OBJECTIVE To investigate the improvement effects of Compound qinbai granules on ulcerative colitis （UC） in rats and its mechanism based on short-chain fatty acid （SCFA） and their targets G protein-coupled receptor （GPR）. METHODS Male SD rats were randomly divided into normal group （12 rats） and model group （30 rats）； the model group was given 5% dextran sulfate sodium solution to induce the UC model. Model rats were divided into the model group， positive control group [Mesalazine enteric-coated tablets 270 mg/（kg·d）] and Compound qinbai granules group [2.52 g/（kg·d）]， with 9 rats in each group. Rats in each group were orally administered with normal saline or corresponding medication twice a day， for three consecutive weeks. During intragastric administration， the general conditions of rats in each group were observed， and the disease activity index （DAI） scores were assessed after the last administration. Serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines （tumor necrosis factor-α， interleukin-6） and anti-inflammatory cytokines （transforming growth factor-β1， interleukin-10） were measured. Pathological changes in their colonic tissues were observed and scored. Additionally， the content of SCFA （acetic acid， propionic acid and butyric acid） in their feces as well as the protein and mRNA expressions of GPR41， GPR43 and GPR109A in colonic tissues were detected. RESULTS Compared with the normal group， rats in the model group exhibited lethargy and obvious blood in their feces； the colonic tissue structure was severely damaged， with pathological changes such as notable glandular loss， edema， and inflammatory cell infiltration visible； the serum levels of pro- inflammatory cytokines， DAI score and colonic pathology score were significantly increased， while the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines， SCFA content， and protein and mRNA expressions of GPR41， GPR43 and GPR109A were significantly decreased or down-regulated （P＜0.01）. Compared with the model group， the general condition and pathological changes of colonic tissue in each administration group showed improvement， with significant reversal observed in the aforementioned quantitative indicators （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS Compound qinbai granules can alleviate intestinal inflammation and intestinal mucosal damage in UC rats. These effects may be related to its ability to restore intestinal SCFA levels and the expression of their target GPR.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of different sterilization methods on 3D-printed polylactic acid(PLA)guide plates for orthopedic surgery,and to analyze their physical properties,microbial contamination,structural performance and bio compatibility after sterilization.METHODS PLA guide plates for orthopedic surgery were prepared with 3D printing technology and divided into a blank group,a hydrogen peroxide plasma steriliza-tion group,an ethylene oxide sterilization group and a pressure steam sterilization group.Before and after sterili-zation,the changes in volume and weight of the surgical guide plates were measured,microbial detection was con-ducted,structural changes were observed with a laser scanning confocal microscope,and cell co-culture was con-ducted to evaluate biocompatibility,thereby the effects of different sterilization methods were assessed.RESULTS The three sterilization methods had no significant effect on the volume and weight of PLA surgical guide plates.Microbial detection showed that all three sterilization methods were effective in killing bacteria,and bacte-rial cultures were negative.Laser confocal scanning microscopy revealed that sterilization treatment caused certain changes to the microstructure of the surgical guide plates,but high-temperature sterilization had a more pro-nounced effect on the deformation of the guide plate edges.Cell co-culture results indicated that the surgical guide plates treated with the three sterilization methods exhibited acceptable cytotoxicity and had little effect on cell pro-liferation.CONCLUSIONS All three sterilization methods cause microstructural changes to the surgical guide plate.Among them,pressure steam sterilization significantly deforms the structure of the guide plate,directly af-fecting its precise positioning of mutual spatial distances,angular relationships and orientation during surgery.Al-though hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization does not cause significant deformation,ethylene oxide sterilization has the least impact on material properties and structural stability while ensuring the sterilization effect of PLA surgical guide plates.

