OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of baicalin （BC） on insulin resistance in rats with gestational diabetes mellitus （GDM） and its underlying mechanism based on the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase （AMPK）/suppressor of variegation 3-9 homolog 1 （SUV39H1）/histone H3 lysine 9 trimethylation （H3K9me3） axis. METHODS A GDM rat model was established by a combination of a high-fat diet and streptozotocin injection. The successfully modeled rats were divided into the GDM group， BC low-dose group， BC high-dose group， and high-dose of BC+AMPK inhibitor （Compound C） group， with 10 rats in each group. Another 10 pregnant rats fed a normal diet served as the control group. Rats in each group were given corresponding drugs/normal saline intragastrically and/or intraperitoneally， once daily for 2 consecutive weeks. After the last administration， the levels of fasting blood glucose （FBG）， pancreatic function indexes [fasting insulin （FINS）， homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance （HOMA-IR）， insulin sensitivity index （ISI）]， blood lipid indexes （total cholesterol， triglyceride， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol）， liver function indexes （alanine transferase， aspartate transferase， alkaline phosphatase）， inflammatory indicators （C-reactive protein， interleukin-1β， interleukin-6）， metabolic regulatory protein [complement-C1q/tumor necrosis factor-related protein 3 （CTRP3）]， insulin sensitivity related factors [glucose transporter 4 （GLUT4）， adiponectin]， and oxidative stress indicators [superoxide dismutase （SOD）， catalase （CAT）， malondialdehyde （MDA）] were measured. Pathological changes in liver tissue were observed， and the expressions of proteins related to the AMPK/SUV39H1/H3K9me3 axis in liver tissue were detected. RESULTS Compared with the GDM group， rats in the BC low- and high-dose groups showed varying degrees of improvement in pathological changes such as disordered cell arrangement， vacuolar degeneration， lipid deposition， and inflammatory cell infiltration in liver tissue. Their FBG and FINS levels， HOMA-IR， the levels of blood lipid indexes， liver function indexes， inflammatory indicators and MDA， and the expressions of SUV39H1 and H3K9me3 were significantly decreased or down-regulated， while metabolic regulatory protein， insulin sensitivity-related factors and AMPK protein phosphorylation levels were significantly increased （ P ＜0.05）. The improvement was more significant in the BC high-dose group （ P ＜0.05）. Compound C could significantly reverse the ameliorative effects of high-dose BC on the above quantitative indicators （ P ＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS BC can significantly reduce oxidative stress and inflammatory responses， increase serum levels of CTRP3， GLUT4 and adiponectin， thereby improving insulin resistance in GDM rats. These effects may be related to the activation of AMPK and inhibition of SUV39H1-mediated H3K9me3 modification.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the association between GPSM2 expression level and gastric cancer progression and analyze the functional pathways and action mechanism of GPSM2. METHODS: We analyzed GPSM2 expression levels in gastric cancer tumors based on data from the GEPIA database and the clinical data of 109 patients. Public databases enrichment analysis were used to assess the impact of GPSM2 expression level on survival outcomes and the functional pathways and action mechanism of GPSM2. We further observed the effects of GPSM2 knockdown and overexpression on proliferation, migration and apoptosis of MGC803 cells using CCK-8 assay, colony formation assay, flow cytometry and immunoblotting and on the growth of MGC803 cell xenografts in nude mice. RESULTS: Bioinformatic analysis and immunohistochemical staining of the clinical specimens both revealed high GPSM2 expressions in gastric cancer (P<0.01). A high GPSM2 expression was significantly correlated with T3-4 stages, N2-3 stages, a carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level ≥5 μg/L, and a carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 level ≥37 kU/L (P<0.05). Cox regression analysis identified high GPSM2 expression as an independent risk factor affecting 5-year survival of the patients (P<0.05). Gene ontology (GO) analysis suggested that GPSM2 was involved in cell cycle regulation. In MGC803 cells, GPSM2 overexpression significantly promoted cell proliferation and G1/S transition and xenograft growth in nude mice. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis indicated that GPSM2 executed its biological functions by regulating the p53 signaling pathway, which was confirmed by the results of immunoblotting experiments showing suppression of p53 signaling pathway activity in GPSM2-over expressing MGC803 cells. CONCLUSIONS GPSM2 is highly expressed in gastric cancer to affect patient prognosis by promoting tumor cell proliferation and G1/S transition possibly via inhibiting the p53 pathway.
