OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and mechanisms of Buyang huanwu decoction （BYHWD） and its active fractions in ameliorating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. METHODS BYHWD and its effective fractions obtained through ethanol precipitation， as well as 30% ethanol， 50% ethanol， and 75% ethanol fractions （namely， the CC effective fraction， 30YC effective fraction， 50YC effective fraction， and 75YC effective fraction）， were prepared. These preparations were administered to rats via intragastric administration to prepare corresponding drug-containing serum （blank serum and simvastatin-containing serum were prepared using the same protocol）. Human L02 hepatocytes were divided into control group， model group， simvastatin-containing serum group， BYHWD-containing serum group， CC-containing serum group， 30YC-containing serum group， 50YC-containing serum group， and 75YC-containing serum group. Except for the control group， other groups were given 0.2 mol/L oleic acid for 24 h to induce a lipid accumulation model， and then intervened with 20% drug-containing serum/blank serum for 24 h. The lipid deposition in cells was observed， and the proportion of lipid droplet area was calculated； the levels of triglycerides （TG） and indicators of oxidative stress [malondialdehyde （MDA）， superoxide dismutase （SOD）] as well as liver function [alanine amino- transferase （ALT）， aspartate amino-transferase （AST）] in cells were detected； protein and mRNA expressions of AMP-activated protein kinase （AMPK）/sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 （SREBP-1）/glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase （GPAT） signaling pathway were also measured. RESULTS Compared with the control group， cells in the model group exhibited severe cellular steatosis， with a significantly increased proportion of lipid droplet area， as well as the elevated levels of TG， ALT， AST， and MDA in cells， along with significantly up-regulated mRNA and protein expression levels of SREBP-1 and GPAT （P＜0.05）. The level of SOD， mRNA expression of AMPK， as well as the protein phosphorylation level of AMPK were decreased significantly （P＜0.05）. Compared with the model group， cellular steatosis was alleviated in all drug-containing serum groups， and the levels of most of the aforementioned quantitative indicators were significantly reversed （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS BYHWD and its active fractions can exert a therapeutic effect on improving non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by regulating the AMPK/SREBP-1/GPAT signaling pathway， inhibiting oxidative stress responses， and reducing lipid deposition.

Objective"Lie flat"has recently become a buzz word describing a specific psychological state in some individuals.However,its psychological meaning and mechanisms remain unclear.Lack of motivation under certain conditions may be one of the key psychological characteristics of this condition.Methods Sixteen male SD rats were randomly assigned to two food-restriction levels(90%and 80%of baseline weight,respectively),and subjected to a sucrose-pellet self-administration task.The establishment of the model is divided into three stages.The rats were trained to self-administer sucrose pellets in a high-reward learning stage and in a low-reward learning stage.We then assessed"lie flat"behavior in a preference-test stage,in which rats could choose between high-reward-and low-reward-paired nose-pokes in a discrete choice procedure.Results Combining self-feeding training with Western blot,the results showed that:(1)rats showed significantly decreased nose-poke behavior for low-reward,i.e."lie flat"behavior,but not for high-reward,when≥90%of the maximal reward was obtained in the high-reward task and the effort(X)in the low-reward task increased to the breaking point.(2)Dopamine D1R expression in the NAc was significantly higher in the"lie flat"group compared with the"not lie flat"rats,while D2R expression was similar in both groups.Conclusions Rats can show"lie flat"behavior,and up-regulation of D1R expression in the NAc may be a key part of the molecular basis responsible for this motivation deficiency in"lie flat"behavior.These results extend our understanding of"lie flat"behavior,and provide a new paradigm for the study of its mechanism.

