OBJECTIVE: To explore the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of Dendrobium officinale (Tiepi Shihu) extract (DOE) on insomnia. METHODS: Forty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (n=7 per group): normal control, model control, melatonin (MT, 40 mg/kg), and 3-dose DOE (0.25, 0.50, and 1.00 g/kg) groups. Rats were raised in a strong-light (10,000 LUX) and -noise (>80 db) environment (12 h/d) for 16 weeks to induce insomnia, and from week 10 to week 16, MT and DOE were correspondingly administered to rats. The behavior tests including sodium pentobarbital-induced sleep experiment, sucrose preference test, and autonomous activity test were used to evaluate changes in sleep and emotions of rats. The metabolic-related indicators such as blood pressure, blood viscosity, blood glucose, and uric acid in rats were measured. The pathological changes in the cornu ammonis 1 (CA1) region of rat brain were evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin staining and Nissl staining. Additionally, the sleep-related factors gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamate (GA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Finally, we screened potential sleep-improving receptors of DOE using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) array and validated the results with quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: DOE significantly improved rats' sleep and mood, increased the sodium pentobarbital-induced sleep time and sucrose preference index, and reduced autonomic activity times (P<0.05 or P<0.01). DOE also had a good effect on metabolic abnormalities, significantly reducing triglyceride, blood glucose, blood pressure, and blood viscosity indicators (P<0.05 or P<0.01). DOE significantly increased the GABA content in hippocampus and reduced the GA/GABA ratio and IL-6 level (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In addition, DOE improved the pathological changes such as the disorder of cell arrangement in the hippocampus and the decrease of Nissel bodies. Seven differential genes were screened by PCR array, and the GABA_A receptors (Gabra5, Gabra6, Gabrq) were selected for verification. The results showed that DOE could up-regulate their expressions (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION DOE demonstrated remarkable potential for improving insomnia, which may be through regulating GABA_A receptors expressions and GA/GABA ratio.
Animals ; Dendrobium/chemistry* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Male ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/blood* ; Plant Extracts/therapeutic use* ; Receptors, GABA-A/metabolism* ; Noise/adverse effects* ; Light/adverse effects* ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/metabolism* ; Sleep/drug effects* ; Rats ; Receptors, GABA/metabolism*

Objective:To investigate the association between serum ferritin levels, erythrocyte parameters, and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus.Methods:A total of 11 408 subjects aged 40 to 70 years who underwent physical examinations at a hospital in Qingdao from 2014 to 2015 were enrolled in the study. Data were collected through questionnaires, physical examinations, and assessments of blood biochemical indices, serum ferritin, and related erythrocyte parameters. A multivariate logistic regression model was employed to analyze the relationship of serum ferritin and red cell parameters with type 2 diabetes mellitus, while a linear regression model was utilized to examine the association between serum ferritin, red cell parameters and fasting blood glucose levels.Results:The median ( Q1, Q3) age of the subjects was 51 (45, 58) years, with 55.3% (6 305) being male. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes in women was 5.9% (300/5 103), which was lower than that in men [13.0% (817/6 305)] ( P<0.001).After adjusting for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, alcohol consumption, and family history of diabetes, serum ferritin levels were found to be positively associated with both type 2 diabetes and fasting blood glucose levels, with OR (95% CI) and β(95% CI) values of 1.70 (1.37, 2.11) and 0.002 (0.002, 0.003), respectively. Additionally, hemoglobin, red blood cell count, and hematocrit were positively correlated with type 2 diabetes and fasting blood glucose, with OR (95% CI) values of 1.72 (1.32, 2.24), 1.91 (1.51, 2.41), and 1.52 (1.17, 1.97), and β (95% CI) values of 0.008 (0.006, 0.011), 0.365 (0.286, 0.445), and 2.543 (1.564, 3.521), respectively. Conversely, mean erythrocyte volume was negatively associated with type 2 diabetes and fasting blood glucose, with OR (95% CI) and β (95% CI) values of 0.54 (0.45, 0.66) and -0.017 (-0.023, -0.011), respectively (all P values<0.001). Conclusion:The findings indicate that serum ferritin and related erythrocyte parameters are significantly correlated with the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus and fasting blood glucose levels.

