Isoliquiritigenin (ISL) is a chalcone compound isolated from licorice, known for its anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, and antioxidant properties. Our previous study has demonstrated that ISL effectively lowers blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) mice and improves disturbances in glucolipid and energy metabolism induced by T2DM. This study aims to further investigate the effects of ISL on alleviating abnormal endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) caused by T2DM and to elucidate its molecular mechanisms. In vivo experiments were conducted using 8-week-old SPF male C57BL/6J mice. The T2DM animal model was established by high-fat and high-sugar diet combined with intraperitoneal injections of streptozotocin (STZ), in compliance with the ethical guidelines set by the Animal Welfare Committee of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (approval number: BUCM-2022021503-1134). In vitro experiments employed human liver cancer HepG2 cells, which were induced with tunicamycin (TM) to establish the ERS cell model. Transcriptomic sequencing was used to analyze changes in gene expression in the liver samples of T2DM mice following ISL treatment. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was employed to assess the regulatory effects of ISL on key ERS genes. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Western blot (WB), and immunofluorescence techniques were used to evaluate ISL's effects on ERS-related proteins. Results indicate that ISL significantly downregulates the expression of ERS-related genes, reduces the level of glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), and inhibits the phosphorylation of protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), thereby alleviating abnormal ERS induced by T2DM. Additionally, ISL increases the protein levels of insulin receptor substrate (IRS) 1 and IRS2 and enhances the phosphorylation of protein kinase B (Akt), thereby improving insulin sensitivity. In conclusion, ISL is able to alleviate T2DM associated symptoms by improving abnormal ERS and enhancing insulin sensitivity.

Objective:To identify and analyze the genuine medicinal plant Gentiana scabra Bge. from 9 regions in Liaoning Province using DNA barcode technology based on the base sequence of internal transcribed spacer. Methods:DNA was extracted from the medicinal parts of 26 Gentiana scabra Bge. samples by using DNA kit extraction method. The ITS sequence was amplified through polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and then two-way sequencing was carried out. Other sources and outgroup sequences of the medicinal plant Gentiana scabra Bge. were downloaded from Genbank. After the sequencing results were spliced by using SeqMan 7.1.0 software, MEGA 7.0 software was used to analyze and compare the data, and calculate the genetic distance of K2P (Kimura 2-parameter). The phylogenetic tree was established by Neighbor-Joining (NJ) method for analysis. Results:According to the results of NJ cluster tree, all Gentiana scabra Bge. samples from different sources were clustered into one large branch, and Gentiana scabra Franch. and Gentiana triflora Pall. were clustered into one branch respectively, with obvious differences; Gentiana scabra and Gentiana manshurica Kitag. were clustered into one branch, and the genetic relationship was relatively close. In combination with the variation site and genetic distance, the base sequences of Gentiana scabra and Gentianamanshurica were very similar, and the interspecific differences were very small. Except for the intraspecific variation of only one sample collected in Liaoning Province, the base sequences of the other samples were the same, and there was no difference between " Gentiana scabra Bge. in Qingyuan" and Gentiana scabra Bge. samples from other regions in Liaoning Province. Conclusion:The DNA barcode technology of ITS sequence can be used to differentiate and identify medicinal plant Gentiana scabra Bge. and its original plants from different sources with a high success rate.

Objective:To use rbcL sequences to identify the rhizomes of the Liaoning collection of Atractylodes chinensis (DC.) Koidz.; To provide a basis for ensuring the feasibility of cultivation of the native herb in Liaoning Province. Methods:A total of 30 rhizomes of Atractylodes chinensis (DC.) Koidz. were collected from 10 regions cultivated in Liaoning Province, and the total DNA was extracted. DNA barcodes were screened by PCR, and the rbcL sequences of the samples were amplified and sequenced, and the amplification and sequencing success rates were calculated. Sequence alignment was performed using MEGA 7.0 software; a systematic clustering tree was constructed using the neighbour-joining method. Results:The success rates of DNA extraction from the rhizomes of Atractylodes chinensis (DC.) Koidz. were all 93.3%, and the success rates of PCR amplification and sequencing were all 100%. Among the 30 samples of Atractylodes chinensis (DC.) Koidz. in Liaoning Province, two samples had intraspecific variation, and the rest of the base sequences of Atractylodes chinensis (DC.) Koidz. were identical. Atractylodes chinensis (DC.) Koidz. was closer to the herbs of the genus Cangzhu, a relative species of Asteraceae, and was genetically more distant from the rest of Asteraceae. The NJ tree could distinguish Atractylodes chinensis (DC.) Koidz. and its relatives. Conclusion:The quality of Atractylodes chinensis (DC.) Koidz. cultivars in Liaoning Province is basically similar, and the rbcL sequence can be used as a valid sequence fragment for the identification of Atractylodes chinensis (DC.) Koidz. DNA barcode.

