ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of Qinlian Hongqutang （QLHQT） on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis （NASH）. MethodsC57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into normal and modeling groups. The NASH model was established by feeding a high-fat diet for 12 weeks. After successful modeling， mice were randomly assigned to the model group， low-， medium-， and high-dose QLHQT groups （0.51， 1.02， and 2.04 g·kg^-1）， and a positive control metformin group， with six mice in each group. The mice were treated for 8 weeks. Body weight was recorded before and after treatment. Serum levels of total cholesterol （TC）， triglycerides （TG）， and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， as well as hepatic TC， TG， and LDL-C contents， were determined by biochemical assays. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and oil red O staining were used to evaluate liver histopathology and lipid deposition， respectively. Flow cytometry， enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）， and Real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） were used to assess hepatic macrophage expression and related markers. Western blot and immunofluorescence were used to investigate the potential mechanisms of QLHQT in regulating macrophage polarization. ResultsCompared with the normal group， body weight and serum and hepatic levels of TC， TG， and LDL-C were significantly increased in the model group （P<0.01）. Liver histopathology showed unevenly distributed round lipid droplets in the hepatocyte cytoplasm， accompanied by inflammatory cell aggregation. Flow cytometry showed that the proportion of CD86-positive cells was significantly increased， whereas the proportion of CD206-positive cells was markedly decreased （P<0.05）. Hepatic inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS） levels and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） mRNA expression were significantly increased， while hepatic IL-10 levels and IL-4 mRNA expression were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The protein expression levels of Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）， tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 （TRAF6）， and myeloid differentiation factor 88 （MyD88） in the liver were significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， body weight was reduced in the high-， medium-， and low-dose QLHQT groups and in the metformin group. Serum and hepatic TC， TG， and LDL-C levels were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Liver histopathology showed alleviated hepatic lipid deposition， with markedly reduced lipid droplets and inflammation. Immunofluorescence and flow cytometry showed that the proportions of CD86-positive cells were significantly decreased， whereas the proportions of CD206-positive cells were significantly increased in the high-， medium-， and low-dose QLHQT groups （P<0.05）. Hepatic iNOS levels and TNF-α mRNA expression were significantly decreased （P<0.01）， whereas hepatic IL-10 levels and IL-4 mRNA expression were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The hepatic protein expression levels of TLR4， TRAF6， and MyD88 were significantly decreased， while signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 （STAT6） phosphorylation was significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. There was no statistically significant difference in total STAT6 protein expression. ConclusionQLHQT effectively ameliorates hepatic inflammation in NASH mice， and the mechanism may involve STAT6- and TLR4-mediated signaling pathways driving polarization of M1 macrophages toward the M2 phenotype.

ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of Qinlian Hongqutang （QLHQT） on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis （NASH）. MethodsC57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into normal and modeling groups. The NASH model was established by feeding a high-fat diet for 12 weeks. After successful modeling， mice were randomly assigned to the model group， low-， medium-， and high-dose QLHQT groups （0.51， 1.02， and 2.04 g·kg^-1）， and a positive control metformin group， with six mice in each group. The mice were treated for 8 weeks. Body weight was recorded before and after treatment. Serum levels of total cholesterol （TC）， triglycerides （TG）， and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， as well as hepatic TC， TG， and LDL-C contents， were determined by biochemical assays. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and oil red O staining were used to evaluate liver histopathology and lipid deposition， respectively. Flow cytometry， enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）， and Real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） were used to assess hepatic macrophage expression and related markers. Western blot and immunofluorescence were used to investigate the potential mechanisms of QLHQT in regulating macrophage polarization. ResultsCompared with the normal group， body weight and serum and hepatic levels of TC， TG， and LDL-C were significantly increased in the model group （P<0.01）. Liver histopathology showed unevenly distributed round lipid droplets in the hepatocyte cytoplasm， accompanied by inflammatory cell aggregation. Flow cytometry showed that the proportion of CD86-positive cells was significantly increased， whereas the proportion of CD206-positive cells was markedly decreased （P<0.05）. Hepatic inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS） levels and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） mRNA expression were significantly increased， while hepatic IL-10 levels and IL-4 mRNA expression were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The protein expression levels of Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）， tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 （TRAF6）， and myeloid differentiation factor 88 （MyD88） in the liver were significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， body weight was reduced in the high-， medium-， and low-dose QLHQT groups and in the metformin group. Serum and hepatic TC， TG， and LDL-C levels were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Liver histopathology showed alleviated hepatic lipid deposition， with markedly reduced lipid droplets and inflammation. Immunofluorescence and flow cytometry showed that the proportions of CD86-positive cells were significantly decreased， whereas the proportions of CD206-positive cells were significantly increased in the high-， medium-， and low-dose QLHQT groups （P<0.05）. Hepatic iNOS levels and TNF-α mRNA expression were significantly decreased （P<0.01）， whereas hepatic IL-10 levels and IL-4 mRNA expression were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The hepatic protein expression levels of TLR4， TRAF6， and MyD88 were significantly decreased， while signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 （STAT6） phosphorylation was significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. There was no statistically significant difference in total STAT6 protein expression. ConclusionQLHQT effectively ameliorates hepatic inflammation in NASH mice， and the mechanism may involve STAT6- and TLR4-mediated signaling pathways driving polarization of M1 macrophages toward the M2 phenotype.

Objective To investigate the species of sandflies and the prevalence of Leishmania infections in sandflies from selected areas of northern and northwestern China, so as to provide insights into identification of leishmaniasis vectors and assessment of epidemiological trends of leishmaniasis in China. Methods Sandfly samples were collected from Mentougou District of Beijing Municipality, Xiangning County in Linfen City of Shanxi Province, Ejin Banner in Alxa League of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and Payzawat County of Karamay District of Karamay City, Gaochang District of Turpan City in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from July 2023 to July 2024. Approximately 100 intact female sandfly samples were randomly selected from each site and the species of sandflies was identified according to morphological characteristics and molecular assays. Female sandflies originating from the same habitat were grouped into pools of 10 individuals. Leishmania infection was detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay targeting the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS-1) gene, and the prevalence of Leishmania infection was calculated in sandflies from different sampling sites using the minimum infection rate (MIR) method. In addition, positive amplicons were sequenced and subjected to phylogenetic analysis. Results A total of 6 155 sandflies were collected from different environments at sampling sites across the six aforementioned regions from July 2023 to July 2024. Phlebotomus chinensis (96.00%) was the dominant sandfly species in Mentougou District, Beijing Municipality, with a small proportion of Ph. sergenti (4.00%), and only Ph. chinensis was found in Xiangning County, Linfen City, Shanxi Province. Ph. wui was the only sandfly species detected in Ejin Banner, Alxa League, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and Payzawat County, Kashgar City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and Ph. caucasicus (97.70%) was the dominant sandfly species in Karamay District, Karamay City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, with a small proportion of Ph. wui (2.30%), while Ph. alexandri was the only species in Gaochang District, Turpan City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. A total of 40, 60, 34, 18, 18, and 22 pools of sandfly samples were tested from Mentougou District in Beijing Municipality, Xiangning County in Linfen City of Shanxi Province, Ejin Banner in Alxa League of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Payzawat County in Kashgar City, Karamay District in Karamay City, and Gaochang District in Turpan City of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, respectively. L. infantum was detected in Ph. chinensis samples from Mentougou District in Beijing Municipality, and Xiangning County of Linfen City in Shanxi Province, with MIR of 0.25% to 