ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanisms by which Renshentang treats atherosclerosis （AS） in mice， focusing on the regulation of endothelial inflammatory responses mediated by transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1 （TRPV1）. MethodsAn AS model was established in apolipoprotein E knockout （ApoE^-/-） mice fed a high-fat diet. The mice were randomly divided into a simvastatin group （0.02 g·kg^-1·d^-1） and low-， medium-， and high-dose Renshentang groups （1.77， 3.54， 7.08 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， with 12 mice in each group. ApoE^-/- mice were fed a high-fat diet and treated simultaneously. C57BL/6J mice fed a normal diet served as the normal group （n=9）. After continuous administration for 12 weeks， mice were anesthetized and the aortas were collected. Oil Red O staining was used to observe lipid plaque formation in the aorta. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was performed to examine pathological changes in the aortic root. Immunohistochemistry was used to analyze the levels of pro-inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， as well as the expression of TRPV1， phosphorylated phosphoinositide 3-kinase （p-PI3K）， and phosphorylated protein kinase B （p-Akt） in the aortic root. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect endothelial nitric oxide synthase （eNOS） mRNA expression in the aorta， and Western blot was used to detect TRPV1 protein expression. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group showed a significant increase in aortic plaque formation （P<0.01） and significantly elevated levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in the aortic root （P<0.01）. The expression levels of TRPV1， p-PI3K， and p-Akt were decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and eNOS mRNA expression was reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， all Renshentang groups significantly reduced aortic plaque formation （P<0.01）， significantly decreased TNF-α and IL-1β levels （P<0.01）， and markedly increased the expression levels of TRPV1， p-PI3K， p-Akt， and eNOS mRNA （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionRenshentang may inhibit endothelial inflammation and suppress the formation of AS by increasing TRPV1 protein expression and up-regulating the PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway， which may be one of the molecular mechanisms underlying its therapeutic effect against AS.

Debates persist regarding the efficacy and safety of azvudine, particularly its real-world outcomes. This study involved patients aged ≥60 years who were admitted to 25 hospitals in mainland China with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection between December 1, 2022, and February 28, 2023. Efficacy outcomes were all-cause mortality during hospitalization, the proportion of patients discharged with recovery, time to nucleic acid-negative conversion (T _NANC), time to symptom improvement (T _SI), and time of hospital stay (T _HS). Safety was also assessed. Among the 5884 participants identified, 1999 received azvudine, and 1999 matched controls were included after exclusion and propensity score matching. Azvudine recipients exhibited lower all-cause mortality compared with controls in the overall population (13.3% vs. 17.1%, RR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.67-0.90; P = 0.001) and in the severe subgroup (25.7% vs. 33.7%; RR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.66-0.88; P < 0.001). A higher proportion of patients discharged with recovery, and a shorter T _NANC were associated with azvudine recipients, especially in the severe subgroup. The incidence of adverse events in azvudine recipients was comparable to that in the control group (2.3% vs. 1.7%, P = 0.170). In conclusion, azvudine showed efficacy and safety in older patients hospitalized with COVID-19 during the SARS-CoV-2 omicron wave in China.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanism of human embryonic stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hESC-MSC) in alleviating brain injury after resuscitation in swine with cardiac arrest (CA). METHODS: Twenty-nine healthy male large white swine were randomly divided into Sham group (n = 9), cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) group (n = 10) and hESC-MSC group (n = 10). The Sham group only completed animal preparation. In CPR group and hESC-MSC group, the swine model of CA-CPR was established by inducing ventricular fibrillation for 10 minutes with electrical stimulation and CPR for 6 minutes. At 5 minutes after successful resuscitation, hESC-MSC 2.5×10⁶/kg was injected via intravenous micropump within 1 hour in hESC-MSC group. Venous blood samples were collected before resuscitation and at 4, 8, 24, 48 and 72 hours of resuscitation. The levels of neuron specific enolase (NSE) and S100B protein (S100B) were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). At 24, 48 and 72 hours of resuscitation, neurological deficit score (NDS) and cerebral performance category (CPC) were used to evaluate the neurological function of the animals. Three animals from each group were randomly selected and euthanized at 24, 48, and 72 hours of resuscitation, and the hippocampus tissues were quickly obtained. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the distribution of hESC-MSC in hippocampus. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the activation of astrocytes and microglia and the survival of neurons in the hippocampus. The degree of apoptosis was detected by TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). RESULTS: The serum NSE and S100B levels of brain injury markers in CPR group and hESC-MSC group were significantly higher than those in Sham group at 24 hours of resuscitation, and then gradually increased. The levels of NSE and S100B in serum at each time of resuscitation in hESC-MSC group were significantly lower than those in CPR group [NSE (μg/L): 20.69±3.62 vs. 28.95±3.48 at 4 hours, 27.04±5.56 vs. 48.59±9.22 at 72 hours; S100B (μg/L): 2.29±0.39 vs. 3.60±0.73 at 4 hours, 2.38±0.15 vs. 3.92±0.50 at 72 hours, all P < 0.05]. In terms of neurological function, compared with the Sham group, the NDS score and CPC score in the CPR group and hESC-MSC group increased significantly at 24 hours of resuscitation, and then gradually decreased. The NDS and CPC scores of hESC-MSC group were significantly lower than those of CPR group at 24 hours of resuscitation (NDS: 111.67±20.21 vs. 170.00±21.79, CPC: 2.33±0.29 vs. 3.00±0.00, both P < 0.05). The expression of hESC-MSC positive markers CD73, CD90 and CD105 in the hippocampus of hESC-MSC group at 24, 48 and 72 hours of resuscitation was observed under fluorescence microscope, indicating that hESC-MSC could homing to the damaged hippocampus. In addition, compared with Sham group, the proportion of astrocytes, microglia and apoptotic index in hippocampus of CPR group were significantly increased, and the proportion of neurons was significantly decreased at 24, 48 and 72 hours of resuscitation. Compared with CPR group, the proportion of astrocytes, microglia and apoptotic index in hippocampus of hESC-MSC group decreased and the proportion of neurons increased significantly at 24 hours of resuscitation [proportion of astrocytes: (14.33±1.00)% vs. (30.78±2.69)%, proportion of microglia: (12.00±0.88)% vs. (27.89±5.68)%, apoptotic index: (12.89±3.86)% vs. (52.33±7.77)%, proportion of neurons: (39.44±3.72)% vs. (28.33±1.53)%, all P < 0.05]. CONCLUSIONS Application of hESC-MSC at the early stage of resuscitation can reduce the brain injury and neurological dysfunction after resuscitation in swine with CA. The mechanism may be related to the inhibition of immune cell activation, reduction of cell apoptosis and promotion of neuronal survival.
Animals ; Heart Arrest/therapy* ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; Swine ; Humans ; Male ; Human Embryonic Stem Cells/cytology* ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells/cytology* ; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase/blood* ; Brain Injuries/therapy* ; S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit ; Apoptosis ; Disease Models, Animal

ObjectiveTo explore the effects of Renshentang on atherosclerosis （AS） in mice based on the role of transient receptor potential vanilloid1 （TRPV1） in regulating cholesterol metabolism in foam cells. MethodsNine SPF-grade 8-week-old C57BL/6J mice were set as a normal group， and 60 ApoE^-/- mice were randomized into model， positive drug （simvastatin， 0.02 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， and low-， medium-， and high-dose （1.77， 3.54， 7.08 g·kg^-1·d^-1， respectively） Renshentang groups （n=12） according to body weight. The normal group was fed with a normal diet， and the other groups were fed with a high-fat diet and given corresponding drugs by oral gavage for the modeling of AS. The mice were administrated with corresponding drugs once a day for 12 weeks. After the last administration and fasting for 12 h， the aorta was collected. Plaque conditions， pathological changes， levels of total cholesterol （TC）， triglcerides （TG）， low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol （LDL-C）， and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol （HDL-C）， and the expression of TRPV1， liver X receptor （LXR）， inducible degrader of the low-density lipoprotein receptor （IDOL）， and low-density lipoprotein receptor （LDLR） in the aortic tissue were observed and detected by gross oil red O staining， HE staining， Western blot， immunohistochemistry， and real-time PCR. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group presented obvious plaque deposition in the aorta， raised levels of TC， TG， and LDL-C in the serum （P<0.01）， up-regulated expression level of LDLR in the aorta （P<0.01）， lowered level of HDL-C in the serum， and down-regulated expression levels of TRPV1， LXR， and IDOL in the aorta （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the positive drug and Renshentang at different doses alleviated AS， elevated the levels of HDL-C， TRPV1， LXR， and IDOL （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while lowering the levels of TC， TG， LDL-C， and LDLR （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionRenshentang has a lipid-lowering effect on AS mice. It can effectively reduce lipid deposition， lipid levels， and plaque area of AS mice by activating TRPV1 expression and regulating the LXR/IDOL/LDLR pathway.

