ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which the Zishen Huoxue prescription （ZSHXP） ameliorates cognitive dysfunction in rats with vascular dementia （VD） induced by the bilateral common carotid artery ligation （2-VO model rats） through regulating the glucose-regulated protein 78 （GRP78）/protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase （PERK）/activating transcription factor 4 （ATF4） signaling pathway. MethodsA VD rat model was established via the 2-VO method. A total of 72 male Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly divided into six groups： Sham group， Model group， donepezil hydrochloride group （0.45 mg·kg^-1）， and ZSHXP groups at low （8.90 g·kg^-1）， medium （17.80 g·kg^-1）， and high （35.60 g·kg^-1） doses，with 12 rats in each group. The Morris Water Maze test was utilized to assess spatial learning and memory abilities of rats， and the Novel Object Recognition test was used to evaluate cognitive performance. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） and Nissl staining were applied to observe the histological and morphological changes in hippocampal tissues. Transmission electron microscopy （TEM） was used to observe the morphological changes of endoplasmic reticulum in rat hippocampal neurons. Immunofluorescence staining was adopted to detect the colocalization of neuronal nuclei antigen （NeuN） with GRP78 and βⅢ Tubulin with gasdermin D （GSDMD） in hippocampal neurons. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress （ERS）-related proteins including GRP78， PERK， ATF4， phosphorylated protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase （p-PERK）， C/EBP homologous protein （CHOP）， NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）， Caspase-1 and GSDMD. ResultsCompared with the sham operation group， the model group showed a significantly prolonged escape latency （P<0.01）， a significant decrease in the number of platform crossings and the residence time in the target quadrant （P<0.01）， and a markedly reduced recognition index （P<0.01）. Histological observations revealed that the hippocampal neurons in the model group were disorderly arranged with reduced quantity， deformed and shrunken cell bodies， and pyknotic and hyperchromatic nuclei. The number of Nissl bodies decreased significantly. The number of endoplasmic reticula reduced obviously， accompanied by abnormal dilation and swelling， and the loss of normal folding structure. The fluorescence colocalization of NeuN with GRP78 and βⅢ Tubulin with GSDMD in the hippocampus was significantly increased in the model group. The protein expression levels of GRP78， p-PERK/PERK， ATF4， CHOP， NLRP3， GSDMD and Caspase-1 in the model group were significantly elevated （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the donepezil hydrochloride group and the ZSHXP medium- and high-dose groups had a significantly shortened escape latency （P<0.01） and an increased number of platform crossings （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The residence time in the target quadrant was increased in the donepezil hydrochloride group and all ZSHXP groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）， with a significantly improved recognition index （P<0.01）. In the donepezil hydrochloride group and all ZSHXP groups， the number of hippocampal neurons increased with a more compact arrangement and reduced nuclear hyperchromasia. The number of Nissl bodies increased with morphological structures tending to be normal. In the ZSHXP high-dose group， the number of endoplasmic reticula increased and the folding structure was restored. The fluorescence colocalization of NeuN with GRP78 and βⅢ Tubulin with GSDMD in the hippocampus was significantly weakened in the treatment groups. In the donepezil hydrochloride group， the protein expressions of GRP78， ATF4 and CHOP were increased （P<0.01）， while the expression of p-PERK/PERK was decreased （P<0.05）. In the ZSHXP low-dose group， the expressions of GRP78， p-PERK/PERK and CHOP were elevated （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The ZSHXP medium- and high-dose groups showed a significant decrease in the protein expressions of p-PERK/PERK， ATF4 and CHOP （P<0.01）， and the high-dose group had a markedly reduced GRP78 protein expression （P<0.01）. In the donepezil hydrochloride group， the Caspase-1 protein expression was increased （P<0.01） and the NLRP3 protein expression was decreased （P<0.01）. In the ZSHXP low-dose group， the GSDMD expression was elevated （P<0.01） while the NLRP3 protein expression was reduced （P<0.01）. After treatment with medium and high doses of ZSHXP， the protein expression levels of NLRP3， GSDMD and Caspase-1 were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. ConclusionThe ameliorative effect of ZSHXP on cognitive function in 2-VO model rats may be associated with its regulation of the GRP78/PERK/ATF4 signaling pathway， which ameliorates ERS and inhibits neuronal pyroptosis.