OBJECTIVE To explore the risk factors for acute kidney injury （AKI） in children with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome （SRNS） during tacrolimus treatment and construct a predictive model. METHODS A retrospective selection was made of 155 children diagnosed with SRNS and treated with tacrolimus at Xuzhou Children’s Hospital from January 1， 2022， to December 31， 2023， serving as the study subjects. Various clinical data of the children were collected by reviewing the medical record system. Children who developed AKI during medication were assigned to the AKI group （n＝26）， and those who did not develop AKI were assigned to the control group （n＝129）. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were used to screen independent risk factors. A clinical predictive model was constructed based on significant variables， and nomogram， calibration curve， receiver operator characteristic curve， and decision curve were drawn to evaluate the model’s performance. RESULTS Univariate analysis showed that blood urea nitrogen （BUN）， serum creatinine （Scr）， estimated glomerular filtration rate （eGFR）， the maximum trough concentration （cmin） of tacrolimus， CYP3A5*3/*3 genotype， concurrent infection， concurrent hypertension， and the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were influencing factors for AKI in children with SRNS during tacrolimus treatment （P＜0.05）. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that BUN≥9.58 mmol/L， Scr≥125 μmol/L， eGFR＜37 mL/（min·1.73 m2）， tacrolimus maximum cmin≥11.26 ng/mL，CYP3A5*3/*3 genotype， concurrent infection， and concurrent hypertension were independent risk factors for AKI in children with SRNS during tacrolimus treatment （P＜0.05）. The constructed clinical predictive model had an area under the curve of 0.747， showing good agreement between predicted and actual AKI occurrence and demonstrating favorable clinical net benefit in predicting AKI in children. CONCLUSIONS Impaired baseline renal function （elevated BUN， elevated Scr， and decreased eGFR）， elevated maximum cmin of tacrolimus， CYP3A5*3/*3 genotype， concurrent infection， and hypertension during treatment are independent risk factors for AKI in children with SRNS during tacrolimus treatment. The established clinical predictive model provides a scientific basis for implementing risk stratification management.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the components migrating to blood and metabolites of Polygonum cuspidatum in rats with acute gouty arthritis （AGA）. METHODS SD rats were randomly divided into blank group， model group and P. cuspidatum group （10 g/kg， by raw material）， with 6 rats in each group. Except for blank group， AGA model was induced in the remaining groups by injecting potassium oxonate and sodium urate； meanwhile， they were administered corresponding drug solutions or water intragastrically， once a day， for 10 consecutive days. The histopathological morphology of the knee joint tissues in rats was observed；rat serum samples were collected， and the components migrating to blood and metabolites of P. cuspidatum were analyzed by using UPLC-Q-Exactive-Orbitrap-MS. RESULTS Following the intervention with P. cuspidatum， the histopathological morphology of the knee joint synovial tissue in AGA rats showed significant improvement， with reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and hyperplasia， and the preservation of the honeycomb-like structure integrity. In both positive and negative ion modes， a total of 67 chemical components were detected in the serum of rats from P. cuspidatum group， including 25 prototype components and 42 metabolites. The involved compound types encompassed stilbenes， anthraquinones， naphthols， and flavonoids， among others. The metabolic reactions identified included methylation， acetylation， sulfation， and glucuronidation. Notably， compounds such as polydatin， resveratrol and emodin were capable of entering the bloodstream in their prototype forms and undergoing in vivo metabolism. CONCLUSIONS Compounds such as polydatin， resveratrol and emodin are likely to be the active components responsible for the anti-AGA effects of P. cuspidatum.