This study aims to explore the scientific connotation of sinking Rehmanniae Radix has the best quality and compare the quality between floating and sinking fresh Rehmanniae Radix samples. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem quadrupole electrostatic field Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry(UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS) was employed to detect the chemical components in floating and sinking fresh Rehmanniae Radix samples. The fingerprint of fresh Rehmanniae Radix was established by high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC), and four index components were determined simultaneously. The cluster analysis, principal component analysis(PCA), and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) were conducted to compare the quality of floating and sinking fresh Rehmanniae Radix samples. An evaporative light-scattering detector was used to compare the content of five sugars. The extract yield and drying rate were determined, and the quality connotation of sinking Rehmanniae Radix has the best quality was explained by multiple indicators. A total of 41 components were preliminarily identified from fresh Rehmanniae Radix by UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS, including 7 iridoid glycosides, 9 phenylethanol glycosides, 6 amino acids, 4 sugars, 3 phenolic acids, 5 nucleosides, 3 organic acids, 1 ionone, 1 furan, 1 coumarin, and 1 phenylpropanoid. The results showed that the main chemical components were consistent between floating and sinking fresh Rehmanniae Radix. Nine common peaks were identified in the fingerprints of 15 batches of floating and sinking fresh Rehmanniae Radix samples, and the similarity of fingerprints was greater than 0.9. The cluster analysis, PCA, and OPLS-DA classified floating and sinking fresh Rehmanniae Radix sasmples into two categories, indicating differences in the quality between them. The total content of catalpol, rehmannioside D, ajugol, and verbascoside in sinking fresh Rehmanniae Radix samples was higher than that in floating samples of the same batch and specification, and the main differential component was catalpol. The total content of fructose, glucose, sucrose, raffinose, and stachyose in sinking fresh Rehmanniae Radix samples was higher than that in floating samples of the same batch and specification, and the main differential component was stachyose. The extract yield and drying rate of the sinking samples were higher than those of floating samples. This study preliminarily showed that floating and sinking fresh Rehmanniae Radix samples had the same components but great differences in the content of medicinal substance basis. The total content of four glycosides and five sugars, extract yield, and drying rate of sinking fresh Rehmanniae Radix samples is higher than that of floating samples of the same batch and specification. These findings, to a certain extent, explains the scientificity of sinking Rehmanniae Radix has the best quality recorded in ancient books and provide a reference for the quality control and clinical application of fresh Rehmanniae Radix.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Rehmannia/chemistry* ; Chemometrics ; Mass Spectrometry/methods* ; Quality Control ; Principal Component Analysis ; Plant Extracts

Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) is one of the most commonly occurring pathogens associated with genital tract infections in infertile males, but the impact of seminal UU infection in semen on intrauterine insemination (IUI) outcomes is poorly understood. We collected data from 245 infertile couples who underwent IUI at The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC (Hefei, China) between January 2021 and January 2023. The subjects were classified into two groups according to their UU infection status: the UU-positive group and the UU-negative group. We compared semen parameters, pregnancy outcomes, and neonatal birth outcomes to investigate the impact of UU infection on IUI outcomes. There were no significantly statistical differences in various semen parameters, including semen volume, sperm concentration, total and progressive motility, sperm morphology, leukocyte count, the presence of anti-sperm antibody, and sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI), between the UU-positive and UU-negative groups of male infertile patients (all P > 0.05). However, the high DNA stainability (HDS) status of sperm differed between the UU-positive and UU-negative groups, suggesting that seminal UU infection may affect sperm nuclear maturation ( P = 0.04). Additionally, there were no significant differences in pregnancy or neonatal birth outcomes between the two groups (all P > 0.05). These results suggest that IUI remains a viable and cost-effective option for infertile couples with UU infection who are facing infertility issues.
