ObjectiveThis study aimed to establish a monocrotaline （MCT）-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension （PAH） rat model to systematically evaluate the protective effect of Xiao Qinglongtang （XQLT） on right cardiac function in model rats and further elucidate the underlying regulatory mechanism. MethodsSixty male SD rats were randomly assigned to the normal group， model group， XQLT low-， medium-， and high-dose groups （XQLT-L/M/H）， and the beraprost sodium tablet group （BST）. Except for the normal group， rats in all other groups were given a single subcutaneous injection of MCT （60 mg·kg^-1） to induce PAH. Three weeks after injection， rats in the XQLT-L/M/H groups were administered XQLT intragastrically at 3.07， 6.14， 12.28 g·kg^-1·d^-1， respectively. Rats in the BST group received beraprost sodium at 12.6 μg·kg^-1·d^-1， and rats in the model group received an equal volume of saline. All treatments lasted for 3 weeks. Right ventricular systolic pressure （RVSP） was measured by right ventricular catheterization. Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography. The right ventricle was weighed to calculate the right ventricular hypertrophy index （RVHI）. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， Masson staining， and transmission electron microscopy were used to observe myocardial morphology. Serum metabolomic changes were analyzed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry （UPLC-MS/MS）. Data-independent acquisition （DIA） proteomics was used to detect differentially expressed （DE） proteins in the right ventricle， and Western blot was used to measure the expression of uncoupling protein 3 （UCP3）， phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase catalytic subunit p110α （PIK3CA）， L1 cell adhesion molecule （L1CAM）， and quinone oxidoreductase （CRYZ）. UPLC-MS/MS was used to analyze the chemical components of XQLT. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group showed significantly increased RVSP and RVHI （P<0.05）， along with pathological changes in myocardial morphology. Compared with the model group， all XQLT-treated groups exhibited reductions in RVSP and RVHI as well as significant improvements in cardiac function and myocardial morphology. Among the XQLT groups， XQLT-M showed the most pronounced effects （P<0.05）， comparable to the BST group. Serum metabolomics revealed 105 differential metabolites in the XQLT groups versus the model group ［variable importance in projection （VIP） >1， P<0.05］， including 58 upregulated and 47 downregulated metabolites. KEGG enrichment analysis indicated that XQLT intervention downregulated phenylalanine metabolism （P<0.01） and upregulated unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis （P<0.05）. Proteomics analysis showed that 982 DE proteins were identified in the MCT groups versus the normal group， including 455 upregulated and 527 downregulated proteins （|fold change （FC）| >1.3， P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， 237 DE proteins were identified in the XQLT groups， including 124 upregulated and 113 downregulated proteins （|FC| >1.3， P<0.05）， with 57 overlapping DE proteins. KEGG enrichment suggested that XQLT mainly modulated pathways related to mineral absorption， ribosomal biogenesis， peroxisomes， glycolysis/gluconeogenesis， spliceosomes， and thyroid hormone signaling. Western blot analysis showed that， compared with the model group， XQLT increased the expression of UCP3， PIK3CA， and L1CAM， while decreasing the expression of CRYZ （P<0.05）. ConclusionXQLT exerts a protective effect on right heart function in MCT-induced PAH rats， and its mechanism is associated with maintaining myocardial homeostasis and alleviating right ventricular remodeling.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of gallic acid （GA） on the proliferation， migration， invasion， and apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells and its mechanism. MethodsHepG2 cells were treated with different concentrations of GA （0， 5， 10， 20， 30， 40， and 50 μg/mL） for 24 and 48 hours， and CCK8 assay was used to measure cell viability and calculate IC₅₀. The experiment was divided into control group （HepG2 cells）， 5 μg/mL GA group， 10 μg/mL GA group， and 20 μg/mL GA group. Plate colony formation assay was used to evaluate the effect of GA on cell proliferation； wound healing assay and Transwell chamber assay were used to observe the effect of GA on cell migration and invasion； flow cytometry was used to observe the effect of GA on cell apoptosis； Western blot was used to measure the expression of matrix metallopeptidase-2 （MMP-2）， matrix metallopeptidase-9 （MMP-9）， and apoptosis-related proteins. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups， and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsThe mean IC₅₀ value of GA on HepG2 cells was 38.02±2.58 μg/mL at 24 hours and 18.36±1.54 μg/mL at 48 hours. The number of cell colonies was 239.00±29.45 in the control group， 210.00±19.00 in the 5 μg/mL GA group， 144.33±16.03 in the 10 μg/mL GA group， and 57.00±9.55 in the 20 μg/mL GA group， suggesting that compared with the control group， each GA group had a significant reduction in cell colony formation ability （all P<0.05）. After 24 hours of treatment， the cell migration rate was 42.62%± 7.82% in the control group， 35.34%±6.42% in the 5 μg/mL GA group， 21.85%±4.42% in the 10 μg/mL GA group， and 12.57%± 3.54% in the 20 μg/mL GA group， respectively， in these four groups， and the number of transmembrane cells in these four groups was 230.30±15.30， 182.12±12.60， 137.20±7.50， and 124.40±6.80， respectively， suggesting that compared with the control group， each GA group had significant reductions in migration rate and the number of transmembrane cells （all P<0.05）. After 48 hours of treatment， the cell apoptotic rate was 0.67%±0.08% in the control group， 13.27%±1.07% in the 5 μg/mL GA group， 20.94%± 2.45% in the 10 μg/mL GA group， and 40.74%±2.63% in the 20 μg/mL GA group， and compared with the control group， each GA group had a significant increase in cell apoptosis rate （all P<0.05）. Compared with the control group， each GA group had significant reductions in the protein expression levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 （all P<0.05） and significant increases in the protein expression levels of Bax and cleaved caspase-3 （all P<0.05）. ConclusionGA can inhibit the proliferation， migration， and invasion of HepG2 cells and promote the apoptosis of HepG2 cells， possibly by regulating MMP-2， MMP-9， and the apoptosis-related proteins Bax/Bcl-2.

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Yiqi Tongluo Decoction in the intervention of early traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes after ischemic cerebrovascular disease (ICVD) intervention. Methods: From October 2020 to July 2023, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted to include 60 patients with qi deficiency, blood stasis, and phlegm obstruction syndrome after ICVD interventional therapy. They were assigned to the Yiqi Tongluo Decoction treatment group (30 cases) and the TCM placebo routine treatment control group (30 cases) according to the randomized block design. Both groups received routine standardized treatment of Western medicine, including dual antiplatelet, lipid regulation, and control of risk factors for cerebrovascular disease. The treatment group was treated with Yiqi Tongluo Decoction based on the control group. The course of treatment was 60 days and follow-up was carried out 2 and 6 months after the operation. The improvement of qi deficiency syndrome, blood stasis syndrome, phlegm syndrome score and TCM syndrome score, modified Rankin score (mRS), Barthel index (BI) score, Fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) level, incidence of transient ischemic attack (TIA) and ischemic stroke (IS) and incidence of adverse reactions, Head and neck CT angiography (CTA) or digital subtraction angiography (DSA) examination were collected. The clinical efficacy of the patients 2 months after the operation was taken as the main outcome index to preliminarily evaluate the early and long-term efficacy of Yiqi Tongluo Decoction after the ICVD intervention. The early and long-term clinical efficacy and safety of Western medicine standardized treatment combined with TCM Yiqi Tongluo Decoction on patients with qi deficiency, blood stasis and phlegm obstruction syndrome after ICVD intervention were evaluated. The safety of Yiqi Tongluo Decoction in the treatment of patients after ICVD intervention with white blood cell (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen (FIB), plasminogen time (PT), recurrence of cerebral ischaemia and restenosis in patients at 2 and 6 months after treatment were evaluated. Results: Compared to the control group, the TCM syndrome scores for qi deficiency, blood stasis and phlegm syndrome in the treatment group reduced significantly, the clinical efficacy improved significantly, the mRS score and FABP4 were reduced, and the BI score was increased. Adverse events such as cerebral ischaemia were fewer in the treatment group than in the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant; levels of CRP, WBC and PT were reduced, and levels of FIB were reduced at 6 months post-treatment, all P<0.01, and images were intuitively compared. The treatment group was superior to the control group. Conclusion Yiqi Tongluo Decoction combined with Western medicine standard treatment can improve the early clinical efficacy of ICVD patients with qi deficiency, blood stasis and phlegm obstruction syndrome after interventional surgery, improve neurological impairment and daily living ability, reduce the state of qi deficiency syndrome, blood stasis syndrome and phlegm syndrome after interventional surgery, and improve the clinical efficacy of TCM. At the same time, it can reduce the level of FABP4, the target of atherosclerosis and restenosis after interventional surgery, reduce the level of inflammation after interventional surgery in patients with ICVD, regulate coagulation function, and reduce the incidence of long-term recurrence of cerebral ischemia after interventional surgery, with good safety.

