This study aims to explore the effects and potential mechanisms of Modified Shuyu Pills in ameliorating depressive behaviors in the mouse model of vascular dementia(VaD). Seventy-two three-month-old male C57BL/6 mice were assigned into six groups: sham, model, low-, medium-, and high-dose Modified Shuyu Pills, and fluoxetine. The other five groups except the sham group underwent bilateral common carotid artery stenosis combined with chronic unpredictable stress. Depressive behaviors were assessed by the sucrose preference test and tail suspension test. Cerebral blood flow was measured by laser speckle imaging. Protein levels of low density lipoprotein receptor(LDLR), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase(MEK), phosphorylated(p)-MEK, extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK), and p-ERK in the ventral tegmental area(VTA) and nucleus accumbens(NAc) were determined by Western blot. The fluorescence intensity of myelin basic protein(MBP) in the VTA and NAc were measured by immunofluorescence. Myelin sheath morphology in the VTA and NAc was observed by luxol fast blue staining, and the ultrastructure of myelin sheath in the VTA and NAc was examined by transmission electron microscopy. In the tail suspension test, the immobility time of the model group was longer than that of the sham group(P<0.01). In the sucrose preference test, the sucrose preference rate of the model group was lower than that of the sham group(P<0.01). After intervention with Modified Shuyu Pills, the immobility time in the tail suspension test was shortened(P<0.01), and the sucrose preference rate increased(P<0.01). Laser speckle imaging results showed that compared with the sham group, the model group showed reduced cerebral blood flow(P<0.01), and the reduction was reversed by medium-and high-dose Modified Shuyu Pills(P<0.01). Western blot results indicated that the relative expression levels of LDLR, p-MEK/MEK, and p-ERK/ERK in the VTA and NAc of the model group were lower than those in the sham group(P<0.01). Medium-and high-dose Modified Shuyu Pills reversed this trend(P<0.01). Immunofluorescence results showed that the fluorescence intensity of MBP in the VTA and NAc of the model group was lower than that of the sham group(P<0.01). The medium-and high-dose Modified Shuyu Pills groups showed increased fluorescence intensity of MBP in the VTA compared with the model group(P<0.01). In the NAc, the fluorescence intensity of MBP in all the groups of Modified Shuyu Pills increased to varying degrees compared with that in the model group(P<0.01). Luxol fast blue staining results showed that the model group presented lighter staining intensity and looser arrangement of myelin fibers than the sham group, indicating significant demyelination in the model group. However, after intervention with medium-and high-dose Modified Shuyu Pills, the staining intensity and myelin sheath structure in the VTA and NAc were improved. Transmission electron microscopy results revealed that the myelin sheath in the VTA and NAc of the sham group was intact and dense, while the model group exhibited extensive myelin loss, with myelin sheath degeneration and disintegration. After intervention with Modified Shuyu Pills, the myelin sheath loss in the VTA and NAc of mice was reduced, and the proportion of myelinated tissue increased. In summary, Modified Shuyu Pills may promote myelination via the VTA-NAc circuit by upregulating the LDLR/MEK/ERK signaling pathway, thereby ameliorating depressive-like behaviors in VaD mice.
Animals ; Male ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Mice ; Ventral Tegmental Area/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Disease Models, Animal ; Depression/genetics* ; Receptors, LDL/genetics* ; Dementia, Vascular/psychology* ; MAP Kinase Signaling System/drug effects* ; Nucleus Accumbens/metabolism* ; Behavior, Animal/drug effects* ; Humans ; Myelin Sheath/drug effects* ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases/genetics*

As a serine protease,thrombin can convert soluble fibrinogen into insoluble fibrin and plays a pivotal role in the coagulation cascade.Therefore,the accurate quantitative assay of thrombin levels is of great value in the evaluation of coagulation function,clinical screening and prognostic monitoring of coagulation-related diseases,and screening of drugs for targeted therapy.Existing methods for thrombin detection can be divided into two categories,e.g.,the assay of concentration levels using nucleic acid aptamers as the affinity elements and the assay of activity levels based on the hydrolytic cleavage of substrate peptides.In recent years,electrochemical biosensors have attracted much attention in thrombin detection due to high sensitivity,high selectivity,simple instrument,fast response,and good portability.In this review,the latest research progress in methods for electrochemical detection of thrombin was summarized,focusing on the detection principles and the applied signal amplification strategies of related electrochemical biosensors.In addition,the challenges with respect to the practical use of electrochemical thrombin biosensors and the prospects were discussed.

