ObjectiveTo explore the effect of oral sodium butyrate on skeletal muscle atrophy in CT26 tumor mice through the gut microbiota-skeletal muscle axis and its potential mechanism. MethodsSixty SPF BALB/c male mice aged 8 weeks were randomly divided into a normal control group (NC, n=18) and a ABX-depleted group (ABX, n=42). The ABX mice were pretreated with a quadruple antibiotic cocktail via oral gavage (0.2 ml per administration, once daily, 6 d per week, for 2 weeks), whereas NC received an equal volume of sterile water. The quadruple antibiotic cocktail consisted of metronidazole (1 g/L), vancomycin (0.5 g/L), ampicillin (1 g/L), and gentamicin (1 g/L). Following successful pretreatment, six mice from each group were randomly selected for gut microbiota sequencing analysis and designated as the Abx group and the NC0 group, respectively. Theremaining mice in ABX were subcutaneously inoculated in the dorsum with 0.2 ml of CT26 cell suspension (at a cell density of 1×10⁷/ml). Then these mice were randomly allocated into three subgroups: a control tumor bearing model group (0_NaB, n=12), a tumor-bearing model group receiving low-dose oral sodium butyrate (L_NaB, n=12), a tumor-bearing model group receiving high-dose oral sodium butyrate (H_NaB, n=12). And mice in NC were inoculated at the same site with 0.2 ml of normal saline. The administration dose for L_NaB was 0.3 g/(kg·d), that for H_NaB was 0.5 g/(kg·d), while NC and 0_NaB were given the same volume of normal saline (0.2ml per time, once daily, 6 d per week, for 4 weeks). The general condition of mice was monitored, and forelimb grip strength gastrocnemius muscle mass and its muscle fiber cross-sectional area were measured for each group. The structural changes in gut microbiota were assessed by 16S rRNA sequencing of cecal contents. Pathological alterations in the intestinal wall were examined via HE staining. Serum and gastrocnemius muscle levels of TNF‑α, IL-6, IL-1β, and LPS were quantified using ELISA. The protein expression of ZO-1 and occludin in the small intestine, as well as proteins associated with the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway in the gastrocnemius muscle, were detected by Western blot analysis. Results(1) The alpha-diversity in Abx was significantly lower than that in NC0 (P<0.01), a significant decrease of the mass and muscle fiber cross-sectional area of the gastrocnemius (P<0.01), with the majority of gut microbiota being effectively depleted. (2) Compared with NC, the subcutaneous tumors of mice in 0_NaB were prominent, a significant increase of the mass and muscle fiber cross-sectional area of the gastrocnemius, accompanied by a significant decrease in body weight at the end of the 3th and 4th week (P<0.05), and a significant weakening of the forelimb grasping strength at the 5th and 6th week (P<0.01). Compared with 0_NaB, the tumor mass of mice in L_NaB and H_NaB showed a significant decreasing trend, and the grip strength of the forelimbs significantly increased at the 5th and 6th week (P<0.05, P<0.01). (3) Compared with 0_NaB, the Shannon and Observed species indices in α diversity of L_NaB and H_NaB were significantly increased (P<0.05). At the genus level, compared with 0_NaB, L_NaB exhibited a significant decrease in the relative abundance of Parasutterella (P< 0.01), while H_NaB showed significant reductions in the relative abundances of both Escherichia-Shigella and Parasutterella (P < 0.01). (4) Compared with 0_NaB, the small intestinal tissue structure in L_NaB and H_NaB was more intact, the infiltration of inflammatory cells was significantly reduced, and the capillaries were slightly dilated. The expression levels of ZO-1 and occludin proteins in L_NaB were significantly increased (P<0.01). (5) The LPS concentration in the gastrocnemius muscle and the protein expression levels of TLR4, MyD88, p-IκBα, and p-NF‑κB p65 in L_NaB and H_NaB were significantly lower than those in 0_NaB (P<0.05). The serum TNF‑α concentration in H_NaB and TNF-α concentration in the gastrocnemius muscle of the L_NaB and H_NaB were significantly lower than those in 0_NaB (P<0.05, P<0.01, P<0.01). ConclusionOral administration of NaB can improve gut microbiota α diversity, adjusting its composition, improving intestinal mucosal barrier function, reducing the LPS-induced pro-inflammatory response, and delaying skeletal muscle atrophy. The underlying mechanism may involve down regulation of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling in skeletal muscle.

