Objective To study the therapeutic effects of Yigan Fupi decoction(YGFP)on irritable bowel syndrome(IBS)and its mechanism of action in repairing the intestinal barrier and reducing IBS sensitivity through the PKA/PKC-CREB pathway.Methods Baby rats separated from their mother were randomly divided into a model control(M)and a YGFP group,while baby rats without maternal separation were used as a normal control(N)group.The YGFP group was given YGFP for 4 weeks.Abdominal withdrawal reflux was used to evaluate intestinal sensitivity.Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and ELISA were used to detect bile acid metabolite concentrations and serum levels of interleukin(IL)-6 and CXCL1,respectively.HE staining was used to observe pathological changes in the colon,and Western Blot and immunohistochemistry were used to analyze the relative protein expression levels of PKA,PKC,CREB,5HT2AR,5-HT7R,ZO-1,and Claudin 1.Results Compared with the normal control group,the M group showed a significantly decreased visceral pain threshold,significantly increased levels of total bile acid metabolites,IL-6,and CXCL1,significantly increased relative expression of PKA,PKC,CREB,5HT2AR,and 5-HT7R,and significantly decreased relative expression of ZO-1 and Claudin 1.Compared with the M group,the YGFP group showed a significantly increased visceral pain threshold,significantly reduced levels of total bile acid metabolites,IL-6,and CXCL1,significantly reduced relative expression of PKA,PKC,CREB,5HT2AR,and 5-HT7R,and increased relative expression of ZO-1 and Claudin 1.Conclusions YGFP effectively improved IBS through a mechanism that may involve repair of the intestinal barrier and reduced sensitivity through the PKA/PKC-CREB pathway.

Objective To study the therapeutic effects of Yigan Fupi decoction(YGFP)on irritable bowel syndrome(IBS)and its mechanism of action in repairing the intestinal barrier and reducing IBS sensitivity through the PKA/PKC-CREB pathway.Methods Baby rats separated from their mother were randomly divided into a model control(M)and a YGFP group,while baby rats without maternal separation were used as a normal control(N)group.The YGFP group was given YGFP for 4 weeks.Abdominal withdrawal reflux was used to evaluate intestinal sensitivity.Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and ELISA were used to detect bile acid metabolite concentrations and serum levels of interleukin(IL)-6 and CXCL1,respectively.HE staining was used to observe pathological changes in the colon,and Western Blot and immunohistochemistry were used to analyze the relative protein expression levels of PKA,PKC,CREB,5HT2AR,5-HT7R,ZO-1,and Claudin 1.Results Compared with the normal control group,the M group showed a significantly decreased visceral pain threshold,significantly increased levels of total bile acid metabolites,IL-6,and CXCL1,significantly increased relative expression of PKA,PKC,CREB,5HT2AR,and 5-HT7R,and significantly decreased relative expression of ZO-1 and Claudin 1.Compared with the M group,the YGFP group showed a significantly increased visceral pain threshold,significantly reduced levels of total bile acid metabolites,IL-6,and CXCL1,significantly reduced relative expression of PKA,PKC,CREB,5HT2AR,and 5-HT7R,and increased relative expression of ZO-1 and Claudin 1.Conclusions YGFP effectively improved IBS through a mechanism that may involve repair of the intestinal barrier and reduced sensitivity through the PKA/PKC-CREB pathway.

Objective To investigate stress distributions of the knee joint at 0 and 15th day after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction(ACLR)under a compressive force through the axis of the femoral shaft onto the proximal femur.Methods A three-dimensional(3D)finite element model of the human knee joint incorporating viscoelastic material properties was developed.The one-dimensional(1D)Prony series viscoelastic constitutive model parameters for articular cartilage,menisci,ligaments,and anterior cruciate ligament(ACL)grafts were determined by fitting experimental creep curves.The viscoelastic parameters of ACL grafts at 15th day after ACLR surgery were extrapolated.Finite element simulations were then performed to analyze the von Mises stress distributions in knee ligaments,ACL grafts,articular cartilage,and menisci under 1.5 kN vertical downward compressive load applied to the femur,with loading durations of 1 second and 600 seconds.Results At 15th day after ACLR surgery,the initial relaxation modulus and equilibrium modulus of human ACL grafts remained elevated compared to native ACL tissues,resulting in a significantly higher stress concentration within the grafts relative to healthy ACL.Despite the compromised mechanical properties of the grafts after ACLR surgery,the vertical downward compressive force applied to the femur under both short-term(1s)and prolonged(600 s)loading durations,exhibited a minimal biomechanical impact on articular cartilage and meniscal structures.Conclusions Following ACLR,vertical compressive loads during weight-bearing rehabilitation exercises such as standing demonstrate minimal impact on articular cartilage and meniscus,while promoting fibrous regeneration of the graft.This renders such exercises a prudent early-stage rehabilitation strategy.Graft preparation requires balanced consideration of elastic and viscous properties,with grafts exhibiting higher relaxation modulus and viscosity coefficient than healthy ACL proving more effective in maintaining early postoperative knee stability.

