ObjectiveTo characterize the quality differences among different germplasm and introduced varieties of Bupleurum scorzonerifolium roots（BSR）， and explore the underlying molecular mechanisms， providing a basis for high-quality production and quality control. MethodsWild BSR from Yulin（YLW） served as the quality reference， we conducted comparative analysis among YLW， locally domesticated wild germplasm in Yulin（YLC3）， Daqing germplasm introduced and cultivated in Yulin（YLDQC3）， and locally cultivated germplasm in Daqing（DQC3）. A combination of traditional pharmacognostic methods and modern multi-omics analyses was employed， including macroscopic traits（appearance， odor）， microscopic features（proportions of cork， phloem， xylem）， cell wall component contents（hemicellulose， cellulose， lignin）， carbohydrate contents（starch， water-soluble polysaccharides）， marker compound contents（ethanol-soluble extracts， total saponins， liposoluble extracts， and saikosaponins A， B₂， C， D）， metabolomics， and transcriptomics， in order to systematically characterize quality differences and investigate molecular mechanisms among these samples. ResultsMacroscopically， Yulin-produced BSR（YLW， YLC3， YLDQC3） exhibited significantly greater weight， length， and upper and middle diameters than Daqing-produced BSR（DQC3）. Odor-wise， YLW and YLC3 had a a fragrance taste， YLDQC3 had a rancid oil odor， and DQC3 had a sweet and fragrant taste. Microscopically， Yulin germplasm（YLW， YLC3） and Daqing germplasm（YLDQC3， DQC3） shared similar structural features， respectively. However， Yulin germplasm showed significantly higher proportions of cork and phloem， as well as stronger xylem vessel staining intensity compared to Daqing germplasm. Regarding various component contents， Yulin germplasm contained significantly higher levels of ethanol-soluble extracts， total saponins， and saikosaponins A， B₂， C， D， while Daqing germplasm had significantly higher levels of hemicellulose， starch， and liposoluble extracts. After introduction to Yulin， the Daqing germplasm（YLDQC3） showed increased starch， water-soluble polysaccharides and liposoluble extracts contents， decreased cell wall component content， but no significant difference in other component contents. Metabolomics revealed that saponins and terpenes accumulated significantly in Yulin germplasm， while alcohols and aldehydes accumulated predominantly in Daqing germplasm. Transcriptomics indicated similar gene expression patterns within the same germplasm but specificity between different germplasms. Integrative metabolomic-transcriptomic analysis identified 145 potential key genes associated with the saikosaponin biosynthesis pathway， including one acetyl-coenzyme A（CoA） acetyltransferase gene（ACAT）， one 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A synthase gene（HMGS）， two hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA（HMG-CoA） reductase genes（HMG）， one phosphomevalonate kinase gene（PMK）， one 1-deoxy-D-xylose-5-phosphate synthase gene（CLA）， one hydroxymethylbuten-1-aldol synthase gene（HDR）， two farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase genes（FPPS）， one squalene synthase gene（SQS）， one β-amyrin synthase gene（BAS）， 102 cytochrome P450（CYP450） gene family members， and 32 uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase（UGT） gene family members. ConclusionAmong the three cultivated types， YLC3 most closely resembles YLW in appearance， microscopic features， contents of major bioactive constituents， metabolomic and transcriptomic profiles. Yulin germplasm exhibits superior saponin synthesis capability compared to Daqing germplasm， and Yulin region is more suitable for the growth of B. scorzonerifolium. Based on these findings， it is recommended that artificial cultivation in northern Shaanxi and similar regions utilize the local Yulin germplasm source cultivated for at least three years.