Aim To explore the mechanism of luteolin in alleviating hepatic fibrosis.Methods C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the control group,CCl4 group,silybin group(100 mg·kg-1)and luteo-lin group(100 mg·kg-1).After 10-week modeling and 2-week treatment,the serum levels of aminotrans-ferase and liver histopathology were examined.Hepatic fibrosis and autophagy-related gene expression were as-sessed using immunohistochemistry and immunofluores-cence.Human hepatic stellate cell line(LX2)was cultured and divided into control,TGF-β1(10 mg·L-1),TGF-β1+silybin(40 μmol·L-1),TGF-β1+luteolin(40 μmol·L-1).Fibrotic and autophagy-re-lated markers were analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR,Western blot,immunofluorescence and MDC staining.Results Compared with the CCl4 group,the treatment groups showed significantly improved liver function and reduced hepatic fibrosis,with markedly downregulated COL1A1 and α-SMA expression,and luteolin demonstrated superior efficacy.Compared with TGF-β1 group,luteolin treatment significantly de-creased mRNA levels of COL1A1,ACTA2 and MAP1LC3B,while increasing the mRNA level of SQSTM1,the protein levels of COL1A1 and α-SMA de-creased,p62 was enhanced,the LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ ratio was downregulated,and autophagy was reduced.These effects of luteolin were reversed by autophagy inducer rapamycin.Conclusion Luteolin alleviates liver fi-brosis by decreasing the autophagy of hepatic stellate cells.

AIM To study the chemical constituents from Inula japonica Thunb.and their anti-asthmatic activity.METHODS Separation and purification were performed using silica gel and Sephadex LH-20,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.The effect of compounds on the release rate of β-Hex was evaluated by substrate coloration method.RESULTS Twenty-three compounds were isolated and identified as dehydrodontic acid(1),vitexin(2),alternariol(3),globuxanthone(4),1,3,6,7-tetrahydroxyxanthone(5),hydroxyhydrolapachol(6),isoscopoletin(7),elephanmollen(8),benzoylcholine(9),hoconobiflavone(10),clovandiol(11),hydroxydihydrobovolide(12),5,7-dihydroxycoumarin(13),scopoletin(14),orlichenol glucoside(15),urolignoside(16),9-angeloyloxythymol(17),6,3′,4′-trihydroxyaurone(18),flufuran(19),sweroside(20),guajadial(21),5,7,4′-trimethoxy-4-phenylcoumarin(22),dibutylphthalate(23).After intervention with compounds 9 and 16,the release rates of β-Hex were(56.64±2.37)％and(58.07±2.29)％,respectively.CONCLUSION Compounds 1-23 are isolated from Ⅰ.japonica for the first time.Compounds 9 and 16 have anti-asthmatic activity.

AIM To investigate the clinical effects of Yifei Tongluo Decoction combined with azithromycin on patients with childern severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia due to Toxic Heat Blocking Lung.METHODS One hundred and fifty-six patients were randomly assigned into control group(78 cases)for 7-day administration of azithromycin,and observation group(78 cases)for 7-day administration of both Yifei Tongluo Decoction and azithromycin.The changes in clinical effects,disappearance time of local symptoms,mycoplasmas,pulmonary imaging score,Toxic Heat Blocking Lung score,pulmonary function indices(PEF,VPTEF,MMF,TPTEF),inflammatory factors(sB7-H3,Cgp-39,sICAM-1,CCL5),immune function indices(RBC-C3bR,RBC-ICR,CD3+,CD4+)and safety indices were detected.RESULTS The observation group demonstrated higher total effective rate than the control group(P＜0.05),along with shorter disappearance time of local symptoms(P＜0.05).After the treatment,the two groups displayed decreased mycoplasmas,pulmonary imaging score,Toxic Heat Blocking Lung score,inflammatory factors,RBC-ICR(P＜0.05),and increased pulmonary function indices,RBC-C3bR,CD3+,CD4+(P＜0.05),especially for the observation group(P＜0.05).No obvious difference in incidence of adverse reactions was found between the two groups(P＞0.05).CONCLUSION For the patients with childern severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia due to Toxic Heat Blocking Lung,Yifei Tongluo Decoction combined with azithromycin can safely and effectively alleviate clinical symptoms,improve pulmonary functions,and reduce body inflammatory responses.

