OBJECTIVE To study the protective effect and potential mechanism of chikusetsu saponin Ⅳ a （chsⅣ） on renal function in diabetic nephropathy （DN） model rats. METHODS DN rat model was established by high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin injection. Thirty-six model rats were randomly divided into model group （i.g. administration of normal saline， high-fat diet）， chsⅣ low-dose and high-dose groups （i.g. administration of 90， 180 mg/kg chsⅣ， high-fat diet）， with 12 rats in each group. Additionally， 10 normal rats were set as the control group （i.g. administration of normal saline， regular diet）. From the 5th to the 12th week after streptozotocin injection， they were given intragastric administration of relevant drug or normal saline， once a day. After the last medication， the levels of fasting blood glucose， fasting insulin， blood urea nitrogen， serum creatinine and urine protein as well as the levels of reduced glutathione （GSH）， superoxide dismutase （SOD） and malondialdehyde （MDA） in renal tissues were measured. Additionally， the insulin resistance index was calculated. Hematoxylin-eosin， periodic acid-Schiff， and Masson staining techniques were employed to examine the histopathological alterations in the renal tissue. The expressions of Notch signaling pathway-related proteins in renal tissue were detected by immunohistochemical staining and Western blot methods. RESULTS Compared with model group， the histomorphological of renal tissues in the chsⅣ low- and high-dose groups were significantly improved， with significant decreases in renal histological scores， mesangial expansion index， and glomerulosclerosis scores （ P ＜0.05）； the levels of fasting blood glucose， fasting insulin， blood urea nitrogen， serum creatinine， urine protein and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance， as well as MDA content， the expression levels of Notch1， Notch intracellular domain， hairy and enhancer of Split 1 and Delta-like protein 1 in renal tissue were all significantly decreased （ P ＜0.05）. The levels of GSH and SOD in renal tissue were significantly elevated （ P ＜0.05）. Moreover， the improvement in these indicators was significantly more pronounced in the chsⅣ high-dose group compared to the chsⅣ low-dose group （ P ＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS ChsⅣ can ameliorate renal pathological damage and functional impairment in DN rats. Its underlying mechanisms include restoration of glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity， attenuation of renal oxidative stress， and suppression of aberrant Notch signaling pathway activation.

BACKGROUND:Osteosarcoma has a complex pathogenesis and a poor prognosis.While advancements in medical technology have led to some improvements in the 5-year survival rate,substantial progress in its treatment has not yet been achieved. OBJECTIVE:To screen key molecular markers in osteosarcoma,analyze their relationship with osteosarcoma treatment drugs,and explore the potential disease mechanisms of osteosarcoma at the molecular level. METHODS:GSE99671 and GSE284259(miRNA)datasets were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database.Differential gene expression analysis and Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis(WGCNA)on GSE99671 were performed.Functional enrichment analysis was conducted using Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes separately for the differentially expressed genes and the module genes with the highest positive correlation to the disease.The intersection of these module genes and differentially expressed genes was taken as key genes.A Protein-Protein Interaction network was constructed,and correlation analysis on the key genes was performed using CytoScape software,and hub genes were identified.Hub genes were externally validated using the GSE28425 dataset and text validation was conducted.The drug sensitivity of hub genes was analyzed using the CellMiner database,with a threshold of absolute value of correlation coefficient|R|>0.3 and P<0.05. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Differential gene expression analysis identified 529 differentially expressed genes,comprising 177 upregulated and 352 downregulated genes.WGCNA analysis yielded a total of 592 genes with the highest correlation to osteosarcoma.(2)Gene Ontology enrichment results indicated that the development of osteosarcoma may be associated with extracellular matrix,bone cell differentiation and development,human immune regulation,and collagen synthesis and degradation.Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment results showed the involvement of pathways such as PI3K-Akt signaling pathway,focal adhesion signaling pathway,and immune response in the onset of osteosarcoma.(3)The intersection analysis revealed a total of 59 key genes.Through Protein-Protein Interaction network analysis,8 hub genes were selected,which were LUM,PLOD1,PLOD2,MMP14,COL11A1,THBS2,LEPRE1,and TGFB1,all of which were upregulated.(4)External validation revealed significantly downregulated miRNAs that regulate the hub genes,with hsa-miR-144-3p and hsa-miR-150-5p showing the most significant downregulation.Text validation results demonstrated that the expression of hub genes was consistent with previous research.