effects of family care and emotional management between social support and anxiety. RESULTS: A total of 4 141 questionnaires were distributed, with 3 874 valid responses (effective response rate: 93.55%). The prevalence rate of anxiety symptoms among these students was 9.32% (95%CI: 8.40%-10.23%). Significant differences were observed in the prevalence rates of anxiety symptoms among groups with different levels of social support, family functioning, and emotional management ability (P<0.05). The total indirect effect of social support on anxiety symptoms via family care and emotional management was significant (β=-0.137, 95%CI: -0.167 to -0.109), and the direct effect of social support on anxiety symptoms remained significant (P<0.05). Family care and emotional management served as significant chain mediators in the relationship between social support and anxiety symptoms (β=-0.025,95%CI:-0.032 to -0.018), accounting for 14.5% of the total effect. CONCLUSIONS Social support can directly affect anxiety symptoms among rural primary school students and can also indirectly influence anxiety symptoms through the chain mediating effects of family care and emotional management. These findings provide scientific evidence for the prevention of anxiety in primary school students from multiple perspectives.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Social Support ; Anxiety/etiology* ; Child ; Students/psychology* ; Emotions ; Logistic Models

Objective : To establish an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for exosome B7-H3 in plas- ma , and to explore the clinical significance and diagnostic value of exosome B7-H3 in plasma from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) . Methods : The plasma of 70 NSCLC patients (NSCLC group) and 36 healthy controls (HC group) were collected . Exosomes and microvesicles in plasma were separated by ultra-fast centrifuge method , and the expression levels of B7-H3 in plasma exosomes in NSCLC groups and HC groups were compared by Western blot method . In NSCLC group , the expression levels of B7-H3 in plasma exosomes and microvesicles in NSCLC group were compared . A simple and feasible ELISA method was established to detect the expression level of exosome B7 - H3 in plasma by means of polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation and its clinical significance was analyzed . Lo- gistic regression model was established to predict plasma-derived exosome B7-H3 as a risk factor , and receiver op- erating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to investigate the diagnostic value of exosome B7-H3 in NSCLC . Results: For exosomes and microvesicles in plasma which were extracted by ultracentrifugation , Western blot results showed that the expression level of B7-H3 in plasma exosomes of NSCLC group was higher than that of HC group (P = 0. 032) , and the expression level of B7-H3 in plasma exosomes was higher than that of microvesicles of NSCLC group (P = 0. 012) . The expression level of exosome B7-H3 in plasma extracted by PEG precipitation was also higher in NSCLC group than that in HC group (P = 0. 024) . The expression level of exosome B7-H3 in plasma of NSCLC patients was not related to gender , age , smoking or pathological type , but was related to T stage (P = 0. 002) , N stage (P < 0. 001) , M stage (P = 0. 010) and AJCC stage (P < 0. 001) . Multivariate Logistic regres- sion analysis identified exosome B7-H3 in plasma as a risk factor for NSCLC . ROC analysis showed that the sensi- tivity of exosome B7-H3 in plasma for the diagnosis of NSCLC (0. 843) was higher than that of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) (0. 743) , whereas the specificity (0. 722) was lower than that of CEA (0. 833) . Combined de- tection of exosome B7-H3 and CEA (AUC = 0. 928 , 95% CI:0. 877 - 0. 979) had a higher diagnostic performance for NSCLC . Conclusion B7-H3 in plasma exosomes is related to the cancer staging of NSCLC , and the combined detection of exosome B7-H3 and CEA in plasma is conducive to the laboratory diagnosis of NSCLC .

AIM To investigate the effects of Wenfei Jiangzhuo Formula on mitochondrial function of Aβ25-35-induced BV-2 cells.METHODS In the establishment of cell model of Alzheimer's disease(AD)using Aβ25-35 on the BV-2 cells,the optimal concentration and time point of Aβ25-35 intervention were determined;and the groups for the intervention of LFHP-1c group(inhibitor)or the serum containing Wenfei Jiangzhuo Formula were set up.The detection of the optimal intervention concentration and time point by CCK-8 assay;the observation of cell migration and apoptosis by Transwell assay and Hoechst 33342 staining;the detection of the positive expressions of PGAM5 and Drp1 by immunofluorescence;and the detection of cellular PGAM5,Drp1,OPA1,and Mfn1/2 mRNA and protein expressions by RT-qPCR and Western blot were conducted.RESULTS The best AD cell model was established by 48 h exposure to 5 μmol/L of Aβ25-35,and most active cell viability was achieved with the 48 h use of serum containing 20％Wenfei Jiangzhuo Formula.Compared with the control group,the model group displayed decreased number of cell migration,more bright blue positive apoptotic cells,increased number of PGAM5 and Drp1 positive cells and their mRNA and protein expressions(P＜0.05);and decreased mRNA and protein expressions of OPA1 and Mfn1/2(P＜0.05).Compared with the model group,the groups intervened with the medicines shared increased number of cell migration,less bright blue positive apoptotic cells,decreased number of PGAM5 and Drp1 positive cells and their mRNA and protein expressions(P＜0.05);and elevated OPA1 and Mfn1/2 mRNA and protein expressions(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION Wenfei Jiangzhuo Formula exerts cerebroprotective effects to improve cognition by reducing cell damage and improving the balance of mitochondrial homeostasis through PGAM5-Drp1 axis in AD model.