ObjectiveTo elucidate the underlying mechanism through which Zhuluan decoction suppresses excessive autophagy in human ovarian granulosa cells （KGN） and ameliorates premature ovarian insufficiency （POI） via the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt）/mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR） signaling pathway. MethodsThe optimal concentration of cyclophosphamide for inducing a POI model in KGN cells was identified via the cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） assay. Subsequently， the impacts of varying concentrations of Zhuluan decoction-containing serum on the viability of the KGN cell model were assessed. After the optimal drug concentration was determined， KGN cells were categorized into the following groups： blank control （20% blank serum）， model （20% blank serum + 5 μmol·L^-1 cyclophosphamide）， Zhuluan decoction-containing serum （20% Zhuluan decoction-containing serum + 5 μmol·L^-1 cyclophosphamide）， autophagy inhibitor （20% blank serum + 5 μmol·L^-1 cyclophosphamide + 20 μmol·L^-1 chloroquine phosphate）， autophagy inhibitor + Zhuluan decoction-containing serum （20% Zhuluan decoction-containing serum + 5 μmol·L^-1 cyclophosphamide + 20 μmol·L^-1 chloroquine phosphate）， and estradiol valerate （20% estradiol valerate-containing serum + 5 μmol·L^-1 cyclophosphamide）. Following 48 hours of incubation， flow cytometry was utilized to measure the apoptosis rate of KGN cells in each group. Western blotting was employed to quantify the protein levels of PI3K， phosphorylated （p）-Akt， Akt， p-mTOR， and mTOR， along with the expression levels of autophagy-related proteins such as Beclin1， autophagy-related 5 homolog （ATG5）， and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 （LC3）， in each group. Additionally， monodansylcadaverine （MDC） staining was performed to evaluate the extent of autophagy in each group. ResultsIncubation of KGN cells with 5 μmol·L^-1 cyclophosphamide for 48 h successfully established a POI model， marked by a significant inhibition of KGN cell proliferation. Notably， the inhibitory effect of cyclophosphamide on KGN cell proliferation exhibited a positive correlation with its concentration. Zhuluan decoction-containing serum at 20% and 30% promoted cell proliferation and mitigated the inhibitory effect of cyclophosphamide on KGN cell proliferation， with comparable therapeutic efficacy observed at both concentrations. Compared with the blank control group， the model group displayed an elevated apoptosis rate （P<0.01）， reduced protein levels of PI3K， p-Akt， and p-mTOR （P<0.01）， increased protein levels of Beclin1， LC3， and ATG5 （P<0.01）， no significant alterations in the protein levels of Akt and mTOR， and an enhanced MDC autophagy fluorescence intensity （P<0.01）. In comparison to that the model group， the apoptosis rates in the blank control group， model group， Zhuluan decoction-containing serum group， autophagy inhibitor group， autophagy inhibitor + Zhuluan decoction-containing serum group， and estradiol valerate group all reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）， with the most pronounced reduction observed in the autophagy inhibitor + Zhuluan decoction-containing serum group. The protein levels of PI3K， p-Akt， and p-mTOR were higher in other groups than in the model group （P<0.05， P<0.01）， being the highest in the autophagy inhibitor + Zhuluan decoctio-containing serum group （P<0.01）. The protein levels of Beclin1 and ATG5 were lower in other groups than in the model group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The expression level of LC3 declined in the Zhuluan decoction-containing serum group and the estradiol valerate group （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while it decreased without statistical significance in the autophagy inhibitor group and the autophagy inhibitor + Zhuluan decoction-containing serum group. ConclusionZhuluan decoction may activate the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway to inhibit excessive autophagy and counteract the detrimental effects of cyclophosphamide on the KGN cell model， thus managing POI.

