OBJECTIVE To explore the mechanism of improvement effect of Chanbao zhichuang suppository （CBZCS） on hemorrhoids in rats through network pharmacology and metabolomics. METHODS A hemorrhoid model was established by subcutaneous injection of rhododendron oil to induce anal swelling. SD rats were divided into blank group （NC group， 0.32 g/kg vaseline）， model group （Model group， 0.32 g/kg vaseline）， CBZCS low-， medium-， and high-dose groups （CBZCS-L， CBZCS- M， CBZCS-H groups， with dosages of 0.16， 0.32， and 0.64 g/kg respectively）， and Mayinglong musk hemorrhoids suppository group （Positive group， 0.32 g/kg）， with 9 rats in each group. Anal administration was performed at 6， 12， 24， 48， and 72 hours after modeling. After the last administration， the pathological changes of the anal tissues in rats were observed， and the serum levels of interleukin-6 （IL-6） and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in rats were detected. Differential metabolite analysis and enrichment analysis were conducted by metabolomics methods， and the target proteins of CBZCS in treating hemorrhoids were obtained by network pharmacology. The core metabolic pathways were screened by interaction and enrichment analysis of differential metabolites and proteins， and the core proteins were experimentally verified. RESULTS Compared with the NC group， the anal tissues of the Model group showed obvious lesions， and the levels of IL-6 and TNF- α in the serum were significantly increased （P＜0.05）； compared with the Model group， the pathological damage of the anal tissues in the treatment groups was alleviated to varying degrees， and serum levels of IL-6 in CBZCS-H group， CBZCS-M group， and Positive group as well as serum levels of TNF-α in CBZCS-H group were significantly reduced （P＜0.05）. The metabolomics results showed that 34 differential metabolites were screened from the anal tissues of rats， and 22 of them showed a return after CBZCS administration. The differential metabolites mainly enriched in arachidonic acid metabolism， histidine metabolism， and glycerophospholipid metabolism. Through the network pharmacology， 138 intersection genes of CBZCS against hemorrhoids were determined. The analysis results showed that differential metabolites and target proteins were mainly enriched in the arachidonic acid metabolism pathway， and the regulation of this pathway might be related to cyclooxygenase-2 （COX-2）， Myc proto-oncogene protein （c-MYC）， cytochrome P450 1B1 （CYP1B1）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and IL-6 protein expression. The experimental verification results showed that the expression levels of key proteins （COX-2， c-MYC， CYP1B1， IL-6， IL-1β） in the anal tissues of the Model group were significantly higher than those in the NC group （P＜0.05）， and the levels of the above proteins in the anal tissues of CBZCS-H group and Positive group were significantly lower than those in the Model group （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS The mechanism of CBZCS in treating hemorrhoids may be to inhibit the expression of COX-2， c-MYC and CYP1B1 proteins， thereby inhibiting arachidonic acid metabolism and reducing the release of inflammatory factors IL-6 and IL-1β.

Objective:To investigate the clinical diagnosis and treatment of IgG4-related disease（IgG4-RD） primarily involving the nasal cavity and skull base. Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 8 patients with IgG4-RD primarily involving the nasal cavity and skull base who visited the Nasal and Skull Base Surgery Department at Xiangya Hospital from October 2017 to January 2024. The cohort comprised 4 males and 4 females, aged 8 to 69 years. Clinical data, laboratory examination results, imaging findings, histopathological results, and treatment plans were collected. The clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up results of IgG4-RD primarily involving nasal cavity and skull base were summarized and previous literature were also reviewed. Results:The initial symptoms in the 8 patients included nasal congestion, headache, sensory function decline, and facial deformities. Three patients also had parotid and pulmonary involvement. Among the 8 patients, 4 underwent partial surgical resection combined with glucocorticoid therapy; 1 underwent partial surgical resection combined with glucocorticoid and immunosuppressant therapy; 1 received glucocorticoid therapy alone; and 2 received glucocorticoid combined with immunosuppressant therapy. Follow-up was conducted one month after treatment, lasting from 5 to 79 months. During the follow-up period, recurrence was observed in 1 patient treated with glucocorticoid combined with immunosuppressants and in 1 patient treated with glucocorticoid alone, while the other 6 patients achieved significant remission. Conclusion:The diagnosis of nasal cavity and skull base IgG4-RD requires the combination of histopathology, laboratory tests, and imaging results. Treatment primarily includes glucocorticoids or combined immunosuppressants. For patients with significant compression symptoms, sensory function impairment, or facial deformities, surgical resection is an important treatment option. Given the high risk of recurrence, early intervention, active treatment, and long-term follow-up are crucial.
Humans ; Male ; Skull Base/pathology* ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Aged ; Nasal Cavity/pathology* ; Adult ; Immunoglobulin G4-Related Disease/therapy* ; Immunoglobulin G ; Child ; Young Adult ; Adolescent

