Objective:To investigate the mechanisms of baicalin in treating septic acute liver injury through a combination of network pharmacology and animal experiments.Methods:Thirty male C57BL/6 mice (6 weeks old) were divided into five groups ( n=6): control group (normal saline), model group [lipopolysaccharide (LPS) 10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection], low-dose baicalin group (10 mg/kg), high-dose baicalin group (20 mg/kg), and baicalin-only group (20 mg/kg, without LPS). Baicalin was administered orally for 14 consecutive days prior to modeling. Mice were sacrificed 24 h after LPS injection. Alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase liver tissue histopathology were measured; neutrophil infiltration was visualized using immunofluorescence; mRNA expression levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-17, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were detected by RT-qPCR; and the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and phosphorylated nuclear factor (NF)-κB proteins were analyzed by Western blotting. Results:In the LPS model group, the ALT, AST, and histopathological injury score were (148.60±22.02) U/L, (81.58±11.59) U/L, and 8.50(7.75, 9.25), respectively. These indicators were significantly reduced in the high-dose baicalin group with (77.90±16.79) U/L, (49.92±14.89) U/L, and 1.00(1.00, 2.25) (all P<0.05). Compared with the LPS group, neutrophil infiltration in the liver of high-dose baicalin group was also significantly reduced [1.18%(0.98%, 1.22%) vs. 6.13%(5.41%, 8.69%), P<0.05]. RT-qPCR results showed that the relative mRNA expression levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β [(1.03±0.06) vs. (2.60±0.34)], IL-17 [(1.21±0.12) vs. (2.94 ± 0.39)], IL-6 [(1.37±0.26) vs. (2.73±0.18)], and TNF-α [(1.18±0.10) vs. (3.30±0.92)] were significantly decreased in the high-dose baicalin group compared with the LPS group (all P<0.05). Western blot analysis revealed that the relative protein expression levels of TLR4 [(1.25±0.13) vs. (1.73±0.06)] and phosphorylated NF-κB [(1.25±0.25) vs. (1.79±0.12)] were also significantly lower in the high-dose baicalin group (both P<0.05). Conclusion:Baicalin reduces liver injury in septic mice by downregula-ting the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-17, potentially through the inhibition of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Objective:To establish and evaluated a logistic regression model for predicting the acute biliary pancreatitis (ABP) based on liver-injury related indexes.Methods:Clinical data of 210 patients diagnosed with acute pancreatitis (AP) at the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University from October 2020 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, including 113 males and 97 females, with a median age of 52 years (range, 43 to 58). Among these, 88 were diagnosed with ABP and 122 with acute non-biliary pancreatitis (ANBP). Additionally, a test cohort was created using data from 101 AP patients diagnosed between January and December 2023, including 60 males and 41 females, with a median age of 53 years (range, 43 to 63). Based on the original dataset, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the factors influencing ABP. A prediction probability formula (Pre) was then established based on the multivariate results. The effectiveness of each indicator in predicting ABP was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The ROC curve analysis determined the optimal cutoff value of Pre, which was subsequently used to diagnose ABP and ANBP in the test cohort.Results:Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed the factors influencing ABP include direct bilirubin (DBIL), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), cholinesterase (CHE), and fibrinogen (FIB). Based on the multivariate analysis results, the prediction probability formula (Pre) for ABP was established as follows: P=1/{1+ exp[-(4.807+ 0.134×DBIL-1.859×AST/ALT-0.0003×CHE-0.387×FIB)]}. ROC curve analysis revealed that the area under the curve (AUC) for Pre in predicting ABP was 0.858, with an optimal cutoff value of 0.56, at which the sensitivity was 69.3% and the specificity was 91.0%. Using the cutoff value of 0.56 for Pre, ABP was diagnosed when Pre≥0.56 and ANBP was diagnosed when Pre<0.56. This criterion was applied to diagnose patients in the test cohort, where the sensitivity and specificity of Pre for diagnosing ABP were 86.1% and 92.3%, respectively.Conclusion:The logistic regression model based on liver injury-related indicators is a valuable tool for clinically assessing the incidence of ABP.

