ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanisms by which Mahuang Lianqiao Chixiaodoutang （MLC） improves obesity-type polycystic ovary syndrome （PCOS） through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt） signaling pathway. MethodsThirty-six female Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly divided into a blank control group （Con） and an obesity-type PCOS model preparation group. The model was induced by gavage with letrozole （1 mg·kg^-1） combined with a high-fat diet （HFD）. After model establishment， the obesity-type PCOS model preparation group was further divided into the model group （Mod， normal saline）， metformin group （Met， 0.3 g·kg^-1）， low-dose MLC group （MLC-L， 4.3 g·kg^-1）， medium-dose MLC group （MLC-M， 8.6 g·kg^-1）， and high-dose MLC group （MLC-H， 17.2 g·kg^-1）. Active components of MLC and targets of obesity-type PCOS were screened from databases， a protein-protein interaction （PPI） network was constructed， and gene ontology（GO）and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） pathway enrichment analysis was performed. The gut microbiota structure was analyzed based on 16S rRNA sequencing and correlated with network pharmacology pathways. Body weight and estrous cycle were dynamically monitored. Ovarian morphology was observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Cell apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling （TUNEL）. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect levels of follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH）， luteinizing hormone （LH）， anti-Müllerian hormone （AMH）， testosterone （T）， and estradiol （E₂）. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of phosphorylated PI3K/PI3K （p-PI3K/PI3K）， phosphorylated Akt/Akt （p-Akt/Akt）， B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， and Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax）. ResultsNetwork pharmacology screening identified 124 active components of MLC and 408 overlapping targets between the herbal formula and the disease. Core targets such as Akt1 and Bcl-2 were revealed. As indicated by 16S rRNA sequencing， the abundances of Lachnospiraceae， Lachnoclostridium， and Dorea were increased in the MLC groups （P<0.05）， while the abundance of Veillonella was decreased （P<0.05）. KEGG correlation analysis integrating network pharmacology and gut microbiota data showed significant enrichment of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Animal experiments showed that， compared with the Mod group， body weight decreased to normal levels in the Met， MLC-M， and MLC-H groups. The estrous cycle became regular. The number of corpora lutea increased and cystic follicles decreased. Serum levels of T， FSH， and LH/FSH were reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while the E₂ level was increased （P<0.01）. Ovarian cell apoptosis was reduced （P<0.01）， and the protein expression levels of p-PI3K/PI3K， p-Akt/Akt， and Bcl-2 in ovarian tissue were significantly increased， whereas Bax protein expression was significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionMLC can regulate gut microbiota structure， effectively improve ovarian pathology in rats with obesity-type PCOS， and inhibit ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis. The mechanism may be associated with upregulation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanisms by which Mahuang Lianqiao Chixiaodoutang （MLC） improves obesity-type polycystic ovary syndrome （PCOS） through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt） signaling pathway. MethodsThirty-six female Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly divided into a blank control group （Con） and an obesity-type PCOS model preparation group. The model was induced by gavage with letrozole （1 mg·kg^-1） combined with a high-fat diet （HFD）. After model establishment， the obesity-type PCOS model preparation group was further divided into the model group （Mod， normal saline）， metformin group （Met， 0.3 g·kg^-1）， low-dose MLC group （MLC-L， 4.3 g·kg^-1）， medium-dose MLC group （MLC-M， 8.6 g·kg^-1）， and high-dose MLC group （MLC-H， 17.2 g·kg^-1）. Active components of MLC and targets of obesity-type PCOS were screened from databases， a protein-protein interaction （PPI） network was constructed， and gene ontology（GO）and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） pathway enrichment analysis was performed. The gut microbiota structure was analyzed based on 16S rRNA sequencing and correlated with network pharmacology pathways. Body weight and estrous cycle were dynamically monitored. Ovarian morphology was observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Cell apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling （TUNEL）. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect levels of follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH）， luteinizing hormone （LH）， anti-Müllerian hormone （AMH）， testosterone （T）， and estradiol （E₂）. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of phosphorylated PI3K/PI3K （p-PI3K/PI3K）， phosphorylated Akt/Akt （p-Akt/Akt）， B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， and Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax）. ResultsNetwork pharmacology screening identified 124 active components of MLC and 408 overlapping targets between the herbal formula and the disease. Core targets such as Akt1 and Bcl-2 were revealed. As indicated by 16S rRNA sequencing， the abundances of Lachnospiraceae， Lachnoclostridium， and Dorea were increased in the MLC groups （P<0.05）， while the abundance of Veillonella was decreased （P<0.05）. KEGG correlation analysis integrating network pharmacology and gut microbiota data showed significant enrichment of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Animal experiments showed that， compared with the Mod group， body weight decreased to normal levels in the Met， MLC-M， and MLC-H groups. The estrous cycle became regular. The number of corpora lutea increased and cystic follicles decreased. Serum levels of T， FSH， and LH/FSH were reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while the E₂ level was increased （P<0.01）. Ovarian cell apoptosis was reduced （P<0.01）， and the protein expression levels of p-PI3K/PI3K， p-Akt/Akt， and Bcl-2 in ovarian tissue were significantly increased， whereas Bax protein expression was significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionMLC can regulate gut microbiota structure， effectively improve ovarian pathology in rats with obesity-type PCOS， and inhibit ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis. The mechanism may be associated with upregulation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Objective To explore the construction idea and application method of knowledge base and knowledge mining system for the prevention and treatment of diseases in traditional Chinese medicine.Methods Guided by the theory of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),firstly,the knowledge system of TCM Prevention and treatment was sorted out,and the structure and relationship of TCM Prevention and treatment knowledge base were designed according to the classification method of TCM Prevention and treatment;Secondly,according to the needs of pre treatment research,the ancient and modern literature data sources and knowledge collection methods of TCM pre treatment database are proposed;Then,under the framework of the pre treatment classification system,the core knowledge is studied in the aspects of professional annotation,relationship extraction,knowledge audit,and a variety of data mining algorithms are introduced to analyze and mine the knowledge;Finally,the massive data obtained are combined with big data analysis and computer machine learning to realize intelligent information collection,disease analysis and diagnosis and treatment suggestions.Results Under the guidance of traditional Chinese medicine theory,the knowledge base of traditional Chinese medicine for prevention and treatment of diseases can digitize,digitize and intellectualize the basic knowledge and clinical knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine for prevention and treatment of diseases,and can objectively mine and analyze the data,providing a basis for the service and sharing of knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine for prevention and treatment of diseases.Conclusion The knowledge base of TCM Prevention and treatment is an important way for the digital storage of TCM Prevention and treatment knowledge,and provides literature knowledge support and objective evidence of data mining for TCM Prevention and treatment research.

Objective To make an epidemiological investigation on traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)dampness syndrome manifestations in the population at risk of cerebrovascular diseases in Guangdong area.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted to analyze the clinical data related to the risk of cerebrovascular diseases in 330 Guangdong permanent residents.The diagnosis of dampness syndrome,quantitative scoring of dampness syndrome and rating of the risk of stroke were performed for the investigation of the distribution pattern of dampness syndrome and its influencing factors.Results(1)A total of 306(92.73%)study subjects were diagnosed as dampness syndrome.The percentage of dampness syndrome in the risk group was 93.82%(258/275),which was slightly higher than that of the healthy group(48/55,87.27%),but the difference was not statistically significant(χ2 = 2.91,P = 0.112).The quantitative score of dampness syndrome in the risk group was higher than that of the healthy group,and the difference was statistically significance(Z =-2.24,P = 0.025).(2)Among the study subjects at risk of cerebrovascular disease,evaluation time(χ2 = 26.11,P = 0.001),stroke risk grading(χ2= 8.85,P = 0.031),and history of stroke or transient ischemic attack(TIA)(χ2 = 9.28,P = 0.015)were the factors influencing the grading of dampness syndrome in the population at risk of cerebrovascular disease.Conclusion Dampness syndrome is the common TCM syndrome in the population of Guangdong area.The manifestations of dampness syndrome are more obvious in the population with risk factors of cerebrovascular disease,especially in the population at high risk of stroke,and in the population with a history of stroke or TIA.The assessment and intervention of dampness syndrome should be taken into account for future project of stroke prevention in Guangdong.

