The present study aimed to explore whether hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) improved hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (HPH) in rats by inhibiting aerobic glycolysis-pyroptosis. Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into normal group, normal+NaHS group, hypoxia group, and hypoxia+NaHS group, with 6 rats in each group. The control group rats were placed in a normoxic (21% O₂) environment and received daily intraperitoneal injections of an equal volume of normal saline. The normal+NaHS group rats were placed in a normoxic environment and intraperitoneally injected with 14 μmol/kg NaHS daily. The hypoxia group rats were placed in a hypoxia chamber, and the oxygen controller inside the chamber maintained the oxygen concentration at 9% to 10% by controlling the N₂ flow rate. An equal volume of normal saline was injected intraperitoneally every day. The hypoxia+NaHS group rats were also placed in an hypoxia chamber and intraperitoneally injected with 14 μmol/kg NaHS daily. After the completion of the four-week modeling, the mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) of each group was measured using right heart catheterization technique, and the right ventricular hypertrophy index (RVHI) was weighed and calculated. HE staining was used to observe pathological changes in lung tissue, Masson staining was used to observe fibrosis of lung tissue, and Western blot was used to detect protein expression levels of hexokinase 2 (HK2), pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH), pyruvate kinase isozyme type M2 (PKM2), nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), GSDMD-N-terminal domain (GSDMD-N), Caspase-1, interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18 in lung tissue. ELISA was used to detect contents of IL-1β and IL-18 in lung tissue. The results showed that, compared with the normal control group, there were no significant changes in all indexes in the normal+NaHS group, while the hypoxia group exhibited significantly increased mPAP and RVHI, thickened pulmonary vascular wall, narrowed lumen, increased collagen fibers, up-regulated expression levels of aerobic glycolysis-related proteins (HK2 and PKM2), up-regulated expression levels of pyroptosis-related proteins (NLRP3, GSDMD-N, Caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18), and increased contents of IL-1β and IL-18. These changes of the above indexes in the hypoxia group were significantly reversed by NaHS. These results suggest that H₂S can improve rat HPH by inhibiting aerobic glycolysis-pyroptosis.
Animals ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Male ; Hypertension, Pulmonary/metabolism* ; Glycolysis/drug effects* ; Hydrogen Sulfide/therapeutic use* ; Hypoxia/complications* ; Rats ; Pyroptosis/drug effects*

The aim of this study was to investigate the contribution of lung zinc ions to pathogenesis of lung ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats. Male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into control group, lung I/R group (I/R group), lung I/R + low-dose zinc chloride group (LZnCl₂+I/R group), lung I/R + high-dose ZnCl₂ group (HZnCl₂+I/R group), lung I/R + medium-dose ZnCl₂ group (MZnCl₂+I/R group) and TPEN+MZnCl₂+I/R group (n = 8 in each group). Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to measure the concentration of zinc ions in lung tissue. The degree of lung tissue injury was analyzed by observing HE staining, alveolar damage index, lung wet/dry weight ratio and lung tissue gross changes. TUNEL staining was used to detect cellular apoptosis in lung tissue. Western blot and RT-qPCR were used to determine the protein expression levels of caspase-3 and ZIP8, as well as the mRNA expression levels of zinc transporters (ZIP, ZNT) in lung tissue. The mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) of lung tissue was detected by JC-1 MMP detection kit. The results showed that, compared with the control group, the lung tissue damage, lung wet/dry weight ratio and alveolar damage index were significantly increased in the I/R group. And in the lung tissue, the concentration of Zn²⁺ was markedly decreased, while the cleaved caspase-3/caspase-3 ratio and apoptotic levels were significantly increased. The expression levels of ZIP8 mRNA and protein were down-regulated significantly, while the mRNA expression of other zinc transporters remained unchanged. There was also a significant decrease in MMP. Compared with the I/R group, both MZnCl₂+I/R group and HZnCl₂+I/R group exhibited significantly reduced lung tissue injury, lung wet/dry weight ratio and alveolar damage index, increased Zn²⁺ concentration, decreased ratio of cleaved caspase-3/caspase-3 and apoptosis, and up-regulated expression levels of ZIP8 mRNA and protein. In addition, the MMP was significantly increased in the lung tissue. Zn²⁺ chelating agent TPEN reversed the above-mentioned protective effects of medium-dose ZnCl₂ on the lung tissue in the I/R group. The aforementioned results suggest that exogenous administration of ZnCl₂ can improve lung I/R injury in rats.