BACKGROUND: Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is indicated as a broad-spectrum medicine for a variety of diseases, including cancer and cardiac disease. While the role of ATO in hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury (HIRI) has not been reported. Thus, the purpose of this study was to identify the effects of ATO on HIRI. METHODS: In the present study, we established a 70% hepatic warm I/R injury and partial hepatectomy (30% resection) animal models in vivo and hepatocytes anoxia/reoxygenation (A/R) models in vitro with ATO pretreatment and further assessed liver function by histopathologic changes, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, cell counting kit-8, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) for extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 was transfected to evaluate the role of ERK1/2 pathway during HIRI, followed by ATO pretreatment. The dynamic process of autophagic flux and numbers of autophagosomes were detected by green fluorescent protein-monomeric red fluorescent protein-LC3 (GFP-mRFP-LC3) staining and transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: A low dose of ATO (0.75 μmol/L in vitro and 1 mg/kg in vivo ) significantly reduced tissue necrosis, inflammatory infiltration, and hepatocyte apoptosis during the process of hepatic I/R. Meanwhile, ATO obviously promoted the ability of cell proliferation and liver regeneration. Mechanistically, in vitro  studies have shown that nontoxic concentrations of ATO can activate both ERK and phosphoinositide 3-kinase-serine/threonine kinase (PI3K-AKT) pathways and further induce autophagy. The hepatoprotective mechanism of ATO, at least in part, relies on the effects of ATO on the activation of autophagy, which is ERK-dependent. CONCLUSION Low, non-toxic doses of ATO can activate ERK/PI3K-AKT pathways and induce ERK-dependent autophagy in hepatocytes, protecting liver against I/R injury and accelerating hepatocyte regeneration after partial hepatectomy.
Animals ; Arsenic Trioxide ; Autophagy/physiology* ; Reperfusion Injury/prevention & control* ; Mice ; Male ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/physiology* ; Arsenicals/therapeutic use* ; Oxides/therapeutic use* ; Liver/metabolism* ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

Objective To assess the technical levels of computed tomography (CT) quality control testing capabilities among radiological health technology service institutions in Hubei Province, China. Methods Ten radiological health technology service institutions in Hubei Province were organized to participate in an inter-institutional capability comparison of selected indicators in CT quality control testing with reference to the Specification for testing of quality control in X-ray computed tomography (WS 519—2019). The robust Z-score method was employed to evaluate the results of the capability comparison data from the ten institutions. Results Six institutions achieved a "satisfactory" rating in all assessed indicators, with a satisfaction rate of 60%. Indicators rated as "unsatisfactory" or "questionable" included "positioning light accuracy", "uniformity", "noise", and "high-contrast resolution". Conclusion The CT quality control testing capabilities of some radiological health technology service institutions in Hubei Province require further enhancement. Improved training and education for testing personnel are recommended.

Objective:To evaluate the long-term outcomes and prognostic factors of locally advanced gastric cancer with serosa-invasion.Methods:This study is a retrospective cohort study. The clinical and pathological data of 495 patients with locally advanced gastric cancer with serosa-invasion who underwent laparoscopic radical gastrectomy in Department of General Surgery, the First Hospital Affiliated to Army Medical University from October 2012 to October 2018 was analyzed retrospectively. There were 356 males and 139 females with an age ( M(IQR)) of 59 (16) years (range: 18 to 75 years). Observation indicators included postoperative results and long-term prognosis. The survival curve was drawn by the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and multivariate prognostic analysis was performed using the Cox proportional hazards model. Results:Among the 495 patients, a total of 57 patients (11.5%) were lost to follow-up, with a follow-up time of 89 (40) months (range: 23 to 134 months). The 5-year disease-free survival rate (DFS) and the 5-year overall survival rate (OS) were 56.0% and 58.2%, respectively. The 5-year DFS for patients with stage ⅡB, ⅢA, ⅢB, ⅢC were 71.2%, 60.5%, 51.6%, 33.3%, respectively. The 5-year OS for patients with stage ⅡB, ⅢA, ⅢB, ⅢC were 71.2%, 62.2%, 54.1%, 39.3%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that age >65 years (DFS: HR=1.402, 95% CI: 1.022 to 1.922, P=0.036; OS: HR=1.461, 95% CI: 1.057 to 2.019, P=0.022), lymph node dissection number less than 25 (DFS: HR=1.348, 95% CI: 1.019 to 1.779, P=0.036; OS: HR=1.376, 95% CI: 1.035 to 1.825, P=0.028), pathological stage Ⅲ (DFS: HR=2.131, 95% CI: 1.444 to 3.144, P<0.01; OS: HR=2.079, 95% CI: 1.406 to 3.074, P<0.01), and no postoperative chemotherapy (DFS: HR=3.127, 95% CI: 2.377 to 4.113, P<0.01; OS: HR=3.768, 95% CI: 2.828 to 5.020, P<0.01) were independent prognostic factors for the decrease in DFS and OS rates. Conclusions:Laparoscopic radical gastrectomy for locally advanced gastric cancer with serosa-invasion could achieve satisfactory long-term oncological outcomes. More lymph node dissection and standardized postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy are expected to further improve the prognosis of patients with locally advanced gastric cancer with serous invasion after laparoscopic radical surgery.

