OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and mechanism of total alkaloids of Corydalis Rhizoma （TAC） on the regulation of cuproptosis in rats with diabetic cardiomyopathy （DCM） based on silence information regulator 1（Sirt1）/tumor protein 53（P53）signaling pathway. METHODS DCM rat model was induced by high-fat and high-sugar diet and intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. Thirty-two model rats were randomly divided into model group， TAC low-dose， medium-dose and high-dose groups （7， 10.5， 14 mg/kg）， with 8 rats in each group. An additional 8 rats were assigned to normal control group. Related drugs or normal saline were administered intragastrically in each group， once a day， for 4 weeks. After the last medication， the fasting blood glucose （FBG） levels of the rats were measured. The levels of myocardial creatine kinase （CK）， creatine kinase isoenzyme （CK-MB）， and lactate dehydrogenase （LDH） in serum and myocardial tissue of rats were all detected. The pathological morphology， fibrosis degree， and Cu2+ deposition of myocardial tissue in rats were observed. The levels of Cu2+ and glutathione （GSH） in myocardial tissue， the expressions of Sirt1/P53 signaling pathway-related proteins [Sirt1， P53， solute carrier family 7 membrane 11 （SLC7A11）]， and iron-sulfur cluster-related proteins [ferredoxin 1 （FDX1）， lipoic acid synthetase （LIAS）， aconitase 2 （ACO2）， NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase core subunit S8 （NDUFS8）， dihydrolipoamide acetyltransferase （DLAT）， dihydrolipoamide succinyltransferase （DLST）]， and heat shock protein 70 （HSP70） were all determined. RESULTS Compared with normal control group， the model group exhibited significantly elevated levels of FBG， CK， CK-MB and LDH in both serum and myocardial tissue， as well as increased 2+ levels of Cu in myocardial tissue and the expression of P53 and HSP70 proteins （P＜0.05）； the level of GSH and the expression levels of Sirt1， SLC7A11， FDX1， LIAS， ACO2， NDUFS8， DLAT， and DLST proteins in myocardial tissue were all significantly decreased （P＜0.05）； the myocardial tissue exhibited severe pathological damage， with numerous inflammatory cell infiltrations and significant fibrosis， as well as increased deposition of Cu2+. Compared with model group， most of the above quantitative indicators in rats were significantly reversed in TAC groups （P＜0.05）； the pathological damage to the myocardial tissue was alleviated， with reduced fibrosis and Cu2+ deposition. CONCLUSIONS TAC can ameliorate DCM in rats， and its mechanism of action may be related to activating the activity of the Sirt1/P53 signaling pathway， promoting the chelation of GSH with Cu2+， and inhibiting cuproptosis of cardiomyocyte.

Objective To investigate the effect and mechnism of betaine(BET)in reversing chemotherapy resistance in prostate cancer(PCa)by inhibiting ATP-binding cassette subfamily B member 1(ABCB1).Methods The PCa chemotherapy-sensitive C4-2B cells were cultured,and the TaxR cells resistant to docetaxel(DTX)were established by gradient increase the concentration of DTX.The drug resistance of C4-2B and TaxR cells against DTX was assessed using CCK-8 and the colony formation experiment.Western blotting and qRT-PCR were used to detect ABCB1 expression.The TaxR cells were divided into:(1)Control group,negative control group(NC),siABCB1-1 group(transfected with siABCB1-1),and siABCB1-2 group(transfected with siABCB1-2).Western blotting was used to detect the effect of small interfering RNA on silencing ABCB1,and CCK-8 was used to detect the differences in DTX resistance between each group.(2)Different concentrations of BET(0,100,200,400,600,800 mmol/L)groups.These groups were subjected to CCK-8 to detect cell viability,and Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression of ABCB1.(3)Control group,DTX group(20 nmol/L DTX),BET group(200 mmol/L BET),and DTX+BET group(20 nmol/L DTX+200 mmol/L BET),flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis rate and cell cycle,and Western blotting to detect the protein expression of apoptosis-related proteins(Bcl2,BAX,c-caspase-3).