ObjectiveTo elucidate the underlying mechanism through which Zhuluan decoction suppresses excessive autophagy in human ovarian granulosa cells （KGN） and ameliorates premature ovarian insufficiency （POI） via the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt）/mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR） signaling pathway. MethodsThe optimal concentration of cyclophosphamide for inducing a POI model in KGN cells was identified via the cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） assay. Subsequently， the impacts of varying concentrations of Zhuluan decoction-containing serum on the viability of the KGN cell model were assessed. After the optimal drug concentration was determined， KGN cells were categorized into the following groups： blank control （20% blank serum）， model （20% blank serum + 5 μmol·L^-1 cyclophosphamide）， Zhuluan decoction-containing serum （20% Zhuluan decoction-containing serum + 5 μmol·L^-1 cyclophosphamide）， autophagy inhibitor （20% blank serum + 5 μmol·L^-1 cyclophosphamide + 20 μmol·L^-1 chloroquine phosphate）， autophagy inhibitor + Zhuluan decoction-containing serum （20% Zhuluan decoction-containing serum + 5 μmol·L^-1 cyclophosphamide + 20 μmol·L^-1 chloroquine phosphate）， and estradiol valerate （20% estradiol valerate-containing serum + 5 μmol·L^-1 cyclophosphamide）. Following 48 hours of incubation， flow cytometry was utilized to measure the apoptosis rate of KGN cells in each group. Western blotting was employed to quantify the protein levels of PI3K， phosphorylated （p）-Akt， Akt， p-mTOR， and mTOR， along with the expression levels of autophagy-related proteins such as Beclin1， autophagy-related 5 homolog （ATG5）， and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 （LC3）， in each group. Additionally， monodansylcadaverine （MDC） staining was performed to evaluate the extent of autophagy in each group. ResultsIncubation of KGN cells with 5 μmol·L^-1 cyclophosphamide for 48 h successfully established a POI model， marked by a significant inhibition of KGN cell proliferation. Notably， the inhibitory effect of cyclophosphamide on KGN cell proliferation exhibited a positive correlation with its concentration. Zhuluan decoction-containing serum at 20% and 30% promoted cell proliferation and mitigated the inhibitory effect of cyclophosphamide on KGN cell proliferation， with comparable therapeutic efficacy observed at both concentrations. Compared with the blank control group， the model group displayed an elevated apoptosis rate （P<0.01）， reduced protein levels of PI3K， p-Akt， and p-mTOR （P<0.01）， increased protein levels of Beclin1， LC3， and ATG5 （P<0.01）， no significant alterations in the protein levels of Akt and mTOR， and an enhanced MDC autophagy fluorescence intensity （P<0.01）. In comparison to that the model group， the apoptosis rates in the blank control group， model group， Zhuluan decoction-containing serum group， autophagy inhibitor group， autophagy inhibitor + Zhuluan decoction-containing serum group， and estradiol valerate group all reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）， with the most pronounced reduction observed in the autophagy inhibitor + Zhuluan decoction-containing serum group. The protein levels of PI3K， p-Akt， and p-mTOR were higher in other groups than in the model group （P<0.05， P<0.01）， being the highest in the autophagy inhibitor + Zhuluan decoctio-containing serum group （P<0.01）. The protein levels of Beclin1 and ATG5 were lower in other groups than in the model group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The expression level of LC3 declined in the Zhuluan decoction-containing serum group and the estradiol valerate group （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while it decreased without statistical significance in the autophagy inhibitor group and the autophagy inhibitor + Zhuluan decoction-containing serum group. ConclusionZhuluan decoction may activate the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway to inhibit excessive autophagy and counteract the detrimental effects of cyclophosphamide on the KGN cell model， thus managing POI.