Objective:To investigate the mechanisms of baicalin in treating septic acute liver injury through a combination of network pharmacology and animal experiments.Methods:Thirty male C57BL/6 mice (6 weeks old) were divided into five groups ( n=6): control group (normal saline), model group [lipopolysaccharide (LPS) 10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection], low-dose baicalin group (10 mg/kg), high-dose baicalin group (20 mg/kg), and baicalin-only group (20 mg/kg, without LPS). Baicalin was administered orally for 14 consecutive days prior to modeling. Mice were sacrificed 24 h after LPS injection. Alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase liver tissue histopathology were measured; neutrophil infiltration was visualized using immunofluorescence; mRNA expression levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-17, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were detected by RT-qPCR; and the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and phosphorylated nuclear factor (NF)-κB proteins were analyzed by Western blotting. Results:In the LPS model group, the ALT, AST, and histopathological injury score were (148.60±22.02) U/L, (81.58±11.59) U/L, and 8.50(7.75, 9.25), respectively. These indicators were significantly reduced in the high-dose baicalin group with (77.90±16.79) U/L, (49.92±14.89) U/L, and 1.00(1.00, 2.25) (all P<0.05). Compared with the LPS group, neutrophil infiltration in the liver of high-dose baicalin group was also significantly reduced [1.18%(0.98%, 1.22%) vs. 6.13%(5.41%, 8.69%), P<0.05]. RT-qPCR results showed that the relative mRNA expression levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β [(1.03±0.06) vs. (2.60±0.34)], IL-17 [(1.21±0.12) vs. (2.94 ± 0.39)], IL-6 [(1.37±0.26) vs. (2.73±0.18)], and TNF-α [(1.18±0.10) vs. (3.30±0.92)] were significantly decreased in the high-dose baicalin group compared with the LPS group (all P<0.05). Western blot analysis revealed that the relative protein expression levels of TLR4 [(1.25±0.13) vs. (1.73±0.06)] and phosphorylated NF-κB [(1.25±0.25) vs. (1.79±0.12)] were also significantly lower in the high-dose baicalin group (both P<0.05). Conclusion:Baicalin reduces liver injury in septic mice by downregula-ting the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-17, potentially through the inhibition of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Objective:To establish and evaluated a logistic regression model for predicting the acute biliary pancreatitis (ABP) based on liver-injury related indexes.Methods:Clinical data of 210 patients diagnosed with acute pancreatitis (AP) at the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University from October 2020 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, including 113 males and 97 females, with a median age of 52 years (range, 43 to 58). Among these, 88 were diagnosed with ABP and 122 with acute non-biliary pancreatitis (ANBP). Additionally, a test cohort was created using data from 101 AP patients diagnosed between January and December 2023, including 60 males and 41 females, with a median age of 53 years (range, 43 to 63). Based on the original dataset, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the factors influencing ABP. A prediction probability formula (Pre) was then established based on the multivariate results. The effectiveness of each indicator in predicting ABP was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The ROC curve analysis determined the optimal cutoff value of Pre, which was subsequently used to diagnose ABP and ANBP in the test cohort.Results:Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed the factors influencing ABP include direct bilirubin (DBIL), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), cholinesterase (CHE), and fibrinogen (FIB). Based on the multivariate analysis results, the prediction probability formula (Pre) for ABP was established as follows: P=1/{1+ exp[-(4.807+ 0.134×DBIL-1.859×AST/ALT-0.0003×CHE-0.387×FIB)]}. ROC curve analysis revealed that the area under the curve (AUC) for Pre in predicting ABP was 0.858, with an optimal cutoff value of 0.56, at which the sensitivity was 69.3% and the specificity was 91.0%. Using the cutoff value of 0.56 for Pre, ABP was diagnosed when Pre≥0.56 and ANBP was diagnosed when Pre<0.56. This criterion was applied to diagnose patients in the test cohort, where the sensitivity and specificity of Pre for diagnosing ABP were 86.1% and 92.3%, respectively.Conclusion:The logistic regression model based on liver injury-related indicators is a valuable tool for clinically assessing the incidence of ABP.

