ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Yishen Qubi Tongluo Formula （益肾祛痹通络方， YQTF） in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis（RA）. MethodsNetwork pharmacology was employed to retrieve and screen the active components and potential targets of YQTF as well as RA-related targets using databases including TCMSP， BATMAN， ETCM and GEO. The intersection of targets related to active components and RA-related targets was identified， and a protein-protein interaction （PPI） network was constructed. Gene Ontology （GO） functional enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） pathway enrichment analysis were performed， and a drug-active component-common target network of YQTF in the treatment of RA was established. The core components of YQTF were molecularly docked with key targets. Human rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblast cell line MH7A was divided into blank group， model group， methotrexate group and YQTF group. The blank group was cultured with 10% fetal bovine serum， while the other three groups were stimulated with 10 μg/L of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） for 24 h to establish the RA cell model. On this basis， the methotrexate group was treated with methotrexate suspension at a concentration of 20 μmol/L， and the YQTF group was treated with 10% YQTF-medicated serum. After 48 h of intervention， the levels of TNF-α and interleukin-17A（IL-17A）contents in cell supernatants were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）， and mRNA expressions of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase（PI3K）， protein kinase B（AKT） and mammalian target of rapamycin（mTOR） were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （RT-qPCR）. ResultsNetwork pharmacological analysis identified 209 active components and 583 potential target genes of YQTF， as well as 818 RA-related targets. A total of 29 common targets were obtained from the intersection of drug-related targets and RA-related targets. Quercetin，β-sitosterol， kaempferol， stigmasterol and luteolin were the core active components of YQTF for the treatment of RA， while matrix metalloproteinase-9 （MMP9）， prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 （PTGS2）， Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）， tumor protein p53 （TP53） and transcription factor AP-1 subunit JUN were the key targets. The GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that the involved biological processes and pathways were mainly associated with antioxidant responses， PI3K-AKT signaling pathway and Toll-like receptor （TLR） signaling pathway. Molecular docking results showed that MMP9 and PTGS2 exhibited high binding affinities with quercetin， β-sitosterol， kaempferol， stigmasterol and luteolin； TLR4 exhibited high binding activities with β-sitosterol， stigmasterol and luteolin； and TP53 showed high binding affinity with luteolin. The results of cell experiments showed that compared with the control group， the contents of TNF-α and IL-17A as well as the mRNA expressions of AKT and mTOR in the model group significantly increased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared with the model group， all the above indicators significantly decreased in the YQTF group， while the contents of TNF-α and the mRNA expression of AKT significantly decreased in the methotrexate group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. ConclusionThe mechanism of YQTF in the treatment of RA may be associated with reducing inflammatory cytokine secretion and inhibiting the activation of the PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the effect of Nde1 gene knockout on early neural development of zebrafish by visualizing the development of neural networks in zebrafish.Methods Transgenic zebrafish Tg(Nde1-/-;HuC:RFP+/-)was constructed by crossing Nde1-/-with Tg(HuC:RFP+/-).The HuC promoter was employed to drive the expression of red fluorescent protein in neurons,which allowing the visualization of zebrafish neural networks and tracking of neural development.Furthermore,by using Image J and Prism to compare the average fluorescence intensity of neurons and the expression level of fluorescent reporter proteins between Nde1 deficiency zebrafish and wild type zebrafish,the effect of Nde1 gene knockout on zebrafish neural development was analyzed.Results From 48 hours post-fertilization(hpf)to 7 days dpf,the average fluorescence intensity of red fluorescence expressed by trigeminal sensory neurons and spinal cord neurons in Nde1 deficiency zebrafish was lower than that in wild type zebrafish.RT-qPCR results also showed that the mRNA expression level of red fluorescent reporter protein in Nde1 deficiency zebrafish was significantly lower than that in the wild type zebrafish.Conclusion Nde1 gene deletion may lead to abnormal development of trigeminal sensory neurons and spinal cordneurons by affecting neural progenitor cell differentiation and increasing apoptosis.

