OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of Qingda Granule (QDG) in ameliorating hypertension-induced cardiac damage and investigate the underlying mechanisms involved. METHODS: Twenty spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were used to develope a hypertension-induced cardiac damage model. Another 10 Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats were used as normotension group. Rats were administrated intragastrically QDG [0.9 g/(kg•d)] or an equivalent volume of pure water for 8 weeks. Blood pressure, histopathological changes, cardiac function, levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory response markers were measured. Furthermore, to gain insights into the potential mechanisms underlying the protective effects of QDG against hypertension-induced cardiac injury, a network pharmacology study was conducted. Predicted results were validated by Western blot, radioimmunoassay immunohistochemistry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively. RESULTS: The administration of QDG resulted in a significant decrease in blood pressure levels in SHRs (P<0.01). Histological examinations, including hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson trichrome staining revealed that QDG effectively attenuated hypertension-induced cardiac damage. Furthermore, echocardiography demonstrated that QDG improved hypertension-associated cardiac dysfunction. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and colorimetric method indicated that QDG significantly reduced oxidative stress and inflammatory response levels in both myocardial tissue and serum (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Both network pharmacology and experimental investigations confirmed that QDG exerted its beneficial effects in decreasing hypertension-induced cardiac damage by regulating the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)/angiotensin II (Ang II)/Ang II receptor type 1 axis and ACE/Ang II/Ang II receptor type 2 axis.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Hypertension/pathology* ; Renin-Angiotensin System/drug effects* ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Male ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Blood Pressure/drug effects* ; Myocardium/pathology* ; Rats ; Inflammation/pathology*

Background and aim:Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury(IRI)is a significant challenge in liver trans-plantation,trauma,hypovolemic shock,and hepatectomy,with limited effective interventions available.This study aimed to investigate the role of leukocyte cell-derived chemotaxin 2(LECT2)in hepatic IRI and assess the therapeutic potential of Lect2-short hairpin RNA(shRNA)delivered through adeno-associated virus(AAV)vectors. Materials and methods:This study analyzed human liver and serum samples from five patients under-going the Pringle maneuver.Lect2-knockout and C57BL/6J mice were used.Hepatic IRI was induced by clamping the hepatic pedicle.Treatments included recombinant human LECT2(rLECT2)and AAV-Lect2-shRNA.LECT2 expression levels and serum biomarkers including alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),creatinine,and blood urea nitrogen(BUN)were measured.Histological analysis of liver necrosis and quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction were performed. Results:Serum and liver LECT2 levels were elevated during hepatic IRI.Serum LECT2 protein and mRNA levels increased post reperfusion.Lect2-knockout mice had reduced weight loss;hepatic necrosis;and serum ALT,AST,creatinine,and BUN levels.rLECT2 treatment exacerbated weight loss,hepatic necrosis,and serum biomarkers(ALT,AST,creatinine,and BUN).AAV-Lect2-shRNA treatment significantly reduced weight loss,hepatic necrosis,and serum biomarkers(ALT,AST,creatinine,and BUN),indicating thera-peutic potential. Conclusions:Elevated LECT2 levels during hepatic IRI increased liver damage.Genetic knockout or shRNA-mediated knockdown of Lect2 reduced liver damage,indicating its therapeutic potential.AAV-mediated Lect2-shRNA delivery mitigated hepatic IRI,offering a potential new treatment strategy to enhance clinical outcomes for patients undergoing liver-related surgeries or trauma.

Objective To explore the incidence and risk factors of perioperative ischemic stroke in non-cardiac and non-neurosurgical surgeries and its correlation with preoperative risk assessment of cerebrovascular events,so as to guide perioperative risk management.Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 40 patients aged≥18 years who underwent non-cardiac and non-neurosurgical surgeries and experienced perioperative ischemic stroke in the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Science and Technology from January 2015 to January 2022,forming the stroke group.A control group of 160 patients without perioperative ischemic stroke was selected in a 1:4 case-control ratio,matched for gender,age,date of operation,and the surgeon.Clinical data and preoperative risk assessment of cerebrovascular events(including the single or combined application of head CT/MRI,transcranial Doppler ultrasound,carotid ultrasound,and neurological consultation)of the two groups of patients were collected and statistically analyzed.Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors associated with perioperative ischemic stroke.Results The incidence of perioperative ischemic stroke was 0.042%.Multiple logistic analysis results showed that hypertension(OR=7.858,95%CI 2.175-28.388,P=0.002),hyperlipidemia(OR=4.457,95%CI 1.320-15.049,P=0.016),renal insufficiency(OR=8.277,95%CI 1.480-46.282,P=0.016),and intraoperative hypotension(OR=3.862,95%CI 1.211-12.317,P=0.022)were independent risk factors for perioperative ischemic stroke in non-cardiac and non-neurological surgeries;preoperative cerebrovascular risk assessment(OR=0.130,95%CI 0.031-0.542,P=0.005)was a protective factor against it.Conclusions The incidence of perioperative ischemic stroke in non-cardiac and non-neurosurgical surgery is low but has a poor prognosis.Hypertension,hyperlipidemia,renal insufficiency,and postoperative hypotension are risk factors for perioperative ischemic stroke,while preoperative cerebrovascular event risk assessment is beneficial to reducing its incidence.