AIM To investigate the effects of Changpu Yujin Decoction(CPYJD)on striatal mitophagy and PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway in a rat model of Tourette syndrome(TS).METHODS Thirty-six SPF male SD rats were randomly assigned to the control group(n=9)and the TS modeling group(n=27).Rats in the modeling group received daily intraperitoneal injections of 3,3'-iminodipropionitrile(IDPN)(300 mg/kg)for 7 consecutive days to establish the TS model.Post-modeling,successfully induced TS rats were re-randomized into model group(no treatment),tiapride group(47.91 mg/kg)and CPYJD group(77.28 g/kg).All groups received their respective interventions via intragastric administration daily for 28 days.Following drug administration,behavioral scores were assessed in each group.Pathological alterations in the striatum were examined using HE staining,while ultrastructural changes were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy(TEM).Neuronal apoptosis was quantified via TUNEL staining,and ROS levels in striatum were measured by ELISA.Co-localization of PINK1 and LC3B was assessed using immunofluorescence(IF).Finally,mRNA and protein expressions of PINK1,Parkin,Beclin-1,P62 and LC3B(LC3B-Ⅱ/Ⅰ ratio)were analyzed by RT-qPCR and Western blot.RESULTS Compared to the control group,the model group demonstrated significantly increased behavioral scores(P＜0.01),elevated neuronal apoptosis rate and higher ROS levels in the striatum(P＜0.01);severe neuronal and mitochondrial damage in the striatum;significantly reduced mRNA and protein expressions of PINK1,Parkin,Beclin-1 and LC3B(LC3B-Ⅱ/Ⅰ ratio)in the striatum(P＜0.01);markedly upregulated P62 mRNA and protein expressions(P＜0.01).Compared to the model group,both the tiapride and CPYJD intervention groups exhibited significantly reduced behavioral scores(P＜0.01);decreased neuronal apoptosis rate and lower ROS levels(P＜0.01);improved pathological alterations in the striatal neurons and mitochondria;increased mRNA and protein expressions of PINK1,Parkin and Beclin-1 in the striatum(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);and decreased P62 mRNA and protein expressions(P＜0.01).Furthermore,the rats in the CPYJD group specifically showed elevated LC3B mRNA level and LC3B-Ⅱ/Ⅰ protein ratio in striatum(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).CONCLUSION The effect of CPYJD intervention in TS rats may involve activation of mitophagy through regulation of the PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway,improving mitochondrial function,reducing ROS levels,and thereby protecting neurons.

Retinopathy caused by myopia is the first cause of irreversible blinding eye disease in China.The TCM methods to prevent and control myopia mainly include Chinese materia medica and TCM appropriate techniques,which have the advantages of good efficacy,simple operation,and few adverse reactions.This paper believed that internal and external pathogenic factors act on the brain and eyes,breaking their homeostasis,leading to rhythmic disorders,and imbalance of essence,qi and blood is the main pathogenesis of myopia.Based on the idea of"nature and human in the same rhythm"and"the same treatment for common diseases",targeting the above pathogenesis,the method of"brain-eye synchronization"was proposed to restore the homeostasis of the brain and eyes to prevent and control myopia in children and adolescents,and the treatment rules were to regulate the rhythms of the time,harmonize the qi and blood,nourish the blood to soften the tendons,and replenish the essence and blood,so as to achieve the effect of brain-eye synchronization and the treatment of the spirit and the body together.This article summarized the theoretical basis of"brain-eye synchronization"and its clinical application in traditional Chinese and Western medicine,with a view to providing new ideas for the prevention and control of myopia in children and adolescents.

Aim To study the effect of p-benzoyl sali-droside(pOBz)on angiogenesis after ischemic stroke and to explore the underlying mechanism.Methods The MCAO model was prepared by suture method.Rats were divided into four groups:sham,MCAO,pOBz administration,and edaravone positive control,treated for seven days.The mNSS was used to assess the neurological impairment.Western blotting was em-ployed to detect CD31,NICD,and Hes-1 protein ex-pression,while immunofluorescence staining was ap-plies to quantify CD31-positive cells in ischemic brain tissue.In vitro an OGD/R model was established in HUVECs.Following treatment with varying pOBz con-centrations(0.01,0.1,1 μmol·L-1),the CCK-8 as-say was uses to measure cell viability,and in vitro tube formation assay was utilized to evaluate angiogenesis.Western blotting was employed again to assess CD31,NICD and Hes-1 protein levels.To further elucidate the mechanism,HUVEC were treated with the Notch inhibitor DAPT prior to grouping and pOBz administra-tion,and the same parameters were evaluated.Results pOBz significantly reduced the mNSS score of MCAO rats,increased CD31-positive cell counts,and upregu-lated CD31,NICD,and Hes-1 protein expression(P＜0.01).In vitro results further showed that pOBz could dose-dependently increase the survival rate and angio-genesis ability of HUVEC induced by OGD/R,and promote CD31,NICD and Hes-1 proteins(P＜0.01),and Notch inhibitor DAPT could reverse the above effects of pOBz.Conclusion pOBz promotes angio-genesis in HUVEC,and its mechanism involves activa-tion of the Notch signaling pathway.

