ObjectiveTo elucidate the mechanism by which total flavonoids of Abelmoschi Corolla （TFA） treat immunoglobulin A （IgA） nephropathy （IgAN） through serum metabolomics analysis. MethodsSPF-grade male SD rats were randomly assigned into six groups （n=10）： blank， model， low-dose TFA （TFA-L， 27 mg·kg^-1）， medium-dose TFA （TFA-M， 54 mg·kg^-1）， high-dose TFA （TFA-H， 108 mg·kg^-1）， and losartan potassium （LST， 4.5 mg·kg^-1） groups. The remaining five groups， excluding the blank group， were modeled with bovine serum albumin （BSA）， lipopolysaccharide （LPS）， and carbon tetrachloride （CCl₄）. Specifically， from weeks 1 to 10， BSA was administered via gavage every other day， and a mixture of castor oil and CCl₄ was injected subcutaneously once a week， with LPS injected into the tail vein at weeks 6 and 8. After successful modeling， each intervention group was administrated with the medication prepared with distilled water once daily by gavage for a continuous period of 4 weeks. The levels of 24-hour urinary total protein （24 h UP） and serum creatinine （SCr） were quantified by kits， and the serum IgA level was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Renal pathological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and periodic acid-Schiff （PAS） staining. Renal IgA deposition was assessed by immunofluorescence （IF）. Endoplasmic reticulum （ER） stress was observed by transmission electron microscopy. Western blot and immunohistochemistry （IHC） were employed to detect the expression of ER stress-related factors. Non-targeted metabolomics was used to screen differential metabolites for analysis， and key metabolites arachidonic acid （AA）， prostaglandin E₂ （PGE₂）， and cyclooxygenase-2 （COX-2） were validated. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the model group showed increased 24-hour urine protein （24 h UP） and serum creatinine （SCr） levels （P<0.01）， obvious renal pathological damage， elevated serum IgA level （P<0.01）， increased renal AA and PGE₂ levels （P<0.01）， and up-regulated protein levels of COX-2， glucose-regulated protein 78 （GRP78）， phosphorylated eukaryotic initiation factor 2α （P-EIF2α）， activating transcription factor 4 （ATF4）， inositol-requiring enzyme 1α （IRE1α）， and spliced X-box binding protein 1 （XBP1s） in the renal tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the intervention groups showed reductions in 24 h UP and SCr levels （P<0.05， P<0.01）， alleviated renal pathological injury， decreased serum IgA level （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and reduced renal AA and PGE₂ levels （P<0.01）. Western blot and IHC results showed that TFA reduced the levels of COX-2， GRP78， P-EIF2α， ATF4， IRE1α， and XBP1s in the renal tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Metabolomics results indicated that 51 commonly differential metabolites were found among the normal， model， and TFA-M groups. TFA ameliorated IgAN by affecting metabolic pathways related to the biosynthesis of arachidonic acid and arginine through L-aspartic acid， prostaglandin 2α， leukotriene B₄， leukotriene D₄， among others. ConclusionTFA can regulate the arachidonic acid metabolism pathway， thereby modulating ER stress， reducing renal damage， and ameliorating IgA nephropathy.

Coptis chinensis Franch. and Panax ginseng C. A. Mey. are traditional herbal medicines with millennia of documented use and broad therapeutic applications, including anti-diabetic properties. However, the synergistic effect of total alkaloids from Coptis chinensis and total ginsenosides from Panax ginseng on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its underlying mechanism remain unclear. The research demonstrated that the optimal ratio of total alkaloids from Coptis chinensis and total ginsenosides from Panax ginseng was 4∶1, exhibiting maximal efficacy in improving insulin resistance and gluconeogenesis in primary mouse hepatocytes. This combination demonstrated significant synergistic effects in improving glucose tolerance, reducing fasting blood glucose (FBG), the weight ratio of epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT), and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in leptin receptor-deficient (db/db) mice. Subsequently, a T2DM liver-specific network was constructed based on RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) experiments and public databases by integrating transcriptional properties of disease-associated proteins and protein-protein interactions (PPIs). The network recovery index (NRI) score of the combined treatment group with a 4∶1 ratio exceeded that of groups treated with individual components. The research identified that activated adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) signaling in the liver played a crucial role in the synergistic treatment of T2DM, as verified by western blot experiment in db/db mice. These findings demonstrate that the 4∶1 combination of total alkaloids from Coptis chinensis and total ginsenosides from Panax ginseng significantly improves insulin resistance and glucose and lipid metabolism disorders in db/db mice, surpassing the efficacy of individual treatments. The synergistic mechanism correlates with enhanced AMPK/ACC signaling pathway activity.
Animals ; Panax/chemistry* ; Ginsenosides/administration & dosage* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/metabolism* ; Mice ; Male ; Alkaloids/pharmacology* ; Coptis/chemistry* ; Drug Synergism ; Insulin Resistance ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Humans ; Transcriptome/drug effects* ; Blood Glucose/metabolism* ; Hypoglycemic Agents/administration & dosage* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Hepatocytes/metabolism*