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Forsythiae Fructus-Lonicerae Japonicae Flos（FF） in the treatment of acute lung injury（ALI） by investigating the effects of FF on serum metabolomics of rats with ALI. MethodsThirty male SD rats were acclimated for 1 week， and 6 rats were randomly selected as the blank group. The other 24 rats were injected with lipopolysaccharide（LPS） solution by tracheal drip to establish an ALI model. After successful model establishment， the rats were randomly divided into the model group， the FF low-dose group（3.0 g·kg^-1）， the FF high-dose group（6.0 g·kg^-1）， and the dexamethasone group（5 mg·kg^-1）， with six rats in each group. The FF low- and high-dose groups and the dexamethasone group were received daily oral administration of the corresponding drug solution， and the blank group and the model group were gavaged with an equal amount of saline， treatment was administered continuously for 3 d. The pathological conditions of rat lung tissues were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin（HE） staining， wet/dry mass ratio（W/D） of the lung tissues， and protein concentration in rat bronchoalveolar lavage fluid（BALF）. Metabolomic analysis of rat serum was performed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry（UPLC-Q-TOF-MS）， combined with multivariate statistical analysis， the potential biomarkers of FF in treating ALI were screened by variable importance in the projection（VIP） value>1， P<0.05 from t-test， and log₂fold change（FC）>1 or log₂FC<-1. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes（KEGG） database combined with MetaboAnalyst were used for pathway analysis of the screened differential metabolites. The protein expression levels of sphingosine-1-phosphate（S1P）， phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase（PI3K）， protein kinase B1（Akt1）， and phosphorylated Akt1（p-Akt1） were examined by Western bolt. The expression levels of interleukin（IL）-6， IL-1β， and tumor necrosis factor（TNF）-α in BALF were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA）. ResultsCompared with the blank group， rats in the model group showed ALI pathological features such as alveolar lumen dilatation， interstitial hemorrhage and massive inflammatory cell infiltration， and the protein concentration in BALF and W/D of the lung tissues were significantly elevated（P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the low- and high-dose groups of FF as well as the dexamethasone group exhibited reduced pulmonary bronchial hemorrhage in rats， and the protein concentration in BALF and W/D were significantly decreased（P<0.05）， and the lung injury was significantly alleviated. Analysis of rat serum metabolomics revealed that FF downregulated 38 biomarkers. Pathway enrichment analysis showed that FF primarily exerted therapeutic effects through 7 key metabolic pathways， including arginine biosynthesis， sphingomyelin metabolism， alanine， aspartate and glutamate metabolism， taurine and hypotaurine metabolism， α-linolenic acid metabolism， niacin and nicotinamide metabolism， and retinol metabolism. The results of Western bolt and ELISA showed that， compared with the blank group， the model group exhibited significantly elevated expression levels of S1P， PI3K， Akt1 and p-Akt1 proteins in the lung tissues， as well as increased expression levels of IL-6， IL-1β and TNF-α in BALF（P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the expression levels of the aforementioned indicators were significantly downregulated in the low- and high-dose FF groups as well as the dexamethasone group（P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionFF may play a role in ALI by regulating amino acid metabolism and lipid metabolism， and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of S1P/PI3K/Akt1 signaling pathway to attenuate the inflammatory response caused by ALI.