1.00%, and L. donovani was detected in Ph. wui from Ejin Banner in Alxa League of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and Payzawat County in Kashgar City of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, with MIR of 0.56% to 0.88%; however, no Leishmania infection was detected in Ph. caucasicus from Karamay District in Karamay City or Ph. alexandri from Gaochang District in Turpan City of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the Leishmania ITS-1 gene sequences obtained from Mentougou District in Beijing Municipality and Xiangning County in Linfen City of Shanxi Province were clustered into the same clade with the reference sequences of L. infantum ITS-1 gene, while the Leishmania ITS-1 gene sequences obtained from Ejin Banner in Alxa League of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and Payzawat County in Kashgar City of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region were clustered into the same clade with the reference sequences of L. donovani ITS-1 gene. Conclusions There are variations in sandfly species in selected areas of northern and northwestern China, and variations in the species of Leishmania infecting sandflies. Improved surveillance of sandfly vectors and targeted control strategies with adaptations to geographical features and leishmaniasis vectors are recommended.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupuncture at "four pharyngeal points" on simple vocal tics with liver hyperactivity disturbed wind in children. METHODS: Sixty children with simple vocal tics of liver hyperactivity disturbed wind were randomly divided into an observation group (30 cases, 1 case dropped out) and a control group (30 cases). The control group was given Changma Xifeng tablets orally, 3 times a day, while the observation group was treated with acupuncture at "four pharyngeal points" on the basis of the treatment in the control group, 15-20 min a time, once daily for 7 days, with a 3-day break. Both groups were treated for 3 months. The TCM syndrome score and Yale global tic severity scale (YGTSS) score of the two groups were observed before treatment and after 1, 2, 3 months of treatment, the disappearance time of simple vocal tics was recorded, and the therapeutic efficacy was evaluated after treatment. RESULTS: After 1, 2, 3 months of treatment, the TCM syndrome scores and YGTSS scores of the two groups were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05), and the scores of the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01). The disappearance time of simple vocal tics in the observation group was earlier than that in the control group (P<0.05). The effective rate of the observation group was 93.1% (27/29), which was higher than 73.3% (22/30) in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Acupuncture at "four pharyngeal points" could improve symptoms in children with simple vocal tics of liver hyperactivity disturbed wind, and shorten the disappearance time of simple vocal tics.
Humans ; Male ; Acupuncture Points ; Female ; Child ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Child, Preschool ; Liver/drug effects* ; Tics/drug therapy* ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To study the chemical composition of and identify its active components.Methods The chemical constituents of Dendrobium Primulinum were extracted using solvents,followed by separation through silica gel and gel column chromatography,with structural identification performed via spectral analysis.The in vitro activity screening of some compounds was conducted using the MTT assay.Results Seven compounds were isolated and identified from Dendrobium primulinum,namely 7-dihydroxy-2,4-methoxyphenanthrene(1),densiflorol B(2),3,4,7-trihydroxy-2-methoxy-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene(3),thunalbene(4),phillygenin(5),3 β-hydroxy-5 α,8 α-epidioxyergosta-6,22-diene(6)、4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxy--cinnamaldehyde(7).Antitumor activity tests were performed on compounds 1 to 5,revealing that compound 1 exhibited strong inhibitory activity against the MCF-7/S cell line,with an IC50 of 5.13 μM.Conclusion Compounds 1 to 6 are reported for the first time from Dendrobium primulinum,while compound 7 is reported for the first time from this genus.

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis （CVST） is a rare cerebrovascular disease characterized by the formation of blood clots in the intracranial venous system due to various causes， resulting in obstruction of intracranial blood flow or cerebrospinal fluid circulation disorder. This disease often has diverse clinical symptoms， including increased intracranial pressure and focal neurological deficits. Antithrombin Ⅲ （AT Ⅲ）， encoded by the SERPINC1 gene， acts as a serine protease inhibitor for thrombin and coagulation factors Ⅻα， Ⅺα， Ⅸα， and Ⅹα， and antithrombin deficiency caused by SERPINC1 gene mutations is a risk factor for thrombosis. This article reports a case of CVST due to ATⅢ deficiency caused by common mutations in both the intron and exon regions of the SERPINC1 gene in our hospital.

