ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of salidroside （SAL） on the impaired bioactivity of endothelial progenitor cells （EPCs） in atherosclerotic （As） mice and the potential mechanisms regarding AMP-activated protein kinase （AMPK）. MethodsAtherosclerosis was induced in 8-week-old male ApoE^-/- mice with high-fat diet. Intragastric administration of SAL was given to one mice group to investigate the effects of SAL on aortic plaque burden， plasma NO level， the migration and angiogenic capabilities of bone marrow-derived EPCs （BM-EPCs）. The proliferation， migration and vasculogenic properties of EPCs isolated from As mice were investigated in vitro. AMPK-sh-RNA or the AMPK inhibitor Compound C was used to investigate the role of AMPK/Akt/eNOS pathway in the regulatory effects of SAL. ResultsCompared with As group， NO level was significantly elevated in SAL group. The sizes of atherosclerotic plaques at the aortic root were reduced with smaller lipid cores in SAL group compared with As group. Moreover， the migration and angiogenesis capacity of EPCs markedly decreased in As mice， while SAL treatment reversed these impairments. Incubation with SAL at concentrations of 20， 40， and 80 μmol/L for 48 hours significantly promoted the proliferation， migration， and angiogenesis of EPCs. AMPK-sh-RNA transfection abrogated the 20 μmol/L SAL improvement in EPC biological activities. Western blot analysis further demonstrated that treatment with Compound C blocked the activation of AMPK/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway induced by SAL. ConclusionSAL upregulates the biological functions of EPCs through activating the AMPK/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway， thereby ameliorating EPC dysfunction during the pathological progression of atherosclerosis.

Objective:To explore the effect of heme-binding protein 1(HEBP1)down-regulation on the function of microglia BV2,and to clarify the key role of HEBP1 in the microglia.Methods:Negative control and HEBP1 knockdown small interfering RNA(siRNA)were constructed to knockdown HEBP1 gene in mouse-derived microglial BV2,and the HEBP1 knockdown BV2 cell models were obtained.The BV2 cells were divided into si-NC group,si-HEBP1-1 group,si-HEBP1-2 group,and si-HEBP1-3 group.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)and Western blotting methods were used to detect the expression levels of HEBP1 mRNA and protein in the BV2 cells after knockdown;the siRNA with the most significart knockdown effect was selected for stlbsequent expreriments.The proliferation abilities of the cells in si-NC group and si-HEBP1 group were detected by cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)assay,and the cell migration rates were assessed by scratch assay;the cellular mitochondrial membrane potential and reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels were detected by kits;the cellular mitochondrial respiratory function was detected by mitochondrial respirometer.The BV2 cells were divided into si-NC group,si-NC+lipopolysacch aride(LPS)group,si-HEBP1 group,and si-HEBP1+LPS group.RT-qPCR method was used to detect the expression levels of HEBP1,interleukin-1β(IL-1β),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),and interleukin-6(IL-6)mRNA in the BV2 cells in various groups,and Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of HEBP1 protein in the BV2 cells in various groups.Results:When the BV2 cells were transfected with siRNA carrying with red fluorescence tag CY3,the transfect effricacy was above 90％;compared with si-NC group,the expression levels of HEBP1 protein in the BV2 cells in si-HEBP1-1 group,si-HEBP1-2 group,and si-HEBP1-3 group were significantly decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01),especially in si-HEBP1-1 group.Compared with si-NC group,the expression levels of HEBP1 mRNA in the BV2 cells in si-HEBP1-1 group,si-HEBP1-2 group,and si-HEBP1-3 group were significantly decreased(P<0.01),especially in si-HEBP1-1 group;indicating that si-HEBP1-1 was the siRNA with best HEBP1 knowdown effect,and the HEBP1 knockdown BV2 cell model was successfully constructed.The CCK-8 resuts showed that compared with si-NC group,the proliferation activities of the BV2 cells in si-HEBP1 group were decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01);from 90 min,the differences in proliferation activities of the BV2 cells in two groups were obvious.The cell scratch experiment results showed that compared with si-NC group,the cell migration rate in si-HEBP1 group was significantly decreased(P<0.05).The fluorescence microscope results showed that compared with si-NC group,the mitochondrial membrane potential of the BV2 cells in si-HEBP1 group was significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with si-NC group,the ROS level in the BV2 