BACKGROUND:The pathogenesis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy has not yet been clarified,and TAM(Tyro3,Axl,and MerTK)receptor tyrosine kinases can control apoptotic cells and suppress inflammatory responses in the central nervous system. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the difference of Mer receptor tyrosine kinase(MerTK)levels in plasma and sciatic nerve tissue of Sprague-Dawley rats with type 2 diabetes and diabetic peripheral neuropathy,and to study the correlation between MerTK and diabetic peripheral neuropathy. METHODS:Forty male Sprague-Dawley were randomly divided into control group with 15 rats,type 2 diabetes group with 10 rats,and diabetic peripheral neuropathy group with 15 rats.The control group was fed with ordinary diet,while the experimental groups were fed with high-fat and high-sugar diet.After 6 weeks,intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin at the minimum dose of 35 mg/kg was administered in the two experimental groups.After 14 days,tail vein blood was collected to detect blood glucose.If blood glucose≥16.7 mmol/L,the model of type 2 diabetes was successfully established.Rats in the diabetic peripheral neuropathy group continued to be fed with a high-sugar and high-fat diet for 8 weeks.The sciatic nerve conduction velocity of rats was detected through live isolation under anesthesia.Blood samples were collected from the abdominal aorta,and the sciatic nerve tissue was collected.Histological changes of nerve fibers in each group were observed under a light microscope to confirm the success of diabetic peripheral neuropathy modeling.ELISA was used to detect peripheral blood glucose,blood lipids and serum MerTK levels in rats;hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the histological changes in the sciatic nerve;immunofluorescence,immunohistochemistry and western blot were used to detect the expression of MerTK in the sciatic nerve tissue. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The Sprague-Dawley rat models of type 2 diabetes and type 2 diabetes peripheral neuropathy were successfully constructed,and the modeling rate of diabetic peripheral neuropathy was 80%.Compared with the control group,the blood glucose levels of rats in the type 2 diabetes and diabetic peripheral neuropathy groups were significantly higher(P<0.000 1),while the blood glucose level in the diabetic peripheral neuropathy group was higher than that in the type 2 diabetes group;and the sciatic nerve conduction velocity was significantly decreased(P<0.05),which was lower in the diabetic peripheral neuropathy group than the type 2 diabetes group.Histological examination:Compared with the control group,the sciatic nerve nuclei were reduced in the type 2 diabetes group,with some vacuolar degeneration and phagocytosis;in the diabetic peripheral neuropathy group,the cell body was swollen,the nuclear spacing was increased,vacuolar degeneration was observed,and the myelin sheath was partitioned and unsmooth,and lattice-like axons appeared.Serum MerTK levels were significantly higher in the diabetic peripheral neuropathy group than the control group.Expression of MerTK in the sciatic nerve tissue was significantly upregulated in the diabetic peripheral neuropathy group compared with the control group(P<0.05).To conclude,elevated levels of MerTK in plasma and sciatic nerve tissue of rats with diabetic peripheral neuropathy are presumably related to its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects.

Objective To explore the predictive value of serum high-mobility group box protein B1(HMGB1)and soluble receptor for advanced glycation end-products(sRAGE)in the occurrence and short-term prognosis of sepsis-associated encephalopathy(SAE).Methods Clinical data of 228 patients with sepsis were retrospectively analyzed.According to the presence of SAE,patients were divided into the SAE group(96 cases)and the non-SAE group(132 cases).General clinical data,laboratory test results,Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Ⅱ(APACHEⅡ)scores,Sequential Organ Failure Assessment(SOFA)scores and serum HMGB1 and sRAGE levels were compared between the two groups.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine factors influencing SAE occurrence.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were plotted to evaluate the predictive ability of HMGB1,sRAGE and the HMGB1/sRAGE ratio to predict the occurrence and short-term prognosis of SAE.Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to compare the 28-day mortality rates of SAE patients with different HMGB1 and sRAGE expression levels.Results Compared to the non-SAE group,patients in the SAE group exhibited elevated serum HMGB1 levels,decreased sRAGE levels and an increased HMGB1/sRAGE ratio(P＜0.05).The areas under the curve(AUC)for predicting SAE using HMGB1,sRAGE and the HMGB1/sRAGE ratio were 0.826(95%CI:0.770-0.872),0.682(95%CI:0.617-0.742)and 0.895(95%CI:0.848-0.932),respectively,indicating predictive value.Among the 96 SAE patients,52(54.2%)died within 28 days.There were no statistically significant differences in HMGB1,sRAGE and the HMGB1/sRAGE ratio between surviving and deceased patients(P＞0.05).Similarly,there were no significant differences in 28-day mortality rates between SAE patients with different HMGB1 or sRAGE expression levels.Conclusion Elevated serum HMGB1 and reduced sRAGE are of significant value in the auxiliary diagnosis of SAE,but have limited clinical predictive value for short-term prognosis.

