ObjectiveZheng’s San Qi San (ZSQS) power, a classic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, is used for treating soft tissue injuries involving muscles, tendons, and ligaments. However, its underlying therapeutic mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to screen and identify pharmaceutically active ingredients and their candidate biomolecule targets, and further elucidate the molecular mechanism of ZSQS in the treatment of skeletal muscle injury. MethodsNetwork pharmacology was employed to construct “ZSQS-component-target”, “protein-protein interaction (PPI)” and “active ingredient-core protein-pathway” networks to predict the key active ingredients and potential core targets of ZSQS for skeletal muscle injury. The predicted results were then validated via microarray data from the GEO database. Molecular docking was then performed to assess the binding ability between the screened active ingredients of ZSQS and the candidate core targets. Moreover, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was used for qualitative and quantitative analysis to verify the active components of the drug and ZSQS serum. Finally, an animal model of eccentric exercise-induced skeletal muscle injury and a myotube cell model of oxidative stress-induced injury were established to validate the effects of ZSQS and its interventional effects on the biological functions of critical targets, thereby demonstrating the potential therapeutic mechanism of ZSQS. ResultsAmong the 111 active components identified in ZSQS and their corresponding 204 targets related to the skeletal muscle injury repair process, 14 core targets (including AKT1) and 4 core active components (quercetin, luteolin, kaempferol, and β‑sitosterol) were screened out, while the corresponding metabolites of quercetin, luteolin and kaempferol were detected in the ZSQS serum. Among these targets, 5 candidate genes (IL-6, CASP3, HIF1A, STAT3, and JUN) overlapped with the differential expression screening results with GEO data, and IL-6 was confirmed to be enriched in the PI3K/AKT pathway. Combined with the prediction results of the AKT expression levels, these findings suggest that the phosphorylation level of AKT1 plays a core role in the therapeutic mechanism of ZSQS. Molecular docking analysis further revealed that the PH domain of AKT1 had high binding energy with all 4 core active components, as verified by LC-MS. Finally, animal model studies have shown the promoting effect of ZSQS administration on skeletal muscle injury repair and its possible antioxidant damage mechanism. Cell model studies further demonstrated that ZSQS-containing serum, core active ingredient combination therapy, and quercetin monomer could increase the phosphorylation level of AKT, promote the nuclear translocation of Nrf2, upregulate the expression of downstream antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GPx, and GR), and inhibit the expression of inflammatory factors (IL-6 and TNF-α), thereby alleviating oxidative stress and the inflammatory response. ConclusionZSQS alleviates skeletal muscle injury mainly by activating the AKT/Nrf2 signaling pathway, enhancing cellular antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capabilities. The results of this study provide a scientific basis for the clinical application and modernized development of ZSQS.

Objective To construct a dynamic prediction model for JC polyomavirus (JCV) reactivation after kidney transplantation. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 128 recipients who met the inclusion criteria and received kidney transplantation in Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, from June 2021 to December 2024. Dynamic Cox regression and dynamic restricted mean survival time (RMST) regression based on the landmark method were adopted to establish the dynamic prediction models, and Monte Carlo cross-validation was used to evaluate model performance. Results The dynamic models could predict the incidence and onset time of JCV reactivation within the subsequent 3 months according to covariates at each landmark time point from the 1st to the 6th month after transplantation. Remuzzi score, body mass index and warm ischemia time were independent risk factors for JCV reactivation, while a history of urinary BK polyomavirus reactivation served as a protective factor. The median values of the area under the curve, C-index and Brier score of the dynamic Cox model were 0.873, 0.851 and 0.065 respectively, and the C-index of the dynamic RMST model was 0.829, all of which were superior to those of the static model. Conclusions The landmark-based dynamic models exhibit excellent predictive performance, which may integrate baseline data and post-transplant follow-up information to realize dynamic assessment of the risk and time window of JCV reactivation, thereby providing evidence for optimizing post-operative monitoring and individualized intervention strategies.