(5)Drug sensitivity analysis indicated a negative correlation between the activity of methotrexate,6-mercaptopurine,and pazopanib with the mRNA expression of PLOD1,PLOD2,and MMP14.Moreover,zoledronic acid and lapatinib showed a positive correlation with the mRNA expression of PLOD1,LUM,MMP14,PLOD2,and TGFB1.This suggests that zoledronic acid and lapatinib may be potential therapeutic drugs for osteosarcoma,but further validation is required through additional basic experiments and clinical studies.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the components migrating to blood and metabolites of Polygonum cuspidatum in rats with acute gouty arthritis （AGA）. METHODS SD rats were randomly divided into blank group， model group and P. cuspidatum group （10 g/kg， by raw material）， with 6 rats in each group. Except for blank group， AGA model was induced in the remaining groups by injecting potassium oxonate and sodium urate； meanwhile， they were administered corresponding drug solutions or water intragastrically， once a day， for 10 consecutive days. The histopathological morphology of the knee joint tissues in rats was observed；rat serum samples were collected， and the components migrating to blood and metabolites of P. cuspidatum were analyzed by using UPLC-Q-Exactive-Orbitrap-MS. RESULTS Following the intervention with P. cuspidatum， the histopathological morphology of the knee joint synovial tissue in AGA rats showed significant improvement， with reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and hyperplasia， and the preservation of the honeycomb-like structure integrity. In both positive and negative ion modes， a total of 67 chemical components were detected in the serum of rats from P. cuspidatum group， including 25 prototype components and 42 metabolites. The involved compound types encompassed stilbenes， anthraquinones， naphthols， and flavonoids， among others. The metabolic reactions identified included methylation， acetylation， sulfation， and glucuronidation. Notably， compounds such as polydatin， resveratrol and emodin were capable of entering the bloodstream in their prototype forms and undergoing in vivo metabolism. CONCLUSIONS Compounds such as polydatin， resveratrol and emodin are likely to be the active components responsible for the anti-AGA effects of P. cuspidatum.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the rules of moxibustion for low back pain by ZHOU Meisheng by using data mining and knowledge graph technology. METHODS: Taking the medical cases of moxibustion for low back pain from ZHOU Meisheng's legacy manuscripts and existing works as the research objects, information on disease types, symptoms, tongue manifestations, pulse conditions, syndrome patterns, moxibustion methods and acupoints were collected. Frequency statistics and community analysis were conducted by the ancient and modern medical record cloud platform V 2.3.7, cluster analysis of high-frequency acupoints was performed by SPSS26.0, association rule analysis of high-frequency acupoints was performed by SPSS Modeler 18.0, and the generated linked data were imported into Cytoscape 3.9.1 for complex network analysis. Knowledge graph of moxibustion for low back pain by ZHOU Meisheng was constructed based on the results of data mining. The data storage and display of knowledge graph were realized through the Neo4j 3.5.25 graph database, and the Cypher query language was used for knowledge graph retrieval and discovery. RESULTS: A total of 219 medical cases were collected, involving 14 disease types, 85 related clinical symptoms, 5 related TCM syndrome types, and 6 moxibustion methods. The acupoints were mostly attributed to the governor vessel, the bladder meridian of foot-taiyang, non-meridian and non-acupoint areas. The core prescription of acupoints derived from complex network analysis included tender points, Shenshu (BL23), Jinsuo (GV8), Yinjiao (CV7), Yaoyangguan (GV3), Yanglingquan (GB34), which were largely coincides with high-frequency acupoints. Cluster analysis obtained 4 cluster combinations. Community analysis yielded 6 communities, each corresponding to different acupoints.The constructed knowledge graph contained 187 nodes and 696 relationships, by retrieving clinical elements related to low back pain, the disease-moxibustion association graph, disease-acupoint association graph, accompanying symptom-acupoint association graph and syndrome type-matching point association graph were obtained. CONCLUSION When treating low back pain with moxibustion, ZHOU Meisheng adopts the principle of promoting circulation, distinguishing diseases to determine the treatment, selecting acupoints according to the diseases, and matching points according to the symptoms.And taking tender points, Shenshu (BL23), Jinsuo (GV8), Yinjiao (CV7), Yaoyangguan (GV3), Yanglingquan (GB34) as core acupoints, combined with tenderness point selection, acupoint selection based on meridian and zangfu syndrome differentiation, "sunshine area" acupoint selection, yin-yang acupoint matching. Additionally, he skillfully employs special points, such as Zhongzhu (KI15) and ear tips, pays attention to the reform of moxibustion tools, and innovates the moxibustion techniques, using distinctive moxibustion tools and methods to treat low back pain.
