ObjectiveTo investigate the possible mechanism of Wenyang Shengji Ointment （温阳生肌膏， WSO） in the treatment of diabetic wounds with yin syndrome. MethodsA total of 24 SD rats were randomly divided into a group （n=6） and modeling group （n=18）. The modeling group rats were fed with high-fat diet for 14 days and then were injected intraperitoneally with streptozotocin to induce diabetic model. After steroid injection， full-thickness skin defects were created on the back of the rats to establish a diabetic wound with yin syndrome model. The normal group was fed with regular diet， and full-thickness skin defects were created surgically on the back of the rats. The 18 successfully modeled rats were further divided into three groups， the model group， the WSO group， and the Beifuxin （Recombinant Bovine Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor Gel， BX） group， 6 rats in each group. The WSO group was given the ointment to the wound， the Beifuxin group was givne BX gel， and the normal group and model group was disinfected and treated with saline. All groups had their dressings changed once daily for 14 days. Wound healing was recorded on days 0， 3， 7， and 14， and the wound healing rate was calculated on day 3， 7， and 14. On day 14 after treatment， HE staining was performed to observe the pathological morphology of the wound tissue. Western Blot was used to detect the relative protein levels of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha （HIF-1α） and vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）. Immunofluorescence was used to measure the fluorescence intensity of HIF-1α in the wound tissue， and ELISA was used to detect the methylglyoxal （MGO） content in the wound tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group showed poor wound healing on day 3， 7， and 14， with a low wound healing rate （P＜0.01）. HE staining showed scab coverage on the wound， with inflammatory cell infiltration and disorganized collagen arrangement. The relative protein levels of VEGF were significantly reduced， while the relative protein levels of HIF-1α and the MGO content significantly increased （P＜0.01）， and the fluorescence intensity of HIF-1α was enhanced. Compared to the model group， the WSO group and Beifuxin group showed better wound healing on day 3， 7， and 14， with an increased wound healing rate （P＜0.01）. The wound tissue showed clear and complete epithelial structure， reduced inflammatory cells， mature granulation tissue， and organized collagen arrangement. MGO content was significantly reduced （P＜0.01）. The relative protein levels of HIF-1α and VEGF both significantly increased in the WSO group， while only VEGF increased in the Beifuxin group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared with the Beifuxin group， the WSO group had a thicker epidermal layer， prominent collagen formation， significantly increased HIF-1α fluorescence expression， reduced MGO content in the wound tissue， and higher relative protein levels of HIF-1α （P＜0.05）. ConclusionWSO can reduce the accumulation of MGO in diabetic wound tissue with yin syndrome and activate the HIF-1α/VEGF pathway， which could be one of the mechanisms for promoting wound healing.

Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is one of the most common complications of liver cirrhosis. The formation of PVT can increase the mortality rate of cirrhotic patients and adversely affect the successful implementation and prognosis of liver transplantation. A hypercoagulable state is a unique mechanism underlying PVT formation in cirrhotic patients. In recent years, the pathogenesis of PVT has gradually been elucidated, with specific mechanisms including the following aspects: systemic and local inflammatory responses lead to vascular endothelial cell dysfunction, thereby promoting the activation of the coagulation system; abnormal activation of the monocyte-macrophage system exacerbates local inflammation, enhancing platelet adhesion and aggregation, and facilitating thrombus formation; an imbalance between the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems results in a sustained hypercoagulable state; and intestinal microbiota dysbiosis induces inflammation and metabolic disturbances, thereby increasing the risk of PVT. This article summarizes the latest research progress on these key mechanisms and their interactions, providing new insights into the molecular and cellular mechanisms of PVT. It also offers directions for the early diagnosis of PVT and the exploration of novel intervention strategies in the future.