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of nasal pedicle tissue flap based on nasal blood supply in the reconstruction of nasal skull base defects.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 138 clinical cases of skull base tumors and cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea treated at the Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery at Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from March 2017 to March 2023. A total of 79 males and 59 females were enrolled, aged from 8 to 82 years, with a median age of 51 years, including 108 patients (78.3%) with skull base tumors and 30 patients (21.7%) with cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea (and/or meningoencephalocele). During the surgery, 88 cases (63.8%) were repaired with nasal septal mucosal flaps pedicled with the posterior nasal septal artery, 14 cases (10.1%) with mucosal flaps pedicled with the anterior ethmoidal artery on the lateral wall of the nasal cavity, 6 cases (4.3%) with mucosal flaps pedicled with the posterior lateral nasal artery on the lateral wall and nasal floor, 12 cases (8.7%) with mucosal flaps pedicled with the anterior ethmoidal artery and posterior ethmoidal artery, and 18 cases (13.0%) with nasal septal mucosal extension flaps pedicled with the sphenopalatine artery or internal maxillary artery. Patients were followed up for 12 to 72 months postoperatively. Endoscopic examination or skull base enhanced MRI was performed to assess the growth and tumor recurrence in the skull base repair area. The t-test was used for statistical analysis.Results:Among 138 patients, primary repair was successful in 133 patients (96.4%), while 5 patients (3.6%) experienced postoperative cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea. These 5 patients all underwent nasal septal mucosal flap repair with the posterior nasal septal artery as the pedicle. Complications included 1 case of mucosal flap necrosis, 1 case of mucosal flap central perforation, and 3 cases of mucosal flap survival peripheral leakage, of which were all successfully treated with a second repair.Conclusion:The use of nasal pedicle mucosal flap based on nasal blood supply is a reliable, safe, and effective technique for repairing skull base defects.

Objective:Progressive bone resorption and destruction is one of the most critical clinical features of middle ear cholesteatoma,potentially leading to various intracranial and extracranial complications.However,the mechanisms underlying bone destruction in middle ear cholesteatoma remain unclear.This study aims to explore the role of parathyroid hormone-related protein(PTHrP)in bone destruction associated with middle ear cholesteatoma. Methods:A total of 25 cholesteatoma specimens and 13 normal external auditory canal skin specimens were collected from patients with acquired middle ear cholesteatoma.Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expressions of PTHrP,receptor activator for nuclear factor-kappa B ligand(RANKL),and osteoprotegerin(OPG)in cholesteatoma and normal tissues.Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase(TRAP)staining was used to detect the presence of TRAP positive multi-nucleated macrophages in cholesteatoma and normal tissues.Mono-nuclear macrophage RAW264.7 cells were subjected to interventions,divided into a RANKL intervention group and a PTHrP+RANKL co-intervention group.TRAP staining was used to detect osteoclast formation in the 2 groups.The mRNA expression levels of osteoclast-related genes,including TRAP,cathepsin K(CTSK),and nuclear factor of activated T cell cytoplasmic 1(NFATc1),were measured using real-time polymerase chain reaction(real-time PCR)after the interventions.Bone resorption function of osteoclasts was assessed using a bone resorption pit analysis. Results:Immunohistochemical staining showed significantly increased expression of PTHrP and RANKL and decreased expression of OPG in cholesteatoma tissues(all P<0.05).PTHrP expression was significantly positively correlated with RANKL,the RANKL/OPG ratio,and negatively correlated with OPG expression(r=0.385,r=0.417,r=-0.316,all P<0.05).Additionally,the expression levels of PTHrP and RANKL were significantly positively correlated with the degree of bone destruction in cholesteatoma(r=0.413,r=0.505,both P<0.05).TRAP staining revealed a large number of TRAP-positive cells,including multi-nucleated osteoclasts with three or more nuclei,in the stroma surrounding the cholesteatoma epithelium.After 5 days of RANKL or PTHrP+RANKL co-intervention,the number of osteoclasts was significantly greater in the PTHrP+RANKL co-intervention group than that in the RANKL group(P<0.05),with increased mRNA expression levels of TRAP,CTSK,and NFATc1(all P<0.05).Scanning electron microscopy of bone resorption pits showed that the number(P<0.05)and size of bone resorption pits on bone slices were significantly greater in the PTHrP+RANKL co-intervention group compared with the RANKL group. Conclusion:PTHrP may promote the differentiation of macrophages in the surrounding stroma of cholesteatoma into osteoclasts through RANKL induction,contributing to bone destruction in middle ear cholesteatoma.

