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 compare the effects of quadratus lumborum block at the lateral supra-arcuate ligament(QLB-LSAL)versus subcostal transversus abdominis plane block(STAPB)on perioperative analgesia and postoperative inflammation in patients undergoing laparoscopic radical resection of colorectal cancer.Methods In this prospective randomized study,we recruited 102 patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery between October 2022 and October 2024 under general anesthesia and randomly assigned them to two groups:QLB-LSAL(Group Q,n=51)and STAPB(Group S,n=51).Mean arterial pressure(MAP)and heart rate(HR)were recorded before anesthesia induction(T0),before surgical incision(T1),start of surgery(T2),during pneumoperitoneum establishment(T3),during peritoneal lavage(T4),at the end of surgery(T5),and upon leaving the operating room(T6).Intraoperative remifentanil consumption,time to first patient-controlled analgesia demand,and frequency of effective compression and rescue analgesia were recorded.Visual Analog Scale(VAS)scores at rest and during coughing were assessed at 24,48,and 72 hours postoperatively.Interleukin-6(IL-6)and systemic immune-inflammatory index(SII)at 1 day preoperatively,1,and 3 days postoperatively were recorded.Postoperative recovery indicators and adverse events were also recorded.Results Group Q demonstrated significantly lower MAP and HR compared with Group S from T3 to T6(P<0.05).Group Q had significantly lower intraoperative remifentanil consumption,significantly longer time to first analgesic pump demand,fewer effective pump compres-sion,and lower frequency for rescue analgesia requests(all P<0.05).VAS scores at rest and during coughing in Group Q were significantly lower at 24 h and 48 h postoperatively(P<0.05).As compared with preoperative levels,both IL-6 and SII increased at 1 and 3 days postoperatively,but magnitude of increase in Group Q was smaller than in Group S(P<0.05).In comparison to Group S,Group Q demonstrated significantly earlier ambulation,shorter hospital stay,and fewer adverse events(P<0.05).Conclusion QLB-LSAL is superior to STAPB in enhancing perioperative analgesia,attenuating inflammatory response,and accelerating postoperative rehabilitation in patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal cancer resection.

Numerous studies have shown that depression is main-ly associated with the abnormal expression of connexin 43(Cx43)in astrocytes(Astro)and its mediated dysfunction of gap junction(GJ).However,the molecular mechanism of post-translational modifications targeting Cx43 to regulate neuroin-flammation-associated depression is still unclear.Post-transla-tional modifications of Cx43 mainly include phosphorylation of specific amino acid sites by PKC,PKA,PKG,MAPK and PTK,and protein degradation of Cx43 through the K48/K63 polyubiq-uitylation and deubiquitination pathways,which ultimately lead to protein degradation through K48/K63 polyubiquitination and deubiquitination.These modifications are ultimately involved in the regulation of neuroinflammatory responses through the associ-ation of GJ function.In this paper,we systematically review the role of Cx43 post-translational modifications in neuroinflamma-tion,with the aim of further exploring the potential application of targeting these modifications to modulate the inflammatory re-sponse mechanism in improving depressive symptoms.

Numerous studies have shown that depression is main-ly associated with the abnormal expression of connexin 43(Cx43)in astrocytes(Astro)and its mediated dysfunction of gap junction(GJ).However,the molecular mechanism of post-translational modifications targeting Cx43 to regulate neuroin-flammation-associated depression is still unclear.Post-transla-tional modifications of Cx43 mainly include phosphorylation of specific amino acid sites by PKC,PKA,PKG,MAPK and PTK,and protein degradation of Cx43 through the K48/K63 polyubiq-uitylation and deubiquitination pathways,which ultimately lead to protein degradation through K48/K63 polyubiquitination and deubiquitination.These modifications are ultimately involved in the regulation of neuroinflammatory responses through the associ-ation of GJ function.In this paper,we systematically review the role of Cx43 post-translational modifications in neuroinflamma-tion,with the aim of further exploring the potential application of targeting these modifications to modulate the inflammatory re-sponse mechanism in improving depressive symptoms.