Cancer ranks as the second leading cause of death globally and has surpassed cardiovascular diseases to become the primary cause of mortality in developed countries. Cancer stem cells (CSCs), which play crucial roles in cancer recurrence, metastasis, and drug resistance, have attracted significant attention in targeted therapeutic strategies. Aptamers, with unique three-dimensional structures capable of specifically recognizing the surface markers of CSCs, show promising potential in targeted drug delivery systems. Compared with conventional antibodies, aptamers are praised for small molecular weights, low production costs, and easy chemical modification. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in aptamer research targeting the surface markers of CSCs, with particular emphasis on aptamer-drug conjugate systems targeting the markers including EpCAM, CD133, CD44, and ABCG2. Both in vitro cellular studies and in vivo animal models have demonstrated the definite anti-cancer efficacy of aptamer-based drug delivery systems, which are of great significance to develop novel therapeutic strategies and improving the therapeutic effects of CSC-targeted treatment. Thus, aptamer-based drug delivery system has broad application prospects in the field of precise cancer treatment.
Humans ; Neoplastic Stem Cells/metabolism* ; Aptamers, Nucleotide/therapeutic use* ; Drug Delivery Systems/methods* ; Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism* ; Animals ; Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule ; AC133 Antigen ; Hyaluronan Receptors

Ornithine transcarbamylase(OTC)is a member of the transcarbamylase protein family,commonly found in the mitochondrial matrix of living organisms.It generally functions in a trimeric form and can catalyze the production of L-ornithine to L-citrulline.OTC is mainly expressed in the liver and intestines of mammals,playing an important role in the urea cycle and amino acid homeostasis.This article introduces the research progress of OTC genes,proteins,physiological functions,the impact of OTC deficiency on body health,and the diagnosis and treatment of OTC deficiency.

Objective To explore the clinical effect of nursing guided by Neuman's systems model on adolescent idiopathic scoliosis surgery patients.Methods This study is a randomized controlled trial.A total of 120 patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis who underwent surgery in our hospital from Jan.to Dec.2023 were enrolled.According to the order of enrollment,they were randomly assigned to experimental group or control group,with 60 patients in each group.The control group received routine nursing,while the experimental group received nursing guided by Neuman's systems model.Independent-sample t test and χ2 test were used to compare the surgical efficacy,postoperative recovery,quality of life,and self-management ability of the 2 groups.Results Six months post-surgery,the main curve Cobb angle in the experimental group was significantly smaller than that in the control group([14.33±0.78]° vs[16.65±1.02]°,P＜0.001).The postoperative bedtime([4.78±1.32])d vs[6.13±1.26]d),incision healing time([13.43±3.29]d vs[15.32±5.23]d),and hospital stay([13.17±5.36]d vs[16.93±3.14]d)were all significantly shorter in the experimental group than those in the control group(all P＜0.05).The overall complication rate in the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the control group(5.00%[3/60]vs 21.67%[13/60],P=0.016).Six months post-surgery,the experimental group scored better in terms of physical functioning,bodily pain,general health,vitality,social functioning,role-emotional,and mental health compared to the control group(all P＜0.05).In terms of patient self-management,the experimental group also had significantly higher scores in common management(17.53±5.98 vs 13.34±7.32)and symptom management(30.95±8.12 vs 27.32±7.87)compared to the control group(both P＜0.05).Conclusion The nursing guided by Neuman's systems model for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis surgery patients can promote their postoperative recovery and improve their quality of life and self-management capabilities.