Objective:Middle ear cholesteatoma is a non-tumorous condition that typically leads to hearing loss,bone destruction,and other severe complications.Despite surgery being the primary treatment,the recurrence rate remains high.Therefore,exploring the molecular mechanisms underlying cholesteatoma is crucial for discovering new therapeutic approaches.This study aims to explore the involvement of N6-methyladenosine(m6A)methylation in long non-coding RNAs(lncRNAs)in the biological functions and related pathways of middle ear cholesteatoma. Methods:The m6A modification patterns of lncRNA in middle ear cholesteatoma tissues(n=5)and normal post-auricular skin tissues(n=5)were analyzed using an lncRNA m6A transcriptome microarray.Gene Ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway analyses were conducted to identify potential biological functions and signaling pathways involved in the pathogenesis of middle ear cholesteatoma.Methylated RNA immunoprecipitation(MeRIP)-PCR was used to validate the m6A modifications in cholesteatoma and normal skin tissues. Results:Compared with normal skin tissues,1 525 lncRNAs were differentially methylated in middle ear cholesteatoma tissues,with 1 048 showing hypermethylation and 477 showing hypomethylation[fold change(FC)≥3 or<1/3,P<0.05].GO enrichment analysis indicated that hypermethylated lncRNAs were involved in protein phosphatase inhibitor activity,neuron-neuron synapse,and regulation of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid(AMPA)receptor activity.Hypomethylated lncRNAs were associated with mRNA methyltransferase activity,secretory granule membrane,and mRNA methylation.KEGG analysis revealed that hypermethylated lncRNAs were mainly associated with 5 pathways:the Hedgehog signaling pathway,viral protein interaction with cytokines and cytokine receptors,mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)signaling pathway,cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction,and adrenergic signaling in cardiomyocytes.Hypomethylated lncRNAs were mainly involved in 4 pathways:Renal cell carcinoma,tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway,transcriptional misregulation in cancer,and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction.Additionally,MeRIP-PCR confirmed the changes in m6A methylation levels in NR_033339,NR_122111,NR_130744,and NR_026800,consistent with microarray analysis.Real-time PCR also confirmed the significant upregulation of MAPK1 and NF-κB,key genes in the MAPK signaling pathway. Conclusion:This study reveals the m6A modification patterns of lncRNAs in middle ear cholesteatoma,suggests a direction for further research into the role of lncRNA m6A modification in the etiology of cholesteatoma.The findings provide potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of middle ear cholesteatoma.

