OBJECTIVE To investigate the causal relationships between gut microbiota， blood metabolites and antidepressant treatment response from a genetic perspective， and to assess the potential mediating role of blood metabolites. METHODS This study utilized a two-sample Mendelian randomization （MR） design. Exposure data were derived from four large-scale gut microbiome genome-wide association study （GWAS） datasets and two blood metabolite GWAS datasets. The inverse variance weighted method was used as the primary method to evaluate the causal relationships between gut microbiota， blood metabolites and antidepressant effects. The robustness， heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy of the results were evaluated through various sensitivity analyses. Additionally， the false discovery rate （FDR） was applied to correct type Ⅰ errors caused by multiple hypothesis testing. Finally， MR mediation analysis was conducted to test the potential mediating effect of blood metabolites. RESULTS The s_ Bilophila was negatively associated with the effectiveness of antidepressant treatment （ P ＝8.030×10 －5 ， then P ＝0.033 after FDR correction）， and the f_Bacteroidales was positively associated with the effectiveness of antidepressant treatment （ P ＝3.275×10 －4 ， then P ＝0.034 after FDR correction）. Over a hundred blood metabolites were also screened out as being associated with antidepressant response， but after FDR correction， no significant causal relationship was observed. The P value of the mediation effect proportion of blood metabolites in the “gut microbiota-blood metabolites-antidepressant efficacy” pathway was greater than 0.05. CONCLUSIONS The s_ Bilophila may represent a risk factor for antidepressant effects， whereas the f_Bacteroidales may serve as a protective factor for antidepressant effects. The correlation between blood metabolites and antidepressant efficacy is not strong， and no genetic evidence is found to support that the investigated blood metabolites play a key mediating role between the gut microbiota and antidepressant response.

Serotonin-selective reuptake inhibitors （SSRIs）， as widely used antidepressants in clinical practice， exhibit significant individual differences in antidepressant efficacy. Gut microbiota plays an important role in the development and progression of depression， and the use of SSRIs exerts a significant impact on the gut microbiota of patients with depression. Based on this， this article reviews the research progress on the interactions between the antidepressant effects of SSRIs and gut microbiota. It has been found that SSRIs can influence the diversity， abundance， and function of the gut microbiota directly or indirectly. Conversely， the composition of the gut microbiota and differences in its functional metabolic pathways， and other factors， can in turn affect the antidepressant effects of SSRIs. Therefore， in clinical practice， gut microbiota diversity can be utilized as a predictive indicator for the antidepressant effects of SSRIs. Probiotics can be employed as an adjunct therapy alongside SSRIs， and dietary adjustments， as well as fecal microbiota transplantation， can be used to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of SSRIs. In the future， large-scale， multicenter clinical studies should be conducted， enrolling a broadly representative cohort of patients with depression， to uncover the true association between the antidepressant effects of SSRIs and gut microbiota， thereby opening up more effective avenues for the comprehensive treatment of depression.

