Purpose To explore factors influencing vaginal delivery during the first stage of labor using intrapartum ultrasound and to construct predictive models for delivery decision-making.Materials and Methods A total of 473 nulliparous women admitted to Heping Hospital,Northern Theater General Hospital from July to December 2021 were prospectively enrolled as the training set.Clinical data on admission and fetal biometric parameters(biparietal diameter,femur length,head circumference and abdominal circumference)measured within one week before delivery were collected.Ultrasound assessments of fetal position,angle of progression(AOP)and head-perineum distance(HPD)were performed during the first stage of labor.The latent phase group(n=255)was subdivided into vaginal delivery group(n=186)and cesarean section group(n=69);the active phase group(n=218)was divided into vaginal delivery group(n=168)and cesarean section group(n=50).The associations between fetal position,AOP,HPD and vaginal delivery were analyzed,and predictive models were constructed for the latent phase(model 1)and active phase(model 2).A validation set of 547 women from January to September 2022 was used to evaluate model performance via area under the curve(AUC),calibration curves and decision curve analysis.Results In the latent phase,multivariate regression identified maternal height(OR=3.970,P=0.002),pre-pregnancy body mass index(OR=0.893,P=0.036),labor onset type(OR=2.415,P=0.045),neonatal birth weight(OR=3.728,P=0.002),AOP(OR=11.649,P<0.001)and HPD(OR=4.240,P=0.004)as significant predictors.The training and validation sets showed AUCs of 0.917 and 0.869,respectively.Goodness-of-fit tests indicated excellent model calibration(χ2=3.437,P=0.904;χ2=10.877,P=0.209).Decision curve analysis demonstrated strong clinical utility.For the active phase,significant predictors included maternal height(OR=6.532,P<0.001),neonatal birth weight(OR=11.890,P<0.001),fetal position(OR=4.600,P=0.003),AOP(OR=7.229,P<0.001)and HPD(OR=4.722,P=0.005).AUCs were 0.943(training)and 0.906(validation),with good calibration(χ2=4.340,P=0.740;χ2=9.836,P=0.277)and clinical applicability.Conclusion First stage ultrasound assessment of fetal position,AOP and HPD correlates with delivery outcomes.The developed nomogram models combining these parameters with clinical factors provide valuable guidance for delivery decision-making.

Aim To identify the underlying target of bullatine A(BA)against rheumatoid arthritis(RA)u-sing limited proteolysis-small molecule mapping(LiP-SMap)drug target proteomics and to provide a scientif-ic basis for clinical application of Aconiti brachypodi Radix in the treatment of RA.Methods LiP-SMap drug target proteomics was employed to perform bioin-formatics analysis for comparing and validating the dif-ferential protein expression after BA intervention.A collagen-induced arthritis(CIA)model was estab-lished in DBA/1 mice using bovine type Ⅱ collagen.The mice were then divided into the CIA model group,methotrexate-positive control group(MTX group),and BA groups(10 mg·kg-1 and 20 mg·kg-1)based on their clinical scores.After drug intervention,the thera-peutic efficacy against RA was assessed by joint index scores and foot thickness measurements.Histopatholog-ical changes in the arthritic joints of CIA mice were e-valuated using hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was employed to detect inflammatory cytokines interleukin-17(IL-17)and total IgG and IgG3 anti-collagen-spe-cific antibodies levels from the serum of CIA mice.Flow cytometry was used to detect the expression levels of intracellular Th17 cells(IL-17+CD4+T cells)and Th1 cells(IFN-γ+CD4+T cells).Fluorescent quanti-tative PCR was performed to detect the expression of genes related to differential proteins.Results The proteomic analysis identified Serpinb1a as a protein with strong binding affinity to BA,and KEGG enrich-ment analysis indicated IL-17 signaling pathway was a crucial pathway of BA in against RA.BA treatment significantly reduced clinical scores and foot thickness,improved local arthritis symptoms in CIA mice,and al-leviated inflammatory cell infiltration into arthritic joints(P＜0.05).Differential protein validation re-sults showed that BA had strong affinity with Serpinb1a(-5.92 kJ·mol-1)and downregulated the expres-sion of Serpinb1a mRNA.Furthermore,the administra-tion of BA markedly reduced serum IL-17 A levels from CIA mice,inhibited the expression of intracellular IL-17 A and IFN-γ cytokines in splenic CD4+T cells(P＜0.05),and significantly downregulated the transcrip-tional expression of IL-17F(P＜0.05).Conclusion BA exhibits therapeutic effects on collagen-induced arthritis,and its mechanism of action may involve the regulation of Serpinb1a and the IL-17 signaling path-way.