Objective: To analyze the factors affecting direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy among cases with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Zhejiang Province, so as to provide evidence for optimizing local HCV prevention and treatment strategies and improving DAA treatment coverage. Methods: Eight counties (cities, districts) in Zhejiang Province were selected as survey sites. Consecutive sampling was used to enroll HCV cases reported from November 2022 to June 2024. Demographic information, diagnosis and treatment status, DAA therapy, and awareness of relevant medical insurance policies were collected through questionnaire surveys. Factors affecting DAA therapy among cases with HCV infection were analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: A total of 412 questionnaires were distributed, and 404 valid questionnaires were collected, with an effective rate of 98.06%. There were 291 males (72.03%) and 113 females (27.97%). The median age was 49.00 (interquartile range, 11.00) years. A total of 303 cases received DAA therapy, with a proportion of 75.00%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that HCV cases aged 40-<50 years (OR=3.469, 95%CI: 1.228-9.345) and with per capita monthly household income >3 000 yuan (>3 000-5 000 yuan, OR=3.198, 95%CI: 1.597-6.403; >5 000 yuan, OR=5.391, 95%CI: 2.230-13.033) had higher likelihood of receiving DAA therapy. HCV cases diagnosed in non-infectious disease departments (OR=0.334, 95%CI: 0.173-0.643), concerned about economic burden of DAA therapy (OR=0.309, 95%CI: 0.160-0.599), and unaware of HCV payment policy by disease type (OR=0.262, 95%CI: 0.111-0.622) had lower likelihood of receiving DAA therapy. Conclusions The proportion of DAA therapy among cases with HCV infection in Zhejiang Province is relatively high. Age, per capita monthly household income, department of diagnosis, concerns about DAA therapy, and medical insurance/payment policies are factors influencing DAA therapy among cases with HCV infection.

AIM To investigate the effects of Yunpi Tongchang Formula on intestinal mucosal barrier damage in rats with opioid-induced constipation(OIC)of Spleen-Kidney Yang Deficiency Syndrome.METHODS In contrast to the 10 rats of the blank group,the 50 rats of the modeling group were induced into models of OIC of Spleen-Kidney Yang Deficiency Pattern by 7 days consecutive administration of both subcutaneous loperamide injection and alternating gavage of activated carbon ice water and vinegar.Following successful modeling,rats were randomly allocated into the model group,the mosapride citrate tablet group(1.35 mg/kg),and the high-dose,medium-dose,and low-dose Yunpi Tongchang Formula groups(15.12,7.56,3.78 g/kg),with 8 mice in each group.Upon the completion of the 14 days treatment,the rats had their TCM Syndrome scores assessed;their fecal water content,initial black stool excretion time,and small intestine propulsion rate measured;their colon tissue morphology observed by HE staining;their serum levels of IL-6,TNF-α,and IL-1β detected by ELISA;their expressions of occludin and zonula occludens-1(ZO-1)in colon tissues detected by immunohistochemistry;their mRNA expressions of MyD88,TLR4 and NF-κB p65 in the colon tissues detected by RT-qPCR;and their protein expressions of MyD88,TLR4 and NF-κB p65 in the colon tissues detected by Western blot.RESULTS Compared to the blank group,the model group had higher TCM Syndrome scores(P＜0.01);lower fecal water content and small intestine propulsion rate(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);longer initial black stool excretion time(P＜0.01);more mucosal edema in colon tissue,obvious inflammatory infiltration,and glandular disorder;increased serum levels of IL-6,TNF-α and IL-1 β(P＜0.05);decreased colon expressions of ZO-1 and occludin(P＜0.01);and increased mRNA and protein expressions of TLR4,MyD88 and NF-κB p65(P＜0.01).Compared to the model group,both the medium-dose Yunpi Tongchang Formula group and the mosapride citrate tablet group demonstrated effectively reduced TCM syndrome scores(P＜0.01);increased fecal water content and small intestine propulsion rate(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);and shorter initial black stool excretion time(P＜0.01);improved colon mucosal edema and inflammatory infiltration;decreased serum levels of IL-6,TNF-α and IL-1β(P＜0.01);upregulated protein expressions of ZO-1 and occludin(P＜0.01);and downregulated mRNA and protein expressions of TLR4,MyD88 and NF-κB p65(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).CONCLUSION Yunpi Tongchang Formula significantly ameliorates constipation symptoms in OIC rat models of Spleen-Kidney Yang Deficiency Syndrome because of its efficacy in attenuating intestinal inflammation and preserving the integrity of intestinal epithelial barrier structure,with its mechanistic action in downregulating TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway activation.