Objective As an important monitoring target for gaseous effluents from nuclear facilities, the radioactive inert gas ⁸⁵Kr requires accurate measurement, which is crucial for nuclear safety and radiation protection. This study organized an inter-laboratory comparison activity for ⁸⁵Kr gamma-ray spectrometry measurements, with the aims of identifying potential problems in ⁸⁵Kr measurement and improving detection capabilities and proficiency. Methods Four laboratories participated in this comparison. Each laboratory employed gamma-ray spectrometry to measure the comparison samples, and the results were evaluated using the E_n value. Results The measurement results from all participating institutions were acceptable, with the maximum E_n value being 0.73. The results demonstrate that despite the low gamma-ray branching ratio of ⁸⁵Kr and its susceptibility to interference from the 511 keV positron annihilation peak, gamma-ray spectrometry can achieve reliable activity measurements of ⁸⁵Kr. Conclusion The comparison for ⁸⁵Kr gamma-ray spectrometry tested the capabilities of the participating laboratories in ⁸⁵Kr measurement. It promoted technical exchange and experience sharing among laboratories, laying a foundation for future comparisons involving more complex radioactive inert gases.

Objective To investigate the association between antenatal white blood cell count(WBC)and the risk of histological chorioamnionitis(HCA)in pregnant women with late pregnancy premature rupture of membranes(PROM).Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on totally 118 pregnant women with PROM in late pregnancy from March 2018 to August 2021 in the hospital.They were divided into HCA group and non-HCA group according to the presence or absence of HCA.The general clinical data,laboratory indica-tors and delivery outcomes of the two groups were compared.Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression were used to analyze the association between prenatal WBC and HCA risk.Generalized additive models were used for curve fitting,and segmented regression models were used to further explain the nonlinear relationship between maternal prenatal WBC and HCA risk.Results The prenatal WBC of the HCA group was signifi-cantly higher than that of the non-HCA group(P＜0.001).After adjusting for covariates,elevated prenatal WBC increased the risk of HCA,with an OR of 1.190(95％CI:1.006-1.406,P=0.042).Curve fitting showed that there was a nonlinear relationship between prenatal WBC and HCA risk,and the log-likelihood ratio test of WBC at the inflection point 13.5×109/L(95％CI:11.75-14.56)was statistically significant(P=0.029).For the three groups of prenatal WBC,the risk of HCA in pregnant women gradually increased with the increase of WBC level,which was 0.314(95％CI:0.200-0.456)in the normal group,0.439(95％CI:0.252-0.645)in the high group,and 0.682(95％CI:0.354-0.893)in the elevated group.Conclusion The higher the prenatal WBC of pregnant women with PROM in late pregnancy,the greater the risk of HCA,but there is no simple linear relationship between the two,and there is a threshold effect.

Objective To analyze the main epidemiological characteristics of fungal infection in this hospital in the past 7 years,and to provide reference for clinical treatment and prevention and control strategies of fun-gal infection.Methods The fungal data and clinical data of related patients isolated from clinical samples in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from early January 2018 to the end of May 2024 were selected,and the main epidemiological characteristics of fungal infection in this hospital were identified and described through multi-angle statistical analysis.Results A total of 4 479 patients with filamentous fungal infection were en-rolled.The proportion of male patients[57.5％(2 576/4 479)]was higher than that of female patients[42.5％(1 903/4 143)],mainly distributed in internal medicine,Intensive Care Unit(ICU)and emergency de-partment,among which internal medicine accounted for the highest proportion[50.0％(2 241/4 479)].About 90.0％of the specimens were from the lower respiratory tract,in addition to specimens from skin and soft tis-sue,tissue,ear and blood culture.In terms of seasonal distribution,there are more patients in winter.The fun-gi were mainly composed of Aspergillus,Mucor,Cerdosporium,Fusarium and Penicillium,among which As-pergillus was the most abundant,accounting for 74.6％of the total.Aspergillus fumigatus was the most a-bundant Aspergillus,accounting for 42.5％of the total Aspergillus(1 418/3 340).Among the related infec-tions caused by mold,Aspergillus was the most common in the lower respiratory tract,accounting for 76.8％.Among them,Aspergillus fumigatus accounted for the highest proportion(33.6％).98.6％of the molds infected the ear were Aspergillus,of which Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus terreus were the most common.Skin infections are mainly caused by Sporothrix schenckii,Trichophyton rubrum,Microsporum ca-nis.The results of in vitro drug sensitivity test showed that the four common Aspergillus isolated in this hos-pital were sensitive to voriconazole,and amphotericin B had better antifungal activity against Mucorales in vitro.Conclusion Based on the main epidemiological characteristics of fungal infections in this hospital,it is recommended that special attention be paid to the admission of patients in the respiratory department during the peak infection period in autumn and winter.In the treatment of fungal infections in different regions and on different body parts,attention should be paid to the differences in the distribution of bacterial species.