ObjectiveTo explore the effects of Renshentang on atherosclerosis （AS） in mice based on the role of transient receptor potential vanilloid1 （TRPV1） in regulating cholesterol metabolism in foam cells. MethodsNine SPF-grade 8-week-old C57BL/6J mice were set as a normal group， and 60 ApoE^-/- mice were randomized into model， positive drug （simvastatin， 0.02 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， and low-， medium-， and high-dose （1.77， 3.54， 7.08 g·kg^-1·d^-1， respectively） Renshentang groups （n=12） according to body weight. The normal group was fed with a normal diet， and the other groups were fed with a high-fat diet and given corresponding drugs by oral gavage for the modeling of AS. The mice were administrated with corresponding drugs once a day for 12 weeks. After the last administration and fasting for 12 h， the aorta was collected. Plaque conditions， pathological changes， levels of total cholesterol （TC）， triglcerides （TG）， low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol （LDL-C）， and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol （HDL-C）， and the expression of TRPV1， liver X receptor （LXR）， inducible degrader of the low-density lipoprotein receptor （IDOL）， and low-density lipoprotein receptor （LDLR） in the aortic tissue were observed and detected by gross oil red O staining， HE staining， Western blot， immunohistochemistry， and real-time PCR. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group presented obvious plaque deposition in the aorta， raised levels of TC， TG， and LDL-C in the serum （P<0.01）， up-regulated expression level of LDLR in the aorta （P<0.01）， lowered level of HDL-C in the serum， and down-regulated expression levels of TRPV1， LXR， and IDOL in the aorta （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the positive drug and Renshentang at different doses alleviated AS， elevated the levels of HDL-C， TRPV1， LXR， and IDOL （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while lowering the levels of TC， TG， LDL-C， and LDLR （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionRenshentang has a lipid-lowering effect on AS mice. It can effectively reduce lipid deposition， lipid levels， and plaque area of AS mice by activating TRPV1 expression and regulating the LXR/IDOL/LDLR pathway.

Osteoporosis （OP） is a common bone disease affecting the quality of life and causing huge medical burden to the patients and society. The occurrence of OP is mainly caused by excessive bone resorption and insufficient bone formation， which are directly influenced by external calcium ion balance. Calcium imbalance can impair bone integrity， reduce the calcium supply to the bone， and lower the calcium content in the bone， thus triggering OP. Drugs are the main anti-OP therapy in modern medicine， which， however， may cause adverse reactions and drug dependence. Chinese medicines have good clinical effects and high safety in treating OP， being suitable for long-term use. Recent studies have shown that Chinese medicines can alleviate estrogen deficiency， regulate bone cell and calcium metabolism， which is crucial for the formation and development of OP. The transient receptor potential cation channel superfamily V members 5 and 6 （TRPV5 and TRPV6， respectively） affect bone homeostasis by mediating the transmembrane calcium ion transport in the intestine （TRPV6） and kidney （TRPV5）. Therefore， TRPV5/6 is one of the key targets to understand the anti-OP mechanisms of the effective parts of Chinese medicines， which is worthy of further study. This paper summarizes the research results about the anti-OP effects of Chinese medicines in the last two decades， especially the mechanism of regulating calcium metabolism， aiming to provide new ideas for the basic research， clinical application， and drug development of OP treatment.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness for the construction of "mosquito-free village" in Xuejia Village, Pujiang County, Zhejiang Province, so as to provide the guidance for the construction of "mosquito-free village" in other rural areas. Methods: Density of adult mosquitoes in Xuejia Village was investigated using light trap method and density of larval mosquitoes was investigated using larval straw method from April to November each year. Totally 30 households of villagers were randomly selected, and their awareness rates of mosquito control knowledge, mosquito control behavior forming rates and satisfaction rates were surveyed through questionnaires. Investment during construction (from August 2016 to December 2018) and maintenance period (from 2019 to 2023) of "mosquito-free village" were investigated through data review and interviews. Long-term effects of "mosquito-free village" construction in Xuejia Village were evaluated in terms of mosquito density from 2016 to 2023, effectiveness of health education for villagers, satisfaction and investment. Results: Compared with the year 2016, the densities of adult and larval mosquitoes in Xuejia Village were significantly decreased from 2017 to 2023. The average monthly density of adult mosquitoes in 2023 decreased by 98.34%, and the average monthly 100 household index of larval mosquitoes decreased by 98.45% compared to 2016. The average monthly density of adult mosquitoes from 2019 to 2023 was less than or equal to one mosquito per light trap in a night, and the average monthly 100 household index of larval mosquitoes was less than or equal to five places per 100 households. The awareness rate of mosquito control knowledge was 93.33%, the behavior forming rate was 86.67%, and the satisfaction rate was 90.00%. By December 2023, the total investment during construction and maintenance period was 450 thousand Yuan, with an average annual investment of 60.7 thousand Yuan and average annual investment of 206.61 Yuan per household. The average annual investment during maintenance period was 36.2 thousand Yuan, and the average annual investment per household was 109.70 Yuan. Conclusion The mosquito density, effectiveness of health education for villagers and satisfaction of "mosquito-free village" in Xuejia Village all meet the evaluation criteria of "mosquito-free village", and the investment is reasonable, making it suitable for promotion to other rural areas.