This study aims to explore the intervention effects of isorhamnetin(Isor) on acute lung injury(ALI) and its regulatory effects on pyroptosis mediated by the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3(NLRP3)/apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD(ASC)/cysteine aspartate-specific protease-1(caspase-1) axis. In the in vivo experiments, 60 BALB/c mice were divided into five groups. Except for the control group, the other groups were administered Isor by gavage 1 hour before intratracheal instillation of LPS to induce ALI, and tissues were collected after 12 hours. In the in vitro experiments, RAW264.7 cells were divided into five groups. Except for the control group, the other groups were pretreated with Isor for 2 hours before LPS stimulation and subsequent assessments. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe pathological changes in lung tissue, while lung swelling, protein levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF), and myeloperoxidase(MPO) levels in lung tissue were measured. Cell proliferation toxicity and viability were assessed using the cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) method. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β), IL-6, IL-18, and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α). Protein levels of NLRP3, ASC, cleaved caspase-1, and the N-terminal fragment of gasdermin D(GSDMD-N) were evaluated using immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and Western blot. The results showed that in the in vivo experiments, Isor significantly improved pathological damage in lung tissue, reduced lung swelling, protein levels in BALF, MPO levels in lung tissue, and levels of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, and TNF-α, and inhibited the high expression of the NLRP3/ASC/caspase-1 axis and the pyroptosis core gene GSDMD-N. In the in vitro experiments, the safe dose of Isor was determined through cell proliferation toxicity assays. Isor reduced cell death and inhibited the expression levels of the NLRP3/ASC/caspase-1 axis, GSDMD-N, and inflammatory cytokines. In conclusion, Isor may alleviate ALI by modulating pyroptosis mediated by the NLRP3/ASC/caspase-1 axis.
Animals ; Pyroptosis/drug effects* ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/genetics* ; Acute Lung Injury/physiopathology* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Quercetin/pharmacology* ; Caspase 1/genetics* ; CARD Signaling Adaptor Proteins/genetics* ; Male ; RAW 264.7 Cells ; Humans ; Lung/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Shexiang Tongxin Dropping Pill (STDP) in treating stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome by exercise duration and metabolic equivalents. METHODS: This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial enrolled stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome from 22 hospitals. They were randomized 1:1 to STDP (35 mg/pill, 6 pills per day) or placebo for 56 days. The primary outcome was the exercise duration and metabolic equivalents (METs) assessed by the standard Bruce exercise treadmill test after 56 days of treatment. The secondary outcomes included the total angina symptom score, Chinese medicine (CM) symptom scores, Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) scores, changes in ST-T on electrocardiogram and adverse events (AEs). RESULTS: This trial enrolled 309 patients, including 155 and 154 in the STDP and placebo groups, respectively. STDP significantly prolonged exercise duration with an increase of 51.0 s, compared to a decrease of 12.0 s with placebo (change rate: -11.1% vs. 3.2%, P<0.01). The increase in METs was significantly greater in the STDP group than in the placebo group (change: -0.4 vs. 0.0, change rate: -5.0% vs. 0.0%, P<0.01). The improvement of total angina symptom scores (25.0% vs. 0.0%), CM symptom scores (38.7% vs. 11.8%), reduction of nitroglycerin consumption (100.0% vs. 11.3%), and all domains of SAQ, were significantly greater with STDP than placebo (all P<0.01). The changes in Q-T intervals at 28 and 56 days from baseline were similar between the two groups (both P>0.05). Twenty-five participants (16.3%) with STDP and 16 (10.5%) with placebo experienced AEs (P=0.131), with no serious AEs observed. CONCLUSION STDP could improve exercise tolerance in patients with stable angina and phlegm-heat and blood stasis syndrome, with a favorable safety profile. (Registration No. ChiCTR-IPR-15006020).
Humans ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Angina, Stable/physiopathology* ; Aged ; Syndrome ; Treatment Outcome ; Placebos ; Tablets