Humans ; Male ; Ureaplasma Infections/complications* ; Female ; Infertility, Male/therapy* ; Ureaplasma urealyticum/isolation & purification* ; Pregnancy ; Adult ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Semen Analysis ; Insemination, Artificial ; Semen/microbiology* ; China

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect and safety of Lu'e Biyan Formula (LBF) combined with loratadine in the treatment of moderate to severe allergic rhinitis (AR) patients with Fei (Lung)-qi deficiency-coldness (FQDC) syndrome. METHODS: From September 2023 to December 2024, moderate to severe AR patients with FQDC syndrome were recruited from the Outpatient Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine for Pulmonary Diseases Part 1, China-Japan Friendship Hospital. Participants were randomly assigned to a test group and a control group by using a random number table at a ratio of 1:1. Both groups received oral loratadine tablets (10 mg, once daily) for 2 weeks. In addition, the test group received oral LBF (30 mL, twice daily), and the control group received a placebo of LBF. Changes in the Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS), Total Non-nasal Symptom Score (TNNSS), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ), and Chinese medicine (CM) syndrome scores before and after treatment were compared between groups. Moreover, the total effective rates and disease recurrence rates were compared. Adverse events (AEs) during the study period were also recorded. RESULTS: Totally 109 participants were recruited, and the full analysis set included 105 cases, 54 in the test group and 51 in the control group. Compared with the pre-treatment values, the scores of sneezing, runny nose, nasal obstruction, nasal itching, TNSS, TNNSS, VAS, RQLQ, and CM syndrome were significantly reduced in both groups at 1 and 2 weeks post-treatment and 12 weeks post-drug withdrawal (P<0.01). After treatment, the aforementioned scores in the test group were all markedly lower than those in the control group (P<0.01). Moreover, the total effective rate in the test group was higher than that in the control group (98.15% vs. 70.59%, P<0.01). After 12 weeks of drug withdrawal, there was no significant difference in the recurrence rate between groups (13.21% vs. 22.22%, P>0.05). No obvious AEs were observed in either group following treatment. CONCLUSIONS The combination of LBF with loratadine can effectively alleviate the symptoms of moderate to severe AR patients with FQDC syndrome, thereby improving their quality of life. This therapy demonstrated both precise effect and high safety. (Trial registration No. ITMCTR2025000589).
Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Male ; Rhinitis, Allergic/drug therapy* ; Female ; Adult ; Double-Blind Method ; Quality of Life ; Qi ; Middle Aged ; Loratadine/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Syndrome ; Lung/drug effects* ; Young Adult ; Treatment Outcome

Objective:To investigate the effect of ginsenoside octanoate(Rh2-O)on inducing immunogenic cell death in hepa-tocellular carcinoma cells and its molecular mechanism.Methods:Effects of ginsenoside caprylate(Rh2-O)and autophagy inhibitor 3-MA on the activity of hepatocellular carcinoma cells were detected by CCK-8 assay.The effect of Rh2-O on CRT membrane eversion in Hepa1-6 cells were detected by immunofluorescence assay.Rh2-O treated mouse hepatocellular carcinoma cells were used to pre-pare a tumor vaccine for in vivo vaccination experiments in mice.Extracellular ATP levels were detected in real-time.The expression of autophagy-related genes and proteins were measured by real-time fluorescence PCR and Western blot,and the mitochondrial morphol-ogy and co-localization with autophagy proteins were observed by laser confocal microscopy.Results:Rh2-O showed strong cytotoxicity to Hepa1-6 cells[cell viability:(58.54±3.56)%]at a concentration of 150 μmol/L,and a large amount of CRT was observed on the surface of the cell membrane.The tumor emergence rate was 36.36%in the vaccinated group and 100%in the control group.The tumor vaccine prepared by Rh2-O effectively protected mice from the same type of tumor attack;Rh2-O induced an increase in the level of cellular secreted ATP(P<0.05),the mRNA of autophagy-related genes ATG3,p62,LC3 expression levels and autophagy-associated proteins LC3A and LC3B expression levels were increased(P<0.05),and co-localization of mitochondria with autophagy proteins was significantly increased(P<0.05).In addition,Rh2-O action on 3-MA pretreated hepatocellular carcinoma cells resulted in a signifi-cant decrease in extracellular ATP