Microplastics are plastic fibers, particles, or films with a particle size of less than 5 mm. They are widely found in water, soil, and atmospheric environments. Because of their small particle size, large surface area, strong adsorptive capacity and other characteristics, they can adsorb heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants, environmental endocrine disruptors and other substances. When humans are exposed to microplastics, the particles can not only have toxic effects on the contact sites, but also penetrate tissue barriers and acess other organs, potentially causing systemic toxic effects. Existing epidemiological and toxicological studies have shown that microplastics can cause damage to the digestive, respiratory, nervous and reproductive systems. However, their bio-distribution, metabolic characteristics and toxic mechanisms have not been fully clarified. This study provides a systematic review of the absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion characteristics of microplastics in living organisms. By integrating factors such as particle size and chemical composition, this study also investigates the toxic effects of microplastics on multiple organ systems (e.g., digestive and nervous systems) and key organs (e.g., intestine and liver), as well as the underlying molecular mechanisms. The aim is to provide a scientific basis for a comprehensive assessment of the health risks of microplastics and to offer theoretical support for the development of relevant prevention and control strategies.

BACKGROUND: The available evidence regarding the benefits of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on patients receiving dialysis with coronary artery disease (CAD) is limited and inconsistent. This study aimed to evaluate the association between PCI and clinical outcomes as compared with medical therapy alone in patients undergoing dialysis with CAD in China. METHODS: This multicenter, retrospective study was conducted in 30 tertiary medical centers across 12 provinces in China from January 2015 to June 2021 to include patients on dialysis with CAD. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as a composite of cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and non-fatal stroke. Secondary outcomes included all-cause death, the individual components of MACE, and Bleeding Academic Research Consortium criteria types 2, 3, or 5 bleeding. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the association between PCI and outcomes. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) and propensity score matching (PSM) were performed to account for potential between-group differences. RESULTS: Of the 1146 patients on dialysis with significant CAD, 821 (71.6%) underwent PCI. After a median follow-up of 23.0 months, PCI was associated with a 43.0% significantly lower risk for MACE (33.9% [ n  = 278] vs . 43.7% [ n  = 142]; adjusted hazards ratio 0.57, 95% confidence interval 0.45-0.71), along with a slightly increased risk for bleeding outcomes that did not reach statistical significance (11.1% vs . 8.3%; adjusted hazards ratio 1.31, 95% confidence interval, 0.82-2.11). Furthermore, PCI was associated with a significant reduction in all-cause and cardiovascular mortalities. Subgroup analysis did not modify the association of PCI with patient outcomes. These primary findings were consistent across IPTW, PSM, and competing risk analyses. CONCLUSION This study indicated that PCI in patients on dialysis with CAD was significantly associated with lower MACE and mortality when comparing with those with medical therapy alone, albeit with a slightly increased risk for bleeding events that did not reach statistical significance.
Humans ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention/methods* ; Male ; Female ; Coronary Artery Disease/drug therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Renal Dialysis/methods* ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; China ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Treatment Outcome