Animals ; Reperfusion Injury/pathology* ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Chlorides/administration & dosage* ; Lung/pathology* ; Zinc Compounds/administration & dosage* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Caspase 3/metabolism* ; Cation Transport Proteins/metabolism*

To clarify the occurrence and distribution of broad bean wilt virus 2(BBWV2) on Rehmannia glutinosa, this study collected 87 R. glutinosa samples with typical symptoms of viral disease such as chlorosis and crumple from Wenxian county and Wuzhi county in Jiaozuo city, Henan province and Qiaocheng district in Bozhou city, Anhui province. The BBWV2 CP target band was amplified from 37 R. glutinosa samples by RT-PCR technology. The total detection rate reached 42.5%, among which 43.0% was detected in samples from Henan province. The detection rate in samples from Anhui province was 37.5%. 37 BBWV2 CP sequences were obtained by cloning and sequencing of BBWV2 positive samples(data has been submitted to GenBank, accession numbers: PP407959-PP407995), and the sequence analysis of these CP sequences with 91 other BBWV2 isolates in GenBank showed a high genetic diversity with a consistency rate of 70.8%-100%. Meanwhile, phylogenetic analysis showed that BBWV2 could be divided into three groups according to CP sequences, among which the BBWV2 in R. glutinosa isolates obtained in this study were all located in group 3. This study identified the differences in the occurrence, distribution, and genetic diversity of BBWV2 in R. glutinosa from Henan province and Anhui province and provided a theoretical basis for the prevention and control of BBWV2.
Rehmannia/virology* ; Phylogeny ; Plant Diseases/virology* ; China ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Fabavirus/classification*

This study selected 6 529 plant-based Chinese materia medica(PCMM) from Chinese Materia Medica as research subjects and applied a random permutation test to explore the overall correlation characteristics between nature and flavor, as well as the correlation characteristics after distinguishing different medicinal parts and harvest seasons. The results showed that the overall correlation characteristics between nature and flavor in PCMM were significantly associated in the following pairs: cold and bitter, cool and bitter, cool and astringent, cool and light, neutral and sweet, neutral and astringent, neutral and light, neutral and sour, hot and pungent, and warm and pungent. When analyzing the data by distinguishing medicinal parts and/or harvest seasons, new correlation patterns emerged, characterized by the disappearance of some significant correlations and the emergence of new ones. When analyzing by medicinal parts alone, significant correlations were found in the following cases: cold and light in leaves, cold and salty in barks, cool and sweet in fruits and seeds, neutral and pungent in whole herbs, neutral and salty in stems, and warm and salty in flowers. However, no significant correlations were found between cool and bitter in stems and other types of herbs, cool and astringent in fruits, seeds, flowers, and other types of herbs, cool and light in leaves, fruits, seeds, barks, flowers and other types of herbs, neutral and sweet in barks, neutral and astringent in whole herbs and stems, neutral and light in leaves, fruits, seeds, and flowers, neutral and sour in whole herbs, stems, barks, flowers, and other types of herbs, and hot and pungent in whole herbs, stems, flowers, and other types of herbs. When analyzing by harvest season alone, significant correlations were found in the following cases: cold and salty, and cool and sour in herbs harvested in winter, and neutral and salty in herbs harvested year-round. However, no significant correlation was found between cool and light in herbs harvested in winter. When considering both medicinal parts and harvest seasons, compared to the independent influence of medicinal parts, 14 new significant correlations emerged(e.g., the correlation between cool and bitter in stems harvested in spring), while 53 previously significant correlations disappeared(e.g., the correlation between cool and bitter in barks harvested in summer). Compared to the independent influence of harvest seasons, 11 new significant correlations appeared(e.g., the correlation between cold and light in barks harvested in autumn), while 50 previously significant correlations disappeared(e.g., the correlation between hot and pungent in leaves harvested in winter). This study is the first to reveal the influence of medicinal parts and harvest seasons on the correlation between nature and flavor in PCMM, which highlights that these two factors can interact and jointly affect nature-flavor correlations. Further research is needed to explore the underlying mechanisms. This study provides a deeper understanding of the inherent scientific connotations of herbal properties and offers a theoretical foundation for the cultivation and harvesting of PCMM.