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which the Zishen Huoxue prescription （ZSHXP） ameliorates cognitive dysfunction in rats with vascular dementia （VD） induced by the bilateral common carotid artery ligation （2-VO model rats） through regulating the glucose-regulated protein 78 （GRP78）/protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase （PERK）/activating transcription factor 4 （ATF4） signaling pathway. MethodsA VD rat model was established via the 2-VO method. A total of 72 male Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly divided into six groups： Sham group， Model group， donepezil hydrochloride group （0.45 mg·kg^-1）， and ZSHXP groups at low （8.90 g·kg^-1）， medium （17.80 g·kg^-1）， and high （35.60 g·kg^-1） doses，with 12 rats in each group. The Morris Water Maze test was utilized to assess spatial learning and memory abilities of rats， and the Novel Object Recognition test was used to evaluate cognitive performance. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） and Nissl staining were applied to observe the histological and morphological changes in hippocampal tissues. Transmission electron microscopy （TEM） was used to observe the morphological changes of endoplasmic reticulum in rat hippocampal neurons. Immunofluorescence staining was adopted to detect the colocalization of neuronal nuclei antigen （NeuN） with GRP78 and βⅢ Tubulin with gasdermin D （GSDMD） in hippocampal neurons. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress （ERS）-related proteins including GRP78， PERK， ATF4， phosphorylated protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase （p-PERK）， C/EBP homologous protein （CHOP）， NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）， Caspase-1 and GSDMD. ResultsCompared with the sham operation group， the model group showed a significantly prolonged escape latency （P<0.01）， a significant decrease in the number of platform crossings and the residence time in the target quadrant （P<0.01）， and a markedly reduced recognition index （P<0.01）. Histological observations revealed that the hippocampal neurons in the model group were disorderly arranged with reduced quantity， deformed and shrunken cell bodies， and pyknotic and hyperchromatic nuclei. The number of Nissl bodies decreased significantly. The number of endoplasmic reticula reduced obviously， accompanied by abnormal dilation and swelling， and the loss of normal folding structure. The fluorescence colocalization of NeuN with GRP78 and βⅢ Tubulin with GSDMD in the hippocampus was significantly increased in the model group. The protein expression levels of GRP78， p-PERK/PERK， ATF4， CHOP， NLRP3， GSDMD and Caspase-1 in the model group were significantly elevated （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the donepezil hydrochloride group and the ZSHXP medium- and high-dose groups had a significantly shortened escape latency （P<0.01） and an increased number of platform crossings （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The residence time in the target quadrant was increased in the donepezil hydrochloride group and all ZSHXP groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）， with a significantly improved recognition index （P<0.01）. In the donepezil hydrochloride group and all ZSHXP groups， the number of hippocampal neurons increased with a more compact arrangement and reduced nuclear hyperchromasia. The number of Nissl bodies increased with morphological structures tending to be normal. In the ZSHXP high-dose group， the number of endoplasmic reticula increased and the folding structure was restored. The fluorescence colocalization of NeuN with GRP78 and βⅢ Tubulin with GSDMD in the hippocampus was significantly weakened in the treatment groups. In the donepezil hydrochloride group， the protein expressions of GRP78， ATF4 and CHOP were increased （P<0.01）， while the expression of p-PERK/PERK was decreased （P<0.05）. In the ZSHXP low-dose group， the expressions of GRP78， p-PERK/PERK and CHOP were elevated （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The ZSHXP medium- and high-dose groups showed a significant decrease in the protein expressions of p-PERK/PERK， ATF4 and CHOP （P<0.01）， and the high-dose group had a markedly reduced GRP78 protein expression （P<0.01）. In the donepezil hydrochloride group， the Caspase-1 protein expression was increased （P<0.01） and the NLRP3 protein expression was decreased （P<0.01）. In the ZSHXP low-dose group， the GSDMD expression was elevated （P<0.01） while the NLRP3 protein expression was reduced （P<0.01）. After treatment with medium and high doses of ZSHXP， the protein expression levels of NLRP3， GSDMD and Caspase-1 were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. ConclusionThe ameliorative effect of ZSHXP on cognitive function in 2-VO model rats may be associated with its regulation of the GRP78/PERK/ATF4 signaling pathway， which ameliorates ERS and inhibits neuronal pyroptosis.