AIM:To study the regulation of endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS)using the glucose regulated protein 78(GRP78)/CCAAT/enhancer binding protein homologous protein(CHOP)pathway and explore the related mech-anism of Wenyang-Shengji ointment in facilitating the repair of diabetic refractory wounds.METHODS:To establish a rat model of diabetic refractory wound repair,Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were fed a high-fat diet and intraperitoneally in-jected with streptozotocin.Subsequently,full-thickness skin defects were induced in the dorsal region of the rats.The ex-periment included 4 groups:normal,model(diabetic refractory wounds),Wenyang-Shengji ointment,and Beifuxin(re-combinant bovine basic fibroblast growth factor gel)groups.The normal and model groups were treated with normal saline after disinfection.In the Wenyang-Shengji ointment and Beifuxin groups,the wounds were topically treated with the re-spective ointments once daily.After 14 d of treatment,wound healing was assessed and quantified using the wound healing rate.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was employed to examine the micromorphology of the wound tissue.Western blot analysis was performed to measure GRP78,CHOP and caspase-12 levels in the wound tissue.Immunohistochemical analy-sis was used to detect the expression and distribution patterns of GRP78,CHOP and caspase-12 in the wounds.Transmis-sion electron microscopy was used to observe reticulum numbers and swelling.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine interleukin-1β(IL-1β)level as a pro-inflammatory factor within the wound.RESULTS:Indexes of each group were assessed 14 d after the corresponding intervention.Compared with normal group,the rats in model group exhibited a significant decrease in the wound healing rate(P＜0.01),accompanied by increased inflammatory exudation and poor granulation tissue growth.Additionally,there were increases in the expression levels of GRP78,CHOP and cas-pase-12 proteins(P＜0.01),as well as a significant elevation in the content of inflammatory factor IL-1β(P＜0.01).In contrast,compared with model group,treatment with Wenyang-Shengji ointment resulted in a significant improvement in wound healing rate(P＜0.01),reduction in inflammatory exudation,and enhanced granulation tissue growth(P＜0.01).Furthermore,there was a notable decrease in the protein expression of GRP78/CHOP/caspase-12 within the wound tissue following treatment with Wenyang-Shengji ointment(P＜0.01).The levels of inflammatory factor IL-1β also showed a sig-nificant decrease(P＜0.01).CONCLUSION:Wenyang-Shengji promotes the healing of diabetic refractory wounds,which may be associated with the downregulation of the GRP78/CHOP pathway,inhibition of excessive ERS,and reduc-tion in the level of wound cell apoptosis.

Chronic hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection is a major global public health threat.In areas with moderate to high prevalence of HBV,mother-to-child transmission(MTCT)remains the main source of chronic HBV infection.With the application of combined immunization of hepatitis B vaccine and hepatitis B immunoglobulin in neonates,there has been a significant reduction in the incidence rate of HBV MTCT,but there is still a high risk of HBV MTCT in infants born to mothers with positive HBeAg and high viral loads.Although antiviral therapy for pregnant women with high HBV viral loads in late pregnancy can further reduce the risk of HBV MTCT,it is still difficult to completely block HBV MTCT.A deep understanding of the molecular virological mechanisms of HBV MTCT can provide clear ideas for blocking HBV MTCT,which is of great significance for the prevention and management of HBV MTCT.

Objective To explore the mechanism of Wenyang Shengji Ointment(温阳生肌膏,WYSJO)in the treatment of diabetic wounds from the perspective of network pharmacology,and to veri-fy it by animal experiments. Methods The Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP)and related literature were used to screen active compounds in WYSJO and their corresponding targets.GeneCards,Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man(OMIM),DrugBank,PharmGkb,and Therapeutic Target Database(TTD)databases were employed to identify the targets associated with diabetic wounds.Cytoscape 3.9.0 was used to map the ac-tive ingredients in WYSJO,which was the diabetic wound target network.Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interaction Gene/Proteins(STRING)platform was utilized to construct protein-protein interaction(PPI)network.Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)and Gene Ontology(GO)enrichment analyses were performed to identify signaling pathways be-tween WYSJO and diabetic wounds.AutoDock 1.5.6 was used for molecular docking of core components in WYSJO to their targets.Eighteen rats were randomly divided into control,model,and WYSJO groups(n=6).The model and WYSJO groups were used to prepare the model of refractory wounds in diabetes rats.The wound healing was observed on day 0,5,9,and 14 after treatment,and the wound tissue morphology was observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining.The expression levels of core genes were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qPCR). Results A total of 76 active compounds in WYSJO,206 WYSJO drug targets,3 797 diabetic wound targets,and 167 diabetic wound associated WYSJO targets were screened out through network pharmacology.With the use of WYSJO-diabetic wound target network,core targets of seven active compounds encompassing quercetin,daidzein,kaempferol,rhamnetin,rham-nocitrin,strictosamide,and diisobutyl phthalate(DIBP)in WYSJO were found.GO enrich-ment analysis showed that the treatment of diabetes wounds with WYSJO may involve lipopolysaccharide,bacteria-derived molecules,metal ions,foreign stimuli,chemical stress,nutrient level,hypoxia,and oxidative stress in the biological processes.KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the treatment of diabetes wounds with WYSJO may involve advanced glycation end products(AGE-RAGE),p53,interleukin(IL)-17,tumor necrosis factor(TNF),hypoxia inducible factor-1(HIF-1),apoptosis,lipid,atherosclerosis,etc.The results of animal experiments showed that WYSJO could significantly accelerate the healing process of diabetic wounds(P<0.05),alleviate inflammatory response,promote the growth of granulation tis-sues,and down-regulate the expression levels of eight core genes[histone crotonyltrans-ferase p300(EP300),protoc gene-oncogene c-Jun(JUN),myelocytomatosis(MYC),hypoxia inducible factor 1A(HIF1A),mitogen-activated protein kinase 14(MAPK14),specificity pro-tein 1(SP1),tumor protein p53(TP53),and estrogen receptor 1(ESR1)]predicted by the net-work pharmacology(P<0.05). Conclusion The mechanism of WYSJO in treating diabetes wounds may be closely related to AGE-RAGE,p53,HIF-1,and other pathways.This study can provide new ideas for the phar-macological research of WYSJO,and provide a basis for its further transformation and appli-cation.