Aim To identify the underlying target of bullatine A(BA)against rheumatoid arthritis(RA)u-sing limited proteolysis-small molecule mapping(LiP-SMap)drug target proteomics and to provide a scientif-ic basis for clinical application of Aconiti brachypodi Radix in the treatment of RA.Methods LiP-SMap drug target proteomics was employed to perform bioin-formatics analysis for comparing and validating the dif-ferential protein expression after BA intervention.A collagen-induced arthritis(CIA)model was estab-lished in DBA/1 mice using bovine type Ⅱ collagen.The mice were then divided into the CIA model group,methotrexate-positive control group(MTX group),and BA groups(10 mg·kg-1 and 20 mg·kg-1)based on their clinical scores.After drug intervention,the thera-peutic efficacy against RA was assessed by joint index scores and foot thickness measurements.Histopatholog-ical changes in the arthritic joints of CIA mice were e-valuated using hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was employed to detect inflammatory cytokines interleukin-17(IL-17)and total IgG and IgG3 anti-collagen-spe-cific antibodies levels from the serum of CIA mice.Flow cytometry was used to detect the expression levels of intracellular Th17 cells(IL-17+CD4+T cells)and Th1 cells(IFN-γ+CD4+T cells).Fluorescent quanti-tative PCR was performed to detect the expression of genes related to differential proteins.Results The proteomic analysis identified Serpinb1a as a protein with strong binding affinity to BA,and KEGG enrich-ment analysis indicated IL-17 signaling pathway was a crucial pathway of BA in against RA.BA treatment significantly reduced clinical scores and foot thickness,improved local arthritis symptoms in CIA mice,and al-leviated inflammatory cell infiltration into arthritic joints(P＜0.05).Differential protein validation re-sults showed that BA had strong affinity with Serpinb1a(-5.92 kJ·mol-1)and downregulated the expres-sion of Serpinb1a mRNA.Furthermore,the administra-tion of BA markedly reduced serum IL-17 A levels from CIA mice,inhibited the expression of intracellular IL-17 A and IFN-γ cytokines in splenic CD4+T cells(P＜0.05),and significantly downregulated the transcrip-tional expression of IL-17F(P＜0.05).Conclusion BA exhibits therapeutic effects on collagen-induced arthritis,and its mechanism of action may involve the regulation of Serpinb1a and the IL-17 signaling path-way.

Objective:To investigate the prevalence of scoliosis among middle school students through school-based screening, and to analyze the correlations between axial trunk rotation (ATR) angle and Cobb angle among those with scoliosis considering gender, age, body mass index (BMI) and curve type, so as to provide references for early prevention and treatment.Methods:Random cluster sampling was used to enroll 9501 middle school students from 11 schools in the Hanyang District of Wuhan. They underwent a six-step scoliosis screening with a forward bending test, scoliometer measurements, and confirmatory X-ray examinations. The students exhibiting scoliosis were stratified by gender, age, BMI, and curve type. The correlation between ATR angle and Cobb angle was subsequently analyzed within each subgroup.Results:Scoliosis was observed in 358 of the students (150 boys and 208 girls), a positive screening rate of 3.8%. Moreover, the positive screening rate was significantly higher among the girls (4.8%) than among the boys (2.9%). There was a moderate Spearman correlation ( r=0.69) between the ATR and Cobb angles in 358 of the students with scoliosis, both the boys ( r=0.69) and the girls ( r=0.70). When it came to age, there was a positive correlation between the ATR and Cobb angles for students aged 13 to 16 irrespective of their BMI classification, except that there was no significant correlation between the two angles for those classified as obese. In terms of Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) classification, there was a positive correlation for those in types Ia, Ib, Ic, IIa, IIb, IIc and IId, but there was no significant correlation between the two angles for those in type III. Conclusions:Scoliosis is prevalent among the group of adolescents studied. Society, schools and parents need to prioritize prevention, heightened awareness, timely diagnosis and early treatment, particularly for girls. The ATR angle may serve as a practical surrogate for estimating Cobb angle severity in scoliosis screening for single-curve or double-curve cases. However, ATR measurements may yield false-negative results among those with triple-curve deformities or the obese, underscoring the need for supplementary diagnostic methods among such populations.

