AIM:To exploring the mechanism of Xin Mai Jia(XMJ)in inhibiting hypertensive cardiac hypertrophy through network pharmacology and animal experiments.METHODS:Retrieving the ac-tive ingredients and target points of XMJ by search-ing the TCMSP database and related literature re-ports;using the Gene Cards,OMIM,and Drug Bank databases to screen targets for hypertensive cardi-ac hypertrophy;constructing a network of tradi-tional Chinese medicine-active ingredients-poten-tial targets and a protein-protein interaction(PPI)network;using DAVID software for target gene on-tology(GO)functional enrichment analysis and Kyo-to Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment analysis;using Auto Dock soft-ware for molecular docking.A spontaneously hy-pertensive rat(SHR)model was established,and hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was used to detect the morphology of cardiac tissue and cellular hy-pertrophy,Masson staining was used to detect col-lagen deposition in cardiac tissue,and Western blot to detect the expression of heat shock protein(HSP90AA1),mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR),peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor y(PPARG),and tumor necrosis factor(TNF-α)in car-diac tissue.RESULTS:A total of 56 potential active ingredients were identified in XMJ,and 5,492 tar-gets related to hypertensive cardiac hypertrophy were obtained.The targets in the core network were ranked according to their Degree values,and four main targets were selected:HSP90AA1,mTOR,PPARG,and TNF-α.The results of HE staining showed that compared with the normal group,the average area of cardiomyocytes in the SHR group increased significantly(P＜0.05),while there was no significant change in the XMJ group.The hypertro-phy in the SHR+XMJ group was significantly alleviat-ed(P＜0.05).The results of Masson staining showed that compared with the normal group,the levels of interstitial fibrosis and perivascular fibrosis in the SHR group rats increased significantly(P＜0.01),and XMJ could significantly reduce the fibrosis levels in the SHR group rats(P＜0.01).The results of Western blot showed that compared with the normal group rats,the expression of HSP90AA1 and PPARG in the myocardial tissue of SHR group rats was downregu-lated,mTOR phosphorylation was downregulated,and TNF-α was significantly upregulated(P＜0.01).In the SHR+XMJ group,the expression of HSP90AA1,PPARG,and TNF-α in the myocardial tis-sue of rats returned to normal levels,and mTOR phosphorylation returned to normal levels.In the XMJ group,there were no significant changes in the above indicators compared with the normal group rats.CONCLUSION:The mechanism underly-ing the inhibitory effect of XMJ on myocardial cell hypertrophy in hypertension involves a comprehen-sive action through multiple components,multiple targets,and multiple pathways.

AIM:To exploring the mechanism of Xin Mai Jia(XMJ)in inhibiting hypertensive cardiac hypertrophy through network pharmacology and animal experiments.METHODS:Retrieving the ac-tive ingredients and target points of XMJ by search-ing the TCMSP database and related literature re-ports;using the Gene Cards,OMIM,and Drug Bank databases to screen targets for hypertensive cardi-ac hypertrophy;constructing a network of tradi-tional Chinese medicine-active ingredients-poten-tial targets and a protein-protein interaction(PPI)network;using DAVID software for target gene on-tology(GO)functional enrichment analysis and Kyo-to Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment analysis;using Auto Dock soft-ware for molecular docking.A spontaneously hy-pertensive rat(SHR)model was established,and hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was used to detect the morphology of cardiac tissue and cellular hy-pertrophy,Masson staining was used to detect col-lagen deposition in cardiac tissue,and Western blot to detect the expression of heat shock protein(HSP90AA1),mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR),peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor y(PPARG),and tumor necrosis factor(TNF-α)in car-diac tissue.RESULTS:A total of 56 potential active ingredients were identified in XMJ,and 5,492 tar-gets related to hypertensive cardiac hypertrophy were obtained.The targets in the core network were ranked according to their Degree values,and four main targets were selected:HSP90AA1,mTOR,PPARG,and TNF-α.The results of HE staining showed that compared with the normal group,the average area of cardiomyocytes in the SHR group increased significantly(P＜0.05),while there was no significant change in the XMJ group.The hypertro-phy in the SHR+XMJ group was significantly alleviat-ed(P＜0.05).The results of Masson staining showed that compared with the normal group,the levels of interstitial fibrosis and perivascular fibrosis in the SHR group rats increased significantly(P＜0.01),and XMJ could significantly reduce the fibrosis levels in the SHR group rats(P＜0.01).The results of Western blot showed that compared with the normal group rats,the expression of HSP90AA1 and PPARG in the myocardial tissue of SHR group rats was downregu-lated,mTOR phosphorylation was downregulated,and TNF-α was significantly upregulated(P＜0.01).In the SHR+XMJ group,the expression of HSP90AA1,PPARG,and TNF-α in the myocardial tis-sue of rats returned to normal levels,and mTOR phosphorylation returned to normal levels.In the XMJ group,there were no significant changes in the above indicators compared with the normal group rats.CONCLUSION:The mechanism underly-ing the inhibitory effect of XMJ on myocardial cell hypertrophy in hypertension involves a comprehen-sive action through multiple components,multiple targets,and multiple pathways.