Objective:To explore the value of ultrasound imaging characteristics combined with clinical indicators in assessing the prognosis of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted for patients who underwent pancreatic contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) from September 2017 to October 2023 at Peking Union Medical College Hospital and were diagnosed with PDAC based on pathological findings. Various parameters were recorded, including CA19-9 levels, tumor size, location, morphologic features, echogenicity, presence of internal cystic components, dilatation of the main pancreatic duct, peripheral vascular invasion, CEUS characteristics, presence or absence of liver metastasis, and treatment methods. In April 2024, patient survival information was obtained through telephone follow-up or review of medical records. Based on the results of the cox regression model analysis, a nomogram model of the risk of death was developed. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were applied to evaluate the predictive efficacy of the model. The calibration curves were plotted to evaluate the accuracy of the model, and clinical decision curves were used to evaluate the clinical benefit of the model.Results:This study included a total of 207 patients with PDAC. As of April 2024, 71 patients were alive and 136 died, with a median survival time of 14 months (95% CI: 12 -17). Multivariate analysis confirmed that the elevated CA19-9 ( HR=1.689, 95% CI: 1.102-2.588), tumor size >4 cm ( HR=1.641, 95% CI: 1.159-2.322), taller-than-wide shapes ( HR=1.450, 95% CI: 1.019-2.065), incomplete hypo-enhancement ( HR=1.618, 95% CI: 1.100-2.380), and liver metastasis ( HR=1.687, 95% CI: 1.175-2.423) were independent risk factors for survival in patients with PDAC. A nomogram model was further constructed for 6-month, 12-month and 3-year survival of patients with PDAC. The areas under the ROC curve were 0.679, 0.705 and 0.815, respectively. The calibration curves suggested that the model was more accurate, and the clinical decision curves showed that the model had a better clinical benefit. Conclusion:The combined use of ultrasound imaging characteristics and clinical indicators could effectively predict the prognosis of PDAC patients. Specifically, tumor size >4 cm, taller-than-wide shapes, incomplete hypo-enhancement, elevated CA19-9, and the presence of liver metastasis are correlated with poorer survival outcomes. The nomogram model constructed on the basis of these factors can be used to assess the survival of patients with PDAC.

Pancreatic cancer has a concealed onset and poor prognosis,and surgical resection is the main treatment method.Neoadjuvant therapy may improve the rate of negative resection margin and prolong overall survival of patients with pancreatic cancer.Functional and quantitative imaging can non-invasively reflect tumor microenvironment characteristics related to chemotherapy resistance,providing a new perspective for evaluating and predicting the efficacy of neoadjuvant therapy for pancreatic cancer.The research progresses in functional and quantitative imaging for evaluating and predicting the efficacy of neoadjuvant therapy of pancreatic cancer were reviewed in this article.

A 20-year-old male patient presented to the Department of Dermatology of Peking Union Medical College Hospital with complaints of an 8-year history of facial scarring, swelling of the lower limbs, and a 4-year history of scalp thickening. Physical examination showed thickening furrowing wrinkling of the skin on the face and behind the ears, ciliary body hirsutism, blepharoptosis, and cutis verticis gyrate. Both lower limbs were swollen, especially the knees and ankles. The skin of the palms and soles of the feet was keratinized and thickened. Laboratory examination using bone and joint X-ray showed periostosis of the proximal middle phalanges and metacarpals of both hands, distal ulna and radius, tibia and fibula, distal femurs, and metatarsals.Genetic testing revealed two variants in SLCO2A1, c.1658T > A and c.96+4A > C.Through multidisciplinary consultation, we confirmed the diagnosis of pachydermoperiostosis.