ObjectiveTo investigate the possible mechanism of Jishe Qushi Capsule （脊蛇祛湿胶囊， JQC） in treating rheumatoid arthritis （RA） from the perspective of macrophage polarization mediated by neutrophil extracellular traps （NETs）. MethodsTwenty-four female SD rats were randomly divided into four groups， blank control group， model group， JQC group， and peptidylarginine deiminase 4 （PAD4） inhibitor group with 6 rats in each group. All groups but the blank control group were subjected to the induction of collagen-induced arthritis （CIA）. After successful model establishment， rats in the JQC group received intragastric administration of JQC 1.47 g/kg daily； rats in the PAD4 inhibitor group received intraperitoneal injections of the PAD4 inhibitor 4 mg/kg weekly. Rats in the blank， model， and PAD4 inhibitor groups received 2 ml of pure water daily by gavage. All treatments lasted 4 weeks. Joint lesions of each group were assessed on day 7， 14， 21， 28， and 35 after model establishment， and arthritis index （AI） scores were recorded. At 24 h after the final administration， histopathology of knee joints， including HE staining， safranin O-fast green staining， and TRAP staining， was performed. Flow cytometry was used to detect the counts of M1 and M2 macrophages in peripheral blood. ELISA was used to determine serum levels of TRACP， NETs， TNF-α， IL-1β， and iNOS. Western Blotting and qRT-PCR were used to measure MPO， NE， RANKL， OPG， and p65 protein and mRNA expression in knee cartilage tissue. ResultsCompared with the blank control group， the model group showed increased AI scores （P＜0.05）， marked synovial inflammatory infiltration， angiogenesis， and bone-cartilage destruction， increased TRAP-positive osteoclasts， increased M1 macrophages and decreased M2 macrophages， elevated serum TRACP， NETs， TNF-α， IL-1β， and iNOS （P＜0.05）， elevated MPO， NE， RANKL， and p65 protein/mRNA expression and decreased OPG protein/mRNA expression in knee cartilage tissue （P＜0.05）. Compared with the model group， the JQC group exhibited improved synovial inflammation， angiogenesis， and bone-cartilage damage， reduced AI scores on day 21， 28， and 35， decreased osteoclast counts， decreased M1 macrophages and increased M2 macrophages， reduced serum TRACP， NETs， TNF-α， IL-1β， and iNOS （P＜0.05）， decreased MPO， NE， RANKL， and p65 protein/mRNA expression and increased OPG expression （P＜0.05）. Compared with the PAD4 inhibitor group， the JQC group showed significantly lower AI scores， reduced M1 macrophages， increased M2 macrophages （P＜0.05）， reduced serum TRACP， TNF-α， IL-1β， and iNOS， decreased MPO， RANKL， and p65 expression， and increased OPG levels （P＜0.05）. ConclusionThe therapeutic mechanism of JQC for RA may involve inhibition of NETs formation， downregulation of the RANKL/NF-κB signaling pathway， and regulation of macrophage M1/M2 polarization imbalance， thereby suppressing osteoclastogenesis and inflammatory bone destruction.

In this work,with tris(4-aminophenyl)amine(TAPA)and 1,3,5-tris(4-formylphenyl)benzene(TFPB)as monomers,an imine-type porous organic polymer,TAPA-TFPB,was synthesized using a simple method under the catalysis of acetic acid.The material TAPA-TFPB was used as solid-phase extraction adsorbent and combined with ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight-tandem mass spectrometry(UHPLC-QTOF-MS)to establish a detection method for four kinds of nitrofuran metabolites(NFMs)residues in meat samples.The parameters of the adsorbent dosage,the pH value and volume of sample,and the type and volume of washing and eluent solvents were optimized,respectively.Under the optimal extraction conditions,low detection limits(0.11-1.60 μg/kg)were achieved for four kinds of NFMs.At three different spiked levels,the intra-day and inter-day precisions(Relative standard deviations)were 2.8% -10.9% and 4.3% -16.2%,respectively,and the spiked recoveries were 72.0% -107.2%.The results showed that the method chould be used for efficient extraction and analysis of trace NFMs residues in meat samples,indicating that TAPA-TFPB was a kind of promising SPE adsorbent.

As a serine protease,thrombin can convert soluble fibrinogen into insoluble fibrin and plays a pivotal role in the coagulation cascade.Therefore,the accurate quantitative assay of thrombin levels is of great value in the evaluation of coagulation function,clinical screening and prognostic monitoring of coagulation-related diseases,and screening of drugs for targeted therapy.Existing methods for thrombin detection can be divided into two categories,e.g.,the assay of concentration levels using nucleic acid aptamers as the affinity elements and the assay of activity levels based on the hydrolytic cleavage of substrate peptides.In recent years,electrochemical biosensors have attracted much attention in thrombin detection due to high sensitivity,high selectivity,simple instrument,fast response,and good portability.In this review,the latest research progress in methods for electrochemical detection of thrombin was summarized,focusing on the detection principles and the applied signal amplification strategies of related electrochemical biosensors.In addition,the challenges with respect to the practical use of electrochemical thrombin biosensors and the prospects were discussed.