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) on tourniquet-induced hypertension (TIH) in the patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.Methods:Seventy-four patients of either sex, aged 18-60 yr, of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification I or II, with body mass index of 18-30 kg/m 2, undergoing elective anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction under general anesthesia combined with preoperative femoral nerve block, were divided into 2 groups ( n=37 each) using a random number table method: sham stimulation group (group SS) and group taVNS. Group SS received stimulation on the ear lobe and the tail of the helix of the left ear. Group taVNS received stimulation on the cymba concha and the earlobe of the left ear. Both groups received stimulation from 1 h before induction of anesthesia until the end of the procedure (frequency of 30 Hz, pulse width of 300 μs, and amplitude of the strongest current that could be tolerated by the patient in the absence of pain). The tourniquet inflation pressure was 280 mmHg, with an inflation time of 60-90 min. Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were recorded before tourniquet inflation to assess the development of intraoperative TIH. The consumption of intraoperative propofol, remifentanil, nitroglycerin, esmolol, norepinephrine and atropine was recorded, and the occurrence of postoperative nausea and vomiting, skin itching and headache and dizziness was also recorded. Results:Compared with group SS, the incidence of TIH and the number of patients used nitroglycerin were significantly reduced ( P<0.05), and no significant changes were found in the other parameters in group taVNS ( P>0.05). Conclusions:taVNS can decrease the occurrence of TIH in the patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Objective:To discuss the effect of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells culture supernatant(hUCMSCs-Sup)on the proliferation,apoptosis,and endometrium receptivity of the human endometrial stromal cells(hEndoSCs)treated with mifepristone(Ms),and to clarify the possible mechanism.Methods:The hEndoSCs were cultured in vitro and divided into control group and 40,60,80,and 100 μmol·L-1 Ms groups.The survival rates of the cells in various groups were detected by MTT assay.The hEndoSCs were divided into control group,40 μmol·L-1 Ms group,and 60 μmol·L-1 Ms group.The apoptotic rates of the cells in various groups were detected by flow cytometry;the expression levels of apoptosis-related protein B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2)and Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax)proteins in the cells in various groups were detected by Western blotting method,and the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax was calculated.After treated with hUCMSCs-Sup,the hEndoSCs were divided into control group,Ms group,Ms+hUCMSCs-Sup group,and Ms+hUCMSCs-Sup+3-methyladenine(3-MA)group.The survival rates of the cells in various groups were detected by MTT assay;the apoptotic rates of the cells in various groups were detected by flow cytometry;the expression levels of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B-Ⅱ(LC3B-Ⅱ)and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B-I(LC3B-Ⅰ)proteins in the cells in various groups were detected by Western blotting method,and the ratio of LC3B-Ⅱ/LC3B-Ⅰwas calculated;the expression levels of endometrium receptivity marker molecules mRNA in the cells in various groups were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)method.Results:Compared with control group,the survival rates of the cells in 40,60,80,and 100 μmol·L-1 Ms groups were significantly decreased(P<0.05)in a time-dependent and dose-dependent manner.Compared with control group,the apoptotic rates of the cells in 40 and 60 μmol·L-1 Ms groups were significantly increased(P<0.05),and the ratios of Bcl-2/Bax were significantly decreased(P<0.05).After treated with hUCMSCs-Sup,compared with control group,the survival rate of the cells and ratio of LC3B-Ⅱ/LC3B-Ⅰ in the cells in Ms group were significantly decreased(P<0.05),the apoptotic rate was significantly increased(P<0.05),and the expression levels of homeobox A10(HOXA10),leukemia inhibitory factor(LIF),and integrin subunit beta 3(ITGB3)mRNA in the cells were significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with Ms group,the survival rate of the cells and ratio of LC3B-Ⅱ/LC3B-Ⅰin the cells in Ms+hUCMSCs-Sup group were significantly increased(P<0.05),the apoptotic rate was significantly decreased(P<0.05),and the expression levels of HOXA10,LIF,and ITGB3 mRNA in the cells were significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with Ms+hUCMSCs-Sup group,the survival rate of the cells and ratio of LC3B-Ⅱ/LC3B-Ⅰ in the cells in Ms+hUCMSCs-Sup+3-MA group were significantly decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion:hUCMSCs-Sup can increase the survival rate and decrease the apoptotic rate of the hEndoSCs after treated with Ms,and increase the endometrium receptivity,and its mechanism may be associated with the activation of autophagy of the hEndoSCs by hUCMSCs-Sup.