Paranasal sinuses,also known as nasal sinuses,are a collective term for the air-filled cavities surrounding the nasal cavity within the skull.The paranasal sinuses comprise the maxillary sinuses,ethmoid sinuses,frontal sinuses,and sphenoid sinuses,which are bilaterally symmetrical,totaling four pairs.Due to the deep-seated anatomical location of the paranasal sinuses within the skull,accurate measurement has been historically challenging,resultsing in relatively limited early investigations in this field.In recent years,with the continuous advancement of imaging technologies,research on the morphology of the paranasal sinuses has progressively increased.In this paper we provides a systematic review of domestic and international research on the variations of paranasal sinuses among different populations,factors influencing their growth and development,evolutionary characteristics,and measurement method-ologies.Furthermore,a concise retrospective analysis and future prospects for studies on the paranasal sinuses within the domestic context are provided.

Objective To investigate the effectiveness of the curriculum design and teaching mode reform in Health Statistics through the assessment by postgraduate students so as to enhance the teaching performance of the course.Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted among the postgraduate students of grade 2023 at a certain medical university.The survey covered such aspects as students'mastery and application of the course learning content,their evaluation and satisfaction with the course,etc.Descriptive approaches were employed to analyze and summarize the data.Results Students achieved a good command of theoretical knowledge and its application.They highly evaluated the teacher,the course content and its practicality,demonstrated a strong interest in learning,expressed a high level of satisfaction with the course,and manifested a strong willingness to continue studying the course.The learning of the course met the expectations of the students.The final exam scores in the later stage of curriculum reform(78.60±10.58)was higher than that before the reform(75.78±7.97,P<0.05);the excellent rate after the reform was 53.6%,which was higher than the 33.5%before the reform(P<0.05).Conclusion The construction of a course system that integrates knowledge,skills the mixed teaching mode of case-based teaching and the combination of theory and statistical software package operation are beneficial for enhancing postgraduate students'learning and application of the course in health statistics.It also strengthens the design and training of course application aspects for students in clinical medicine and dental medicine disciplines.

Objective: To discover molecular markers associated with lung adenocarcinoma diagnosis/prognosis and drug resistance through screening of differentially expressed genes based on published chip data in gene expression databases using bioinformatics methods. Methods: Comprehensive analysis was performed in available mRNA microarray datasets including lung adenocarcinoma tissues dataset GSE32863 and lung adenocarcinoma taxane-platin resistance dataset GSE77209 from the gene expression omnibus(GEO) database. Gene ontology enrichment analysis, gene pathway enrichment analysis and protein interaction network analysis were performed based on significantly correlated genes. The expression level of genes was validated in the cancer genome atlas(TCGA) dataset. Survival differences were assessed by the log-rank test in TCGA lung adenocarcinoma dataset. Based on the publications genomics of drug sensitivity in cancer(GDSC) database in CellMiner cross database(CellMiner CDB), Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between differentially expressed genes and the half-maximal inhibitory concentration(IC50) of anticancer drugs. Results : There were a total of 77 genes which had a different expression in resistance lung adenocarcinoma cells and lung adenocarcinoma cancer tissues. The functional enrichment analysis showed that these co-different expression genes were mainly enriched in microtubule, extracellular exosome, cell cycle and signaling by nuclear receptors. Protein-protein interactions(PPI) network screened 6 most connected genes as molecular complex(MCODE). Among the MCODE, overexpressed ubiquitin conjugating enzyme E2 T(UBE2T), kinesin family member 20A(KIF20A), PCNA clamp associated factor(KIAA0101), pituitary tumor-transforming gene 1(PTTG1) and NIMA related kinase 2(NEK2) were associated with poor outcomes. Survival analysis results showed that these five genes were upregulated in lung adenocarcinoma tissues and drug-resistant cells and were significantly associated with poor prognosis in lung adenocarcinoma patients. Drug sensitivity analysis results suggested that high expression of PTTG1 and UBE2T was significantly associated with sensitivity to multiple anticancer drugs, including paclitaxel and docetaxel. RT-PCR validation showed that PTTG1 andUBE2T were highly expressed in docetaxel-resistant cells A549-TXR and H358-TXR. Conclusion PTTG1 andUBE2T holds the potential to be chemoresistance markers in lung adenocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanisms by which Pinggan Yishen Decoction(PGYSD)contributes to alleviating target organ damage in spontaneously hypertensive rats.METHODS The chemical components of PGYSD were determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF/MS)and were analyzed by target a-nalysis and functional enrichment combined with network pharmacology methods to predict the potential mechanism of PGYSD in trea-ting hypertension and its target organ damage.Spontaneously hypertensive rats were randomly divided into the model group,low-dose PGYSD group(2 g·kg-1),high-dose PGYSD group(5 g·kg-1),and valsartan group(7.2 mg·kg-1),with 6 rats in each group.Wistar-Kyoto rats were used as the control group,and the control group and the model group were gavaged with normal saline for 8 consecutive weeks.HE and Masson staining were used to observe the pathological damage and fibrosis degree of rat heart and tho-racic aorta.Immunohistochemical staining and Western blot were used to detect the expression level of EGFR in the heart,liver and kidney of rats.Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the co-localization of EGFR and EEA1 in the heart,liver and kidney of rats.RESULTS Twenty-six components of PGYSD were detected by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS.Network pharmacology revealed that EG-FR,PIK3R1 and EP300 may be key therapeutic targets of action of PGYSD for the treatment of hypertension and its target organ dam-age,and that the treatment of hypertension and its target organ damage by PGYSD may be closely related to EGFR tyrosine kinase in-hibitor resistance,lipids and atherosclerosis and HIF-1 signaling pathway.The high-dose group of PGYSD significantly reduced sys-tolic blood pressure and mean blood pressure in rats(P<0.05,P<0.01),attenuated pathological damage and fibrosis in the heart and thoracic aorta(P<0.01,P<0.001),significantly reduced the expression level of EGFR in the liver and kidney of rats(P<0.01),and treated fibrosis in liver and kidney,reduced the co-localization of EGFR and EEA1 in the kidney of rats(P<0.001),attenuated fibro-sis in kidney.CONCLUSION The paper integrates UPLC-Q-TOF/MS,network pharmacology and spontaneously hypertensive rat model and preliminarily explores the effect mechanism of PGYSD in the treatment of hypertension and its target organ damage,provi-ding a scientific basis for further mechanism research and clinical application of PGYSD in the treatment of hypertension.