Objective To observe the effects of abdominal penetrating moxibustion combined with acupuncture at the"four chong points"on balance,walking function and trunk control in patients recovering from stroke.Methods Seventy-eight patients recovering from stroke were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group,with 39 patients in each group.The control group was given conventional rehabilitation exercises,while the observation group was given abdominal penetrating moxibustion combined with acupuncture at the"four chong points"on the basis of the control group.Both groups were treated for 2 consecutive months.After 2 months of treatment,the clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated,and the changes in the Berg Scale score and the Timed Up and Go Test(TUGT)were observed before and after treatment.The changes in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)scores were compared before and after treatment between the two groups.The Sheikh Trunk Control Scale scores were also evaluated.Results(1)The total effective rate of the observation group was 94.87%(37/39),and the total effective rate of the control group was 80.00%(31/39),and the efficacy of the observation group was superior to that of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).(2)After treatment,the Berg scores of the patients in the two groups were significantly increased(P＜0.05),and the Berg scores of the observation group were higher than those of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).(3)After treatment,the TUGT time and NIHSS score of patients in the two groups were significantly improved(P＜0.05),and the TUGT time of the observation group was shorter than that of the control group,and the NIHSS score was lower than that of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).(4)After treatment,the Sheikh trunk control scores of the two groups were significantly increased(P＜0.05),and the Sheikh trunk control score of the observation group was higher than that of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion Abdominal penetrating moxibustion method combined with acupuncture at the four chong points for the treatment of stroke recovery can effectively restore the patients'balance and walking function,improve the patients'trunk control ability,and the therapeutic effect is precise.

Objective To investigate the ameliorative effect of sulforaphane on inflammatory response and airway remodeling in rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).Methods Seventy-five SD rats were randomly divided into the normal group,the model group,and the low-,medium-,and high-dose groups of sulforaphane,with 15 rats in each group.Except for the normal group,the COPD model was prepared in the remaining group using aroma smoke inhalation combined with intratracheal droplet lipopolysaccharide(LPS)method.After the successful modelling,the rats were administered the drug by gavage for 28 days.At the end of the administration,the general conditions of the rats in each group were observed,and the lung function[forced vital capacity(FVC),peak expiratory flow-rate(PEF),forceful expiratory volume in 1 second(FEV1)]was examined,and the pathological changes of the lung tissues were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining method,and the indexes of airway remodeling(thickness of the bronchial wall,thickness of the smooth muscle)were measured;the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to examine the lung function of the rats.The levels of inflammatory factors[tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α),interleukin 1β(IL-1β)]were detected in lung tissue by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),and changes in the protein expressions of Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4),myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88),and nuclear transcription factor κB(NF-κB)were detected in lung tissue by Western Blot.Results(1)The rats in the model group had dry and lack of glossy fur,obvious coughing and nose scratching,shortness of breath,slow movement,and preferred to arch their backs and lie curled up;the rats in the low-,medium-and high-dose groups of sulforaphane showed significant improvement in shortness of breath,coughing,and other abnormal manifestations.(2)HE staining showed that the airway wall and smooth muscle of rats in the model group were thickened,the airway epithelium was damaged,and alveolar destruction,fusion,and massive infiltration of inflammatory cells were seen;the histopathological changes in the lungs of rats in the low-,medium-and high-dose groups of sulforaphane improved to varying degrees,with the airway wall becoming thinner,the degree of alveolar destruction being reduced,and the infiltration of inflammatory cells being reduced.(3)Compared with the normal group,FVC,PEF and FEV1 were significantly reduced in the model group(P＜0.05),and the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β,bronchial wall thickness,smooth muscle thickness,and the expression levels of TLR4,MyD88 and NF-κB were significantly increased in the model group(P＜0.05);and in comparison with the model group,the levels of FVC,PEF,and FEV1 were significantly increased in the rats in the sulforaphane low-,medium-,and high-dose groups(P＜0.05),and the levels of TNF-α,IL-1β,bronchial wall thickness,smooth muscle thickness,and the expression levels of TLR4,MyD88,and NF-κB were significantly decreased(P＜0.05)compared with the model group.Conclusion Sulforaphane helps to inhibit the inflammatory response,attenuate airway remodeling,and improve the pathological injury and lung function of lung tissue in rats with COPD,and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of TLR4,MyD88,and NF-κB protein expressions.

