OBJECTIVE To predict and validate the mechanisms of Chaiqi yigan granules （CQYG） improving hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）. METHODS The signaling pathways of CQYG intervention in HCC were predicted using network pharmacology. A mice model of transplanted hepatocellular carcinoma was established by injecting H22 hepatoma cells into the axilla. Successfully modeled mice were randomly divided into model group （normal saline）， sorafenib group （positive control， 50 mg/kg）， and CQYG low-， medium- and high-dose groups （24.83， 49.66， 99.32 g/kg）， with 10 mice in each group. Mice in each group were administered the corresponding drug solution or normal saline intragastrically， once a day， for 14 consecutive days. After last administration， pathological morphological changes in the tumor tissues of mice were observed in each group. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to detect the expression of the nuclear proliferation antigen Ki-67 in tumor tissues of mice. Western blot assay was used to measure the expression of proteins related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition （EMT） [N-cadherin， E-cadherin， Vimentin， matrix metalloproteinase 7 （MMP7）] and the mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK） signaling pathway [p38 MAPK， phosphorylated p38 MAPK， c-Jun N-terminal kinase （JNK）， phosphorylated JNK， extracellular regulated protein kinase 1/2 （ERK1/2）， phosphorylated ERK1/2] in tumor tissue of mice. RESULTS Network pharmacology analysis revealed that metabolic pathways， pathways in cancer， and the MAPK signaling pathway were key signaling pathways through which CQYG exert their anti-hepatocellular carcinoma effects. In animal experiments， the tumor tissues of mice in the model group exhibited dense tumor cells and vigorous growth. Compared with model group， CQYG high-dose group showed a decreased density of tumor cells in the tumor tissues of mice. Moreover， the expression levels of Ki-67， N-cadherin， MMP7 and Vimentin proteins， along with the phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2 and JNK proteins， were all significantly reduced （ P ＜0.05）. The expression level of E-cadherin protein was significantly increased （ P ＜0.05）， the phosphorylation level of p38 MAPK protein was increased， the difference was not statistically significant （ P ＞0.05）. CONCLUSIONS CQYG can inhibit EMT by regulating the MAPK signaling pathway， thereby suppressing tumor cell invasion and metastasis and ultimately exerting a therapeutic effect in improving HCC.

ObjectiveTo analyze the infection status of main respiratory pathogens in influenza-like illness (ILI) cases in Anji County, Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province, and to provide a reference for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of respiratory infections. MethodsThroat swab samples were collected from 520 ILI cases in an influenza sentinel surveillance hospital in Anji County of Zhejiang Province from December 2023 to November 2024. Multiplex real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (mRT-PCR) was used to detect 18 pathogens and their subtypes, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), influenza A virus (Flu A), influenza A (H1N1) virus, influenza A (H3N2) virus, influenza B virus (Flu B), influenza B virus Victoria lineage (BV), influenza B virus Yamagata lineage (BY), coronavirus (CoV), human parainfluenza virus (HPIV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human metapneumovirus (HMPV), adenovirus (ADV), human bocavirus (HBoV), enterovirus (EV), rhinovirus (RV), Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP), Chlamydia pneumoniae (CP), and Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP). ResultsThe overall positivity rate of pathogens in 520 samples was 33.65%, among which the detection rates of Flu (9.14%), ADV (7.50%), SARS-CoV-2 (6.15%), and EV (3.65%) were relatively high. There were statistically significant differences in the overall positivity rate of pathogens by age and season (all P<0.05). The highest overall positivity rate was observed in the 5‒14 years old group (42.77%), and the overall positivity rate in winter (53.08%) was significantly higher than that in other seasons. ConclusionFrom 2023 to 2024, the main respiratory pathogens detected in ILI cases in Anji County were Flu, ADV, SARS-CoV-2, and EV. The epidemic characteristics showed age and seasonal specificity, so it is necessary to strengthen prevention and control for high-risk populations and epidemic seasons in a targeted manner.