Objective::This study aimed to elucidate the effect of the lipopolysaccharides/toll-like receptor 4 (LPS/TLR4) pathway on early atherosclerosis (AS) development and its associated changes in fecal metabolites, thereby providing an experimental foundation for strategies to prevent and treat early AS.Methods::Twelve Tibetan miniature pigs aged 4-5 months were divided into normal control (NC) group and AS group (6 pigs in each). The group assignment was primarily based on body weight; Secondary criteria, including glucose, lipid profiles, and inflammatory indices, were considered to ensure balanced baseline characteristics between the 2 groups (all P > 0.05). AS group received a high-fat diet for 16 weeks to establish an AS model, while the NC group received a normal diet. Subsequently, serum levels of lipids and various inflammation and oxidative stress markers were measured. Pathological changes in the aorta and colon tissue, LPS/TLR4 pathway-associated protein expressions in the aorta, as well as occludin and zonula occludens-1 in the colon were also assessed. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectra technology was employed for the metabolomic analysis of fecal extracts. Results::The lipid metabolism was disrupted in AS group, with significantly higher total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels ((12.24 ± 5.24) mmol/L vs. (1.86 ± 0.27) mmol/L, P = 0.004,6; (2.39 ± 0.50) mmol/L vs. (0.83 ± 0.07) mmol/L, P = 0.000,5; (6.94 ± 2.87) mmol/L vs. (0.77 ± 0.18) mmol/L, P = 0.003,3), as compared to that in NC group. Serum factors, including LPS, tumor necrosis factor-α, and malondialdehyde levels of AS group were significantly higher than that of NC group ((1,230.00 ± 192.70) EU/L vs. (695.70 ± 213.70) EU/L), P = 0.001,1; (424.20 ± 176.90) ng/L vs. (51.20 ± 26.61) ng/L, P = 0.023,5; (3.60 ± 0.77) nmol/mL vs. (2.62 ± 0.21) nmol/mL, P = 0.025,4). Pathological evaluations revealed prominent lipid deposition area in the aortic arch, thoracic aorta, and abdominal aorta of the AS group compared with that of the NC group (4.17% ± 2.30% vs. 0, P = 0.006,7; 6.23% ± 2.95% vs. 0, P = 0.003,6; 3.78% ± 2.18% vs. 0, P = 0.008,1). TLR4, nuclear factor kappa-B p65, and tumor necrosis factor-α expression in the aorta tissue of the AS group were upregulated, whereas occludin and zonula occludens-1 expression in colon tissues was downregulated. Additionally, metabolomics identified significant differences in 21 metabolites in the feces of the AS group compared to the NC group, with further analysis linking these differences to amino acid metabolism. Conclusions::The Tibetan miniature pig model of early AS induced by high-fat intake displayed pronounced chronic inflammation. Preliminary findings suggest that the underlying mechanisms may be associated with the LPS/TLR4 pathway and intestinal metabolic disorders.

Objective T o explore the correlation between adult chest CT quantitative parameters and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)constitution classification in adult persons with different body mass index(BMI).Methods The basic information of 205 adult subjects in the hospital was collected,including gender,age,height,weight,BMI,etc.They were divided into the low body mass group(BMI＜18.5 kg/mi2),normal body mass group(BMI 18.5-＜24.0 kg/m2)and overweight/obese group(BMI≥24.0 kg/m2)according to BMI.All subjects underwent the TCM constitution classification.The distribution of TCM constitutions a-mong the three groups with different BMI was analyzed.The quantitative chest CT parameters were collected,including fat content,muscle content,area of the middle slice of the transverse section image,transverse diam-eter,anteroposterior diameter,scan length,etc.The differences were compared among different TCM constitu-tions,individual basic information and chest CT quantitative parameters.Results In the low BMI group,the Qi-stagnation constitution was the highest;in the BMI normal group,the gentler constitution was the highest,while in the overweight/obese group,the phlegm-damp constitution was the highest.The gender,age,height,weight and BMI had significant correlation with the TCM constitution(P＜0.05).The fat content,fat vol-ume,muscle volume,area of transverse section ROI(AROI),transverse diameter,anteroposterior diameter and scan length/transverse diameter had significant correlation with the TCM constitution(P＜0.05).The differ-ences in BMI and fat content had statistical difference among the phlegm-damp constitution,Qi-stagnation constitution and the other Chinese medicine constitutions(P＜0.01).The fat content,fat volume and muscle volume had significant correlation with BMI(P＜0.01).The muscle content had no significant correlation with BMI(P＞0.05).The muscle content,scan length and transverse diameter/anteroposterior diameter had no significant correlation with the TCM constitution(P＞0.05).Conclusion The distribution difference of TCM constitution in adult persons with different BMI has the statistical significance.The chest CT quantita-tive parameters are closely correlated with TCM constitution classification.