Objective To explore the property of projection neurons in the pathway from the medial prefrontal cortex(mPFC)to the thalamic paraventricular nucleus(PVT)and to investigate the effect of modulation of the pathway on physiological pain and acute pain in mice.Methods Three knock-in mice with glutamate decarboxylase 67-green fluorescent protein(GAD67-GFP)were used in morphological tracing experiments,and twenty-seven C57 mice were used for behavioral observation experiments.Cholera toxin subunit B(CTB)was injected into the PVT of GAD67-GFP transgenic mice,and the properties of mPFC neurons projected to PVT were observed.The mPFC-PVT pathway was activated or inhibited by chemogenetics to observe the effects on physiological pain,such as mechanical pain,thermal pain,cold pain,and on acute inflammatory pain induced by capsaicin in mice.Results CTB-labeled neurons in the mPFC were mainly distributed in layer Ⅴ and layer Ⅵ and not double-labeled with GAD67-GFP.Chemogenetic activation of the mPFC-PVT pathway decreased the mechanical pain threshold significantly(P＜0.0001)and shortened the thermal pain latency(P＜0.001),but had no obvious effects on cold pain.Inhibition of this pathway increased the mechanical pain threshold significantly(P＜0.05).Activation of the pathway increased the paw licking time(P＜0.05)in acute inflammatory pain induced by capsaicin.Conclusion mPFC-PVT pathway is a non GABAergic projection and its activation can promote mechanical pain,thermal pain,and acute inflammatory pain induced by capsaicin in mice.

Objective To investigate the effect of erythroid differentiation associated gene(EDAG)on hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells(HSPCs)under chronic inflammation.Methods In this study,EDAG-/-and wild type(WT)mice were divided into the experiment group and control group.An infectious chronic inflammation model was established via multiple intraperitoneal injections of Listeria monocytogenes(LM),while a sterile chronic inflammation model was generated via multiple intraperitoneal injections of polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid[Poly(I∶C)].The effect of EDAG on HSPCs was explored under chronic inflammation conditions.Results In the LM repeated infection model,EDAG deletion led to a decrease in HSPCs and long-term hematopoietic stem cells(LT-HSCs)in mice as well as a significant bias towards myeloid differentiation in peripheral blood.Similarly,EDAG knockout also resulted in reduced numbers of HSPCs and decreased colony-forming ability in aseptic chronic inflammation models.Conclusion EDAG deficiency accelerates HSPC depletion in young mice under chronic inflammation,indicating strong protection of EDAG against HSPC damage induced by chronic inflammation.

Background::Although overnight fasting is recommended prior to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), the benefits and safety of high-carbohydrate fluid diet (CFD) intake 2 h before ERCP remain unclear. This study aimed to analyze whether high-CFD intake 2 h before ERCP can be safe and accelerate patients’ recovery.Methods::This prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial involved 15 tertiary ERCP centers. A total of 1330 patients were randomized into CFD group ( n = 665) and fasting group ( n = 665). The CFD group received 400 mL of maltodextrin orally 2 h before ERCP, while the control group abstained from food/water overnight (>6 h) before ERCP. All ERCP procedures were performed using deep sedation with intravenous propofol. The investigators were blinded but not the patients. The primary outcomes included postoperative fatigue and abdominal pain score, and the secondary outcomes included complications and changes in metabolic indicators. The outcomes were analyzed according to a modified intention-to-treat principle. Results::The post-ERCP fatigue scores were significantly lower at 4 h (4.1 ± 2.6 vs. 4.8 ± 2.8, t = 4.23, P <0.001) and 20 h (2.4 ± 2.1 vs. 3.4 ± 2.4, t= 7.94, P <0.001) in the CFD group, with least-squares mean differences of 0.48 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.26–0.71, P <0.001) and 0.76 (95% CI: 0.57–0.95, P <0.001), respectively. The 4-h pain scores (2.1 ± 1.7 vs. 2.2 ± 1.7, t = 2.60, P = 0.009, with a least-squares mean difference of 0.21 [95% CI: 0.05–0.37]) and positive urine ketone levels (7.7% [39/509] vs. 15.4% [82/533], χ2 = 15.13, P <0.001) were lower in the CFD group. The CFD group had significantly less cholangitis (2.1% [13/634] vs. 4.0% [26/658], χ2 = 3.99, P = 0.046) but not pancreatitis (5.5% [35/634] vs. 6.5% [43/658], χ2 = 0.59, P = 0.444). Subgroup analysis revealed that CFD reduced the incidence of complications in patients with native papilla (odds ratio [OR]: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.39–0.95, P = 0.028) in the multivariable models. Conclusion::Ingesting 400 mL of CFD 2 h before ERCP is safe, with a reduction in post-ERCP fatigue, abdominal pain, and cholangitis during recovery.Trail Registration::ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT03075280.