Objective:To evaluate the long-term outcomes and prognostic factors of locally advanced gastric cancer with serosa-invasion.Methods:This study is a retrospective cohort study. The clinical and pathological data of 495 patients with locally advanced gastric cancer with serosa-invasion who underwent laparoscopic radical gastrectomy in Department of General Surgery, the First Hospital Affiliated to Army Medical University from October 2012 to October 2018 was analyzed retrospectively. There were 356 males and 139 females with an age ( M(IQR)) of 59 (16) years (range: 18 to 75 years). Observation indicators included postoperative results and long-term prognosis. The survival curve was drawn by the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and multivariate prognostic analysis was performed using the Cox proportional hazards model. Results:Among the 495 patients, a total of 57 patients (11.5%) were lost to follow-up, with a follow-up time of 89 (40) months (range: 23 to 134 months). The 5-year disease-free survival rate (DFS) and the 5-year overall survival rate (OS) were 56.0% and 58.2%, respectively. The 5-year DFS for patients with stage ⅡB, ⅢA, ⅢB, ⅢC were 71.2%, 60.5%, 51.6%, 33.3%, respectively. The 5-year OS for patients with stage ⅡB, ⅢA, ⅢB, ⅢC were 71.2%, 62.2%, 54.1%, 39.3%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that age >65 years (DFS: HR=1.402, 95% CI: 1.022 to 1.922, P=0.036; OS: HR=1.461, 95% CI: 1.057 to 2.019, P=0.022), lymph node dissection number less than 25 (DFS: HR=1.348, 95% CI: 1.019 to 1.779, P=0.036; OS: HR=1.376, 95% CI: 1.035 to 1.825, P=0.028), pathological stage Ⅲ (DFS: HR=2.131, 95% CI: 1.444 to 3.144, P<0.01; OS: HR=2.079, 95% CI: 1.406 to 3.074, P<0.01), and no postoperative chemotherapy (DFS: HR=3.127, 95% CI: 2.377 to 4.113, P<0.01; OS: HR=3.768, 95% CI: 2.828 to 5.020, P<0.01) were independent prognostic factors for the decrease in DFS and OS rates. Conclusions:Laparoscopic radical gastrectomy for locally advanced gastric cancer with serosa-invasion could achieve satisfactory long-term oncological outcomes. More lymph node dissection and standardized postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy are expected to further improve the prognosis of patients with locally advanced gastric cancer with serous invasion after laparoscopic radical surgery.

Objective:To investigate the short-term outcomes of totally robotic surgical system and robotic surgical system assisted radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer.Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 290 patients who under-went robotic surgical system radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer in the First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University from January 2018 to November 2021 were collected. There were 208 males and 82 females, aged 58 (range, 24?84)years. Of the 290 patients, 125 patients undergoing totally robotic surgical system radical gastrectomy combined with reconstruction of digestive tract were divided into the totally robot group, and 165 patients undergoing robotic surgical system radical gastrectomy combined with a small midline incision-assisted reconstruction of digestive tract were divided into the robotic-assisted group. Observation indicators: (1) surgical and postoperative situations; (2) postoperative complications. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was conducted using the t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(range), and comparison between groups was conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test. Comparison of ordinal data was conducted using the non-parameter rank sum test. Count data were described as absolute numbers, and comparison between groups was conducted using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. Results:(1) Surgical and postoperative situations. The operation time, volume of intraoperative blood loss, length of incision, duration of postoperative analgesic using, time to postoperative gastric tube removal, time to postoperative initial water intake, time to postoperative first anal flatus, duration of post-operative hospital stay were (246±43)minutes, (104±51)mL, 4(range, 3?6)cm, (2.2±0.5)days, 36(range, 10?112)hours, 62(range, 32?205)hours, 63(range, 18?138)hours, 8(range, 6?50)days in patients of the totally robot group, versus (296±59)minutes, (143±87)mL, 6(range, 3?13)cm, (3.6±0.7)days, 42(range, 12?262)hours, 90(range, 18?262)hours, 80(range, 16?295)hours, 9(range, 6?63)days in patients of the robotic-assisted group, showing significant differences in the above indicators between the two groups ( t=8.04, 