The effect of Huanglian Jiedu Decoction on the intestinal flora of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM) was investigated using 16S rRNA sequencing technology. Sixty rats were randomly divided into a normal group(10 rats) and a modeling group(50 rats). After one week of adaptive feeding, a high-fat diet + streptozotocin was given for modeling, and fasting blood glucose >16.7 mmol·L~(-1) was considered a sign of successful modeling. The modeling group was randomly divided into the model group, high-, medium-, and low-dose groups of Huanglian Jiedu Decoction, and metformin group. After seven days of intragastric treatment, the feces, colon, and pancreatic tissue of each group of rats were collected, and the pathological changes of the colon and pancreatic tissue of each group were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The changes in the intestinal flora structure of each group were observed by the 16S rRNA sequencing method. The results showed that compared with the model group, the high-, medium-, and low-dose of Huanglian Jiedu Decoction reduced fasting blood glucose levels to different degrees and showed no significant changes in body weight. The number of islet cells increased, and intestinal mucosal damage attenuated. Alpha diversity analysis revealed that Huanglian Jiedu Decoction reduced the abundance and diversity of intestinal flora in rats with T2DM; at the phylum level, low-and mediam-dose of Huanglian Jiedu Decoction reduced the abundance of Bacteroidota, Proteobacteria, and Desulfobacterota and increased the abundance of Firmicute and Bacteroidota/Firmicutes, while the high-dose of Huanglian Jiedu Decoction increased the relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Bacteroidota/Firmicutes ratio, and decreaseal the relative; abundance of Firmicute; at the genus level, Huanglian Jiedu Decoction increased the relative abundance of Allobaculum, Blautia, and Lactobacillus; LEfse analysis revealed that the biomarker of low-and medium-dose groups of Huanglian Jiedu Decoction was Lactobacillus, and the structure of the intestinal flora of the low-dose group of Huanglian Jiedu Decoction was highly similar to that of the metformin group. PICRUSt2 function prediction revealed that Huanglian Jiedu Decoction mainly affected carbohydrate and amino acid metabolic pathways. It suggested that Huanglian Jiedu Decoction could reduce fasting blood glucose and increase the number of islet cells in rats with T2DM, and its mechanism of action may be related to increasing the abundance of short-chain fatty acid-producing strains and Lactobacillus and affecting carbohydrate and amino acid metabolic pathways.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/metabolism* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Rats ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Humans ; Bacteria/drug effects* ; Blood Glucose/metabolism*

Colorectal cancer(CRC) is a common malignant tumor worldwide. Due to the treatment intolerance and side effects, CRC rank the top among various cancers regarding the incidence and mortality rates. Therefore, exploring new therapies is of great significance for the treatment of CRC. Aerobic glycolysis(AEG) plays an important role in the microenvironment formation, proliferation, metastasis, and recurrence of CRC and other tumor cells. It has been confirmed that intervening in the AEG pathway can effectively curb CRC. The active ingredients and compound prescriptions of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) can effectively inhibit the proliferation, metastasis, and drug resistance and regulate the apoptosis of tumor cells by modulating AEG-associated transport proteins [eg, glucose transporters(GLUT)], key enzymes [hexokinase(HK) and phosphofructokinase(PFK)], key genes [hypoxia-inducible factor 1(HIF-1) and oncogene(c-Myc)], and signaling pathways(MET/PI3K/Akt/mTOR). Accordingly, they can treat CRC, reduce the recurrence, and improve the prognosis of CRC. Although AEG plays a key role in the development and progression of CRC, the specific mechanisms are not yet fully understood. Therefore, this article delves into the intrinsic connection of the targets and mechanisms of the AEG pathway with CRC from the perspective of tumor cell glycolysis and explores how active ingredients(oxymatrine, kaempferol, and dioscin) and compound prescriptions(Quxie Capsules, Jiedu Sangen Decoction, and Xianlian Jiedu Prescription) of TCM treat CRC by intervening in the AEG pathway. Additionally, this article explores the shortcomings in the current research, aiming to provide reliable targets and a theoretical basis for treating CRC with TCM.