Following the principles of evidence-based medicine,in accordance with the structure and drafting rules of standardized documents,based on literature research,according to the characteristics of chronic cough in children and issues that need to form a consensus,the TCM Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Cough in Children was formulated based on the Delphi method,expert discussion meetings,and public solicitation of opinions.The guideline includes scope of application,terms and definitions,eti-ology and diagnosis,auxiliary examination,treatment,prevention and care.The aim is to clarify the optimal treatment plan of Chinese medicine in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease,and to provide guidance for improving the clinical diagnosis and treatment of chronic cough in children with Chinese medicine.

Objective:To investigate the current situation of the use of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) for portal hypertension, which should aid the development of TIPS in China.Methods:The China Portal Hypertension Alliance (CHESS) initiated this study that comprehensively investigated the basic situation of TIPS for portal hypertension in China through network research. The survey included the following: the number of surgical cases, main indications, the development of Early-TIPS, TIPS for portal vein cavernous transformation, collateral circulation embolization, intraoperative portal pressure gradient measurement, commonly used stent types, conventional anticoagulation and time, postoperative follow-up, obstacles, and the application of domestic instruments.Results:According to the survey, a total of 13 527 TIPS operations were carried out in 545 hospitals participating in the survey in 2021, and 94.1% of the hospital had the habit of routine follow-up after TIPS. Most hospitals believed that the main indications of TIPS were the control of acute bleeding (42.6%) and the prevention of rebleeding (40.7%). 48.1% of the teams carried out early or priority TIPS, 53.0% of the teams carried out TIPS for the cavernous transformation of the portal vein, and 81.0% chose routine embolization of collateral circulation during operation. Most of them used coils and biological glue as embolic materials, and 78.5% of the team routinely performed intraoperative portal pressure gradient measurements. In selecting TIPS stents, 57.1% of the hospitals woulel choose Viator-specific stents, 57.2% woulel choose conventional anticoagulation after TIPS, and the duration of anticoagulation was between 3-6 months (55.4%). The limitation of TIPS surgery was mainly due to cost (72.3%) and insufficient understanding of doctors in related departments (77.4%). Most teams accepted the domestic instruments used in TIPS (92.7%).Conclusions:This survey shows that TIPS treatment is an essential part of treating portal hypertension in China. The total number of TIPS cases is far from that of patients with portal hypertension. In the future, it is still necessary to popularize TIPS technology and further standardize surgical indications, routine operations, and instrument application.

AIM To optimize the extraction process for uracil,hypoxanthine,xanthine,uridine,thymine,inosine,guanosine and 2'-deoxyguanosine from Pheretima guillelmi(Michaelsen),and to determine their contents.METHODS With solid-liquid ratio,ultrasonic time and ultrasonic temperature as influencing factors,contents of hypoxanthine and total nucleosides as evaluation indices,the extraction process was optimized by orthogonal test.HPLC was adopted in the content determination of varioud nucleosides,the analysis was performed on a 30℃thermostatic Agilent C18 column(4.6 mm×250 mm,5 μm),with the mobile phase comprising of methanol-water flowing at 1 mL/min in a gradient elution manner,and the detection wavelength was set at 260 nm.RESULTS The optimal conditions were determined to be 1∶250 for solid-liquid ratio,60 min for ultrasonic time,and 60℃for ultrasonic temperature.Eight nucleosides showed good linear relationships within their own ranges(R2＞0.999 0),whose average recoveries were 99.11%-103.27%with the RSDs of 0.85%-2.89%.CONCLUSION This stable and reliable method can be used for the extraction and content determination of nucleosides from P.guillelmi.

