Objective: To verify the inhibitory effect of a carbon monoxide hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier (CO-HBOC) on the fibrotic process in mice with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), clarify its efficacy difference compared with hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs), and elucidate its mechanism of action via proteomic analysis. Methods: CO-HBOC was prepared using gas loading technology. An IPF mouse model was established and the mice were randomly divided into a normal saline control group, an HBOC treatment group, and a CO-HBOC treatment group. The fibrotic area percentage was analyzed using Micro-CT; the degree of inflammatory infiltration and fibrosis in lung tissue was assessed by pathological section staining (e.g., HE and Masson staining); and differentially expressed proteins in lung tissue of IPF mice after CO-HBOC treatment were screened using proteomic technology. Results: Micro-CT results showed that the mean fibrotic area percentage in the CO-HBOC treatment group on day 21 was (8.89±0.98)%, which was better than that of the HBOC group (16.5±1.732)% and the normal saline group (30.75±6.45)% (P<0.05). HE and Masson staining results showed that the CO-HBOC group had reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and significantly decreased collagen fiber deposition in lung tissue, with a mean pathological score of 3.33±0.58, which was lower than that of the normal saline control group (8.33±1.53)(P<0.05); the mean collagen-positive area percentage was (3.33±1.53)%, significantly lower than that of the normal saline control group (14.00±3.61)% (P<0.05). Proteomic analysis identified 330 differentially expressed proteins, which were mainly enriched in inflammatory response regulatory pathways (such as the complement and coagulation cascades), and the expression changes of complement proteins may be the core target of CO-HBOC's anti-fibrotic effects. Conclusion: CO-HBOC can inhibit inflammatory responses and regulate fibrosis-related signaling pathways, there-by effectively inhibiting the fibrotic process in IPF mice, with superior efficacy to HBOC. Its mechanism of action involves the regulation of complement cascade-related signaling pathways and complement protein expression, providing an experimental and theoretical basis for targeted therapy of IPF.

ObjectiveChinese patent medicines for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are diverse and complex in their efficacy. The traditional classification method based on efficacy categories has certain limitations and cannot meet the clinical needs for individualized drug selection and variety comparison. This article， based on the formulation compatibility analysis technology of "Tangye Jingfa Tu"， clarifies the composition and efficacy characteristics of common Chinese patent medicines used for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases， providing support for the precise selection of these medicines. MethodsFifty-six representative Chinese patent medicines， covering all the efficacy subcategories of "stasis-resolving agents" in the National Basic Medical Insurance， Work Injury Insurance， and Maternity Insurance Drug Catalogue （2023） （more than 50% of the total）， were selected for the study. Within the knowledge system of "Tangye Jingfa Tu"， the compatibility structure of herbal flavors and the proportion structure of herbal quantities for each Chinese patent medicine were determined. The correlation between these structures and the efficacy categories was analyzed to identify the similarities and differences among the selected Chinese patent medicines. Additionally， the efficacy was reclassified and compared according to the theoretical framework of tonifying and purging methods of five Zang organs in the "Tangye Jingfa Tu". ResultsThe representative Chinese patent medicines included in the analysis were Shexiang Baoxin pills， Danshen tablets， Qili Qiangxin capsules， Breviscapine tablets， etc.， covering all the efficacy subcategories of "stasis-resolving agents". Among the 56 representative Chinese patent medicines， salty flavor was the most common （48）， followed by pungent （33）， and sweet （26）. According to the dominant herbal flavor， salty flavor was the most common （37）， followed by pungent （9）， and sour （5）. According to the dominant herbal quantity， salty flavor was the most common （27）， followed by sour （7）， and pungent （5）. Furthermore， Chinese patent medicines with different efficacy subtypes showed different flavor characteristics. For example， most Qi-invigorating and blood-activating agents contained sweet drugs for tonifying the spleen （9/10）， most Qi-moving and blood-activating agents contained pungent drugs for tonifying the liver （7/8）， and all kidney-invigorating and blood-activating agents contained bitter drugs for tonifying the kidneys （6/6）. However， the efficacy classification of individual medicines did not always align with the compatibility characteristics of their formulas， as seen with Dengyin Naotong capsules. ConclusionThe formulations of Chinese patent medicines for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases predominantly feature salty， sour， and pungent flavors， which largely conform to the therapeutic principles of "nourishing the heart with salt and soothing the heart with sour" and the liver-heart， heart-spleen mother-child treatment relationship shown in the "Tangye Jingfa Tu". Using the "Tangye Jingfa Tu" framework to conduct research on the structure and efficacy characteristics of Chinese patent medicines is objective and effective.