Purpose To explore factors influencing vaginal delivery during the first stage of labor using intrapartum ultrasound and to construct predictive models for delivery decision-making.Materials and Methods A total of 473 nulliparous women admitted to Heping Hospital,Northern Theater General Hospital from July to December 2021 were prospectively enrolled as the training set.Clinical data on admission and fetal biometric parameters(biparietal diameter,femur length,head circumference and abdominal circumference)measured within one week before delivery were collected.Ultrasound assessments of fetal position,angle of progression(AOP)and head-perineum distance(HPD)were performed during the first stage of labor.The latent phase group(n=255)was subdivided into vaginal delivery group(n=186)and cesarean section group(n=69);the active phase group(n=218)was divided into vaginal delivery group(n=168)and cesarean section group(n=50).The associations between fetal position,AOP,HPD and vaginal delivery were analyzed,and predictive models were constructed for the latent phase(model 1)and active phase(model 2).A validation set of 547 women from January to September 2022 was used to evaluate model performance via area under the curve(AUC),calibration curves and decision curve analysis.Results In the latent phase,multivariate regression identified maternal height(OR=3.970,P=0.002),pre-pregnancy body mass index(OR=0.893,P=0.036),labor onset type(OR=2.415,P=0.045),neonatal birth weight(OR=3.728,P=0.002),AOP(OR=11.649,P<0.001)and HPD(OR=4.240,P=0.004)as significant predictors.The training and validation sets showed AUCs of 0.917 and 0.869,respectively.Goodness-of-fit tests indicated excellent model calibration(χ2=3.437,P=0.904;χ2=10.877,P=0.209).Decision curve analysis demonstrated strong clinical utility.For the active phase,significant predictors included maternal height(OR=6.532,P<0.001),neonatal birth weight(OR=11.890,P<0.001),fetal position(OR=4.600,P=0.003),AOP(OR=7.229,P<0.001)and HPD(OR=4.722,P=0.005).AUCs were 0.943(training)and 0.906(validation),with good calibration(χ2=4.340,P=0.740;χ2=9.836,P=0.277)and clinical applicability.Conclusion First stage ultrasound assessment of fetal position,AOP and HPD correlates with delivery outcomes.The developed nomogram models combining these parameters with clinical factors provide valuable guidance for delivery decision-making.

Objective:To investigate the prevalence of scoliosis among middle school students through school-based screening, and to analyze the correlations between axial trunk rotation (ATR) angle and Cobb angle among those with scoliosis considering gender, age, body mass index (BMI) and curve type, so as to provide references for early prevention and treatment.Methods:Random cluster sampling was used to enroll 9501 middle school students from 11 schools in the Hanyang District of Wuhan. They underwent a six-step scoliosis screening with a forward bending test, scoliometer measurements, and confirmatory X-ray examinations. The students exhibiting scoliosis were stratified by gender, age, BMI, and curve type. The correlation between ATR angle and Cobb angle was subsequently analyzed within each subgroup.Results:Scoliosis was observed in 358 of the students (150 boys and 208 girls), a positive screening rate of 3.8%. Moreover, the positive screening rate was significantly higher among the girls (4.8%) than among the boys (2.9%). There was a moderate Spearman correlation ( r=0.69) between the ATR and Cobb angles in 358 of the students with scoliosis, both the boys ( r=0.69) and the girls ( r=0.70). When it came to age, there was a positive correlation between the ATR and Cobb angles for students aged 13 to 16 irrespective of their BMI classification, except that there was no significant correlation between the two angles for those classified as obese. In terms of Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) classification, there was a positive correlation for those in types Ia, Ib, Ic, IIa, IIb, IIc and IId, but there was no significant correlation between the two angles for those in type III. Conclusions:Scoliosis is prevalent among the group of adolescents studied. Society, schools and parents need to prioritize prevention, heightened awareness, timely diagnosis and early treatment, particularly for girls. The ATR angle may serve as a practical surrogate for estimating Cobb angle severity in scoliosis screening for single-curve or double-curve cases. However, ATR measurements may yield false-negative results among those with triple-curve deformities or the obese, underscoring the need for supplementary diagnostic methods among such populations.