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and mechanism of Yigan huayu formula in alleviating liver fibrosis in mice. METHODS Mice were randomly divided into blank group （normal saline）， model group （normal saline）， Yigan huayu formula low- and high-dose groups （28.98， 57.96 g/kg， calculated by crude drug）， with 8 mice in each group. Except for the blank group， the liver fibrosis model was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 15%CCl 4 -olive oil solution. From the third week， the mice received the medicine/normal saline intragastrically， once a day， for 4 consecutive weeks. After the last medication， liver indexes were calculated， the activities of alanine aminotransferase （ALT） and aspartate aminotransferase （AST） in serum， as well as the hydroxyproline （HYP） content in liver tissue， were measured. Liver histopathology was evaluated. Differentially expressed proteins （DEPs） in liver tissue were analyzed based on proteomics， followed by bioinfo rmatics analysis. The expressions of core DEPs were validated using Western blot （WB） and immunohistochemistry （IHC） methods. RESULTS Compared with the blank group， the model group showed significantly elevated liver indexes， serum activities of ALT and AST， and hepatic HYP content （ P ＜0.05）， along with obvious pathological damage and collagen deposition. Compared with the model group， the above indexes of mice in the Yigan huayu formula high-dose group were decreased significantly （ P ＜0.05）， with marked improvement in liver pathological damage and collagen deposition. Proteomics identified 210 DEPs between the model group and Yigan huayu formula high-dose group. DEPs were significantly enriched in extracellular matrix （ECM）-receptor interaction and lipid metabolism pathways. WB and IHC confirmed that Yigan huayu formula could significantly inhibit the abnormally elevated expressions of collagen type Ⅳ alpha1 chain （COL4A1）， secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine （SPARC）， vitronectin （VTN） and laminin subunit alpha5 （LAMA5） in liver tissue of mice （ P ＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Yigan huayu formula may exert anti-hepatic fibrosis effects by inhibiting the expressions of proteins such as COL4A1， LAMA5， SPARC， and VTN， thereby blocking the ECM-receptor interaction signaling pathway， and subsequently suppressing excessive ECM deposition and basement membrane remodeling.

Objective To investigate the cluster spectrum and functional-associated mutation characteristics of the neuraminidase (NA) gene of A (H3N2) viruses in Tangshan, Hebei Province from 2010 to 2024. Methods A total of 30 influenza A (H3N2) virus strains in Tangshan from 2010 to 2024 were selected, which was based on the seasonal distribution of influenza sample collection. Phylogenetic tree of NA gene was constructed, and BioEdit was used for alignments of amino acid sequences to identify variations on functional-associated sites. Homologous models for B.4.3 subgroup and A/Darwin/9/2021 were constructed to analyze the conformational variation at mutation sites. Results From 2010-2024, influenza A (H3N2) virus strains in Tangshan, Hebei were divided into eight branches: A, A.2, A.2.1, A.2.2, B, B.1.1, B.4, and B.4.3. The strains in subgroups B, B.4 and B.4.3 appeared from 2023 to 2024. The NA protein antigen epitopes, resistance sites, and potential glycosylation sites all had amino acid mutations. The homologous model analysis of NA functional-associated regions of B.4.3 subgroup and A/Darwin/9/2021 revealed spatial conformation changes in amino acid 83, 150 and 331, which could influence the functional performance of associated sites. Conclusion The NA gene of influenza A (H3N2) viruses in Tangshan continues to mutate at functional sites. Mutational analysis and structural modeling indicate potential antigenic drift and drug-resistant mutations. In the future, attention should be paid to the variation trend of epidemic strains under branch B.4.3.