Moxibustion/methods* ; Humans ; Data Mining ; Low Back Pain/history* ; Acupuncture Points ; History, Ancient ; Female ; China ; Male ; Adult ; Middle Aged

Objective:To understand the research hotspots and research trends of Chinese literature about acupuncture and moxibustion treatment for post-stroke depression (PSD).Methods:Research literature on the treatment of post-stroke depression with acupuncture and moxibustion was retrieved from CNKI, Wanfang Data, and Chongqing VIP from January 1,2002 to August 31,2023. CiteSpace 6.1.R6 software was used to visually analyze the authors, research institutions and key words.Results:A total of 734 articles were included. Wang Zhen, Xiao Wei and Zhang Xianbao (the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine) published the most articles (12 articles each). The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine had the largest number of articles (32 articles), and the inter-agency cooperation was mainly based on TCM colleges and their affiliated hospitals. In addition to the search terms, the keywords with higher frequency were efficacy observation, acupuncture and medicine, nerve function, etc., and 10 representative keyword clusters were obtained. The acupoints with high frequency were Baihui, Neiguan, Taichong, etc., and 13 common acupuncture methods and acupoint combinations used in different acupuncture methods were obtained, as well as 8 representative acupoint clusters. The main treatment methods were acupuncture, acupuncture and moxibustion, fluoxetine and so on.Conclusions:The research hotspots of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of PSD mainly lie in the observation of the efficacy of acupuncture and moxibustion, the study of the mechanism, and the summary of the experience of famous experts. The research trend is to explore how to use acupuncture and moxibustion, medicine, music and other combined treatment to improve clinical symptoms and improve the overall quality of life of patients.

Objective To explore the effects of monocular deprivation(MD)on the expression of astrocytes in the superior colliculus,hippocampus,and visual cortex in mice during the critical period of visual development.Methods Eighteen C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into the normal control group(CON group)and the MD group,with 9 mice in each group.Mice were bred under the 12 h/12 h dark/light conditions.Mice in the CON group received no treat-ment,while mice in the MD group underwent MD of the right eye on postnatal day 27,and the tissue was removed after 7 days.The mRNA and protein expression levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP)in the superior colliculus,hippo-campus and visual cortex of mice in the two groups were detected using the real-time reverse transcription quantitative pol-ymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)and Western blot,respectively.The number of astrocytes labeled by GFAP and central nervous system specific protein β(S100β)in the superior colliculus,hippocampus and visual cortex of mice in the two groups was detected using the immunofluorescence staining.Results RT-qPCR and Western blot results showed that compared with the CON group,the mRNA and protein expression levels of GFAP in the superior colliculus,hippocampus(CA1,CA3 and dentate gyrus)and visual cortex of mice in the MD group decreased,and the differences were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).The immunofluorescence staining results showed that compared with the CON group,the number of GFAP and S1OOβ co-labeled astrocytes in the superior colliculus,hippocampus(CA1,CA3 and dentate gyrus)and visual cortex of mice in the MD group decreased,and the differences were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).Conclusion MD of mice during the critical period of visual development can result in a decrease in the number of astrocytes in the supe-rior colliculus,hippocampus and visual cortex.