Objective To explore the predictive value of combined detection of serum CXC chemokine lig-and 12(CXCL12),caspase-cleaved cytokeratin 18(CCCK-18)and matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9)for short-term poor prognosis in patients with acute hemorrhagic stroke.Methods A total of 138 patients with a-cute hemorrhagic stroke admitted to a hospital from October 2021 to March 2023 were selected as the study objects.Serum CXCL12,CCCK-18 and MMP-9 levels were detected after admission and before treatment.Pa-tients were followed up for 6 months after treatment and were divided into good prognosis group and poor prognosis group according to the modified Rankin scale score.Clinical data and serum CXCL12,CCCK-18 and MMP-9 levels of the two groups were compared to analyze the factors affecting the short-term poor prognosis of patients with acute hemorrhagic stroke.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was drawn to evalu-ate the predictive value of single and combined detection of serum CXCL12,CCCK-18 and MMP-9 in patients with acute hemorrhagic stroke.Results Among 138 patients,there were 52 cases in the poor prognosis group and 86 cases in the good prognosis group,and the poor prognosis rate was 37.68%.Serum CXCL12,CCCK-18 and MMP-9 levels,age,blood loss at admission,National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)score at admission,systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure at admission in the poor prognosis group were higher than those in the good prognosis group.The score of Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS)at admission was lower than that of good prognosis group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Multivari-ate Logistic regression analysis showed that high level of serum CXCL12,high level of CCCK-18,high level of MMP-9,older age,large amount of blood loss upon admission,high NIHSS score and high systolic blood pres-sure were all risk factors for short-term poor prognosis of acute hemorrhagic stroke(P<0.05).High GCS score on admission was a protective factor(P<0.05).ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the combined prediction curve of serum CXCL12,CCCK-18 and MMP-9 was higher than that of the single and pairwise combined prediction of each index(P<0.05).Conclusion The combined detection of serum CX-CL12,CCCK-18 and MMP-9 has a good value in predicting the short-term poor prognosis of patients with a-cute hemorrhagic stroke.

Objective:To analyze the blood-transition prototype components and metabolites of Fengliaoxing Fengshi Dieda medicinal liquor.Methods:Ultra-high performance liquid chromatographyquadrupole/electrostatic field orbital trap high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q Exactive Focus MS/MS) technique was used to compare the chromatogram differences of Fengliaoxing Fengshi Dieda medicinal liquor extract, blank serum and drug-containing serum. According to the retention time, relative molecular weight and the ratio with primary and secondary ion fragments provided by MS, the prototype components and metabolites of Fengliaoxing Fengshi Dieda medicinal liquor extract were analyzed in serum of rats after oral administration. The detection conditions were as follows: the mobile phase of methanol (A)-0.1% formic acid solution (B) for elution gradient (0-5 min, 5%A; 5-60 min, 5%-95%A; 60-65 min, 95%A), the flow rate of 0.3 ml/min, heated electrospray ionization, detection range of m/z 80-1 200, positive and negative ion scanning modes.Results:A total of 31 transitional components were detected in the serum, of which 9 were prototype components and 22 were metabolites. The 9 prototype components were identified as phenylacetaldehyde, baogongteng C/ erycibellin, p-coumaric acid, 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural, quinic acid, paeonol, 3-Hydroxybenzaldehyde, salicylic acid, and isourecumenol. The 22 metabolites mainly consist of 11 organic acid components, 3 indole components, 2 organic phenolic components, 2 alkaloid components, 1 nucleoside component, 1 amino acid component, 1 lactone component, and 1 sulfonic component. The metabolic pathways were mainly glucuronidation, sulfation and others, which by phase Ⅱ metabolism.Conclusion:Organic phenols and organic acids are the main components that enter the body of Fengliaoxing Fengshi Dieda Medicinal Liquor, while alkaloid compounds and organic acid components may be potential active ingredients for its pharmacological effects.