ObjectiveThis study aims to examine the effect of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma-Coptidis Rhizoma on reducing insulin resistance in db/db mice by regulating the adenylate activated protein kinase （AMPK）/UNC-51-like kinase 1 （ULK1）/key molecule of autophagy， benzyl chloride 1 （Beclin1） pathway and elucidate the underlying mechanism. MethodSixty 6-week-old male db/db mice were studied. They were randomly divided into the model group， metformin group （0.26 g·kg^-1）， and low-， middle-， and high-dose groups （2.25， 4.5， 9 g·kg^-1） of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma-Coptidis Rhizoma. A blank group of db/m mice of the same age was set， with 12 mice in each group. After eight weeks of continuous intragastric administration， the blank group and model group received distilled water intragastrically once a day. The survival status of the mice was observed， and fasting blood glucose （FBG） was measured using a Roche blood glucose device. Fasting serum insulin （FINS） was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay， and the insulin resistance index （HOMA-IR） was calculated. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was performed to observe the pathological changes in the liver of the mice. The protein expression levels of AMPK， Beclin1， autophagy associated protein 5 （Atg5）， and p62 in liver tissue were determined by using Western blot. The protein expression levels of autophagy associated protein 1 light chain 3B （LC3B） and ULK1 in liver tissue were determined using immunofluorescence. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR （Real-time PCR） was used to measure mRNA expression levels of AMPK， Beclin1， Atg5， ULK1， and p62. ResultCompared with the blank group， the model group exhibited a significant increase in body mass （P<0.01）. Additionally， the levels of FBG， FINS， and HOMA-IR significantly changed （P<0.01）. The structure of liver cells was disordered. The protein expression levels of AMPK， Beclin1， and Atg5 in liver tissue were significantly decreased （P<0.01）， while the expression level of p62 protein was significantly increased （P<0.01）. The expression levels of mRNA and proteins were consistent. Compared with the model group， the body mass of the metformin group and high and medium-dose groups of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma-Coptidis Rhizoma was significantly decreased （P<0.05）. FBG， FINS， and HOMA-IR were significantly decreased （P<0.05，P<0.01）. After treatment， the liver structure damage in each group was alleviated to varying degrees. The protein expressions of AMPK， Beclin1， Atg5， LC3B， and ULK1 were increased （P<0.05，P<0.01）， while the protein expression of p62 was decreased （P<0.01）. The expression levels of mRNA and proteins were generally consistent. ConclusionThe combination of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma-Coptidis Rhizoma can effectively improve liver insulin resistance， regulate the AMPK autophagy signaling pathway， alleviate insulin resistance in db/db mice， and effectively prevent the occurrence and development of type 2 diabetes.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of two kinds of biliary stent placement in the treatment of high bile duct carcinoma.Methods the clinical data of 136 patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma who underwent biliary stent implantation in Nanyang Central Hospital from January 2021 to September 2023 were analyzed retrospectively.According to the mode of biliary stent placement,the patients were divided into ERCP group(n=86)and transoral cholangiopancreatoscopy group(n=50).In this study,SPSS26.0 was used for analysis.The age,related test indexes,days of hospitalization,postoperative complications,incidence of liver failure,remission rate of jaundice,stent material and patency rate were observed in the two groups.Results all patients completed the operation successfully.The two groups compared the incidence of postoperative liver failure,postoperative remission rate of jaundice,different material stents,postoperative complications and short-term patency rate,there was no significant statistical significance(P＞0.05).There were significant differences in postoperative complications between the two groups(t=12.02,P＜0.05).Compared with postoperative biliary tract infection and postoperative bleeding,the postoperative biliary tract infection and postoperative bleeding in ERCP group were 26.7％and 11.6％respectively,which were significantly higher than those in transoral cholangiopancreatoscopy group 10.0％and 2.0％(x2=5.42,3.94;P＜0.05).Conclusion of the mean hospitalization days between the two patient groups,Transoral cholangioscopy(10.78±2.17)d＜ERCP(12.91±2.96)d.Compared with the 7th day after operation,the liver function of the two groups was significantly improved and the related test indexes decreased significantly.There was no significant difference in postoperative complications and short-term patency rate between plastic stent and metal stent(P＞0.05).When the patency time was more than 6 months,the patency rate of metal stent was significantly higher than that of plastic stent(P＜0.05).Conclusion The placement of bile duct stent by ERCP and Oral choledochoscopy is effective in relieving clinical symptoms of high cholangiocarcinoma and can improve the quality of life of patients.Transoral cholangiopancreatoscopy has low complication rate,faster recovery,greater advantage,but higher cost;plastic stents are beneficial for patients with short expected survival time,and metal stents are more suitable for patients with long expected survival time.