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory respiratory disease involving multiple cells and cellular components， characterized by recurrent episodes of wheezing， shortness of breath， chest tightness， and coughing， significantly impacting patients' quality of life. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B（PI3K/Akt） signaling pathway， as a crucial hub in intracellular signaling， is widely involved in the regulation of cell growth， proliferation， survival， metabolism， and a series of pathophysiological processes. Its regulatory role in the pathological progression of asthma is particularly significant， specifically in promoting airway inflammation， mediating epithelial mesenchymal transition， accelerating airway remodeling， regulating cell autophagy， inducing mucus hypersecretion， and influencing immune response balance. This study analyzed potential molecular targets of the PI3K/Akt pathway， including activators such as cysteine proteinase inhibitor 1（CST1）， found in inflammatory zone 1（FIZZ1） and free fatty acid receptor 1（FFAR1）， and inhibitors such as human β-defensin-3（hBD-3）， disintegrins， metalloproteinase 33（ADAM33） and interleukin-27（IL-27）， and initially revealed the potential molecular mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） in asthma intervention. Based on this， the authors systematically summarized the efficacy and specific mechanisms of TCM monomers， compounds， and external treatments for asthma by regulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway through literature review and analysis， aiming at establishing a robust foundation for the wide application and advanced development of TCM in asthma treatment， offering innovative insights for clinical research and drug development of asthma.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory respiratory disease involving multiple cells and cellular components， characterized by recurrent episodes of wheezing， shortness of breath， chest tightness， and coughing， significantly impacting patients' quality of life. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B（PI3K/Akt） signaling pathway， as a crucial hub in intracellular signaling， is widely involved in the regulation of cell growth， proliferation， survival， metabolism， and a series of pathophysiological processes. Its regulatory role in the pathological progression of asthma is particularly significant， specifically in promoting airway inflammation， mediating epithelial mesenchymal transition， accelerating airway remodeling， regulating cell autophagy， inducing mucus hypersecretion， and influencing immune response balance. This study analyzed potential molecular targets of the PI3K/Akt pathway， including activators such as cysteine proteinase inhibitor 1（CST1）， found in inflammatory zone 1（FIZZ1） and free fatty acid receptor 1（FFAR1）， and inhibitors such as human β-defensin-3（hBD-3）， disintegrins， metalloproteinase 33（ADAM33） and interleukin-27（IL-27）， and initially revealed the potential molecular mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） in asthma intervention. Based on this， the authors systematically summarized the efficacy and specific mechanisms of TCM monomers， compounds， and external treatments for asthma by regulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway through literature review and analysis， aiming at establishing a robust foundation for the wide application and advanced development of TCM in asthma treatment， offering innovative insights for clinical research and drug development of asthma.

Objective To investigate the effects of Tongyangxiao(TYX)lotion on the healing of infected wounds and the expression of interleukin(IL)-1β and inhibitor of nuclear factor κBα(IκBα)/p65 in rats.Methods Fifty rats were randomly assigned to the model group,potassium permanganate(PP)group,and low-,medium-,and high-dose(TYX-L,TYX-M,TYX-H)groups,with 10 rats in each group.An open infection model of full-thickness skin defects was established,and the rats in each group were treated with the corresponding medicinal solution for dressing changes once a day for a total of 14 days.The wound healing of rats was observed,and immunofluorescence,immunohistochemistry,and Western blotting were used to detect the nuclear translocation rate of p65 and the expression levels of IL-1β,p-IκBα/IκBα,and p-p65/p65 proteins in the granulation tissue.Results Compared with the model group,the wound healing rates of both the TYX-M group and the TYX-H group increased on the 7th day of treatment(P<0.05).Compared with the model group and the PP group,the wound healing rates of the TYX-L group,the TYX-M group and the TYX-H group increased on the 14th day of treatment(P<0.05).On the 7th day of treatment,the expression of IL-1β in the TYX-M group was lower than that in the PP group and the Model group(P<0.05),and the p-IκBα/IκBα ratio in the TYX-H group was lower than that in the PP group and the model group(P<0.05).The nuclear translocation rates of p65 in the TYX-L group,TYX-M group and TYX-H group were lower than those in the PP group and model group(P<0.05).On the 14th day of treatment,the p-p65/p65 ratio in the TYX-H group and the TYX-M group was lower than that in the model group(P<0.05),and the IL-1β in the TYX-L group,the TYX-M group,and the TYX-H group and p-IκBα/IκBα ratio in the TYX-H group were lower than those in the PP group and the model group(P<0.05).Conclusion The mechanism of TYX lotion in promoting the healing of infected wounds was associated with the suppression of the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway and alleviation of inflammatory responses.