Objective To assess the clinical value of conventional contrast enhanced CT(CECT),multi parameter energy spectrum CT,and contrast enhanced MR(CEMR)imaging methods in evaluating hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)after TACE treatment.Methods The clinical data of 66 HCC patients,who underwent TACE treatment at authors' hospital and received CECT,multi parameter energy spectrum CT and CEMR in 1-3 months after treatment,were retrospectively analyzed.Taking DSA results as the gold standard,the recurrent or residual lesions detected by DSA were classified as positive lesions,while the lesions having no obvious recurrence or residues were classified as negative lesions.The positive lesions that were detected by both DSA and other imaging methods were regarded as true positive lesions.The accuracy,sensitivity,specificity,Kappa value were used to compare the values of CECT,multi parameter energy spectrum CT and CEMR in evaluating the positive/negative lesions of HCC after TACE treatment,and the number of detected lesions and accuracy rate were used to evaluate the values of the above imaging methods in demonstrating the iodine oil deposition status and in diagnosing true positive lesions.Results A total of 133 positive lesions and 35 negative lesions were detected by DSA.The accuracy of CEMR in diagnosing lesions was highest,the accuracy rate was 88.70％(both P＜0.05);CEMR and energy spectrum CT had the highest diagnostic efficiency,the sensitivity for positive lesions was 92.31％and 81.95％respectively,and the difference between the two methods was not statistically significant(P＞0.05).No statistically significant difference in the ability of diagnosing negative lesions existed between each other among the three groups(all P＞0.05).The Kappa value suggested that the ability for diagnosing lesions after TACE treatment of CEMR was stronger than that of energy spectrum CT(Kappa value was 0.68 and 0.56 respectively,both P＜0.05).CECT and multi parameter energy spectrum CT had the same accuracy in evaluating the iodine oil deposition status(both were 91.7％).No statistically significant difference in diagnosing even iodine oil deposition of the true positive lesions existed between each other among the three groups(all P＞0.05).For diagnosing uneven iodine oil deposition of the true positive lesions,CEMR had the highest accuracy(92.50％,all P＜0.05).Conclusion CEMR and multi parameter energy spectrum CT have more reliable diagnostic performance than conventional CECT,besides,CEMR has the highest diagnostic performance.However,multi parameter energy spectrum CT and CECT are the better choice for evaluating the deposition status of iodine oil.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism by which salvianolic acid A (Sal A) reduces the inflammatory response and oxidative stress of BV2 cells injured by oxygen and glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R).METHODS An OGD/R injury model of BV2 cells was established with sugar free Earle solution containing Na2S2O410 mmol·L-1.Na2S2O4 sugar free Earle solution was added and cultured in an incubator (37 ℃,5％CO2) for 1.5 h (oxygen glucose deprivation) before a normal medium was used for 24 h (reperfusion).Then,the cells were divided into the cell control group,OGD/R group,OGD/R+Sal A 1,5 and 10 μmol·L-1 group,OGD/R+ML385 group,OGD/R+ML385+Sal A 1,5 and 10μmol·L-1 group and OGD/R+edaravone (Eda,50μmol·L-1) group.After twenty-four hours of culture,the cell survival rate was measured by CCK8 kit.The contents of Interleukin-1β (IL-1β),IL-6,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),IL-10,IL-4 and transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β) in the cell supernatant were detected by ELISA.Reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells was detected using the chemical fluo-rescence method.The contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD),glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) and chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) in cells were determined with the colorimetric method.Protein expressions of Kelch like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1),nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2),Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1),NADPH:quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO1) and p-nuclear factor kappa-B p65 (p-NF-κB p65) were detected by Western blotting.RESULTS ①Compared with the cell control group,the cell survival rate of the OGD/R group was significantly decreased (P＜0.01).Compared with the OGD/R group,the survival rates of OGD/R+Sal A 1,5 and 10μmol·L-1 groups were significantly increased (P＜0.05,P＜0.01).②Compared with the cell control group,the contents of IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly increased,the contents of IL-10,IL-4 and TGF-β were significantly decreased,the contents of ROS and MDA were significantly increased,and the activities of SOD,CAT and GSH-Px were significantly decreased in the OGD/R group (P＜0.01).Compared with the OGD/R group,the content of IL-6 was significantly decreased,the contents of IL-10,IL-4 and TGF-β were significantly increased,the contents of ROS and MDA were significantly decreased,and the activities of SOD,CAT and GSH-Px were significantly increased in OGD/R+Sal A 1,5 and 10μmol·L-1 and OGD/R+Eda groups (P＜0.05,P＜0.01).③Compared with the cell control group,the protein expression of p-NF-κB P65 in the OGD/R group was significantly increased (P＜0.01).Compared with the OGD/R group,the protein expressions of Keap1 and cytoplasmic Nrf2 were significantly decreased,the expressions of nuclear Nrf2,HO-1 and NQO1 proteins were significantly increased,and the expression of p-NF-κB p65 protein was significantly decreased in OGD/R+Sal A 5 and 10 μmol·L-1 and OGD/R+Eda groups (P＜0.05,P＜0.01).In OGD/R+ML385,OGD/R+ML385+Sal A 1,5 and 10μmol·L-1 groups,the protein expression of Keap1 was significantly increased,the protein expressions of cytoplasmic Nrf2,nuclear Nrf2,HO-1 and NQO1 protein were significantly decreased,and the protein expression of p-NF-κB P65 was significantly increased (P＜0.01).CONCLU-SION Sal A reduces the inflammatory response and oxidative stress of OGD/R injured BV2 cells possi-bly by activating the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway and inhibiting the NF-κB pathway.

