ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect and mechanism of Shaoyaotang （SYD） on the lipopolysaccharide （LPS）-induced damage of tight junction proteins in the human colorectal adenocarcinoma （Caco-2） cell model of inflammation via the Ras homolog gene family member A （RhoA）/Rho-associated coiled-coil forming protein kinase （ROCK） pathway. MethodsCaco-2 cells were grouped as follows： Blank， model （LPS， 10 mg·L^-1）， SYD-containing serum （10%， 15%， and 20%）， and inhibitor （Fasudil， 25 μmol·L^-1）. After 24 hours of intervention， the cell viability in each group was examined by the cell-counting kit 8 （CCK-8） method. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to determine the levels of endothelin-1 （ET-1）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and interleukin-6 （IL-6）. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot were employed to determine the mRNA and protein levels， respectively， of RhoA， ROCK2， claudin-5， and zonula occludens-1 （ZO-1） in cells of each group. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the model group showcased a marked reduction in the cell viability （P<0.01）， elevations in the levels of ET-1， TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-6 （P<0.01）， declines in both mRNA and protein levels of ZO-1 and claudin-5 （P<0.01）， and rises in mRNA and protein levels of RhoA and ROCK2 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the Shaoyaotang-containing serum （10%， 15%， and 20%） groups had enhanced cell viability （P<0.01）， lowered levels of ET-1， TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-6 （P<0.01）， up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of ZO-1 and claudin-5 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of RhoA and ROCK2 （P<0.01）. Moreover， the inhibitor group and the 15% and 20% Shaoyaotang-containing serum groups had lower levels of ET-1， TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-6 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， higher mRNA and protein levels of ZO-1 and claudin-5 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and lower mRNA and protein levels of RhoA and ROCK2 （P<0.05， P<0.01） than the 10% Shaoyaotang-containing serum group. ConclusionThe Shaoyaotang-containing serum can lower the levels of LPS-induced increases in levels of inflammatory cytokines and endothelin to ameliorate the damage of tight junction proteins of the Caco-2 cell model of inflammation by regulating the expression of proteins in the RhoA/ROCK pathway.

ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect and mechanism of Shaoyaotang （SYD） on the lipopolysaccharide （LPS）-induced damage of tight junction proteins in the human colorectal adenocarcinoma （Caco-2） cell model of inflammation via the Ras homolog gene family member A （RhoA）/Rho-associated coiled-coil forming protein kinase （ROCK） pathway. MethodsCaco-2 cells were grouped as follows： Blank， model （LPS， 10 mg·L^-1）， SYD-containing serum （10%， 15%， and 20%）， and inhibitor （Fasudil， 25 μmol·L^-1）. After 24 hours of intervention， the cell viability in each group was examined by the cell-counting kit 8 （CCK-8） method. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to determine the levels of endothelin-1 （ET-1）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and interleukin-6 （IL-6）. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot were employed to determine the mRNA and protein levels， respectively， of RhoA， ROCK2， claudin-5， and zonula occludens-1 （ZO-1） in cells of each group. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the model group showcased a marked reduction in the cell viability （P<0.01）， elevations in the levels of ET-1， TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-6 （P<0.01）， declines in both mRNA and protein levels of ZO-1 and claudin-5 （P<0.01）， and rises in mRNA and protein levels of RhoA and ROCK2 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the Shaoyaotang-containing serum （10%， 15%， and 20%） groups had enhanced cell viability （P<0.01）， lowered levels of ET-1， TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-6 （P<0.01）， up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of ZO-1 and claudin-5 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of RhoA and ROCK2 （P<0.01）. Moreover， the inhibitor group and the 15% and 20% Shaoyaotang-containing serum groups had lower levels of ET-1， TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-6 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， higher mRNA and protein levels of ZO-1 and claudin-5 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and lower mRNA and protein levels of RhoA and ROCK2 （P<0.05， P<0.01） than the 10% Shaoyaotang-containing serum group. ConclusionThe Shaoyaotang-containing serum can lower the levels of LPS-induced increases in levels of inflammatory cytokines and endothelin to ameliorate the damage of tight junction proteins of the Caco-2 cell model of inflammation by regulating the expression of proteins in the RhoA/ROCK pathway.