Objective To understand the respiratory protection competency of staff in hospitals.Methods Staff from six hospitals of different levels and characteristics in Beijing were selected,including doctors,nurses,medical technicians,and servicers,to conduct knowledge assessment on respiratory protection competency.According to exposure risks of respiratory infectious diseases,based on actual cases and daily work scenarios,content of respira-tory protection competency assessment was designed from three aspects:identification of respiratory infectious di-seases,transmission routes and corresponding protection requirements,as well as correct selection and use of masks.The assessment included 6,6,and 8 knowledge points respectively,with 20 knowledge points in total,all of which were choice questions.For multiple-choice questions,full marks,partial marks,and no mark were given respective-ly if all options were correct,partial options were correct and without incorrect options,and partial options were correct but with incorrect options.Difficulty and discrimination analyses on question of each knowledge point was conducted based on classical test theory.Results The respiratory protection competency knowledge assessment for 326 staff members at different risk levels in 6 hospitals showed that concerning the 20 knowledge points,more than 60％participants got full marks for 6 points,while the proportion of full marks for other questions was relatively low.Less than 10％participants got full marks for the following 5 knowledge points:types of airborne diseases,types of droplet-borne diseases,conventional measures for the prevention and control of healthcare-associated infec-tion with respiratory infectious diseases,indications for wearing respirators,and indications for wearing medical protective masks.Among the 20 knowledge questions,5,1,and 14 questions were relatively easy,medium,and difficult,respectively;6,1,4,and 9 questions were with discrimination levels of ≥0.4,0.30-0.39,0.20-0.29,and ≤0.19,respectively.Conclusion There is still much room for hospital staff to improve their respiratory protection competency,especially in the recognition of diseases with different transmission routes and the indications for wearing different types of masks.

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic value of serum ferritin in intestinal failure-associated liver disease. Methods:Clinical data of adult patients with short bowel syndrome admitted to the Department of General Surgery of Jinling Hospital affiliated to Nanjing University from January 2019 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed to determine the correlation between serum ferritin and liver enzyme profiles by linear regression,to screen the potential risk factors of liver injury by multifactorial Logistic regression analysis,and to establish a prediction model for liver fibrosis. The area under the curve was also calculated to assess the accuracy of the model. Results:A total of 106 patients with short bowel syndrome were included,of whom 55 (51.9％) had elevated serum ferritin (SF). Linear regression analysis showed a positive correlation between serum ferritin and ALT (r=0.427,P<0.001),ALP (r=0.365,P<0.001),and γ-GT (r=0.423,P<0.001),and one-way Logistic regression analysis showed that the higher the level of serum ferritin,the more pronounced the difference was (SF>ULN) The one-way logistic regression analysis showed that the higher the serum ferritin level,the more significant the difference was[SF>ULN (upper limit of normal value of serum ferritin),P=0.033;SF>1.5×ULN,P=0.018;SF>2.5×ULN,P=0.006]. Multifactorial logistic regression analysis showed that PN dependence (OR=3.366,P=0.017) and serum ferritin>2.5 ULN (OR=3.292,P=0.014)were independent risk factors for intestinal failure-associated liver disease-liver fibrosis,and the receiver operating curve (ROC) of the subjects showed area under the curve of 74.8％,95％ CI:0.652～0.844. Conclusion:Serum ferritin can be used as a reliable clinical biomarker to help identify intestinal failure-associated liver disease.

