Hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）， the predominant subtype of primary liver cancer， ranks among the top in both incidence and mortality rates of malignant tumors in China. In its early stages， the disease may present with subtle or nonspecific symptoms， often leading to poor clinical prognosis and low patient survival rates， which makes it a significant public health concern. The pathogenesis is associated with multiple factors， including hepatitis virus infection， alcohol consumption， obesity， drug-induced liver injury， and immune disorders， which may interact synergistically to promote disease development. Currently， mainstream therapeutic approaches for HCC in modern medicine encompass surgical resection， liver transplantation， radiofrequency ablation， radiotherapy， and chemotherapy， but they all have certain limitations， such as large side effects and poor prognosis， imposing substantial psychological distress and financial strain on affected individuals. With a rich historical background in hepatic malignancy management， traditional Chinese medicine offers therapeutic benefits characterized by multi-targeted mechanisms， multi-level regulation， minimal adverse effects， and reduced likelihood of disease recurrence. It can not only enhance the curative effect， but also reduce the side effects of radiotherapy， chemotherapy， and surgery. Thus， it has attracted widespread attention. Extensive research has demonstrated that traditional Chinese medicine exhibits significant antitumor properties， along with notable anti-inflammatory and oxidative stress-reducing capabilities， and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of nuclear factor-kappa B （NF-κB） signaling pathway， which can affect multiple stages of hepatocarcinogenesis， such as cell proliferation， invasion， metastasis， and apoptosis. The mechanism of NF-κB signaling pathway in traditional Chinese medicine for HCC treatment has emerged as one of the pivotal research directions in current oncology studies. Based on the existing research foundation， a systematic literature review method was adopted to retrieve and analyze relevant Chinese and English literature in recent years. Integrating the molecular regulatory mechanisms of the NF-κB signaling pathway and its pivotal role in HCC pathogenesis and progression helped further explore the latest research advances in traditional Chinese medicine interventions targeting this pathway for HCC treatment. This approach may provide novel theoretical foundations and translational strategies for the prevention and management of HCC using traditional Chinese medicine.

Objective To study the relationship between serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and resistin levels and osteoporosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods This study was conducted on 306 T2DM patients admitted to Baoding No.2 Central Hospital from January 2018 to January 2022. According to the detection results of bone mineral density, the patients were divided into osteoporosis group (T≤-2.5) and non-osteoporosis group (T>-2.5). The differences in IGF-1, resistin and bone mineral density were compared between the two groups. Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between serum IGF-1 and resistin levels and bone mineral density in patients with osteoporosis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was applied to evaluate the application value of IGF-1 and resistin in predicting osteoporosis in patients with T2DM. Patients with T2DM complicated with osteoporosis were followed up for 2 years, and the occurrence of fractures was assessed. After univariate analysis, multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied to screen the risk factors for fractures in T2DM patients with osteoporosis. Results The incidence rate of osteoporosis in patients with T2DM was 53.59% (164/306). The IGF-1 level and bone mineral density level in the osteoporosis group were lower than those in the non-osteoporosis group, while the level of resistin was higher than that in the non-osteoporosis group (P<0.05). Serum IGF-1 in patients with osteoporosis was positively correlated with bone mineral density, and serum resistin was negatively correlated with bone mineral density (P<0.05). The AUC, sensitivity and specificity of combination of IGF-1 and resistin in predicting osteoporosis were 0.888, 82.93% and 62.68% respectively, which were all higher than those of single factor prediction (P<0.05). The 164 T2DM patients with osteoporosis were followed up for two years, and 15 patients developed fragility fractures, with the incidence of fracture of 9.15% (15/164). Multivariate analysis showed that hypoproteinemia, high-intensity exercise, lack of nutritional management, low IGF-1, and high resistin were risk factors for fractures in patients with T2DM complicated with osteoporosis (P<0.05). Conclusion For patients with T2DM, the incidence rates of osteoporosis and fractures are high. The levels of IGF-1 and resistin are closely related to bone mineral density, which can be combined to predict osteoporosis. Hypoproteinemia, high-intensity exercise, lack of nutritional management, low IGF-1 and high resistin are risk factors for fractures in T2DM patients with osteoporosis. It is necessary to carry out targeted preventive measures in clinical practice to reduce the incidence rate of fractures.