Seasons ; Plants, Medicinal/growth & development* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Taste

Objective To report a case of tibial synovial sarcoma and review relevant literature to enhance understanding of this disease.Methods The clinical data of a patient with tibial synovial sarcoma treated at Kaifeng Central Hospital were retrospectively analyzed.A literature search was conducted in domestic and international databases,including China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI),Wanfang Data,PubMed,Web of Science,and Embase,up to July 2024.Relevant literature was comprehensively reviewed to summarize the imaging and pathological characteristics,treatment,and prognosis of synovial sarcoma.Results A 29-year-old female patient was admitted with left lower extremity pain.X-ray examination revealed a proximal tibia space-occupying lesion suggestive of malignancy,and a mid-tibial space-occupying lesion considered benign.Contrast-enhanced computed tomography(CT)and plain magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)of the proximal tibial lesion also suggested malignancy.Ultrasound-guided biopsy of the proximal tibial tumor revealed a poorly differentiated malignant tumor.Immunohistochemistry results indicated monophasic synovial sarcoma,requiring genetic testing for definitive diagnosis.The patient underwent wide resection of the proximal left tibial malignancy with tumor-type artificial joint replacement,combined with curettage and bone cement filling for the left mid-tibial lesion under anesthesia.Postoperative pathology of space-occupying lesions in the proximal tibia confirmed monophasic synovial sarcoma,and fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH)demonstrated a rupture of the synovial sarcoma translocation gene(SYT)(i.e.,SS18 positive).There was no recurrence or metastasis found in the patient during the reexamination 6 months after postoperative chemotherapy.As of July 2024,15 cases of genetically confirmed primary intraosseous synovial sarcoma have been reported internationally.Symptoms included pain and swelling,with a medical history of 1-2 years.The X-ray and CT findings showed osteolytic destruction with bone cortical discontinuity.In 13 cases,the intraosseous masses extended to the extraosseous area;in 2 cases,punctate calcifications were detected within the masses.Plain MRI scan showed iso-signal or hypo-signal on T1WI and hyper-signal,iso-signal,and hypo-signal on fat-suppressed T2WI,and enhanced MRI scan demonstrated heterogeneous enhancement.Pathological examination showed spindle-shaped cells under microscopy.Immunohistochemistry results showed positive epithelial membrane antigen(EMA),broad-spectrum cytokeratin(AE1/AE3),Ewing's sarcoma marker(CD99),and transducin-like enhancer of Split 1(TLE1).Twelve patients underwent surgical treatment;6 patients received adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery,of whom 4 developed local recurrence or distant metastasis at initial diagnosis,and 3 died during follow-up.Among the 6 patients who did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy,3 suffered from recurrence or distant metastasis.Conclusions Primary intraosseous synovial sarcoma is a rare malignant tumor with non-specific clinical manifestations.Imaging features typically include osteolytic destruction and intraosseous masses extending extraosseously,suggesting an intraosseous origin.Pathology and immunohistochemistry aid diagnosis,but definitive confirmation relies on further genetic testing.At present,the main treatment regimens for synovial sarcoma involve comprehensive therapies such as surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy,and the prognosis of patients is poor.