(4)Control group,BET group(200 mmol/L BET),wortmannin(WM)group(100 μmol/L WM),and BET+WM group(200 mmol/L BET+100 μmol/L WM).Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression of PI3K,Akt,and ABCB1.(5)Control group,BET group(200 mmol/L BET),and BAY group(10 μmol/L BAY),BAY+BET group(200 mmol/L BET+10 μmol/L BAY).Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression of NF-κB p65,p-ikBα and ABCB1.Network pharmacology combined with transcriptome sequencing was used to predict the possible pathways for BET to reverse chemotherapy resistance.Results Compared with C4-2B cells,TaxR cells showed significantly increased resistance to DTX(P<0.01),and high expression of ABCB1(P<0.01).After silencing ABCB1 with siRNA,TaxR cells'resistance to DTX was significantly inhibited(P<0.01).The inhibition rate of TaxR cells treated with 200 mmol/L BET was less than 20%,and it significantly decreased the expression of ABCB1 protein in TaxR cells(P<0.05).Compared with control group,the combination of 200 mmol/L BET and 20 nmol/L DTX resulted in higher apoptosis rate and higher S stage cell ratio,lower expression of Bcl-2 protein and higher expression of BAX and c-caspase-3 proteins than the two drugs used alone(P<0.05).Compared with control group,the combination of 200 mmol/L BET and 100 μmol/L WM significantly down-regulated the protein expression of PI3K,Akt and ABCB1(P<0.01).The combination of 200 mmol/L BET and 10 μmol/L BAY significantly down-regulated the protein expression of NF-κB p65,p-ikBα and ABCB1(P<0.01).Conclusion BET may reverse TaxR cells'chemotherapy resistance by down-regulating ABCB1 expression through the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of knee osteoarthritis(KOA)among military personnel in plateau regions and to explore its risk factors.Methods From July 2023 to July 2024,a multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling method was employed to survey the prevalence of KOA and related risk factors among military personnel in the northwest plateau regions of China,covering different altitudes(1500-4500 m)and geographical areas(Gansu,Qinghai,Tibet,and Xinjiang).All study subjects were divided into KOA and non-KOA groups based on the presence or absence of KOA.Variables including age,gender,body mass index(BMI),education level,smoking status,military rank,military branch,service duration,regional altitude,annual average temperature,training duration,perceived training intensity,and history of knee injury were selected for univariate analyses between groups.Variables with P<0.05 in the univariate analyses were included in the binary multifactor logistic regression to identify risk factors for KOA.Results A total of 3000 questionnaires were distributed,and 2854 valid questionnaires were collected,with a response rate of 95.13%.The sample included 2584 males and 270 females,with 510 cases of KOA,resulting in a prevalence rate of 17.9%.Univariate analysis showed that there were statistically significant differences between KOA and non-KOA groups in terms of age,BMI,smoking status,military rank,military branch,service duration,regional altitude,annual average temperature,training duration,perceived training intensity,and history of knee injury(P<0.05).However,no significant differences were found in gender and education level(P>0.05).Binary multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that older age(OR=1.382,P=0.017),higher BMI(P<0.01),smoking(OR=1.929,P<0.01),higher military rank(OR=1.485,P=0.007),being a member of the Armed Police(P<0.01),longer service duration(P<0.01),higher regional altitude(OR=1.459,P<0.01),lower annual average temperature(OR=1.188,P=0.001),longer training duration(P<0.01),higher perceived training intensity(OR=2.450,P<0.01),and history of knee injury(OR=2.768,P=0.002)were independent risk factors for KOA.Conclusions Older age,overweight/obesity,smoking,higher military rank,being a member of the Armed Police,longer service duration,higher altitude,cold climate,longer training duration,higher training intensity,and history of knee injury are independent risk factors for KOA among military personnel in the northwest plateau regions of China.

