Background: and Purpose This study aimed to investigate the association between residual inflammatory risk (RIR) and vulnerable plaques using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HRMRI) in symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS). Methods: This retrospective study included 70%–99% symptomatic ICAS patients hospitalized from January 2016 to December 2022. Patients were classified into four groups based on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C): residual cholesterol inflammatory risk (RCIR, hs-CRP ≥3 mg/L and LDL-C ≥2.6 mmol/L), RIR (hs-CRP ≥3 mg/L and LDL-C <2.6 mmol/L), residual cholesterol risk (RCR, hs-CRP <3 mg/L and LDL-C ≥2.6 mmol/L), and no residual risk (NRR, hs-CRP <3 mg/L and LDL-C <2.6 mmol/L). Vulnerable plaque features on HRMRI included positive remodeling, diffuse distribution, intraplaque hemorrhage, and strong enhancement. Results: Among 336 included patients, 21, 60, 58, and 197 were assigned to the RCIR, RIR, RCR, and NRR groups, respectively. Patients with RCIR (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.606; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.346–9.662; P=0.011) and RIR (aOR, 3.361; 95% CI, 1.774–6.368, P<0.001) had higher risks of strong enhancement than those with NRR. Additionally, patients with RCIR (aOR, 2.965; 95% CI, 1.060–8.297; P=0.038) were more likely to have intraplaque hemorrhage compared with those with NRR. In the sensitivity analysis, RCR (aOR, 2.595; 95% CI, 1.201–5.608; P=0.015) exhibited an additional correlation with an increased risk of intraplaque hemorrhage. Conclusion In patients with symptomatic ICAS, RIR is associated with a higher risk of intraplaque hemorrhage and strong enhancement, indicating an increased vulnerability to atherosclerotic plaques.

Background: and Purpose This study aimed to investigate the association between residual inflammatory risk (RIR) and vulnerable plaques using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HRMRI) in symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS). Methods: This retrospective study included 70%–99% symptomatic ICAS patients hospitalized from January 2016 to December 2022. Patients were classified into four groups based on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C): residual cholesterol inflammatory risk (RCIR, hs-CRP ≥3 mg/L and LDL-C ≥2.6 mmol/L), RIR (hs-CRP ≥3 mg/L and LDL-C <2.6 mmol/L), residual cholesterol risk (RCR, hs-CRP <3 mg/L and LDL-C ≥2.6 mmol/L), and no residual risk (NRR, hs-CRP <3 mg/L and LDL-C <2.6 mmol/L). Vulnerable plaque features on HRMRI included positive remodeling, diffuse distribution, intraplaque hemorrhage, and strong enhancement. Results: Among 336 included patients, 21, 60, 58, and 197 were assigned to the RCIR, RIR, RCR, and NRR groups, respectively. Patients with RCIR (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.606; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.346–9.662; P=0.011) and RIR (aOR, 3.361; 95% CI, 1.774–6.368, P<0.001) had higher risks of strong enhancement than those with NRR. Additionally, patients with RCIR (aOR, 2.965; 95% CI, 1.060–8.297; P=0.038) were more likely to have intraplaque hemorrhage compared with those with NRR. In the sensitivity analysis, RCR (aOR, 2.595; 95% CI, 1.201–5.608; P=0.015) exhibited an additional correlation with an increased risk of intraplaque hemorrhage. Conclusion In patients with symptomatic ICAS, RIR is associated with a higher risk of intraplaque hemorrhage and strong enhancement, indicating an increased vulnerability to atherosclerotic plaques.