As a rapidly developing frontier discipline, structural biology has penetrated into every field of life science research. The course of “Structural Biology” plays an important role in expanding the knowledge system of undergraduate students and promoting students’ scientific spirit and innovation. For the high-quality training of highly skilled talents, we aimed to promote the original innovation of students, the ability of thinking, and the ability of engineering practice. The trinity education concept, including shape of the value, passing on knowledge, and ability cultivation, was applied. During the reform, we explored a step-by-step course content and searched for factors involved in ideological and political education. Based on the problem-based learning (PBL) method, a hybrid teaching model was designed to cultivate the problem-thinking and problem-solving skills of students. Meanwhile, a number of evaluation systems for students and teachers were established, which may be generally adopted for the course of “Structural Biology”. The survey data suggested that the exploration has a good effect on teaching and training and is conducive to the cultivation of research-oriented, comprehensive, innovative talents under the background of “New Engineering”.

Objective To explore the potential mechanism of action of paeoniflorin in diabetes mellitus,the related targets and pathways were preliminarily discussed,based on the network pharmacology and molecular docking technology.Methods Analyze the potential targets of paeoniflorin using the Swiss Target Prediction database.Genecards and OMIM databases yielded the genes of diabetes-related illnesses.After taking the intersection of the two,protein-protein interaction network(PPI)was established using STRING and Cytoscape programs to search for key genes with strong correlation and complete gene ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)enrichment analysis.Use AutoDockTools and Pymol programs to complete protein molecule docking validation.Results The pharmacologically-related study revealed 63 targets associated with paeoniflorin,4 758 genes related to diabetes,and 50 intersection targets.15 key genes including vascular endothelial growth factor A(VEGFA),epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR),V-Ha-ras harvey(HRAS),V-src sarcoma(SRC)and heat shock protein hs 90-alpha(HSP90AA1)were screened.RAs-associated protein 1,Ras,calcium and other signaling pathways were obtained by KEGG pathway analysis.Molecular docking results showed that paeoniflorin had good binding ability with key genes.Conclusion Paeoniflorin can treat diabetes through multiple targets and pathways,and this mechanism can provide a basis for the application of paeoniflorin in anti diabetes and drug research and development.

Objective To investigate the imaging manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease-associated spondyloarthritis(IBD-SpA).Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 85 patients with inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)who underwent abdominal CT and MRI examinations.Patients with pregnancy,lactation,psoriasis,tumors,and other conditions were excluded through medical record screening,all patients met the diagnostic criteria for IBD.The presence of spondyloarthritis(SpA)was confirmed through ima-ging findings,and the imaging characteristics of the location and bone changes of SpA were observed.Twenty patients who under-went abdominal CT examination during the same period were selected as the control group.Results A total of 85 patients with IBD under-went CT and MRI examinations,the detection rate of MRI(37.6％)was significantly higher than that of CT(30.6％)(P＜0.05).Based on comprehensive imaging features,5 cases of grade 1,13 cases of grade 11,11 cases of grade Ⅲ,and 3 cases of grade Ⅳ,IBD-SpA were diagnosed.In the control group,1 case of sacroiliitis was detected,of which 1 case of grade Ⅱ.The detection rate of CT in the IBD group(30.6％)was significantly higher than that in the control group(5％)(P＜0.05).Conclusion The incidence of SpA is relatively high in patients with IBD.Both CT and MRI have certain diagnostic value for IBD-SpA.CT has diagnostic advantages in bone sclerosis and joint space narrowing,while MRI can better reflect minor lesions and early bone marrow edema changes.The com-bination of CT and MRI examinations can provide diagnostic evidence for clinicians and effectively improve patient symptoms.