Objective To understand the current situation of healthcare-associated infection(HAI)in China,pro-vide data support and decision-making basis for formulating scientific and effective strategies for HAI prevention and control.Methods A nationwide cross-sectional survey on HAI was conducted among various types and levels of medical institutions in China according to a unified protocol of bedside surveys and case investigations.Results In 2024,a total of 5 736 medical institutions and 2 751 765 patients were surveyed.Among them,34 889 HAI cases were identified,with a prevalence rate of 1.27％.The number of HAI episodes was 38 032,and case prevalence rate was 1.38％.The prevalence rate of HAI in medical institutions in different regions of China ranged from 0.66％to 2.35％.Among medical institutions of different scales,those with a bed capacity of ≥900 had the high-est incidence of HAI,reaching 1.65％.The most common infection site was the lower respiratory tract(44.66％),followed by the urinary tract(12.94％),surgical site(9.32％),upper respiratory tract(7.02％),and bloodstream infection(5.78％).The top 3 departments with the highest HAI rates were the general intensive care unit(10.02％),department of neurosurgery(5.51％),and department(group)of hematology(5.34％).A total of 23 238 strains of HAI pathogens were detected,with 10 714 strains(46.10％)from lower respiratory tract speci-mens.The top 5 detected strains were Klebsiella pneumoniae(14.76％),Pseudomonas aeruginosa(13.33％),Escherichia coli(12.79％),Acinetobacter baumannii(9.23％),and Staphylococcus aureus(7.88％).231 944 pa-tients underwent class Ⅰ incision surgery were monitored,with 1 647 cases experienced surgical site infection,and the prevalence rate of surgical site infection was 0.71％.The number of patients who should undergo pathogen de-tection(patients receiving therapeutic and therapeutic combined prophylactic antimicrobial agents)was 715 179,while the actual number was 480 492,with a pathogen detection rate of 67.18％.425 225 patients received patho-genic detection before treatment,with a detection rate of 59.46％.Conclusion The overall HAI prevalence in Chi-na is lower,showing disparities among medical institutions of different regions and scales.Therefore,precise imple-mentation of measures is necessary for HAI prevention and control,with a focus on high-risk institutions and high-risk departments,key areas,and critical procedures.All levels of medical institutions should continuously reduce the incidence of HAI by strengthening monitoring,standardizing the use of antimicrobial agents,and reinforcing basic HAI prevention and control measures.

Aim To clarify the mechanism by which Qishen Yixin Granules improved microcirculation vas-cular endothelial dysfunction(VED)in mice,through activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway to regulate oxidative stress.Methods C57 mice were randomly divided into six groups:blank group,model group,pos-itive drug group,and low-,medium-,and high-dose groups of Qishen Yixin Granules.The VED model was established by long-term infusion of Ang Ⅱ combined with a high-fat diet.Each treatment group received the corresponding drug intervention.After four weeks of drug intervention,cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography.Carstairs staining was used to ob-serve the formation of microthrombi in myocardial tis-sue.The micro vascular ischemia was evaluated by Hei-denhain staining.The ultrastructure of endothelial cells was observed by electron microscopy.The levels of EMPs,ROS,NO,ET-1,TF,TM,VWF,and TXA2 in serum were measured by ELISA.The expression levels of MDA,SOD,and GSH-Px in mouse heart tissue were determined by chemical methods.Cardiac microvascu-lar density and the expression of Nrf2,Keap1,and HO-1 proteins were detected by Immunohistochemical stai-ning.The protein expressions of Keap1,cytoplasmic Nrf2,nuclear Nrf2,and HO-1 in myocardial tissue were detected by Western blot.Results Qishen Yixin Granules could effectively improve the cardiac function of mice,alleviate the damage of endothelial cells and endothelial function.They could up-regulate serum NO levels and the activities of antioxidant enzymes SOD and GSH-Px,while down-regulating the expression of ROS and vascular inflammatory injury factors such as ET-1,VWF,TXA2,TF,TM,and EMPs.Qishen Yixin Granules also increased the positive counts of CD34,Nrf2,and HO-1,as well as microvessel density.Fur-thermore,they inhibited the expression of MDA,Keap1,and cytoplasmic Nrf2 protein in myocardial tis-sue,while increasing the expression of nuclear proteins HO-1 and Nrf2.Conclusions Qishen Yixin Granules may inhibit oxidative stress and inflammatory response by regulating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway,thereby improving vascular endothelial damage and cardiac function in VED mice.