ObjectiveTo prepare a recombinant PETase with a dual-catalytic-triad and to evaluate its efficiency in the biodegradation of polyethylene terephthalate （PET）. MethodsBased on the crystal structure of wild-type PETase， point mutations （T88H/L117D） were introduced via site-directed mutagenesis. The recombinant protein was prepared using prokaryotic expression and chromatography purification techniques. The enzymatic hydrolysis of the mutant PETase was assessed by relatively quantifying the products mono （2-hydroxyethyl） terephthalate （MHET） and terephthalic acid （TPA）. ResultsBoth wild-type and mutant PETases accumulated as inclusion bodies， accounting for approximately 20% of the total bacterial protein. After solubilization in urea， the proteins were eluted at 300 mmol/L imidazole during affinity chromatography purification， with concentrations of 1.824 and 1.833 mg/mL and purities of 83.11% and 84.32%， respectively. Subsequent anion-exchange chromatography yielded highly pure enzymes in the 200 mmol/L NaCl fraction： 2.776 mg/mL （96.86% purity） for the wild type and 1.967 mg/mL （95.13% purity） for the mutant. Following refolding， the final concentrations were 0.484 mg/mL for the wild type and 0.991 mg/mL for the mutant. Hydrolysis assays revealed that the mutant released MHET and TPA at （237.67±17.00）% and （197.33±12.01）% of the wild-type levels， respectively. ConclusionThe T88H/L117D dual-catalytic-triad PETase is successfully prepared and it significantly enhanced PET-degrading activity， thus， it′s a promising biocatalyst for PET bioremediation.

OBJECTIVE To explore the working model and practical effectiveness of surgical pharmacists participating in the rational medication management of urology department under the background of diagnosis related groups （DRGs） payment system.METHODS In the context of DRGs， surgical pharmacists have constructed a rational drug use control model for key DRGs disease groups with a high number of urological cases in three stages： the pre stage， which includes developing perioperative drug use guidelines and implementing a rational drug use management system intervention； the mid-term stage， which includes conducting specialized evaluations in conjunction with DRGs disease groups， conducting pharmaceutical ward rounds and medical order reviews， conducting rational drug use training and science popularization； the post event stage， which includes establishing a performance evaluation system for clinical departments and surgical pharmacists， and collecting reasons why surgical physicians did not adopt surgical pharmacist recommendations. Patients who entered DRGs groups and were discharged from the urology department of Foshan Second People’s Hospital were selected as the research subjects. The changes in departmental DRGs indicators [including number of DRGs groups， total weight， case mix index （CMI）， average length of stay， time consumption index， average cost per case， cost consumption index， average drug cost per case， drug consumption index， and mortality in low- and medium-risk] were compared before pharmacist intervention （June to December 2022）， after 1 year of intervention （June to December 2023）， and after 2 years of intervention （June to December 2024）. The improvement in medication rational rates （for antibiotics， hemocoagulase， and proton pump inhibitors） and pharmacy performance assessment indicators [average drug cost per case， defined daily doses （DDDs， excluding traditional Chinese medicine）， and antibiotic use density （AUD）] in the top 5 DRGs groups by case volume were statistically analyzed. The reasons for non-adoption of medication intervention recommendations by urologists were further analyzed.RESULTS With the participation of surgical pharmacists in the rational medication management of urology department， the number of DRGs groups， total weight， and CMI in the urology department increased year by year， while the average length of stay， average cost per case， and average drug cost per case decreased year by year， there were no low- to medium-risk deaths before and after the medication management. The average drug cost per case， DDDs， and AUD in the top 5 key DRGs groups （LE15， LE13， MC15， MC13， and LK19） were significantly decreased compared with those before intervention （ P ＜0.05）. The medication rational rates （for antibiotics， hemocoagulase， and proton pump inhibitors） in the above 5 key DRGs groups were significantly increased compared with those before intervention （ P ＜0.05）. After 2 years of pharmacist intervention， the non-adoption rates of urologists for medication interventions related to antibiotics， hemocoagulase， and proton pump inhibitors were significantly lower than those after 1 year of intervention （ P ＜0.05）； the main reason for not adopting interventions related to hemocoagulase was that surgeons believed “increasing the daily dose could shorten the hemostasis course”， the main reason for not adopting interventions related to antibiotics was “postoperative elevation of inflammatory indicators necessitates prolonged treatment”.CONCLUSIONS The hospital has successfully established a model of surgical pharmacists participating in the rational medication management of urology department. This model has improved departmental DRGs indicators and pharmacy performance assessment indicators， and enhanced the medication rational rate.