levels(P<0.001).Conclusion:Rh2-O may induce immunogenic cell death by inducing autophagy in hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Diabetic nephropathy(DN)is a serious complication of diabetes mellitus and a leading cause of end-stage renal diseases.In DN patients,key pathological mechanisms include proteinuria,glomerulo-sclerosis,and fibrosis,largely driven by poor glycemic control and oxidative stress caused by prolonged hyperglycemia.This stress damages renal podocytes and triggers inflammatory mesenchymal infiltration of renal tubular cells,exacerbating the progression of proteinuria and fibrosis.Human umbilical cord-de-rived mesenchymal stem cells(hUC-MSCs)offer promising potential for treating DN due to their strong anti-oxidative properties.In this study,we developed a DN mouse model and treated the mouse via tail vein injections of hUC-MSCs(1×106 cells/mouse).The results indicated that hUC-MSCs significantly lowered fasting blood glucose levels(22.5±3.0 vs 14.7±1.1,P＜0.01)and improved glucose toler-ance,as shown by intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test(IPGTT)results(P＜0.05).Additionally,the renal function improved in hUC-MSCs-treated mice,with marked reductions in oxidative stress markers,including blood urea nitrogen(BUN),urinary creatinine(Ucr),urinary protein(PRO),superoxide dismutase(SOD),and malondialdehyde(MDA)(P＜0.05).Histological analyses through hematoxy-lin-eosin(H&E),Periodic Acid-Schiff(PAS),and Sirius red staining demonstrated alleviation of glo-merular mesangial hyperplasia,glomerular hypertrophy,and tubular inflammation.Furthermore,hUC-MSCs treatment downregulated the expression of oxidative stress-related proteins,such as NADPH oxi-dase 4(NOX4)and thioredoxin-interacting protein(TXNIP),and reduced reactive oxygen species(ROS)production(P＜0.05).Meanwhile,human renal cortical proximal tubule epithelial cells(HK-2 cells)were selected for validation in vitro experiments using high glucose treatment followed by super-natants of hUC-MSCs(MSC-CM),and Western blotting showed that the expression of both NOX4 and TXNIP was inhibited(P＜0.05)and ROS expression was reduced.In conclusion,hUC-MSC treatment effectively lowered blood glucose levels and improved renal function in DN mice,likely through the sup-pression of NOX4 expression and TXNIP-mediated oxidative stress.

BACKGROUND: The main cause of restenosis after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is the excessive proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Lin28a has been reported to play critical regulatory roles in this process. However, whether CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins β (C/EBPβ) binds to the Lin28a promoter and drives the progression of restenosis has not been clarified. Therefore, in the present study, we aim to clarify the role of C/EBPβ-Lin28a axis in restenosis. METHODS: Restenosis and atherosclerosis rat models of type 2 diabetes ( n   =  20, for each group) were established by subjecting to PTA. Subsequently, the difference in DNA methylation status and expression of C/EBPβ between the two groups were assessed. EdU, Transwell, and rescue assays were performed to assess the effect of C/EBPβ on the proliferation and migration of VSMCs. DNA methylation status was further assessed using Methyltarget sequencing. The interaction between Lin28a and ten-eleven translocation 1 (TET1) was analysed using co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assay. Student's t -test and one-way analysis of variance were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: C/EBPβ expression was upregulated and accompanied by hypomethylation of its promoter in restenosis when compared with atherosclerosis. In vitroC/EBPβ overexpression facilitated the proliferation and migration of VSMCs and was associated with increased Lin28a expression. Conversely, C/EBPβ knockdown resulted in the opposite effects. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays further demonstrated that C/EBPβ could directly bind to Lin28a promoter. Increased C/EBPβ expression and enhanced proliferation and migration of VSMCs were observed after decitabine treatment. Further, mechanical stretch promoted C/EBPβ and Lin28a expression accompanied by C/EBPβ hypomethylation. Additionally, Lin28a overexpression reduced C/EBPβ methylation via recruiting TET1 and enhanced C/EBPβ-mediated proliferation and migration of VSMCs. The opposite was noted in Lin28a knockdown cells. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that the C/EBPβ-Lin28a axis is a driver of restenosis progression, and presents a promising therapeutic target for restenosis.