AIM:To observe the intervention ef-fect of Chinese medicine Kangzhen Zhijing spas-modic decoction Ⅰ on the progression of Parkin-son's disease in mice,and to explore the potential mechanism of neuroprotection.METHODS:Thirty-six C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into con-trol group,model group,drug group and positive drug group.In the model group,the drug adminis-tration group and the positive drug group,1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine(MPTP)(30 mg/kg)was injected intraperitoneally for 5 days to establish the mouse model.The control group was given the same amount of normal saline,the drug administration group was given 1.25 mg/kg,2.5 mg/kg,5 mg/kg dose of Chinese medicine Kang-zhen Zhijing spasmodic DecoctionⅠby gavage,and the positive drug group was given 75 mg/kg Madopar by gavage.Behavioral tests were per-formed on the second day after the administration in each group.Immunopositive cells of Tyrosine hy-droxylase(TH),Amyloid precursor protein(APP),α-synuclein(α-syn)and solute carrier family 6 mem-ber 11(SLC6A11)were detected by immunohisto-chemistry.The protein expressions of TH,APP,α-syn and SLC6A11 in each group were detected by Western blot.RESULTS:It could significantly im-prove the weight loss of mice in the model group,alleviate the decline of autonomic activity in open field test and the decline of coordination ability in pole test and suspension test.In the reverse immu-nohistochemistry and Western Blot experiments,the expressions of TH and SLC6A11 in the brain of the Parkinson's model group were significantly de-creased,and the expressions of APP and α-syn were significantly increased.CONCLUSION:Kang-zhen Zhijing spasmodic decoctionⅠcan significantly improve the behavioral performance of Parkinson's disease mice and effectively improve the reduction of neuronal transmitters.

Objective:To investigate Helicobactor pylori (H. pylori) infection status and interfamilial transmission pattern in Zhengzhou area. Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2020 to march 2021, among 731 individual from 266 families randomly selected from 9 communities of Zhengzhou area. H. pylori infection status was determined by serum antibody tests, and 13C-urea breath test was performed in the previously eradicated population to clarify the current infection status. The individual and familial infection rate, infection status for couples and children and adolescent were analyzed. Results:Among 731 individuals from 266 families, 397 of them were H. pylori positive. The individual infection rate was 54.31% (397/731); among infected individuals 77.83% (307/397) were infected with type Ⅰ strain, 22.67% (90/397) were infected by type Ⅱ strain. Annual household income ( χ2=0.419, 0.410, 0.213, all P>0.05), smoking history (χ 2=0.071, P>0.05), drinking history ( χ2=0.071, P>0.05), dining place ( χ2=0.009, P>0.05), gastrointestinal symptoms ( χ2=0.047, P>0.05), family history of gastric disease ( χ2=0.069, P>0.05), and history of gastric cancer ( χ2=0.004, P>0.05) had no significant differences between H. pylori-positive and -negative groups, but the infection rate in individuals with higher education level was lower ( χ2=4.449, P<0.05). The infection rate was significantly higher in≥18 age groups compared with<18 age groups ( χ2=6.531, 23.362, 20.671, 24.244, 37.948, 14.597 and 5.170, all P<0.05). The familial H. pylori infection rate was 87.59% (233/266), and in 61 families all member were infected (26.18%, 61/233). The positive rate was 23.08% (6/26) in 50 families with children under 18 years when both parents were infected. Among 231 coupled families, both couples were infected in 78 families (33.76%), one couple was infected in 113 families (48.92%), and both couples were not infected in 40 (17.32%). With the increase of marriage time, the infection rate of both spouses increased significantly ( χ2=7.775, 12.662, 15.487, all P<0.05). Conclusions:The distribution of H. pylori infection presents a family cluster pattern, and intrafamilial infection is an important transmission rout of H. pylori. The type I strain of H. pylori is the dominate strain in this area.

