Objective: To screen and identify the key active molecules, signaling pathways, and therapeutic targets of Shuxuening (SXN) injection for treating liver cirrhosis (LC) and to evaluate its therapeutic potential using a mouse model. Methods: Target genes of SXN and LC were retrieved from public databases, and enrichment analysis was performed. A protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins (STRING), and hub genes were identified using Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE). LC was induced in rats and mice via intraperitoneal injections of diethylnitrosamine and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) for 12 weeks. Starting at week 7, SXN was administered intraperitoneally to the mice in the treatment group. Serum and liver tissues of the mice were collected for the detection of indicators, pathological staining, and expression analysis of hub targets using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Results: We identified 368 overlapping genes (OLGs) between SXN and LC targets. These OLGs were subsequently used to build a PPI network and to screen for hub genes. Enrichment analysis showed that these genes were associated with cancer-related pathways, including phosphoinositide-3-kinase/Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling and various cellular processes, such as responses to chemicals and metabolic regulation. In vivo experiments demonstrated that SXN treatment significantly improved liver function and pathology in CCl4-induced LC mice by reducing inflammation and collagen deposition. Furthermore, qRT-PCR demonstrated that SXN regulated the expression of MAPK8, AR and CASP3 in the livers of LC mice. Conclusion This study highlighted the therapeutic effects of SXN in alleviating LC using both bioinformatics and experimental methods. The observed effect was associated with modulation of hub gene expression, particularly MAPK8, and CASP3.

Objective To investigate the forensic toxicological characteristics associated with etomidate abuse.Methods Blood and urine samples from six cases of etomidate abuse were quantitatively analyzed for etomidate and its metabolite etomidate acid.Relevant literature on etomidate abuse and poisoning was reviewed to summarize the pharmacological and toxicological effects of etomidate and case data.Results In the cases examined,the blood concentrations of etomidate and its metabolite,etomidate acid,were relatively low,ranging from 1.97～187.61 ng/mL and 12.29～316.31 ng/mL,respectively.Urine samples offered a broader detection window,with etomidate concentrations ranging from 1.65 to 700.89 ng/mL and etomidate acid concentrations from 295.26～214 483.52 ng/mL.Notably,in a sexual assault case,the victims's blood concentration of etomidate acid dropped below 6.98 ng/mL eight hours post-ingestion,while urinary concentration was still above 59 449.02 ng/mL.Conclusion Abuse of electronic cigarettes containing etomidate can result in severe overdoses.Given that etomidate is rapidly metabolized in vivo,it is essential to collect and analyze biological samples promptly,with a particular emphasis on detecting its metabolite,etomidate acid.

Objective To investigate the forensic toxicological characteristics associated with etomidate abuse.Methods Blood and urine samples from six cases of etomidate abuse were quantitatively analyzed for etomidate and its metabolite etomidate acid.Relevant literature on etomidate abuse and poisoning was reviewed to summarize the pharmacological and toxicological effects of etomidate and case data.Results In the cases examined,the blood concentrations of etomidate and its metabolite,etomidate acid,were relatively low,ranging from 1.97～187.61 ng/mL and 12.29～316.31 ng/mL,respectively.Urine samples offered a broader detection window,with etomidate concentrations ranging from 1.65 to 700.89 ng/mL and etomidate acid concentrations from 295.26～214 483.52 ng/mL.Notably,in a sexual assault case,the victims's blood concentration of etomidate acid dropped below 6.98 ng/mL eight hours post-ingestion,while urinary concentration was still above 59 449.02 ng/mL.Conclusion Abuse of electronic cigarettes containing etomidate can result in severe overdoses.Given that etomidate is rapidly metabolized in vivo,it is essential to collect and analyze biological samples promptly,with a particular emphasis on detecting its metabolite,etomidate acid.