Objective To investigate the detection rate and related influencing factors of gastrointestinal diseases in grass-roots personnel.Methods A total of 481 grass-roots personnel were enrolled and examined by magnetic-controlled capsule endoscopy(MCCE).Multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze the influencing factors of gastrointestinal diseases detected by MCCE.Results All personnel completed MCCE,and gastrointestinal diseases were detected in 154(32.0%)cases,including 106 cases of erosive gastritis,25 cases of chronic atrophic gastritis,17 cases of digestive tract polyp,16 cases of gastric ulcer,5 cases of reflux esophagitis,4 cases of cardia,1 case of duodenitis,and 1 case of enteritis.Gastrointestinal diseases was correlated with special operation posts,long-term tasks within recent 6 months,abdominal distension,belching,nausea and vomiting,diarrhea and other symptoms(all P＜0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the risk factors of gastrointestinal diseases were working in special operation posts,performing long tasks within 6 months,belching,nausea and vomiting symptoms(all P＜0.05).Conclusion The overall detection rate of gastrointestinal diseases(mainly acid related diseases)is relatively high,and its incidence is closely related to working in special operation posts and performing long-term tasks within recent 6 months.Personnel working in special operation posts should be more alert to gastrointestinal diseases.Gastrointestinal symptoms have reference value for the prediction of lesions,but more attention should be paid to the identification of functional gastrointestinal diseases with endoscopy.

Objective:To explore the predictive value of ultrasonic shear wave elastography (SWE) parameters and pathological characteristics on the status of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), which is difficult to be determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in breast cancer, and to construct a nomogram model.Methods:A retrospective case-control study was conducted. One hundred and fifteen cases of breast cancer diagnosed and treated in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University from September 2018 to April 2022 were selected, and their HER2 was evaluated as IHC 2+; the HER2 expression status was determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) detection, including 23 HER2 positive cases and 92 HER2 negative cases. The ultrasound SWE parameters [including maximum shear wave velocity (V max), mean shear wave velocity (V mean), median shear wave velocity (V median), minimum shear wave velocity (V min)] and clinicopathological characteristics between HER2 positive and negative groups were compared. The variables with statistically significant differences ( P < 0.05) between groups were included in a multivariate logistic regression model, the independent risk factors for HER2 positivity were screened, and a nomogram model was constructed based on these independent risk factors. With the FISH test results as the gold standard, the efficacy of nomogram in judging HER2 positivity in breast cancer which was difficult to be identified by IHC was evaluated with the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve; the accuracy and clinical net benefit of the nomogram model were evaluated using calibration curve and decision curve analysis (DCA), respectively. Results:The patients were all female, aged (56±13) years, ranging from 30 to 88 years old. V max [ M ( Q1, Q3)] [8.54 (7.38, 9.47) m/s vs. 6.46 (5.07, 8.42) m/s], V mean [(5.41±0.78) m/s vs. (4.53±1.22) m/s], V median [5.06 (4.48, 5.52) m/s vs. 4.35 (3.42, 4.96) m/s], V min [3.35 (2.68, 3.88) m/s vs. 2.59 (2.11, 3.34) m/s], the proportion of patients with axillary lymph node metastasis [56.5% (13/23) vs. 22.8% (21/92)], and the Ki-67 positivity index [35% (30%, 55%) vs. 25% (15%, 35%)] in the HER2 positive group were higher than those in the HER2 negative group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05); There was no statistically significant difference in age, lesion location, pathological type, vascular invasion, nerve invasion and long diameter, short diameter, echo, regular shape, clear boundary, posterior echo, calcification, blood flow grading, Breast Imaging Report and Data System (BI-RADS) classification detected by ultrasound between the two groups (all P > 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that increased ultrasound V max ( OR = 1.786, 95% CI: 1.283-2.485, P = 0.001) and axillary lymph node metastasis ( OR = 4.185, 95% CI: 1.327-13.197, P = 0.015) and elevated Ki-67 positivity index ( OR = 1.042, 95% CI: 1.014-1.071, P = 0.003) were independent risk factors for HER2 positivity. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of HER2 positive breast cancer which was difficult to be determined by IHC was 0.816 (95% CI: 0.732-0.883), that was higher than 0.712 (95% CI: 0.620-0.794) of V max, 0.601 (95% CI: 0.504-0.692) of axillary lymph node metastasis and 0.706 (95% CI: 0.613-0.788) of Ki-67 positivity index based on the nomogram constructed by the above independent risk factors, with statistically significant differences (all P < 0.05). The calibration curve showed that the predicted probability of the nomogram model was close to the actual probability, and DCA indicated that the clinical net benefit of the model was good. Conclusions:The nomogram constructed based on ultrasonic SWE parameter V max, axillary lymph node metastasis and Ki-67 positivity index has a good predictive effect on HER2 status of breast cancer which is difficult to be determined by IHC.

Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that nucleic acid-based therapies are promising for atherosclerosis. However, nearly all nucleic acid delivery systems developed for atherosclerosis necessitate injection, which results in rapid elimination and poor patient compliance. Consequently, oral delivery strategies capable of targeting atherosclerotic plaques are imperative for nucleic acid therapeutics. Herein we report the development of yeast-derived capsules (YCs) packaging an antisense oligonucleotide (AM33) targeting microRNA-33 (miR-33) for the oral treatment of atherosclerosis. YCs provide stability for AM33, preventing its premature release in the gastrointestinal tract. AM33-containing YCs, defined as YAM33, showed high transfection in macrophages, thus promoting cholesterol efflux and inhibiting foam cell formation by regulating the target genes/proteins of miR-33. Orally delivered YAM33 effectively accumulated within atherosclerotic plaques in ApoE ^-/- mice, primarily by transepithelial absorption via M cells in Peyer's patches and subsequent translocation via macrophages through the lymphatic system. Inhibition of miR-33 by oral YAM33 significantly delayed the progression of atherosclerosis. Moreover, oral treatment with YCs co-delivering AM33 and atorvastatin afforded significantly enhanced anti-atherosclerotic effects. Our findings suggest that yeast-based microcapsules represent an effective carrier for oral delivery of nucleic acids, either alone or in combination with existing drugs, offering a promising approach for precision therapy of atherosclerotic diseases.

Acute urinary retention(AUR)occurs frequently among astronauts on orbit.The current treatment is complex and easy to damage the urethra,which seriously affects the life and work of astronauts.In contrast,acupuncture,a traditional Chinese remedy,has shown promising results in managing urinary retention.However,the specific acupoints that could potentially prevent AUR remain uncertain due to the unique physiological conditions experienced by individuals in space compared to those on Earth.To address this gap,our research delved into the mechanisms of AUR and acupuncture within both traditional Chinese medicine and modern medical practices.We conducted a thorough literature review from Pubmed,Web of Science,CNKI,Wanfang database,VIP database and Chinese Medical Code database.A hierarchical evidence-scoring approach was utilized to analyze the included literatures,thus devised acupuncture protocols for the treatment of AUR.The outcomes of our study aim to establish a foundation for the application of acupuncture in managing AUR.

Objective To investigate the effects of body weight and length of SD rats on the carotid artery balloon injury-induced vascular stenosis model in order to provide a reference for replicating an ideal vascular stenosis mod-el.Methods Male rats were divided into three groups based on body weight and length.The CONQUEROR? SC PTCA balloon catheter was employed,with a fixed balloon inflation volume of 0.2 mL to induce injury in the left common carotid artery,while the right side served as a control.As soon as surgery operation,one rat from each group was selected for Evans Blue dye verification.Fourteen days later,the injured and contra lateral common ca-rotid arteries from remaining rats were harvested for HE staining to check the extent of stenosis.Based on these find-ings,six rats within the optimal range of body weight and length were selected for further validation.Results Rats with body weights ranging from 280 to 380 g(corresponding body lengths of 21.0-26.5 cm)underwent balloon catheter injury,resulting in endothelial detachment and varying degrees of stenosis in the common carotid artery.In rats weighing 280-300 g(body lengths of 21.0-22.5 cm)had severe stenosis or occlusion of the common carotid artery with thrombosis.In rats weighing 320-340 g(body lengths of 23.0-24.5 cm),the internal and external elastic plates of the common carotid artery were ruptured and the vascular morphology was abnormal.Conversely,rats weighing 360-380 g(body lengths of 25.0-26.5 cm)did not show any ruptured elastic laminae or thrombus formation in the common carotid artery,and the extent of vascular stenos in rats with a body weight of 360 g was moderate and uniform.The results of the repeated validation experiments were consistent.Conclusions Rats with a body weight range of 360 g(corresponding body length of 25.0-26.5 cm)are suitable for development of an ideal vascular stenosis model.