Objective To investigate the effect of vascular endothelial function on restenosis after carotid artery stenting(CAS).Methods A total of 236 patients with carotid artery stenosis who received CAS in Jinhua People's Hospital from January 2019 to December 2022 were selected as study objects.According to whether in-stent restenosis(ISR)occurred during follow-up,they were divided into ISR group(n=41)and non-ISR group(n=195).Blood lipid indexes[low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)],vascular endothelial indexes[endothelin-1(ET-1),von Willebrand factor(vWF),vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),vascular cell adhesion molecule 1(VCAM-1),thromboxane B2(TXB2),endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS),nitric oxide(NO)],inflammatory factors[tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-6(IL-6),C-reactive protein(CRP)]and oxidative stress indexes[malondialdehyde(MDA),glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px),superoxide dismutase(SOD)]were collected and compared between two groups.Transcriptome sequencing was performed on peripheral blood of ISR group and non-ISR group.Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the independent influencing factors of ISR after CAS.Results The levels of TC,TNF-α,CRP,IL-6,MDA,ET-1,vWF,TXB2 and VCAM-1 in ISR group were significantly higher than those in non-ISR group(P＜0.01),and the levels of HDL-C,SOD,GSH-Px,NO,eNOS and VEGF in ISR group were significantly lower than those in non-ISR group(P＜0.01).Transcriptome differential gene enrichment analysis showed that the signaling pathways such as inflammatory response activation,oxidative stress response,and endothelial cell dysfunction were significantly enhanced in ISR group.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that TNF-α,IL-6,ET-1,vWF,VEGF,SOD,and GSH-Px were independent influencing factors for ISR after CAS(P＜0.05).Conclusion Inflammatory factors,oxidative stress indexes and vascular endothelial function jointly promoted the occurrence and development of ISR after CAS in patients with carotid artery stenosis.TNF-α,IL-6,ET-1,vWF,VEGF,SOD,GSH-Px were independent risk factors for ISR after CAS.

Clinical cure (herein referred to as functional cure) is currently recognized as the ideal therapeutic goal by the guidelines for the prevention and treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) at home and abroad. China has achieved significant results in research and exploration based on pegylated interferon alpha therapeutic strategies to promote the effectiveness of CHB clinical cure rates in clinical practice. The summary and optimization of clinical cure strategies in different clinical type classifications, as well as the exploration of clinical cure continuity and long-term outcomes, are of great significance for solving the current bottleneck problem and our future efforts in the developmental directions of clinical cure in CHB populations.

Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is a condition comprising ectopic bone formation from spinal ligaments. This disease is a leading cause of myelopathy in the Asian population. However, the molecular mechanism underlying OPLL and efficient preventive interventions remain unclear. Here, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing and revealed that type I interferon (IFN) signaling was activated in the ossified ligament of patients with OPLL. We also observed that IFN-β stimulation promoted the osteogenic differentiation of preosteoblasts in vitro and activated the ossification-related gene SPP1, thereby confirming the single-cell RNA sequencing findings. Further, blocking the IFN-α/β subunit 1 receptor (IFNAR1) using an anti-IFNAR1 neutralizing antibody markedly suppressed osteogenic differentiation. Together, these results demonstrated that the type I IFN signaling pathway facilitated ligament ossification, and the blockade of this signaling might provide a foundation for the prevention of OPLL.
Humans ; Signal Transduction ; Interferon Type I/metabolism* ; Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament/genetics* ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Single-Cell Analysis ; Osteogenesis/genetics* ; Receptor, Interferon alpha-beta/metabolism* ; Male ; Female ; Cell Differentiation ; Middle Aged