Sexual dimorphism in the brain underlies behavioral differences between sexes. The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) is a complex nucleus that differs between males and females, but the sexual dimorphism in cytoarchitecture and the connectome of its oval subdivision (ovBNST) remains largely unexplored. By combining snRNA-seq and transgenic labeling, we found a higher density of ovBNST proenkephalin (ovBNST^PENK) neurons in male than female mice. Anatomically, we virally mapped the efferents and afferents of ovBNST^PENK neurons, finding reciprocally dimorphic connections with the hypothalamus and striatum. Gene enrichment analysis suggests that ovBNST^PENK neurons are modulated by the upstream dopamine pathway. Functionally, by applying caspase-3-mediated depletion of ovBNST^PENK neurons, we found that loss of these neurons enhanced locomotor activity in male but not female mice, without altering the anxiety-like phenotypes in either sex. Our study may pave the way for a better understanding of the anatomical and functional profiles of ovBNST^PENK neurons from a sexually dimorphic perspective.
Animals ; Male ; Female ; Septal Nuclei/physiology* ; Sex Characteristics ; Neurons/physiology* ; Enkephalins/metabolism* ; Mice ; Mice, Transgenic ; Protein Precursors/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Neural Pathways/physiology*

Objective To analyze the characteristics and related influencing factors of transfusion reactions in pediatric patients,so as to provide evidence for clinical treatment and prevention of transfusion reactions.Methods A retrospective study was conducted on children who received blood transfusions at our hospital from 2019 to 2023 in terms of the incidence,types,time of occurrence,and related influencing factors of transfusion reactions.Results A total of 69 926 transfusions were performed from 2019 to 2023,with 711 cases of transfusion reactions,resulting in an incidence of 1.02%.The inci-dence of transfusion reactions decreased annually from 2019(1.89%)to 2022(0.50%).The incidence of transfusion reac-tions to apheresis platelets,frozen plasma,suspended leukocyte-depleted red blood cells and cryoprecipitate coagulation fac-tor were 2.16%(551/25 565),0.50%(92/18 277),0.25%(65/25 679)and 0.74%(3/405),respectively,with a-pheresis platelet transfusion of a significantly higher incidence compared to other blood components(P<0.05).As of trans-fusion reaction types,allergic reactions accounted for 86.22%(613/711),febrile non-hemolytic transfusion reactions(FNHTR)accounted for 13.08%(93/711),and acute hemolytic transfusion reactions accounted for 0.70%(5/711).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that apheresis platelet transfusion was an independent risk factor for allergic reactions(P<0.05),while suspended leukocyte-depleted red blood cells transfusion was an independent risk factor for FNHTR(P<0.05).In terms of the occurrence time of transfusion reactions,compared to apheresis platelets and frozen plas-ma,transfusion reactions caused by suspended leukocyte-depleted red blood cells transfusion occurred later(apheresis platelets P<0.05,frozen plasma P<0.05).Conclusion The results suggest that blood components transfused are significant influencing factors for the characteristics of transfusion reactions in pediatric patients,affecting the incidence,types,and oc-currence time of transfusion reactions,which provides reference for clinical treatment and prevention of transfusion reactions.

OBJECTIVE To ascertain the substance benchmarks of the classic prescription Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu Decoction(HGWD),examine the quantitative value transfer throughout the entire process of HGWD,from herb pieces to decoction,concentrated solution and finally freeze-dried powder,and provide a valuable reference for the preparation method and scientific evaluation of bench-mark samples of classic prescriptions containing volatile substances.METHODS According to the Key information table of Ancient Classic Prescriptions(25 prescriptions)released by China,15 batches of HGWD were prepared.The multi-index content determination and characteristic chromatogram analysis methods were established,and the characteristic peak attribution and similarity evaluation were carried out.The multi-index contents of HGWD and its freeze-dried powder were investigated and compared,and the quantitative value transfer in the preparation process of decoction-concentrated solution-freeze-dried powder was analyzed.The physical form of the benchmark samples were scientifically and reasonably determined,and the content and transfer rate range of each component in the HGWD benchmark samples were determined,and the HGWD substance benchmarks were established.RESULTS The contents of cinnamaldehyde and cinnamyl alcohol in HGWD decreased significantly during the concentration and drying process,and the other in-dex components could be transferred more completely between the decoction,concentrated solution and freeze-dried powder.The simi-larity of the characteristic chromatograms of 15 batches of HGWD benchmark samples were all over 0.9,and 8 characteristic peaks were identified,which were from Paeoniae γadix Alba,Cinnamomi γamulus and Ginger.The paste-forming rate ranged from 8.0%to 11.0%.The content of Astragaloside Ⅳ was 0.04%-0.07%and the transfer rate was 9.0%-18.0%.The content of paeoniflorin was 1.5%-3.0%and the transfer rate was 33.0%-62.0%.The content of cinnamyl alcohol was 0.02%-0.04%,and the transfer rate was 25.0%-47.0%.The content of cinnamic aldehyde was 0.02%-0.05%and the transfer rate was 0.7%-1.5%.The content of cinnamic acid was 0.03%-0.06%and the transfer rate was 17.5%-34.0%.The content of 6-gingerol was 0.04%-0.08%and the transfer rate was 7.0%-14.0%.CONCLUSION The physical form of the decoction as the HGWD benchmark sample is deter-mined,which provides reference for the scientific selection of the physical form of the benchmark sample of classic prescriptions contai-ning volatile substances.The quality indexes of HGWD substance benchmarks are established,and the quantitative value transfer is an-alyzed,which provides the basis for the development of the classic prescription compound preparation.

Objective:To investigate the concern about pollen broadcasting in Chinese population from multiple dimensions and to understand the information about allergic rhinitis (AR) in China by analyzing related factors.Methods:From March 1 to September 30, 2022, a large-scale multi-center cross-sectional survey was conducted based on the Questionnaire Star platform in 21 Chinese hospitals. A total of 7 056 subjects from 7 regions in China: Northeast, North, East, Central, South, Southwest, and Northwest China were included. Basic characteristics (including social demographic characteristics and disease characteristics of AR patients), concern about pollen broadcasting, the willingness of pollen-induced AR (PiAR) patients to receive pollen broadcasting, and the treatment satisfaction rate of AR patients were collected. The chi-square test, multivariate linear regression model, and Logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the concern about pollen broadcasting in the Chinese population and related factors from multiple dimensions.Results:Among 7 056 subjects, 23.02% were concerned about pollen broadcasting. Among 3 176 self-reported AR and 1 019 PiAR patients, 25.60% and 39.16% were concerned about pollen broadcasting, respectively, which was higher than that of non-AR or non-PiAR subjects ( χ2 value was 21.74 and 175.11, respectively, both P<0.001). Among AR patients, the proportion of spring and autumn allergen-positive patients concerned about pollen broadcasting was higher than that in perennial allergen-positive patients ( χ2 value was 20.90 and 19.51, respectively, both P<0.001). The proportion of AR patients with asthma, sinusitis, allergic conjunctivitis, and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases was higher than those without complications ( χ2 value was 50.83, 21.97, 56.78, 7.62, respectively, all P<0.05). The proportion of AR patients in North China who could find pollen broadcasting locally was 31.01%, significantly higher than those in other regions (all P<0.05). Multivariate linear regression model analysis showed that among PiAR patients, those with higher per capita household income and higher AR disease cognition levels had been concerned about pollen broadcasting in the past, and those complicated with allergic conjunctivitis had stronger intention to receive pollen broadcasting (B value was 0.24, 0.13, 0.66, 0.47, respectively, all P<0.05). The higher the disease cognition level of PiAR patients, the stronger their willingness to actively participate in treatment ( R2=0.72, P<0.001). Only 18.89% of AR patients felt satisfied with the treatment effect. Logistic regression analysis showed that in AR patients, the treatment satisfaction rate was significantly higher among those concerned about pollen broadcasting compared to those who were not ( OR=1.83, P<0.001). Conclusions:Currently, the dissemination of pollen broadcasting in China is hindered by various factors such as disease cognition level. The treatment satisfaction among AR patients remains unsatisfactory.

OBJECTIVE To optimize the freeze-drying process for sheep placenta slices. METHODS An orthogonal test design was used with pre-freezing time， drying time and drying temperature as indicators to screen for the optimal freeze-drying process for sheep placenta slices. The peptide content， ethanol-soluble extract content， and freeze-drying rate of sheep placenta were used as indicators，the analytic hierarchy process-criteria importance through intercriteria correlation （AHP-CRITIC） method was employed to determine the weight of each indicator and calculate the comprehensive score， which was verified using the technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution （TOPSIS） model. RESULTS The optimal preparation process was found to be the pre-freezing time of 2 hours， the drying time of 16 hours， and the drying temperature of 30 °C. The average values of peptide content， ethanol-soluble extract content， and freeze-drying rate for three batches of samples were 5.883 mg/mL， 27.1%， and 95.77%， respectively； the comprehensive scores of three batches were 96.42， 99.18 and 99.58， with RSD of 1.75%. CONCLUSIONS This study successfully optimized the freeze-drying process for sheep placenta slices， which can provide a reference for the quality standard setting and industrial production of this type of slice.

Objective To study the identification methods and traits of the Chinese medicinal materials Inonotus obliquus.Methods Samples were collected from the origin of northeast China,and source identification,molecular biology identification,trait identification,microscopic identification and HPLC assay were used to study the Inonotus obliquus,its non-pure fungous part,and counterfeit.Results Inonotus obliquus had a nodular shape,the microstructure was closely interconnected with mycelia,and the medicinal part was the sclerotium,not the"fruiting body"as stipulated in the current standards of traditional Chinese medicinal materials.Occasionally,a very small amount of tubule and subiculum could be seen in Inonotus obliquus.Tubule hole shape was circular,with a diameter of 130-190 μm,and ruptured.The pipe wall structure was special,which was composed of longitudinal arranged small compartment with diameter of 2-5-8 μm.Non-pure fungous part was the decayed host xylem infiltrated by mycelia.The contents of trametenolic acid and ergosterol in this part were significantly lower than the pure sclerotium(P<0.05).The microstructure and HPLC fingerprints of Inonotus obliquus and the counterfeit burl were clearly distinguishable from each other.Conclusion The method used is able to identify the authenticity of Inonotus obliquus and the quality of the medicinal materials.

Chronic kidney disease（CKD）has a significant impact on global public health and is one of the important factors leading to the rise of incidence rate and mortality of non communicable diseases.Intestinal microecology is involved in many pathophysiological activities，such as immunity and nutrient absorption.With proposal of the concept of intestine-kidney axis in 2002，researchers found that the decline of glomerular filtration rate led to accumulation of uremic toxins in intestine，destroyed the intestinal mucosal barrier，led to the translocation of toxins，activated the systemic oxidative stress response，further promoted the progress of CKD.This article reviewed the function of gut microbiota，intestine-gut kidney axis，and the application of microbial preparations in CKD.