Objective:To systematically evaluate the current financing status of Beijing's urban and rural residents'basic medical insurance,analyze equity disparities among different groups under the existing flat-rate financing policy.By simulating the equity changes of various financing schemes with different contribution rates,this study aims to provide foundations for advancing medical insurance financing system reform.Methods:Based on the per capita disposable income and number of insured residents in Beijing's 16 districts from 2018 to 2023,we separately calculated the Gini coefficient,concentration index,and Kakwani index,along with their changes before and after financing adjustments,to assess the funding burden among different insured groups.Using the geometric mean method,we projected per capita disposable income and insured populations for each district in Beijing from 2024 to 2035,simulating various financing schemes under different premium rate systems.Results:From 2018 to 2023,the Gini coefficient of net income after financing consistently exceeded that of original income before financing.The concentration index remained positive and showed an upward trend,while the Kakwani index was negative for all periods.The Gini coefficient after financing slightly decreased for the elderly and working populations with fiscal subsidy support,whereas it remained higher than that for students and children.Under the simulated differentiated rate system,the post-funding Gini coefficient for 2024-2035 was lower than the original value,and the Kakwani index was positive.Conclusions:The current fixed-amount financing mechanism for urban and rural residents'basic medical insurance exhibits regressive characteristics and insufficient fairness,with disparities in equity among different insured groups.It is necessary to establish differentiated financing standards based on differential rates,particularly implementing a financing mechanism with dynamic adjustments according to regional and group income levels,to enhance the fairness of financing for urban and rural residents'basic medical insurance.

This study investigated the mechanism of autophagy in the differentiation processes of MC3T3-E1 cells under osteogenic induction(physiological) and alcohol(AL) intervention(pathological), as well as the mechanism by which icariin(ICA) affected osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells under the pathological condition of AL intervention. Osteogenic mineralized nodule staining confirmed that the cells could differentiate into osteoblasts. After determining the appropriate concentrations of AL and ICA using the CCK-8 assay, seven groups were set up in this study: complete medium(CM) group, osteogenic induction medium(OIM) group, OIM+0.25 mol·L~(-1) AL group, OIM+0.25 mol·L~(-1) AL+1×10~(-8) mol·L~(-1) ICA group, OIM+0.25 mol·L~(-1) AL+1×10~(-7) mol·L~(-1) ICA group, OIM+0.25 mol·L~(-1) AL+1×10~(-6) mol·L~(-1) ICA group, and OIM+0.25 mol·L~(-1) AL+1×10~(-5) mol·L~(-1) ICA group, with a culture period of 7 days. Alkaline phosphatase(ALP) staining was used to detect the relative ALP area. Western blot and RT-qPCR were employed to analyze the expression of osteogenesis-and autophagy-related proteins and mRNAs. Reactive oxygen species(ROS) staining was used to detect ROS levels, and apoptosis was assessed through mitochondrial membrane potential assays. The results showed that ICA increased the relative ALP area that had been reduced by AL intervention. AL down-regulated the expression levels of Wnt family member 1(Wnt1), along with the osteogenesis-related mRNAs Wnt1, β-catenin, Runt-related transcription factor 2(Runx2), osteoprotegerin(OPG), and ALP, thereby inhibiting osteogenic differentiation. ICA up-regulated the expression levels of the osteogenesis-related proteins and mRNAs that had been inhibited by AL, promoting osteogenic differentiation. AL inhibited typical autophagy, while ICA regulated Rubicon to suppress LC3-associated phagocytosis(LAP) and promote typical autophagy. ICA also reduced the ROS levels that were elevated by AL and decreased the apoptosis of osteoblasts induced by AL intervention. In conclusion, ICA can regulate Rubicon to inhibit LAP, promote typical autophagy, eliminate ROS, reduce apoptosis, and ultimately enhance the osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells under the pathological condition of AL intervention by modulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
Autophagy/drug effects* ; Animals ; Osteogenesis/drug effects* ; Mice ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects* ; Osteoblasts/metabolism* ; Ethanol/pharmacology* ; Flavonoids/pharmacology* ; Cell Line ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*