Objective:To analyze the clinical features of patients with severe dengue (SD) in Guangdong Province, and to improve the understanding of the diagnosis and treatment of SD in China.Methods:The clinical data, laboratory examination and etiological test results of 257 SD cases from 29 dengue fever designated hospitals in Guangdong Province from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2019 were respectively collected. The relevant indicators of the criteria for severe organ involvement were quantified. Logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the risk factors for the development of multiple organ failure in SD patients.Results:Among the 257 SD patients, age was (64.1±20.1) years old, with 65.4%(168/257) of them ≥60 years old, 142 were male and 115 were female. One hundred and fifty-two (59.1%) patients had underlying conditions, including 115(44.7%) patients with hypertension. The clinical manifestations were mainly fever (98.4%(253/257)), fatigue (70.0%(180/257)), cough or expectoration (44.4%(114/257)), lethargy or irritability (39.3%(101/257)), vomiting (30.4%(78/257)), abdominal pain or tenderness (20.6%(53/257)), hepatomegaly (2.3%(6/257)), bleeding tendency (59.5%(153/257)), and pleural effusion or ascites (43.6%(112/257)). Platelet count levels were decreased in 90.9%(231/254) of the cases, and 97.1%(234/241) of patients had normal or decreased hematocrit. The most common of severe manifestations were severe organ involvement (61.1%(157/257)), followed by severe bleeding (37.0%(95/257)) and severe plasma leakage (30.0%(77/257)). Severe organ involvements were more common in the kidney (27.6%(71/257)) and heart (26.8%(69/257)). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age (odds ratio ( OR)=1.051, 95% confidence interval ( CI) 1.004 to 1.100, P=0.035), hypertension ( OR=5.224, 95% CI 1.272 to 21.462, P=0.022), elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level ( OR=1.002, 95% CI 1.001 to 1.003, P=0.001), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) ( OR=1.050, 95% CI 1.005 to 1.098, P=0.030), and international normalized ratio (INR) ( OR=4.604, 95% CI 1.601 to 13.238, P=0.005) were risk factors for the development of multiple organ failure in SD patients. The detection results of serum samples form 113 SD patients in acute phase showed that dengue virus (DENV)-1 accounted for 89.4%(101/113), DENV-2 accounted for 9.7%(11/113), and DENV-3 accounted for 0.9% (1/113). Conclusions:Elderly and those with co-existing conditions such as hypertension in SD patients in Guangdong Province are more common. Severe organ involvement such as kidney and heart is the main cause of SD. DENV-1 infection is predominant. Significant elevated levels of AST, BUN and INR may be related to a poor prognosis.

Parkinsonism is a clinical syndrome caused by many reasons, mainly manifested as bradykinesia, stiffness, static tremor and postural instability. Common disease development patterns include occult onset, gradual development, and little natural remission. However, clinically there are some Parkinsonism that will improve, naturally alleviate or "cure", called reversible parkinsonism (RP). By searching the relevant literature, RP was classified into 12 different types: drugs induced, poisoning induced, infection induced, intracranial vascular induced, structural encephalopathy related, changes in intracranial pressure related, imbalance of internal environment induced, visceral diseases related, alcohol withdrawal related, surgery related, immunization and radiotherapy induced RP. This article aims to provide clinicians with more ideas for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of parkinsonism, so as to promote clinicians to make reasonable identification and diagnosis and treatment of parkinsonism as soon as possible.