Objective:To investigate the effects of combination therapy with aqueous extract of corn silk(CS)and training on exercise capacity and glycolipid metabolism in mice with metabolic syndrome(MS).Methods:In this study,db/db mice were used as the animal model of MS.The mice were administered aqueous extract of CS via gavage and subjected to different intensities of training for 12 weeks(3 months).The specific experimental design was as follows:24 db/db mice were randomly divided into four groups on average:negative control group(NC),aqueous extract of CS group(CS),aqueous extract of CS+moderate-intensity training group(CS+MT),and CS aqueous extract of CS+high-intensity training group(CS+HT).The maximum running speed,forelimb grip strength,body weight and fasting blood glucose of mice were measured before and after treatment.After the intervention,oral glucose tolerance test(OGTT)and insulin tolerance test(ITT)were conducted to assess glucose metabolism,while serum triglyceride(TG),total cholesterol(TC),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)levels were measured to evaluate lipid metabolism.Results:After 3 months of intervention,there were significant differences in the maximum running speed and forelimb grip strength among the four groups(P＜0.05).The maximum running speed and forelimb grip strength of CS group,CS+MT group and CS+HT group were higher than those of NC group(P＜0.05).The CS+MT group exhibited higher forelimb grip strength,and the CS+HT group showed higher maximum running speed and forelimb grip strength compared to the CS group(P＜0.05),while no significant difference was found between the CS+MT and CS+HT groups(P＞0.05).Significant differences in body weight were observed among the four groups after 3 months of intervention(P＜0.05).Specifically,the CS+MT and CS+HT groups exhibited significantly lower body weight compared to both the NC and CS groups(P＜0.05),with the CS+MT group having the lowest body weight(P＜0.05).Fasting blood glucose levels also differed significantly among the groups after 2 and 3 months of intervention(P＜0.05).The CS,CS+MT,and CS+HT groups had lower fasting blood glucose levels compared to the NC group(P＜0.05),with the CS+MT and CS+HT groups showing the lowest levels(P＜0.05).No significant difference was found between the CS+MT and CS+HT groups(P＞0.05).After 3 months of intervention,significant differences in the area under the curve(AUC)of OGTT and ITT were observed among the four groups(P＜0.05).The AUC of OGTT and ITT were significantly lower in the CS,CS+MT,and CS+HT groups compared to the NC group(P＜0.05).The CS+MT and CS+HT groups exhibited the lowest AUC values for both OGTT and ITT(P＜0.05),with the CS+MT group showing the lowest AUC for OGTT(P＜0.05).Significant differences in serum lipid levels were observed among the four groups after 3 months of intervention(P＜0.05).TG,TC,and LDL-C levels were significantly lower,while HDL-C levels were higher in the CS,CS+MT,and CS+HT groups compared to the NC group(P＜0.05).The CS+MT group had the lowest TG levels and the highest HDL-C levels compared to the CS+HT group(P＜0.05),with no significant differences in TC and LDL-C levels between these two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion:Aqueous extract of CS combined with different intensity training can significantly improve the exercise capacity and glycolipid metabolism of MS mice and reduce body weight,especially CS combined with MT treatment is more effective in improving lipid metabolism.In addition,when combined with HT,aqueous extract of CS can also play an auxiliary role in reducing the side effects of high-intensity exercise and improving the therapeutic effect.