Objective The effect of lunar dust adhesion performance by fiber surface characteristics were investigated for the lunar dust adhesion mitigation of spacesuits.Methods In this research,an adhesion test method under ultraviolet ray radiation in vacuum was developed to measure the adhesion quantity of simulated lunar dust on fiber materials.Based on the microscopic image of the fiber sample after test,the influence of conductive and surface energy characteristics of the fiber materials on the lunar dust adhesion performance was studied.Results The simulated lunar dust were activated under ultraviolet ray radiation,which induced an increase of the adhesion quantity of simulated lunar dust on fiber materials;Lower surface energy or higher conductive characteristics of the fiber was both beneficial to reduce the adhesion quantity of simulated lunar dust.Conclusion The static electric forces were likely to be the major forces between the fiber and the lunar dust under ultraviolet ray radiation in vacuum.In addition to reducing surface energy,improving conductive characteristics of the fiber was more beneficial to reduce the adhesion quantity of simulated lunar dust.

The sealing performance is directly related to the safety,reliability and mission success rate of aerospace equipment.The sealing performance of rubber seals and the optimized design of the compression force directly affect the performance and work efficiency of the equipment.Based on the hyperelastic Mooney-Rivlin model of nonlinear materials,the mechanical properties of rubber are simulated,and a finite element model of rubber seals is established.Through simulation analysis,the effects of different cross-section dimensions and compression amounts on the sealing performance are studied and compared,and key parameters such as the contact stress distribution,maximum contact stress,and compression force.The size of the fillet affects the final deformation and the contact state.By optimizing the geometric parameters,the compression force can be reduced while ensuring the sealing performance,providing a theoretical basis for the optimized design of rubber seals.

Objective:To investigate the effect of anoxic cold environment at 4500 m altitude on female men-struation.Methods:From March 1 to March 20,2023,women in a unit at an altitude of 4500 meters were selected for reproductive health questionnaire survey,and were divided into≤6 months group,6 months to 12 months group and≥12 months group according to altitude exposure time.The changes of menstruation in each group were analyzed to explore the relevant influencing factors.Results:The total incidence of abnormal menstruation in working women in hypoxic cold environment was as high as 66.14%,and there was no statistically significant difference between the groups at different high-altitude exposure times(P＞0.05).The highest incidence of dys-menorrhea among the types of menstrual changes was 61.90%,but there was no statistically significant differ-ence between the groups at different high altitude exposure times(P＞0.05).There was a statistically significant difference(P＜0.05)in the proportion of insufficient sleep for at least 3 days per week,nervousness and anxiety,and training during their menstrual period in the women who experienced changes in their menstrual cycle com-pared to those who did not.Conclusions:Hypoxic cold environment can lead to the change of female menstrua-tion,and it is combined with sleep deficiency,tension and anxiety,and menstrual exercise.

The presence of high-level talents plays a crucial role in ensuring the successful establishment of national regional medical centers.It presents the high-level talent management experience of Henan Children's Hospital,aiming to facilitate the coordinated development of pediatrics in Central China.To address the practical challenges and difficulties encountered in high-level talent management within hospitals,lean talent management is achieved by standardizing the management structure,clarifying management objectives,refining the management mechanism,establishing a performance appraisal incentive system,and implementing an integrated'induction and utilization'management approach.These measures effectively facilitate the development of national children's regional medical centers.

In the past decades, significant progress has been achived in cartilage regeneration. The traditional techniques for constructing tissue engineering cartilage scaffold mainly include pore agent method (or template method), phase separation method, gas foaming method, freeze-drying method, electrospinning method, etc. Cartilage is heterogeneous, and it is difficult for traditional scaffolds to simulate the high anisotropy of cartilage. Therefore, functional regeneration of cartilage is challenging. With the progress of three-dimensional(3D) printing technology, it is possible to prepare functional bionic scaffolds with fine structure and gradient changes through co-deposition of biomaterials, cells and active biomolecules, so as to achieve functional cartilage regeneration. This article reviewed 3D printing technology of cartilage tissue engineering, and the application of 3D printing technology in cartilage regeneration at different anatomical positions (articular cartilage, auricle cartilage, nasal cartilage). In addition, the importance of preparing bionic constructs with regional structure gradient and regional composition gradient was discussed. 3D bioprinting technology, 4D printing techniques, smart biomaterials brought hope for the construction of bionic tissues and organs.