Objective: To explore the potential of polycaprolactone (PCL)/gelatin nanofibrous composite membrane in constituting tissue engineering retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Methods: The embryonic stem cells (ESCs) were differentiated into RPE (ESC-RPE) cells by spontaneous differentiation methods.Flow cytometry was used to detect the expression of specific RPE markers in ESC-RPE cells.The nanofiber membrane of PCL and PCL/gelatin nanofibrous composite membrane were prepared by electrospinning.The topography and contact angle of the two membranes were detected.The viability of ESC-RPE cells treated by the extracts of the two kinds of membranes was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8)method.After the ESC-RPE cells were cultured on the PCL/gelatin nanofibrous composite membrane, immunostaining was used to detect the expression of specific RPE markers of tissue engineering RPE. Results: ESC-RPE cells were negative for pluripotent marker OCT4, but positive for microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), RPE65 and Bestrophin.Both the nanofiber membrane of PCL and PCL/gelatin nanofibrous composite membrane were porous and the contact angle were (97.2±3.1)° and (13.6±2.4)°, respectively.The extracts of the two kinds of membranes showed no significant effect on the growth of ESC-RPE cells.The tissue engineering RPE based on PCL/gelatin nanofibrous composite membrane positively expressed MITF and ZO-1. Conclusions PCL/gelatin nanofibrous composite membrane shows good hydrophilicity and biocompatibility.Besides, the membrane is favor for the growth of ESC-RPE cells and holds the potential to constitute tissue engineering RPE.

Objective: Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss is seldom achieved with nucleos(t)ide analog (NA) therapy in chronic hepatitis B patients but may be enhanced by switching to finite pegylated-interferon (Peg-IFN) alfa-2a. We assessed HBsAg loss with 48- and 96-week Peg-IFN alfa-2a in chronic hepatitis B patients with partial response to a previous NA. Methods: Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive patients who achieved HBeAg loss and hepatitis B virus DNA < 200 IU/mL with previous adefovir, lamivudine or entecavir treatment were randomized 1:1 to receive Peg-IFN alfa-2a for 48 (n = 153) or 96 weeks (n = 150). The primary endpoint of this study was HBsAg loss at end of treatment. The ClinicalTrials.gov identifier is NCT01464281. Results: At the end of 48 and 96 weeks' treatment, 14.4% (22/153) and 20.7% (31/150) of patients, respectively, who switched from NA to Peg-IFN alfa-2a cleared HBsAg. Rates were similar irrespective of prior NA or baseline HBeAg seroconversion. Among those who cleared HBsAg by the end of 48 and 96 weeks' treatment, 77.8% (14/18) and 71.4% (20/28), respectively, sustained HBsAg loss for a further 48 weeks. Baseline HBsAg < 1 500 IU/mL and week 24 HBsAg < 200 IU/mL were associated with the highest rates of HBsAg loss at the end of both 48- and 96-week treatment (51.4% and 58.7%, respectively). Importantly, extending treatment from 48 to 96 weeks enabled 48.3% (14/29) more patients to achieve HBsAg loss. Conclusion Patients on long-term NA who are unlikely to meet therapeutic goals can achieve high rates of HBsAg loss by switching to Peg-IFN alfa-2a. HBsAg loss rates may be improved for some patients by extending treatment from 48 to 96 weeks, although the differences in our study cohort were not statistically significant. Baseline and on-treatment HBsAg may predict HBsAg loss with Peg-IFN alfa-2a.

Objective To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of H-type hypertension among middle-aged and elderly people in Beijing community. Methods A cross-sectional study by recruiting 1 458 middle-aged and elderly people from a cohort of the "Beijing Longitudinal Study of Aging" in 2009 was conducted. All participants were asked to complete a standardized questionnaire, physical examination and laboratory examinations. Hyperhomocysteinemia was defined as homocysteine (Hcy) > 15 μmol/L, and H- type hypertension was defined as having hypertension and hyperhomocysteinemia simultaneously. The prevalence of H-type hypertension was estimated by using the results of 2000 Beijing population census to weight the data. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was preformed to estimate the associated factors of H-type hypertension. Results The age was (69.48 ± 8.09) years, and the distribution of Hcy was skewed with the median of 16.56 μmol/L. After weight, the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia was 57.20% (834/1 458), and the prevalence of H-type hypertension was 35.32% (515/1 458), accounting for 59.47% (515/866) in patients with hypertension. The ageing, male, hyperuricemia, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and insufficiency of fishes/ shrimps were independent risk factors of H-type hypertension ( OR = 2.30, 1.04, 1.02, 0.95 and 0.67; 95% CI 1.54-3.44, 1.02-1.06, 1.04-1.06, 0.94-0.97 and 0.46-0.97; P＜0.01 or＜0.05). Conclusions The proportion of H-type hypertension is high in the middle-aged and elderly people in Beijing community. Lowering uric acid, protection of renal function and intake sufficient fishes and shrimps might prevent and control H-type hypertension.