Objective To investigate the high-frequency ultrasonic anatomical features of the adjacent C7 transverse process and its clinical value in stellate ganglion block(SGB).Methods High-frequency ultrasound was applied to obtain ultrasonographic anatomical sonogram features in the plane of bilateral C7 transverse processes in 52 cases(104 sides in total)of healthy adults and then stored for the operator to learn and correctly label each tissue structure.Fifty patients who underwent ultrasound-guided SGB were selected and divided into the BC7 group(25 cases before study)and AC7 group(25 cases after study).The operation time,SGB success rate,number of adjusted needle tips,dosage of anaesthetic and adverse reaction of patients in both group were recorded.Results The main muscles observed in the C7 plane were the longissimus and anterior scalene muscles,the ultrasonographic anatomical relationships of the vagus nerve located in the carotid sheath,the pleura located posterior to the subclavian artery,and the recurrent laryngeal nerve located in the vicinity of the branches of the inferior thyroid artery are described,and the stellate ganglion was illustrated as a flattened hypoechogenic structure visible on the deep surface of the prevertebral fascia in the region of the external cervical longissimus muscle,vertebral artery and vein,and the medial aspect of the anterior oblique muscle,and emanated the sonographic features of several hypoechoic nerve bundles.Ultrasound guided SGB was completed uneventfully in patients of both groups,and all patients developed Horner syndrome,with the SGB success rate of 100%.The operation time[(5.36±1.11)minutes]of patients in the BC7 group was longer than that in the AC7 group[(3.08±0.86)minutes],the number of adjusted needle tips[(4.20±1.00)times]of patients in the BC7 group was more than that in the AC7 group[(2.24±0.87)times],and the dosage of anaesthetic[(1.82±0.28)mL]of patients in the BC7 group was more than that in the AC7 group[(1.64±0.22)mL],all the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reaction between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion After ultrasonic learning of adjacent structures through C7 transverse process,SGB is safe and easy to perform.

The effect of porcine SIRT5 on replication of foot and mouth disease virus type O(FMDV-O)and the underlying regulatory mechanism were investigated.Western blot and RT-qPCR analyses were employed to monitor expression of endoge-nous SIRT5 in PK-15 cells infected with FMDV-O.Three pairs of SIRT5-specific siRNAs were synthesized.Changes to SIRT5 and FMDV-O protein and transcript levels,in addition to virus copy numbers,were measured by western blot and RT-qPCR analyses.PK-15 cells were transfected with a eukaryotic SIRT5 expression plasmid.Western blot and RT-qPCR analyses were used to explore the impact of SIRT5 overexpression on FMDV-O replication.Meanwhile,RT-qPCR analysis was used to detect the effect of SIRT5 overexpression on the mRNA expression levels of type I interferon-stimulated genes induced by SeV and FMDV-O.The results showed that expression of SIRT5 was up-regulated in PK-15 cells infected with FMDV-O and siRNA interfered with SIRT5 to inhibit FMDV-O replication.SIRT5 overexpression promoted FMDV-O replication.SIRT5 over-expression decreased mRNA expression levels of interferon-stimulated genes induced by SeV and FMDV-O.These results suggest that FMDV-O infection stimulated expression of SIRT5 in PK-15 cells,while SIRT5 promoted FMDV-O rep-lication by inhibiting production of type I interferon-stimula-ted genes.These findings provide a reference to further ex-plore the mechanism underlying the ability of porcine SIRT5 to promote FMDV-O replication.