Humans ; Colorectal Neoplasms/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Glycolysis/drug effects* ; Animals ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Signal Transduction/drug effects*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the short-term clinical effect of closed reduction single arm external fixator combined with percutaneous needle fixation in the treatment of C1 distal radius fracture in elderly patients. METHODS: Between December 2022 and December 2023, a total of 60 elderly patients diagnosed with type C1 distal radius fractures were treated, comprising 9 males and 51 females. The age ranged from 65 to 84 years old, with an average of (72.69±8.14) years old. Among them, there were 18 cases on the left side and 42 cases on the right side. There were 55 cases of falling injury and 5 cases of traffic accident injury. According to the different surgical methods, the patients were divided into observation group and control group, with 30 cases in each group. The control group underwent manual reduction and unilateral external fixator fixation, consisting of 4 males and 26 females. The mean age was (72.54±8.67) years old. The body mass index (BMI) was (20.61±2.17) kg·m^-2. There were 10 cases on the left side and 20 cases on the right side. Among them, there were 27 cases of falling injury and 3 cases of traffic accident injury. The observation group was treated with manual reduction and unilateral external fixator combined with percutaneous Kirschner wire fixation, including 5 males and 25 females. The mean age was (72.76±7.23) years old. BMI (20.82±2.03) kg·m^-2. The left side was involved in 8 cases and the right side in 22 cases. There were 28 cases of falling injury and 2 cases of traffic accident injury. The changes in radial height, ulnar declination, palmar inclination angle parameters and patient-rated wrist evaluation (PRWE) were assessed on X-ray films before surgery, 2 days after surgery, and 12 weeks after surgery between the two groups. RESULTS: All surgical procedures were successfully completed in both groups without any significant complications. All patients were followed up for a duration from 12 to 20 weeks with an average of(14.50±2.78) weeks. The two groups exhibited significant differences in radial height, palmar inclination angle, and ulnar deviation angle at 2 days and 12 weeks post-operation (P<0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference observed in radial height, palmar inclination, and ulnar deviation between the two groups at 2 days after the operation (P>0.05). There were significant differences in radial height, palmar inclination angle, and ulnar deviation between the two groups at 12 weeks after operation (P<0.05). At 2 days and 12 weeks after the operation, there were significant differences in PRWE scores of the two groups compared with preoperative scores(P<0.05). At 2 days after the operation, there was no significant difference in PRWE score between the two groups (P>0.05). The PRWE score showed a significant difference between the two groups at 12 weeks post-operation(P<0.05). CONCLUSION The combination of closed reduction and unilateral external fixator, along with percutaneous pin fixation provides move stable fixation for type C1 distal radius fractures. Gradual removal of external fixator further facilitatse the recovery of wrist joint function.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Radius Fractures/surgery* ; External Fixators ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Wires ; Fracture Fixation/instrumentation* ; Wrist Fractures

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common cardiac arrhythmia in the elderly. This study aimed to evaluate urban-rural disparities in its prevalence and management in elderly Chinese. METHODS: Consecutive participants aged ≥ 65 years attending outpatient clinics were enrolled for AF screening using handheld single-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) from April 2017 to December 2022. Each ECG rhythm strip was reviewed from the research team. AF or uninterpretable single-lead ECGs were referred for 12-lead ECG. Primary study outcome comparison was between rural and urban areas for the prevalence of AF. The Student's t-test was used to compare mean values of clinical characteristics between rural and urban participants, while the Pearson's chi-square test was used to compare between-group proportions. Multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the association between AF and various patient characteristics. RESULTS: The 29,166 study participants included 13,253 men (45.4%) and had a mean age of 72.2 years. The 7073 rural participants differed significantly (P ≤ 0.02) from the 22,093 urban participants in several major characteristics, such as older age, greater body mass index, and so on. The overall prevalence of AF was 4.6% (n = 1347). AF was more prevalent in 7073 rural participants than 22,093 urban participants (5.6% vs. 4.3%, P < 0.01), before and after adjustment for age, body mass index, blood pressure, pulse rate, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and prior medical history. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified overweight/obesity (OR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.17-1.54) in urban areas and cigarette smoking (OR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.20-2.17) and alcohol consumption (OR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.04-1.93) in rural areas as specific risk factors for prevalent AF. In patients with known AF in urban areas (n = 781) and rural areas (n = 338), 60.6% and 45.9%, respectively, received AF treatment (P < 0.01), and only 22.4% and 17.2%, respectively, received anticoagulation therapy (P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS In China, there are urban-rural disparities in AF in the elderly, with a higher prevalence and worse management in rural areas than urban areas. Our study findings provide insight for health policymakers to consider urban-rural disparity in the prevention and treatment of AF.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Yangxue Qingnao Pills (YXQNP) combined with amlodipine in treating patients with grade 1 hypertension. METHODS: This is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study. Adult patients with grade 1 hypertension of blood deficiency and Gan (Liver)-yang hyperactivity syndrome were randomly divided into the treatment or the control groups at a 1:1 ratio. The treatment group received YXQNP and amlodipine besylate, while the control group received YXQNP's placebo and amlodipine besylate. The treatment duration lasted for 180 days. Outcomes assessed included changes in blood pressure, Chinese medicine (CM) syndrome scores, symptoms and target organ functions before and after treatment in both groups. Additionally, adverse events, such as nausea, vomiting, rash, itching, and diarrhea, were recorded in both groups. RESULTS: A total of 662 subjects were enrolled, of whom 608 (91.8%) completed the trial (306 in the treatment and 302 in the control groups). After 180 days of treatment, the standard deviations and coefficients of variation of systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels were lower in the treatment group compared with the control group. The improvement rates of dizziness, headache, insomnia, and waist soreness were significantly higher in the treatment group compared with the control group (P<0.05). After 30 days of treatment, the overall therapeutic effects on CM clinical syndromes were significantly increased in the treatment group as compared with the control group (P<0.05). After 180 days of treatment, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity, ankle brachial index and albumin-to-creatinine ratio were improved in both groups, with no statistically significant differences (P>0.05). No serious treatment-related adverse events occurred during the study period. CONCLUSIONS Combination therapy of YXQNP with amlodipine significantly improved symptoms such as dizziness and headache, reduced blood pressure variability, and showed a trend toward lowering urinary microalbumin in hypertensive patients. These findings suggest that this regimen has good clinical efficacy and safety. (Registration No. ChiCTR1900022470).