Objective:To investigate the effect of Simiao Yong'an Decoction on AMPK/ULK1 autophagy axis and inflammatory reaction in atherosclerotic(AS)mice.Methods:ApoE-/-mice were randomly divided into control group,model group,low,medium and high doses of Simiao Yong'an Decoction groups and simvastatin group,with 10 mice in each group.Mice model of AS was induced by high-fat diet.Simao Yong'an Decoction given low(10.13 g/kg),medium(20.25 g/kg),high dose(40.5 g/kg)and simvastatin tablets(3 mg/kg)by gavage for 6 weeks.After administration,serum and aortic tissue of mice were collected,and serum lipid level was detected by automatic biochemical analyzer;HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of aorta;autophagy level of plaque tissue was observed by transmission electron microscope;levels of inflammatory factors IL-18,IFN-γ and CRP in serum were detected by ELISA;expression levels of AMPK,ULK1 and p62 mRNA were detected by qRT-PCR;expressions of LC3Ⅱ and p-ULK1 protein were detected by immunofluorescence labeling;expressions of p-AMPK and p62 were detected by immunohistochemis-try.Results:Compared with model group,aortic plaque in Simiao Yong'an Decoction and simvastatin groups were significantly reduced,and serum levels of TC,TG,LDL-C,IFN-γ,IL-18 and CRP were significantly decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01),while the level of HDL-C was increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01);electron microscopy showed that autophagic bodies were increased;expressions of autophagy related factors LC3 Ⅱ,AMPK and ULK1 were induced,and expression of p62 was inhibited.Conclusion:Simiao Yong'an Decoction can induce AMPK/ULK1 autophagy axis and inhibit IFN-γ,IL-18 and CRP overexpressions in AS mice of may be one of the important mechanisms of Simiao Yong'an Decoction in anti-atherosclerosis.

Objective:To investigate the effect of Simiao Yong'an Decoction on AMPK/ULK1 autophagy axis and inflammatory reaction in atherosclerotic(AS)mice.Methods:ApoE-/-mice were randomly divided into control group,model group,low,medium and high doses of Simiao Yong'an Decoction groups and simvastatin group,with 10 mice in each group.Mice model of AS was induced by high-fat diet.Simao Yong'an Decoction given low(10.13 g/kg),medium(20.25 g/kg),high dose(40.5 g/kg)and simvastatin tablets(3 mg/kg)by gavage for 6 weeks.After administration,serum and aortic tissue of mice were collected,and serum lipid level was detected by automatic biochemical analyzer;HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of aorta;autophagy level of plaque tissue was observed by transmission electron microscope;levels of inflammatory factors IL-18,IFN-γ and CRP in serum were detected by ELISA;expression levels of AMPK,ULK1 and p62 mRNA were detected by qRT-PCR;expressions of LC3Ⅱ and p-ULK1 protein were detected by immunofluorescence labeling;expressions of p-AMPK and p62 were detected by immunohistochemis-try.Results:Compared with model group,aortic plaque in Simiao Yong'an Decoction and simvastatin groups were significantly reduced,and serum levels of TC,TG,LDL-C,IFN-γ,IL-18 and CRP were significantly decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01),while the level of HDL-C was increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01);electron microscopy showed that autophagic bodies were increased;expressions of autophagy related factors LC3 Ⅱ,AMPK and ULK1 were induced,and expression of p62 was inhibited.Conclusion:Simiao Yong'an Decoction can induce AMPK/ULK1 autophagy axis and inhibit IFN-γ,IL-18 and CRP overexpressions in AS mice of may be one of the important mechanisms of Simiao Yong'an Decoction in anti-atherosclerosis.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of different sterilization methods on 3D-printed polylactic acid(PLA)guide plates for orthopedic surgery,and to analyze their physical properties,microbial contamination,structural performance and bio compatibility after sterilization.METHODS PLA guide plates for orthopedic surgery were prepared with 3D printing technology and divided into a blank group,a hydrogen peroxide plasma steriliza-tion group,an ethylene oxide sterilization group and a pressure steam sterilization group.Before and after sterili-zation,the changes in volume and weight of the surgical guide plates were measured,microbial detection was con-ducted,structural changes were observed with a laser scanning confocal microscope,and cell co-culture was con-ducted to evaluate biocompatibility,thereby the effects of different sterilization methods were assessed.RESULTS The three sterilization methods had no significant effect on the volume and weight of PLA surgical guide plates.Microbial detection showed that all three sterilization methods were effective in killing bacteria,and bacte-rial cultures were negative.Laser confocal scanning microscopy revealed that sterilization treatment caused certain changes to the microstructure of the surgical guide plates,but high-temperature sterilization had a more pro-nounced effect on the deformation of the guide plate edges.Cell co-culture results indicated that the surgical guide plates treated with the three sterilization methods exhibited acceptable cytotoxicity and had little effect on cell pro-liferation.CONCLUSIONS All three sterilization methods cause microstructural changes to the surgical guide plate.Among them,pressure steam sterilization significantly deforms the structure of the guide plate,directly af-fecting its precise positioning of mutual spatial distances,angular relationships and orientation during surgery.Al-though hydrogen peroxide plasma sterilization does not cause significant deformation,ethylene oxide sterilization has the least impact on material properties and structural stability while ensuring the sterilization effect of PLA surgical guide plates.