Objective To investigate the clinical features of the spectrum of upper gastrointestinal diseases in children and to provide assistance in the prevention,diagnosis and treatment of upper gastrointestinal diseases in children.Methods Clinical data of 424 children aged 2 months to 14 years who were hospitalised for gastroscopy in the paediatrics department of the First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province from January 2018 to June 2023 were collected,and retrospective analyses were performed for the children's clinical presentation,gastroscopy results,and HP infections.Results The symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea in infants were significantly different from those in preschool and school age groups(P＜0.05).The positive rate of lesions under gastroscopy was 96.46％.The main diseases found were non-atrophic gastritis(222 cases),bile reflux gastritis(42 cases),non-atrophic gastritis with erosion(30 cases),duodenitis(25 cases),reflux esophagitis(15 cases)and others(75 cases).Helicobacter pylori(HP)was detected in 300 of the 424 cases,and 105 cases were HP positive,with a detection rate of 35.00％.Conclusion Abdominal pain was the main symptom of upper gastrointestinal diseases in school-age and pre-school children.Vomiting and diarrhea were the main symptoms of upper gastrointestinal diseases in infants.There was no gender difference in HP infection,but there was a difference in age.

Objective:To explore the influence of chronic rhinitis on depressive symptoms of college freshmen and the mediating effect of avoidant personality.Methods:A cluster sampling method was used to survey 8 079 college freshmen from April 2018 to October 2018 using the Beck depression inventory and the avoidant personality diagnosis questionnaire based on DSM-Ⅳ.SPSS 25.0 software was used for descriptive statistics and Spearman correlation analysis, and the macro program PROCESS version 3.3 was used for the mediating effect.Results:(1) The detection rates of chronic rhinitis, avoidant personality and depressive symptoms were 22.90% (1 850/8 079), 19.22% (1 553/8 079) and 6.28% (507/8 079). The scores for avoidant personality disorder and depressive symptoms were 1.00 (0, 3.00) and 1.00 (0, 4.00), respectively. (2) The chronic rhinitis, avoidant personality and depressive symptoms were positively correlated ( rchronic rhinitis-avoidant personality=0.094, rchronic rhinitis-depressive symptoms=0.095, ravoidant personality-depressive symptoms=0.416, all P<0.001). (3) Chronic rhinitis could positively predict depressive symptoms ( β=1.113, P<0.001). (4) Avoidant personality played a mediating role between chronic rhinitis and depressive symptoms ( β=1.094, P<0.001), and accounted for 44.92%(0.500/1.113) of the total effect. Conclusion:Chronic rhinitis directly affect the depressive symptoms of college freshmen, and indirectly affect the depressive symptoms of college freshmen through the mediating role of avoidant personality.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis for two Chinese pedigrees affected with Huntington disease and provide prenatal diagnosis for them. METHODS: Peripheral venous blood samples were collected from the probands. PCR and capillary gel electrophoresis were used to determine the number of CAG repeats in their IT15 gene. Pre-symptomatic testing was offered to their children and relatives, and prenatal diagnosis was provided to three pregnant women from the two pedigrees. RESULTS: The two probands, in addition with three asymptomatic members, were found to have a (CAG)n repeat number greater than 40. Upon prenatal diagnosis, the numbers of CAG repeats in two fetuses from pedigree 1 were determined as (16, 19) and (18, 19), both were within the normal range. A fetus from pedigree 2 was found to have a CAG repeat number of (15, 41), which exceeded the normal range. CONCLUSION Genetic testing can facilitate the diagnosis of Huntington disease and avoid further birth of affected children.
Child ; Female ; Genetic Testing ; Humans ; Huntington Disease/genetics* ; Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics* ; Pedigree ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis

Objective:To investigate the changes of dynamic functional connectivity between the default mode network (DMN) and executive control network (ECN) in the resting state in patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD).Methods:From September 2018 to June 2019, 23 cases of AUD group and 24 cases of healthy control (HC) group matched with age, gender, education level and handedness were collected at Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University. Mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and Michigan alcoholism screening test (MAST) were performed in all subjects for cognition and alcohol dependence score. All the subjects underwent T 1WI-3D structural imaging and resting state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) examination. Group spatial independent component analysis (ICA) was used to select the independent components of DMN and ECN. Then dynamic changes in the functional connectivity between the DMN and the DMN were obtained by sliding window approach and clustering method. Finally, the independent sample t test was used to compare the difference of general clinical data between the two groups, the linear correlation analysis was conducted in the parameter value and MMSE and MAST scores. Results:Compared with the HC group, the static functional connectivity analysis showed that the precuneus and posterior cingulate gyrus of the DMN were enhanced in the AUD group ( P=0.016, t=2.496). The DMN and ECN functional connectivity showed four different brain activity states, the proportion of state1 increased by 6.81% and state2 decreased by 6.83% in the AUD group, state3 and state4 were relatively stable. In state1, the internal functional connectivity of the DMN in the AUD group was enhanced, while the functional connectivity between DMN and ECN was mainly enhanced. In state2, the internal functional connectivity of the ECN was enhanced, and the connectivity between the DMN and ECN was mainly weakened. The mean dwell of state2 in the AUD group was negatively correlated with the MAST score ( r=-0.433, P=0.039). Conclusions:Dynamic functional connectivity patterns between DMN and ECN have been changed in patients with AUD. Dynamic functional connectivity can reveal transient changes in brain activity, which can provide certain imaging evidence for finding changes in AUD deep brain activity.