ObjectiveSerum metabolomics of acute lung injury（ALI） in rats was conducted using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry（UPLC-Q-TOF-MS） to explore the similarities and differences in the mechanism of Qingqiao（harvested when the fruits of Forsythiae Fructus were initially ripe and still green in color） and Laoqiao（harvested when the fruits of Forsythiae Fructus were ripe） in the treatment of ALI. MethodA total of 24 SD male rats were acclimatized and fed for 1 week， 6 of them were randomly selected for the blank group and 18 for the experimental group. The ALI model was induced in the experimental group by tracheal intubation with lipopolysaccharide（LPS）. After successfully constructing the ALI model， these rats was randomly divided into model group， Qingqiao group and Laoqiao group， with 6 rats in each group. The Qingqiao and Laoqiao groups were administered orally once a day at a dose of 1.5 g·kg^-1， while the blank and model groups received an equivalent volume of saline for 3 consecutive days. The pathological conditions of rat lung tissues were comprehensively assessed by hematoxylin-eosin（HE） staining， wet-to-dry mass ratio（W/D） of lung tissues， and protein concentration in rat bronchoalveolar lavage fluid（BALF）. The levels of interleukin（IL）-6， IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor（TNF）-α in BALF were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA）. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS was used to identify and analyze the chemical compositions of Qingqiao and Laoqiao， and serum metabolomics of rats in each group was analyzed， combined with multivariate statistical analysis with variable importance in the projection（VIP） value>1， P<0.05 from t-test， and fold change（FC）≥1.5 or FC≤0.5 to screen the differential metabolites Qingqiao and Laoqiao for the treatment of ALI. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes（KEGG） database was used in combination with MetaboAnalyst for the metabolic pathway analysis of the screened differential metabolites. ResultCompared with the blank group， rats in the model group exhibited enlarged alveolar lumen， ruptured alveoli， interstitial hemorrhage， bronchial exudation of a large number of neutrophils and erythrocytes， and a significant increase in the protein concentration in the BALF and the W/D value of the lung tissues（P<0.01）. In contrast， compared with the model group， rats in the Qingqiao group and the Laoqiao group showed reduced bronchial hemorrhage in the lungs， and the protein concentration in the BALF and the W/D value of the lung tissues were significantly decreased（P<0.01）， the lung injury was significantly alleviated， but more obvious in the Qingqiao group. Compared with the blank group， the expression levels of IL-6， IL-1β and TNF-α in the BALF of the model group were significantly higher（P<0.01）. Additionally， compared with the model group， the expression levels of IL-6， IL-1β and TNF-α in the Qingqiao and Laoqiao groups were significantly lower（P<0.01）. The chemical composition analysis of Qingqiao and Laoqiao revealed that 63 components were detected in Qingqiao and 55 components were detected in Laoqiao， with 47 common components， 16 components unique to Qingqiao and 8 components unique to Laoqiao. Characterizing the differences in serum metabolomics in rats， 19 and 12 metabolites were called back by Qingqiao and Laoqiao， respectively. The metabolic pathway enrichment analysis showed that Qingqiao exerted its therapeutic effects by affecting 6 key metabolic pathways， including linoleic acid metabolism， phenylalanine metabolism， phenylalanine， tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis， glycerophospholipid metabolism， α-linolenic acid metabolism， and arachidonic acid metabolism， and Laoqiao exerted therapeutic effects by affecting 6 key metabolic pathways， including linoleic acid metabolism， arachidonic acid metabolism， sphingolipid metabolism， phenylalanine metabolism， ascorbate and aldarate metabolism， and glycerophospholipid metabolism. ConclusionQingqiao and Laoqiao have therapeutic effects on ALI， and Qingqiao is more effective. Both of them can play a therapeutic role in ALI by regulating amino acid metabolism and lipid metabolism， but the metabolic pathways affected by them are different.

OBJECTIVE To establish a high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the detection of 10 related substances in 20(S)-protopanaxadiol bulk drug. METHODS Used an ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18 chromatographic column with ultrapure water(A)-acetonitrile(B) as mobile phase. The flow rate was 0.20-0.25 mL·min-1, the detection wavelength was set at 203 nm, the column temperature was maintained at 35℃, and the injection volume was 5 μL. RESULTS 20(S)-protopanaxadiol and various impurities had reached an effective separation with a good linear relationship; the sample recovery(n=9) was ranging from 94.8% to 102.2%. The RSD values were <2.0%; the intra-day and inter-day precision RSD values were<2.0%, with a good precision; the related substances C, F, H, and I were stable in solution with RSD values<2.0% in 48 h at the room temperature; while impurities A, B, D, E, G and J were unstable under the same condition with RSD>2.0%. CONCLUSION The method is simple, sensitive and accurate, which can simultaneously determine 10 related substances in API 20(S)-protopanaxadiol, which can effectively identify the relevant substances in API and provide reference for the improvement of its production process and quality control.

To summarize the clinical manifestations of a case with 46, XY sex development disorder caused by myelin regulatory factor(MYRF) gene mutation and review the literature to deepen the specialists′ understanding of the clinical disease spectrum resulting from MYRF gene variations. The child had a female phenotype with mild masculinity, chromosome 46, XY, sex-determining region of Y gene(SRY gene) positive, laboratory tests were consistent with primary hypogonadism, ultrasound did not detect the gonads, but the residual reproductive tract was visible, and echocardiography suggested coarctation of the aorta, MYRF gene c. 2518C>T(p.R840*) heterozygous variant. The father did not carry this variant. The mother was untraceable, and genetic testing had not been completed. It was analyzed as pathogenic variation according to American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics(ACMG) guidelines. Sixteen cases of disorders of sex development caused by MYRF gene variation reported from 2018 to 2021 were reviewed, MYRF gene variants, 46, XY, and 46, XX individuals can be pathogenic, can affect the gonad and reproductive tract at the same time, and can also affect multiple systems. In this case, the patient presents with 46, XY sex development disorder due to MYRF gene mutation, accompanied by rare cardiovascular complications. When encountering 46, XY primary hypogonadism without well-developed Müllerian duct structures, this condition should be considered. Following confirmation, a comprehensive assessment of multi-organ function is necessary.