Objective To observe the effects of Shengxue Tongbian Granules on colonic myoelectricity and Ca2+/CaM/MLCK signaling pathway in rats with slow transit constipation(STC)of blood deficiency and intestinal dryness syndrome;To explore its mechanism for the treatment of STC.Methods The STC model of blood deficiency and intestinal dryness syndrome was established by intragastric administration of loperamide combined with tail bloodletting.The rats were divided into control group,model group,mosapride citrate group and Shengxue Tongbian Granules group,with 8 rats in each group.The administration group was given corresponding drugs by gavage for 14 days.The general condition of rats before and after treatment was observed,the fecal water content was detected,the slow wave frequency,amplitude,and coefficient of variation of colonic electromyography were detected using a biological function experimental system,and intestinal propulsion rate was detected.HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of colon tissue,the concentration of Ca2+ in colonic smooth muscle cells was detected by colorimetry,the expression of Cx43,calmodulin(CaM),myosin light chain kinase(MLCK)and p-MLC20 in smooth muscle tissue were detected by Western blot.Results Compared with the control group,the body mass,fecal water content and intestinal propulsion rate of rats in the model group decreased(P<0.01),the slow wave frequency of colonic electromyography slowed down,the coefficient of variation of frequency increased(P<0.01),and the amplitude and coefficient of variation of slow wave increased(P<0.01);colonic mucosal structure was damaged,with visible inflammatory changes and significant erosion,and the concentration of Ca2+ and the expressions of Cx43,CaM,MLCK,p-MLC20 proteins in colonic smooth muscle cells were significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the body mass,fecal water content and intestinal propulsion rate of the rats in the mosapride citrate group and the Shengxue Tongbian Granules group significantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01),the slow wave frequency of colonic electromyography increased and the coefficient of variation of frequency decreased(P<0.01),and the slow wave amplitude and amplitude variation coefficient decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01);the colonic mucosal structure was relatively intact,the erosion situation was improved,and the Ca2+ concentration,Cx43,CaM,MLCK and p-MLC20 protein expressions in colonic smooth muscle cells significantly increased(P<0.01).Conclusion Shengxue Tongbian Granules can improve defecation symptoms and promote colonic motility in STC rats with blood deficiency and intestinal dryness syndrome,which may be related to regulating colonic myoelectric rhythm and activating Ca2+/CaM/MLCK signaling pathway.

Artemisinin is a sesquiterpene lactone containing a peroxide group isolated from the plant Artemisia annua. It has antimalarial activity and is effective for the treatment of malaria. With the deepening of research on artemisinin， the pharmacological effects of artemisinin and its derivatives in other systems have gradually become a research hotspot. This article reviews the research progress of artemisinin and its derivatives in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Artemisinin and its derivatives in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease have shown anti-atherosclerosis， lipid- lowering， inhibition of vascular remodeling， reducing vascular pressure， improving ventricular remodeling， anti-arrhythmia， protection of vascular endothelium， prevention and treatment of diabetic cardiovascular complications and protection of myocardial cells and other pharmacological effects. It provides a new treatment strategy for common cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension， arrhythmia， coronary heart disease complications after stent implantation， hyperlipidemia， etc. However， there are few studies on the antiplatelet aggregation and antithrombotic effects of artemisinin and its derivatives， the molecular mechanisms behind many pharmacological effects have not yet been clarified， and there is little clinical application. A large number of basic studies and clinical trials are still needed to answer these questions.