Objective To compare the safety and efficacy of direct and remedial rotational atherectomy in the treatment of heavily calcified coronary artery lesions.Methods We retrospectively reviewed 58 patients admitted in the Shanghai Chest Hospital and Liaocheng People Hospital from May 2012 to July 2015 who had received stent implantation and rotational atherectomy.The 58 patients were divided into two groups which were the direct atherectomy group (n =27) and the remedial atherectomy group (n =31).General clinical date,lesion and procedural characteristics,intraoperative complications,in-hospital and follow-up MACCE were compared between the two groups.Results There were no differences between the two groups in general clinical date intraoperative complications,amount of contrast agent used,proceduraltime,rates of in-hospital and follow-up MACCE.Nevertheless,compared with the direct artherectomy group,the remedial group had more number of balloon dilations during procedure [3 (1,5) vs.2 (1,2),P ＜ 0.001] and higher peak cardiac troponin levels [1.1 (0.3,3.0) μg/L vs.0.5 (0.1,2.3) μg/L,P =0.032].Conclusions Remedial rotational atherectomy with drug-eluting stent had the same safety and efficacy as direct atheretomy with drug-eluting stent in treating patients with heavily calcified coronary lesions.It is reasonable and safe to transform routine PCI to remedial rotational atherectomy when the 2.0 mm semi compliant balloon or/and 2.5 mm non-compliant balloon cannot pass through or dilate the lesions.

Objective: To study the epidemiological characteristics of tsutsugamushi disease, and to confirm the existence of the disease's epidemic foci in Taizhou. Methods: From 2013 to 2014, Dongxing town hospital and Xingqiao town hospital were selected as specimen collection sites in Jingjiang city. Blood samples (5 ml) were collected from 40 patients with acute tsutsugamushi disease. A total of 59 rodents were captured with cage night method in the survey sites at 5, 7, 9, 10, and 11 months in 2013, from which, the spleen, liver, and kidney specimens were selected. Chigger mites were captured by small blackboard method and from the ears of the captured rodents. A total of 226 small blackboards were laid, 27 mites were captured, and the samples were grounded into suspension. Nested-polymerase chain reaction and cell and tissue culture techniques were used to test the specimen from the probable patients, host animals and chigger mites. Results: Among the 40 acute tsutsugamushi disease blood samples, 29 were found to meet the test requirements, 17 were positive for orientia tsutsugamushi nucleic acid with 59% of the positive rate, and 1 stran orientia tsutsugamushi was isolated. 59 rats were captured and the density of mice was 5.5%. Among them, there were 26 Mus musculus (2.4%), 18 Rattus flavipectus (1.7%) and 15 Smelly shrew (density 1.4%). 1 Smelly shrew was tested positive for orientia tsutsugamushi nucleic acid, and the negative results were found in the other rodent specimens. 27 Chigge mites were collected by small blackboard method and the density of mites was 0.12 for each blackboard, among which 3 larvae and 24 nymphs were found. 33 Chigger mites were collected from the ears of 3 Smelly shrew, and the density of the mite was 11 per mouse. All the captured Chigger mites were identified as Leptotrombidium scutellare and 1 group of specimens of Chigger mites from the external environment were positive for orientia tsutsugamushi nucleic acid. Conclusion There was a high density of mice in the epidemic area from May to November and the species of the chigger mites were Chigger mites in Taizhou. The nucleic acid of the oriental tsutsugamushi was detected in the patients with acute scrub typhus, rodents and vectors. According to the above-mentioned results, it was considered that the scrub typhus epidemic area of Taizhou city has the natural foci of scrub typhus.