As an innovative dosage form, traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) dry powder inhalers have emerged as a focal point in the research and development of new preparations due to its high efficiency, safety, and bioavailability. This paper systematically reviewed the relevant literature and patents associated with TCM dry powder inhalers to analyze the origins and the current research and development status. Furthermore, this paper probed into the research and development ideas of TCM dry powder inhalers regarding clinical positioning, prescription screening, and druggability. Additionally, the paper thoroughly analyzed the technical barriers in druggability studies and elaborated on corresponding research techniques and coping measures. Furthermore, it emphasized the need for improved regulations and policies governing TCM dry powder inhalers, advocated for strengthened oversight, and called for the establishment of a scientific quality evaluation system. Measures such as promoting production-education-research collaboration, enhancing personnel training, and fostering international exchanges were proposed to provide a scientific and systematic reference for the future research, development, and application of TCM dry powder inhalers, thereby facilitating the rapid modernization of TCM.
Humans ; Dry Powder Inhalers/trends* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/instrumentation* ; Administration, Inhalation

With the widespread use of antibiotics, drug-resistant bacterial infections have become a significant threat to human health. Finding new antibacterial strategies that can effectively control drug-resistant bacterial infections has become an urgent task. Unlike small molecule drugs that target bacterial proteins, antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) can target genes related to bacterial resistance, pathogenesis, growth, reproduction and biofilm formation. By regulating the expression of these genes, ASO can inhibit or kill bacteria, providing a novel approach for the development of antibacterial drugs. To overcome the challenge of delivering antisense oligonucleotide into bacterial cells, various drug delivery systems have been applied in this field, including cell-penetrating peptides, lipid nanoparticles and inorganic nanoparticles, which have injected new momentum into the development of antisense oligonucleotide in the antibacterial realm. This review summarizes the current development of small nucleic acid drugs, the antibacterial mechanisms, targets, sequences and delivery vectors of antisense oligonucleotide, providing a reference for the research and development of antisense oligonucleotide in the treatment of bacterial infections.

Objective:To systematically evaluate the current financing status of Beijing's urban and rural residents'basic medical insurance,analyze equity disparities among different groups under the existing flat-rate financing policy.By simulating the equity changes of various financing schemes with different contribution rates,this study aims to provide foundations for advancing medical insurance financing system reform.Methods:Based on the per capita disposable income and number of insured residents in Beijing's 16 districts from 2018 to 2023,we separately calculated the Gini coefficient,concentration index,and Kakwani index,along with their changes before and after financing adjustments,to assess the funding burden among different insured groups.Using the geometric mean method,we projected per capita disposable income and insured populations for each district in Beijing from 2024 to 2035,simulating various financing schemes under different premium rate systems.Results:From 2018 to 2023,the Gini coefficient of net income after financing consistently exceeded that of original income before financing.The concentration index remained positive and showed an upward trend,while the Kakwani index was negative for all periods.The Gini coefficient after financing slightly decreased for the elderly and working populations with fiscal subsidy support,whereas it remained higher than that for students and children.Under the simulated differentiated rate system,the post-funding Gini coefficient for 2024-2035 was lower than the original value,and the Kakwani index was positive.Conclusions:The current fixed-amount financing mechanism for urban and rural residents'basic medical insurance exhibits regressive characteristics and insufficient fairness,with disparities in equity among different insured groups.It is necessary to establish differentiated financing standards based on differential rates,particularly implementing a financing mechanism with dynamic adjustments according to regional and group income levels,to enhance the fairness of financing for urban and rural residents'basic medical insurance.