AIM: To explore the clinical efficacy of different anti-vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)drugs in the treatment of diabetic macular edema(DME), and analyze their relationship with optical coherence tomography(OCT)classification.METHODS: A total of 45 DME patients treated with ranibizumab(admitted to our hospital from February 2020 to February 2022)were selected as the ranibizumab group, and 45 DME patients treated with conbercept during the same period were selected as the conbercept group. The ranibizumab group was treated with retinal photocoagulation combined with ranibizumab, and the conbercept group was treated with retinal photocoagulation combined with conbercept. The improvement of symptoms(improvement time of macular edema, time of retinal thickness returning to normal, disappearance time of neovascularization and absorption time of fundus hemorrhage), levels of serum interleukin-6(IL-6)and VEGF, central macular thickness(CMT), best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), and complications were compared between the two groups, and the relationship between their clinical efficacy and different OCT types were analyzed.RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the improvement time of macular edema, time of retinal thickness returning to normal, disappearance time of neovascularization and absorption time of fundus hemorrhage between the two groups(P>0.05); After treatment, the values of IL-6, VEGF and BCVA in the two groups were significantly lower than those before treatment(P<0.01), but there was no significant difference between the two groups(P>0.05); compared with before treatment, CMT was significantly decreased in both groups after treatment(P<0.05), and compared with ranibizumab group, the CMT was significantly decreased in the conbercept group(P<0.01); there was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between two groups(P>0.05); there were significant differences in the total effective rate among patients with serous retinal detachment(SRD), cystoid macular edema(CME)and diffuse retinal thickening(DRT; P<0.05), among which DRT had the highest total effective rate and SRD had the lowest total effective rate.CONCLUSION: Both conbercept and ranibizumab in the treatment of DME can effectively improve the clinical symptoms of patients and reduce the inflammatory response, but conbercept can better reduce the level of CMT, and has better treatment effect on DRT-type DME patients.

AIM: To explore the relationship between the changes of serum circFTO and microRNA-141-3p(miR-141-3p)levels and the different disease stages of diabetes retinopathy.METHODS: A total of 198 patients with type 2 diabetes admitted to our hospital from October 2019 to November 2022 were collected as the study subjects, the patients were grouped into non diabetes retinopathy(NDR)group(70 cases), non proliferative diabetes retinopathy(NPDR)group(66 cases)and proliferative diabetes retinopathy(PDR)group(62 cases)according to different stages; meantime, 67 volunteers with normal physical examination results were collected as the control group. The levels of serum circFTO and miR-141-3p were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR(qRT-PCR); Pearson correlation analysis was used to examine the correlation between the serum circFTO, miR-141-3p and various indicators in patients with diabetes retinopathy; multivariate Logistic regression analysis was applied to explore the influencing factors of diabetes retinopathy.RESULTS: CircFTO, systolic blood pressure(SBP), and diastolic blood pressure(DBP)in PDR group were higher than those in control group, NDR group and NPDR group, while miR-141-3p and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)were lower than those in control group, NDR group and NPDR group(P<0.05). Fasting blood glucose(FPG)and glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1c)in NDR group, NPDR group and PDR group were higher than those in the control group(all P<0.05). The course of disease in PDR group was longer than that in NDR group and NPDR group(P<0.05). Serum circFTO in patients with diabetes retinopathy was positively correlated with SBP, DBP, FPG, HbA1c, and miR-141-3p was negatively correlated with SBP, DBP, FPG, HbA1c(all P<0.05). CircFTO was a risk factor for diabetes retinopathy, and miR-141-3p was a protective factor for diabetes retinopathy(P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Serum circFTO is obviously increased and miR-141-3p is obviously decreased in patients with diabetes retinopathy, both of them are closely related to disease stage, and are expected to become important indicators for evaluating disease progress.