cells in si-HEBP1 group was significantly increased(P<0.05).The mitochondrial respiration function testing results showed that compared with si-NC group,routine respiration(ROUNTINE)and leak respiration(LEAK)in si-HEBP1 group were significautly decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01),and electron transfer system capacity(ETS)and residual oxygen consumption(ROX)had no significant differences(P>0.05);the ATP amount was decreased(P<0.05).The RT-qPCR results showed that compared with si-NC group,the expression levels of IL-1β,TNF-α,and IL-6 mRNA in the BV2 cells in si-NC+LPS group were significantly decreased(P<0.01);compared with si-HEBP1 group,the expression levels of IL-1β,TNF-α,and IL-6 mRNA in the BV2 cells in si-HEBP1+LPS group were significantly decreased(P<0.01);compared with si-NC+LPS group,the expression levels of IL-1β,TNF-α,and IL-6 mRNA in the BV2 cells in si-HEBP1+LPS group were significantly increased(P<0.01).Conclusion:Knockdown of HEBP1 gene can decrease the proliferation and migration abilities of the microglia BV2 and increase inflammatory response to LPS stimulus,and their mechanisms may be related to mitochondrial function damage and decreased ATP production of the BV2 cells.

Objective To observe hierarchical differences in brain functional networks in unilateral mesial temporal lobe epilepsy(mTLE)patients with different outcomes after surgery.Methods A total of 69 unilateral mTLE patients who underwent resection of epileptogenic lesion on the affected side were retrospectively enrolled.Based on Engel classification 1 year after surgery,the patients were divided into seizure free(SF)group and non-seizure free(NSF)group.Functional connectivity gradient analysis was employed to extract principal gradient explaining the highest variance on preoperative resting-state functional MRI(rs-fMRI),then the whole-brain gradient characteristics and principal gradient values within specific functional networks were compared between groups.Results Principal gradient connected default mode network(DMN)with sensorimotor network(SMN)along a continuous axis.Compared to SF group,NSF group showed a contracted gradient range at both ends(DMN and SMN)of the functional network and weakened hierarchical differentiation,and principal gradient value of DMN was higher,while that of SMN was lower than those in SF group(both P＜0.05).Conclusion Hierarchical differences in brain functional networks in unilateral mTLE patients with different outcomes after surgery mainly present as enhanced DMN and weakened SMN in NSF ones,and the latter two might serve as important neuroimaging markers for evaluating postoperative seizure recurrence.

Objective To observe the value of machine learning(ML)models based on brain functional network features combining clinical indicators for predicting postoperative outcomes of patients with drug-resistant mesial temporal lobe epilepsy(DR-mTLE).Methods Totally 84 patients with unilateral DR-mTLE who underwent surgery were retrospectively enrolled and classified into seizure free(SF)group(n=55)and non-seizure free(NSF)group(n=29)according to one-year postoperative follow-up.Clinical data were analyzed to screen independent predictors of postoperative outcomes.Based on brain preoperative resting-state functional MRI,brain functional networks were constructed using graph theory analysis,and 587 features were extracted.Five-fold cross validation was used to divide the data into training set and test set,then the optimal brain functional network features related to postoperative outcomes of DR-mTLE patients were selected.Combining with clinically relevant independent predictors,ML models were constructed using classifiers including Gaussian process(GP),logistic regression(LR),support vector machine(SVM)and quadratic discriminant analysis(QDA),respectively,and the prediction efficacy,calibration and clinical value of each ML model were evaluated.Results Both course of disease and lesion location were clinically relevant independent predictors of postoperative outcome of DR-mTLE patients(OR=0.928,5.710,P=0.010,0.016).Four optimal brain function network features were selected,including betweenness centrality of the third zone of cerebellar vermis,degree centrality of right globus pallidus,nodal efficiency of temporal left inferior temporal gyrus and nodal clustering coefficient of left inferior parietal lobule.The average area under the curve(AUC)of GP,LR,SVM and QDA models in test set was 0.868,0.864,0.875 and 0.870,respectively.Calibration curves and decision curve analysis indicated that each ML model had good calibration and high clinical net benefit.Conclusion ML models based on brain functional network features combining with clinical indicators could be used to effectively predict postoperative outcomes in DR-mTLE patients.