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of Lactobacillus plantarum ZG03(L.plantarum ZG03)for ameliorating oxidative stress in zebrafish.Methods We evaluated the growth pattern of L.plantarum ZG03,observed its morphology using field emission scanning electron microscopy,and assessed its safety and potential efficacy with whole-genome sequencing for genetic analysis.FITC-labeled ZG03 was used to observe its intestinal colonization in zebrafish.In a zebrafish model of 2%glucose-induced oxidative stress,the effect of ZG03 was evaluated by assessing the changes in neutrophils in the caudal hematopoietic tissue(CHT),superoxide dismutase(SOD)activity,reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels,and malondialdehyde(MDA)content.Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based targeted metabolomics was used for analyzing short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs)in the zebrafish,and the antioxidant effects of the key metabolites(acetate,propionate,and caproate)were tested.Results On MRS agar,L.plantarum ZG03 formed circular,smooth,moist,and milky-white colonies with a rod-shaped cell morphology.Genomic analysis revealed abundant sugar metabolism gene clusters.After inoculation of FITC-labeled L.plantarum ZG03 in zebrafish,green fluorescence was clearly observed in the intestinal bulb,mid-intestine,and hind intestine.In zebrafish with glucose-induced oxidative stress,L.plantarum ZG03 significantly reduced ROS levels and the number of neutrophils in the CHT with increased SOD activity.L.plantarum ZG03 significantly increased the content of SCFAs including acetic acid,propionic acid,and caproic acid in zebrafish metabolites.In addition,sodium acetate,sodium propionate,and sodium caproate in the SCFAs significantly increased SOD activity in the zebrafish models.Conclusion L.plantarum ZG03 ameliorates oxidative stress in a glucose-induced zebrafish model through its metabolites,particularly the SCFAs including acetic acid,propionic acid and caproic acid.

Objective To analyze the research hotspots and frontiers in the field of cost management in Chinese hospitals and provide a reference for cost management research and practice in hospitals.Methods Based on the CNKI and Wanfang da-tabases,relevant literature up to May 31,2024 was retrieved and recorded,totaling 3 589 records,and then analyzed using Citespace visualization software.Results Literature reports have been seen since 1987,with a significant increase in 2000 and reaching its peak in 2010.A total of 16 core topics have been formed,including cost accounting,public hospitals,hospitals,ac-tivity-based costing,management,cost management,economic management,medical costs,hospital financial system,and medi-cal expenses.In recent years,emerging terms have been disease diagnosis related groups,operational management,medical sup-plies,refined management,cost control,and business finance integration.Conclusion External policies have promoted the pro-gress of research and practice in cost management in hospitals;disease diagnosis related groups and cost control are the latest hotspots in cost management research and practice in hospitals;and the importance of business finance integration in hospital op-erations management is gradually increasing.

AIM To investigate the clinical effects of Mahuang Fuzi Xixin Decoction combined with non-immunosuppressive treatment on patients with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis due to Spleen-Kidney Yang Deficiency.METHODS Sixty patients were randomly assigned into control group(30 cases)for 24-week intervention of non-immunosuppressive treatment,and observation group(30 cases)for 24-week intervention of both Mahuang Fuzi Xixin Decoction and non-immunosuppressive treatment.The changes in clinical effects,TCM syndrome effects,TCM syndrome score,24 h UTP,ALB,eGFR,Nephrin,Podocin and safety indices were detected.RESULTS The observation group demonstrated higher total effective rate and TCM syndrome effective rate than the control group(P＜0.05).After the treatment,the two groups displayed decreased TCM syndrome score,24 h UTP,Nephrin,Podocin(P＜0.05),and increased ALB(P＜0.05),especially for the observation group(P＜0.05).No obvious adverse reactions occured in the two groups.CONCLUSION For the patients with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis due to Spleen-Kidney Yang Deficiency,Mahuang Fuzi Xixin Decoction combined with non-immunosuppressive treatment can improve TCM syndromes,whose action mechanism may be contribute to the alleviation of podocyte injury.