OBJECTIVE To explore the mechanism of Chaiqi yigan granules （CQYG） against liver cancer through the ferroptosis pathway. METHODS Network pharmacology combined with ferroptosis-related database was used to screen key targets and main effective components of CQYG against liver cancer via regulating ferroptosis； molecular docking technology was employed to analyze the binding ability of main active components to key targets. Human liver Huh-7 cells were divided into blank serum control （CON） group， CQYG drug-containing serum （CQYGKL） group， ferroptosis inducer （RSL3） group， mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 （mTORC1） inhibitor （RMC-5552） group， mTORC1 agonist （CCT007093） group， and CCT007093+CQYGKL group. The levels of Fe 2+ ， malondialdehyde （MDA）， and glutathione （GSH） in the cells were detected in the former three groups； mRNA expressions of mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR）， sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 （SREBP1）， and stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 （SCD1）， protein expressions of SREBP1 and SCD1 as well as phosphorylation levels of mTOR and ribosomal S6 kinase （S6K） proteins were detected in all groups. RESULTS Key targets of CQYG for anti-liver cancer through the ferroptosis pathway were mTOR， SREBP1， SCD1，etc. The main active components included quercetin， tanshinone Ⅱ A ， baicalein， etc. The binding energies of main active components to key targets were all less than －5 kJ/mol. Compared with CON group， the levels of Fe 2+ and MDA in the cells in CQYGKL group and RSL3 group were significantly increased， while the levels of GSH were significantly decreased （ P ＜0.05）. mRNA expressions of mTOR， SREBP1 and SCD1， protein expressions of SREBP1 and SCD1， as well as the phosphorylation levels of mTOR and S6K proteins were significantly decreased in the CQYGKL group， RSL3 group， and RMC-5552 group， whereas all the above indicators were significantly increased in the CCT007093 group （ P ＜0.05）. Compared with CCT007093 group， the changes in all the above indicators were significantly suppressed in the CCT007093+CQYGKL group （ P ＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS CQYG may induce ferroptosis by inhibiting mTORC1/SREBP1/SCD1 axis， thereby exerting anti-liver cancer effects.

BackgroundAttention deficit hyperactivity disorder （ADHD） is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by age-inappropriate inattention， excessive activities incongruous with setting， and emotional impulsivity. Subthreshold ADHD （sADHD） is clinically defined as the presence of ADHD symptoms that do not meet the full diagnostic criteria for ADHD. Children with sADHD exhibit deficits in executive function， demonstrate more conduct， learning， and anxiety-related problems compared to typically developing children， and show even poorer working memory performance than children diagnosed with ADHD. Currently， there is limited epidemiological research on sADHD in China， with few studies simultaneously investigating the prevalence of both ADHD and sADHD in children. ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence of ADHD and sADHD among children aged 6–13 years in Chongqing， analyzing their distribution characteristics within this population， with the aim of providing references for developing preventive measures against both ADHD and sADHD. MethodsFrom October to November 2023， a total of 3 398 students in grades 1–6 from six primary schools in Jiangbei District， Chongqing were selected using a stratified cluster random sampling method. The occurrence of ADHD and sADHD was evaluated by using the short version （18-item version） of the Swanson， Nolan， and Pelham IV rating scales （SNAP-IV） and the Chinese vision of Schedule for Affective Disorder and Schizophrenia for School-aged Children-Present and Lifetime Version （K-SADS-PL）. ResultsThe ADHD detection rate among children in Chongqing was 1.90% （95% CI： 0.014–0.024）. Boys showed a significantly higher ADHD detection rate than girls （χ²=7.733， P=0.005）. No statistically significant differences were found in ADHD detection rates across different grades or age groups （χ²=7.347， 12.362， P>0.05）. The sADHD detection rate was 6.32% （95% CI： 0.054–0.072）. Similarly， boys exhibited significantly higher sADHD detection rates than girls （χ²=21.005， P<0.01）. Significant differences emerged across different grades （χ²=20.559， P=0.001）， while no statistically significant difference was observed in age groups （χ²=12.070， P=0.060）. ConclusionThe ADHD detection rates were comparable across all grade levels and age groups from 6–13 years old. Second-grade children demonstrated notably higher sADHD rates compared to other grades， while boys demonstrated higher prevalence rates than girls for both ADHD and sADHD. ［Funded by Science and Health Joint Medical Research Project in Jiangbei District， Chongqing City in the Second Half of 2023 （number， 2023JBKWLH022）］