Background:The diversity and function of gut microbiota have been regarded as crucial factors affecting human health.With the advances in genetics and epidemiology,especially the application of Mendelian randomization analysis,a novel perspective has been provided for profoundly uncovering the causal relationship between gut microbiota and duodenal ulcer.Aims:To investigate the causal relationship between gut microbiota and duodenal ulcer through two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis.Methods:Genetic variation samples of the gut microbiota were screened from the MiBioGen database.Genetic loci related to duodenal ulcer were selected as instrumental variables from genome-wide association study.The inverse-variance weighted method,weighted median method,and MR-Egger regression analysis were used to assess the causal relationship between gut microbiota and duodenal ulcer.Tests for heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy were conducted to ensure the stability of the results.Results:Bacteroides(OR=0.998,95%CI:0.996-1.000,P=0.014),Prevotella_7(OR=0.999,95%CI:0.998-1.000,P=0.043)and Terrisporobacter(OR=0.998,95%CI:0.997-1.000,P=0.029)exhibited negative causal relationship with duodenal ulcer,while Bifidobacterium(OR=1.001,95%CI:1.000-1.003,P=0.046),Lachnoclostridium(OR=1.002,95%CI:1.001-1.004,P=0.007)and Olsenella(OR=1.001,95%CI:1.000-1.002,P=0.018)presented positive causal relationship with duodenal ulcer.The sensitivity analysis indicated that the influences of heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy on the causal relationship could be excluded.Conclusions:The two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis revealed that Bacteroides,Prevotella_7 and Terrisporobacter were protective factors for duodenal ulcer,while Bifidobacterium,Lachnoclostridium and Olsenella were risk factors.

Background::Clinical opportunistic screening is a cost-effective cancer screening modality. This study aimed to establish an easy-to-use diagnostic model serving as a risk stratification tool for identification of individuals with malignant gastric lesions for opportunistic screening.Methods::We developed a questionnaire-based diagnostic model using a joint dataset including two clinical cohorts from northern and southern China. The cohorts consisted of 17,360 outpatients who had undergone upper gastrointestinal endoscopic examination in endoscopic clinics. The final model was derived based on unconditional logistic regression, and predictors were selected according to the Akaike information criterion. External validation was carried out with 32,614 participants from a community-based randomized controlled trial.Results::This questionnaire-based diagnostic model for malignant gastric lesions had eight predictors, including advanced age, male gender, family history of gastric cancer, low body mass index, unexplained weight loss, consumption of leftover food, consumption of preserved food, and epigastric pain. This model showed high discriminative power in the development set with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.791 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.750–0.831). External validation of the model in the general population generated an AUC of 0.696 (95% CI: 0.570–0.822). This model showed an ideal ability for enriching prevalent malignant gastric lesions when applied to various scenarios.Conclusion::This easy-to-use questionnaire-based model for diagnosis of prevalent malignant gastric lesions may serve as an effective prescreening tool in clinical opportunistic screening for gastric cancer.