Objective:To investigate the level and clinical significance of peripheral blood CD4 +T cell subpopulations in late-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Methods:This study included 260 SLE patients hospitalized in the Rheumatology and Immunology Department of the Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from January 2016 to December 2021: of whom 58 and 202 were late- (≥50 years) and adult-(18~49 years) onset patients. This study also included 160 subjeces as healthy controls(HCs), of whom 35 and 125 were Control Group 1 (≥50 years) and Control Group 2 (18~49 years). Peripheral blood CD4 +T lymphocyte subsets of these participants were assessed by flow cytometry. The clinical data of all patients and healthy controls (HCs)were recorded. The differences between the groups were analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test or χ2 test. Results:(1)The time of diagnosis of late-onset SLE was longer than that of adult-onset SLE [Median time: 5.0 (2.0, 24.0)months vs 3.0 (1.0, 7.3)months, Z=-3.13, P=0.002]. Compared with adult-onset SLE, the SLEDAI score of late-onset SLE was lower [12.0 (8.0, 15.2) vs 14.0 (10.0, 18.0), Z=-2.12, P=0.034]. Some manifestations occurred more frequently in late-onset SLE, such as weight loss, nausea, abdominal pain, cerebral infarction, interstitial pneumonitis, Sj?gren′s syndrome and infection. The manifestations of skin and mucos a occurred less frequently in late-onset SLE. (2)CD4 +T cell subpopulations: ①The absolute counts of Treg, Th17, Th1 and Th2 cells in the peripheral blood of patients with late-onset SLE were significantly lower than those of HCs [Treg: 10.94 (6.14, 19.23) vs 32.65 (28.07, 41.65), Z=-6.79, P<0.001; Th17: 3.43 (0.94, 5.64) vs 6.13 (3.77, 7.82), Z=-3.24, P=0.001; Th1: 36.02 (10.80, 76.38) vs 128.70(89.82, 159.89), Z=-5.29, P<0.001; Th2:3.56 (1.56, 6.06) vs 8.25 (4.69, 12.98), Z=-4.57, P<0.001]. The ratio of Th17/Treg cells was higher than that of HCs[0.28(0.13, 0.59) vs 0.17 (0.12, 0.28), Z=-2.38, P=0.017].②The absolute counts of Treg, Th17, Th1 and Th2 cells in peripheral blood of patients with adult-onset SLE were significantly lower than those of HCs [Treg: 10.28 (5.37, 17.04) vs.30.19 (21.20, 39.75), Z=-11.28, P<0.001; Th17: 3.44 (1.84, 6.14) vs 6.48 (4.23, 10.66), Z=-6.53, P<0.001; Th1: 29.59(15.14, 56.81) vs 90.75(42.67, 162.00), Z=-7.01, P<0.001; Th2: 2.74 (1.62, 4.77) vs 8.25 (4.75, 11.99), Z=-9.91, P<0.001]. The ratio of Th17/Treg was higher than that of HCs[0.35 (0.17, 0.65) vs 0.23(0.14, 0.37), Z=-3.89, P<0.001].③The ratios of Th17/Treg in patients with late-and adult-onset SLE were higher than those of HCs. The ratio of Th17/Treg was the highest in adult-onset SLE patients. Conclusion:Patients with late-onset SLE have reduced numbers of Treg cells and the immune imbalanced of Th17/Treg. However, the immune imbalance of Th17/Treg in late-onset SLE patients is milder than that in adult-onset SLE patients, which may be related to lower disease activity.