Objective:To discuss the effect of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway inhibitor methyl 3-｛[(4-methyl-phenyl)sulfonyl]amino ｝ benzoate(MS AB)on the fibrogenic response of the human endometrial stromal cells(HESCs),and to provide the foundation for the application of MSAB in the target therapy of intrauteriue adhesion(JUA).Methods:The normal HESCs were cultured in vitro and divided into two groups:control group and transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1)group;the HESCs from the adhesion part of the IUA patients were cultured in vitro,regarded as IUA group.Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of fibrotic marker protein type Ⅰ collagen α1(COL1A1)in the cells in various groups at different time points(0,12,24,48,and 60 h)after treated with TGF-β1.MTT assay was used to detect the proliferation activities of the cells in various groups.Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of the fibrotic marker protein COL1A1,stromal marker proteins such as N-cadherin and α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway-related protein β-catenin in the cells in control and IUA groups.Based on the MSAB concentrations,the normal HESCs were divided into 0(control),0.25,0.50,0.75,and 1.00 μmol·L-1 MSAB groups,and MTT assay was used to detect the survival rates of the cells in various groups.After treated with MSAB,the normal HESCs were divided into control group(normal HESCs),TGF-β1 group(10 μg·L-1 TGF-β1 induced normal HESCs for 24 h then the drug was withdrawn,replaced with complete culture medium,and the cells continued to be cultured for 24 h),and MSAB group(10 μg·L-1 TGF-β1 induced normal HESCs for 24 h then the drug was withdrawn,replaced with a complete medium containing 0.75 μmol·L-1 MSAB and the cells continued to be cultured for 24 h).Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)method was used to detect the expression levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)-related transcription factors Snail,Slug,Smuc,ZEB1,and ZEB2,and COL1A1 mRNA in the cells in various groups.Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of COL1A1,N-cadherin,α-SMA,β-catenin,and c-myc proteins in the cells in various groups.Results:Compared with control group(after treated with TGF-β1 for 0 h),the expression levels of COL1A1 proteins in the HESCs after treated with TGF-β1 for 12,24,48,and 60 h in TGF-β1 group were increased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Compared with control group,there was no significant difference in the proliferation activity of the HESCs in IUA and TGF-β1 groups(P＞0.05).Compared with control group,the expression levels of COL1A1,β-catenin,N-cadherin,and α-SMA proteins in the cells in IUA group were increased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Compared with control group,the survival rates of the cells in 0.75 and 1.00 μmol·L-1 MSAB groups were decreased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Compared with control group,the expression levels of Snail,Slug,and COL1A1 mRNA in the cells in TGF-β1 group were increased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01);compared with TGF-β1 group,the expression levels of Snail,Slug,and COL1A1 mRNA in the cells in MSAB group were decreased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Compared with control group,after treated with TGF-β1 for 24 h,the expression levels of COL1A1,N-cadherin,α-SMA,β-catenin,and c-myc proteins in the cells in TGF-β1 group were increased(P＜0.01);compared with TGF-β1 group,the expression levels of COL1A1,N-cadherin,α-SMA,β-catenin,and c-myc proteins in the cells in MSAB group were decreased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Conclusion:MSAB can inhibit the fibrogenic responses of the HESCs in vitro,and the results provide the theoretical basis for the application of MSAB in the target therapy of IUA.