Stomach Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Humans ; Cell Proliferation ; Prognosis ; Animals ; Mice, Nude ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Mice ; Apoptosis ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/metabolism* ; Cell Movement

Objective:To explore differences in the efficacy and safety of ruxolitinib in patients with myelofibrosis by age and to identify prognostic factors by analyzing clinical features and characteristics of chromosomes and gene mutations.Methods:This study retrospectively analyzed 188 patients with myelofibrosis who received ruxolitinib in the Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University from January 1, 2017, to July 1, 2024. According to age at diagnosis, the patients were divided into the middle-aged group (≤55 years), young elderly group (56-65 years), and elderly group (>65 years). Clinical features, the characteristics of chromosomes and gene mutations, and the efficacy and safety of ruxolitinib treatment were compared across the three age groups. Independent factors influencing overall survival were identified through Cox proportional risk regression analysis.Results:Before treatment, the elderly group had more underlying comorbidities, a heavier symptom burden, higher leukocyte count, higher proportion and frequency of JAK2 mutations, and lower proportion of CALR mutations. The incidence of nondriver gene mutations was significantly higher in the young elderly group. After ruxolitinib treatment, the degree of reduction in spleen size did not differ significantly among the three groups. The length of the palpable spleen below the left costal margin reduced by more than 50% from baseline in 50.9% (27/53) of the patients in the middle-aged group, 43.5% (27/62) in the young elderly group, and 45.5% (20/44) in the elderly group ( P=0.720). No significant difference was observed among the three groups in the degree of reduction in Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Symptom Assessment Form (10-item version) score ( P=0.153), with a reduction in total symptom score by more than 50% achieved by 54.0% (27/50), 60.3% (41/68), and 66.7% (34/51) of the patients from the three groups, respectively ( P=0.429). The most common hematological adverse events were anemia and thrombocytopenia, while the most common nonhematological adverse events were electrolyte disturbance, elevated transaminase activity, and pulmonary infection. Multivariate analysis indicated that in ruxolitinib-treated patients with myelofibrosis, poor overall survival was independently predicted by increased age, reduced hemoglobin, percentage of bone marrow blasts ≥ 1%, absence of JAK2 mutations, chromosomal abnormalities, ≥2 high-molecular-risk mutations, and TP53 mutations. Conclusions:Patients with myelofibrosis stratified by age exhibited heterogeneous clinical features and gene mutation profiles but similar efficacy of ruxolitinib treatment and occurrence of adverse events.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors and prognosis of postoperative atrial fibrillation(POAF) and delayed-onset POAF(dPOAF).Methods:In a retrospective cohort study involving consecutive patients who underwent cardiac surgery across provincial cardiovascular consortium consisted of 57 hospitals in Jiangsu Province from January 2015 to December 2022, the incidence and implications of dPOAF were examined. dPOAF was defined as being diagnosed within 30 days of discharge.Results:Among 2 788 patients with postoperative new-onset POAF, 154(5.5%)cases had dPOAF, median onset time 21(15, 26)days following surgery. Compared to in-patient diagnosed POAF, dPOAF was associated with increased rates of hypertension(28.6% vs. 9.0%, P<0.001), diabetes(10.4% vs. 3.2%, P<0.001), heart failure(39.6% vs. 19.3%, P<0.001), peripheral vascular disease(13.6% vs. 2.2%, P<0.001), and higher CHA2DS2-VASc score(≥2)(59.8% vs. 43.2%, P<0.001). Female patients were less likely to develop dPOAF( OR=0.44, 95% CI: 0.30-0.63, P<0.001). During follow-up period, there was no significant difference in major adverse cardiovascular events(MACEs)( HR=1.33, 95% CI: 0.82-2.17), overall mortality( HR=0.58, 95% CI: 0.07-4.67), or thromboembolism events( HR=0.57, 95% CI: 0.26-1.25). Conclusion:This study underscores the risk factors and prognosis associated with dPOAF compared to in-hospital POAF. It highlights the imperative for vigilant monitoring and individualized management strategies tailored to patients at risk of dPOAF.