Objective To explore the MRI and clinical features of squamous carcinoma transformation-mature teratoma(SCT-MT)of the ovary.Methods The pre-operative data from 7 patients with SCT-MT confirmed by surgery and pathology were collected.The MRI features(such as location,morphology,size,signal,boundaries,and the presence of a mural nodule,with or without fat or calcifi-cation,limited diffusion,transmural growth,and angle to the cyst wall)and clinical features(including age,clinical manifestations,serologi-cal markers,pelvic effusion,peripheral tissue infiltration,and lymph node metastasis)were retrospectively analyzed.Results Among the seven SCT-MT,all originated unilaterally,and were cystic-solid masses with a predominantly cystic component of round or round-like appearance.Six cases had well-defined boundaries,and six exhibited fat-fluid levels.The tumor sizes ranged from 9 cm to 17 cm.Seven cases showed mural nodules,without calcification and fat,with limited diffusion,and the mean apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)value was(0.96±0.11)× 10-3 mm2/s.Six cases showed transmural growth,and the angle between the nodule and the cyst wall was obtuse in 5 cases,and the mural nodules were significantly enhanced.The seven SCT-MT patients ranged in age from 53 to 75 years old.Four patients had clinical manifestations of pain related to pelvic distension.Conclusion SCT-MT MRI typically presents as a unilateral large solid mass in the pelvic cavity,with a predominantly cystic component.The mural nodules within it lack calcification or fat,show limited diffusion,and may breech the wall and infiltrate adjacent structures,with significant enhancement.Furthermore,SCT-MT may be associated with older age and elevated serological markers.

Objective:To investigate the effects of Yisui Shengxue Decoction on the regulation of Notch signaling pathway on bone marrow hematopoiesis in mice with aplastic anemia(AA).Methods:A total of 60 CByB6F1 mice were randomly divided into blank group,model group,positive control cyclosporine(CsA)group,low-dose(YSSX-L)group and high-dose(YSSX-H)group of Chinese herbal compound Yisui Shengxue Decoction,with 12 mice in each group.Except for the blank group,the mice in each group were given 5 Gy X-ray irradiation combined with tail vein infusion of lymphocytes to establish the immune-mediated AA mouse model.The low and high dose groups were given 8.6 and 17.2 g/(kg?d)of Yisui Shengxue Decoction by gavage,the model group and the blank group were given equal volume of saline by gavage,and the positive control group was given 25 mg/(kg?d)of cyclosporine by ga-vage for 14 days.The mice were tested for white blood cell count(WBC),red blood cell count(RBC),hemoglobin(Hb),platelet count(PLT)and bone marrow nucleated cell count in peripheral blood,bone marrow pathological changes and the levels of IFN-γ,IL-4 and IL-5 in peripheral serum,and T-lymphocyte transcription factors T-bet,GATA3,RORγt,FOXP3 mRNA and protein in spleen tissues,as well as the expression levels of Notch signaling pathway-related genes and protein in spleen tissues.Results:Compared with the blank group,the peripheral blood WBC,RBC,Hb,PLT,bone marrow nucleated cell count,expressions of serum IL-4,IL-5 and spleen tissue GATA3,FOXP3 mRNA and protein were significantly lower in the model group(P<0.01),and the expressions of serum IFN-γ,spleen tissue T-bet,RORγt mRNA and protein,and Notch1,Jagged1,DLL4 mRNA and protein were significantly in-creased(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,peripheral blood WBC,RBC,Hb,PLT,bone marrow nucleated cell count,ex-pressions of serum IL-4,IL-5 and spleen tissue GATA3,FOXP3 mRNA and protein were significantly higher in each intervention group(P<0.05),and the expression of serum IFN-γ and spleen tissue T-bet,RORγt mRNA and protein as well as Notch1,Jagged1,DLL4 mRNA and protein were significantly reduced(P<0.05).Conclusion:Yisui Shengxue Decoction can improve bone marrow he-matopoietic function and regulate