ObjectiveChinese patent medicines for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are diverse and complex in their efficacy. The traditional classification method based on efficacy categories has certain limitations and cannot meet the clinical needs for individualized drug selection and variety comparison. This article， based on the formulation compatibility analysis technology of "Tangye Jingfa Tu"， clarifies the composition and efficacy characteristics of common Chinese patent medicines used for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases， providing support for the precise selection of these medicines. MethodsFifty-six representative Chinese patent medicines， covering all the efficacy subcategories of "stasis-resolving agents" in the National Basic Medical Insurance， Work Injury Insurance， and Maternity Insurance Drug Catalogue （2023） （more than 50% of the total）， were selected for the study. Within the knowledge system of "Tangye Jingfa Tu"， the compatibility structure of herbal flavors and the proportion structure of herbal quantities for each Chinese patent medicine were determined. The correlation between these structures and the efficacy categories was analyzed to identify the similarities and differences among the selected Chinese patent medicines. Additionally， the efficacy was reclassified and compared according to the theoretical framework of tonifying and purging methods of five Zang organs in the "Tangye Jingfa Tu". ResultsThe representative Chinese patent medicines included in the analysis were Shexiang Baoxin pills， Danshen tablets， Qili Qiangxin capsules， Breviscapine tablets， etc.， covering all the efficacy subcategories of "stasis-resolving agents". Among the 56 representative Chinese patent medicines， salty flavor was the most common （48）， followed by pungent （33）， and sweet （26）. According to the dominant herbal flavor， salty flavor was the most common （37）， followed by pungent （9）， and sour （5）. According to the dominant herbal quantity， salty flavor was the most common （27）， followed by sour （7）， and pungent （5）. Furthermore， Chinese patent medicines with different efficacy subtypes showed different flavor characteristics. For example， most Qi-invigorating and blood-activating agents contained sweet drugs for tonifying the spleen （9/10）， most Qi-moving and blood-activating agents contained pungent drugs for tonifying the liver （7/8）， and all kidney-invigorating and blood-activating agents contained bitter drugs for tonifying the kidneys （6/6）. However， the efficacy classification of individual medicines did not always align with the compatibility characteristics of their formulas， as seen with Dengyin Naotong capsules. ConclusionThe formulations of Chinese patent medicines for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases predominantly feature salty， sour， and pungent flavors， which largely conform to the therapeutic principles of "nourishing the heart with salt and soothing the heart with sour" and the liver-heart， heart-spleen mother-child treatment relationship shown in the "Tangye Jingfa Tu". Using the "Tangye Jingfa Tu" framework to conduct research on the structure and efficacy characteristics of Chinese patent medicines is objective and effective.

To enhance the therapeutic efficacy of the baicalin-berberine complex(BA-BBR) in the treatment of ulcerative colitis(UC), BA-BBR nanocrystal microspheres(BA-BBR NC MS) were prepared using the dropping method. The microspheres were characterized in terms of morphology, particle size, differential scanning calorimetry(DSC), and powder X-ray diffraction(XRD). The release profiles of BA and BBR from the microspheres were measured, and the drug release mechanism was investigated. A rat model of UC was induced by 5% dextran sodium sulfate(DSS) and treated continuously for 7 days to evaluate the therapeutic effects of different formulations. The results showed that the prepared BA-BBR MS and BA-BBR NC MS were uniform gel spheres with particle sizes of(1.77±0.16) mm and(1.67±0.08) mm, respectively. After drying, the gels collapsed inward and exhibited a rough surface. During the preparation process, the BA-BBR nanocrystals(BA-BBR NC) were uniformly encapsulated within the microspheres. The release profiles of the microspheres followed a first-order kinetic model, and the 12-hour cumulative release of BA and BBR from BA-BBR NC MS was higher than that from BA-BBR MS. Compared with BA-BBR, BA-BBR NC, and BA-BBR MS, BA-BBR NC MS further alleviated UC symptoms in rats, most significantly reducing the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and MPO, while increasing the level of IL-4 in colon tissues. These results indicate that BA-BBR NC MS, based on a "nano-in-micro" design, can deliver BA-BBR to the intestine and exert significant therapeutic effects in a UC rat model, suggesting it as a promising new strategy for the treatment of UC.
Animals ; Colitis, Ulcerative/metabolism* ; Rats ; Nanoparticles/chemistry* ; Microspheres ; Male ; Berberine/administration & dosage* ; Flavonoids/administration & dosage* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Humans ; Particle Size ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/immunology* ; Drug Liberation ; Drug Compounding