Malignant tumors have surpassed stroke and coronary heart disease to become the main cause of death before the age of 70 in the world. The incidence of malignant tumors is increasing year by year， which seriously affects the living standards and social and economic development of Chinese people. Surgery， radiotherapy， chemotherapy， targeted therapy， and immunotherapy are the main means of Western medicine to intervene in tumors， which are of great significance for prolonging the survival time of patients. However， there are many disadvantages such as adverse reactions and drug resistance. Traditional Chinese medicine has become a research hotspot in recent years because of its definite curative effect and wide application in tumor treatment. Xiao Chaihutang is derived from the Treatise on Febrile and Miscellaneous Diseases. It is composed of Bupleuri Radix， Scutellariae Radix， Ginseng Radix， Pinelliae Rhizoma， Glycyrrhizae Preparata Radix， Ginger， and Jujube. It has the effects of reconciling Shaoyang， reconciling cold and heat Yin and Yang， soothing the liver， and relieving depression. This prescription and the prescriptions based on it are widely used in various stages of tumors. This study summarized the Chinese and foreign research of Xiao Chaihutang in the field of tumors in the past 10 years and explored the role and mechanism of Xiao Chaihutang in blocking precancerous lesions， controlling the development of malignant tumors， reducing the occurrence of adverse reactions after intervention， and alleviating common complications， with a view to expanding the clinical medication ideas.

[Objective]Based on data mining,network pharmacology and molecular docking technology,to explore the rule and mechanism of Chinese medicine in the treatment of chronic viral hepatitis B.[Methods]Clinical research literature on Chinese medicine treatment of chronic viral hepatitis B collected in China National Knowledge Internet(CNKI),Wanfang Database and VIP Database from establishment to September 12,2022,were searched,and the data were standardized and classified.Meanwhile,Excel 2019,Cytoscape 3.8.0 and Qrigin 2021 software were used to analyze the frequency,association rules and systematic clustering of the Chinese medicine compounds meeting the inclusion criteria,and obtain medication rules and core prescriptions.The Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP),Human Gene database(GeneCards)and Online Human Mendelian Inheritance in Man(OMIM)database were used to obtain core prescription active ingredients,therapeutic targets and disease-related targets,respectively.The STRING 11.5 database and Cytoscape 3.8.0 software were used for network visualization,and the Metascape database was used for gene ontology(GO)functional enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment analysis,AutoDock Vina 1.2.3 software were used for molecular docking.[Results]A total of 192 prescriptions were included,including 225 drugs.The drug properties were cold,warm and normal,and the drug flavors were bitter,sweet and acrid,mostly attributed to liver,lung,stomach and spleen channels.The main types of action were deficiency tonic,heat-clearing,diuretic and dehydrating.Association analysis showed that the common compatibility was Atractylodes macrocephala-Curcumae radix-Poria cocos-Salvia miltiorrhiza,Atractylodes macrocephala-Curcumae radix-Poria cocos,Astragalus membranaceus-Phyllanthus urinaria-Salvia miltiorrhiza.The clustering analysis was divided into 4 categories,and the clustering effect was good.Network pharmacology and molecular docking suggested 201 kinds of active ingredients,4 208 targets,2 920 disease targets,104 overlapping targets of drug diseases,and 1 369 biological processes(BP),celluar component(CC)87,molecular function(MF)120 were identified by GO functional enrichment analysis,and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis identified 190 pathways,the conformation of the core components and core target molecular bonding results tended to be stable.[Conclusion]By using literature data mining,network pharmacology and molecular docking technology,the drug use rules and core formulations of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of chronic viral hepatitis B were summarized,and the potential therapeutic targets and signaling pathways of the core formulations in the intervention of chronic viral hepatitis B were further explored,and the molecular docking results were good,which could provide ideas and methods for the future research of chronic viral hepatitis B.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of Da Vinci robot-assisted superior mediastinum lymph node dissection around recurrent laryngeal nerve.Methods:The retrospective and descriptive study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 404 patients with esophageal cancer who underwent Da Vinci robot-assisted esophagectomy in Tianjin Medical University Cancer Hospital and Institute from June 2017 to June 2022 were collected. There were 349 males and 55 females, aged (62±8)years. Observation indicators: (1) intraoperative conditions; (2) postoperative conditions; (3) comparison of clinical features in patients who were admitted in different time periods. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was conducted using the one way ANOVA. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(IQR), and comparison among multiple groups was conducted using the Kruskal-Wallis H test. Count data were described as absolute numbers or percentages, and com-parison between groups was conducted using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. Results:(1) Intraoperative conditions. The operation time, volume of intraoperative blood loss, the total number of lymph node dissected, the number of thoracic lymph node dissected, left recurrent laryngeal nerve lymph node dissection rate, the number of left recurrent laryngeal nerve lymph node dissected, left recurrent laryngeal nerve lymph node metastasis rate, right recurrent laryngeal nerve lymph node dissection rate, the number of right recurrent laryngeal nerve lymph node dissected, right recurrent laryngeal nerve lymph node metastasis rate were (306±56)minutes,200(100)mL, 29.9±13.1, 18.5±9.7, 78.47%(317/404), 4.0(3.0), 17.35%(55/317), 94.55%(382/404), 3.0(2.0), 21.20%(81/382). (2) Postoperative conditions. The tumor histopathological type (squamous cell carcinoma, neuroendocrine carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, carcinosarcoma, adenosquamous carcinoma, malignant melanoma), incidence rate of overall complications, cases with recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis, cases with pulmonary complications, cases with anastomotic fistula, cases with incision infection, cases with chylothorax, cases with arrhythmia, cases with deep vein thrombosis, cases with other complications, incidence of re-admission to the intensive care unit, duration of postoperative hospital stay, 90-day mortality were 377, 11, 7, 5, 3, 1, 27.48%(111/404), 8.91%(36/404), 10.64%(43/404), 6.93%(28/404), 0.99%(4/404), 2.48%(10/404), 1.73%(7/404), 0.50%(2/404), 1.98%(8/404), 6.93%(28/404), 16(11)days, 0.50%(2/404). (3) Comparison of clinical features in patients who were admi-tted in different time periods. The number of patients who were admitted from June 2017 to May 2018, from June 2018 to May 2019, from June 2019 to May 2020, from June 2020 to May 2021, from June 2021 to June 2022 was 40, 56, 57, 116, 135, respectively. There were significant differences in age, tumor histopathological type, pT staging, neoadjuvant therapy, operation time, volume of intra-operative blood loss, the total number of lymph node dissected, the number of thoracic lymph node dissected, left recurrent laryngeal nerve lymph node dissection rate, the number of left recurrent laryngeal nerve lymph node dissected, the number of right recurrent laryngeal nerve lymph node dissected, incidence rate of overall complications among patients who were admitted in different time periods ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The Da Vinci robot-assisted superior mediastinum lymph node dissection around recurrent laryngeal nerve is safe and feasible, which can achieve good short-term efficacy.