immune disorders in AA mice,and its mechanism of action may be related to the regulation of Notch signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate the effect of cytoskeleton-associated protein 4 (CKAP4) gene knockout on maxillary expansion osteogenesis and its regulatory mechanism on the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC).Methods:Nineteen wild type (WT) and nineteen CKAP4 gene knockout (Ckap4 -/-) mice aged 6-8 weeks were selected to establish a mouse model of rapid maxillary expansion. Samples were taken on the 7th and 14th day after the operation. Micro-CT and HE staining were used to evaluate bone regeneration. Tissue proteins in the modeled area were collected, and Western blotting analysis (WB) was used to detect the protein expression levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), and osteocalcin (OCN). BMSC were isolated from WT and Ckap4 -/- mice. The expression of surface markers CD29, Sca-1, CD44, CD45, CD34, and CD11b was detected by flow cytometry, and cell proliferation ability was detected by 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU). After 7 days of osteogenic induction, real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and WB were used to detect the expression levels of RUXN2, ALP, OCN, protein kinase B (AKT), and phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-AKT). After 21 days, alizarin red staining and cetyl pyridine chloride quantification were used to detect the differences in mineralized nodule formation in each group. In CKAP4 gene knockout BMSC, the small-molecule AKT agonist sc79 (4 μg/ml) was added as the intervention group (Ckap4 -/- +sc79), and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) treatment was used as the control group (Ckap4 -/- +DMSO). After osteogenic induction, RT-qPCR, WB, and alizarin red staining were used to compare the osteogenic differentiation differences between the two groups of cells. Results:The micro-CT results showed that at 7 days and 14 days after surgery, the new bone volume in the Ckap4 -/- group [(0.070±0.010) and (0.146±0.019) mm 3] was significantly lower than that in the WT group [(0.094±0.006) and (0.196±0.013) mm 3] (both P<0.01). HE-stained histological sections showed that the area of new bone tissue in the Ckap4 -/- group at 7 days and 14 days after surgery [(0.101±0.008) and (0.158±0.010) mm 2] was also significantly lower than that in the WT group [(0.116±0.005) and (0.183±0.008) mm 2] (both P<0.05). WB was used to detect the tissue proteins in the maxillary modeling area of mice in the two groups 7 days after surgery. The results showed that the expression levels of ALP, RUNX2 and OCN in the Ckap4 -/- group were significantly lower than those in the WT group. BMSC from wild-type mice and CKAP4 knockout mice were both positively expressed for CD29, CD44, and Sca-1, and basically not expressed for CD45, CD34, and CD11b. EdU assay showed that there was no significant difference in the proliferation ability of cells in the two groups. After 21 days of osteogenic induction of BMSC, alizarin red staining results showed that the number of mineralized nodules in the Ckap4 -/- group was significantly less than that in the WT group. After adding sc79, the number of mineralized nodules increased significantly, which was consistent with the results of cetyl pyridine chloride quantification. After 7 days of osteogenic induction, It was found that the expression levels of ALP, RUNX2, and OCN in the CKAP4 -/-group (0.751±0.066, 0.484±0.040, 0.679±0.063) were significantly lower than those in the WT group (1.000±0.113, 1.000±0.081, 1.000±0.113) (all P<0.001). The results of WB were consistent with those of RT-qPCR. At the same time, the WB results showed that the level of p-AKT protein in the CKAP4 -/-group (0.518±0.114) was significantly lower than that in the WT group (1.000±0.234) ( P<0.05). After treatment with sc79 for 7 days of osteogenic induction, RT-qPCR was used to detect the gene expression levels of ALP, RUNX2, and OCN. The results showed that the expression levels in the CKAP4 -/-+sc79 group (2.755±0.353, 4.800±0.990, 2.524±0.137) were significantly higher than those in the CKAP4 -/-+DMSO group (1.000±0.078, 1.000±0.247, 1.000±0.175) (all P<0.001). Conclusions:CKAP4 knockout inhibits the osteogenic differentiation of BMSC by reducing the activity of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, thereby suppressing osteogenesis in maxillary expansion.