4.42, Z=?13.98, t=18.46, Z=?5.47, ?5.87, ?6.14, ?4.04, P<0.05). (2) Post-operative complications. Cases with systemic related complications and cases with pulmonary infection were 7 and 4 in patients of the totally robot group, versus 31 and 16 in patients of the robotic-assisted group, showing significant differences in the above indicators between the two groups ( χ2=10.86, 4.68, P<0.05). Further analysis showed that there were significant differences in age ≥60 years, body mass index ≥25 kg/m 2, tumor diameter ≥3 cm, TNM staging as stage Ⅲ of cases with postoperative complications between the totally robot group and the robotic-assisted group ( odds ratio=0.44, 0.17, 0.40, 0.31, 95 confidence interval as 0.20?1.00, 0.03?0.88, 0.18?0.89, 0.11?0.84, P<0.05). Conclusion:Totally robotic surgical system radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer is safe and feasible with advantages of minimal trauma and quick recovery, especially for patients as age ≥60 years, body mass index ≥25 kg/cm 2, tumor diameter ≥3 cm and TNM stage Ⅲ in complication controlling.

Objective:Through meta-analysis, the association of three common adipokines (leptin, adiponectin, and chemerin) with bone nutrition of senile osteoporosis (SOP) in China was systematically evaluated.Methods:CNKI, CBM, VIP, Wanfang, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, and other databases were searched for articles published from the establishment of the database to July 30, 2022. After literature screening, data extraction, and quality evaluation of the included studies were independently conducted by two researchers, a meta-analysis was performed using RevMan5.4 and Stata17.0 softwares.Results:A total of 13 studies in the Chinese population were included, including 897 patients with SOP and 673 elderly with normal bone mineral density . The results of the meta-analysis showed that compared with the control group, the serum leptin levels were significantly lower ( MD -2.64, 95% CI -4.04 to -1.23, P < 0.001), chemerin levels were significantly higher ( MD 25.23, 95% CI 14.57 to 35.90, P < 0.001), and adiponectin levels were not significantly different ( MD -0.55, 95% CI -2.26 to 1.17, P > 0.05) in SOP patients. After subgroup analysis according to the measurement method, leptin levels remained lower in SOP patients than in the control group. Conclusions:Compared with the control group, leptin levels were lower and chemerin levels were higher in SOP patients. Therefore, dysregulation of adipokines may play an important role in the occurrence and development of SOP, and regulation of adipokine levels and functions may play a role in the treatment of SOP and the improvement of bone nutrition as a nutritional intervention.

Objective:To explore the effects of neonatal stimulator of interferon genes (STING) innate immune signaling pathway of HBsAg-positive mothers on non/hypo-response to hepatitis B vaccine (HepB) in their infants.Methods:From November 2019 to June 2022, HBsAg-positive mothers and their infants in the Third People's Hospital of Taiyuan were recruited as the study subjects. The epidemiological and clinical data were collected by questionnaire survey and medical records review. The key molecular proteins of STING innate immune signaling pathway (STING, pIRF3) and immune cells associated with vaccine response (DC, T and B and plasma cells) in neonatal cord blood were detected by flow cytometry. Follow up was conducted for infants for 1-2 months after the full vaccination of HepB. Serum hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) was detected by chemiluminescence microparticle immunoassay. Unconditional logistic regression model, nomogram and Bayesian network model were used to evaluate the effect of STING innate immune signaling pathway on non/hypo-response to HepB and related factors in infants, and the relationship between various factors.Results:A total of 195 pairs of HBsAg-positive mothers and infants were recruited, the rate of non/hypo-response to HepB in the infants was 12.31% (24/195). High maternal HBV DNA load, low expression of neonatal STING, low expression of pIRF3 and low percentage of plasma cells were risk factors for non/hypo-response to HepB in the infants ( OR=4.70, 3.46, 3.18 and 2.20, all P<0.05). The nomogram constructed by these factors had good predictive efficacy (area under curve=0.81, 95% CI: 0.63-0.83). The results of Bayesian network model showed that the infants with a high maternal HBV DNA load had a higher conditional probability of low STING expression (62.50%) and a higher conditional probability of low pIRF3 expression (58.54%). The conditional probabilities of low expression of DC, T, B and plasma cells were 53.16%, 60.20%, 68.42% and 57.14%, respectively. Conclusion:Maternal HBV DNA might inhibit STING innate immune signaling pathways in infants and immune cells associated with HepB response, resulting in non/hypo-response to HepB in infants of HBsAg-positive mothers.