Objective To investigate the effects of varying pulse intervals in the programmed intermittent epidural bolus(PIEB)mode on labor analgesia in primiparous and multiparous women,and to evaluate the differ-ences in analgesic outcomes between these two groups.Methods A total of 60 primiparous and 60 multiparous women who met the inclusion criteria were recruited and randomly allocated into two groups:a 45-minute pulse interval group(P45 group,n=30)and a 60-minute pulse interval group(P60 group,n=30).Epidural labor anal-gesia was initiated when cervical dilation reached 1～3 cm.The programmed intermittent epidural bolus(PIEB)mode was started 45 minutes after analgesia commencement in the P45 group and 60 minutes after analgesia com-mencement in the P60 group.Each pulse delivered 10 ml of a solution containing 0.08%ropivacaine and 0.5 μg/ml sufentanil.Pain scores were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale(VAS)at five specific time points:baseline(t0),1 hour post-analgesia initiation(t1),2 hours post-analgesia initiation(t2),full cervical dilation(t3),and delivery(t4).Secondary outcomes included Bromage scores,the number of patient-controlled analgesia(PCA)button presses,total drug consumption,and adverse reactions.Results In primiparous women,the VAS score at t1 was significantly lower in the P45 group compared to the P60 group(P<0.05),whereas no significant differences were observed in VAS scores between the two groups at t2—t4.The median PCA press count was also significantly lower in the P45 group than in the P60 group(P<0.05).However,there were no significant differences between the groups in terms of total drug consumption,Bromage scores,or the incidence of adverse events(P>0.05).In multiparous women,no significant differences were found in VAS scores,Bromage scores,or PCA press counts between the P45 and P60 groups at any time point(P>0.05).Conversely,total drug consumption was significantly higher in the P45 group compared to the P60 group(P<0.05).Conclusions For primiparous women,a 45-minute pulse interval in the PIEB mode not only provides superior labor analgesia but also significantly reduces the frequency of PCA presses without escalating the risk or severity of motor block or adverse events.For multiparous women,the pulse interval does not substantially influence the effectiveness of labor analgesia.These findings contribute valuable new evidence for refining clinical labor analgesia protocols.

AIM To compare total sugar,total protein,total phenol,total flavonoid,calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside,liquiritin,lobetyolin,quercetin,isoferulic acid,hesperidin,glycyrrhizic acid contents and their antioxidant activities,hypoglycemic activities of big honey pill,small honey pill,water pill,concentrated pill,granule,mixture and decoction of Buzhong Yiqi Recipe.METHODS Anthraquinone-sulfuric acid method,Coomassie brilliant blue method,Folin-phenol colorimetry method,sodium nitrite-aluminum nitrate method and HPLC were adopted in the content determination of total sugar,total protein,total phenol,total flavonoid and seven constituents,respectively,after which the scavenging capacities,reducing powers on DPPH·free radical,ABTS+free radical,hydroxyl free radical,and inhibition capacity on α-glucosidase activity were detected.Subsequently,correlation analysis was performed.RESULTS Total sugar,total protein,total phenol and total flavonoid contents demonstrated significant differences among different dosage forms(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside,glycyrrhizin,codonoside and quercetin displayed the highest contents in the decoction,while those of isoferulic acid,hesperidin and glycyrrhizin were observable in the mixture.The water pill exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity,while those of the concentrated pill and mixture were weak;the big honey pill exhibited the strongest hypoglycemic activity,while that of the decoction was the weakest.Total protein,total phenol,total flavonoid and liquiritin contents displayed significant positive correlations between antioxidant activity(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),while hesperidin content displayed significant negative correlation between the latter(P＜0.05);total protein,calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside,codonoside and quercetin contents displayed significant negative correlations between hypoglycemic activity(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).CONCLUSION Active constituent contents and their biological activities of Buzhong Yiqi Recipe with different dosage forms exist differences,total sugar,total protein,total flavonoids,calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside,licorice glycoside,hesperidin,codonoside and quercetin can be taken as quality control indices for this prescription.

