The study was conducted to investigate the mechanism of Xinyang Tablets( XYP) in modulating the fat mass and obesity-associated protein(FTO)/N6-methyladenosine(m6A) signaling pathway to ameliorate ventricular remodeling in heart failure(HF). A mouse model of HF was established by transverse aortic constriction(TAC). Mice were randomized into sham, model, XYP(low, medium, and high doses), and positive control( perindopril) groups(n= 10). From day 3 post-surgery, mice were administrated with corresponding drugs by gavage for 6 consecutive weeks. Following the treatment, echocardiography was employed to evaluate the cardiac function, and RT-qPCR was employed to determine the relative m RNA levels of key markers, including atrial natriuretic peptide( ANP), B-type natriuretic peptide( BNP), β-myosin heavy chain(β-MHC), collagen type I alpha chain(Col1α), collagen type Ⅲ alpha chain(Col3α), alpha smooth muscle actin(α-SMA), and FTO. The cardiac tissue was stained with Masson's trichrome and wheat germ agglutinin(WGA) to reveal the pathological changes. Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect the expression levels of Col1α, Col3α, α-SMA, and FTO in the myocardial tissue. The m6A modification level in the myocardial tissue was measured by the m6A assay kit. An H9c2 cell model of cardiomyocyte injury was induced by angiotensin Ⅱ(AngⅡ), and small interfering RNA(siRNA) was employed to knock down FTO expression. RT-qPCR was conducted to assess the relative m RNA levels of FTO and other genes associated with cardiac remodeling. The m6A modification level was measured by the m6A assay kit, and Western blot was employed to determine the phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(p-PI3K)/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K) and phosphorylated serine/threonine kinase(p-Akt)/serine/threonine kinase(Akt) ratios in cardiomyocytes. The results of animal experiments showed that the XYP treatment significantly improved the cardiac function, reduced fibrosis, up-regulated the m RNA and protein levels of FTO, and lowered the m6A modification level compared with the model group. The results of cell experiments showed that the XYP-containing serum markedly up-regulated the m RNA level of FTO while decreasing the m6A modification level and the p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt ratios in cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, FTO knockdown reversed the protective effects of XYP-containing serum on Ang Ⅱ-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. In conclusion, XYP may ameliorate ventricular remodeling by regulating the FTO/m6A axis, thereby inhibiting the activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
Animals ; Ventricular Remodeling/drug effects* ; Heart Failure/physiopathology* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Mice ; Male ; Alpha-Ketoglutarate-Dependent Dioxygenase FTO/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Humans ; Adenosine/analogs & derivatives* ; Myocytes, Cardiac/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal

This study investigates the effect and underlying mechanism of Guizhi Tongluo Tablets(GZTL) in treating atherosclerosis(AS) in a mouse model. Apolipoprotein E-knockout(ApoE~(-/-)) mice were randomly assigned to the following groups: model, high-, medium-, and low-dose GZTL, and atorvastatin(ATV), and age-matched C57BL/6J mice were selected as the control group. ApoE~(-/-) mice in other groups except the control group were fed with a high-fat diet for the modeling of AS and administrated with corresponding drugs via gavage for 8 weeks. General conditions, signs of blood stasis, and body mass of mice were monitored. Aortic plaques and their stability were assessed by hematoxylin-eosin, Masson, and oil red O staining. Serum levels of total cholesterol(TC), triglycerides(TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C) were measured by biochemical assays, and those of interleukin-1β(IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), and interleukin-6(IL-6) were determined via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Apoptosis was assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL). Single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNA-seq) was employed to analyze the differential expression of CD72hi macrophages(CD72hi-Mφ) in the aortas of AS patients and mice. The immunofluorescence assay was employed to visualize CD72hi-Mφ expression in mouse aortic plaques, and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was utilized to determine the mRNA levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 in the aorta. The results demonstrated that compared with the control group, the model group exhibited significant increases in body mass, aortic plaque area proportion, necrotic core area proportion, and lipid deposition, a notable decrease in collagen fiber content, and an increase in apoptosis. Additionally, the model group showcased elevated serum levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6, alongside marked upregulations in the mRNA levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 in the aorta. In comparison with the model group, the GZTL groups and the ATV group showed a reduction in body mass, and the medium-and high-dose GZTL groups and the ATV group demonstrated reductions in aortic plaque area proportion, necrotic core area proportion, and lipid deposition, an increase in collagen fiber content, and a decrease in apoptosis. Furthermore, the treatment goups showcased lowered serum levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6. The data of scRNA-seq revealed significantly elevated CD72hi-Mφ signaling in carotid plaques of AS patients compared with that in the normal arterial tissue. Animal experiments confirmed that CD72hi-Mφ expression, along with several pro-inflammatory cytokines, was significantly upregulated in the aortas of AS mice, which were downregulated by GZTL treatment. In conclusion, GZTL may alleviate AS by inhibiting CD72hi-Mφ activity.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Atherosclerosis/immunology* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Macrophages/immunology* ; Male ; Humans ; Apolipoproteins E/genetics* ; Tablets ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Interleukin-1beta/genetics* ; Interleukin-6/genetics* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mice, Knockout