Objective:To explore the effects of Yishen Tonglong Granules (YSTLG) on cell proliferation and apoptosis in a nude mouse model of androgen independent prostate cancer subcutaneous transplantation based on non classical Wnt signaling pathway.Methods:The tumor-bearing nude mouse model was established using the human prostate cancer bone metastatic cell line PC-3. After successful modeling, the mice were equally divided into six groups using the random number table method: model group, Western medicine group, Chinese materia medica low-, medium-, and high-dosage groups, and Chinese materia medica-Western medicine combination group. Corresponding drug interventions were administered to each group. Following 28 consecutive days of drug administration, the nude mice were euthanized. Tumor tissues were harvested for pathological observation via HE staining. Cell proliferation was assessed by immunohistochemistry; apoptosis was detected using TUNEL assay; the expressions of non-canonical Wnt signaling pathway-related proteins (Wnt5a, Rac1, RhoA, NFATc1) were analyzed through Western blot and immunohistochemical methods.Results:THE staining results demonstrated that YSTLG could effectively ameliorate pathological alterations in tumor tissues. Compared with the model group, the Chinese materia medica low-, medium-, and high-dosage groups, as well as the Chinese materia medica-Western medicine combination group, exhibited reduced proliferation indices ( P<0.01), elevated apoptosis indices ( P<0.01), down-regulated protein expressions of Wnt5a, Rac1, RhoA, and NFATc1 ( P<0.01), and decreased optical density values of Wnt5a, Rac1, RhoA, and NFATc1 ( P<0.01). These effects displayed a dosage-dependent trend. The Chinese materia medica-Western medicine combination group achieved the most pronounced therapeutic outcomes. Conclusions:YSTLG may exert inhibitory effects on the proliferation of androgen-independent prostate cancer cells and promote apoptosis, possibly through suppression of the non-canonical Wnt signaling pathway. Furthermore, its combination with Wnt signaling inhibitors may exhibit synergistic therapeutic effects.

Objective To explore the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome,syndrome elements and their combination,and the distribution of TCM syndrome types in advanced non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)patients suffering from hypothyroidism after treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICIs).Methods The analysis was conducted on 168 patients with NSCLC at stage ⅢB-ⅣB confirmed by pathological findings,whose epidermal growth factor receptor/anaplastic lymphoma kinase(EGFR/ALK)was negative,and then suffering from hypothyroidism after treatment with ICIs from January 2020 to June 2023,who admitted to Zhongshan Hospital of Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine.The patients'information collected by four diagnostic methods of TCM was analyzed,and then cluster analysis was used to explore the characteristics of TCM syndrome and the distribution of TCM syndrome types of immunotherapy-induced hypothyroidism in advanced NSCLC.Moreover,the distribution of TCM syndrome types in the patients with different genders,age groups,and hypothyroidism grades was analyzed.Results(1)The TCM syndrome of hypothyroidism appearing in 168 patients with advanced NSCLC after immunotherapy was characterized by deficiency type,which manifested as follows:cough,fatigue and weakness,amnesia,lusterless complexion,spontaneous sweating,dry skin,white sputum,unwilling to talk,dizziness,nocturnal polyuria,blurred vision,emaciation,poor skin elasticity,poor appetite or even anorexia,somnolence,long-term poor appetite,edema,insomnia,low voice,dull pain,light white color of fingernails,spitting,frequently intolerance of cold,thirst,bright pale complexion,preference of warmth and aversion to cold,thirst with preference of hot drink,dyspnea,frequent constipation,dry stools,puffiness of face and eyelid,dreaminess,abdominal fullness,lumbar pain,and weakness in defecation.The tongue manifestation and pulse condition were characterized by white and thin coating,pale-red tongue,tongue with tooth-marks,pale and enlarged tongue,pale tongue,deep pulse,slippery pulse,feeble pulse,weak cubital pulse,and thready pulse.(2)The disease-location syndrome elements usually involved in the lung,spleen,and kidney,and the disease-nature syndrome elements usually involved in qi deficiency,yang deficiency,blood deficiency,and water retention.(3)The cluster analysis yielded three syndrome types,and they were lung and spleen qi deficiency syndrome,kidney yang deficiency syndrome,and qi deficiency and water retention syndrome in decreasing sequence of occurrence frequency.(4)Statistically significant difference of the distribution of TCM syndrome types was presented in the patients with various age groups(P<0.01).Lung and spleen qi deficiency syndrome was the main syndrome type in the patients aged 60-69 years old,kidney yang deficiency syndrome was frequently seen in the patients being or over 70 years old,and qi deficiency and water retention syndrome was frequently seen in the patients less than 50 years old.No statistically significant difference of the distribution of TCM syndrome types was presented in the patients with various genders and in the patients with various grades of hypothyroidism(P>0.05).Conclusion The immunotherapy-induced hypothyroidism in patients with advanced NSCLC is usually differentiated as the TCM syndrome types of lung-qi and spleen-qi deficiency,kidney yang deficiency,and qi deficiency and water retention.Deficiency of healthy qi contributes to the fundamental pathogenesis of the development and progression of the disease.Clinicians should pay attention to the changes of symptoms in time and monitor the thyroid function indicators of the patients,thus to avoid serious immunotherapy-related adverse events(irAEs).