Objective To observe the ultrasonic manifestations of aggressive angiomyxoma(AAM).Methods Four patients with newly diagnosed AAM and 3 with recurrent AAM confirmed by pathology were retrospectively enrolled,and the ultrasonic manifestations were analyzed.Results Among 7 cases of AAM,the lesions located in subcutaneous regions of perineum in 3 cases,in both perineum and pelvic cavity in 2 cases,in pelvic cavity and in cervix each 1 case,with a median maximum diameter of 7.6 cm.The lesions mainly manifested as heterogeneous hypoechoic,scattered cord-like moderate/moderate-hyperechoic inside,regular or lobulated shape with finger-like protrusions,with clear boundary or unclear boundary with adjacent vagina/rectum.Layered structure could be observed with gray-scale ultrasound and CDFI.Conclusion AAM mainly affected pelvis and perineal region,often manifested as large lesion tended to infiltrate surrounding areas and form finger-like protrusions,most with clear boundaries and interior heterogeneous hypoechoic regions,also the characteristic stratified structures.

Objective To elucidate the regulatory role and the underlying molecular mechanisms of serine/threonine protein kinase 1(AKT1)in the lens epithelium of patients with age-related cataract(ARC).Methods 1)Differentially expressed genes in ARC were screened using bioinformatics analysis(Genecard and GEO database GSE213546),and key genes were identified through functional enrichment analysis(KEGG and GO).2)An oxidative stress model of lens epithelial cells was established by treating HLE-B3 cells with 200 μmol/L H2O2 for 24 h.RT-qPCR and Western blot were performed to assess AKT1 gene and protein expression changes.3)Model cells were randomly divided into a si-NC group transfected with si-NC plasmids and 3 parallel si-AKT1 groups transfected with 3 types of si-AKT1 plasmids.A control+si-NC group was also set up,in which HLE-B3 cells not treated with H2O2 were transfected with si-NC empty plasmids.The AKT1 gene and protein expression levels in the si-NC and si-AKT1 groups were determined by RT-qPCR and Western blot.Two si-AKT1 parallel groups demonstrating the most significant changes in expression levels were selected for further experiments.The protein expression levels of AMPK and phosphorylated AMPK(p-AMPK)in the si-NC group,the two selected si-AKT1 parallel groups,and the control+si-NC group were determined by Western blot.A si-AKT1 parallel group demonstrating significant changes in p-AMPK/AMPK values was selected and treated with Acadesine(AICAR),an AMPK agonist,to verify the role of the AMPK pathway.Western blot was performed to determine Bcl-2 and Bax protein levels in the si-NC group,the control+si-NC group,and the si-AKT1 group before and after the administration of AICAR.Flow cytometry was performed to measure apoptosis and reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels,while ELISA kits were used to assess the levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD),malondialdehyde(MDA),and reduced glutathione(GSH).Results 1)Through bioinformatics analysis,78 differentially expressed genes were identified,with AKT1 significantly upregulated in ARC samples(P<0.05)and enriched in the AMPK pathway.2)Compared with cells not treated with H2O2,AKT1 mRNA and protein expression increased in the oxidative stress model cells.3)The p-AMPK/AMPK ratio was higher in the si-NC group than that in the control+si-NC group.In contrast,AKT1 knockdown suppressed AMPK pathway activity,with all the si-AKT1 groups showing a significantly decreased p-AMPK/AMPK ratio compared to that of the si-NC group(P<0.05).Compared with the control+si-NC group,the si-NC group exhibited elevated ROS and MDA levels,increased apoptosis rate,reduced SOD and GSH levels,downregulated Bcl-2,and upregulated Bax(all P<0.05).Compared to those in the si-NC group,these indicators were improved in the si-AKT1 group(all P<0.05).However,compared with the findings before AICAR treatment,these effects were antagonized after AICAR treatment in the si-AKT1 group(all P<0.05).Conclusion The oxidative stress-related gene AKT1 may be a key pathogenic factor in cataract,and AKT1 induces oxidative stress and apoptosis in lens epithelial cells by modulating AMPK pathway activity.