Objective:To discuss the improved methods for the isolation and culture of primary chondrocytes from the neonatal rats,and to establish an efficient and economical in vitro chondrocyte culture system.Methods:The primary chondrocytes were isolated from the joints of neonatal rats and divided into overnight digestion(OD)group and rapid digestion(RD)group for separation.The chondrocytes in OD group were digested overnight by type Ⅱ collagenase,while the chondrocytes in RD group were separated by the combination of pre-digestion with physical and chemical digestion methods.The chondrocytes were cultured in modified media containing 0％(blank group 1),1％,2％,4％,and 10％fetal bovine serum(FBS),0(blank group 2),0.1,0.2,0.4,0.8,1.0,and 2.0 g·L-1 vitamin C(VC),and 0(blank group 3),0.5,1.0,2.0,4.0,8.0,10.0 μg·L-1 poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)(PLGA)nanoparticles.The media containing different concentrations of FBS,VC,and PLGA were mixed with Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium/nutrient mixture F-12(DMEM/F12),and were divided into related groups based on the concentrations of ingredients.Cell counter was used to count the chondrocytes in various groups and the survival rates and diameters of the chondrocytes in various groups were detected;Toluidine blue staining was used to detect the morphology of the chondrocytes in various groups;CCK-8 method was used to detect the proliferative activities of the chondrocytes in various groups;cell adhesion assay was used to detect the adhesion rates of the chondrocytes in various groups;Hoechst/propidium iodide(PI)staining was used to detect the apoptosis of the chondrocytes in various groups;MTT assay was used to detect the proliferation activities of the chondrocytes in various groups after treated with modified media.The cells were divided into DMEM/F12+10％FBS group,DMEM/F12+1％FBS group,and DMEM/F12+1％FBS+0.4 g·L-1 VC+1 μg·L-1 PLGA group.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)method was used to detect the expression levels of sex-determining region Y-box 9(SOX9),collagen type Ⅱ alpha 1 chain(Col2A1),collagen type X alpha 1 chain(Col10A1),and matrix metallopeptidase 13(MMP13)mRNAs in the chondrocytes in various groups after treated with modified media;immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expressions of type Ⅱ collagen(COL Ⅱ)and SOX9 in the chondrocytes in various groups after treated with modified media.Results:The survival rate of primary chondrocytes in OD group was lower than that in RD group,and the average cell diameter was larger than that in RD group.The primary chondrocytes in OD group were larger and spindle-shaped,and most cells exhibited pseudopodia;in RD group,the primary chondrocytes were smaller,mostly rhomboid in shape,with only a portion of the cells showing pseudopodia.The Toluidine blue staining results showed significant coloration in both groups,but the digestion time of the chondrocytes in RD group was shorter,and compared with OD group,the actual culture time of the chondrocytes was reduced by 9-13 h,and more immature morphology of the primary chondrocytes were observed.The proliferation activity of the primary chondrocytes in OD group was slow at 24 h of culture but increased at 48 h of culture,and the proliferation activity of the primary chondrocytes was significantly higher at 48 h of culture compared with 12 h of culture(P＜0.01).Compared with 12 h of culture,the proliferation rates of the primary chondrocytes in RD group were increased at 24 and 48 h of culture(P＜0.01).At 24 and 48 h of culture,compared with OD group,the proliferation rates of the primary chondrocytes in RD group were increased(P＜0.05).The number of apoptotic chondrocytes in RD group was lower than that in OD group,and no necrotic chondrocytes were observed in either group.The proliferation activities of chondrocytes of the rats were increased with the rising of FBS concentration in the culture medium.Compared with blank group 1,the proliferation activities of chondrocytes of the rats after treated with culture mediums containing 1％,2％,4％,and 10％FBS were significantly increased(P＜0.05).Compared with blank group 2,the proliferative activities of chondrocytes of the rats after treated with culture mediums containing 0.2-1.0 g·L-1 VC were significantly increased(P＜0.05),and the highest proliferation activity was found when the concentration of VC was 0.4 g·L-1(P＜0.01).Compared with blank group 3,the proliferation activities of chondrocytes of the rats after treated with culture mediums containing 1-4 μg·L-1 PLGA were significantly increased(P＜0.05),and the highest proliferation activity was found after treated with culture medium containing 1 μg·L-1 PLGA(P＜0.05).Compared with DMEM/F12+10％FBS group,the expression levels of SOX9 mRNA and Col2A1 mRNA in the