Objective To establish a chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for detecting chlorfenapyr and its metabolite tralopyril in blood,and to investigate the toxicokinetics in rats.Methods Chlorfenapyr(8 mg/kg)was administered orally to rats,and blood samples were collected from rats'canthus vein at 5 min,15 min,30 min,1 h,3 h,6 h,12 h,24 h and 48 h after administration.The blood samples were extracted using 100 μL of 5%formic acid solution and 400 μL of acetonitrile.Chlorfena-pyr was qualitatively and quantitatively detected by triple quadrupole gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(GC-MS/MS)and tralopyril was detected by triple quadrupole liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS).The DAS 3.0 software was used to fit the toxicokinetic equa-tions and calculate the toxicokinetic parameters.Results Chlorfenapyr was detectable from 5 min to 24 h with a peak time of 1 h.Tralopyril was detectable from 15 min to 48 h with a peak time of 3 h.The toxicokinetic process of chlorfenapyr in rat blood conformed to a first-order absorption one-compartment open model,with the toxicokinetic equation described as C=e-0.265t-e-0.175t.Tralopyril con-formed to the first-order absorption three-compartment model,and the toxicokinetic equation was C=47 361.069e-2.209t-35 404.962e-1.486t+11 956.363e-0.512t.In the equations,C stands for the concentration of the target substance in the blood,e is the natural constant(≈2.718 28),and t stands for time.Conclu-sion This study optimized the detection method for chlorfenapyr and its metabolite tralopyril in blood.The toxicokinetic equations and parameters of chlorfenapyr and tralopyril can provide a reference for the estimation of oral intake time of chlorfenapyr.

Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety of extended-field versus reduced-field radiotherapy in upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) patients after radical operation.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of 210 UTUC patients who underwent full-length nephrectomy and received postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy in Peking University First Hospital from January 2013 to November 2023, and follow-up continued until June 2024. According to the target area of postoperative radiotherapy, patients were divided into the extended-field radiotherapy group (127 cases) and the reduced-field radiotherapy group (83 cases). The overall survival (OS), distant metastasis free survival (DMFS), local recurrence free survival (LRFS) and adverse reactions were compared. In the same period, 114 patients with recurrent abdominal and pelvic lymph nodes who did not receive adjuvant therapy after surgery for UTUC in our center were prospectively collected, and the coverage of the reduced-field target area was analyzed. Chi square test was used to compare the clinical characteristics, Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze survival outcomes, log-rank test was used to compare the survival rate, and Cox multivariate regression analysis was performed on the influencing factors of survival.Results:The median follow-up was 24.5 (range: 3-74) months. There were no significant differences between the extended-field and reduced-field radiotherapy groups in terms of 2-year LRFS (93.3% vs. 98.1%, P=0.156), 2-year DMFS (84.8% vs. 91.2%, P=0.176), and 2-year OS (90.4% vs. 90.7%, P=0.707). The most common toxicities of adjuvant radiotherapy were nausea and leukopenia, with significantly higher grade 1-2 incidence in the extended-field group compared to the reduced-field group ( P<0.05). According to the analysis of patients with retroperitoneal lymph node recurrence after surgery, the reduced-field target designed according to the location of the primary tumor can cover more than 90% of the postoperative metastatic lymph node area Multivariate analysis revealed that variant histology ( HR=2.180,95% CI: 1.021-4.658, P=0.044) was an independent predictor of worse DMFS, while variant histology ( HR=3.825,95% CI: 1.514-9.662, P=0.005) and T 3-4 stage ( HR=4.452,95% CI: 1.025-19.339, P=0.046) were independent predictors of poorer OS. Conclusions:Compared with extended-field radiotherapy, reduced-field radiotherapy designed based on primary tumor location significantly reduced treatment-related toxicities without compromising postoperative therapeutic efficacy, and the reduced-field can cover more than 90% of local recurrent lesions.