Objective To investigate the effects of Tongyangxiao(TYX)lotion on the healing of infected wounds and the expression of interleukin(IL)-1β and inhibitor of nuclear factor κBα(IκBα)/p65 in rats.Methods Fifty rats were randomly assigned to the model group,potassium permanganate(PP)group,and low-,medium-,and high-dose(TYX-L,TYX-M,TYX-H)groups,with 10 rats in each group.An open infection model of full-thickness skin defects was established,and the rats in each group were treated with the corresponding medicinal solution for dressing changes once a day for a total of 14 days.The wound healing of rats was observed,and immunofluorescence,immunohistochemistry,and Western blotting were used to detect the nuclear translocation rate of p65 and the expression levels of IL-1β,p-IκBα/IκBα,and p-p65/p65 proteins in the granulation tissue.Results Compared with the model group,the wound healing rates of both the TYX-M group and the TYX-H group increased on the 7th day of treatment(P<0.05).Compared with the model group and the PP group,the wound healing rates of the TYX-L group,the TYX-M group and the TYX-H group increased on the 14th day of treatment(P<0.05).On the 7th day of treatment,the expression of IL-1β in the TYX-M group was lower than that in the PP group and the Model group(P<0.05),and the p-IκBα/IκBα ratio in the TYX-H group was lower than that in the PP group and the model group(P<0.05).The nuclear translocation rates of p65 in the TYX-L group,TYX-M group and TYX-H group were lower than those in the PP group and model group(P<0.05).On the 14th day of treatment,the p-p65/p65 ratio in the TYX-H group and the TYX-M group was lower than that in the model group(P<0.05),and the IL-1β in the TYX-L group,the TYX-M group,and the TYX-H group and p-IκBα/IκBα ratio in the TYX-H group were lower than those in the PP group and the model group(P<0.05).Conclusion The mechanism of TYX lotion in promoting the healing of infected wounds was associated with the suppression of the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway and alleviation of inflammatory responses.

ObjectiveTo observe the effects and underlying mechanisms of Fagopyri Dibotryis Rhizoma extract on the proliferation， apoptosis， and autophagy of human colorectal cancer HCT-116 cells. MethodFirstly， cellular activity was detected by the cell proliferation and activity-8 （CCK-8） assay， and the half inhibition rate （IC₅₀） was calculated. Blank group and Fagopyri Dibotryis Rhizoma group （2， 4， 8 mg·L^-1） were set. The effect of Fagopyri Dibotryis Rhizoma on the proliferation of HCT-116 cells was observed by cloning experiments， and that of Fagopyri Dibotryis Rhizoma on apoptosis was observed by flow cytometry. The expressions of autophagy-related proteins， p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （p38 MAPK）， extracellular signal-regulated kinase （ERK）， c-Jun amino-terminal kinase （JNK）， phosphorylated （p）-p38， p-ERK， p-JNK， and other proteins were detected by Western blot. Finally， flow cytometry instrumentation and fluorescence microscopy were used to analyze the changes in reactive oxygen species （ROS）， and a ROS scavenger （NAC） was adopted for verification. ResultCompared with the blank group， the activity of HCT-116 cells was significantly decreased in the Fagopyri Dibotryis Rhizoma group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The apoptosis rate of HCT-116 cells in the Fagopyri Dibotryis Rhizoma group was significantly increased （P<0.01）. The expression of autophagy-related protein ubiquitin-binding protein （p62） was decreased， but that of autophagy-specific genes （Beclin1） and autophagic microtubule-associated protein 1 light-chain 3B （LC3B） was enhanced （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the Fagopyri Dibotryis Rhizoma group， the apoptosis rate of HCT-116 cells in the Fagopyri Dibotryis Rhizoma + NAC group was significantly reduced （P<0.01）. The expression of related autophagy protein Beclin1 was significantly reduced （P<0.01）， and that of LC3B protein was reduced （P<0.01）. In addition， the expression of MAPK pathway-related proteins ERK and JNK was decreased in the Fagopyri Dibotryis Rhizoma group （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and that of p-ERK and p-JNK was enhanced （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionFagopyri Dibotryis Rhizoma can inhibit the proliferation of HCT-116 cells and induce apoptosis and autophagy through the ROS/MAPK signaling pathway.