AIM To establish a UPLC method for the simultaneous content determination of liquiritin,ammonium glycyrrhizate,naringin,neohesperidin,hesperidin,rosmarinic acid,baicalin,wogonoside,baicalein,wogonin and praeruptorin A in Tongxuan Lifei Pills,and to make chemometric investigation.METHODS The analysis was performed on a 30 ℃ thermostatic SVEA C18 column(2.1 mm×150 mm,2.5 μm),with the mobile phase comprising of acetonitrile-0.1％phosphoric acid flowing at 0.5 mL/min in a gradient elution manner,and the detection wavelength was set at 250 nm.Subsequently,cluster analysis,principal component analysis and partial least square discriminant analysis were performed.RESULTS Eleven constituents showed good linear relationships within their own ranges(R2＞0.990 0),whose average recoveries were 90.00％-98.32％with the RSDs of 0.35％-1.89％.Forty batches of samples were clustered into 3 types.Baicalein,baicalin,liquiritin,wogonin,wogonoside and neohesperidin were taken as quality differential markers.CONCLUSION This simple and reproducible method can provide the basis for quality control and evaluation of Tongxuan Lifei Pills.

ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the mechanism of action of Huangqi Guizhi Wuwutang in treating rheumatoid arthritis （RA）-associated sarcopenia by regulating autophagy and improving skeletal muscle homeostasis based on network pharmacology，bioinformatics，machine learning，and animal experiments. MethodsActive ingredients and targets of Huangqi Guizhi Wuwutang were screened using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform （TCMSP），PubChem，and SwissTargetPrediction databases. RA-related datasets were retrieved from the GEO database，and differential genes were screened. Sarcopenia-related targets were searched through GeneCards and the Comparative Toxicology Database （CTD），and autophagy-related gene sets were downloaded from the Human Autophagy Database （HADb）. Their intersection was analyzed to identify autophagy-related therapeutic targets，followed by enrichment analysis. A protein-protein interaction （PPI） network was constructed using the STRING database，and key targets were selected using multiple methods. Machine learning was applied to predict models based on the expression profiles of intersecting targets，and nomogram models were constructed based on key targets. Molecular docking of the top four active ingredients with key targets was performed using AutoDockVina. A collagen-induced arthritis （CIA） rat model was established using bovine type Ⅱ collagen，with SD rats divided into groups including a blank group，a model group，and low-，medium-，and high-dose groups of Huangqi Guizhi Wuwutang （2.44，4.88，and 9.76 g·kg^-1） and administered for five consecutive weeks. Joint scores and gastrocnemius muscle mass were recorded and analyzed after modeling. Hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining and Masson's staining were used to observe pathological changes in muscle tissue. Immunofluorescence staining was applied to observe the protein expression levels of myosin heavy chain （MYHC） and insulin-like growth factor-1 （IGF-1） in skeletal muscle. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of autophagy-related proteins ATG5，Beclin1，LC3B，muscle-specific proteins （MuRF1），MaFbx，and MYHC. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR （Real-time PCR） was performed to measure the mRNA expression levels of ATG5，Beclin1，LC3B，MuRF1，MaFbx，and MYHC in muscle tissue. ResultsNetwork pharmacology revealed that Huangqi Guizhi Wuwutang shared 25 common targets with autophagy genes related to RA-associated sarcopenia. The PPI network and machine learning identified six key targets，which were primarily involved in autophagy and inflammatory pathways. Animal experiments showed that compared to the blank group，the model group had significantly higher joint scores （P<0.01） and lower gastrocnemius muscle index （P<0.01）. HE staining indicated a significant reduction in the cross-sectional area of gastrocnemius muscle fibers，with notable inflammatory cell infiltration and muscle atrophy in the model group. Masson's staining revealed obvious collagen fiber proliferation and deposition，with significant muscle fibrosis in the model group. The protein and mRNA expression levels of ATG5，Beclin1，LC3B，MuRF1，and MaFbx were significantly increased （P<0.01），while the protein expression of MYHC and IGF1 was significantly downregulated （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group，the high-dose group of Huangqi Guizhi Wuwutang showed significantly reduced protein and mRNA expression levels of ATG5，Beclin1，LC3B，MuRF1，and MaFbx （P<0.01） and increased protein expression levels of MYHC and IGF1 （P<0.01）. The cross-sectional area of muscle fibers increased，and the muscle cell morphology approached normal. Moreover，pathological abnormalities in the gastrocnemius muscle were significantly improved，with reduced collagen fiber proliferation （P<0.01）. ConclusionHuangqi Guizhi Wuwutang can mediate autophagy by regulating the expression of ATG5，Beclin1，LC3B，and IGF1，thereby reducing skeletal muscle catabolism and improving skeletal muscle homeostasis，which contributes to the treatment of RA-associated sarcopenia. The findings provide insight into the mechanisms underlying the effects of Huangqi Guizhi Wuwutang in the treatment of RA-related sarcopenia and offer a reference for its enhanced clinical application.