Objective: To reveal the molecular biological mechanism of a rare Dc-variant individual using PacBio third-generation sequencing technology. Methods: ABO and Rh blood type identification, DAT, unexpected antibody screening and D antigen enhancement test were conducted by serological testing. The absorption-elution test was used to detect the e antigen. RHCE gene typing was performed by PCR-SSP, and the 1-10 exons of RHCE were sequenced by Sanger sequencing. The full-length sequences of RHCE, RHD and RHAG were detected by PacBio third-generation sequencing technology. Results: Serological findings: Blood type O, Dc-phenotype, DAT negative, unexpected antibody screening negative; enhanced D antigen expression; no detection of e antigen in the absorption-elution test. PCR-SSP genotyping indicated the presence of only the RHCE c allele. Sanger sequencing results: Exons 5-9 of RHCE were deleted, exon 1 had a heterozygous mutation at c. 48G/C, and exon 2 had five heterozygous mutations at c. 150C/T, c. 178C/A, c. 201A/G, c. 203A/G and c. 307C/T. Third-generation sequencing results: RHCE genotype was RHCE 02N. 08/RHCE-D(5-9)-CE; RHD genotype was RHD 01/RHD 01; RHAG genotype was RHAG 01/RHAG 01 (c. 808G>A and c. 861G>A). Conclusion: This Dc-individual carries the allele RHCE 02N. 08 and the novel allele RHCE-D(5-9)-CE. The findings of this study provide data support and a theoretical basis for elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying RhCE deficiency phenotypes.

Objective:To investigate the occurrence of non-diabetic hyperglycemia after anterior mediastinal tumor resection via lateral thoracic approach single-port thoracoscopy and its impact on postoperative complications.Methods:The medical records of 182 anterior mediastinal tumors admitted to the Nanjing Brain Hospital (Nanjing Chest Hospital) from January 2022 to March 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent anterior mediastinal tumor resection via lateral thoracic approach single-port thoracoscopy. They were divided into the hyperglycemia group ( n=54) and non-hyperglycemia group ( n=128) according to the occurrence of postoperative non-diabetic hyperglycemia. The postoperative complications were compared between the two groups. Patients with any complication showing statistically significant differences between the two groups were included in the complication group, and the remaining patients were included in the non-complication group. Binary logistic regression model was used to analyze the risk factors for postoperative complications in patients undergoing anterior mediastinal tumor resection via lateral thoracic approach single-port thoracoscopy. Results:The incidences of postoperative pain, wound fat liquefaction, wound infection, and pulmonary infection in the hyperglycemia group were significantly higher than those in the non-hyperglycemia group (all P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in age, history of hypertension, triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), operation time, and postoperative hyperglycemia between the complication group and non-complication group (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age, history of hypertension, operation time, and postoperative hyperglycemia were independent risk factors for postoperative pain/wound fat liquefaction/wound infection/pulmonary infection in patients undergoing anterior mediastinal tumor resection via lateral thoracic approach single-port thoracoscopy (all P<0.05). Conclusions:Non-diabetic postoperative hyperglycemia can increase the risk of postoperative pain/wound fat liquefaction/wound infection/pulmonary infection in patients undergoing anterior mediastinal tumor resection via lateral thoracic approach single-port thoracoscopy, and it is an independent risk factor for the above postoperative complications.

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a severe disease caused by viral infection that triggers an uncontrolled inflammatory response. This study investigated the capacity of jasurolignoside (JO), a natural compound, to bind to Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and treat ALI. The anti-inflammatory properties of JO were evaluated in vitro through Western blotting, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence staining, and co-immunoprecipitation. The investigation utilized a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI animal model to examine the therapeutic efficacy and mechanism of JO in vivo. JO attenuated inflammatory symptoms in infected cells and tissues by modulating the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Molecular docking simulations revealed JO binding to TLR4 active sites, confirmed by cellular thermal shift assay. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) demonstrated direct interaction between JO and TLR4 with a Kd value of 35.1 μmol·L^-1. Moreover, JO inhibited tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and IL-6 secretion and reduced leukocyte, neutrophil, lymphocyte, and macrophage infiltration in ALI-affected mice. JO also enhanced lung function and reduced ALI-related mortality. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated JO's ability to suppress TLR4 expression in ALI-affected mouse lung tissue. This study establishes that JO can bind to TLR4 and effectively treat ALI, indicating its potential as a therapeutic agent for clinical applications.
Toll-Like Receptor 4/chemistry* ; Animals ; Acute Lung Injury/chemically induced* ; Mice ; Humans ; Ilex/chemistry* ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Male ; NF-kappa B/immunology* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/immunology* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics* ; Interleukin-1beta/genetics* ; RAW 264.7 Cells ; Disease Models, Animal