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with pancreatic cancer (PC) complicated with new-onset diabetes mellitus (DM), and to provide a basis for defining a high-risk group for PC. Methods The 426 PC cases admitted to the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from January 2016 to December 2021 were retrospectively selected and divided into new DM group (disease duration ≤2 years, n =74), long-term DM group (disease duration > 2 years, n =50) and simple PC group (no DM, n =302). We collected their basic demographic information, smoking and drinking history, disease history, family history, DM medication, clinical characteristics (first symptoms, tumor diameter, mass location, pancreatic duct dilatation, surgical resection) and biochemical indexes (FPG, CA19-9, CA125). The glycemic status of those who underwent surgical resection was monitored for six months after surgery. The t -test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups, and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups; the chi-square test and the Fisher's exact test were used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. Results Of the 426 PC patients, 68.3% were male and 31.7% were female. New-onset DM accounted for 59.7% of the PC patients with DM. Compared with the long-term DM group, the new-onset DM group had a lower age of onset ( t =-2.041, P =0.043), a lower proportion of combined hypertension ( χ 2 =3.950, P =0.047), a lower family history of DM ( χ 2 =3.893, P =0.048), a lower FPG level ( Z =-2.740, P =0.005), a higher proportion of smokers ( χ 2 =7.032, P =0.008), significant weight change ( Z =-2.161, P =0.031), larger tumor diameter ( Z =-2.269 P =0.023), high proportion of those with pancreatic duct dilatation ( χ 2 =4.870, P =0.027), and significant differences in DM medication ( χ 2 =1.976, P < 0.05). At six months of follow-up, 7 patients (36.8%) in the new-onset DM surgery group had glycemic improvement, but none in the long-term DM surgery group. Compared with the PC-only group, the new-onset DM group had a lower age of onset ( t =-0.273, P =0.039), a slightly higher BMI level ( t =-2.139, P =0.033), a significant weight change ( Z =-2.262, P =0.024), a higher proportion of complicated hypertension ( χ 2 =17.438, P < 0.001), a higher FPG level ( Z =-8.322, P < 0.001), and a high proportion of dilated pancreatic ducts ( χ 2 =3.983, P =0.046). Conclusion Among PC patients, the onset age is relatively young in those complicated with new-onset DM. Patients with new-onset DM who smoke, have no family history of DM, have significant weight loss, have difficulty in controlling FPG levels, and pancreatic duct dilatation may be at high-risk for PC and should be screened early.

Objective:To explore the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, influence factors and interaction on HCV infection in patients receiving methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) in Taiyuan.Methods:Between April-June 2019, three MMT clinics in Taiyuan were selected to conduct a face-to-face questionnaire survey among MMT patients to collect the information about their socio-demographic characteristics, drug use, MMT, sexual behavior and health status. Software EpiData 3.1 was used for real-time double entry to establish the database. Software SAS 9.4 was used to analyze the data, and χ 2 test was used for univariate analysis and logistic regression model was used for multivariate and interaction analyses. Results:A total of 903 subjects were surveyed among MMT patients, the male to female ratio of was 7.21∶1(743∶103), and the rate of HCV infection was 12.53% (106/846). After adjusting for the confounding factors, being women ( OR=1.936, 95% CI: 1.023-3.662), having sex with drug users ( OR=2.073, 95% CI: 1.110-3.871) and injection drug use ( OR=7.737, 95% CI: 4.614-12.973) might be the risk factors for HCV infection in patients receiving MMT. The results showed that there were multiplicative interactions among women, having sex with drug user and injection drug use on HCV infection. Conclusions:Being women, having sex with drug user and injection drug use were associated with higher risk for HCV infection in patients receiving MMT in Taiyuan. There were multiplication interactions between being women and having sex with drug user, being female and injection drug use, and having sex with drug use and injection drug use on HCV infection.