Pancreatic cancer has a concealed onset and poor prognosis,and surgical resection is the main treatment method.Neoadjuvant therapy may improve the rate of negative resection margin and prolong overall survival of patients with pancreatic cancer.Functional and quantitative imaging can non-invasively reflect tumor microenvironment characteristics related to chemotherapy resistance,providing a new perspective for evaluating and predicting the efficacy of neoadjuvant therapy for pancreatic cancer.The research progresses in functional and quantitative imaging for evaluating and predicting the efficacy of neoadjuvant therapy of pancreatic cancer were reviewed in this article.

Objective:To explore the value of ultrasound imaging characteristics combined with clinical indicators in assessing the prognosis of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted for patients who underwent pancreatic contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) from September 2017 to October 2023 at Peking Union Medical College Hospital and were diagnosed with PDAC based on pathological findings. Various parameters were recorded, including CA19-9 levels, tumor size, location, morphologic features, echogenicity, presence of internal cystic components, dilatation of the main pancreatic duct, peripheral vascular invasion, CEUS characteristics, presence or absence of liver metastasis, and treatment methods. In April 2024, patient survival information was obtained through telephone follow-up or review of medical records. Based on the results of the cox regression model analysis, a nomogram model of the risk of death was developed. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were applied to evaluate the predictive efficacy of the model. The calibration curves were plotted to evaluate the accuracy of the model, and clinical decision curves were used to evaluate the clinical benefit of the model.Results:This study included a total of 207 patients with PDAC. As of April 2024, 71 patients were alive and 136 died, with a median survival time of 14 months (95% CI: 12 -17). Multivariate analysis confirmed that the elevated CA19-9 ( HR=1.689, 95% CI: 1.102-2.588), tumor size >4 cm ( HR=1.641, 95% CI: 1.159-2.322), taller-than-wide shapes ( HR=1.450, 95% CI: 1.019-2.065), incomplete hypo-enhancement ( HR=1.618, 95% CI: 1.100-2.380), and liver metastasis ( HR=1.687, 95% CI: 1.175-2.423) were independent risk factors for survival in patients with PDAC. A nomogram model was further constructed for 6-month, 12-month and 3-year survival of patients with PDAC. The areas under the ROC curve were 0.679, 0.705 and 0.815, respectively. The calibration curves suggested that the model was more accurate, and the clinical decision curves showed that the model had a better clinical benefit. Conclusion:The combined use of ultrasound imaging characteristics and clinical indicators could effectively predict the prognosis of PDAC patients. Specifically, tumor size >4 cm, taller-than-wide shapes, incomplete hypo-enhancement, elevated CA19-9, and the presence of liver metastasis are correlated with poorer survival outcomes. The nomogram model constructed on the basis of these factors can be used to assess the survival of patients with PDAC.

Objective To observe the ultrasonic manifestations of aggressive angiomyxoma(AAM).Methods Four patients with newly diagnosed AAM and 3 with recurrent AAM confirmed by pathology were retrospectively enrolled,and the ultrasonic manifestations were analyzed.Results Among 7 cases of AAM,the lesions located in subcutaneous regions of perineum in 3 cases,in both perineum and pelvic cavity in 2 cases,in pelvic cavity and in cervix each 1 case,with a median maximum diameter of 7.6 cm.The lesions mainly manifested as heterogeneous hypoechoic,scattered cord-like moderate/moderate-hyperechoic inside,regular or lobulated shape with finger-like protrusions,with clear boundary or unclear boundary with adjacent vagina/rectum.Layered structure could be observed with gray-scale ultrasound and CDFI.Conclusion AAM mainly affected pelvis and perineal region,often manifested as large lesion tended to infiltrate surrounding areas and form finger-like protrusions,most with clear boundaries and interior heterogeneous hypoechoic regions,also the characteristic stratified structures.