Background: and Purpose This study aimed to investigate the association between residual inflammatory risk (RIR) and vulnerable plaques using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HRMRI) in symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS). Methods: This retrospective study included 70%–99% symptomatic ICAS patients hospitalized from January 2016 to December 2022. Patients were classified into four groups based on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C): residual cholesterol inflammatory risk (RCIR, hs-CRP ≥3 mg/L and LDL-C ≥2.6 mmol/L), RIR (hs-CRP ≥3 mg/L and LDL-C <2.6 mmol/L), residual cholesterol risk (RCR, hs-CRP <3 mg/L and LDL-C ≥2.6 mmol/L), and no residual risk (NRR, hs-CRP <3 mg/L and LDL-C <2.6 mmol/L). Vulnerable plaque features on HRMRI included positive remodeling, diffuse distribution, intraplaque hemorrhage, and strong enhancement. Results: Among 336 included patients, 21, 60, 58, and 197 were assigned to the RCIR, RIR, RCR, and NRR groups, respectively. Patients with RCIR (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.606; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.346–9.662; P=0.011) and RIR (aOR, 3.361; 95% CI, 1.774–6.368, P<0.001) had higher risks of strong enhancement than those with NRR. Additionally, patients with RCIR (aOR, 2.965; 95% CI, 1.060–8.297; P=0.038) were more likely to have intraplaque hemorrhage compared with those with NRR. In the sensitivity analysis, RCR (aOR, 2.595; 95% CI, 1.201–5.608; P=0.015) exhibited an additional correlation with an increased risk of intraplaque hemorrhage. Conclusion In patients with symptomatic ICAS, RIR is associated with a higher risk of intraplaque hemorrhage and strong enhancement, indicating an increased vulnerability to atherosclerotic plaques.

Octapeptin has strong antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii, while it also has activity against some Gram-positive bacteria. This study used natural octapeptin A3 and B3 as lead compounds for structural modification. Twenty-one peptide derivatives (including A3 and B3) containing eight amino acid residues were prepared by solid-phase synthesis, and evaluated for antibacterial activity and renal cytotoxicity. Among them, three compounds 6, 7 and 17 exhibited broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and significantly enhanced the activity for Gram-positive bacteria while maintaining the activity of Gram-negative bacteria. Several compounds improved the activity for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Compound 7 was active against all test strains and had relatively low renal cytotoxicity. The results provide a basis for the further development of novel polypeptide antibiotics.

Objective To investigate the effects of total flavones from Oxytropis falcata Bunge on hepatic fibrosis(HF)induced by carbon tetrachloride and liver transforming growth factor(TGF-β)/Smad signaling pathway.Methods Forty-eight male rats were randomly divided into normal group(intraperitoneal injection of peanut oil,intragastric administration of 0.9％NaCl),model group(intraperitoneal injection of 40％CC14 peanut oil solution induced HF model,intragastric administration of 0.9％NaCl),positive control group(modeling,intragastric administration of 0.2 mg·kg-1 of colchicine),experimental-L,-M,-H groups(modeling,intragastric administration of 100,200 and 400 mg·kg-1 of total flavonoid extract of Oxytropis falcata Bunge),8 individuals in each group,for 4 consecutive weeks.The histopathological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin and Masson staining.Serum liver function and liver fibrosis were measured;erum inflammatory factors were detected;fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)was used to determine gene expression in liver.Results The pathological injury of liver tissue in the model group was serious,and a large number of inflammatory factors and collagen fibers were accumulated,while the rest of the treatment groups had different degrees of remission.In normal group,model group,positive control group,experimental-L,-M,-H groups,glutamic-pyruvic transaminase levels were(49.28±12.44),(5 885.42±948.37),(4 454.60±489.27),(4 650.47±843.53),(3 761.75±887.30)and(3 544.90±1 066.75)μg·L-1;glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase levels were(186.90±46.89),(5 936.23±793.81),(3 971.37±780.28),(4 360.30±863.35),(3 943.10±439.47)and(3 971.38±631.08)μg·L-1;hyaluronic acid levels were(45.08±17.16),(104.32±36.06),(66.83±20.09),(70.30±21.07),(60.00±9.68)and(59.02±10.73)μg·L-1;laminin levels were(23.13±3.89),(60.85±13.66),(35.67±9.92),(39.98±9.39),(36.55±12.21)and(34.68±24.83)μg·L-1;type Ⅲ procollagen level were(24.98±5.34),(82.58±30.14),(40.70±16.14),(51.08±23.21),(43.60±12.48)and(44.20±11.66)p±g·L-1;interleukin(IL)-1β levels were(37.63±1.24),(46.10±3.23),(39.22±2.36),(41.33±0.93),(40.25±2.04)and(39.18±2.23)pg·mL-1;tumor necrosis factor-α levels were(314.58±20.56),(383.71±16.97),(349.00±7.93),(348.88±25.11),(325.75±27.84)and(335.07±21.33)pg·mL-1;TGF-β1 mRNA expression of relative quantity respectively were 1.00±0.00,60.99±15.70,9.61±1.59,7.37±1.09,6.41±0.64,6.87±1.09;Smad7 mRNA relative expression were 1.00±0.00,0.34±0.05,0.21±0.03,0.35±0.02,0.38±0.02,0.42±0.03.The above indexes in the model group were compared with the normal group,and the above indexes in the experimental-M,-H groups were compared with the model group,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05,P＜0.01,P＜0.001).Conclusion Total flavonoids of Oxytropis falcata Bunge have protective effects on CC14-induced liver fibrosis in rats,and the mechanism may be related to the regulation of TGF-β/Smad pathway.