Objective To observe the electromyography characteristics of children's handwriting with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD),and explore its electrophysiological mechanism,so as to provide an objective basis for developing non-pharmacological treatment for such children.Methods Between September 2021 and April 2022,29 ADHD children were recruited from an ordinary public primary school and the psychiatric clinic of a class-3 grade-A hospital in Beijing.Among them,25 were boys and 4 were girls,with an average age of 8.21±1.78 years.Meanwhile,23 male and 5 fe-male healthy counterparts were selected with the age gap no more than 6 months.The Delsys wireless surface EMG system was used to collect the electromyographic signals of the abductor pollicis breve,the first dorsal interosseous muscle,the flexor radial carpi motor and the extensor finger muscles dur-ing their writing tasks such as tracing trajectories,writing Arabic numerals 0-9,26 small and capital English letters,Chinese characters one to ten and"Yong".The percentage of the averaged electromyog-raphy(AEMG)of a muscle in the sum value of all measured muscles,and the coefficient of differ-ence were selected to evaluate the muscle contribution rate and the consistency of exertion,respective-ly.Moreover,the independent sample t-test was employed to compare the two different groups with the significance set at α=0.05.Results There was a significant difference in the muscle contribution of abductor pollicis breve and first dorsal interosseous muscles when writing Arabic numerals and that of abductor pollicis breve muscles when writing Chinese characters between ADHD children(27.29%,25.58%and 27.53%)and their healthy counterparts(42.87%,19.96%and 37.13%)(P<0.05).Most muscle differentiation coefficients of ADHD children were higher than 100%,with that of the domi-nant hand radial wrist flexor muscle reaching 270%in the trajectory tracing task.Conclusion Accord-ing to the characteristics of EMG signals,school-age ADHD children show an immature writing pat-tern,including poor stability of writing-related muscles,insufficient control of small finger muscle groups,poor control of hand coordination,and insufficient muscle inhibition of non-dominant hand.It is recommended to conduct the electromyoelectric assessment of handwriting movements in ADHD chil-dren,so as to carry out targeted intervention at an early stage.

OBJECTIVES: Electroacupuncture can enhance autophagic flow, promote neuronal regeneration, axonal and myelin remodeling to achieve the protection of spinal cord injury, but its role in neurogenic urine retention is not completely clear. This study aims to investigate whether the mechanism of electroacupuncture in the treatment of neurogenic urine retention is through autophagy mediated by adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. METHODS: A rat model of neurogenic urine retention after sacral spinal cord injury was established. The rats with successful model were randomly divided into a model group, an electroacupuncture group (electro-acupuncture for Ciliao, Zhongji, and Sanyinjiao by electronic stimulation, once a day, 20 min each time for 7 days), and an electroacupuncture+AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) inhibitor group (on the basis of the treatment of electroacupuncture group, 100 μg of AMPK inhibitor compound C was injected intramuscularly around the L_2-3 intervertebral space on the 1st and 4th day). The normal group did not receive any treatment. The maximum bladder volume, bladder basal pressure, leak point pressure, and bladder compliance were recorded by multi-channel physiological recorder; the morphology of bladder tissue was observed by HE staining; autophagy was observed under transmission electron microscope; the expressions of LC3II and Beclin1 protein were observed by immunofluorescence staining; the protein levels of AMPK, phosphorylated-AMPK (p-AMPK), mTOR, phosphorylated-mTOR (p-mTOR), microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) II and Beclin1 in bladder tissue were detected by Western blotting. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, the maximum bladder capacity, leak point pressure, bladder compliance, p-AMPK, LC3II, Beclin1 protein expressions in the bladder tissue of the model group increased, and the p-mTOR protein expressions were decreased (all P<0.05); compared with the model group, the maximum bladder capacity, bladder compliance, p-mTOR protein expression in the bladder tissue of the electroacupuncture group were decreased, and the p-AMPK, LC3II, and Beclin1 protein expressions were increased (all P<0.05); compared with the electroacupuncture group, the maximum bladder capacity, bladder compliance, p-mTOR protein expression in the bladder tissue of the electroacupuncture+AMPK inhibitor group were increased, the p-AMPK, LC3II, and Beclin1 protein expressions were decreased (all P<0.05). In the model group, the bladder became larger, with unclear and varying degrees of degeneration, severe tissue damage and autophagosome appeared; the bladder of the electroacupuncture group was smaller than that of the model group, and all levels were clearly visible with autophagy bodies; the layers were slightly disordered and damaged in the electroacupuncture + AMPK inhibitor group. CONCLUSIONS Electroacupuncture can activate autophagy through AMPK/mTOR pathway, thereby reducing neurogenic urine retention caused by spinal cord injury.