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics and influencing factors of vascular involvement in Beh?et′s Disease (BD) to improve and provideunderstanding of insights for clinicians to better understand this condition.Methods:Clinical data from 220 BD patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from January 2012 to May 2022 were collected. Clinical manifestations and laboratory findings were compared between BD patients with and without vascular involvement, as well as between those with improved conditions and those with progressive conditions. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors.Results:①The average age of the 220 BD patients was 36.5±15.3 years. Among them, 23 patients (10.5%) had vascular involvement, including 20 males (87.0%).②Compared to BD patients without vascular involvement, those with vascular involvement had significantly higher rates of smoking [6.1%(12/197) vs.34.8%(8/23), χ2=17.19, P<0.001], cardiac involvement [1.5%(3/197) vs. 13.0%(9/23), χ2=6.42, P=0.011], and elevated C-reactive protein(CRP) levels (78.3% vs. 56.3%, χ2=4.08, P=0.043).③ Among BD patients with vascular involvement, 11 cases (47.8%) had venous lesions, and 20 cases (87.0%) had arterial lesions, with 8 cases (34.8%) having both venous and arterial involvement. The most common type of vascular involvement was arterial dilatation (11 cases), mainly aneurysms (10 cases), and deep venous thrombosis of the lower extremities (7 cases).④The 23 BD patients with vascular involvement were followed up for an average of 18.3 months. Among them, 16 patients (69.6%) showed stable improvement, while 7 patients (30.4%) experienced disease progression, including 4 deaths (1 male and 3 females). A total of 91.3% (21/23) of the patients received glucocorticoid therapy. Immunosuppressive therapy was administered to 82.6% (19/23) of the patients, with 65.2% (10/23) receiving with cyclophosphamide and 43.5% receiving with thalidomide. Additionally, 13% (3/23) of the patients were treated with cyclosporine and methotrexate, respectively, and 8.7% (2/23) were treated with received mycophenolate mofetil. Anticoagulant therapy was given to 21.7% (5/23) of the patients, using either warfarin or low molecular weight heparin. Biologic therapy was administered to 17.4% (4/23) of the patients, and surgical intervention was performed in 43.5% (10/23) of the patients. ⑤Binary logistic regression analysis identified male gender [ OR(95% CI)=5.70(1.60, 20.90), P=0.009] as an indepe-ndent risk factor for vascular involvement in BD. Conclusion:The incidence of vascular involvement in BD is 10.5%, with a higher prevalence in males. Arterial involvement is more common than venous involvement, with arterial aneurysms being the most common manifestation. Clinicians should pay attention to CRP and total cholesterol levels in BD patients.

This study aimed to investigate the ameliorative effect of Xinyang Tablets on myocardial fibrosis in uremic cardiomyopathy(UCM) using single-cell sequencing technology. UCM mouse models were established by 5/6 nephrectomy(NPM) and randomly divided into the model group, Xinyang Tablets group, and sham-operated(sham) group as the control. The Xinyang Tablets group received postoperative interventions of Xinyang Tablets(0.34 g·kg~(-1)). After eight weeks, the hearts of the mice in each group were disassociated and subjected to 10×Genomics single-cell sequencing. The data were subjected to t-SNE dimensionality reduction, K-means clustering, and CellMarker annotation prior to analyzing differential expression and cell differentiation trajectories using the Seurat and Monocle3 tools. Additionally, the CellChat tool was used to parse intercellular signaling communication. The results showed that a total of nine types of cells including fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and immune cells were identified in this study. The single-cell expression results of fibroblasts and Gene Ontology(GO) enrichment analysis showed that Xinyang Tablets regulated myocardial fibrosis factors and related signals. Mimetic timing analysis identified three major differentiation trajectories of mouse cardiac fibroblasts and identified the expression of secreted phosphoprotein 1(Spp1) as consistent with the fibroblast differentiation trajectory. Cellular interaction network analysis showed that the communication signals between mouse cardiac fibroblasts and other cells were weakened in the Xinyang Tablets group compared with the model group. The results of ligand-receptor interaction analysis showed that the interaction between myeloid cell-derived osteopontin(OPN) and cardiac fibroblasts and between myeloid cell Spp1 ligand and cardiac fibroblast receptor of mice in the Xinyang Tablets group was weakened compared with the model group. In conclusion, Xinyang Tablets may improve myocardial fibrosis in UCM by inhibiting both endogenous and exogenous OPN at the single-cell level.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Mice ; Cardiomyopathies/pathology* ; Single-Cell Analysis ; Male ; Fibrosis/drug therapy* ; Myocardium/metabolism* ; Uremia/metabolism* ; Tablets ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Humans