Background/Aims: Treatment indications for patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remain contentious, particularly for patients with mild alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation. We aimed to evaluate treatment effects in this patient population. Methods: This rollover study extended a placebo-controlled trial that enrolled non-cirrhotic patients with CHB and ALT levels below two times the upper limit of normal. Following 3 years of randomized intervention with either tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) or placebo, participants were rolled over to open-label TDF for 3 years. Liver biopsies were performed before and after the treatment to evaluate histopathological changes. Virological, biochemical, and serological outcomes were also assessed (NCT02463019). Results: Of 146 enrolled patients (median age 47 years, 80.8% male), 123 completed the study with paired biopsies. Overall, the Ishak fibrosis score decreased in 74 (60.2%), remained unchanged in 32 (26.0%), and increased in 17 (13.8%) patients (p<0.0001). The Knodell necroinflammation score decreased in 58 (47.2%), remained unchanged in 29 (23.6%), and increased in 36 (29.3%) patients (p=0.0038). The proportion of patients with an Ishak score ≥ 3 significantly decreased from 26.8% (n=33) to 9.8% (n=12) (p=0.0002). Histological improvements were more pronounced in patients switching from placebo. Virological and biochemical outcomes also improved in placebo switchers and remained stable in patients who continued TDF. However, serum HBsAg levels did not change and no patient cleared HBsAg. Conclusions In CHB patients with minimally raised ALT, favorable histopathological, biochemical, and virological outcomes were observed following 3-year TDF treatment, for both treatment-naïve patients and those already on therapy.

Objective To explore the technical process and clinical application of laparoscopic combined upper midline incision minimally invasive liver transplantation. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 30 cases of laparoscopic combined upper midline incision minimally invasive liver transplantation. The cases were divided into cirrhosis group (15 cases) and liver failure group (15 cases) based on the primary disease. The surgical and postoperative conditions of the two groups were compared. Results All patients successfully underwent laparoscopic "clockwise" liver resection, with no cases of passive conversion to open surgery or intolerance to pneumoperitoneum. In 6 cases, the right lobe was relatively large, and the right hepatic ligaments could not be completely mobilized. One case required an additional reverse "L" incision during open surgery. All patients successfully completed the liver transplantation, with no major intraoperative bleeding, cardiovascular events, or other occurrences in the 30 patients. The model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score in the cirrhosis group was lower than that in the liver failure group (P<0.001). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of age, surgical time, blood loss, anhepatic phase, or cold ischemia time (all P>0.05). During the perioperative period, there was 1 case of hepatic artery embolism, 1 case of portal vein anastomotic stenosis, no complications of hepatic vein and inferior vena cava, and 3 cases of biliary anastomotic stenosis, all of which occurred in the liver failure group. Conclusions In strictly selected cases, the minimally invasive liver transplantation technique combining laparoscopic hepatectomy with upper midline incision for graft implantation has the advantages of smaller incisions, less bleeding, relatively easier operation, and faster postoperative recovery, which is worthy of clinical promotion and application.