Objective This study aimed to explore the ability of ultrasonographic radiomics in predicting the occurrence of in-stent restenosis(ISR)after carotid artery stenting(CAS)by analyzing the correlation between radiomic features of responsible plaques in carotid artery stenosis and the incidence of ISR.Methods A retrospective collection was conducted on 206 cases that underwent CAS treatment at our hospital.The enrolled patients were randomly split into a training set(144 cases)and a test set(62 cases)at a 7∶3 ratio.We utilized the Darwin Intelligent Research Platform to extract radiomic features from each region of interest,and then screened 1125 ultrasonographic radiomic features.Different machine learning algorithms were employed to construct diagnostic models,and the best-performing classifier was selected.Various prediction models were established,including a clinical-ultrasonographic feature model,a radiomic model,and a combined clinical-ultrasonographic-radiomic model.Results Multivariate logistic regression analysis in the training set revealed that hypertension,hyperuricemia,triglycerides,and plaque location were independent risk factors for ISR after CAS.For the clinical-ultrasonographic model,the area under the curve(AUC)values for the training and validation sets were 0.896 and 0.644,respectively.The corresponding AUC values for the radiomic model were 0.961 and 0.715,while those for the combined model were 0.947 and 0.727.Conclusion The radiomic model demonstrates superior performance in predicting ISR compared to the traditional clinical-ultrasonographic model.The combined model exhibited an enhanced ability to predict ISR occurrence,thereby improving the diagnostic performance of traditional assessments.

Objective:To evaluate the preventive effects of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on chronic pain after lumbar spine surgery.Methods:This was a secondary analysis conducted on the studies assessing the effect of TEAS on gastrointestinal function in patients undergoing lumbar spinal surgery. Fifty lumbar spinal stenosis patients of either sex, aged 50-75 yr, with a body mass index of 18.5-28.0 kg/m 2, of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status cassification Ⅰ or Ⅱ, with expected operation time≥3 h, undergoing lumbar spinal surgery under general anesthesia, were enrolled and assigned into 2 groups ( n=25 each) using a random number table method: control group (C group) and TEAS group. In group C, stimulating electrodes were placed at the non-acupoint parts of the limbs, but no electrical stimulation was applied. In group TEAS, the bilateral Neiguan (PC6), Hegu (L14), Zusanli (ST36), Shangjuxu (ST37) and Xiajuxu (ST39) were stimulated with disperse-dense waves at a frequency of 2/100 Hz. The intensity of stimulation was the maximum current that patients could tolerate. The intervention was performed once a day for 30 min per session at 30 min prior to anesthesia induction and on postoperative days 1-7. Telephone follow-ups were conducted at 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery to record the occurrence of postoperative moderate-to-severe lower back pain and leg pain (Numerical Rating Scale score ≥4), and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) value and four-item neuropathic pain questionnaire scores. The pain-related medical visits and usage of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were also recorded after surgery. Results:Three patients in each group were lost to follow-up. Compared with group C, the incidence of chronic low back pain was significantly decreased at 6-12 months after surgery, the ODI value and four-item neuropathic pain questionnaire scores were decreased at 12 months after surgery ( P<0.05), ODI value difference reached the minimal clinically important difference, the proportion of patients requiring medical visits due to postoperative pain and usage rate of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were decreased at 6-12 months after surgery ( P<0.05), and no significant change in the incidence of chronic moderate-to-severe leg pain was found at each time period after surgery in group TEAS( P>0.05). Conclusions:TEAS can prevent the occurrence of chronic lower back pain and improve functional impairment in patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery.

Objective:To investigate the changes in the expression levels of long non-coding ribonucleic acids (lncRNAs) in human lymphocytes induced by low-dose ionizing radiation (LDIR) and the potential of lncRNAs as radiation biomarkers.Methods:Human immortalized lymphocytes (AHH-1) were irradiated with 0, 0.05, and 0.1 Gy of γ-rays at 24 h to extract RNAs for whole transcriptome sequencing. The sequencing was performed based on the 0, 0.05, and 0.1 Gy groups. The differentially expressed lncRNAs induced by LDIR were identified. The molecular functions, biological processes, and signaling pathway enrichment of differentially expressed genes were analyzed through the Gene Ontology (GO) analysis. Candidate lncRNAs were preliminarily validated using the qRT-PCR method. AHH-1 cells were irradiated with 0, 0.02, 0.05, 0.075, 0.1, and 0.2 Gy to extract the total RNAs at 4, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 h. The dose-response relationship of candidate lncRNAs was detected and analyzed. Peripheral blood sampled from eight healthy persons was irradiated with 0, 0.02, 0.05, 0.075, 0.1, and 0.2 Gy in vitro, followed by culturing for 24 h and 48 h to further verify the changes in the expression levels of radiation-responsive lncRNAs at the cellular level. Results:A total of 44 lncRNAs that were significantly up- or down-regulated after 0.05 and 0.1 Gy irradiation were initially identified through transcriptome sequencing. Among them, lncRNAs with over two-fold differential expression included SNHG1, SNHG15, NEAT1, and PRC1-AS1. At the cellular level, compared to 0 Gy, the relative expression level of PRC1-AS1 after 4 h to 48 h of γ-ray irradiation, was significantly elevated at 0.05, 0.075, and 0.1 Gy( t= -3.11 to 1.23, P < 0.05). In contrast, the relative expression level of NEAT1 was significantly up-regulated in a dose range of 0.02 to 0.1 Gy ( t=-2.47 to 2.10, P < 0.05). At the level of human peripheral blood, the relative expression levels of PRC1-AS1 and NEAT1 were significantly increased at 24 h after 0 to 0.2 Gy irradiation ( t=-3.79 to -1.96, P < 0.05). Conclusion:The PRC1-AS1 and NEAT1 with significant changes in expression levels serve as potential LDIR biomarkers.