Objective:To analyze the role of dandelion and mulberry leaf in the progression of acute myeloid leukemia(AML)by network pharmacology,and to clarify the active components and their mechanisms in treating AML.Methods:The active components of dandelion and mulberry leaf were screened by Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP).The targets were predicted by SwissTargetPrediction Database.The AML-related genes and protein targets were retrieved from the SymMap Database,the GeneCards Human Gene Database,the DisGeNET Database,and the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man(OMIM)Database.The AML-related genes and target genes of dandelion and mulberry leaf were compared by comparative analysis and were identify by the enrichment genes,followed by Gene Ontology(GO)functional enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)signaling pathway enrichment analysis.The drug-active component-target network and protein-protein interaction(PPI)network were constructed by Cytoscape 3.8.0 software,and the core genes were selected by CytoNCA plugin;the molecular docking was conducted by AutoDock software.Results:After filtering by databases,39 active components were identified,and 148 common targets between dandelion-mulberry leaf and AML were collected.The GO functional enrichment analysis mainly involved cytokine-mediated signaling pathways,positive regulation of kinase activity,and oxidative stress responses.The KEGG signaling pathway enrichment analysis focused on the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K-AKT)signaling pathway,the tumor necrosis factor(TNF)signaling pathway,and the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription(JAK-STAT)signaling pathway.The key targets were identified by topological analysis including signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3),epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR),protein kinase B1(AKT1),recombinant human epidermal growth factor(EGF),vascular endothelial growth factor A(VEGFA),oncogene MYC,tumor protein P53(TP53),mitogen-activated protein kinase 3(MAPK3),cysteiny asparate specific protease-3(CASP3),oncogene SRC,heat shock protein 90 alpha family class A member 1(HSP90AA1),tenascin XB1(CTNNB1),phosphoinositide kinase-3 catalytic subunit alpha(PIK3CA),interleukin 6(IL-6),TNF,mitogen-activated protein kinase 1(MAPK1),and phosphatidylinositide kinase-3 regulatory subunit 1(PIK3R1).The molecular docking results showed the highest affinity pairing to be taraxerol with MYC(-8.74 kcal·mol-1),and quercetin,kaempferol,luteolin,and artemetin demonstrated good binding affinities with various targets.Conclusion:The main active components of dandelion-mulberry leaf,such as quercetin,taraxerol,kaempferol,luteolin,and artemetin,may exert the anti-AML effect by regulating AKT1,STAT3,HSP90AA1,IL-6,and MAPK1;regulation the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway may be the critical mechanism of anti-AML effect by dandelion-mulberry leaf.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major metabolic disease endangering global health, with diabetic nephropathy (DN) as a primary complication lacking curative therapy. Sporoderm-broken spores of Ganoderma lucidum (GLP), an herbal medicine, has been used for the treatment of metabolic disorders. In this study, DN was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats using streptozotocin (STZ) and a high-fat diet (HFD), and the protective mechanisms of GLP were investigated through transcriptomic, metabolomic, and network pharmacology (NP) analyses. Our results demonstrated that GLP intervention ameliorated renal damage and inflammation levels in DN rats. Integrative metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis revealed that GLP treatment modulated glucose and cellular energy metabolisms by regulating relevant genes. GLP significantly suppressed the inflammations by impacting glucose and energy metabolism-related gene expression (Igfbp1 and Angptl4) and enhanced metabolic biomarkers of 4-Aminocatechol. In addition, NP analysis further indicated that GLP may efficiently alleviate DN via immune-related pathways. In conclusion, this study provides supportive evidence of the anti-inflammatory effects of GLP supplements, highlighting their potential for promising clinical applications in treating DN.

Based on the discussions in the The Inner Canon of Yellow Emperor （《黄帝内经》）， it is proposed that in the course of the disease， "bind" represents the initial stage of pulmonary nodules， while "accumulation" represents the final form. In terms of the pathogenesis， "two colds interacting" represented by "body cold" and "cold fluid retention" are the prerequisites for the formation of pulmonary nodules， while "disorder of qi" represented by "fainting" is the core of the formation. The specific manifestation is the disturbance of pivot of shaoyang （少阳） or shaoyin （少阴）， resulting in a complex of cold and heat， and then phlegm and stasis are suddenly generated and further formed into nodules. Therefore， the treatment principle should be to regulate the cardinal mechanism， dissolve phlegm and blood stasis. Depending on the complex degree of cold and heat， it is suggested to use Chaihu Guizhi Decoction （柴胡桂枝汤）， Chaihu Guizhi Ganjiang Decoction （柴胡桂枝干姜汤）， or Chaihu Xianxiong Decoction （柴胡陷胸汤） for disturbance of shaoyang pivot， while for shaoyin pivot dysfunction， modified Mahuang Fuzi Xixin Decoction （麻黄附子细辛汤） or Shengjiang Powder （升降散） can be used.