Objective To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of Ophiopogon japonicus polysaccharides(OJP)on submandibular gland inflammation in a mouse model of Sj?gren's syndrome(SS)and its impact on the tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)/nuclear factor kappa-B(NF-κB)/NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3(NLRP3)signaling pathway.Methods ① Eight C57BL/6J mice served as the control group(Control group),while 32 C57BL/6J mice were subjected to immune induction to establish the SS model and then randomly divided into 4 groups(n=8 each):model group(SS group),low-dose OJP group[OJP(10 mg/kg)group],high-dose OJP group[OJP(20 mg/kg)group],and hydroxychloroquine group(Hyd group).The Control and SS groups received intragastric administration of saline,the OJP(10 mg/kg)and OJP(20 mg/kg)groups received 0.2 mL of OJP solution at 10 mg/kg or 20 mg/kg,respectively,and the Hyd group received 0.2 mL of hydroxychloroquine solution at 100 mg/kg,once daily for 4 weeks.Water consumption and salivary flow rate were measured.Serum levels of inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6(IL-6),interleukin-1β(IL-1β),and TNF-α were detected by ELISA.Pathological changes in submandibular gland tissue were observed by HE staining.Protein expression related to the TNF-α/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway was assessed by Western blot,and TNF-α and NLRP3 protein expression was detected by immunofluorescence.② RAW264.7 macrophages were divided into blank control group(Control group),model group(SS group),low-dose OJP group(OJP1 group),medium-dose OJP group(OJP2 group),and high-dose OJP group(OJP4 group).After 24 hours of culture,the medium was removed;the Control group received 2 mL of complete DMEM medium,the SS group received 2 mL of complete DMEM medium containing 16 μg LPS,and the different OJP dose groups received 2 mL of complete DMEM medium containing 16 μg LPS plus OJP at concentrations of 1,2,or 4 mg/mL,respectively.Inflammatory cytokine levels were measured by ELISA,TNF-α/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway-related protein expression was detected by Western blot,and TNF-α protein expression was detected by immunofluorescence.Results ① Compared with the Control group,the SS group showed increased water consumption and decreased salivary flow rate(P<0.05),elevated serum levels of IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α(P<0.01),aggravated pathological damage observed by HE staining in submandibular glands,and increased expression of NLRP3,apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD(ASC),cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase(Caspase-1),IL-1β,TNF-α,TNF receptor type 1(TNFR1)/glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase(GAPDH),and phosphorylated NF-κB p65(p-NF-κB p65)/NF-κB p65(P<0.01),with immunofluorescence also showing elevated TNF-α and NLRP3 protein expression.Compared with the SS group,the Hyd group and both OJP dose groups exhibited decreased water consumption,increased salivary flow rate(P<0.01),reduced serum levels of IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α,alleviated submandibular gland pathological damage,decreased expression of NLRP3,ASC,Caspase-1,IL-1β,TNF-α,TNFR1/GAPDH,and p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 proteins by Western blotting(P<0.01),and reduced TNF-α and NLRP3 protein expression by immunofluorescence.② Compared with macrophages treated solely with LPS,those treated with OJP intervention showed reduced levels of inflammatory cytokines and decreased expression of NLRP3,ASC,Caspase-1,IL-1β,TNF-α,TNFR1/GAPDH,and p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65(P<0.01).Conclusion OJP may exert anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the activation of the TNF-α/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway,thereby alleviating the inflammatory response in SS mice.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic mechanism of Guiyuan Decoction(GYD,with Rehmanniae Radix as the principal herb)in Sj?gren's syndrome(SS).Methods Active components of GYD were retrieved from network pharmacology databases,and potential targets for SS were predicted.Common targets were identified via Venn analysis,followed by construction of a"herb-compound-target"network.Protein-protein interaction(PPI)networks were generated,and Gene Ontology(GO)functional annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment analyses were performed using the DAVID platform.Molecular docking was employed to evaluate binding affinities between core components and key target proteins.In vivo and in vitro experiments were conducted to validate predictions based on literature and docking results.Results A total of 318 bioactive components in GYD and 148 disease-related overlapping targets were