Microglia, the resident immune cells in the central nervous system (CNS), rapidly transition from a resting to an active state in the acute phase of ischemic brain injury. This active state mediates a pro-inflammatory response that can exacerbate the injury. Targeting the pro-inflammatory response of microglia in the semi-dark band during this acute phase may effectively reduce brain injury. Shionone (SH), an active ingredient extracted from the dried roots and rhizomes of the genus Aster (Asteraceae), has been reported to regulate the inflammatory response of macrophages in sepsis-induced acute lung injury. However, its function in post-stroke neuroinflammation, particularly microglia-mediated neuroinflammation, remains uninvestigated. This study found that SH significantly inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced elevation of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), in microglia in vitro. Furthermore, the results demonstrated that SH alleviated infarct volume and improved behavioral performance in middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) mice, which may be attributed to the inhibition of the microglial inflammatory response induced by SH treatment. Mechanistically, SH potently inhibited the phosphorylation of serine-threonine protein kinase B (AKT), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). These findings suggest that SH may be a potential therapeutic agent for relieving ischemic stroke (IS) by alleviating microglia-associated neuroinflammation.
Animals ; Microglia/immunology* ; Mice ; Male ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Brain Ischemia/immunology* ; Neuroinflammatory Diseases/drug therapy* ; Neuroprotective Agents/administration & dosage* ; Interleukin-1beta/genetics* ; STAT3 Transcription Factor/genetics* ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/immunology* ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/genetics* ; Lipopolysaccharides

Objective To investigate the clinical significance of the combined screening of thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH)and seven candidate pathogenic genes of congenital hypothyroidism(CH)for CH.Methods 16 645 newborns delivered in Nanjing Women and Children's Healthcare Hospital from July 2022 to July 2023 were performed the screening of TSH.Their DNA was extracted from dried blood spots and the chip capture second-generation sequencing technology was used to detect the candidate pathogenic genes,in-cluding dual oxidase 2(DUOX2),dual oxidase maturation factor 2(DUOXA2),prophet of pit-1(PROP1),thyroid-stimulating hor-mone receptor(TSHR),thyroid peroxidase(TPO),thyroglobulin(TG),and paired box 8(PAX8).The sensitivity,specificity,pos-itive predictive value(PPV),and negative predictive value(NPV)of the screening of TSH,candidate genes,and their combination for CH were analyzed.Results A total of 13 CH patients were screened out based on sensitive thyroid stimulating hormone(sTSH)and free thyroxine(FT4),including 3 patients with hyperthyrotropinemia.Among them,11 were screened out by TSH alone,4 were screened out by candidate genes alone,and 2 were screened out by the combination of TSH and candidate genes.The sensitivity,speci-ficity,PPV,and NPV of TSH for screening CH were 84.62％,99.23％,7.91％,and 99.97％,respectively.The sensitivity,specifici-ty,PPV,and NPV of candidate genes for screening CH were 30.77％,99.87％,15.38％,and 99.87％,respectively.The sensitivity,specificity,PPV,and NPV of the combination of TSH and candidate genes for screening CH were 100％,99.09％,7.88％,and 100％,respectively.The primary mutant gene in the samples with positive candidate genes was DUOX2(85.71％),mainly point muta-tions,among which the c.1588A>T variant was the most common(16.67％).PAX8(14.29％)was the second most common variation,and all of the variation point were c.280G>A.No positive samples for the pathogenic variants of DUOXA2,TSHR,PROP1,TPO,and TG were detected.Conclusion The combined screening of TSH and candidate genes helps to improve the screening efficacy of CH.The genetic etiology of CH in Nanjing area may be mainly the variation of DUOX2 and PAX8 genes.