Objective To investigate the status of population dynamics and distribution changes of Aedes aegypti in Guangdong Province.Methods Continuous monitoring was conducted from May 2018 to July 2024 in Wushi Town and Qishui Town,Leizhou City,Zhanjiang City,Guangdong Province.Additionally,a survey of the distribution of Ae.aegypti along the Leizhou Peninsula coast was carried out.Results The density of Ae.aegypti in Zhanjiang showed a gradual decline from 2018 to 2024.The last detection of adult Ae.aegypti in Wushi Town was in September 2021,and the last larva was found in October 2023.No Ae.aegypti was detected in Qishui Town during surveys from 2021 to 2024.A survey of 18 coastal villages in the Leizhou Peninsula revealed no detections of Ae.aegypti.Conclusions This study provides a basis for understanding the distribution and population density fluctuations of Ae.aegypti,assessing its invasion risk,and scientifically conducting relevant prevention and control efforts.

AIM To investigate the repair effects of tauroursodeoxycholic acid(TUDCA)combined with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs)transplantation on spinal cord injury(SCI)in rats.METHODS The rats were randomly divided into the sham operation group,the model group,the TUDCA group,the BMSCs transplantation group and the combination therapy of TUDCA and BMSCs transplantation group,with the SCI rat model established by Allen's method.The next day after modeling,the rats of TUDCA and combination therapy groups were given 200 mg/kg TUDCA by gavage.On the 3rd day after modeling,rats in BMSCs transplantation group and combination therapy group were injected with 1 mL tuned bone marrow BMSCs(the 3rd generation,1× 106/mL)via tail vein.Rats in the sham operation group and the model group were given gastric perfusion of normal saline and injection of 1 mL PBS through tail vein.On the 3rd,7th and 14th day after modeling,the rats had their motor function of hind limbs observed and BBB score determined.After the corresponding drug administration,the rats had their movement track of hind limbs recorded by footprint experiment;their the protein expressions of IL-6,IL-10,Arg-1,PI3K and Akt in spinal cord tissue detected by Western blot;their pathological changes of spinal cord tissue observed by HE staining and Nissl staining;and their expressions of MAP2,GAP43 and GFAP detected by immunofluorescence staining.RESULTS Compared with the model group,the groups intervened with TUDCA,or BMSCs transplantation,or combination therapy shared improved hind limb function and spinal cord histomorphology(P＜0.05);increased fluorescence intensity of MAP2 and GAP43,and protein expressions of IL-10,Arg-1,p-PI3K and p-Akt(P＜0.05);decreased fluorescence intensity of GFAP and IL-6 protein expressions(P＜0.05);among which the combination therapy group took the lead(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION The combination therapy of TUDCA and BMSCs transplantation may restore the function of the rat model of SCI by reducing inflammatory reaction,alleviating secondary injury,and promoting axon and myelin regeneration via PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

AIM To compare the effects of Shaoling Formula emulsion versus its decoction on epidermal barrier function in a psoriasis mouse model.METHODS The Shaoling Formula emulsion was prepared by emulsification,whereas the decoction was produced by aqueous extraction.A psoriasis-like mouse model was established by topical application of 5％imiquimod cream(50 mg).The mice were randomly assigned to normal control,model control,Shaoling Formula emulsion group(13.26 g/kg),Shaoling Formula decoction group(13.26 g/kg),blank emulsion group,and positive control group(calcipotriol betamethasone ointment group,2.5 g/kg).After treatment for six consecutive days,the mice had their severity of skin lesions assessed with psoriasis area and severity index(PASI)scoring.Upon the completion of the treatment,the mice had transepidermal water loss(TEWL)and stratum corneum hydration(SCH)determined by the GPSkin Barrier;their histopathological changes in skin lesions observed using HE staining;their levels of TNF-α,IL-6,IL-17A,IL-22,and IL-23 in lesions detected by ELISA;and their Aquaporin 3(AQP3)expression analyzed by Western blot.RESULTS Compared to the model group,both the Shaoling Formula emulsion and positive control group demonstrated significant reductions in PASI scores(P＜0.01)and increased SCH(P＜0.01);decreased serum levels of TNF-α,IL-6,IL-17A,IL-22 and IL-23(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);histopathological improvements including attenuated parakeratosis/hyperkeratosis,reduced acanthosis,diminished dermal inflammatory cell infiltration,and normalized vasodilation;and upregulated AQP3 expression(P＜0.05).The Shaoling Formula decoction group exhibited reduced PASI scores(P＜0.01);and increased SCH(P＜0.05);decreased levels of IL-6,IL-17A,IL-22 and IL-23 in skin lesions(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Notably,the emulsion group exhibited higher AQP3 protein expression than the decoction group(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION Shaoling Formula emulsion outperforms its decoction in restoring epidermal barrier function in psoriatic mice.This superiority is mechanistically linked to enhanced AQP3 protein expression and improved SCH.