Objective To investigate the longitudinal clinical manifestations of acute radiation dermatitis(ARD)induced by particle therapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients and to analyze associated risk factors.Methods A longitudinal study design was employed,encompassing nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients who underwent particle therapy at the Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center from Mar to Sept 2023.Participants were assessed weekly(1-12 weeks)following the commencement of radiotherapy and at baseline,prior to the start of treatment.Data collection included the patient demographic questionnaire,the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group(RTOG)grading criteria for acute radiation injury,and the radiation-induced skin reaction assessment scale(RISRAS).Photographic documentation was utilized to capture changes in the irradiated skin area.The enrolled patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma were grouped according to different particle therapy regimens.Survival data were analyzed by Log-rank and Cox regression methods,while a linear mixed-effects model was applied to repeated measures data.Results A total of 119 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma were enrolled.The overall incidence of ARD was 89.1%,which included 39.5%of grade 1,45.4%of grade 2 and 4.2%of grade 3.With the extension of time,the severity of ARD peaked at week 7(RISRAS=13.26±4.512),then began to decrease,ultimately reaching a lower level.Multiple Cox proportional hazards models were constructed,revealing that proton/heavy ion radiotherapy was associated with a lower risk of ARD compared to photon/proton plus heavy ion radiotherapy(HR=0.19,95%CI:0.04-0.92,P=0.039).Additionally,concurrent cisplatin/nedaplatin chemotherapy was identified as a risk factor for the development of ARD.Least squares(LS)mean differences were calculated at different time points,and the results demonstrated that the RISRAS scores of the photon/proton plus heavy ion group were consistently and significantly higher from week 5 to week 7 compared with the proton plus heavy ion group,and despite a decrease by week 8,statistical differences remained(week 5:LS mean difference 3.35,95%CI:0.94-5.76,P=0.007;week 6:LS mean difference 5.23,95%CI:2.20-8.26,P=0.001;week 7:LS mean difference 7.13,95%CI:3.67-10.59,P<0.001;week 8:LS mean difference 4.04,95%CI:0.74-7.34,P=0.017).Patients undergoing concurrent cisplatin chemotherapy had higher RISRAS scores from week 7 to week 8 of radiotherapy compared with those not receiving chemotherapy[week 7:adjusted mean difference(Adj.MD)4.20,95%CI:1.96-6.57,P=0.006;week 8:Adj.MD 2.79,95%CI 0.55-5.03,P=0.015].Similarly,patients on concurrent nedaplatin chemotherapy had higher RISRAS scores from weeks 6 to 7 compared with those not on chemotherapy(week 6:Adj.MD 3.75,95%CI:1.54-5.96,P=0.001;week 7:Adj.MD 4.41,95%CI:2.12-6.70,P<0.001).Skin care measures during treatment and accompanying symptoms such as weight loss were not statistically associated with the development of ARD.Conclusion Proton/heavy ion radiotherapy has a lower risk of ARD,while concurrent cisplatin/nedaplatin chemotherapy is a risk factor for ARD.

Objective:To analyze the dual gain effect of hyperbaric oxygen combined with vestibular rehabilitation training on patients with tinnitus and dizziness.Methods:This study was a retrospective analysis,and 90 patients with tinnitus and dizziness who visited the outpatient department of our hospital from January 2022 to January 2025 were selected to carry out the study,and were divided into observation group and control group according to the treatment methods,with 45 cases in each group.The matched group patients were treated with conventional medication,while the observation group received hyperbaric oxygen combined with vestibular rehabilitation training on the basis of the matched group.The clinical efficacy of the two groups was compared,including the concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin in the cerebral cortex,vestibular function,severity of tinnitus,and severity of dizziness before and after treatment.Results:The total effective rate of the observation group was higher than the matched group(P＜0.05);Post-treatment,there was no significant change in the concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin in the parietal and occipital cortex between the two groups(P＞0.05).However,the concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin in the temporal lobe,dorsolateral prefrontal cortex,and frontal polar cortex increased,and the observation group was higher than the matched group(P＜0.05);Post-treatment,the values of hemiparesis,total area of center of gravity movement(CA),and total length of center of gravity movement(PL)in both groups decreased,and the observation group was lower than the matched group(P＜0.05);Post-treatment,the severity score of tinnitus in both groups decreased,and the observation group was lower than that in the matched group(P＜0.05);Post-treatment,the degree score of vertigo in both groups decreased,and the observation group was lower than that in the matched group(P＜0.05).Conclusion:Hyperbaric oxygen combined with vestibular rehabilitation training has a significant dual gain effect on patients with tinnitus and dizziness,which can improve clinical efficacy,promote cortical neural activity,improve vestibular function,and thereby alleviate the severity of tinnitus and dizziness.