Objective:To establish and validate a predictive model for treatment failure of peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis(PDAP)in elderly patients.Methods:Clinical data of peritoneal dialysis(PD)patients who were followed up from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2019 at four Grade A tertiary hospitals in Jilin Province were collected.A total of 362 elderly patients with PDAP were eventually included as study subjects.Subjects recruited from 2013 to 2017 were used for model construction and the logistic regression model was used to screen risk factors for treatment failure of PDAP in elderly patients.A nomogarm was constructed to predict treatment failure of secondary PDAP using R language.The receiver operating curve(ROC)and calibration curve were used to evaluate discrimination accuracy of the model.Subjects from 2018 to 2019 were used as the cohort for validation of discrimination accuracy of the model.Results:Of 258 PDAP patients in the modeling cohort, 29 experienced treatment failure, including 15 PDAP-related deaths and 14 cases requiring catheter removal.The multivariate logistic regression model showed that types of pathogens( OR=8.849, 95% CI: 1.656-47.269, P=0.011), long dialysis age( OR=1.023, 95% CI: 1.005-1.042, P=0.013), pre-hospitalization antibiotic treatment( OR=5.123, 95% CI: 1.338-19.610, P=0.017), and dialysate white blood cell count on day 5>100×10 6/L( OR=7.085, 95% CI: 2.162-23.217, P=0.001)were independent risk factors for treatment failure of PDAP in elderly patients.For the nomogarm predictive model, the areas under the ROC curve(AUC)in the modeling cohort and the validation cohort were 0.818(95% CI: 0.735-0.902)and 0.762(95% CI: 0.656-0.889), respectively, and the calibration curves were close to a straight line with a slope of 1. Conclusions:Our nomogram predictive model based on types of pathogens, months of dialysis, pre-hospital admission antibiotic treatment, and dialysate white blood cell count on day 5 has demonstrated satisfactory discrimination accuracy for treatment failure of PDAP in elderly patients.

Objective:To investigate the incidence, drug sensitivity and drug resistance characteristies, and theraputic effect of staphylococcal peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis (PDAP), aim to provide clinical evidences for standardizing treatment therapy of staphylococcal PDAP. Methods:Clinical data of PDAP patients admitted to the Second Hospital of Jilin University, the First Hospital of Jilin University-the Eastern Division, Jilin Central Hospital and Jilin First Automobile Work General Hospital during January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2019 were retrospectively collected. The results of etiology, drug sensitivity and drug resistance of staphylococcal PDAP patients were collected. According to the pathogenic bacteria, patients were divided into staphylococcus aureus group ( n=48) and coagulase-negative staphylococcus group ( n=232). According to the results of methicillin resistance, patients were divided into drug-resistant group ( n=71) and drug-sensitive group ( n=30). The prognosis of antibiotic therapy in each group were compared. Poisson regression was used to test the changing trend of the incidence of staphylococcal PDAP. The changes of drug sensitivity and drug resistance of staphylococcus were compared between 2013 and 2019 by linear trend χ2 test. Results:A total of 1 085 cases of PDAP occurred in 625 patients were screened, and 280 cases of staphylococcal PDAP were finally included. The incidences of staphylococcal PDAP, staphylococcus aureus PDAP and coagulase-negative staphylococcal PDAP were 0.063 times per patient year, 0.010 times per patient year and 0.053 times per patient year respectively. In addition, the incidence of PDAP caused by staphylococcus, staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococcus decreased year by year (all P<0.05). With the change of years, the sensitivity rate of staphylococcus to rifampicin increased, while the sensitivity rate of staphylococcus to moxifloxacin decreased (both P<0.05). The drug resistance rate of staphylococcus to levofloxacin increased ( P<0.05). The staphylococcus aureus group was more prone to refractory PDAP and catheter removal than that in coagulase-negative staphylococcus group, and the recurrence rate was higher than that in coagulase-negative staphylococcus group (all P<0.05). The proportion of vancomycin used during the whole course of antibiotic therapy in drug-resistant group was higher than that in drug-sensitive group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The incidence of staphylococcal PDAP decreases year by year, and the drug sensitivity characteristics of staphylococcus also change. The therapeutic outcomes of staphylococcus aureus PDAP are worse than that of coagulase-negative staphylococcus.