Dark plum can be used to treat symptoms such as consumptive thirst due to deficiency-heat and chronic cough due to lung deficiency.Its active ingredients have auxiliary effects on lowering blood glucose,antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities.Insulin resistance is mainly characterized by the weakening of the physiological effects of insulin in the body,with a relatively complex mechanism that can lead to various metabolic-related diseases and seriously affect health.The active ingredients of dark plum can improve insulin resistance by regulating insulin signaling pathways,endoplasmic reticulum stress,antioxidant stress,inflammatory signaling pathways,levels of related inflammatory mediators,and free fatty acid levels.By reviewing the relevant literature on the improvement of insulin resistance by the active ingredients of dark plum,this article summarizes and analyzes its mechanism of action,aiming to provide new ideas and scientific evidence for in-depth research on insulin resistance and the development and application of drugs.

Objective To explore the role and mechanism of RNA m6A methyltransferase Wilms'tumor 1-associated protein(WTAP)in epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)of glioblastoma cells and its association with transcription factor JUNB.Methods(1)Based on the Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)and Genotype-Tissue Expression(GTEx)databases,the expression levels of transforming growth factor β(TGF-β),WTAP,and JUNB in glioblastoma multiforme(GBM)and normal brain tissues were analyzed,as well as their diagnostic and prognostic values for GBM.The correlation of TGF-β,WTAP,and JUNB with gliomas of different WHO grades was analyzed using the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas(CGGA)database.Spearman correlation analysis was performed to assess the correlation between TGF-β and m6A methyltransferases.(2)An EMT model was established in human astrocytoma U87-MG cells through TGF-β1 induction.qRT-PCR and Western blotting were employed to detect the expression levels of WTAP,JUNB,matrix metalloproteinase 2(MMP2),and N-cadherin.The migration capacity of U87-MG cells was evaluated by wound-healing and Transwell assays.An m6A RNA methylation quantification kit(colorimetric)was used to detect RNA m6A methylation modification levels.A stable cell line with low expression of WTAP was constructed to investigate the effects of WTAP knockdown on the migration ability of U87-MG cells,as well as the expression of JUNB.(3)A protein-protein interaction network was constructed using STRING database and GeneMANIA database,followed by gene ontology(GO)and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses to explore the biological processes,molecular functions,cellular components,and signaling pathways potentially involved in TGF-β/WTAP/JUNB.Gene set enrichment analysis(GSEA)was performed on JUNB-related genes to investigate their potential downstream signaling pathways.Results(1)The expression levels of TGF-β,WTAP,and JUNB were significantly higher in GBM(P<0.001),positively correlated with WHO grades of glioma(P<0.001).Glioma patients with high expression of all three genes had shorter overall and disease-free survival(P<0.001).Spearman analysis showed that the expression of TGF-β in GBM was positively correlated with WTAP(r=0.175,P=0.023),but no significant correlation with other m6A methyltransferases(P>0.05).(2)After TGF-β1 treatment,the level of m6A methylation modification of total RNA in U87-MG cells significantly increased(P<0.001).Wound-healing assay and Transwell assay results showed that the migration ability of U87-MG cells was significantly increased after TGF-β1 treatment(P<0.01),while WTAP knockdown significantly reduced the migration ability of U87-MG cells(P<0.01).qRT-PCR and Western blotting results showed that the mRNA and protein expression levels of WTAP,N-Cadherin,MMP2,and JUNB in U87-MG cells were significantly increased after 48 h of TGF-β1 induction(P<0.001),while WTAP knockdown significantly reduced the mRNA and protein expression of JUNB(P<0.001).(3)The TGF-β/WTAP/JUNB-related protein-protein interaction network was constructed,which was primary involved in mRNA modification and EMT.GSEA results showed that JUNB-related signaling pathways were closely associated with glioma malignant progression.Conclusions TGF-β,WTAP,and JUNB are all associated with GBM malignant progression and poor patient prognosis.TGF-β may enhance total RNA m6A modification by promoting the expression of m6A methyltransferase WTAP,and WTAP subsquentaly upregulates transcription factor JUNB,thereby promoting EMT and malignant progression of GBM.