Objective:To investigate the effect of sarcopenia on the perioperative clinical outcomes of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).Methods:The retrospective case-control study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 1 148 ESCC patients who were admitted to the Affiliated Huaian No.1 People′s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2020 to December 2021 were collected. There were 789 males and 359 females, aged (67±7)years. All patients under-went thoracoscopic and laparoscopic radical esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. Observation indicators: (1) incidence of sarcopenia in patients with ESCC; (2) comparison of general data between ESCC patients complicated with sarcopenia and those without sarcopenia; (3) comparison of clinical outcomes between ESCC patients complicated with sarcopenia and those without sarcopenia; (4) analysis of influencing factors for sarcopenia in ESCC patients. Measurement data of normal distri-bution were represented by Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was conducted using the t test. Count data were represented as absolute numbers, and comparison between groups was conducted using the chi-square test. Ordinal data was analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test. Logistic regression analysis was used to conduct univariate analysis. Logistic backward stepwise regression model was used to conduct multivariate analysis. Results:(1) Incidence of sarcopenia in patients with ESCC. Among 1 148 ESCC patients, 469 cases were complicated with sarcopenia, 679 were without sarcopenia. The incidence of sarcopenia was 40.854%(469/1 148). Among the 469 patients with sarcopenia, there were 313 males and 156 females. There were 125 cases <65 years old, 145 cases ≥65 years old but <70 years old, 106 cases ≥70 years old but<75 years old, 93 cases ≥75 years old, respectively. (2) Comparison of general data between patients with ESCC complicated with sarco-penia and those without sarcopenia. The age, tumor diameter, body mass index, cases in stage T1, T2, T3, preoperative albumin, preoperative serum prealbumin, psoas muscle index, psoas muscle density were (68±7)years, (3.3±1.5)cm, (22.4±2.9)kg/m 2, 100, 105, 264, (43±4)g/L, (193±38)mg/dL, (3.9±0.8)cm 2/m 2, (48±8)HU of 469 ESCC patients complicated with sarcopenia, versus (66±7)years, (3.2±1.4)cm, (23.8±3.0)kg/m 2, 173, 170, 336, (44±4)g/L, (206±37)mg/dL, (6.0±2.2)cm 2/m 2, (50±7)HU of 679 ESCC patients without sarcopenia, showing significant differences between the two groups ( t=5.74, 2.11, 7.57, Z=-2.93, t=2.25, 5.52,20.36, 4.18, P<0.05). (3) Comparison of clinical outcomes between patients with ESCC complicated with sarcopenia and those without sarcopenia. The duration of postoperative hospital stay, cases with postoperative hospital stay>30 days, pneumonia, acute respiratory failure, anastomotic fistula, and abnormal heart rhythm were (17±9)days, 32, 158, 39, 33, and 103 of 469 ESCC patients complicated with sarcopenia, respectively, versus (15±6)days, 15, 102, 18, 19, and 85 of 679 ESCC patients without sarcopenia, showing significant differences between the two groups ( t=4.89, χ2=15.04, 55.17, 18.86, 11.52, 18.06, P<0.05). (4) Analysis of influencing factors for sarcopenia in ESCC patients. Results of multivariate analysis showed that age ≥65 years was an independent risk factor for sarcopenia in ESCC patients ( odds ratio=1.64, 95% confidence interval as 1.26-2.14, P<0.05). Preoperative serum prealbumin ≥200 mg/dL, psoas muscle density ≥48 HU and body mass index >24 kg/m 2 were independent protective factors for sarcopenia in ESCC patients ( odds ratio=0.64, 0.72, 0.53, 95% confidence interval as 0.50-0.82, 0.56-0.92, 0.41-0.69, P<0.05). Conclusions:Age ≥65 years is an independent risk factor for sarcopenia in ESCC patients. Preoperative serum prealbumin ≥200 mg/dL, psoas muscle density ≥48 HU and body mass index >24 kg/m 2 are independent protective factors for sarcopenia in ESCC patients. Compared with patients without sarcopenia, ESCC patients with sarcopenia are more prone to postoperative compli-cations such as pneumonia, acute respiratory failure, anastomotic fistula, and arrhythmia, and have a longer postoperative hospital stay.

Examining the clinical data of 4 recipients with early duodenal fistula after liver transplantation, this review summarizes proper managements and provided references for the clinical prevention and treatment of this complication.