Humans ; Amlodipine/adverse effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Male ; Female ; Hypertension/complications* ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Adult ; Blood Pressure/drug effects* ; Double-Blind Method ; Aged ; Antihypertensive Agents/adverse effects*

OBJECTIVE: Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignancies seen in clinic and requires novel treatment options. Morin is a natural flavonoid extracted from the flower stalk of a highly valuable medicinal plant Prunella vulgaris L., which exhibits an anti-cancer effect in multiple types of tumors. However, the therapeutic effect and underlying mechanism of morin in treating GC remains elusive. The study aims to explore the therapeutic effect and underlying molecular mechanisms of morin in GC. METHODS: For in vitro experiments, the proliferation inhibition of morin was measured by cell counting kit-8 assay and colony formation assay in human GC cell line MKN45, human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line AGS, and human gastric epithelial cell line GES-1; for apoptosis analysis, microscopic photography, Western blotting, ubiquitination analysis, quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis, flow cytometry, and RNA interference technology were employed. For in vivo studies, immunohistochemistry, biomedical analysis, and Western blotting were used to assess the efficacy and safety of morin in a xenograft mouse model of GC. RESULTS: Morin significantly inhibited the proliferation of GC cells MKN45 and AGS in a dose- and time-dependent manner, but did not inhibit human gastric epithelial cells GES-1. Only the caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK was able to significantly reverse the inhibition of proliferation by morin in both GC cells, suggesting that apoptosis was the main type of cell death during the treatment. Morin induced intrinsic apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner in GC cells, which mainly relied on B cell leukemia/lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) associated agonist of cell death (BAD) but not phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate-induced protein 1. The upregulation of BAD by morin was due to blocking the ubiquitination degradation of BAD, rather than the transcription regulation and the phosphorylation of BAD. Furthermore, the combination of morin and BCL-2 inhibitor navitoclax (also known as ABT-737) produced a synergistic inhibitory effect in GC cells through amplifying apoptotic signals. In addition, morin treatment significantly suppressed the growth of GC in vivo by upregulating BAD and the subsequent activation of its downstream apoptosis pathway. CONCLUSION Morin suppressed GC by inducing apoptosis, which was mainly due to blocking the ubiquitination-based degradation of the pro-apoptotic protein BAD. The combination of morin and the BCL-2 inhibitor ABT-737 synergistically amplified apoptotic signals in GC cells, which may overcome the drug resistance of the BCL-2 inhibitor. These findings indicated that morin was a potent and promising agent for GC treatment. Please cite this article as: Wang Y, Sun XY, Ma FQ, Ren MM, Zhao RH, Qin MM, Zhu XH, Xu Y, Cao ND, Chen YY, Dong TG, Pan YF, Zhao AG. Morin inhibits ubiquitination degradation of BCL-2 associated agonist of cell death and synergizes with BCL-2 inhibitor in gastric cancer cells. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(3): 320-332.