Objective:To compare the therapeutic efficacy of the dual anteromedial and anterolateral approaches versus that of the anterior midline approach in the treatment of Wahlquist type C medial tibial plateau fractures accompanied by posterior column collapse.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the 21 patients who had been treated for Wahlquist type C medial tibial plateau fractures plus posterior column collapse at The Fourth Orthopedic Ward, The 72nd Group Army Hospital of PLA between January 2019 and August 2023. The cohort included 13 males and 8 females, with an age of (43.3±6.7) years. The left side was involved in 14 fractures and the right side in 7 ones. The patients were divided into 2 groups based on their surgical approaches: a dual-approach group ( n=13) undergoing fixation via the dual anteromedial and anterolateral approaches, and a single-approach group ( n=8) undergoing fixation via the anterior midline approach. Comparative parameters included operative time, intraoperative blood loss, fracture healing time, quality of fracture reduction, medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA), incision complications, postoperative bone mass reduction quality (evaluated according to the Rasmussen anatomical criteria for tibial condyle fracture reduction), lateral tibial plateau instability, incidence of genu varum, and post-traumatic arthritis. Functional recovery of the lower limb joints was assessed at the final follow-up using the Merchant criteria. Results:No statistically significant differences were observed in the baseline characteristics between the 2 groups preoperatively, indicating comparability ( P>0.05). All patients were followed up for a mean duration of (38.1±11.3) months. The postoperative MPTA in the dual-approach group (86.8°±0.8°) was significantly larger than that in the single-approach group (85.5°±0.9°) ( P<0.05). Genu varum occurred in 1 patient in the dual-approach group and in 4 patients in the single-approach group, while lateral tibial plateau instability was observed in 1 patient in the dual-approach group and in 4 patients in the single-approach group, showing statistically significant differences between the 2 groups ( P<0.05). No statistically significant differences were found between the 2 groups regarding operative time, intraoperative blood loss, fracture healing time, quality of fracture reduction, incidence of incision complications, or incidence of post-traumatic arthritis ( P>0.05). At the final follow-up, no statistically significant difference was observed in the functional recovery of the lower limb joints assessed by the Merchant criteria between the 2 groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:In the treatment of Wahlquist type C medial tibial plateau fractures accompanied by posterior column collapse, compared with the single anterior midline approach, the dual anteromedial and anterolateral approaches can restore more effectively the MPTA, and reduce the incidences of genu varum and lateral tibial plateau instability.

Objective:To explore the emotion regulation effects in trait-anxious college students under differ-ent working memory loads.Methods:A total of 40 undergraduates with elevated trait anxiety(STAI-T＞40)com-pleted a 2(working memory load:high vs.low)× 3(emotion regulation phase:neutral,engagement,regulation)within-subjects design experiment.Dependent variables included emotional valence ratings and emotion regulation efficacy scores.The protocol consisted of three phases,namely free viewing of neutral images during the neutral phase,viewing negative images without regulation during the engagement phase,and implementing cognitive reap-praisal strategies for negative images during the regulation phase.Working memory tasks(n-back paradigm)were administered concurrently across all phases.Results:Emotional valence ratings during the engagement phase were lower than those during the neutral phase(P＜0.001),emotional valence ratings during the regulation phase were higher than those during the engagement phase(P＜0.01).Emotion regulation effect scores under high working memory load were higher than those under low load(P＜0.05).Conclusion:Higher working memory load may enhance the efficacy of cognitive reappraisal in trait-anxious individuals.

Critically ill patients often experience significant skeletal muscle wasting due to prolonged bed rest, metabolic disorders, inflammatory responses and malnutrition, which affects the patient's mobility and may also lead to increased mortality. Timely and accurate assessment of muscle status is important for optimizing treatment strategies and improving patient prognosis. There are various limitations in the current methods of assessing muscle mass, and muscle ultrasound, as a noninvasive, convenient, low-cost and suitable technique for bedside monitoring, has received increasing attention for its application in muscle assessment of critically ill patients. However, there are still a number of challenges in its practical application, such as the lack of uniform standards for the measurement method, the high dependence on the operation, and the reproducibility of the data that needs to be optimized, and so on. The aim of this article is to systematize the research progress of muscle ultrasound in muscle assessment of critically ill patients, and to discuss the advantages and limitations of its clinical application, in order to provide a scientific basis for future research and clinical practice.
Humans ; Critical Illness ; Ultrasonography ; Muscle, Skeletal/diagnostic imaging*