Diabetes mellitus(DM)is a major metabolic disease endangering global health,with diabetic ne-phropathy(DN)as a primary complication lacking curative therapy.Sporoderm-broken spores of Ganoderma lucidum(GLP),an herbal medicine,has been used for the treatment of metabolic disorders.In this study,DN was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats using streptozotocin(STZ)and a high-fat diet(HFD),and the protective mechanisms of GLP were investigated through transcriptomic,metabolomic,and network pharmacology(NP)analyses.0ur results demonstrated that GLP intervention ameliorated renal damage and inflammation levels in DN rats.Integrative metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis revealed that GLP treatment modulated glucose and cellular energy metabolisms by regulating relevant genes.GLP significantly suppressed the inflammations by impacting glucose and energy metabolism-related gene expression(Igfbp1 and Angptl4)and enhanced metabolic biomarkers of 4-Aminocatechol.In addition,NP analysis further indicated that GLP may efficiently alleviate DN via immune-related pathways.In conclusion,this study provides supportive evidence of the anti-inflammatory effects of GLP supplements,highlighting their potential for promising clinical applications in treating DN.

Objective:To analyze the distribution characteristics of plasma renin concentration (PRC) in patients with aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) and its impact on diagnosis.Methods:In this retrospective case series, clinical data from 200 patients with APA (80 men and 120 women; mean age 45.6 years) in the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from November 2013 to January 2022 were evaluated. PRC was determined by automated chemiluminescence immunoassay. The distribution characteristics of PRC were analyzed, and 8.2 mU/L was used as the low renin cutoff to evaluate whether renin was suppressed.Results:The median PRC was 1.6 mU/L (range, 0.4-41.5 mU/L). There were 116 patients with APA with PRC of ≤2 mU/L, 41 patients with 28.2 mU/L) in 8.0% (16/200) of the patients with APA. And PRC was not suppressed in 2.5% (5/200) of the patients with APA, resulting in a primary aldosteronism negative screening outcome.Conclusions:Although most patients with APA have low PRC, there are a small number (8%) of patients whose PRC has not been fully suppressed, which can lead to missed diagnoses during primary aldosteronism screening. While primary aldosteronism is highly suspected, further investigations are required to determine the diagnosis, even if PRC is not fully suppressed at screening.

Objective:To investigate the value of neck circumference (NC) for identifying metabolic syndrome (MS) in patients with type 2 diabetes.Methods:a total of 413 type 2 diabetic patients (188 male and 225 female) in Qinhuangdao Chinese Medicine Hospital from August 2018 to July 2019 were recruited. Waist circumference (WC), NC and metabolic indicators were measured. The association between WC, NC and metabolic indicators was explored. Area under the curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the abilities of NC.Results:The average age of male was (55.35 ± 14.15) years, and the detection rate of MS was 74.47% (140/188). The average age of female was (60.19 ± 10.29) years, and the detection rate of MS was 71.11% (160/225). In male group, WC showed a negative correlation with age and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) ( P<0.05); NC showed a negative correlation with glycated hemoglobin, total cholesterol (TC) and HDL-C ( P<0.05), and a positive correlation with diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ( P<0.05). In female group, WC showed a positive correlation with fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and systolic blood pressure (SBP), and a negative correlation with HDL-C; NC showed a positive correlation with FPG and SBP. WC and HC were good indexes for identifying metabolic syndrome in type 2 diabetes (WC: AUC male 0.862, female 0.870; NC: AUC male 0.745, female 0.752). After applying the ROC analysis, neck circumferences ≥ 34.5 cm in males and ≥ 31.75 cm in females were determined as the best cutoff values to predict MS in type 2 diabetes. Conclusions:NC is a helpful tool to detect MS in type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE：To optimi ze and improve the quality standard for Keqing capsules. METHODS ：According to general rule 0502 method stated in 2015 edition of Chinese Pharmacopeia （part Ⅳ），TLC method was used to identify Reineckia carnea and Morus alba in Keqing capsules [the