AMP-Activated Protein Kinases ; Animals ; Autophagy ; Beclin-1 ; Electroacupuncture ; Mammals ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases

ObjectiveTo investigate an outbreak of norovirus diarrhea in a welfare home for the elderly in Shanghai， and to analyze the epidemiology and virus genotype characteristics of the epidemic， thus providing a scientific basis for the prevention and control of norovirus epidemic. MethodsCase definition was clarified. After case definition， a standardized questionnaire was used to carry out case investigation to make comprehensive analysis in combination with field epidemiological investigation and laboratory tests results. ResultsThe epidemic lasted for 14 days， and 23 cases were reported with an incidence rate of 12.37% （23/186）， including 3 males and 20 females. There were more cases on the 1st， 4th and 6th floor of the main building in the welfare home， accounting for 52.17% （12/23） of total cases. 19 cases were reported in the main building， with an incidence rate of 11.59% （19/164）； 4 cases were reported in the auxiliary building， with an incidence rate of 18.18% （4/22）. There was no significant difference in the morbidity between the main building and the auxiliary building （χ²=0.779，P>0.05）. The main clinical manifestations were vomiting and diarrhea. There was a significant difference in the incidence of vomiting symptoms among the elderly， nursing staff and other staff in the welfare home （χ²=10.216， P<0.05）. But there was no significant difference in the incidence of diarrhea among the elderly， nursing staff and other staff （χ²=1.218， P>0.05）. Fecal samples were collected from 23 cases， 1 case family member， 68 risk personnel and 14 environmental surface swab samples. Norovirus GⅡ was detected in stool samples of 19 cases， 1 family member and 36 risk personnel. ConclusionOutbreak of norovirus infection is reported in a welfare home in Shanghai. The close contact between the elderly and health workers might lead to the outbreak.

Aim To evaluate the therapeutic effect of apigenin on liver fibrosis in mice anrl the pharmacologi¬cal mechanism.Methods Carbon tetrachloride ( CC14) -induced liver fibrosis mouse model was estab¬lished.The mice were divided into six groups of con¬trol, model, silibinin(55 mg • kg 1 • d 1 ) , apigenin in high dosage (60 mg • kg 1 • d 1 ) , apigenin in mid¬dle dosage( 30 mg • kg 1 • d 1 ) and apigenin in low dosage( 15 mg • kg 1 • d 1 ).The general life status, body weight and liver coefficient of the mice in every group were recorded.HE staining, Masson staining, immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to e- valuate the effect of apigenin on the pathological chan¬ges, the markers related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition and signaling pathways of liver tissues.Re¬sults In CCI4-induced liver fibrosis mice, middle and high-dosage of apigenin could improve the general life status, increase body weight, decrease liver coeffi¬ cient, and significantly improve liver lesions.Middle and high-dosage of apigenin significantly increased the expression of the epithelial marker protein E-cadherin and significantly decreased the expression of the mes¬enchymal marker protein Vimentin in liver tissues of mice with the disease.The further results showed that middle and high-dosage apigenin could significantly in¬hibit the expression of phosphorvlated PDK1 and phos- phorvlated AKT protein in liver tissues of model mice.Conclusions Apigenin can inhibit EMT by inhibiting PDK1/AKT signaling pathway, which plays an anti-fi- brosis role.The apigenin has the potential to be further developed as a drug to protect the liver and treat liver fibrosis.