Objective To investigate the effects of Aconite decoction （AD） on the viability and polarization of murine RAW264.7 macrophages induced by lipopolysaccharide （LPS） or interleukin-4 （IL-4）. Methods Cytotoxicity of AD was assessed by the CCK-8 assay. RAW264.7 cells were polarized toward M1 phenotype by LPS or M2 phenotype by IL-4, followed by treatment with varying concentrations of AD. Macrophage polarization was analyzed by flow cytometry. Quantitative PCR was performed to measure mRNA expression of polarization-associated markers （IL-6, iNOS, Arg1, and Ym1）. ELISA was used to quantify secreted cytokines （TNF-α and IL-10）in the supernatant. Results At non-toxic concentrations, IL-6 and iNOS mRNA levels in LPS-stimulated cells were significantly upregulated while Arg1 and Ym1 expression in IL-4-treated groups were downregulated by AD. Concurrently, TNF-α secretion in LPS-induced M1 polarization was enhanced but IL-10 production in IL-4-induced M2 polarization was suppressed by AD. Conclusion AD could promote macrophage proliferation and viability, augments LPS-driven M1 polarization, and inhibit IL-4-mediated M2 polarization, which provided experimental evidence for the potential application of AD in tumor immunotherapy.

Objective:To explore the key components and mechanism of Qufeng Ningfei Powder in treating asthma through qualitative analysis of its blood components, combined with network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques.Methods:The blood components of Qufeng Ningfei Powder were qualitatively analyzed using UPLC-QE-Orbitrap-MS technology. R language was employed to analyze chip data from the GEO database, obtaining a list of differentially expressed genes. SwissTargetPrediction was utilized to predict the targets of drug components. Asthma-related targets were searched through databases such as OMIM, GeneCards, and TTD. The intersection of drug and disease targets was identified using Venn online analysis tool, constructing a "drug-component-target-disease" network to screen potential core components. A protein-protein interaction network (PPI) of core targets was constructed using STRING platform and Cytoscape software. GO function enrichment and KEGG pathway analysis were conducted using DAVID database to validate potential mechanism. Molecular docking was performed to verify the interaction between key components and core targets.Results:A total of 64 components were identified, from which 53 active components were screened, corresponding to 609 targets. Further searching disease databases revealed 96 target genes related to asthma, with an intersection of 6 genes between drug and asthma differential genes. Core target gene IL6 and its corresponding core compound were determined through network topology analysis. Molecular docking confirmed the binding of the main active components of Qufeng Ningfei Powder with the core target protein IL6.Conclusion:The blood components of Qufeng Ningfei Powder may regulate IL-17 through IL6, counteract airway remodeling, oxidative stress, and airway hyperresponsiveness, and thus treat asthma.

Objective To explore the factors influencing cognitive frailty in elderly inpatients with chronic heart failure(CHF)during hospitalisation,8 prediction models were developed with various machine learning algorithms to identify the best model as a guidance for medical staff on clinical interventions.Methods Convenience sampling method was used to select 650 elderly CHF inpatients who stayed in our hospital between September 2023 and June 2024 as the study objects in the cross-sectional investigation.A total of 607 patients had completed the study.The patients were divided into a cognitive frailty group and a non-cognitive frailty group according to the presence or absence of cognitive frailty.Variables were initially screened using univariate analysis and stepwise Logistic regression.The total sample was then randomly divided into a training set(n=424)and a testing set(n=183)of a 7:3 ratio.Eight predictive models were created using the algorithms of neural network(NN),k-nearest neighbour(KNN),linear discriminant analysis(LDA),support vector machine(SVM),naive Bayes(NB),logistic regression,decision tree(DT)and random forest(RF)on the training set.The predictive performance of the models was compared using the data of the testing set.Results The prevalence of cognitive frailty in elderly CHF inpatients was 48.3%.Results of Logistic regression showed that age,marital status,education,body mass index,multi-morbidity,nutritional status,medication,frequency of weekly exercise and the living conditions were the key factors(P<0.05).The overall accuracy in classification of the eight predictive models ranged from 0.803 to 0.847,with F1-values of 0.778 to 0.833,precision of 0.848 to 0.897,and recall rate of 0.700 to 0.778.The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.820 to 0.901.Conclusion Of the eight predictive models,the prediction model created with LDA shows the best performance and prediction in terms of comprehensive prediction metrics,while the prediction model created with NN shows the worst performance in comprehensive prediction.