Objective To investigate the impact of risk prevention and control on the quality efficiency of medical equipment procurement.Methods The medical equipment procurement projects with enhanced risk prevention measures during 2023(119 items)were assigned to an observation group,while those without strengthened risk control during 2022(118 items)were enrolled into a control group.The two groups were compared in terms of bid failure/rejection rates,procurement completion cycles(including procurement execution cycle and total procurement cycle)and procurement satisfaction.Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 20.0 software.Results The observation group demonstrated significantly lower bid failure/rejection rates when compared with the control group(≥2 occurrences:5.88％vs.15.25％,P＜0.05).The procurement execution cycle was notably shorter in the observation group((69.16±78.65)d vs.(97.67±49.84)d,P＜0.05),though no significant difference was observed in total procurement cycle(P＞0.05).The observation group behaved better significantly than the control group in procurement efficiency,equipment performance,procedural compliance and post-purchase service satisfaction(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Risk prevention and control measures in medical equipment procurement effectively reduce bid failure/rejection risks while enhancing procurement quality efficiency.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(3):81-85]

Objective To investigate the impact of risk prevention and control on the quality efficiency of medical equipment procurement.Methods The medical equipment procurement projects with enhanced risk prevention measures during 2023(119 items)were assigned to an observation group,while those without strengthened risk control during 2022(118 items)were enrolled into a control group.The two groups were compared in terms of bid failure/rejection rates,procurement completion cycles(including procurement execution cycle and total procurement cycle)and procurement satisfaction.Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 20.0 software.Results The observation group demonstrated significantly lower bid failure/rejection rates when compared with the control group(≥2 occurrences:5.88％vs.15.25％,P＜0.05).The procurement execution cycle was notably shorter in the observation group((69.16±78.65)d vs.(97.67±49.84)d,P＜0.05),though no significant difference was observed in total procurement cycle(P＞0.05).The observation group behaved better significantly than the control group in procurement efficiency,equipment performance,procedural compliance and post-purchase service satisfaction(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Risk prevention and control measures in medical equipment procurement effectively reduce bid failure/rejection risks while enhancing procurement quality efficiency.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(3):81-85]

Objective:To analyze the dual gain effect of hyperbaric oxygen combined with vestibular rehabilitation training on patients with tinnitus and dizziness.Methods:This study was a retrospective analysis,and 90 patients with tinnitus and dizziness who visited the outpatient department of our hospital from January 2022 to January 2025 were selected to carry out the study,and were divided into observation group and control group according to the treatment methods,with 45 cases in each group.The matched group patients were treated with conventional medication,while the observation group received hyperbaric oxygen combined with vestibular rehabilitation training on the basis of the matched group.The clinical efficacy of the two groups was compared,including the concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin in the cerebral cortex,vestibular function,severity of tinnitus,and severity of dizziness before and after treatment.Results:The total effective rate of the observation group was higher than the matched group(P＜0.05);Post-treatment,there was no significant change in the concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin in the parietal and occipital cortex between the two groups(P＞0.05).However,the concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin in the temporal lobe,dorsolateral prefrontal cortex,and frontal polar cortex increased,and the observation group was higher than the matched group(P＜0.05);Post-treatment,the values of hemiparesis,total area of center of gravity movement(CA),and total length of center of gravity movement(PL)in both groups decreased,and the observation group was lower than the matched group(P＜0.05);Post-treatment,the severity score of tinnitus in both groups decreased,and the observation group was lower than that in the matched group(P＜0.05);Post-treatment,the degree score of vertigo in both groups decreased,and the observation group was lower than that in the matched group(P＜0.05).Conclusion:Hyperbaric oxygen combined with vestibular rehabilitation training has a significant dual gain effect on patients with tinnitus and dizziness,which can improve clinical efficacy,promote cortical neural activity,improve vestibular function,and thereby alleviate the severity of tinnitus and dizziness.

Aim To explore the mechanism of luteolin in alleviating hepatic fibrosis.Methods C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the control group,CCl4 group,silybin group(100 mg·kg-1)and luteo-lin group(100 mg·kg-1).After 10-week modeling and 2-week treatment,the serum levels of aminotrans-ferase and liver histopathology were examined.Hepatic fibrosis and autophagy-related gene expression were as-sessed using immunohistochemistry and immunofluores-cence.Human hepatic stellate cell line(LX2)was cultured and divided into control,TGF-β1(10 mg·L-1),TGF-β1+silybin(40 μmol·L-1),TGF-β1+luteolin(40 μmol·L-1).Fibrotic and autophagy-re-lated markers were analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR,Western blot,immunofluorescence and MDC staining.Results Compared with the CCl4 group,the treatment groups showed significantly improved liver function and reduced hepatic fibrosis,with markedly downregulated COL1A1 and α-SMA expression,and luteolin demonstrated superior efficacy.Compared with TGF-β1 group,luteolin treatment significantly de-creased mRNA levels of COL1A1,ACTA2 and MAP1LC3B,while increasing the mRNA level of SQSTM1,the protein levels of COL1A1 and α-SMA de-creased,p62 was enhanced,the LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ ratio was downregulated,and autophagy was reduced.These effects of luteolin were reversed by autophagy inducer rapamycin.Conclusion Luteolin alleviates liver fi-brosis by decreasing the autophagy of hepatic stellate cells.