identified.GO and KEGG analyses yielded 921 functional terms and 159 signaling pathways,respectively.Molecular docking revealed stigmasterol exhibited the strongest binding affinity with caspase-3(CASP3),while quercetin,kaempferol,andβ-sitosterol also showed robust interactions with core targets.Experimental validation demonstrated that both GYD and its active constituent stigmasterol significantly downregulated protein expression levels of CASP3,NLR family pyrin domain containing 3(NLRP3),apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD(ASC),interleukin-1β(IL-1 β),and Caspase-1 in submandibular gland tissues of Sj?gren's syndrome mice and in lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-stimulated submandibular gland cells.Furthermore,they effectively reduced the concentrations of interleukin-6(IL-6),interleukin-1β(IL-1 β),and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in peripheral blood and cell culture supernatants of Sj?gren's syndrome mice.Conclusion Integrated network pharmacology and molecular docking suggest that GYD exerts anti-SS effects primarily via stigmasterol-mediated modulation of CASP3.Experimental evidence confirms that GYD and stigmasterol attenuate inflammatory responses and may ameliorate SS by targeting CASP3 to suppress NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical effectiveness and safety of Dingchan Granule （定颤颗粒） for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation with syndrome of qi stagnation and blood stasis. MethodsUsing a randomised， double-blind， placebo controlled study method， 90 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation with qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome were divided into 45 cases each in the treatment group and the control group. Both groups were given conventional western medicine treatment， and the treatment group was additionally treated with Dingchan Granule， while the control group was treated with Dingchan Granule placebo， both of which were taken orally for 8 g each time twice a day. Both groups were treated for 8 weeks. We compared the clinical effectiveness， the improvement of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） symptoms and the recovery rate of atrial fibrillation between the two groups. We compared the number and duration of atrial fibrillation episodes， TCM symptoms score， atrial fibrillation symptom classification， 24-hour average ventricular rate， Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index （PSQI）， anxiety index， depression index before and after treatment， and evaluated the safety of the two groups. ResultsThe total clinical effectiveness rate in the treatment group was 82.22% （37/45）， which was better than 60.00% （27/45） in the control group （P＜0.05）. The total effective rate of TCM syndrome effectiveness in the treatment group was 88.89% （40/45）， which was better than 66.67% （30/45） in the control group （P＜0.05）； and the rate of atrial fibrillation regression in the treatment group was 26.67% （12/45）， better than 6.67% （3/45） in the control group （P＜0.05）. The number and duration of atrial fibrillation episodes in both groups were significantly decreased （P＜0.01）， and the number and duration of atrial fibrillation episodes in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group （P＜0.01）. The TCM syndrome scores of both groups after treatment were significantly lower than before treatment （P＜0.01）， and the scores of the treatment group was lower than those of the control group （P＜0.05）. The severity of atrial fibrillation symptoms and the grading of atrial fibrillation symptoms in both groups after treatment were improved （P＜0.01）， and the degree of symptom improvement in the treatment group was better than that in the control group （P＜0.01）. The 24-hour average ventricular rate of both groups after treatment was significantly lower （P＜0.01）. The PSQI， anxiety index and depression index of the treatment group were all lower than before treatment （P＜0.01）， while the PSQI and anxiety index of the control group were both lower than before treatment （P＜0.01 or P＜0.05）， the PSQI， anxiety index and depression index of the treatment group being lower than those of the control group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. No adverse events occurred in both groups， and no abnormalities were observed in blood， urine， stool routine， liver and kidney function， and coagulation function indexes. ConclusionDingchan Granule for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation with qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome can alleviate clinical symptom， improve TCM symptom scores， increase atrial fibrillation recovery rate， stabilise the average ventricular rate， and significantly improve the quality of sleep， alleviate the anxiety and depression， with a good safety profile.

Objective:To explore the impact of postoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support on neurodevelopment of neonatal patients with complex congenital heart disease (CHD) and its early neurorehabilitation intervention effect.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed; 17 neonates who underwent complex CHD corrective surgery with ECMO support in Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021 were chosen. Neurological injury of the neonates was observed during ECMO support period. At 12 months old, the neonates underwent head MRI; and Griffiths Developmental Scale-Chinese version (GDS-C) were performed on the neonates to evaluate the neurodevelopment. A systematic neurorehabilitation intervention program was implemented for neonates with abnormal neurodevelopment as indicated by GDS-C, and GDS-C was performed again to assess the neurodevelopmental changes of the neonates at 36 months old.Results:(1) During ECMO support period, 13 neonates (76.47%) suffered from neurological damage, including 8 with simple intracranial hemorrhage, 2 with intracranial hemorrhage combined with ischemic hypoxic changes, 1 with intracranial hemorrhage combined with white matter injury, and 2 with white matter injury. (2) At 12 months old, head MRI revealed hemorrhagic foci or softening foci in 2 neonates; GDS-C indicated 12 neonates with delayed neurodevelopment, 4 with borderline status, and only 1 with normal development. (3) Among the 16 neonates with abnormal neurodevelopment who received systematic neurorehabilitation, 11 achieved normal neurodevelopment, 4 remained borderline, and 1 still had delayed development at 36 months old indicated by GDS-C. Compared with those before the neurorehabilitation intervention, the neonates after neuro-rehabilitation intervention had better neurodevelopmental rating (average ranks: 9.630 and 23.380, respectively), and significantly improved neurodevelopmental quotients in the 4 major dimensions of motor, personal-social, language, and hand-eye coordination ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Neonates accepted CHD surgery face high risks of postoperative neurological complications during ECMO support period; incidence of neurodevelopmental abnormalities is high in neonates at 12 months old; by implementing a systematic neurorehabilitation intervention, the outcomes of neonates with neurodevelopmental abnormalities can be effectively improved.

Objective The aim of this study was to clarify the role and mechanism of Pseudomonas aeruginosa vaccine subunit OprI in the fusion protein vaccine rePO(PcrV-OprI).Methods The in vitro stability of rePO,PcrV and OprI at 4 ℃,25 ℃,and 37 ℃ was examined.After immunizing mice with rePO,OprI and PcrV,respectively,the specific antibody potency in serum and the proportion of cells secreting IFN-γ and IL-4 in the spleen were examined;Additionally,detection of the levels of protein uptake by DC2.4 cells in vitro using laser confocal microscopy and flow cytometry,and their ability to promote the maturation of mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cells(BMDC).Results The heat stability of fusion protein rePO was significantly better than that of PcrV.The induced anti-PcrV IgG and anti-OprI IgG potency of rePO was significantly higher than that of monomeric PcrV and OprI.Additionally,the number of cells secreting IFN-γ and IL-4 induced by immunization with rePO was significantly higher than that of PcrV and OprI.The uptake rate of fusion protein rePO by DC2.4 cells was significantly higher than that of PcrV and OprI.Furthermore,rePO promoted the maturation of mouse BMDC more effectively than PcrV and OprI.Conclusion OprI in the fusion protein rePO can significantly improve its thermal stability and immunogenicity,which lays the foundation for the successful development of Pseudomonas aeruginosa vaccine.

Depression is closely associated with a neuro-endocrine-immune(NEI)system imbalance.The"excessive vitality leading to restraint and counter-regulation(Kang Hai Cheng Zhi)"theory elucidates the self-regulating mechanism for maintaining dynamic equilibrium in the body,and serves as an importance principle guiding treatment formulation and medication selection.Based on the correlation between NEI system imbalance and the traditional Chinese medicine pathogenesis of depression,and integrating the"Kang Hai Cheng Zhi"theory,the author posits that the pathogenesis of depression lies in overactive liver invading spleen,earth dampness impeding wood′s ascendancy,and disharmony between body and mind,as well as imbalance in storage and discharge functions of liver and kidney,disharmony between Yin and Yang,and disrupted counter-regulation.This dosely aligns with two key pathological methanisms at the micro level:microglial-limbic system homeostatic imbalance and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis-inflammatory circuit dysregulation.Clinically,the treatment principle for depression adheres to supporting the counter-regulation to restrain excess,with herbal interventions using strategies such as restraining wood to support earth,dredging earth to unblock wood,and harmonizing pivotal functions,as well as nourishing water to nurture wood,warming kidney to tonify liver,and relieving depression to calm the spirit.These approaches aim to regulate the liver,spleen,and kidney,embodying the core therapeutic tenet of"striving for equilibrium,"thereby restoring the body′s self-regulating capability.