Objective To observe the effects of Tongqiao Pingchuan Decoction on miR-155 and NF-κB-HIF-1α signaling pathway in mice with combined allergic rhinitis and asthma syndrome(CARAS);To explore its potential mechanisms in the treatment of chronic inflammation of respiratory tract in CARAS.Methods Totally 60 female BALB/c mice were divided into blank group,model group,miR-155 inhibitor NC group,miR-155 inhibitor group,dexamethasone group and Tongqiao Pingchuan Decoction group using a random number table method,with 10 mice in each group.Except for the blank group,all other groups were sensitized by intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin combined with aluminum hydroxide gel on days 0 and 7.From days 14 to 30,5%ovalbumin was administered intranasally every other day,followed by continuous nebulization with 5%ovalbumin from days 31 to 37.The miR-155 inhibitor NC group and the miR-155 inhibitor group received intranasal administration of miR-155 inhibitor NC and miR-155 inhibitor solution,respectively,3 hours before nebulization.The blank group was given an equivalent volume of normal saline via intraperitoneal injection,intranasal administration and nebulization.The administration groups were gavaged with the corresponding drug solution 1 hour after nebulization,while the other groups received an equivalent volume of normal saline via gavage.HE staining was used to observe morphology of nasal mucosa and lung tissue,ELISA was used to detect the contents of interleukin(IL)-4,IL-5,and γ-interferon(IFN-γ)in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid,RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of miR-155,T-bet,GATA-3,NF-κB p65 and HIF-1α mRNA in nasal mucosa and lung tissue,Western blot was used to detect the expressions of T-bet,GATA-3,NF-κB p65 and HIF-1α proteins in lung tissue.Results Compared with the blank group,the model group mice showed shedding of nasal mucosal cilia,tissue congestion and edema,significant glandular hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration,bronchial lumen stenosis,smooth muscle thickening and a large amount of inflammatory substance exudation,the contents of IL-4 and IL-5 increased,while IFN-γ content decreased(P<0.01),the mRNA expression of miR-155,GATA-3,NF-κB p65,HIF-1α in nasal mucosa and lung tissue were increased(P<0.01),while T-bet mRNA expression was decreased(P<0.01),the protein expression of GATA-3,NF-κB p65 and HIF-1α in lung tissue increased(P<0.01),while T-bet protein expression decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the miR-155 inhibitor group,dexamethasone group and Tongqiao Pingchuan Decoction group showed reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and pathological changes in nasal mucosa and lung tissue of mice,the contents of IL-4 and IL-5 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were reduced,while the content of IFN-γ was increased(P<0.01),the expressions of miR-155,GATA-3,NF-κB p65 and HIF-1α mRNA in nasal mucosa and lung tissue were reduced(P<0.05,P<0.01),while the expression of T-bet mRNA increased(P<0.05,P<0.01),the expressions of GATA-3,NF-κB p65 and HIF-1α protein in lung tissue were reduced(P<0.05,P<0.01),the expression of T-bet protein in dexamethasone group and Tongqiao Pingchuan Decoction group mice increased(P<0.05).Conclusion Tongqiao Pingchuan Decoction can effectively inhibit the expression of miR-155,suppress the abnormal activation of NF-κB-HIF-1α signaling pathway,correct the imbalance of Th1/Th2 immunity,and play a therapeutic role in alleviating airway inflammation in CARAS.