Objective To investigate the effect of cannulated screw internal fixation via a small incision sinus tarsi approach on calcaneal related angles in patients with calcaneal fractures.Methods A total of 107 patients with calcaneal fractures who were treated in our hospital from June 2020 to July 2023 were selected,and they were divided into the group A(n=56,underwent lateral L-shaped approach combined with steel plate internal fixation) and group B (n=51,underwent cannulated screw internal fixation via a small incision sinus tarsi approach). The Bohler angle,Gissane angle,calcaneal width,calcaneal height,American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Association (AOFAS) Maryland foot function score,and visual analogue scale (VAS) score before and after surgery were compared between the two groups. The correlations between the imaging data before and after surgery,their correlation with the AOFAS Maryland foot function score and VAS score,and the correlations between the difference in imaging indexes before and after surgery and the improvement rates of Maryland foot function score and VAS score were analyzed by Pearson method. Results The Bohler angle,Gissane angle,calcaneal width,and calcaneal height after surgery in both groups were significantly improved compared with those before surgery (P<0.05). The group B had smaller Bohler angle 1 month after surgery,and greater Bohler angle 3 months and 6 months after surgery,and Gissane angle and calcaneal width 3 months after surgery compared with those in group A (P<0.05). At 1,3,and 6 months after surgery,the VAS scores of both groups were significantly reduced compared with those before surgery (P<0.05),while the Maryland foot function scores were significantly increased compared with those before surgery (P<0.05). The Maryland foot function scores and VAS scores 1,3,and 6 months after surgery of the group B were significantly better than those of the group A(P<0.05). The Bohler angle,calcaneal width,Gissane angle,and calcaneal height were all correlated before and after surgery (P<0.05);before surgery,the calcaneal width and height were not correlated with the Maryland foot function score or VAS score (P>0.05),while the Bohler angle and Gissane angle were correlated with the Maryland foot function score and VAS score (P<0.05);after surgery,the Bohler angle,calcaneal width,Gissane angle,and calcaneal height were all correlated with the Maryland foot function score and VAS score (P<0.05). The differences in Bohler angle,Gissane angle,calcaneal width,and calcaneal height before and after surgery were correlated with the improvement rates of Maryland foot function score and VAS score (P<0.05). Conclusion The Bohler angle,Gissane angle,and calcaneal height all increase,while the calcaneal width decrease after treated with cannulated screw internal fixation via a small incision sinus tarsi approach in calcaneal fractures,which has better therapeutic effect than that of lateral L-shaped approach combined with steel plate internal fixation. The changes in the Bohler angle,Gissane angle,calcaneal width,and calcaneal height are correlated with the clinical efficacy.

Objective To explore the clinical efficacy and medical costs of high ligation and stripping of the great saphenous vein,simple foam sclerotherapy,and high ligation of the great saphenous vein combined with foam sclerotherapy for treating varicose of great saphenous vein.Methods The clinical data of patients with varicose of great saphenous vein undergoing high ligation and stripping of the great saphenous vein,simple foam sclerotherapy,or high ligation of the great saphenous vein combined with foam sclerotherapy were analyzed retrospectively.The evaluation included efficacy assessment,quality of life evaluation,hospitalization days and costs,postoperative complications,and recurrence after surgery.Results There were no statistical differences in gender,age,disease course and clinical etiology anatomy pathophysiology(CEAP)grading system among the three groups(P＞0.05).The clinical efficacy assessments in all patients among the three groups showed significant effects at 3 and 6 months postoperatively.One patient in the group treated with high ligation of the great saphenous vein combined with foam sclerotherapy suffered deep vein thrombosis of lower extremity after operation.In terms of quality of life,there was no statistically significant difference in venous clinical severity score(VCSS)among the three groups at 3 months postoperatively(P＞0.05).The group treated with simple foam sclerotherapy showed significantly shorter hospitalization days compared with the other two groups.Additionally,the group treated with simple foam sclerotherapy showed lower hospitalization expenses,which was not statistically significant when compared to the group treated with high ligation and stripping of the great saphenous vein group(P＞0.05),but there was a statistical difference compared to the group treated with high ligation of the great saphenous vein combined with foam sclerotherapy(P＜0.05).Conclusion There are no significant differences in clinical efficacy,postoperative pain,and quality of life evaluation among the three methods.However,simple foam scle-rotherapy may reduce the length of hospitalization stay and direct medical costs.