Objective To explore the mechanism of Tongyangxiao Lotion(TYX)for promoting wound healing following surgery for anal fistula.Methods The active ingredients and drug targets of TYX were explored using TCMSP and BATMAN databases,and the targets associated with wound healing were screened using GeneCards and OMIM databases;the intersecting drug and wound-related targets were analyzed with protein-protein interaction(PPI)analysis and GO and KEGG enrichment analyses.In 25 SD rat models with simulated anal fistula surgery,the effect of wound dressing with TYX at low,medium and high doses(once daily for 14 days)on wound healing were assessed in comparison with potassium permanganate(PP)solution.The granulation tissues collected from the wounds were examined for pathological changes with HE staining and for TNF-α expression using immunohistochemistry.The expressions of 1β,TNF-α,IL-6 mRNA and proteins in the granulation tissue were detected using RT-qPCR,Western blotting or ELISA.Results Network pharmacology analysis yielded 156 common targets between TYX and wound healing,and among them IL-1β,TNF-α,and IL-6 were identified as potential targets of TYX for promoting wound healing.Six core components of TYX were capable of binding to IL-1β,TNF-α,and IL-6 with binding energies all below-6.0 Kcal/mol.In the rat models,the wounds with TYX and PP solution dressing showed significantly reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and increased fibroblasts and collagen deposition.TYX at the 3 doses and PP solution all significantly reduced the expressions of IL-6,IL-1β,TNF-α mRNA and IL-6 protein in the granulation tissues,but TYX at the medium and high doses produced significantly stronger effects than PP solution for lowering TNF-α protein expression and mRNA expressions of TNF-α and IL-6.Conclusion TYX accelerates wound healing by down-regulating the inflammatory factors and reducing inflammation in the wounds.

Breast augmentation using polyacrylamide hydrogel (PAHG) was widely used in China. We present the first case of delayed breast inflammation after 2019 novel coronavirus(2019-nCoV) infection in a patient who recieved breast augmentation with PAHG 20 years ago, without any other predispositions. The 45-year-old female patient complained of severe breast swelling and pain three weeks after 2019-nCoV infection. The swelling extended from the upper clavicle to the upper abdomen. Delayed inflammation reaction was diagnosed, followed by emergency surgery. During the surgery, the injected material was observed to gush out in a form of greenish and thin paste, with a foul odor. The wound had extensive diffuse oozing and hemoglobin decreased significantly. The patient was discharged one week after surgery. During a three-month follow-up, she experienced weakness and fatigue with no complications. There are still many unknown areas of the impact of 2019-nCoV on human foreign bodies and immune system, which is diverse and complex. Reporting various possible symptoms and mechanisms is conducive to improving the level of awareness and intervention of plastic surgeons.

Objective To explore the mechanism of Tongyangxiao Lotion(TYX)for promoting wound healing following surgery for anal fistula.Methods The active ingredients and drug targets of TYX were explored using TCMSP and BATMAN databases,and the targets associated with wound healing were screened using GeneCards and OMIM databases;the intersecting drug and wound-related targets were analyzed with protein-protein interaction(PPI)analysis and GO and KEGG enrichment analyses.In 25 SD rat models with simulated anal fistula surgery,the effect of wound dressing with TYX at low,medium and high doses(once daily for 14 days)on wound healing were assessed in comparison with potassium permanganate(PP)solution.The granulation tissues collected from the wounds were examined for pathological changes with HE staining and for TNF-α expression using immunohistochemistry.The expressions of 1β,TNF-α,IL-6 mRNA and proteins in the granulation tissue were detected using RT-qPCR,Western blotting or ELISA.Results Network pharmacology analysis yielded 156 common targets between TYX and wound healing,and among them IL-1β,TNF-α,and IL-6 were identified as potential targets of TYX for promoting wound healing.Six core components of TYX were capable of binding to IL-1β,TNF-α,and IL-6 with binding energies all below-6.0 Kcal/mol.In the rat models,the wounds with TYX and PP solution dressing showed significantly reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and increased fibroblasts and collagen deposition.TYX at the 3 doses and PP solution all significantly reduced the expressions of IL-6,IL-1β,TNF-α mRNA and IL-6 protein in the granulation tissues,but TYX at the medium and high doses produced significantly stronger effects than PP solution for lowering TNF-α protein expression and mRNA expressions of TNF-α and IL-6.Conclusion TYX accelerates wound healing by down-regulating the inflammatory factors and reducing inflammation in the wounds.