This study established the HPLC fingerprints, characteristic chromatograms, and a multi-component content determination method for Bidens bipinnata and B. biternata. The chemical pattern recognition analysis was then employed to clarify the characteristic indexes of quality differences between the two original plants of Bidentis Herba, providing a reference for establishing the quality standards of Bidentis Herba. HPLC was launched on an Agilent Poroshell 120 EC-C_(18) chromatographic column(4.6 mm×250 mm, 4 μm) by gradient elution with a mobile phase of 0.1% aqueous phosphoric acid-acetonitrile at a flow rate of 0.7 mL·min~(-1), detection wavelength of 270 nm, column temperature of 25 ℃, and an injection volume of 5 μL. The similarity between the fingerprints of 18 batches of Bidentis Herba samples and the common pattern(R) ranged from 0.572 to 0.933. A total of 23 chromatographic peaks were calibrated. Through comparison with the reference substances, six components(neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, isochlorogenic acid A, isochlorogenic acid B, rutin, and hyperoside) were identified and subjected to quantitative analysis. The characteristic fingerprints of B. bipinnata and B. biternata were calibrated with 20 and 17 characteristic peaks, respectively. Among them, peaks 8, 9, 22, and 23 were the characteristic peaks of B. bipinnata, and peak 7 was the characteristic peak of B. biternata, which can be used to distinguish the two original plants of Bidentis Herba. The relative standard deviation of the content of the above-mentioned six components ranged from 36% to 123%. The cluster analysis, principal component analysis, and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) classified the 18 batches of Bidentis Herba samples into two categories. Additionally, through the analysis of variable importance in projection(VIP) under OPLS-DA, three characteristic indexes, rutin, isochlorogenic acid A, and isochlorogenic acid B, were identified. The analytical method established in this study can comprehensively evaluate the consistency of Bidentis Herba samples derived from different original plants, specifically identify the differential components between them, and effectively distinguish the two original plants of Bidentis Herba, providing a basis for the differentiation between different original plants and the quality control of Bidentis Herba.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Quality Control ; Bidens/chemistry*

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a genetically heterogeneous disorder characterized by impaired motility of cilia and flagella. Mutations in cilia- and flagella-associated protein 300 ( CFAP300 ) are associated with human PCD and male infertility; however, the underlying pathogenic mechanisms remain poorly understood. In a consanguineous Chinese family, we identified a homozygous CFAP300 loss-of-function variant (c.304delC) in a proband presenting with classical PCD symptoms and severe sperm abnormalities, including dynein arm deficiency and acrosomal malformation, as confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Histological analysis revealed multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella in CFAP300 -mutant individual, whereas immunofluorescence demonstrated markedly reduced CFAP300 expression in the spermatozoa of the proband. Furthermore, tandem mass tag (TMT)-based quantitative proteomics showed that the CFAP300 mutation reduced key spermatogenesis proteins (e.g., sperm flagellar 2 [SPEF2], solute carrier family 25 member 31 [SLC25A31], and A-kinase anchoring protein 3 [AKAP3]) and mitochondrial ATP synthesis factors (e.g., SLC25A31, cation channel sperm-associated 3 [CATSPER3]). It also triggered abnormal increases in autophagy-related proteins and signaling mediator phosphorylation. These molecular alterations are likely to contribute to progressive deterioration of sperm ultrastructure and function. Notably, successful pregnancy was achieved via intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) using the proband's sperm. Overall, this study expands the known CFAP300 mutational spectrum and offers novel mechanistic insights into its role in spermatogenesis.
Humans ; Male ; Infertility, Male/pathology* ; Acrosome/pathology* ; Sperm Tail/pathology* ; Pedigree ; Spermatozoa ; Adult ; Loss of Function Mutation ; Ciliary Motility Disorders/genetics* ; Spermatogenesis/genetics* ; Female

Objective： The aim of this study is to explore the predictive value of biparametric magnetic resonance imaging(bpMRI)for pelvic lymph node metastasis in prostate cancer patients with PSA≤20 μg/L and establish a nomogram. Methods： The imaging data and clinical data of 363 patients undergoing radical prostatectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from July 2018 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were used to screen independent risk factors for pelvic lymph node metastasis in prostate cancer, and a nomogram of the clinical prediction model was established. Calibration curves were drawn to evaluate the accuracy of the model. Results： Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed extrocapusular extension (OR=8.08,95%CI=2.62－24.97, P<0.01), enlargement of pelvic lymph nodes (OR=4.45,95%CI=1.16－17.11,P=0.030), and biopsy ISUP grade(OR=1.97,95%CI=1.12－3.46, P=0.018)were independent risk factors for pelvic lymph node metastasis. The C-index of the prediction model was 0.834, which indicated that the model had a good prediction ability. The actual value of the model calibration curve and the prediction probability of the model fitted well, indicating that the model had a good accuracy. Further analysis of DCA curve showed that the model had good clinical application value when the risk threshold ranged from 0.05 to 0.70.Conclusion： For prostate cancer patients with PSA≤20 μg/L, bpMRI has a good predictive value for the pelvic lymph node metastasis of prostate cancer with extrocapusular extension, enlargement of pelvic lymph nodes and ISUP grade≥4.
Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging* ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Retrospective Studies ; Nomograms ; Prostate-Specific Antigen/blood* ; Lymph Nodes/pathology* ; Pelvis ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Prostatectomy ; Lymph Node Excision ; Risk Factors ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Logistic Models ; Middle Aged ; Aged