Objective To explore the relationship between MTHFR gene polymorphism and lung cancer in Han population of Heilongjiang Province.Methods Two hundred and twenty-five lung cancer patients were selected as the experimental group and the healthy subjects in the outpatient physical examination as the control group,A case-control study was used to analyze the association of MTHFR gene 677C/T,1298A/C SNP and lung cancer,and the gene typing was detected by Sanger double deoxidization chain termination method.Results In the control group,the frequencies of wild-type CC,mutant heterozygote CT,and homozygous TT genotypes of the MTHFR gene C677T were 34.2％,55.1％,and 10.7％,respectively.The frequencies of the three genotypes in the experimental group were 26.7％,50.2％,23.1％,respectively.The difference in the distribution of C677T SNP genotype frequencies of the experimental group and the control group was statistically significant (P =0.002),in which the mutation homozygous TT carriers were 2.78 times more likely to develop lung cancer than wild-type CC (OR(95％CI):2.78 (1.54 ～ 5.02),P =0.001);AA,AC and CC genotype frequencies ofthe A1298C locus of the MTHFR gene were 34.2％,55.1％,and 10.7％,respectively,and the control group was 64.0％.32.0％,4.0％,there was no significant difference between the two groups (P =0.247).The frequencies of AA,AC and CC genotypes in the A1298C locus of the MTHFR gene were 34.2％,55.1％,and 10.7％,respectively,and 64.0.％,32.0％,and 4.0％ in the control group,respectively.There was no significant difference between the two groups (P).=0.247).The haploid analysis showed that the distribution frequency of TA haplotype in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group (43.1％ vs.35.3％).There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (OR(95％CI):1.39 (1.06-1.81),P=0.016);while the frequencies of CC haplotypes in the experimental group and the control group were 10.6％ and 17.1％,respectively.The difference was statistically significant (OR(95％CI):0.58 (0.39-0.85).P=0.005).There was a linkage disequilibrium between the two points of MTHFR gene 677 and 1298 (D'=0.48,P=0.003).The gene-environment interaction analysis of the MTHFR gene C677T polymorphism showed that based on the comparison between TT and CC genotype,age over 60 (OR(95％CI):4.0(1.78-9.32),P =0.001),male (OR (95％CI):5.55 (2.10-14.67),P=0.000),smoking (OR(95％CI):8.13 (2.29-28.85),P=0.000) and small cell lung cancer (OR (95％CI):1.28 (1.10-1.44),P=0.000) can increase the risk of lung cancer;based on the comparison between CT and CC genotype,women (OR(95％CI):2.09 (1.05-4.16),P=0.030),non-smoking population (OR(95％CI):2.43 (1.25-4.74),P=0.008) and small cell lung cancer (OR (95％ CI):0.31 (1.16-1.59),P =0.000) can increase the risk of lung cancer.Conclusion MTHFR gene C677T is a genetic susceptibility gene for lung cancer and is associated with the risk of lung cancer.

Objective To analyze the influence of mode of delivery on post-neonatal gut microbiota using polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) technology.Methods From April to August in 2013,thirty healthy urban full-term neonates in Nanjing City were enrolled in the study,including fifteen exclusive breastfed ones (seven born of caesarean section and eight born vaginally) and fifteen mixed feeding ones (eight born of cesarean section and seven born vaginally).Stool specimens were collected on the 28th day after birth and bacterial genomic DNA was extracted and examined by PCR on 16S rDNA V3 variable region.Bacterial community profiles were obtained by DGGE.Diversity and similarity differences of the gut microbial community structures were analyzed.Two independent sample t test or Chi-square tests were used for stastistical analysis.Results (1)Diversity analysis showed that among exclusive breastfeeding infants,the Strip number and Shannon-Weaver Diversity Index of gut microbiota in infants born abdominally were significantly lower than those born vaginally [9.71 ±4.27 vs 15.12±4.19,2.13±0.39 vs 2.61±0.32,both P＜0.05],but the Simpson index of gut microbiota was significantly higher [0.13 ± 0.04 vs 0.08± 0.03,P＜0.05],and no significant difference was shown in Pielou Index (P＞0.05).In the mixed feeding group,the Strip number and Shannon-Weaver Diversity Index of gut microbiota in infants born abdominally were significantly lower than those born vaginally [10.88±3.23 vs 16.29±5.38,2.26±0.37 vs 2.66±0.31,both P＜0.05],the Simpson index was higher,but together with the Pielou Index,neither showed significant difference (both P＞0.05).(2) Similarity analysis found that gut microbiota from neonates born of same mode of delivery mostly gathered together and had much more similar structures.Conclusions In the post-neonatal period,the species and numbers of gut microbiota in infants born abdominally are all behind of those born vaginally.The predominant microbiota in babies born of cesarean section are more prominent,and gut microbiota in vaginal delivered babies are more uniformly distributed.