Objective To compare regional pulmonary ventilation and perfusion and ventilation/perfusion(V/Q)matching in different body positions using electrical impedance tomography(EIT).Methods Ten healthy experimental pigs were selected to collect their EIT lung ventilation and perfusion data in supine,prone,left lateral and right lateral positions.The EIT data underwent analysis and image reconstruction using MATLAB R2022b and EIDORS v3.9.The effective regions with ventilation and perfusion were determined and the V/Q matching regions were computed with the maximum pixel value 20％as the threshold.Comparisons were carried out over the V/Q matching indexes including V/Q match％,dead space％and shunt％and ventilation and perfusion distribution in regions of interest(ROIs)including ROI1,ROI2,ROI3 and ROI4 in different body positions.Results The differences in V/Q match％,dead space％and shunt％of the experimental animals in varied positions were not statistically significant(P＞0.05).The regional distribution of pulmonary ventilation and perfusion changed in different positions,and the regional distributions differed in ROIl,ROI2 and ROI3 for ventilation(P＜0.05)and in ROI1 and ROI2 for perfusion(P＜0.05).The ventilation and perfusion regions were distributed consistently with the gravity-dependent areas in supine and prone positions whereas conversely in the right and left lateral positions.Conclusion The V/Q matching indexes of one subject have high test consistency in different body positions;gravity-dependent areas varied with the changes of the body positions,which affected the distribution of pulmonary ventilation and perfusion regions;EIT can be used for measuring the changed pulmonary ventilation and perfusion due to different positions and determining the influences of position changes on pulmonary ventilation and perfusion and V/Q matching.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(5):1-7]

Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) is a natural product commonly used in food preservation and pharmaceutical applications. Toxoplasmosis, caused by the protozoan pathogen Toxoplasma gondii, is prevalent globally while the impact of AITC on toxoplasmosis is unclear. We explored the effect of AITC on acute toxoplasmosis. We infected C57BL/6 mice with T. gondii type I RH strain following AITC administration. On the 4th day after infection, which corresponds to the initial stage of infection, we collected serum for the determination of inflammatory cytokine levels. The mice serum of the AITC-administered group contained significantly lower levels of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, interferon-gamma, interleukin (IL)-23 subunit p19, IL-4, IL-6, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. The lifespan of the mice in the AITC-administered group was significantly reduced. In vitro experiments showed that AITC promoted the proliferation of intracellular T. gondii accompanied by the inhibition of IL-4, IL-1β, and IL-6 production in RAW264.7 macrophages. Our results showed that AITC facilitated T. gondii infection in the early stage by inhibiting the production of several inflammatory cytokines.

Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) is a natural product commonly used in food preservation and pharmaceutical applications. Toxoplasmosis, caused by the protozoan pathogen Toxoplasma gondii, is prevalent globally while the impact of AITC on toxoplasmosis is unclear. We explored the effect of AITC on acute toxoplasmosis. We infected C57BL/6 mice with T. gondii type I RH strain following AITC administration. On the 4th day after infection, which corresponds to the initial stage of infection, we collected serum for the determination of inflammatory cytokine levels. The mice serum of the AITC-administered group contained significantly lower levels of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, interferon-gamma, interleukin (IL)-23 subunit p19, IL-4, IL-6, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. The lifespan of the mice in the AITC-administered group was significantly reduced. In vitro experiments showed that AITC promoted the proliferation of intracellular T. gondii accompanied by the inhibition of IL-4, IL-1β, and IL-6 production in RAW264.7 macrophages. Our results showed that AITC facilitated T. gondii infection in the early stage by inhibiting the production of several inflammatory cytokines.

Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) is a natural product commonly used in food preservation and pharmaceutical applications. Toxoplasmosis, caused by the protozoan pathogen Toxoplasma gondii, is prevalent globally while the impact of AITC on toxoplasmosis is unclear. We explored the effect of AITC on acute toxoplasmosis. We infected C57BL/6 mice with T. gondii type I RH strain following AITC administration. On the 4th day after infection, which corresponds to the initial stage of infection, we collected serum for the determination of inflammatory cytokine levels. The mice serum of the AITC-administered group contained significantly lower levels of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, interferon-gamma, interleukin (IL)-23 subunit p19, IL-4, IL-6, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. The lifespan of the mice in the AITC-administered group was significantly reduced. In vitro experiments showed that AITC promoted the proliferation of intracellular T. gondii accompanied by the inhibition of IL-4, IL-1β, and IL-6 production in RAW264.7 macrophages. Our results showed that AITC facilitated T. gondii infection in the early stage by inhibiting the production of several inflammatory cytokines.

Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) is a natural product commonly used in food preservation and pharmaceutical applications. Toxoplasmosis, caused by the protozoan pathogen Toxoplasma gondii, is prevalent globally while the impact of AITC on toxoplasmosis is unclear. We explored the effect of AITC on acute toxoplasmosis. We infected C57BL/6 mice with T. gondii type I RH strain following AITC administration. On the 4th day after infection, which corresponds to the initial stage of infection, we collected serum for the determination of inflammatory cytokine levels. The mice serum of the AITC-administered group contained significantly lower levels of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, interferon-gamma, interleukin (IL)-23 subunit p19, IL-4, IL-6, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. The lifespan of the mice in the AITC-administered group was significantly reduced. In vitro experiments showed that AITC promoted the proliferation of intracellular T. gondii accompanied by the inhibition of IL-4, IL-1β, and IL-6 production in RAW264.7 macrophages. Our results showed that AITC facilitated T. gondii infection in the early stage by inhibiting the production of several inflammatory cytokines.

Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) is a natural product commonly used in food preservation and pharmaceutical applications. Toxoplasmosis, caused by the protozoan pathogen Toxoplasma gondii, is prevalent globally while the impact of AITC on toxoplasmosis is unclear. We explored the effect of AITC on acute toxoplasmosis. We infected C57BL/6 mice with T. gondii type I RH strain following AITC administration. On the 4th day after infection, which corresponds to the initial stage of infection, we collected serum for the determination of inflammatory cytokine levels. The mice serum of the AITC-administered group contained significantly lower levels of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, interferon-gamma, interleukin (IL)-23 subunit p19, IL-4, IL-6, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. The lifespan of the mice in the AITC-administered group was significantly reduced. In vitro experiments showed that AITC promoted the proliferation of intracellular T. gondii accompanied by the inhibition of IL-4, IL-1β, and IL-6 production in RAW264.7 macrophages. Our results showed that AITC facilitated T. gondii infection in the early stage by inhibiting the production of several inflammatory cytokines.

Objective : Viral load is becoming more and more important in prevention of HIV/AIDS. Understanding the baseline of viral load before treatment in newly reported HIV/AIDS patients can provide a basis for AIDS prevention. Methods : The viral load of newly reported HIV/AIDS patients in Jiangsu province in 2019 was detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR , the differences of viral load under different demographic characteristics were compared , and the factors of high viral load were analyzed. Results : he mean viral load of 3098 newly reported HIV/AIDS patients in Jiangsu province was 4. 33 ± 1. 05 log/mL , and the proportion of patients with viral load < 5000 copies/mL was 20. 85% (646/3 098) . There were statistically significant differences in viral load among different genders (P < 0. 05) , and male patients had higher viral load. The difference of viral load between HIV⁃infected and AIDS patients was statistically significant (P < 0. 05) , and the viral load value of AIDS patients diagnosed with disease status was relatively high. Unmarried and married spouses were more likely to have higher viral load than divorced or widowed spouses. Higher baseline viral load level was associated with higher rates of virologic failure after antiviral therapy. Conclusion The overall viral load of HIV infected /AIDS patients is high , but there is a certain proportion of low viral load , suggesting that follow⁃up of low viral load should be strengthened in AIDS prevention and treatment. Strengthen interventions aimed at men and unmarried or married people with spouses to reduce the risk of transmission.