Animals ; Cell Proliferation/genetics* ; Cell Movement/genetics* ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism* ; Rats ; DNA Methylation/physiology* ; CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-beta/genetics* ; Male ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/cytology* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics* ; Cells, Cultured ; Coronary Restenosis/metabolism*

The efficacy of Xiangmei Pills on rats with ulcerative colitis(UC) was investigated by characterizing the spectrum of the active chemical components of Xiangmei Pills. Rapid identification and classification of the main chemical components were performed,and the therapeutic effects of Xiangmei Pills on the proteins and intestinal flora of UC rats were analyzed to explore the mechanism of its action in treating UC. Fifty SD rats were acclimatized to feeding for 3 d and randomly divided into blank group, model group,mesalazine group(0. 4 g·kg~(-1)), low-dose group of Xiangmei Pills(1. 89 g·kg~(-1)), and high-dose group of Xiangmei Pills(5. 67 g·kg~(-1)), with 10 rats in each group. 5% dextrose sodium sulfate(DSS) was given by gavage to induce the male SD rat model with UC,and the corresponding medicinal solution was given by gavage after 10 days, respectively. The therapeutic effect of Xiangmei Pills on rats with UC was evaluated according to body mass, disease activity index(DAI), and hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, and the histopathological changes in the colon were observed. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/electrostatic field orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry(UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS) technique was used to rapidly and accurately identify the main chemical constituents of Xiangmei Pills. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of aryl hydrocarbon receptor(AhR),interferon-γ(IFN-γ), mucin-2(MUC-2), and cytochrome P450 1A1(CYP1A1) in colon tissue. Interleukin-22(IL-22) expression in colon tissue was detected by immunofluorescence. The 16S r DNA high-throughput sequencing technique was used to study the modulatory effects of Xiangmei Pills on the intestinal flora structure of rats with UC. Pharmacodynamic results showed that compared with that of the blank group, the colon tissue of the model group was congested, and ulcers were visible in the mucosa; compared with that in the model group, the histopathology of the colon of the rats with UC in the groups of Xiangmei Pills were improved, with scattered ulcers and reduced inflammatory cell infiltration. Chemical analysis showed that a total of 45 components were identified by mass spectrometry information, including 15 phenolic acids, 8 coumarins, 15 organic acids, 3 amino acids, 2 flavonoids, and 2 other components. Compared with those in the blank group, the levels of Ah R, CYP1A1, MUC-2, and IL-22 proteins in the colon tissue of rats in the model group were significantly decreased, and the level of IFN-γ protein was significantly increased; the intestinal flora of rats in the model group was disorganized, with a decrease in the abundance of the flora; the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes,unclassified genera of Ascomycetes, Prevotella of the Prevotella family, and Prevotella decreased significantly, and that of Firmicutes decreased, but the difference was not statistically significant. The relative abundance of Bacteroidetes, Bifidobacterium, and Lactobacillus increased significantly. Compared with those of the model group, the levels of Ah R, CYP1A1, MUC-2, and IL-22proteins in the colonic tissue of the groups of Xiangmei Pills were significantly higher, and the levels of IFN-γ proteins were significantly lower. The recovery of the intestinal flora was accelerated, and the diversity of the intestinal flora was significantly increased. The relative abundance of Bacteroidetes was significantly increased, and that of unclassified genera of Ascomycetes,Lactobacillus, Prevotella of the Prevotella family, and Prevotella was significantly increased. The relative abundance of Bacteroidetes and Bifidobacterium was significantly decreased. This study demonstrated that Xiangmei Pills can effectively treat UC, mainly through the phenolic acid and organic acid components to stimulate the intestinal barrier, regulate protein expression and the relative abundance and diversity of intestinal flora, and play a role in the treatment of UC.
Animals ; Colitis, Ulcerative/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Male ; Rats ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/genetics* ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Humans ; Mass Spectrometry ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics* ; Bacteria/drug effects*

Microplastics are widely present in various environments such as water bodies,land,and atmosphere,which pose threats to the ecological environment and human health through transmission and accumulation in the food chain.The existing detection techniques for microplastics face challenges such as complex preparation procedure of samples,low efficiency in processing large batches of samples,and difficulties in handling complex samples.Therefore,there is an urgent need for rapid and efficient detection techniques suitable for complex microplastics samples in the field of environmental monitoring.Raman spectroscopy,known for its advantages such as rapidity,accuracy,high sensitivity,non-destructiveness,and non-contact,demonstrates great application potential in detection of microplastics.Deep learning,an artificial intelligence method known for its large-scale data processing,nonlinear modeling and automatic feature extraction capabilities,is receiving increasing attention in the analysis of Raman spectroscopy signals.The application of deep learning-based Raman spectroscopy has significantly improved performance indicators such as detection efficiency and accuracy.This article introduced the existing Raman enhancement techniques,summarized the deep learning methods applied in Raman spectroscopy signal analysis,reviewed the recent research and application progress of deep learning-based Raman spectroscopy in detection of microplastics,and finally discussed the challenges and future prospects of deep learning-based Raman spectroscopy in detection of microplastics.