Baylisascaris schroederi,a roundworm(ascaridoid)parasite specific to the bamboo-feeding giant panda(Ailuropoda melanoleuca),represents a leading cause of mortality in wild giant panda populations.Here,we present a 293-megabase chromosome-level genome assembly of B.schroederi to infer its biology,including host adaptations.Comparative genomics revealed an evolutionary trajectory accompanied by host-shift events in ascaridoid parasite lineages after host separations,suggesting their potential for transmission and rapid adaptation to new hosts.Genomic and anatomical lines of evidence,including expansion and positive selection of genes related to the cuticle and basal metabolisms,indicate that B.schroederi undergoes specific adaptations to survive in the sharp-edged bamboo-enriched gut of giant pandas by structurally increasing its cuticle thickness and efficiently utilizing host nutrients through gut parasitism.Additionally,we characterized the secretome of B.schroederi and predicted potential drug and vaccine targets for new control strategies.Overall,this genome resource provides new insights into the host adaptation of B.schroederi to the giant panda as well as the host-shift events in ascaridoid parasite lineages.Our findings on the unique biology of B.schroederi will also aid in the development of prevention and treatment measures to protect giant panda populations from roundworm parasitism.

Esophagectomy and lymph node dissection are the cornerstones for the treatment of esophageal cancer. Upper mediastinal lymph node dissection is of great value for accurate staging and improving the prognosis of patients. Lymph node dissection along the left recurrent laryngeal nerve is the most challenging procedures in esophageal surgery, and there has been no relevant consensus on the scope and boundary of lymph node dissection. In recent years, with the application of endoscopic technology, especially robotic surgery system in esophagectomy, and the introduction of the concept of superior mediastinal microdissection, the authors have proposed the border of lymph node dissection along the left recurrent laryngeal nerve, so as to achieve precise, radical and standardized dissection. Combined with their own experiences, the authors elaborate on the anatomic boundary, extent and technique of lymph node dissection along the left recurrent laryngeal nerve.

Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy between puncture assisted by a "TINAVI" orthopaedic robot versus freehand puncture in vertebroplaty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture(OVCF) of the upper thoracic vertebra.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted of the 19 patients (20 vertebral bodies) with OVCF of the upper thoracic vertebra who had been treated at Department of Spine Surgery, Honghui Hospital from January 2018 to March 2019 by robotic vertebroplasty (robot group) and of another 21 counterpart patients (21 vertebral bodies) who had been treated by conventional vertebroplasty from January 2016 to December 2017 (freehand group). Puncture was conducted by a "TINAVI" orthopaedic robot in the robotic vertebroplasty but freehand in the conventional vertebroplasty. The robot group had 5 males and 14 females, aged from 62 to 88 years; the freehand group had 6 males and 15 females, aged from 64 to 83 years. The 2 groups were compared in terms of operation time, bone cement volume, postoperative complications (cement leakage, infection and embolism), visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), anterior height (AH) and kyphosis angulation (KA) of the injured vertebra at day 1 and last follow-up after surgery.Results:The 2 groups were comparable because there were no significant differences between them in the preoperative general data ( P>0.05). Vertebroplasty via unilateral puncture approach was completed uneventfully in the 19 patients (20 vertebral bodies) in the robot group and in the 21 patients (21 vertebral bodies) in the freehand group. The 40 patients were followed up for 6 to 12 months (mean, 8.3 month). The operation time [(37.9±8.2) min], bone cement volume [(2.3±0.9) mL] and rate of cement leakage (10.0%, 2/20) in the robot group were all significantly less or lower than those in the freehand group [(46.2±9.4) min, (4.2±1.3) mL and 42.9% (9/21)] ( P<0.05). No infection or embolism was observed in either group. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in VAS, ODI, AH or KA of the injured vertebra at day 1 or last follow-up after surgery ( P>0.05). Conclusion:In vertebroplaty for OVCF of the upper thoracic vertebra, compared with conventional freehand puncture, puncture assisted by a "TINAVI" orthopaedic robot can lead to satisfactory clinical efficacy because it reduces operation time, volume of bone cement injection, and thus incidence of bone cement leakage.

The objective of this study was to elucidate the effect of chronic stress (CS) on dopamine (DA) level and synaptic efficiency in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) during spatial learning and memory. Sprague Dawley (SD) male rats were randomly divided into control group and CS group (n = 10). CS group was treated with chronic mild unpredictable stress, and control group did not receive any treatments. The levels of epinephrine and corticosterone (CORT) in serum were measured by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); the spatial learning and memory abilities of rats were measured by Morris water maze (MWM) test. Meanwhile, the amplitude of field excitatory postsynaptic potential (fEPSP) and concentration of DA in the DG region were determined by in vivo electrophysiology, microdialysis and HPLC techniques during MWM test in rats. After that, the DA D1 receptor (D1R) and its key downstream members in DG were examined by immunohistochemistry or Western blot assay. The results showed that the levels of epinephrine and CORT in the serum of the rats in CS group were significantly increased compared with those in the control group (P < 0.05). In CS group rats, the escape latency was significantly prolonged and the number of platform crossing was markedly decreased during MWM test, compared with those in control group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the amplitude of fEPSP in the DG was not changed during MWM test in CS rats, while it was significantly increased on the 3rd day of MWM test in control group (P < 0.05). Compared with baseline or control group, CS group showed significantly increased DA level from the 1st to 3rd days of MWM test in the DG (P < 0.05). In addition, the protein expression of D1R was markedly up-regulated in the DG in CS group, while the protein expression levels of p-PKA, p-CREB and BDNF were significantly reduced, compared with those in control group. These results suggest that CS may impair spatial learning and memory abilities in rats through the enhancement of the DA levels in the hippocampal DG.
Animals ; Dentate Gyrus ; Dopamine ; Hippocampus ; Male ; Maze Learning ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spatial Learning ; Spatial Memory