Aconitum kusnezoffii is a perennial herbaceous medicinal plant of the family Ranunculaceae, with unique medicinal value. Damping off is one of the most important seedling diseases affecting A. kusnezoffii, occurring widely and often causing large-scale seedling death in the field. To clarify the species of the pathogen causing damping off in A. kusnezoffii and to formulate an effective control strategy, this study conducted pathogen identification, research on biological characteristics, and evaluation of fungicide inhibitory activity. Through morphological characteristics, cultural traits, and phylogenetic tree analysis, the pathogen causing damping off in A. kusnezoffii was identified as Rhizoctonia solani, belonging to the AG5 anastomosis group. The optimal temperature for mycelial growth of the pathogen was 25-30 ℃, with OA medium as the most suitable medium, pH 8 as the optimal pH, and sucrose and yeast as the best carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively. The effect of light on mycelial growth was not significant. In evaluating the inhibitory activity of 45 chemical fungicides, including 30% hymexazol, and 4 biogenic fungicides, including 0.3% eugenol, it was found that 30% thifluzamide and 50% fludioxonil had significantly better inhibitory effects on R. solani than other tested agents, with EC_(50) values of 0.129 6,0.220 6 μg·mL~(-1), respectively. Among the biogenic fungicides, 0.3% eugenol also showed an ideal inhibitory effect on the pathogen, with an EC_(50) of 1.668 9 μg·mL~(-1). To prevent the development of resistance in the pathogen and to reduce the use of chemical fungicides, it is recommended that the three fungicides above be used in rotation during production. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the accurate diagnosis and effective control strategy for R. solani causing damping off in A. kusnezoffii.
Fungicides, Industrial/pharmacology* ; Plant Diseases/microbiology* ; Rhizoctonia/growth & development* ; Aconitum/microbiology* ; Phylogeny ; Mycelium/growth & development*

This study aims to explore whether Albiziae Cortex-Tribuli Fructus can exert an anti-hepatic fibrosis effect by regulating the nuclear factor E2-related factor 2(Nrf2)/NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)/cysteine protease-1(caspase-1) pathway and analyze its potential mechanism. In the in vivo experiment, a mouse model of hepatic fibrosis was established by subcutaneous injection of carbon tetrachloride. The levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST), collagen type Ⅳ(ColⅣ), laminin(LN), procollagen type Ⅲ(PCⅢ), and hyaluronic acid(HA) in the serum of mice were measured using a fully automated biochemical analyzer and ELISA. Hematoxylin and eosin(HE) and Masson staining were used to observe inflammation and collagen fiber deposition in the liver tissue. Western blot and RT-qPCR were employed to detect the protein and mRNA expression of collagen type Ⅰ(collagen Ⅰ), α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA), Nrf2, NLRP3, gasdermin D(GSDMD), and caspase-1 in the hepatic tissue. In the in vitro experiment, human hepatic stellate cells(HSC-LX2) were pretreated with Nrf2 agonist or inhibitor, followed by the addition of blank serum, AngⅡ + blank serum, and AngⅡ + Albiziae Cortex-Tribuli Fructus-containing serum for intervention. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of Nrf2, NLRP3, GSDMD, caspase-1, α-SMA, GSDMD-N, and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein(ASC) in cells. DCFH-DA fluorescence probe was used to detect the cellular ROS levels. The results from the in vivo experiment showed that, compared with the model group, Albiziae Cortex-Tribuli Fructus significantly reduced the serum levels of AST, ALT, ColⅣ, LN, PCⅢ, and HA, reduced the infiltration of inflammatory cells and collagen fiber deposition in the liver tissue, significantly upregulated the protein and mRNA expression of Nrf2 in the liver tissue, and significantly downregulated the protein and mRNA expression of collagen I, α-SMA, NLRP3, GSDMD, and caspase-1 in the liver tissue. The results from the in vitro experiment showed that Nrf2 activation decreased the protein expression of NLRP3, GSDMD, caspase-1, α-SMA, GSDMD-N, ASC, and ROS levels in HSC-LX2, while Nrf2 inhibition showed the opposite trend. Furthermore, Albiziae Cortex-Tribuli Fructus-containing serum directly decreased the expression of the above proteins and ROS levels. In conclusion, Albiziae Cortex-Tribuli Fructus can effectively improve hepatic fibrosis, and its mechanism of action may involve inhibiting pyroptosis through the regulation of the Nrf2/NLRP3/caspase-1 pathway.
Animals ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/genetics* ; Liver Cirrhosis/genetics* ; Mice ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Caspase 1/genetics* ; Male ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/genetics* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Humans ; Liver/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Plant Extracts ; Tribulus