Objective To retrieve,analyze and synthesize evidence on post-transplant diabetes mellitus(PTDM)in lung transplant patients,providing reference for clinical healthcare professionals in preventing and managing PTDM in lung transplant patients.Methods Based on the"6S"evidence model,systematic searches were conducted across guideline websites,professional associations,and Chinese/English databases regarding post-transplant diabetes mellitus(PTDM)in lung transplant patients.The search period spanned from data-base inception to January 2025.Two researchers independently completed literature screening,quality assess-ment,and evidence extraction.Results A total of 14 articles were included,comprising 1 clinical decision,2 guidelines,5 expert consensuses,2 specifications,1 evidence summary,and 3 systematic reviews.Twenty-four pieces of best evidence were synthesized from seven aspects:risk factors,diagnosis,screening,prevention,treatment,glycemic control targets,and health education.Conclusion The best evidence for preventing and managing post-transplant diabetes mellitus in lung transplant patients provides an evidence-based foundation for clinical practice among healthcare professionals.Evidence should be selected and applied according to spe-cific clinical situations and patient needs.

Objective To explore the repair effect and mechanism of human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells(hAMSCs)on endometrial injury.Methods hAMSCs were isolated using a two-enzyme digestion and then cultured.The third-passage(P3)cells were harvested to detect the surface markers by flow cytometry and to identify their trilineage differentiation potentials.Eighteen nulliparous female SD rats(8～9 weeks old,weighing 250～280 g)were randomly divided into 3 groups(n=6):normal control group,model group,and hAMSCs group.A rat model of intrauterine adhesions(IUA)was established in SD rats by using curettage combined with lipopolysaccharide(LPS)infection.In 2 weeks after modeling,the hAMSCs group received a bilateral uterine horn transplantation of 0.2 mL hAMSCs(1.0×10? cells/mL),while the model group received a same volume of PBS into both uterine horns.All rats were sacrificed in 2 weeks after transplantation.HE and Masson staining was used to observe endometrial thickness and gland number as well as endometrial fibrosis area.RT-qPCR and Western blotting were performed to detect the mRNA and protein levels of TGF-β1,Smad3,Smad7,epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)markers(E-cadherin,Vimentin),fibrosis factor α-SMA,and endometrial estrogen receptor(ER)and progesterone receptor(PR)in endometrial tissues.Results The obtained cells were identified as hAMSCs due to the characteristics of surface markers and differentiation potentials.Compared with the normal control group,the model group showed decreased endometrial thickness,reduced gland number,increased fibrosis area,and enhanced mRNA and protein levels of fibrosis-related factors TGF-β1,Smad3,Vimentin,and α-SMA(P<0.01),while down-regulation of fibrosis-inhibiting molecule Smad7,the EMT marker E-cadherin,and endometrial receptors ER and PR at both mRNA and protein levels(P<0.01).hAMSCs transplantation increased endometrial thickness and gland number,decreased fibrosis area,and down-regulated mRNA expression of the aforementioned fibrosis-related factors(P<0.01),and up-regulated the mRNA expression levels of Smad7,E-cadherin,ER,and PR(P<0.01).The hAMSCs group also exhibited obviously down-regulated protein levels of TGF-β1,Smad3,and α-SMA(P<0.05),while enhanced protein levels of Smad7 and PR(P<0.05).Conclusion Intrauterine transplantation of hAMSCs can promote the repair of endometrial injury,and inhibits endometrial EMT and fibrosis through the TGF-β1/Smad7 signaling pathway.