Microwave thermochemotherapy (MTC) has been applied to treat lip squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), but a deeper understanding of its therapeutic mechanisms and molecular biology is needed. To address this, we used single-cell transcriptomics (scRNA-seq) and spatial transcriptomics (ST) to highlight the pivotal role of tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs) among tumor-infiltrating immune cells and their therapeutic response to MTC. MNDA⁺ TANs with anti-tumor activity (N1-phenotype) are found to be abundantly infiltrated by MTC with benefit of increased blood perfusion, and these TANs are characterized by enhanced cytotoxicity, ameliorated hypoxia, and upregulated IL1B, activating T&NK cells and fibroblasts via IL1B-IL1R. In this highly anti-tumor immunogenic and hypoxia-reversed microenvironment under MTC, fibroblasts accumulated in the tumor front (TF) can recruit N1-TANs via CXCL2-CXCR2 and clear N2-TANs (pro-tumor phenotype) via CXCL12-CXCR4, which results in the aggregation of N1-TANs and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition. In addition, we construct an N1-TANs marker, MX2, which positively correlates with better prognosis in LSCC patients, and employ deep learning techniques to predict expression of MX2 from hematoxylin-eosin (H&E)-stained images so as to conveniently guide decision making in clinical practice. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that the N1-TANs/fibroblasts defense wall formed in response to MTC effectively combat LSCC.
Humans ; Neutrophils/metabolism* ; Single-Cell Analysis ; Lip Neoplasms/genetics* ; Hyperthermia, Induced/methods* ; Microwaves/therapeutic use* ; Transcriptome ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/immunology* ; Tumor Microenvironment

A ketogenic diet(KD)refers to an eating pattern designed to achieve a low-calorie content,minimum carbohydrate intake,high-fat consumption,and standard protein levels.A ketogenic diet is used in clinical practice to treat conditions including heart disease,diabetes,obesity,autism,glioblastoma,and other cancers.Although a ketogenic diet has not been recommended for any neurological disorders except epilepsy,extensive recent research suggests that such a diet may have a neuroprotective effect and may thus represent a new dietary therapy for the treatment of Parkinson's disease(PD).In this review,we discuss in detail the mechanisms responsible for the neuroprotective effects of a ketogenic diet in Parkinson's disease,with the aim of providing references for future clinical and experimental studies.

Objective To compare the difference,agreement,and axial length measurement success rate between biometers ZW-30 and IOLMaser 700 based on swept-source optical coherence tomography for the measurement of ocular bi-ological parameters in patients with cataracts.Methods A total of 126 cataract patients(233 eyes)who were advised to undergo cataract surgery at the Department of Ophthalmology at Beijing Tongren Hospital,Capital Medical University from January to February 2024 were included in this study.Two biometers were used to measure the axial length(AL),mean keratometry(Km),anterior chamber depth(ACD),lens thickness(LT),central corneal thickness(CCT),and horizontal corneal diameter[namely,the white-to-white(WTW)distance].The axial measurement success rate of the two biometers and the difference and agreement between the parameters were calculated.Results The mean difference between ZW-30 and IOLMaster 700 was(-0.006±0.042)mm for AL,(-0.074±0.204)D for Km,(0.031±0.051)mm for ACD,(0.001±0.005)mm for CCT,and(-0.286±0.337)mm for WTW,and the differences were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).The mean difference between ZW-30 and IOLMaster 700 was(0.008±0.215)mm for LT,and the difference was not statis-tically significant(t=0.579,P=0.563).The 95％limits of agreement range was between-0.011 mm and 0.000 mm for AL,between-0.474 D and 0.326 D for Km,between-0.010 mm and 0.012 mm for CCT,between-0.068 mm and 0.131 mm for ACD,between-0.116 mm and 0.159 mm for LT,and between-0.947 mm and 0.376 mm for WTW.The intra-class correlation coefficient of all measurements ranged from 0.790 to 1.000.The AL measurement success rate of IOLMaster 700 and ZW-30 was 95.3％and 95.7％,respectively.The latter had an AL measurement success rate of 98.7％after manually marking the position of the retinal identification line.Conclusion There were statistically significant differences between ZW-30 and IOLMaster 700 in the measurement of the AL,Km,ACD,and CCT,which,however,were not clinically significant.The agreement between both was good.ZW-30 had a higher AL measurement success rate,espe-cially for the manual identification function of eyes with opacified refractive media,which can further improve the AL meas-urement success rate and provide reference for clinical work.