developing solvents were dichloromethane-ethyl acetate-formic acid （10 ∶ 4 ∶ 0.2，V/V/V） and ethyl acetate-carbinol-ammonia （12 ∶ 2 ∶ 1，V/V/V），respectively]. The contents of morphine and codeine phosphate in Keqing capsules were determined by HPLC. The determination was performed on XBridge C 18 column with mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile-0.01 mol/L potassium dihydrogen phosphate aqueous solution （pH value adjusted to 2.7 with 5％ phosphoric acid solution）（5 ∶ 95，V/V）at the flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The detection wavelength was set at 210 nm，and the column temperature was 35 ℃. The sample size was 10 µL. RESULTS ：In TLC of R. carnea and M. alba in samples ，same color spots were shown in the correspon ding positions of reference substance chromatogram without interference from negative control. The linear range of morphine and codeine phosphate were batches of Keqing capsules were 0.97-1.37，0.16-0.37 mg/g，respectively. CONCLUSIONS ：TLC identification method for R. carnea and M. alba ，as well as HPLC content determination method for morphine and codeine phosphate in Keqing capsules are established；the method is simple ，accurate and reliable with strong specificity ，which improves the quality standard of Keqing capsules.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between the down-regulation expression of sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) in proliferating hepatocytes and the response to antiviral therapy of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.Methods:Sixty-eight hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive CHB patients admitted to the Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from January 2011 to March 2015 were included. Basic information and laboratory data were collected. Based on the baseline (before antiviral treatment) inflammatory activity (G), the patients were divided into ≤G2 group and >G2 group. Twelve liver puncture tissue samples were selected from each group for NTCP and Ki67 immunofluorescence staining.The proportion of Ki67-positive cells was calculated, and the staining of NTCP was scored. Five pairs of tissue specimens of patients who had hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection were diagnosed with focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) and underwent nodular resection surgery from March 2014 to March 2017 were collected.Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expressions of Ki67, NTCP and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in each tissue specimen, and the proportion of staining positive cells or the staining intensity was calculated. Statistical analysis was performed by Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test or Spearman correlation analysis. Results:The proportion of Ki67-positive cells (6.75%(6.20%, 8.16%))in five liver FNH tissues with HBV infection was significantly higher than that in adjacent non-FNH tissues (0.75%(0.66%, 1.20%)), while the immunohistochemical scores of NTCP and HBsAg (3.00 (1.00, 3.00) and 2.00 (1.00, 2.00), respectively) were both significantly lower than those in adjacent non-FNH tissues (8.00 (8.00, 9.00) and 8.00 (6.00, 8.00), respectively), the differences were all statistically significant ( Z=-2.611, -2.424 and -2.635, respectively, P=0.009, 0.015 and 0.008, respectively). There were 37 patients in >G2 group, and 31 patients in ≤G2 group. After six months of antiviral treatment, CHB patients with persistent inflammation in >G2 group obtained a better virological response, with serum HBV DNA and HBeAg showing a greater decline ((0.71±0.14) lg IU/mL and (0.92±0.13) lg IU/mL, respectively) than those in ≤G2 group ((0.54±0.30) lg IU/mL and (0.49±0.65) lg IU/mL, respectively) ( Z=-3.048 and -2.666, respectively, P=0.002 and 0.008, respectively). The proportion of Ki67-positive cells in the specimens of >G2 group (4.34%(1.84%, 8.77%)) was significantly higher than that of ≤G2 group (0.34%(0, 0.80%)) ( Z=-3.640, P<0.01), and the immunohistochemical staining score of NTCP (1.00 (0, 3.25)) was significantly lower than that of ≤G2 group (6.00 (4.00, 8.00)) ( Z=-3.012, P=0.003). Spearman correlation analysis showed that the NTCP immunohistochemical score was negatively correlated with the proportion of Ki67-positive cells ( r=-0.512, P=0.01). Conclusions:CHB patients with persistent inflammationare often accompanied by more active hepatocyte proliferation and low membrane NTCP expression, which is not conducive to HBV reinfection. It may facilitate these patients to obtain better virological response.