Humans ; Flavonoids/therapeutic use* ; Stomach Neoplasms/pathology* ; Animals ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/metabolism* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Ubiquitination/drug effects* ; Mice ; Drug Synergism ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays ; Flavones

Objective To evaluate the in vitro effect of combinations of 5 β-lactam antibiotics with different β-lac-tamase inhibitors on the activity of multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis(MDR-TB),and identify the most effective combination of β-lactam antibiotics and β-lactamase inhibitors against MDR-TB.Methods MDR-TB strains collected in Henan Province Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Project in 2021 were selected.The mini-mum inhibitory concentrations(MIC)of 5 β-lactam antibiotics or combinations with different β-lactamase inhibitors on clinically isolated MDR-TB strains were measured by MIC detection method,and the blaC mutation of the strains was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction(PCR)and DNA sequencing.Results A total of 105 strains of MDR-TB were included in the analysis.MIC detection results showed that doripenem had the highest antibacterial activity against MDR-TB,with a MIC50 of 16 μg/mL.MIC values of most β-lactam antibiotics decreased significantly after combined with β-lactamase inhibitors.A total of 13.33％(n=14)strains had mutations in blaC gene,mainly 3 nu-cleotide substitution mutations,namely AGT333AGG,AAC638ACC and ATC786ATT.BlaC proteins Ser111 Arg and Asn213Thr enhanced the synergistic effect of clavulanic acid/sulbactam and meropenem on MDR-TB compared with synonymous single-nucleotide mutation.Conclusion The combination of doripenem and sulbactam has the strongest antibacterial activity against MDR-TB.Substitution mutations of BlaC protein Ser111 Arg and Asn213Thr enhances the sensitivity of MDR-TB to meropenem through the synergy with clavulanic acid/sulbactam.

Objective:To study the clinical characteristics of congenital esophageal atresia (CEA) and risk factors of mortality associated with esophageal repair (ER) surgery.Methods:From January 2010 to December 2022, patients diagnosed of CEA using chest and abdomen X-ray and esophagography in our hospital were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were assigned into ER group and non-ER group according to the treatments. The ER group was subgrouped into survival group and death group according to the prognosis. Clinical data and outcomes were collected and compared between the groups.Results:A total of 553 cases were enrolled. According to Gross classification, 29 patients (5.2%) were type A, 2 patients (0.4%) were type B, 504 patients (91.1%) were type C, 6 patients (1.1%) were type D and 11 patients (2.0%) were type E. One patient had simple transluminal septal atresia of the esophagus. 406 patients were in ER group and 147 in non-ER group. Compared with ER group, non-ER group had significantly higher incidences of preterm birth, low birth weight and overall malformations (all P<0.05). In ER group, 152 patients (37.4%) received open thoracic surgery (OTS), 243 (59.9%) had video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and 11 (2.7%) were VATS converted to OTS. Postoperative anastomotic leakage (PAL) occurred in 92 patients (22.7%) and 15 patients (3.7%) died after surgery. The median length of hospital stay was 23 (17, 36) d. Compared with the survival group, the death group had higher incidences of preterm birth, low birth weight, VATS converted to OTS, mechanical ventilation after ER, and shorter length of hospital stay (all P<0.05). After adjusted for birth weight, VATS converted to OTS ( OR=9.585, 95% CI 1.899-48.374) and mechanical ventilation after ER ( OR=7.821, 95% CI 1.002-61.057) were risk factors of mortality in ER patients. Conclusions:Non-ER patients have higher incidences of preterm birth, low birth weight and overall malformations than ER patients. VATS is the method of choice for CEA. Preterm birth, low birth weight, VATS converted to OTS and mechanical ventilation after ER are risk factors of mortality in ER patients.

Objective To investigate the effects of remifentanil and dexmedetomidine controlled hypotension on coagulation function,cerebral oxygen metabolism and amino acid neurotransmitter levels in elderly patients undergoing orthopedic surgery.Methods The elderly patients who underwent lower extremity orthopedic surgery were divided into group A(given dexmedetomidine for hypotension),group B(given remifentanil for hypotension)and group C(given remifentanil combined with dexmedetomidine for hypotension)according to different anesthetic drugs.Systolic blood pressure(SBP),diastolic blood pressure(DBP)and heart rate(HR)were compared among the 3 groups.Cerebral oxygen metabolism[arterial oxygen content,(CaO2),oxygen saturation of internal jugular vein(SjvO2),oxygen content of internal jugular vein(CjvO2)],coagulation function[activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT),prothrombin time(PT),thrombin time(TT),plasma fibrinogen(FIB)],amino acid neurotransmitters[glutamic acid(Glu),aspartate(Asp),gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABA)]were compared,and the occurrence of adverse drug reactions during the trial were compared.Results At 12 h after anesthesia,the APTT of group A,group B and group C were(17.26±2.77),(17.37±2.92)and(31.11±4.74)s,respectively.GABA were(18.74±2.71),(19.22±2.60)and(23.37±2.59)mmol·L-1,respectively.3 min after withdrawal,CaO2 in group A,group B and group C were(139.31±9.03),(140.90±8.70)and(131.75±10.11)mL·L-1,respectively;SjvO2 were(63.59±2.23)％,(63.40±2.44)％and(68.82±3.36)％,respectively.The above indexes of group C were compared with those of group A and group B,and the differences were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).The incidence of adverse drug reactions in group A,B and C were 12.82％,27.50％and 7.32％,respectively.The incidence of adverse drug reactions in group C were lower than that in group A and group B(P＜0.05).Conclusion Remifentanil combined with dexmedetomidine for controlled hypotension in elderly orthopedic surgery has better blood pressure control effect,can improve postoperative coagulation function,maintain cerebral oxygen metabolism balance,reduce cognitive function injury and anesthesia adverse drug reactions.