Objective To compare the accuracy and clinical application value of contrast-induced fractional flow reserve(cFFR),resting full-cycle ratio(RFR),and quantitative flow ratio(QFR)in evaluating coronary artery borderline lesions,using fractional flow reserve(FFR)as the gold standard.Methods A retrospective study was conducted including 143 patients with 143 lesions who underwent coronary angiography(CAG)and were tested for cFFR,RFR,QFR,and FFR at Peking University Third Hospital from September 2020 to January 2022.Clinical data,CAG lesion anatomical data,and target vessel cFFR,RFR,QFR,and FFR measurements were collected.The correlation and diagnostic concordance of cFFR,RFR,QFR,and FFR were analyzed.Results The mean age of the 143 patients was 66(58,71)years,with 90(62.9％)being male.Among them,60(42.0％)patients were diagnosed with unstable angina,and 115(80.4％)target lesions were located in the left anterior descending artery.Correlation analysis showed that RFR,QFR,and cFFR were all significantly correlated with FFR(r=0.956,r=0.861,r=0.751,P＜0.001).Bland-Altman analysis demonstrated high agreement between cFFR,RFR,QFR,and FFR.Receiver operating characteristics(ROC)curve analysis showed that the area under the curve(AUC)for RFR corresponding to FFR ≤0.80 was 0.92(95％CI 0.87-0.96),for QFR was 0.89(95％CI 0.83-0.95),and for cFFR was 0.96(95％CI 0.94-0.99).Conclusions cFFR,RFR,and QFR show high concordance with FFR,with similar diagnostic consistency between the three methods and FFR.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of moxibustion(Mox)combined with low-dose tadalafil(TAD)in the treatment of diabetes mellitus-induced erectile dysfunction(DMED)with the syndrome of Qi deficiency and blood stasis.Meth-ods:According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria,we selected 90 patients with DMED for this trial and equally randomized them into a Mox,a TAD,and a Mox combined with TAD(Mox+TAD)group to be treated by mild Mox applied to the acupoints Zusanli,Sanyinjiao and Yinlingquan qd alt,oral medication with low-dose TAD at 5 mg per dose qd,and combination of the above two thera-pies,respectively,all for 4 weeks.We obtained from the patients their IIEF-5 scores,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)symptoms scores,Erectile Hardness Scale(EHS)scores,corpus cavernosal hemodynamic indexes,and the peak systolic velocity(PSV),end diastolic velocity(EDV)and resistance index(RI)of the corpus cavernosal arteries before and after treatment,and compared them among the three groups.Results:The total effectiveness rate was significantly higher in the Mox+TAD(90.0％)than in the Mox(46.7％)and TAD groups(60.0％)(P＜0.05).Compared with the baseline,the IIEF-5 and EHS scores were increased,while the TCM symptoms scores decreased in all the three groups after treatment,more significantly in the Mox+TAD group than in the other two(P＜0.05).And the PSV and RI were remarkably increased,while the EDV decreased(P＜0.05)in all the three groups(P＜0.05)after treatment,with PSV even higher in the Mox+TAD than in the Mox and TAD groups(P＜0.05).Conclusion:Moxi-bustion combined with tadalafil has a definite efficacy and safety for the treatment of DMED,which can effectively improve the erectile function of the patients by increasing penile blood supply,benefiting qi and activating blood circulation.