Objective To investigate the effect of nobiletin on platelet-activating factor(PAF)metabolism in diabetic rats with renal injury.Methods Totally 72 rats were randomly divided into control group(n=10)and modeling group(n=62).The modeling group rats were induced to develop a diabetic rat model with renal injury and then further divided into the model group,aspirin group(20 mg/kg),and nobiletin low(50 mg/kg),medium(100 mg/kg),and high-dose(200 mg/kg)groups,each with 10 rats.After continuous oral administration for 6 weeks,rat body weight,kidney weight,and kidney index were measured.Histopathological assessments were conducted by using HE,periodic acid-Schiff staining(PAS),Masson staining,and transmission electron microscopy.Blood glucose levels,renal function,inflammatory factors,PAF and its regulatory factors were detected.Expression levels of PAF metabolism-related proteins,PAF-acetylhydrolase(PAFAH),PAF receptor(PAFR),and cholinephosphotransferase 1(CHPT1)in kidney tissues were assessed using Western blotting and immunohistochemistry.Results Following nobiletin intervention,rat body weight increased while kidney weight and kidney index decreased.Improvement in renal tissue pathology was observed,with reduced interstitial fibrosis and thinner basement membrane.Fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin decreased,while fasting insulin showed no significant improvement.Urea nitrogen,blood creatinine,cystatin C,and 24-hour urinary protein excretion were reduced.Levels of interleukin(IL)-1α,IL-6,IL-8,and tumor necrosis factor(TNF-α)were lowered.PAF and its regulatory factors decreased.PAFR and CHPT1 expression decreased,while PAFAH increased.Conclusion Nobiletin can alleviate renal injury in diabetic rats with renal injury,improve kidney function,regulate blood glucose,and mitigate inflammatory response.Its mechanism may be associated with the modulation of platelet-activating factor metabolism.

Objective:To analyze the biological characteristics, phylogeny and the taxonomic status of strain 7712 (=CGMCC 1.17031=NBRC 113783=KCTC 15766) isolated from a clinical blood sample.Methods:Strain 7712 was identified by the cultural properties, cellular and colonial morphology, physiological and biochemical reactions, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry system, and genome correlation index analysis. The genomic phylogenetic tree was construct to analyze the taxonomic position. The virulence factors and resistance genes of strain 7712 and related strains were then compared by the online virulence factor database and online comprehensive antibiotic research database respectively.Results:Strain 7712 was urease negative, gram-negative nonfermenters, which was identified as Ochrobactrum anthropi by VITEK GN card. The 16S rRNA gene analysis showed that the strain was closely related to the members of genera Ochrobactrum and Brucella. The phylogenetic tree showed that strain 7712 was clustered together with Ochrobactrum teleogrylli LCB8 T and Ochrobactrum haematophilum CCUG 38531 T, along with genus Brucella and other Ochrobactrum species. The genome relatedness indexes analysis showed that the average nucleotide identity between strain 7712 and Ochrobactrum teleogrylli LCB8 T was 98.16%, which was higher than the threshold for prokaryotic species. Genetic prediction showed that strain 7712 carried several virulence-related genes and resistance-related genes, of which the existence of OCH gene might be responsible to the resistance to cephalosporin. Conclusions:A case of human infection caused by Ochrobactrum teleogrylli is identified, which would help promote the understanding of biodiversity of genus Ochrobactrum.