Biotoxins, which include bacterial, fungal, marine, plant, and animal toxins, are widespread in living and occupational environments, posing potential threats to human health. Rapid detection of biotoxins in blood is crucial for preventing health hazards and enabling timely disease diagnosis and treatment. Biosensors and immunoassay technologies have critical advantages in the rapid detection of biotoxins in blood. Common biosensors, such as surface plasmon resonance biosensors and fluorescent biosensors, enhance sensitivity and reduce detection limits through signal amplification. Common immunoassay methods, such as colloidal gold immunochromatography, fluorescence immunochromatography, and chemiluminescence immunoassay, improve detection efficacy and sensitivity through specific antibody-antigen binding and nanotechnology. However, current rapid detection technologies of bitoxins in blood face challenges such as matrix interference and insufficient specificity, and they fall short in high-throughput detection of multiple toxins simultaneously. Future developments should focus on improving sample pretreatment, innovating signal amplification methods, enhancing specificity on recognition of elements, and designing portable detection devices and high-throughput platforms for simultaneous toxin analysis. These advancements aim to improve the sensitivity and reliability of detection methods, providing more accurate and convenient solutions for biotoxin detection in blood.

Threatened abortion is a common disease of obstetrics and gynecology and one of the diseases responding specifically to traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）. The China Association of Chinese Medicine organized experts in TCM obstetrics and gynecology， Western medicine obstetrics and gynecology， and pharmacology to deeply discuss the advantages of TCM and integrated Chinese and Western medicine treatment as well as the medication plans for threatened abortion. After discussion， the experts concluded that chromosome， endocrine， and immune abnormalities were the key factors for the occurrence of threatened abortion， and the Qi and blood disorders in thoroughfare and conception vessels were the core pathogenesis. In the treatment of threatened abortion， TCM has advantages in preventing miscarriages， alleviating clinical symptoms and TCM syndromes， relieving anxiety， regulating reproductive endocrine and immune abnormalities， personalized and diversified treatment， enhancing efficiency and reducing toxicity， and preventing the disease before occurrence. The difficulty in diagnosis and treatment of threatened abortion with traditional Chinese and Western medicine lies in identifying the predictors of abortion caused by maternal factors and the treatment of thrombophilia. Recurrent abortion is the breakthrough point of treatment with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine. It is urgent to carry out high-quality evidence-based medicine research in the future to improve the modern diagnosis and treatment of threatened abortion with TCM.

Constipation is a prevalent ailment which might significantly impact the quality of people's life and rise some associated deseases risks. In this study, a chronic constipation mouse model was established using loperamide hydrochloride. Mice were gavaged an Angelica sinensis Cistanche Fiber Compound, comprised of Dang Gui [Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels], Rou Cong Rong (Cistanche deserticola Y.C.Ma), wheat fiber, and low-molecular-weight xylan at high dosage (3.6 g·kg^-1, 30 times the recommended human dose) and low dosage (0.6 g·kg^-1, 5 times the recommended human dose) for 14 days. The study assessed the therapeutic efficacy of the compound by observing fecal morphology, measuring water content, and conducting small intestine motility experiments. Furthermore, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were conducted to evaluate the serum levels of gastrointestinal hormones including motilin (MTL), gastrin (GAS), the inflammatory factors interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Histopathological examination with H&E staining was employed to evaluate colonic tissue damage. Additionally, Western blot and immunohistochemistry experiments were conducted to examine the expression levels of aquaporin-3 (AQP3) and c-Kit in the colon. The results indicated that the Angelica sinensis Cistanche Fiber Compound could improve fecal morphology, increase fecal water content, enhance small intestinal transit rates in mice. Additionally, there was a significant elevation in the serum levels of gastrointestinal hormones and a notable reduction in the levels of inflammatory factors. The improvement in colonic histopathological damage was accompanied by a marked decrease in the expression of the colonic water channel protein AQP3 and a significant increase in c-Kit expression. These results collectively suggested the presence of a dose-response relationship. These findings indicate that the Angelica sinensis Cistanche Fiber Compound effectively alleviates constipation in mice. Its action is associated with the regulation of colonic water channel protein AQP3 and c-Kit expression, along with the modulation of serum inflammatory factors and gastrointestinal hormones. This experiment was approved by the Animal Experiment Ethics Committee of Jinan University.