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical rehabilitation effect of external counterpulsation(ECP)on patients with coronary heart disease(CHD)by meta-analysis.Methods:We searched the databases of CNKI,WanFang,VIP,CBM,PubMed,Web of Science,Cochrane Library and Embase for randomized controlled trials(RCTs)and prospective cohort studies upon rehabilitative effect of ECP on CHD patients before May 2024.And meta-analysis was conducted to calculate the pooled MD and 95％CI using the random(P＜0.5 or I2≥50％)or fixed effect models(other situations).Results:13 eligible literatures were finally included in the meta-analysis.Compared with participants in control group,those in trial group had significant higher left ventricular ejection fraction(MD=4.15,95％CI 2.55～5.76,P＜0.001),stroke volume(MD=9.11,95％CI 7.59～10.64,P＜0.001),peak oxygen uptake(MD=5.42,95％CI 2.53～8.32,P＜0.001),6-min walking distance(MD=31.14,95％CI 24.89～37.40,P＜0.001),metabolic equiv-alent(MD=0.58,95％CI 0.45～0.71,P＜0.001),exercise duration time(SMD=0.77,95％CI 0.55～0.99,P＜0.001),oxygen pulse(MD=0.88,95％CI 0.68～1.09,P＜0.001),and significant lower left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(MD=-3.19,95％CI-5.20～-2.61,P＜0.001).Conclusion:This study showed that ECP could effectively improve heart function,exercise capacity and tolerance of CHD patients.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical rehabilitation effect of external counterpulsation(ECP)on patients with coronary heart disease(CHD)by meta-analysis.Methods:We searched the databases of CNKI,WanFang,VIP,CBM,PubMed,Web of Science,Cochrane Library and Embase for randomized controlled trials(RCTs)and prospective cohort studies upon rehabilitative effect of ECP on CHD patients before May 2024.And meta-analysis was conducted to calculate the pooled MD and 95％CI using the random(P＜0.5 or I2≥50％)or fixed effect models(other situations).Results:13 eligible literatures were finally included in the meta-analysis.Compared with participants in control group,those in trial group had significant higher left ventricular ejection fraction(MD=4.15,95％CI 2.55～5.76,P＜0.001),stroke volume(MD=9.11,95％CI 7.59～10.64,P＜0.001),peak oxygen uptake(MD=5.42,95％CI 2.53～8.32,P＜0.001),6-min walking distance(MD=31.14,95％CI 24.89～37.40,P＜0.001),metabolic equiv-alent(MD=0.58,95％CI 0.45～0.71,P＜0.001),exercise duration time(SMD=0.77,95％CI 0.55～0.99,P＜0.001),oxygen pulse(MD=0.88,95％CI 0.68～1.09,P＜0.001),and significant lower left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(MD=-3.19,95％CI-5.20～-2.61,P＜0.001).Conclusion:This study showed that ECP could effectively improve heart function,exercise capacity and tolerance of CHD patients.

Objective To explore the clinical efficacy and medical costs of high ligation and stripping of the great saphenous vein,simple foam sclerotherapy,and high ligation of the great saphenous vein combined with foam sclerotherapy for treating varicose of great saphenous vein.Methods The clinical data of patients with varicose of great saphenous vein undergoing high ligation and stripping of the great saphenous vein,simple foam sclerotherapy,or high ligation of the great saphenous vein combined with foam sclerotherapy were analyzed retrospectively.The evaluation included efficacy assessment,quality of life evaluation,hospitalization days and costs,postoperative complications,and recurrence after surgery.Results There were no statistical differences in gender,age,disease course and clinical etiology anatomy pathophysiology(CEAP)grading system among the three groups(P＞0.05).The clinical efficacy assessments in all patients among the three groups showed significant effects at 3 and 6 months postoperatively.One patient in the group treated with high ligation of the great saphenous vein combined with foam sclerotherapy suffered deep vein thrombosis of lower extremity after operation.In terms of quality of life,there was no statistically significant difference in venous clinical severity score(VCSS)among the three groups at 3 months postoperatively(P＞0.05).The group treated with simple foam sclerotherapy showed significantly shorter hospitalization days compared with the other two groups.Additionally,the group treated with simple foam sclerotherapy showed lower hospitalization expenses,which was not statistically significant when compared to the group treated with high ligation and stripping of the great saphenous vein group(P＞0.05),but there was a statistical difference compared to the group treated with high ligation of the great saphenous vein combined with foam sclerotherapy(P＜0.05).Conclusion There are no significant differences in clinical efficacy,postoperative pain,and quality of life evaluation among the three methods.However,simple foam scle-rotherapy may reduce the length of hospitalization stay and direct medical costs.