Aim To explore the molecular mechanism of luteolin against acute lung injury by network phar-macology and molecular docking technology,and to conduct experimental verification.Methods The re-lated targets of luteolin were predicted by PubChem and Swiss Target Prediction databases.Acute lung in-jury-related targets were collected through the Gene-Cards database.Venny 2.1 was used to draw the Venn diagram,and the common targets of drug and disease were obtained.The protein interaction network(PPI)was established by String online platform,and the core targets were screened by Cytoscape 3.8.2 software.The functional enrichment analysis of Gene Ontology(GO)and pathway enrichment analysis of Kyoto Ency-clopedia of Gene and Genome(KEGG)were per-formed on the common targets using the DAVID data-base,and the results were visualized.Finally,molecu-lar docking was performed by Auto Dock software,and the molecular results were visualized by Pymol.The mouse acute lung injury model was constructed.HE staining was used to detect histopathology,and Western blot was used to detect lung tissue related proteins.Results After screening,85 common targets were ob-tained.Among them,the core targets were AKT1,EG-FR,SRC,MMP9,ESR1,PTGS2,etc.GO enrichment analysis obtained 265 biological processes,including signal transduction,protein phosphorylation,and nega-tive regulation of apoptosis.There were 48 cells,main-ly including plasma membrane,cell solute,cytoplasm,etc.There are 107 molecular functions,mainly inclu-ding ATP binding,protein serine/threonine/tyrosine ki-nase activity,protein kinase activity and so on.A total of 92 signaling pathway were obtained by KEGG path-way enrichment analysis,which mainly acted on PI3 K-AKT signaling pathway,ErbB signaling pathway,VEGF signaling pathway,etc.Molecular docking results showed that luteolin had good docking activity with core targets AKT1,EGFR,SRC,MMP9,ESR1,PTGS2,MMP2,GSK3 B,KDR and PARP1.The binding ener-gy of ERS1,GSK3B and MMP2 was lower than-5.0 kal·mol-1,and the affinity with luteolin was stronger.The pathological results of lung tissue showed that lute-olin could inhibit inflammatory infiltration and had a strong anti-inflammatory effect in LPS-induced acute lung injury model in mice.Western blot experiments showed that luteolin might alleviate the inflammatory response by inhibiting the phosphorylation of AKT.Conclusions Luteolin can play an anti-acute lung in-jury role through multi-target and multi-channel mecha-nisms,which may be closely related to the inhibition of AKT phosphorylation.

Objective To compare image quality of 5.0T and 3.0T non-contrast MRI for displaying insulinoma.Methods Twelve patients with insulinoma were prospectively enrolled,and non-contrast abdominal T1WI,T2WI as well as diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI)were acquired using 5.0T and 3.0T MR scanners,respectively.The subjective scores of image quality of each sequence of 5.0T and 3.0T MRI,also of tumor-pancreas parenchyma contrast scores were compared.The signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)and contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR)of insulinomas were observed,and the displayed rate of insulinoma by each sequence and overall MRI were compared.Results The subjective scores of 5.0T T1WI and DWI were higher than those of 3.0T T1WI and DWI(both P＜0.05),but not significantly different between 5.0T and 3.0T T2WI(P=0.166).Furthermore,the tumor-pancreas parenchyma contrast score of 5.0T T1WI was higher than that of 3.0T T1WI(P=0.023),but not significantly different between 5.0T and 3.0T T2WI,nor between 5.0T and 3.0T DWI(both P＞0.05).SNR of insulinomas on 5.0T T2WI were higher than on 3.0T T2WI(P=0.015),however,no significant difference of SNR was found between 5.0T and 3.0T T1WI,nor between 5.0T and 3.0T DWI(both P＞0.05).CNR of insulinomas on all 5.0T MRI were not significantly different with those on 3.0T MRI(all P＞0.05).The displayed rate of insulinoma on 5.0T T1WI,T2WI and DWI was 100％(12/12),66.67％(8/12)and 83.33％(10/12),respectively,on 3.0TT1WI,T2WI and DWI was 75.00％(9/12),58.33％(7/12),66.67％(8/12),respectively.The overall displayed rate of insulinoma on 5.0T and 3.0T MRI was 100％(12/12)and 83.33％(10/12),respectively.Conclusion Compared with 3.0T MRI,5.0T MRI was superior for displaying insulinoma,hence being helpful for diagnosis.