The cobalt sulphide nickel ternary material(NiCo2S4)prepared by hydrothermal method in this work was combined with multi-walled carbon nanotubes(MWCNT)for constructing an electrochemical sensor for quantitative detection of rutin.The morphology and crystal of the electrochemical materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffractometer,and the electrochemical behavior of the glassy carbon electrode(GCE)modified with NiCo2S4/MWCNT composites was investigated.The experimental results showed that the electrochemical redox process of two electrons and two protons occurred on the surface of modified electrode NiCo2S4/MWCNT/GCE.Under the optimized conditions,the linear range for detection of rutin by square-wave voltammetry(SWV)using this sensor was 0.06-14.8 μmol/L and the detection limit was 14.3 nmol/L.The electrochemical sensor was sensitive,simple and low-cost,with good reproducibility and reliable stability,and could be used for detection of rutin in real samples such as compound rutin tablets and color chrysanthemi tablets,with spiked recoveries of 99.5%-102.0%.

Child ; Humans ; Toxoplasmosis, Cerebral ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Thalassemia

Currently,the research or publications related to the clinical comprehensive evaluation of Chinese patent medicine are increasing,which attracts the broad attention of all circles. According to the completed clinical evaluation report on Chinese patent medicine,there are still practical problems and technical difficulties such as unclear responsibility of the evaluation organization,unclear evaluation subject,miscellaneous evaluation objects,and incomplete and nonstandard evaluation process. In terms of evaluation standards and specifications,there are different types of specifications or guidelines with different emphases issued by different academic groups or relevant institutions. The professional guideline is required to guide the standardized and efficient clinical comprehensive evaluation of Chinese patent medicine and further improve the authority and quality of evaluation. In combination with the characteristics of Chinese patent medicine and the latest research achievement at home and abroad,the detailed specifications were formulated from six aspects including design,theme selection,content and index,outcome,application and appraisal,and quality control. The guideline was developed based on the guideline development requirements of China Assoication of Chinese medicine. After several rounds of expert consensus and public consultation,the current version of the guideline has been developed.
Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Nonprescription Drugs ; Consensus ; China ; Reference Standards ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal

Objective:To study the clinical features and prognostic risk factors of gastrointestinal (GI) involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and improve clinicians' understanding of GI involvement in SLE.Methods:The clinical data of SLE patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from September 1, 2012 to September 1, 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Two hundred and forty-three patients with GI system involvement were the GI system affected group, and 486 patients with-out GI system involvement at the same period were randomly selected as the control group. The clinical mani-festations, laboratory tests and treatment effects of the two groups were compared by t test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test and χ2 test and Logistic regression was used to analyze the prognostic risk of SLE with GI system involvement. Results:① There were 243 SLE patients with GI involvement, with the proportion of GI involvement in SLE patients of 6.4%(243/3 820), and as the first manifestation with GI system symptoms accounted for 20.2%(49/243). The common causes were lupus hepatitis accounted for 52.3%(127/243), lupus mesenteric vasculitis (LMV) for 35.0%(85/243), pseudo Intestinal obstruction (IPO) for 9.9%(24/243), lupus-related pancreatitis for 8.6%(21/243), and protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) as 7.0%(17/243). ② Compared with the control group, the group with GI involvement had a lower average age [(38±14) year vs(32±15) year, t=-2.47, P=0.014], a shorter median duration of illness [12.0(3.0, 72.0) months vs 5.0(1.1, 24.8) months, Z=-5.67 , P<0.001], a higher median systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) score [10(6,28) vs 16(9, 37), Z=2.24 , P<0.001], the occurrence of skin rash (38.7% vs 53.5%, χ2=14.46), arthritis (36.4% vs 46.7%, χ2=7.12 , P=0.008), myositis (43.0% vs 56.4%, χ2=11.53 , P=0.001), pericarditis [(216±111)×10 9/L vs (175±114)×10 9/L, t=-4.69 , P<0.001], thrombocytopenia, and hydroureterosis (1.0% vs 12.8%, χ2=47.47 , P<0.001) were high, but the incidence of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) (31.2% vs 10.7%, χ2=36.99 , P<0.001) was low; Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) [17(10, 29) U/L vs 59(16, 127) U/L, Z=9.65 , P<0.001], aspartate aminotransferase (AST) [25.0 (18.0, 37.0) U/L vs 82.5(25.0, 289.0) U/L, Z=10.57 , P<0.001], alkaline phosphatase (ALP) [58(46, 76) U/L vs 82(56, 187)U/L, Z=8.42 , P<0.001], Creatine kinase (CK) [44.0(28.0, 83.0) U/L vs 58.5(34.0, 176.0) U/L, Z=4.46 , P<0.001], lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) [(309±206) U/L vs (443±332) U/L, t=5.64 , P<0.001], fasting blood glucose (FBS) [(5.0±1.5) mmol/L vs (5.3±1.7) mmol/L, t=2.16 , P=0.031], triglyceride (TG) [(2.0±1.3) mmol/L vs (2.7±2.2) mmol/L, t=4.55 , P<0.001] increased, albumin (ALB) [(30±7) g/L vs (27±7) g/L, t=5.87 , P<0.001)] and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) [(1.1±0.8) mmol/L vs (0.9±0.5) mmol/L, t=-4.20 , P<0.001] decrease, and anti SSB antibody positive rate (16.0% vs 9.5%, χ2=5.60 , P=0.018) decreased.③ After 3 months' follow-up, 203 patients with SLE GI involvement were relieved, 30 patients (12.3%) died, and 9 patients (1.8%) died in the control group. Ninety-five (46.8%) patients in the remission group had a significantly higher rate of cyclophosphamide treatment when compared with 5(12.5%) in the non-remission group ( χ2=16.23, P<0.001) . Logistic regression analysis showed that no increase of PAH, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), ALT, glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), indirect bilirubin (IBIL) and high SLEDAI scores, hydroureteral dilatation, decreased ALB and HDL were independent related factors for SLE GI involvement, while ascites and elevated FBS were SLE GI involvement factors of poor prognosis. Conclusion:SLE patients with GI involvement have a high mortality rate, and lupus hepatitis and LMV are common. Hydroureterosis, high SLEDAI score, abnormal liver function are risk factors for GI involvement. Jaundice and elevated FBS are the risk factors for poor prognosis, and treatment with cyclophosphamide is the protective factor.

【Objective】 To identify the antibody specificity in a pregnant women who had no history of blood transfusion but presented the antibodies against high-frequency antigens. 【Methods】 ABO, RhD blood group antigens were identified by saline. Antibody screening and identification were performed by saline and indirect Coomb’s technique. Further antibody identification tests were conducted using papain, trypsin and chymotrypsin-treated cells. Antibody titer in serum was tested. PCR amplification and sequencing analysis of 16 exons of ABCG2 gene were conducted. 【Results】 The blood type of the patient were B, RhD positive. The serum reacted with antibody screening/identified cells by indirect antiglobin test(both 2+ ) but not by saline. The agglutination was enhanced after papain treatment (4+ ), but remained unchanged after trypsin and chymotrypsin treatment (2+ ). The IgG titer was 1∶2. The sequencing analysis of ABCG2 gene revealed a homozygous nonsense mutation(c.376C>T, p. Gln126X) in exon 4 of the women. 【Conclusion】 In this case, the development of anti-Jr^a in Jr(a-) mother was stimulated by mother-child serology incompatibility during pregnancy.

【Objective】 To establish an experimental method for detecting phagocytosis of sensitized red blood cells in vitro by flow cytometry. 【Methods】 Mononuclear cells were isolated from the peripheral blood of blood donors and cultured in a cell incubator for 1 hour, and then adherent monocytes were isolated and obtained. Di^b-positive red blood cells (RBCs) were labeled with PKH26 and then sensitized with IgG anti-Di^b. The sensitized RBCs were added to monocytes for in vitro phagocytosis assay. Monocytes were labeled with FITC anti-human CD14, then phagocytosis was measured by flow cytometry, and the phagocytic efficiency was calculated. The method was used to detect the phagocytic efficiency of monocytes on human IgG anti-D sensitized RBCs with different titers. 【Results】 The phagocytic efficiency of monocytes was averaged at 5% (1.2%~7.6%, SD 3.30) versus 81% (71.4%~92.7%, SD 8.65) in the negative versus positive control group, respectively. Phagocytic activity of monocytes mediated by anti-D was correlated with the antibody titer. The phagocytosis efficiency was within 10% when the antibody titer was lower than 32 and increased sharply when the titer was between 32 to 128, it entered a plateau and stabilized at 80% at the titer above 256. 【Conclusion】 A detection platform for detecting phagocytosis-sensitized RBCs in vitro by flow cytometry has been successfully established. It can be used to assess the clinical significance of red blood cell allotype or autologous IgG antibodies.