chondrocytes in DMEM/F12+1％FBS group were significantly increased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Compared with DMEM/F12+10％FBS group,the expression levels of SOX9 mRNA and Col2A1 mRNA in the chondrocytes in DMEM/F12+1％FBS+0.4 g·L-1 VC+1 μg·L-1 PLGA group were significantly increased(P＜0.01).The immunofluorescence staining results showed that the green fluorescence signal of COL Ⅱ and the red fluorescence signal of SOX9 were observed in some chondrocytes in DMEM/F12+10％FBS group under fluorescence microscope,and the fluorescence intensity was weak.In DMEM/F12+1％FBS group,most chondrocytes exhibited COL Ⅱ green fluorescence signal and SOX9 red fluorescence signal,and the fluorescence intensity was significantly stronger than that in DMEM/F12+10％FBS group.In DMEM/F12+1％FBS+0.4 g·L-1 VC+1 μg·L-1 PLGA group,the COLⅡ green fluorescence signal and SOX9 red fluorescence signal were found in all the chondrocytes,and the fluorescence intensity was significantly higher than those in DMEM/F12+10％FBS and DMEM/F12+1％FBS groups.The expression levels of COLⅡ and SOX9 proteins in the chondrocytes in DMEM/F12+1％FBS group were significantly higher than those in DMEM/F12+10％FBS group,and the expression levels of COL Ⅱ and SOX9 proteins in the chondrocytes in DMEM/F12+1％FBS+0.4 g·L-1 VC+1 μg·L-1 PLGA group were significantly higher than those in DMEM/F12+10％FBS group.Conclusion:The improved methods for the isolation and culture of primary chondrocytes of the rats can overcome the shortcomings of traditional methods,shorten the isolation time of primary chondrocytes,and improve the quality of in vitro culture of primary chondrocytes.

Objective To explore the effect of virtual reality(VR)technology on relieving intraoperative pain in patients receiving transcatheter hepatic artery chemoembolization(TACE).Methods A total of 76 patients,who received TACE from June 2023 to January 2024,were enrolled in this study.Using random number table method,the patients were divided into control group(n=38)and study group(n=38).Intraoperative routine nursing was carried out for the patients of the control group,while on the basis of routine nursing additional VR technology was adopted to relieve the intraoperative pain for the patients of the study group.The degree of intraoperative pain,anxiety symptoms,incidence of intraoperative adverse reactions and patient satisfaction with nursing were compared between the two groups.Results The degree of intraoperative pain in the study group was lower than that in the control group,but the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant(P＞0.05).The analgesic effect of VR was much obvious in patients aged≤55 years and in patients with vascular invasion of liver cancer(P＜0.05).The anxiety score in the study group was lower than that in the control group,the patient satisfaction score in the study group was higher than that in the control group,and the differences between the two groups were statistically significant(both P＜0.05).No statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions existed between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion Immersive VR technology can effectively reduce the degree of intraoperative pain in patients receiving TACE,especially in patients aged ≤55 years.Besides,VR technology can also reduce the anxiety degree of patients,and improve the degree of intraoperative patient satisfaction with nursing.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement(TAVR)is the use of interventional catheter to transport the artificial heart valve to the aortic valve area through the patient's arterial,venous system or left ventricular apex,then release it to replace the original aortic valve to achieve normal physiological function.The"suicide left ventricle"phenomenon refers to the paradoxical hemodynamic collapse of dynamic left ventricular obstruction caused by left ventricular hypertrophy and hypersystole after the removal of the fixed valve obstruction of aortic stenosis after TAVR.The clinical manifestation is abnormal continuous hypotension that is ineffective to positive inotropic drugs during the operation or within a few hours after the operation.With the indications for transcatheter aortic valve surgery covering patients with low,medium and high risk of severe aortic stenosis,surgery-related complications have been reported to increase gradually."Suicide left ventricle"is worth studying and exploring as a fatal potential complication.This article mainly reviews four aspects of the overview of"suicide left ventricle",pathological mechanism,risk-related indicators,prevention strategies and treatment methods to be highly vigilant and make corresponding emergency plans for patients with aortic stenosis who may have suicide left ventricle risk,so as to minimize perioperative mortality.