Objective:To investigate the impact of BMI1 expression in OSCC on the recruitment and differentiation of tumor-associat-ed macrophages(TAMs).Methods:BMI1 expression in 519 cases of OSCC tissues and 44 normal controls was analyzed using online datasets of GEPIA 2.0,and validated in 3 cases of OSCC samples and controls by qRT-PCR and western blotting.The function of BMI1/NF-κB axis during OSCC carcinogenesis was investigated by CCK8 assays,wound healing test and transwell assays.Macrophage phenotypes and recruitment were determined using qRT-PCR and western blotting following coculture of the cells with human monocyte cells(THP-1)by OSCC conditioned medium.Moreover,a cell line-derived xenograft(CDX)model was used to detect the effect of BMI1 on tumor growth in vivo.Results:Compared with the normal tissues and cells,the expression level of BMI1 in OSCC tissues and cells was significantly upregulated.BMI1 knockdown impaired the proliferation,migration,and invasion abilities of OSCC cell lines in NF-κB-dependent manner.Furthermore,OSCC cells with high BMI1 expression inhibited the migration of THP-1 cells,promoted M2-like macrophage polarization through NF-κB pathway in vitro.Xenograft experiments further confirmed the inhibitory effect of BMI1 knockdown on the tumorigenesis ability of OSCC cells in vivo.Conclusion:BMI1 promotes M2-like polarization by regulating NF-κB and may be used as a potential therapeutic target for antitumor immunity.

Objective To analyze the influencing factors for intestinal colonization and secondary infection of car-bapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae(CRKP)in neonates,and provide a basis for formulating prevention and control strategies for CRKP infection.Methods Neonates who were admitted to the neonatal ward of a hospital from January 2021 to October 2022 were selected as the study subjects,and the first screening of CRKP was con-ducted within 48 hours after admission.In addition,active anal swab screening for carbapenem-resistant Ente-robacterales(CRE)was performed weekly during hospitalization,and the infection status of CRKP strains was mo-nitored.Clinical data of neonates in the colonization group,non-colonization group,and infection group were ana-lyzed.Intestinal colonized strains and the non-repetitive CRKP strains isolated from clinical specimens of neonates with secondary infection after colonization were performed carbapenemase gene detection,multilocus sequence ty-ping(MLST)and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis(PFGE)analysis.Results A total of 1 438 neonates were active-ly screened for CRE,174 were CRKP positive,CRKP colonization rate was 12.1％.Among 174 neonates,35 were with secondary infection,with the incidence of 20.1％.The independent risk factors for neonatal CRKP intestinal colonization were cesarean section(OR=2.050,95％CI:1.200-3.504,P=0.009),use of cephalosporins(OR=1.889,95％CI:1.086-3.288,P=0.024),nasogastric tube feeding(OR=2.317,95％CI:1.155-4.647,P=0.018).Protective factors were breast-feeding(OR=0.506,95％CI:0.284-0.901,P=0.021),oral probiotics(OR=0.307,95％CI:0.147-0.643,P=0.002),and enema(OR=0.334,95％CI:0.171-0.656,P=0.001).Independent risk factors for secondary infection after intestinal colonization of neonatal CRKP were carbapenem anti-biotic use(OR=19.869,95％CI:1.778-222.029,P=0.015)and prolonged hospital stay(OR=1.118,95％CI:1.082-1.157,P＜0.001).The detection results of drug resistance genes showed that carbapenemase-producing genes of CRKP strains were all blaKPC-2,all belonged to type ST11.Homologous analysis showed that intestinal CRKP colonization was highly homologous with the secondary infection strains after colonization.Conclusion CRKP intestinal colonization during neonatal hospitalization may increase the risk of CRKP infection.Risk and pro-tective factors of neonatal intestinal colonization and secondary infections after colonization should be paid attention,and corresponding preventive and control measures should be taken,so as to reduce the occurrence and transmission CRKP healthcare-associated infection.