Genetic transformation is a fundamental tool in molecular biology research of medicinal plants. Tailoring transgenic technologies to each distinct medicinal plant would necessitate a substantial investment of time and effort. Here, we present a simple hairy root transformation method that does not require sterile conditions, utilizing Agrobacterium rhizogenes strain K599 and the visible RUBY reporter system. Transgenic hairy roots were obtained for six tested medicinal plant species, roots or rhizomes of which have recognized medicinal value, spanning four botanical families and six genera (Platycodon grandiflorus, Atractylodes macrocephala, Scutellaria baicalensis, Codonopsis pilosula, Astragalus membranaceus, and Glycyrrhiza uralensis). Furthermore, two previously identified Glycyrrhiza uralensis UGTs that convert liquiritigenin into liquiritin in heterologous systems were studied in planta using the method. Our results indicate that overexpression of GuUGT1 but not GuUGT10 and Cas9-mediated knockout of GuUGT1 profoundly influenced the accumulation of liquiritin and isoliquiritin in licorice roots. Therefore, the method described here represents a simple, rapid and widely applicable hairy root transformation method that enables fast gene functional study in medicinal plants.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) in patients with drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DIHS), and to identify factors influencing the development of PCP in patients with DIHS. Methods:Patients with DIHS accompanied by PCP who were hospitalized at Department of Dermatology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2019 to August 2024 were collected, and their demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, and treatment data were retrospectively analyzed. A matched control group of DIHS patients without PCP was selected based on sex, age (± 3 years), and disease severity at a ratio of 2∶1. Comparisons between groups were made using the independent samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Fisher's exact test. Results:Eight patients with DIHS accompanied by PCP were enrolled, aged 62.38 ± 20.74 years, including 5 males and 3 females. All DIHS cases were categorized as severe, and high-dose corticosteroids were applied in the treatment of DIHS, with 7 cases additionally receiving intravenous immunoglobulins, immunosuppressants, biologic agents, or Janus kinase inhibitors. During the corticosteroid tapering, 8 patients experienced recurrences of DIHS, and 6 patients exhibited reactivation of viruses, with cytomegalovirus (CMV) as the most common virus. All the patients presented with cough and dyspnea when PCP occurred, and the diagnosis of PCP was confirmed by the presence of Pneumocystis jirovecii DNA in sputum or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Seven patients improved with anti-PCP treatment, while one succumbed due to disease progression. Univariate analysis indicated that, compared to DIHS patients without PCP, DIHS patients with PCP received longer treatment with prednisone equivalent > 20 mg/d, had lower peripheral lymphocyte counts, CD4 + T lymphocyte counts, and albumin levels, and had a higher frequency of DIHS recurrence and CMV reactivation during the disease course (all P < 0.05) . Conclusions:Cough and dyspnea are common manufestations of PCP in patients with DIHS. Prolonged use of high-dose corticosteroids, decreased peripheral lymphocytes, decreased CD4 + T lymphocytes, DIHS recurrence, CMV reactivation, and decreased albumin levels may be the influencing factors for concurrent PCP in DIHS patients.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) in patients with drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DIHS), and to identify factors influencing the development of PCP in patients with DIHS. Methods:Patients with DIHS accompanied by PCP who were hospitalized at Department of Dermatology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2019 to August 2024 were collected, and their demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, and treatment data were retrospectively analyzed. A matched control group of DIHS patients without PCP was selected based on sex, age (± 3 years), and disease severity at a ratio of 2∶1. Comparisons between groups were made using the independent samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Fisher's exact test. Results:Eight patients with DIHS accompanied by PCP were enrolled, aged 62.38 ± 20.74 years, including 5 males and 3 females. All DIHS cases were categorized as severe, and high-dose corticosteroids were applied in the treatment of DIHS, with 7 cases additionally receiving intravenous