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism of colon dialysis with Yishen Decoction (YS) in improving the autophagy disorder of intestinal epithelial cells in chronic renal failure (CRF) in vivo and in vitro. METHODS: Thirty male SD rats were randomly divided into normal, CRF, and colonic dialysis with YS groups by a random number table method (n=10). The CRF model was established by orally gavage of adenine 200 mg/(kg•d) for 4 weeks. CRF rats in the YS group were treated with colonic dialysis using YS 20 g/(kg•d) for 14 consecutive days. The serum creatinine (SCr) and urea nitrogen (BUN) levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Pathological changes of kidney and colon tissues were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Autophagosome changes in colonic epithelial cells was observed with electron microscopy. In vitro experiments, human colon cancer epithelial cells (T84) were cultured and divided into normal, urea model (74U), YS colon dialysis, autophagy activator rapamycin (Ra), autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA), and SIRT1 activator resveratrol (Re) groups. RT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expressions of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), Claudin-1, silent information regulator sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), LC3, and Beclin-1 both in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: Colonic dialysis with YS decreased SCr and BUN levels in CRF rats (P<0.05), and alleviated the pathological changes of renal and colon tissues. Expressions of SIRT1, ZO-1, Claudin-1, Beclin-1, and LC3II/I were increased in the YS group compared with the CRF group in vivo (P<0.05). In in vitro study, compared with normal group, the expressions of SIRT1, ZO-1, and Claudin-1 were decreased, and expressions of Beclin-1, and LC3II/I were increased in the 74U group (P<0.05). Compared with the 74U group, expressions of SIRT1, ZO-1, and Claudin-1 were increased, whereas Beclin-1, and LC3II/I were decreased in the YS group (P<0.05). The treatment of 3-MA and rapamycin regulated autophagy and the expression of SIRT1. SIRT1 activator intervention up-regulated autophagy as well as the expressions of ZO-1 and Claudin-1 compared with the 74U group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Colonic dialysis with YS could improve autophagy disorder and repair CRF intestinal mucosal barrier injury by regulating SIRT1 expression in intestinal epithelial cells.
Animals ; Sirtuin 1/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Autophagy/drug effects* ; Male ; Intestinal Mucosa/drug effects* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Epithelial Cells/metabolism* ; Colon/drug effects* ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic/drug therapy* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Renal Dialysis ; Rats ; Kidney/drug effects*

OBJECTIVE: Several epidemiological observational studies have related particulate matter (PM) exposure to Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but many confounding factors make it difficult to draw causal links from observational studies. The objective of this study was to explore the causal association between PM _2.5 exposure, its absorbance, and IBD. METHODS: We assessed the association of PM _2.5 and PM _2.5 absorbance with the two primary forms of IBD (Crohn's disease [CD] and ulcerative colitis [UC]) using Mendelian randomization (MR) to explore the causal relationship. We conducted two-sample MR analyses with aggregated data from the UK Biobank genome-wide association study. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms linked with PM _2.5 concentrations or their absorbance were used as instrumental variables (IVs). We used inverse variance weighting (IVW) as the primary analytical approach and four other standard methods as supplementary analyses for quality control. RESULTS: The results of MR demonstrated that PM _2.5 had an adverse influence on UC risk (odds ratio [ OR] = 1.010; 95% confidence interval [ CI] = 1.001-1.019, P = 0.020). Meanwhile, the results of IVW showed that PM _2.5 absorbance was also causally associated with UC ( OR = 1.012; 95% CI = 1.004-1.019, P = 0.002). We observed no causal relationship between PM _2.5, PM _2.5 absorbance, and CD. The results of sensitivity analysis indicated the absence of heterogeneity or pleiotropy, ensuring the reliability of MR results. CONCLUSION Based on two-sample MR analyses, there are potential positive causal relationships between PM _2.5, PM _2.5 absorbance, and UC.