OBJECTIVE: To prepare decellularized nerve grafts from alpha-1, 3-galactosyltransferase (GGTA1) gene-edited pigs and explore their biocompatibility for xenotransplantation. METHODS: The sciatic nerves from wild-type pigs and GGTA1 gene-edited pigs were obtained and underwent decellularization. The alpha-galactosidase (α-gal) content in the sciatic nerves of GGTA1 gene-edited pigs was detected by using IB4 fluorescence staining and ELISA method to verify the knockout status of the GGTA1 gene, and using human sciatic nerve as a control. HE staining and scanning electron microscopy observation were used to observe the structure of the nerve samples. Immunofluorescence staining and DNA content determination were used to evaluate the degree of decellularization of the nerve samples. Fourteen nude mice were taken, and subcutaneous capsules were prepared on both sides of the spine. Decellularized nerve samples of wild-type pigs ( n=7) and GGTA1 gene-edited pigs ( n=7) were randomly implanted in the subcutaneous capsules. Blood was drawn at 1, 3, 5, and 7 days after implantation to detect neutrophil counting. RESULTS: IB4 fluorescence staining and ELISA detection showed that GGTA1 gene was successfully knocked out in the nerves of GGTA1 gene-edited pigs. HE staining showed that the structure of the decellularized nerve from GGTA1 gene-edited pigs was well preserved; the nerve basement membrane tube structure was visible under scanning electron microscopy; no cell nuclei was observed, and the extracellular matrix components was retained in the nerve grafts by immunofluorescence staining; and the DNA content was significantly reduced when compared with the normal nerves ( P<0.05). In vivo experiments showed that the number of neutrophils in the two groups were similar at 1, 3, and 7 days after implantation, with no significant difference ( P>0.05); only at 5 days, the number of neutrophils was significantly lower in the GGTA1 gene-edited pigs than in the wild-type pigs ( P<0.05). CONCLUSION The decellularized nerve grafts from GGTA1 gene-edited pigs have well-preserved nerve structure, complete decellularization, retain the natural nerve basement membrane tube structure and components, and low immune response after xenotransplantation through in vitro experiments.
Animals ; Transplantation, Heterologous ; Galactosyltransferases/genetics* ; Sciatic Nerve/immunology* ; Swine ; Tissue Engineering/methods* ; Humans ; Graft Rejection/prevention & control* ; Gene Editing ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Heterografts/immunology* ; Animals, Genetically Modified ; Tissue Scaffolds ; Decellularized Extracellular Matrix

BACKGROUND:When performing percutaneous minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion to implant an intervertebral cage,due to the narrow operating range of the approach,there is a risk of nerve root injury or poor position of cage. To solve the above problems,a novel mechanical deformable press-fit cage (YP-cage) was invented.OBJECTIVE:To preliminarily evaluate the mechanical strength characteristics of this new lumbar fusion device YP-cage.METHODS:Static axial compression and torsion tests were conducted on 9,11,and 13 mm YP-cages (n=9) and poly (ether ether ketone) (PEEK)-cages (n=9). The force-displacement curves were collected to calculate yield displacement and load,ultimate load displacement and stiffness,yield angular displacement and torque,ultimate load and angle displacement torque and stiffness for comparative analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) In the static axial compression test,YP-cage was superior to PEEK-cage in terms of stiffness,yield load,ultimate displacement,and load limit in three groups of tests (9,11,13 mm) (P<0.01),but the yield displacement of YP-cage was smaller than that of PEEK-cage (P<0.05). (2) In the static torsion test,there was no significant difference in the ultimate torsion angle between YP-cage and PEEK-cage in 9 mm group. YP-cage was lower thanPEEK-cage in yield torque,yield torsion angle,and ultimate torque (P<0.01),while YP-cage torsional stiffness was greater than PEEK-cage in 9 mm group and 11 mm group (P<0.01). (3) The results show that the novel press-fit mechanical lumbar cage has higher compressive strength than PEEK cage,but the torsional strength is not as good as PEEK-cage.

Objective To investigate the mechanisms of Danggui Shaoyao San(DSS)in treating adenomyosis(AM),endometriosis(EMs),and sequelae of pelvic inflammatory disease(SPID)through network pharmacology and molecular docking,guided by the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)principle of"same treatment for different diseases".Methods Chemical components of DSS were retrieved from the TCMSP and SwissTargetPrediction databases,and their targets were identified.Disease targets for AM,EMs,and SPID were collected from DrugBank,OMIM,GeneCards,and DisGeNET.A Venn diagram was constructed using Venny 2.1 to identify common targets between DSS and the diseases.A"drug-active component-shared target"network was established via Cytoscape 3.7.2.Protein-protein interaction(PPI)networks were analyzed using STRING and Cytoscape 3.7.2 to explore molecular mechanisms.Key targets were localized to tissues using BioGPS.Functional enrichment analysis of GO terms and KEGG pathways was performed via DAVID,followed by molecular docking validation.Results Thirty-nine active components and 529 potential targets of DSS were identified,with 60 shared targets across the three diseases.Enrichment analysis revealed that DSS treats AM,EMs and SPID by modulating cancer-related pathways,the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway,HIF-1 signaling pathway,and TNF signaling pathway.Molecular docking demonstrated stable binding conformations between DSS's primary active components and core targets.Conclusion DSS treats AM,EMs and SPID through multiple compounds[e.g.,(+)-catechin,kaempferol,β-sitosterol]acting on key targets(TNF,EGFR,PTGS2,HIF1A)across various organs,modulating inflammation,immune response,angiogenesis,and cell signaling pathways,thereby exerting its"same treatment for different diseases"effect.

Objective To investigate the effects of scoparone(Sco)on proliferation and invasion of colon cancer cell line HCT116,and its effect on the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR).Methods 1)HCT116 cells were divided into control group,50Sco group,100Sco group and 200Sco group.The cells in con-trol group were incubated with culture medium for 48 hrs.The 50Sco group,100Sco group and 200Sco group were incubated with 50,100 and 200 μmol/L scoparone for 48 hrs respectively.2)HCT116 cells were divided into con-trol group,NC-200Sco group,NC-LV+200Sco group and EGFR-LV+200Sco group.The control group was incuba-ted with normal culture medium for 48 hrs.NC-200Sco group was incubated with 200 μmol/L scoparone for 48 hrs.NC-LV and EGFR-LV were infected into HCT116 cells in NC-LV+200Sco group and EGFR-LV+200Sco group,then incubated with 200 μmol/L scoparone for 48 hrs.Cell proliferation was detected by MTT assay and EdU stai-ning,cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry and cell invasion was detected by Transwell assay.EGFR mRNA was detected by RT-qPCR,the level of EGFR,Bcl-2,Bax,matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)-2 and MMP-9 protein was detected by Western blot.Results Compared to the control group,the cell viability,proportion of EdU positive cells and counting number of invasive cells in 50Sco group,100Sco group and 200Sco group all decreased(P＜0.05).Cell apoptosis rate and Bax protein expression increased(P＜0.05),the protein expression of Bcl-2,MMP-2 and MMP-9 decreased(P＜0.05).mRNA and protein expression of EGFR were de-creased(P＜0.05).Compared with NC-200 Sco group and NC-LV+200Sco group,the expression level of mRNA and protein of EGFR in EGFR-LV+200Sco group was increased(P＜0.05).Cell viability,proportion of EdU posi-tive cells and counting number of invasive cells all increased(P＜0.05).The cell apoptosis rate and Bax protein expression level were decreased(P＜0.05).The protein expression of Bcl-2,MMP-2 and MMP-9 was increased(P＜0.05).Conclusions Scoparone has anti-colon cancer cell activity and inhibits proliferation as well as invasion of colon cancer cells through inhibition of EGFR.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Luofuoshan-Baicao oil (LBO) and wind medicated oil for the treatment of Aedes albopictus bites. Methods:A paired self-controlled study was conducted. Thirty-six healthy volunteers were recruited from Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from February 2023 to March 2023. Each participant's forearms were subjected to Aedes albopictus bites, with 3 bites on each arm. For the first 18 participants, LBO was applied to the left arm, and wind medicated oil to the right arm; for the latter 18 participants, wind medicated oil was applied to the left arm, and LBO to the right arm. The observation period was 24 hours. Within the first 3 hours after the mosquito bites, the topical agents were applied once every other hour for a total of 3 sessions, with an applicator centered on the bite site at a dose of approximately 50 μl, covering a skin area of about 2 cm in diameter; after 3 hours, participants applied the topical agents themselves until symptoms subsided or the 24-hour observation period ended. All subjects were followed up at the occurrence of skin lesions after mosquito bites, 0 to 3 hours after the first treatment, as well as 24 hours after the first treatment. During the follow-up, the effects of both topical agents on pruritus, erythema, papules, or wheals were evaluated, differences in treatment frequency were analyzed, and treatment-related adverse events were recorded. The time to disappearance of pruritus after treatment was statistically analyzed using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, and intergroup differences were analyzed using the log-rank (Mantel-Cox) test. Two independent samples t-test was used for comparisons of other measurement data, and Pearson's chi-square test or Fisher's exact test was used for comparisons of count data between groups. Results:Within 3 hours after the first treatment, the time to initial disappearance of pruritus was significantly shorter in the LBO group (20.71 ± 1.92 min) than in the wind medicated oil group (28.30 ± 2.20 min, P < 0.05). The cumulative pruritus rate (the proportion of participants with pruritus among all participants) over time showed an overall stable fluctuation, and the cumulative pruritus rates at all observation points were significantly lower in the LBO group than in the wind medicated oil group ( P<0.05). After 3 hours of treatment, the mean values of changes in erythema diameters were 25.83 mm in the LBO group and 26.24 mm in the wind medicated oil group, while the mean values of changes in papule or wheal diameters were 8.25 mm in the LBO group and 9.18 mm in the wind medicated oil group; within 24 hours after the first treatment, the average time to disappearance of papules or wheals was 71.85 minutes in the LBO group and 73.01 minutes in the wind medicated oil group, while the average time to disappearance of erythema was 82.27 minutes in the LBO group and 84.86 minutes in the wind medicated oil group; there were no significant differences in the above observational indices between the two groups (all P > 0.05). The number of pruritus episodes within 24 hours of treatment was 56 in both the LBO group and wind medicated oil group, and the treatment frequency was 107 in both two groups; there were also no significant differences in the frequencies of pruritus episodes or treatment (both P > 0.05). No adverse events or reactions occurred during the trial. Conclusion:LBO was more effective than wind medicated oil in reducing the time to disappearance of pruritus after Aedes albopictus bites, with a high safety profile.

Objective:To analyze the effect and safety of vibrating mesh atomization inhalation of pulmonary surfactant (PS) combined with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) in the treatment of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS).Methods:150 Children with NRDS in department of pediatrics of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University from May 2021 to May 2024 were enrolled as study subjects for a prospective cohort study. According to the propensity score matching, children who adopted traditional intratracheal infusion of PS combined with NCPAP were selected as infusion group (75 cases), and children who received vibrating mesh atomization inhalation of PS combined with NCPAP treatment were included in atomization group (75 cases). The therapeutic effect, breathing conditions, blood gas changes [pH value, arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO 2), arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO 2)] and NCPAP parameters changes [fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO 2), oxygenation index (OI), positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP)] before and after treatment and incidence rates of adverse reactions were compared between groups. Normally distributed quantitative data were expressed as xˉ± s, and t test was used for inter-group comparison. Counting data were expressed as case(%), and χ2 test was used for inter-group comparison. Comparison of repeated measurement indicators at different time points using repeated meausurement analysis of variance. Results:There was no statistical significance in the total effective rate of treatment between groups ( P>0.05). The NCPAP treatment time and oxygen therapy time were (4.69±0.61) d and (14.52±1.16) d in atomization group, significantly shorter than (5.08±0.80) d and (15.30±1.28) d in infusion group ( t=3.36, 3.91, P=0.001, <0.001). The success rate of one-time weaning in atomization group was 88.00% (66/75), significantly higher than 73.33% (55/75) in infusion group ( χ2=5.17, P=0.023). After 3 and 7 days of treatment, the pH [(3 d : 7.31±0.04, 7 d: 7.34±0.03) and (3 d: 7.35±0.03, 7 d: 7.38±0.02)], PaO 2 [(3 d: (58.55±6.51) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), 7 d: (68.19±7.58) mmHg ) and (3 d: (65.16±7.24) mmHg, 7 d: (75.57±8.40) mmHg)] in infusion group and atomization group increased obviously over time, and the pH and PaO 2 were significantly higher in atomization group than those in infusion group ( t=6.93, 8.68, 5.88, 5.65, all P<0.001). The PaCO 2 in infusion group and atomization group (3 d: (48.45±5.38 ) mmHg, 7 d: (43.64±4.85 ) mmHg) and (3 d: (45.41±5.02) mmHg, 7 d: (40.35±4.59) mmHg) decreased obviously over time at 3 and 7 days of treatment, and the PaCO 2 in atomization group was significantly lower than that in infusion group ( t=3.58, 4.27, both P<0.001). After 3 days of treatment, FiO 2 [(41.06±4.67)% and (38.52±4.21)%] and PEEP [(4.39±0.19) cmH 2O (1 cmH 2O=0.098 kPa) and (4.28±0.13) cmH 2O] in infusion group and atomization group decreased obviously, and the indicators in atomization group were significantly lower than those in infusion group ( t=3.50, 4.14, both P<0.001). After 3 days of treatment, oxygenation index (OI) in infusion group and atomization group [(278.35±30.48) mmHg and (296.67±32.96) mmHg] increased obviously, and the OI in atomization group was significantly higher than that in infusion group ( t=3.53, P<0.001). The incidence of adverse reactions in atomization group was 4.00% (3/75), significantly lower than 13.34% (10/75) in infusion group ( χ2=4.13, P=0.042). Conclusion:Both vibrating mesh atomization inhalation of PS or traditional infusion of PS combined with NCPAP have similar efficacy in the treatment of NRDS, but vibrating mesh atomization inhalation of PS combined with NCPAP can more effectively improve the breathing conditions, blood gas indicators and NCPAP parameters of children, and has higher safety.

OBJECTIVE To understand the drug resistance,serotypes,virulence-associated genes and epidemiologi-cal characteristics of group B Streptococcus(GBS)isolated from puerpera in this area so as to provide bases for prevention of mother-to-infant infections.METHODS Totally 67 strains of GBS were isolated from obstetrics out-patient department of The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from Jan.2023 to Dec.2023.The spe-cies of the strains were identified by VITEK MS,the drug susceptibility testing was carried out by disc diffu-sion method.Multilocus sequencing types,capsular types,virulence genes and drug resistance genes were analyzed by means of whole genome sequencing technique.RESULTS The 67 strains of GBS were sensitive to penicillin,vancomycin,ceftriaxone and linezolid;the drug resistance rates to erythromycin and clindamycin were 76.12％and 55.22％,respectively.All strains fell into 7 serotypes,with serotype V predominant;21 sequence types were in-volved,with ST529 most prevalent;8 clonal complexes(CCs)were involved,with CC12 most common.Totally 17 types of drug resistance genes were identified,and the carrying rate of macrolide resistance gene ErmB was highest.Among all the virulence genes except for the adhesion genes fbsA and fbsB,the carrying rates of 18 genes involving in invasion,adhesion,and immune evasion-associated virulence genes were more than 86.57％;67.16％of the strains co-expressed both PI-1 and PI-2a pilus islands.CONCLUSIONS The drug resistance rate of the GBS strains isolated from the puerpera is high,and the strains carry multiple drug resistance genes and viru-lence genes and present with molecular clonal diversity.The serotype V/ST529 is the predominant clone,for which the prevention and control should be strengthened.