immunoglobulins, immunosuppressants, biologic agents, or Janus kinase inhibitors. During the corticosteroid tapering, 8 patients experienced recurrences of DIHS, and 6 patients exhibited reactivation of viruses, with cytomegalovirus (CMV) as the most common virus. All the patients presented with cough and dyspnea when PCP occurred, and the diagnosis of PCP was confirmed by the presence of Pneumocystis jirovecii DNA in sputum or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Seven patients improved with anti-PCP treatment, while one succumbed due to disease progression. Univariate analysis indicated that, compared to DIHS patients without PCP, DIHS patients with PCP received longer treatment with prednisone equivalent > 20 mg/d, had lower peripheral lymphocyte counts, CD4 + T lymphocyte counts, and albumin levels, and had a higher frequency of DIHS recurrence and CMV reactivation during the disease course (all P < 0.05) . Conclusions:Cough and dyspnea are common manufestations of PCP in patients with DIHS. Prolonged use of high-dose corticosteroids, decreased peripheral lymphocytes, decreased CD4 + T lymphocytes, DIHS recurrence, CMV reactivation, and decreased albumin levels may be the influencing factors for concurrent PCP in DIHS patients.

BACKGROUND:The regulation of M1/M2 polarization direction of macrophages is particularly critical in tissue engineering applications,and timely regulation can minimize proinflammatory,anti-inflammatory,or tissue healing responses. OBJECTIVE:To implant lentivirus-mediated miRNA-378a macrophage strain complex collagen to detect the expression level of immune regulation in the in vivo environment,and further clarify the influence of miRNA-378a in promoting macrophage M2 polarization in immune regulation and tissue repair in the in vivo environment. METHODS:Lentivirus-mediated miRNA-378a overexpressing macrophage cell lines and negative control virus macrophage lines were amplified and screened,and the macrophage lines were recovered and cultured together with collagen sponge to form a composite scaffold,which was divided into the following groups:(1)Positive group:miRNA-378a overexpressing macrophage-collagen sponge composite;(2)negative group:negative control of virus-mediated miRNA-378a macrophage-collagen sponge composite;(3)control group:macrophage-collagen sponge;(4)blank control group:collagen sponge.The cell density,phenotype,and adhesion of each group were observed by immunofluorescence and scanning electron microscopy.The cells were implanted into the subcutaneous model of the back of mice,and the mice were sacrificed 4 and 7 days after modeling.The direction of macrophage polarization in the collagen sponge composite of macrophages with miRNA-378a overexpression mediated by lentivirus and its effect on immune regulation and tissue repair were analyzed by gross observation,hematoxylin-eosin staining,MASSON staining,and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Under immunofluorescence microscopy,the macrophage cell lines in each group were observed to form a composite scaffold with the collagen sponge.(2)Under scanning electron microscope,lentivirus-mediated miRNA-378a macrophages in the positive group proliferated in cell density,had spherical,elliptic and polygonal differentiation,and had more pseudofeet than other groups.(3)Under general observation,the overall 7-day healing was better than that at 4 days.Lentivirus-mediated miRNA-378a macrophages in the positive group healed better than other groups regardless of 4 and 7 days.(4)Lentivirus-mediated miRNA-378a macrophages in the positive group under hematoxylin-eosin staining and MASSON staining had more amounts of fibrocytes,capillaries,fibroblasts,and collagen fiber hyperplasia.(5)Immunohistochemistry showed that lentivirus-mediated miRNA-378a macrophages in the positive group were more positive in 4-and 7-day M2 polarized cells than in other groups.The macrophages of the control and negative groups in 4-and 7-day M2 polarized cells were greater than that of the blank control group.There was no statistical difference between the control group and the negative group.The number of stained cells in the positive,negative,and control groups regardless of 4 and 7 days was higher than that in the blank control group,and the positive group>negative group ≈ control group>blank control group.(6)It is concluded that macrophages with miRNA-378a overexpression have a large amount of fibroblasts,capillaries,fibroblasts,and collagen fiber hyperplasia in vivo,which has a positive effect on tissue repair,and can promote the polarization of macrophages towards M2 type and inhibit the polarization of M1 type,thus contributing to reducing the inflammatory response of the body.