[Purpose]To analyze the incidence and mortality trends,and survival of gallbladder cancer in Nantong City of Jiangsu Province from 2013 to 2017.[Methods]The gallbladder cancer incidence and mortality data from 2013 to 2017 were collected from Nantong cancer registries.The crude incidence/mortality rates,age-standardized incidence/mortality rates by Chinese and world standard population(ASIRC/ASMRC,ASIRW/ASMRW)were calculated by sex,age and regions(urban and rural).Joinpoint software was used to analyze the incidence and mortality trends of gallbladder cancer.The observed survival rate and relative survival rate were calculated by using life table method and Ederer Ⅱ method.[Results]From 2013 to 2017,the gallbladder cancer crude incidence and mortality rates were 6.36/105 and 4.91/105,ASIRC and ASMRC were 2.62/105 and 1.94/105,respectively.The crude incidence and mortality,and ASMRC showed an upwards trend(all P＜0.05).The ASIRC for men and women was 2.43/105 and 2.83/105,the ASMRC for men and women was 1.74/105 and 2.16/105,respectively.ASIRC and ASMRC in women were higher than those in men.The ASIRC in urban and rural areas was 2.40/105 and 2.69/105,and the ASMRC was 1.61/105 and 2.05/105,respectively.ASIRC and ASMRC in rural areas were higher than those in urban areas.The average age of onset was 70.33 years old and the average age of death was 71.86 years old.The 5-year observed survival rate was 12.90％,and the 5-year relative survival rate was 14.47％.Both the 5-year observed survival rate and relative survival rate showed an upwards trend(both P＜0.05).[Conclusion]The incidence and mortality rates of gall-bladder cancer in Nantong City are relatively high and the survival rate is generally low.It is sug-gested that targeted prevention and control measures of gallbladder cancer in Nantong City should be strengthened,particularly in rural areas and for middle-aged and elderly women.

AIM:To investigate the effects of the compound ANBP on wound healing in diabetic rats and ex-plore its mechanism of action.METHODS:Ninety male SD rats were randomly divided into blank,model,compound ANBP,Beifuxin,and nicotinamide mononucleotide(NMN)groups,with 16 rats in each group.Wound healing in each group was observed and samples were taken on days 3,7 and 14 to analyze the wound healing rate.Local histopathological changes were observed using HE and Masson staining.The expressions of pyruvate dehydrogenase E1 subunit alpha 1(PDHA1),citrate synthase(CS),isocitrate dehydrogenase(IDH1)and oxoglutarate dehydrogenase(OGDH)were de-tected through immunofluorescence and Western blot.The number and morphology of mitochondria in the wound tissue were observed using transmission electron microscopy.RESULTS:Histomorphological changes revealed significant im-provement in diabetic wound healing in the blank and compound ANBP groups compared to that of the model group.The wound healing rates of the blank,compound ANBP,Beifuxin,and NMN groups were significantly increased on days 3,7,and 14(P<0.01).Compared to the model group,granulation tissue generation was higher in the other groups,cover-ing the wound defect and producing abundant collagen fibers.At 3,7,and 14 days after intervention,the blank,com-pound ANBP,Beifuxin,and NMN groups showed significantly enhanced fluorescence intensities of TCA cycling-related enzymes PDHA1,CS,IDH1,and OGDH indicating increased expression of these enzymes.The levels of the TCA cy-cling-related enzymes were significantly increased(P<0.01)in the compound ANBP,Beifuxin and NMN groups but were significantly decreased(P<0.01)in the model group.An increase in the number and density of mitochondria and a de-crease in the cavitation rate of mitochondria with improved morphology(P<0.05)was observed in the group treated with compound ANBP.CONCLUSION:Compound ANBP may increase the number of mitochondria,improve mitochondrial morphology and function,upregulate the expression levels of PDHA1,CS,IDH1,and OGDH proteins,and accelerate the regeneration of wound granulation tissue,thus promoting the healing of diabetic wounds in rats.

Atherosclerosis(As)is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with lipid deposition.Copper is con-sidered to be an important trace element and is closely related to the occurrence and development of As.Excessive accu-mulation of copper ions in cells can induce cell death,a new type of cell death named"cuproptosis".Under normal con-ditions,the body's copper metabolism can control the copper level in a stable range.When the disease occurs,copper ho-meostasis is destroyed,intracellular copper overload produces cytotoxicity,induces oxidative stress,inflammation,cell py-roptosis and cuproptosis,and promotes the occurrence and development of As.This article summarizes the relationship between copper levels and As,and discusses the mechanism of cuproptosis and the pathological mechanism of copper over-load promoting As from the perspective of the body's copper regulation,and reviews the relevant drug intervention,expec-ting to provide a new therapeutic target for As.