OBJECTIVE: To explore weight-bearing stability of Pilon fracture fixed by external fixator. METHODS: Six ankle bone models (right side) and 4 pairs (8 ankle cadaver specimens) were selected. Pilon fracture model was prepared by using the preset osteotomy line based on Ruedi Allgower Pilon fracture type. Pilon fracture model was built by using a minimally invasive osteotomy. After ankle bone model and cadaver specimen model were fixed with external fixator, axial load was carried out on mechanical loading machine. After ankle bone model and cadaver specimen model were fixed with external fixator, axial load was carried out on mechanical loading machine. Axial loads of 150, 300 and 450 N were applied to ankle bone model, and displacements of fibula fracture blocks, lateral tibia fracture blocks and medial tibia fracture blocks in three-dimensional space (X, Y and Z axes) were recorded by dynamic capture instrument. Axial loads of 300, 600 and 900 N were applied to ankle cadaver model fixed by external fixator. X-ray films of Pilon fracture cadaver model fixed by external fixator under different loading conditions were taken. The anterior tibial angle, tibial malleolar point angle, talus shift value, talus tilt angle, lateral malleolar shift value, lateral malleolar shift value, medial malleolar separation shift value and articular surface step displacement value were measured under different loads by digimizer software. RESULTS: After 150, 300 and 450 N axial loads were applied to Pilon fracture models fixed by external fixator, no loosening or fracture of external fixator was observed, and no loosening, fracture or irreversible plastic deformation of Kirschner needle were observed. The displacement values of fibular fracture pieces on X-axis(around) were 0.032 (-0.022, 0.269), 0.061 (-0.002, 0.427), 0.212(-0.016, 1.223) mm, and the displacement values on Y-axis(above and below) were 0.002(-0.031, 0.103), 0.051(-1.133, 0.376), 0.128 (-1.394, 0.516) mm, and displacement values on Z-axis (front and rear) were -0.003 (-0.130, 0.171), 0.137 (-0.076, 0.433), 0.030(-0.487, 0.478) mm;the displacement values of lateral tibial fractures on X-axis were 0.000(-0.108, 0.027), 0.083(-0.364, 0.050), -0.121(-0.289, 0.165) mm, and displacement values on Y-axis were -0.009(-0.200, 0.025), -0.179(-0.710, 0.084), -0.257(-0.799, 0.027) mm, and displacement values on Z-axis were 0.112(-0.024, 0.256), 0.157(-0.068, 0.293), -0.210(-0.035, 0.430) mm;the displacement values of medial tibial fracture block on X-axis were -0.010(-0.060, 0.013), -0.165(-0.289, 0.056), -0.181(-0.395, 0.013) mm, and the displacement values on Y-axis were -0.036(-0.156, 0.007), -0.104(-0.269, 0.178), -0.245(-0.380, -0.011) mm, and displacement values on Z-axis were -0.005(-0.372, 0.189), -0.012 (-1.774, 0.380), 0.200 (-1.963, -0.540) mm. After 300, 600 and 900 N axial loads were applied to Pilon fracture cadaverous models fixed with external fixators, there were no significant difference in anterior tibial angles, angles of malleolar points of tibia, oblique angles of talus, fracture steps, shift values of talus, lateral shift values of lateral malleolus, lateral shift values of medial malleolus, lateral shift values of medial malleolus between under different loading conditions and those without loading (P>0.05). No loosening or fracture of external fixator as a whole, loosening, fracture or irreversible deformation of Kirschner needle at the local fixed fracture end occurred. CONCLUSION The early weight-bearing external fixator could maintain stability of fracture end and ankle joint, and the maximum weight is not more than 300 N. In clinical practical application, material characteristics of the implant and type of fracture should be selected.
Humans ; Weight-Bearing ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; External Fixators ; Tibial Fractures/physiopathology* ; Fracture Fixation/instrumentation* ; Male