Humans ; Mendelian Randomization Analysis ; Particulate Matter/analysis* ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/genetics* ; Air Pollutants/analysis* ; Crohn Disease/genetics* ; Colitis, Ulcerative/genetics* ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Risk Factors ; Environmental Exposure

OBJECTIVE: Blood culture remains the gold standard for diagnosing bloodstream infections. Clinical laboratories must ensure the quality of blood culture processes from receipt to obtaining definitive results. We examined laboratory analytical indicators associated with positive blood culture results. METHODS: Blood cultures collected from Peking Union Medical College Hospital between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2022, were retrospectively analyzed. The mode of transportation (piping logistics delivery vs. staff), source of blood cultures (outpatient/emergency department vs. inpatient department), rotation of personnel, and time of reception (8:00-19:59 vs. 20:00-07:59) were compared between blood culture-positive and -negative results. RESULTS: Between 2020 and 2022, the total positive rate of blood culture was 8.07%. The positive rate of blood cultures in the outpatient/emergency department was significantly higher than that in the inpatient department (12.46% vs. 5.83%; P < 0.0001). The time-to-detection of blood cultures was significantly affected by the delivery mode and personnel rotation. The blood culture positive rate of the total pre-analytical time within 1 h was significantly higher than that within 1-2 h or > 2 h ( P < 0.0170). CONCLUSION Laboratory analytical indicators such as patient source, transportation mode, and personnel rotation significantly impacted the positive detection rate or time of blood culture.
Blood Culture/statistics & numerical data* ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Emergency Service, Hospital/statistics & numerical data*

A scoping review was performed to systematically search and summarize the clinical research in the treatment of dysmenorrhea with oral Chinese patent medicines. The oral Chinese patent medicines for treating dysmenorrhea in three major drug lists, guidelines, and textbooks were screened, and the relevant clinical trials were retrieved from eight Chinese and English databases. The key information of the included trials was extracted and visually analyzed. A total of 50 Chinese patent medicines were included, among which oral Chinese patent medicines for the dysmenorrhea patients with the syndrome of Qi stagnation and blood stasis accounted for the highest proportion, and the average daily cost varied greatly among Chinese patent medicines. A total of 150 articles were included, involving 22 Chinese patent medicines, among which Guizhi Fuling Capsules/Pills, Sanjie Zhentong Capsules, and Dan'e Fukang Soft Extract were the most frequently studied. These articles mainly reported randomized controlled trial(RCT), which mainly focused on the comparison of the intervention effect between Chinese patent medicines combined with western medicine and western medicine alone, and the sample size was generally 51-100 cases. The high-frequency outcome indicators belonged to nine domains such as effective rate, adverse reactions, and laboratory examinations. This study showed that oral Chinese patent medicines had advantages in the treatment of dysmenorrhea, and the annual number of related clinical trials showed an overall growing trend. However, there were still problems such as insufficient safety information and vague description of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) syndromes types in the instructions of Chinese patent medicines. The available clinical research had shortcomings such as uneven distribution of Chinese patent medicines, limited research scale, poor methodological rigor, and insufficient standardization of outcome indicators. In the future, it is necessary to deepen the development of high-quality clinical research and improve the contents of the instructions to ensure the effectiveness and safety of the clinical application of oral Chinese patent medicines in the treatment of dysmenorrhea.
Dysmenorrhea/drug therapy* ; Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Female ; Administration, Oral ; Nonprescription Drugs/administration & dosage*