Aim To explore the material basis and un-derlying mechanism of Qingre Huoxue Formula(QRHXF)in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)by applying network pharmacology,molecular docking technology and bioinformatics com-bined with animal experiments.Methods TCMSP,ECTM,and BATMAN databases were used to obtain active components and corresponding targets of QRHXF;GEO and DisGeNENT databases were con-ducted to acquire NSCLC-associated differential expres-sion genes.By intersecting them,the common targets were obtained.It was chosen to construct a herb-com-ponent-disease network and protein-protein interaction(PPI)network.Furthermore,DAVID database was used to perform gene ontology(GO)function and Kyo-to encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG)path-way enrichment analyses.The molecular docking was presented by adopting Autodock Vina program to verify key targets.RNA-seq datawere downloaded from TC-GA database to obtain differential gene expression.Ka-planMeier(KM)analysis was performed to analyze the relationship between gene expression and overall sur-vival.Mouse subcutaneous tumor model of LLC was established.The effects of QRHXF on body weight,tumor volume and weight were monitored for pharmaco-dynamic analysis.Tumor tissues slides were stained with hematoxylin and eosin(HE)for histopathological examination.Immunohistochemistry(IHC)staining was employed for detecting Ki67 and EP300.Western blot was performed to measure the protein expression of TP53,CDK1 and NTRK1.Results The results of net-work pharmacology showed that a total of seven com-mon targets were screened from NSCLC and QRHXF,and the effect of QRHXF on anti-NSCLC may occur via multiple signaling pathways,including cell cycle.The results of molecular docking indicated that the main ac-tive components of QRHXF had low binding energy and stable docking conformation with the molecular target for treating NSCLC.According to bioinformatic analy-sis,there were significant differences in BRCA1,CDK1 and NTRK1 mRNA expression between tumor tissues and normal tissues,which were also prognostic factors for overall survival.Animal experimental research showed QRHXF inhibited subcutaneous tumor growth(P＜0.01)and improved the quality of life in mice with NSCLC.After QRHXF intervention,the density of tumor cells was significantly reduced,and necrotic are-as were increased.The expressions of Ki67 and EP300 were significantly decreased.Compared with the model group,Western blot showed up-regulation of TP53 and NTRKA(P＜0.05),whereas CDK1 were down-regu-lated(P＜0.05).Conclusion QRHXF exerted anti-NSCLC effects by regulating NTRK1,EP300,TP53,CDK1 and inducing cell cycle,cell cycle arrest and in-hibiting tumor growth,metastasis and angiogenesis.

Objective This study aimed to explore the ability of ultrasonographic radiomics in predicting the occurrence of in-stent restenosis(ISR)after carotid artery stenting(CAS)by analyzing the correlation between radiomic features of responsible plaques in carotid artery stenosis and the incidence of ISR.Methods A retrospective collection was conducted on 206 cases that underwent CAS treatment at our hospital.The enrolled patients were randomly split into a training set(144 cases)and a test set(62 cases)at a 7∶3 ratio.We utilized the Darwin Intelligent Research Platform to extract radiomic features from each region of interest,and then screened 1125 ultrasonographic radiomic features.Different machine learning algorithms were employed to construct diagnostic models,and the best-performing classifier was selected.Various prediction models were established,including a clinical-ultrasonographic feature model,a radiomic model,and a combined clinical-ultrasonographic-radiomic model.Results Multivariate logistic regression analysis in the training set revealed that hypertension,hyperuricemia,triglycerides,and plaque location were independent risk factors for ISR after CAS.For the clinical-ultrasonographic model,the area under the curve(AUC)values for the training and validation sets were 0.896 and 0.644,respectively.The corresponding AUC values for the radiomic model were 0.961 and 0.715,while those for the combined model were 0.947 and 0.727.Conclusion The radiomic model demonstrates superior performance in predicting ISR compared to the traditional clinical-ultrasonographic model.The combined model exhibited an enhanced ability to predict ISR occurrence,thereby improving the diagnostic performance of traditional assessments.