This study aims to explore whether Naoxintong Capsules improve multiple cerebral infarctions and myocardial injury via promoting angiogenesis, thereby exerting a simultaneous treatment effect on both the brain and heart. Male SD rats were randomly divided into six groups: sham-operated group, model group, high-dose, medium-dose, and low-dose groups of Naoxintong Capsules(440, 220, and 110 mg·kg~(-1)), and nimodipine group(10.8 mg·kg~(-1)). Rat models of multiple cerebral infarctions were established by injecting autologous thrombus, and samples were collected and tested seven days after modeling. Evaluations included multiple cerebral infarction model assessments, neurological function scores, grip strength tests, and rotarod tests, so as to evaluate neuromotor functions. Morphological structures of brain and heart tissue were observed using hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, Nissl staining, and Masson staining. Network pharmacology was employed to screen the mechanisms of Naoxintong Capsules in improving multiple cerebral infarctions and myocardial injury. Neuronal and myocardial cell ultrastructures were observed using transmission electron microscopy. Apoptosis rate in brain neuronal cells was detected by TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL) staining, and reactive oxygen species(ROS) levels in myocardial cells were measured. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression of platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1(CD31), antigen identified by monoclonal antibody Ki67(Ki67), hematopoietic progenitor cell antigen CD34(CD34), and hypoxia inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α) in brain and myocardial tissue. Western blot, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR) were used to detect the expression of HIF-1α, vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2(VEGFR2), sarcoma(Src), basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF), angiopoietin-1(Ang-1), and TEK receptor tyrosine kinase(Tie-2). Compared with the model group, the medium-dose group of Naoxintong Capsules showed significantly lower neurological function scores, increased grip strength, and prolonged time on the rotarod. Pathological damage in brain and heart tissue was reduced, with increased and more orderly arranged mitochondria in neurons and cardiomyocytes. Apoptosis in brain neuronal cells was decreased, and ROS levels in cardiomyocytes were reduced. The microvascular density and endothelial cells of new blood vessels in brain and heart tissue increased, with increased overlapping regions of CD31 and Ki67 expression. The relative protein and mRNA expression levels of HIF-1α, VEGF, VEGFR2, Src, Ang-1, Tie-2, and bFGF were elevated in brain tissue and myocardial tissue. Naoxintong Capsules may improve multiple cerebral infarctions and myocardial injury by mediating HIF-1α/VEGF expression to promote angiogenesis.
Animals ; Male ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Cerebral Infarction/genetics* ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/genetics* ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/genetics* ; Capsules ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Humans ; Brain/metabolism* ; Myocardium/metabolism* ; Apoptosis/drug effects*

AIM To establish a UPLC method for the simultaneous content determination of liquiritin,ammonium glycyrrhizate,naringin,neohesperidin,hesperidin,rosmarinic acid,baicalin,wogonoside,baicalein,wogonin and praeruptorin A in Tongxuan Lifei Pills,and to make chemometric investigation.METHODS The analysis was performed on a 30 ℃ thermostatic SVEA C18 column(2.1 mm×150 mm,2.5 μm),with the mobile phase comprising of acetonitrile-0.1％phosphoric acid flowing at 0.5 mL/min in a gradient elution manner,and the detection wavelength was set at 250 nm.Subsequently,cluster analysis,principal component analysis and partial least square discriminant analysis were performed.RESULTS Eleven constituents showed good linear relationships within their own ranges(R2＞0.990 0),whose average recoveries were 90.00％-98.32％with the RSDs of 0.35％-1.89％.Forty batches of samples were clustered into 3 types.Baicalein,baicalin,liquiritin,wogonin,wogonoside and neohesperidin were taken as quality differential markers.CONCLUSION This simple and reproducible method can provide the basis for quality control and evaluation of Tongxuan Lifei Pills.