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of influenza in Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province from 2014 to 2023, so as to provide a reference for the improvement of influenza prevention and control measures. Methods: The data of influenza cases in Huzhou City from 2014 to 2023 were collected from the China Disease Prevention and Control Information System. Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to analyze the population and regional distribution characteristics of influenza. Annual percent change (APC) and average annual percent change (AAPC) were used to analyze the trend of influenza incidence in Huzhou City from 2014 to 2023. Results: A total of 83 277 influenza cases were reported in Huzhou City from 2014 to 2023, with an average annual reported incidence of 268.68/105. From 2014 to 2023, the reported incidence of influenza in Huzhou City showed an upward trend (AAPC=68.748%, P<0.05), with a slow upward trend from 2014 to 2021 (APC=31.055%, P<0.05) and a sharp upward trend from 2021 to 2023 (APC=308.782%, P<0.05). The average annual reported incidence of influenza was 270.72/105 in males and 266.54/105 in females, and the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The average annual reported incidence of influenza in children aged 5-<15 years was 1 502.77/100 000. The reported incidences of influenza in Deqing county, Changxing county, and Anji county were 551.44/100 000, 370.47/100 000, and 175.31/100 000, respectively. From 2014 to 2023, the trends of reported influenza incidence in males, females, residents aged 5-<15 years, and 15-<25 years were consistent with the whole population. The reported influenza incidence in each district (county) from 2021 to 2023 was consistent with Huzhou City from 2021 to 2023. Conclusions The reported incidence of influenza in Huzhou City showed an overall upward trend from 2014 to 2023, especially from 2021 to 2023. There was no significant gender difference. The majority of the cases were aged 5-<15 years, and the high incidence areas were Deqing County.

Aconitum (Ranunculaceae) has a long-standing history in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), where it has been widely used to treat conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), myocardial infarction, and heart failure. However, the potency of Aconitum alkaloids, the primary active components of Aconitum, also confers substantial toxicity. Therefore, assessing the efficacy and toxicity of these Aconitum alkaloids is crucial for ensuring clinical effectiveness and safety. Metabolomics, a quantitative method for analyzing low-molecular-weight metabolites involved in metabolic pathways, provides a comprehensive view of the metabolic state across multiple systems in vivo. This approach has become a vital investigative tool for facilitating the evaluation of their efficacy and toxicity, identifying potential sensitive biomarkers, and offering a promising avenue for elucidating the pharmacological and toxicological mechanisms underlying TCM. This review focuses on the applications of metabolomics in pharmacological and toxicological studies of Aconitum alkaloids in recent years and highlights the significant role of metabolomics in exploring compatibility detoxification and the mechanisms of TCM processing, aiming to identify more viable methods for characterizing toxic medicinal plants.
Aconitum/metabolism* ; Metabolomics/methods* ; Alkaloids/metabolism* ; Humans ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional