OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism of action of asperosaponin VI (AVI) in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and validate it in ex vivo experiments using network pharmacology and molecular docking methods. METHODS: The predicted targets of AVI were obtained from PharmMaper, UniProt and SwissTarget Prediction platforms, the disease targets were collected from Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man, Therapeutic Target Database and GeneCards databases, the intersection targets of AVI and RA were obtained from Venny 2.1.0, and the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was obtained from STRING database, which was analyzed by Cytoscape software and screened to obtain the core targets. Cytoscape software was used to analyze PPI network and screen the core targets. Based on the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery database, Gene Ontology functional and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis were performed, and Cytoscape software was used to construct the "Disease-Pathway-Target-Drug" network, which was finally verified by molecular docking and animal experiments. RESULTS: Network pharmacological studies showed that AVI was able to modulate 289 targets, with 102 targets for the potential treatment of RA, with the core pathway being the AKT/PI3K signaling pathway, and the core targets being the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9). Molecular docking results showed that AVI could produce strong binding with both of the 2 core targets. In vitro cellular experiments showed that AVI reduced nitric oxide, prostaglandin E₂, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-1 β levels (P<0.05) and inhibited cyclooxygenase-2, nitric oxide synthase, EGFR, MMP9, phosphorylated phosphoinositide 3-kinase (p-PI3K), and phosphorylated serine-threonine kinase (p-AKT) proteins (P<0.05). The results of in vivo studies showed that AVI improved RA score and foot swelling thickness and decreased TNF-α, IL-6, p-PI3K and p-AKT levels in RA rats (P<0.05). CONCLUSION AVI exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-RA effects which might be related to the EGFR/MMP9/AKT/PI3K pathway.
Saponins/chemistry* ; ErbB Receptors/metabolism* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Animals ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/metabolism* ; Protein Interaction Maps/drug effects* ; Humans ; Network Pharmacology ; Male ; Rats

Seven novel linear polyketides,talaketides A-G(1-7),were isolated from the rice media cultures of the mangrove sed-iment-derived fungus Talaromyces sp.SCSIO 41027.Among these,talaketides A-E(1-5)represented unprecedented unsaturated lin-ear polyketides with an epoxy ring structure.The structures,including absolute configurations of these compounds,were elucidated through detailed analyses of nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR)and high-resolution mass spectrometry(HR-MS)data,as well as elec-tronic custom distributors(ECD)calculations.In the cytotoxicity screening against prostate cancer cell lines,talaketide E(5)demon-strated a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on prostate cancer PC-3 cell lines,with an IC50 value of 14.44 μmol·L-1.Moreover,com-pound 5 significantly inhibited the cloning formation of PC-3 cell lines and arrested the cell cycle in S-phase,ultimately inducing ap-optosis.These findings indicate that compound 5 may serve as a promising lead compound for the development of a potential treat-ment for prostate cancer.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics of asthma patients with deficiency of various viscera through the analysis of mitochondrial dysfunction and related influencing factors,and to explore the DDAH1/L-Arg/ADMA pathway as well as the trend of changes in the mitochondrial function and oxygen metabolism of the asthma patients through the analysis.Methods A total of 122 patients with acute exacerbation of bronchial asthma who met the inclusion criteria were selected,and their clinical data were collected.The patients were divided into 3 groups based on the criteria of visceral deficiency syndrome differentiation,namely lung qi deficiency group(47 cases),lung-spleen qi deficiency group(39 cases),and lung-spleen-kidney deficiency group(36 cases).Meanwhile,the normal control group including 44 cases was set up.For the asthma patients with visceral deficiency,an observation was conducted in the lung function indicators of forced expiratory volume in the first second(FEV1),the ratio of FEV1 to forced vital capacity(FEV1/FVC)and peak expiratory flow(PEF)as well as the severity of the disease.Moreover,venous blood was sampled from the patients for the detection of L-arginine(L-Arg)and asymmetric dimethylarginine(ADMA)levels with high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry(HPLC-MS/MS),and for the detection of arginine metabolism related indicators of protein arginine methyltransferase 1(PRMT1)and dimethylarginine dimethylammonium hydrolysate 1(DDAH1)as well as the oxidative damage parameters of reactive oxygen species(ROS),thiobarbituric acid reactive substance(TBARS),8-iso-prostaglandins(8-iso),lipid peroxide(LPO),and malondialdehyde(MDA)with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The platelet mitochondria were extracted from asthma patients and normal controls,and then the mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP),adenosine triphosphate(ATP),and activities of cytochrome C oxidase(COX)in the platelet were determined by JC-1 flow cytometric assay in order to assess the mitochondrial function.The changes in the mitochondrial function and their influence on the mitochondrial function of asthma patients with deficiency of various viscera were analyzed and then compared with those of the normal control group.Results(1)There were statistically significant differences in the age and lung function(FEV1,FEV1/FVC,PEF)among asthma patients with deficiency of various viscera(P＜0.01):the age of the lung-spleen-kidney deficiency group was significantly older than that of the lung qi deficiency group and the lung-spleen qi deficiency group(P＜0.05),and the lung function(FEV1,FEV1/FVC,PEF)showed a significant downward trend with the aggravation of viscera deficiency(P＜0.05).(2)There was a statistically significant difference in the illness grading of patients with deficiency of various viscera(P＜0.01).In the lung qi deficiency group,the illness status was predominated by intermittent state of asthma(grade 1),accounting for 65.96%,and then followed by mild asthma(grade 2),accounting for 25.53%.In the lung-spleen qi deficiency group,the illness status was predominated by moderate asthma(grade 3),accounting for 41.03%,and then followed by intermittent state of asthma(grade 1),accounting for 30.77%.In the lung-spleen-kidney deficiency group,the illness status was predominated by severe asthma(grade 4),accounting for 52.78%,and then followed by moderate asthma(grade 3),accounting for 33.33%.It is indicated that with the aggravation of viscera deficiency,the severity of asthma tended to be aggravated.(3)There were significant differences in plasma 8-iso,ROS,LPO and MDA levels between asthma patients with deficiency of various viscera and normal control group(P＜0.05).The plasma 8-iso and LPO levels of the asthma patients with deficiency of various viscera and the plasma MDA and ROS levels of asthma patients with lung-spleen qi deficiency and lung-spleen-kidney deficiency were significantly higher than those in normal control group(P＜0.05),and the plasma ROS level of asthma patients with lung-spleen qi deficiency and lung-spleen-kidney deficiency was significantly higher than that in asthma patients with lung qi deficiency(P＜0.05).The plasma TBARS level of asthma patients with deficiency of various viscera tended to be higher than that of normal control group,but the difference was not statistically significant(P＞0.05).It is indicated that reactive oxygen species and peroxide lipids accumulated in the body of asthma patients with deficiency of various viscera,and their levels increased with the aggravation of visceral deficiency.(4)The levels of MMP,ATP and COX in asthma patients with deficiency of various viscera were significantly lower than those in normal control group(P＜0.05),and the activity of COX decreased with the aggravation of visceral deficiency.(5)The levels of plasma L-Arg,L-Arg/ADMA and DDAH1 in asthma patients with deficiency of various viscera were significantly lower than those in normal control group(P＜0.05),and their levels decreased gradually with the aggravation of visceral deficiency.There was no significant difference in the plasma ADMA and PRMT1 levels between asthma patients with deficiency of various viscera and normal control group(P＞0.05).Conclusion It is indicated that the visceral deficiency in asthma patients is consistent with the progression of illness status,oxygen metabolism and its influencing factors,and the degree of oxidative damage.It is suggested that the progression of illness status can be judged by visceral deficiency in traditional Chinese medicine according to the parameters of body metabolism.

The establishment of a traceability system for the entire industry chain of Chinese medicinal materials can enhance regional brand building,raise the quality awareness of medicinal material producers,standardize the production processes of Chinese medicinal materials,and ensure the production of high-quality medicinal materials.Sichuan Province has successfully implemented a provincial-level Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)tracing system that is interconnected across provinces,cities,and counties.This system enables the complete tracking of the entire supply chain,starting from seed and seedling cultivation,through planting and breeding,harvesting and processing,and finally to the production and distribution of decoction pieces in trade and medical institutions.This research provides a comprehensive overview of the progress made in establishing the Chinese herbal medicine traceability system in Sichuan Province.It analyzes the existing challenges faced by participating enterprises,such as the hierarchy of involvement,information integrity,and the overall impact of the system.Moreover,the paper presents valuable insights and suggestions for the further development of the Chinese herbal medicine traceability system in Sichuan Province.These recommendations focus on enhancing the traceability scope,improving service capabilities,promoting data sharing,and establishing standardized norms and guidelines.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the new left ventricular circulation assist device iVAC 2L in high-risk percutaneous coronaryintervention(HR-PCI)in Chinese patients.Methods We reported 6 PCIs in 5 patients supported by iVAC 2L,a new left ventricular circulation assist device,performed in Macao from September 2022 to March 2023.All patients were assessed by heart team and categorize to be high-risk for procedure.Clinical and intra-procedural data were analyzed.iVAC 2L-related complications and 30-day results were also documented.Results Insertion and removement of iVAC 2L successfully performed in all the 5 patients.Three of them underwent complete revascularization in the index procedure;one failed for the first time due to intolerance of the prolonged procedure,but succeeded for the reattempt of complete revascularization a month later,with the support of iVAC 2L.PCI was abandoned due to poor vessel condition.iVAC 2L,the new left ventricular circulation assist device,supported effectively during the 6 procedures.The patients were stable during the procedure.The success rate of hemodynamic support was 100％.No iVAC 2L-related complications and 30-day major adverse cardiac and cerebral events occurred,the 30-day survival was 100％.Conclusions Initial experience suggested that the new left ventricular circulation assist device iVAC 2L could provide effective and safe support in high-risk PCI.

Objective:To investigated the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms in patients with colorectal polyps in part of Xinjiang area and to explore the associated influencing factors related to psychological status, and to provide evidence and clues to promote the diagnosis and treatment of psychosomatic diseases in digestive system.Methods:From December 2021 to June 2022, at the First Affiliated Hospital of Shihezi University, the Fourth Division Hospital of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, the Third Division Hospital of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (Kashgar Hospital), the Thirteenth Division Red Star Hospital of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, the Tenth Division Beitun Hospital of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, the Seventh Division Hospital of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, the Fifth Division Hospital of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, patients who underwent colonoscopy and colorectal polyps detected were enrolled. The generalized anxiety disorder scale-7 (GAD-7) was used to screen anxiety symptoms, and the patient health questionaire-8 (PHQ-8) was performed to screen depression symptoms, and the general situation questionnaire was used to collect clinical information of patients. The questionnairs were completed via the Questionnaire Star platform or paper questionnaire, and a database was established. The patients were divided into groups according to whether with anxiety and depression symptoms. Multivariable logistic regression models was performed to analyze the factors related to anxiety and depression.Results:A total of 516 questionnaires were distributed and collected, among which 9 questionnaires were incomplete and 507 questionnaires were valid, the effective rate of questionnaires was 98.26%. The detection rates of anxiety and depression symptoms in 507 patients with colorectal polyps were 21.50%(109/507) and 19.33%(98/507), respectively. The results of multivariable logistic analysis revealed that female ( OR=3.87, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 2.30 to 6.51, P<0.001), maximum diameter of polyp ( OR=1.74, 95% CI 1.14 to 2.67, P=0.011), perception of polyps as cancer ( OR=13.96, 95% CI 1.48 to 132.07, P=0.022), and the occurrence of gastrointestinal symptoms after polyp detection ( OR=5.43, 95% CI 1.74 to 16.92, P=0.004) were independent risk factors of anxiety in patients with colorectal polyps. Female ( OR=2.42, 95% CI 1.47 to 4.00, P=0.001), the number of polyps ( OR=1.07, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.13, P=0.028) and the count of gastrointestinal symptoms ( OR=2.04, 95% CI 1.34 to 3.10, P=0.001) were independent risk factors of depression in patients with colorectal polyps. Conclusion:Gender, polyp size, number of polyps, disease perception, and concomitant gastrointestinal symptoms are associated with anxiety and depression in patients with colorectal polyps.

The regulation of spermatogonial proliferation and apoptosis is of great significance for maintaining spermatogenesis. The single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis of the testis was performed to identify genes upregulated in spermatogonia. Using scRNA-seq analysis, we identified the spermatogonia upregulated gene origin recognition complex subunit 6 (Orc6), which is involved in DNA replication and cell cycle regulation; its protein expression in the human and mouse testis was detected by western blot and immunofluorescence. To explore the potential function of Orc6 in spermatogonia, the C18-4 cell line was transfected with control or Orc6 siRNA. Subsequently, 5-ethynyl-2-deoxyuridine (EdU) and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assays, flow cytometry, and western blot were used to evaluate its effects on proliferation and apoptosis. It was revealed that ORC6 could promote proliferation and inhibit apoptosis of C18-4 cells. Bulk RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis indicated that Orc6 was involved in the activation of wingless/integrated (Wnt)/ β-catenin signaling. Western blot revealed that the expression of β-catenin protein and its phosphorylation (Ser675) were significantly decreased when silencing the expression of ORC6. Our findings indicated that Orc6 was upregulated in spermatogonia, whereby it regulated proliferation and apoptosis by activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling.

In this study, the ovarian surgery (ovariectomy, OVX) was used to establish the osteoporosis mice model of primary menstruation, in order to evaluate the protective effects and mechanisms of Zhibai Dihuang decotion on postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP). The animal experimental protocol has been reviewed and approved by Laboratory Animal Ethics Committee of Jinan University (number: 20210315-03), in compliance with the Institutional Animal Care Guidelines. C57BL/6 mice were divided into five groups, including Sham group, OVX group, low (32 g·kg^-1·day^-1) and high dose (64 g·kg^-1·day^-1) of Zhibai Dihuang decotion groups, positive drug group (alendronate, 9.9 mg·kg^-1·q3d). After modeling, mice were given medication intervention for 8 weeks, and then femoral and tibial tissues were taken to detect indicators such as bone microstructure, bone resorption, and oxidative stress. The experimental results showed that after Zhibai Dihuang decotion administration, the bone microstructure damage caused by OVX surgery was alleviated, and the relevant parameters bone mineral density (BMD), bone volume/total volume (BV/TV), trabecular number (Tb. N) and connectivity density (Conn. D) both significantly increased. At the same time, the number of TRAP positive osteoclasts decreased significantly, and the levels of proteins and genes related to osteoclast differentiation decreased, indicating that Zhibai Dihuang decoction could inhibit the increased activity of osteoclast caused by OVX. Afterwards, network pharmacology was used to construct the active compound action target network of Zhibai Dihuang decotion, and it was found that the target genes of its active ingredients were closely related to the oxidative stress pathway. Finally, the detection results of oxidative stress levels in bone tissues showed that after treatment with Zhibai Dihuang decotion, the levels of oxidative stress products 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in bone tissues of mice significantly decreased, while the levels of antioxidant stress substance L-glutathione (GSH) increased. These above results indicated that Zhibai Dihuang decotion can regulate the level of oxidative stress in the body and inhibit osteoclast activity, which played a therapeutic role in PMOP, as well as provided theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of PMOP with traditional Chinese medicine.

The acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults have a higher rate of neurological injury and early death compared with atlas or axial fractures alone. Currently, the diagnosis and treatment choices of acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults are controversial because of the lack of standards for implementation. Non-operative treatments have a high incidence of bone nonunion and complications, while surgeries may easily lead to the injury of the vertebral artery, spinal cord and nerve root. At present, there are no evidence-based Chinese guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults. To provide orthopedic surgeons with the most up-to-date and effective information in treating acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults, the Spinal Trauma Group of Orthopedic Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts in the field of spinal trauma to develop the Evidence-based guideline for clinical diagnosis and treatment of acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults ( version 2023) by referring to the "Management of acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults" published by American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS)/Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) in 2013 and the relevant Chinese and English literatures. Ten recommendations were made concerning the radiological diagnosis, stability judgment, treatment rules, treatment options and complications based on medical evidence, aiming to provide a reference for the diagnosis and treatment of acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with rheumatic diseases and abnormal liver function, as well as determine the proportion and severity of liver function abnormalities.Methods:Cross-sectional study. Data were collected from patients registered in the Chinese Rheumatism Date Center from 2011 to 2021. The rheumatic diseases analyzed in this study were rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Sjogren syndrome (SS), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and gout. Patient data, including demographic characteristics [ such as age, sex, body mass index,(BMI), and smoking history], liver function test results [including alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase(ALP), and total bilirubin], and use of anti-rheumatic immune drugs and liver-protective drugs, were collected and compared between groups with normal and abnormal liver functions. In addition, the proportions of abnormal liver function were compared between sex and age groups.Results:A total of 116 308 patients were included in this study, including 49 659 with RA, 17 597 with SLE, 9 039 with SS, 11 321 with AS, and 28 692 with gout. The lowest proportion of liver function abnormalities was observed in patients with RA[11.02% (5 470/49 659)], followed by those with SS[17.97% (1 624/9 039)] and AS [18.22% (2 063/11 321) ], whereas patients with SLE [21.14% (3 720/17 597) ] and gout [28.73% (8 242/28 692)] exhibited the highest proportion of these abnormalities. Elevated ALT, mostly classified as grade 1, was the most commonly noted liver function abnormality, whereas elevated ALP was the least common. Some patients who took liver-protective drugs had normal liver function, with the lowest percentage observed in patients with gout [7.45% (36/483) ] and ranging from 21.7% to 30.34% in patients with RA, SLE, SS, and AS. The proportion of liver function abnormalities was higher in males than in females for all disease types [RA: 13.8%(1 368/9 906) vs. 10.3%(4 102/39 753); SLE: 33.6% (479/1 424) vs. 20.0% (3 241/16 173); SS: 25.4%(111/437) vs. 17.6%(1 513/8 602); AS: 20.1%(1 629/8 119) vs. 13.6% (434/3 202); and gout: 29.3% (8 033/27 394) vs. 16.1% (209/1 298)]. In RA, SLE, and AS, the proportions of liver function abnormalities were similar across all age groups. In SS, the proportion of liver function abnormalities increased with age [<40 years: 14.9%(294/1 979); 40-59 years: 18.1%(858/4 741); ≥60 years: 20.4%(472/2 319)], whereas a reversal of this trend was observed in gout [<40 years: 34.9%(4 294/12 320); 40-59 years: 25.5%(2 905/11 398);≥60 years: 21.0%(1 042/4 971)].Conclusions:The proportions of combined liver function abnormalities in patients with rheumatologic diseases were high, and the utilization rates of liver-protective drugs were low. It is necessary to pay more attention to monitoring patients′ liver function, timely administer liver-protective drugs, and optimize liver-protective regimens during the treatment of rheumatic diseases.