Objective To explore the role and mechanism of RNA m6A methyltransferase Wilms'tumor 1-associated protein(WTAP)in epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)of glioblastoma cells and its association with transcription factor JUNB.Methods(1)Based on the Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)and Genotype-Tissue Expression(GTEx)databases,the expression levels of transforming growth factor β(TGF-β),WTAP,and JUNB in glioblastoma multiforme(GBM)and normal brain tissues were analyzed,as well as their diagnostic and prognostic values for GBM.The correlation of TGF-β,WTAP,and JUNB with gliomas of different WHO grades was analyzed using the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas(CGGA)database.Spearman correlation analysis was performed to assess the correlation between TGF-β and m6A methyltransferases.(2)An EMT model was established in human astrocytoma U87-MG cells through TGF-β1 induction.qRT-PCR and Western blotting were employed to detect the expression levels of WTAP,JUNB,matrix metalloproteinase 2(MMP2),and N-cadherin.The migration capacity of U87-MG cells was evaluated by wound-healing and Transwell assays.An m6A RNA methylation quantification kit(colorimetric)was used to detect RNA m6A methylation modification levels.A stable cell line with low expression of WTAP was constructed to investigate the effects of WTAP knockdown on the migration ability of U87-MG cells,as well as the expression of JUNB.(3)A protein-protein interaction network was constructed using STRING database and GeneMANIA database,followed by gene ontology(GO)and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses to explore the biological processes,molecular functions,cellular components,and signaling pathways potentially involved in TGF-β/WTAP/JUNB.Gene set enrichment analysis(GSEA)was performed on JUNB-related genes to investigate their potential downstream signaling pathways.Results(1)The expression levels of TGF-β,WTAP,and JUNB were significantly higher in GBM(P<0.001),positively correlated with WHO grades of glioma(P<0.001).Glioma patients with high expression of all three genes had shorter overall and disease-free survival(P<0.001).Spearman analysis showed that the expression of TGF-β in GBM was positively correlated with WTAP(r=0.175,P=0.023),but no significant correlation with other m6A methyltransferases(P>0.05).(2)After TGF-β1 treatment,the level of m6A methylation modification of total RNA in U87-MG cells significantly increased(P<0.001).Wound-healing assay and Transwell assay results showed that the migration ability of U87-MG cells was significantly increased after TGF-β1 treatment(P<0.01),while WTAP knockdown significantly reduced the migration ability of U87-MG cells(P<0.01).qRT-PCR and Western blotting results showed that the mRNA and protein expression levels of WTAP,N-Cadherin,MMP2,and JUNB in U87-MG cells were significantly increased after 48 h of TGF-β1 induction(P<0.001),while WTAP knockdown significantly reduced the mRNA and protein expression of JUNB(P<0.001).(3)The TGF-β/WTAP/JUNB-related protein-protein interaction network was constructed,which was primary involved in mRNA modification and EMT.GSEA results showed that JUNB-related signaling pathways were closely associated with glioma malignant progression.Conclusions TGF-β,WTAP,and JUNB are all associated with GBM malignant progression and poor patient prognosis.TGF-β may enhance total RNA m6A modification by promoting the expression of m6A methyltransferase WTAP,and WTAP subsquentaly upregulates transcription factor JUNB,thereby promoting EMT and malignant progression of GBM.