Patients with severe trauma require an extremely timely treatment and transfusion plays an irreplaceable role in the emergency treatment of such patients. An increasing number of evidence-based medicinal evidences and clinical practices suggest that patients with severe traumatic bleeding benefit from early transfusion of low-titer group O whole blood or hemostatic resuscitation with red blood cells, plasma and platelet of a balanced ratio. However, the current domestic mode of blood supply cannot fully meet the requirements of timely and effective blood transfusion for emergency treatment of patients with severe trauma in clinical practice. In order to solve the key problems in blood supply and blood transfusion strategies for emergency treatment of severe trauma, Branch of Clinical Transfusion Medicine of Chinese Medical Association, Group for Trauma Emergency Care and Multiple Injuries of Trauma Branch of Chinese Medical Association, Young Scholar Group of Disaster Medicine Branch of Chinese Medical Association organized domestic experts of blood transfusion medicine and trauma treatment to jointly formulate Chinese expert consensus on blood support mode and blood transfusion strategies for emergency treatment of severe trauma patients ( version 2024). Based on the evidence-based medical evidence and Delphi method of expert consultation and voting, 10 recommendations were put forward from two aspects of blood support mode and transfusion strategies, aiming to provide a reference for transfusion resuscitation in the emergency treatment of severe trauma and further improve the success rate of treatment of patients with severe trauma.

ObjectiveTo observe the effects of fire-needle of Lingnan on the vitiligo model after hydroquinone-induced oxidative stress based on the Hippo-YAP signaling pathway. MethodsC57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into normal group （Control）， model group （HQ）， HQ+fire-needle group （FA）， and positive control group （Halometasone）， with 8 mice in each group. The vitiligo model was prepared by hydroquinone （HQ）. The skin pathological changes were observed by depigmentation score， HE staining and Masson-Fontana. Elisa was used to detect the levels of tyrosinase （TYR）， malondialdehyde （MDA） and monoamine oxidase （MAO）.Western-blot and PCR were used to detect the expression of Yap1 and Tp73 among the groups. ResultsCompared with the control group， the epidermis and dermis were significantly thicker. The number of melanocyte hair follicles， basal melanocytes， epidermal cells containing melanin granules were significantly decreased， and the depigmentation score was significantly reduced（P＜0.01）. The level of TYR decreased， and the levels of MDA and MAO increased after modeling（P＜0.01）. The expression of Yap1 and Tp73 were significantly reduced （P<0.01）. The dermis became thinner in the halometasone and FA group after treatment of 4 weeks. The number of melanocyte hair follicles， basal melanocytes， epidermal cells containing melanin granules increased （P<0.05）. Compared with that of the HQ group， the level of TYR in the halometasone group and FA group was significantly increased （P<0.01）. The levels of MDA and MAO in the FA group were decreased （P<0.05）. The expressions of Yap1 and Tp73 in the FA group were significantly increased （P<0.01）， and their effects were better than those in the Halometasone group （P<0.05）. ConclusionsFire-needle of Lingnan protects melanocytes from oxidative stress by activating the Hippo-YAP pathway. It enhances the synthesis and function of melanocytes and promotes repigmentation by reducing the content and activity of oxidative stress products.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Shugan Tiaoshen acupuncture (acupuncture for soothing the liver and regulating the mentality) combined with western medication on depression and sleep quality in the patients with depression-insomnia comorbidity due to COVID-19 quarantine, and investigate the potential mechanism from the perspective of cortical excitability. METHODS: Sixty patients with depression-insomnia comorbidity due to COVID-19 quarantine were randomly divided into an acupuncture group and a sham-acupuncture group, 30 cases in each one. The patients of both groups were treated with oral administration of sertraline hydrochloride tablets. In the acupuncture group, Shugan Tiaoshen acupuncture was supplemented. Body acupuncture was applied to Yintang (GV 24⁺), Baihui (GV 20), Hegu (LI 4), Zhaohai (KI 6), Qihai (CV 6), etc. The intradermal needling was used at Xin (CO₁₅), Gan (CO₁₂) and Shen (CO₁₀). In the sham-acupuncture group, the sham-acupuncture was given at the same points as the acupuncture group. The compensatory treatment was provided at the end of follow-up for the patients in the sham-acupuncture group. In both groups, the treatment was given once every two days, 3 times a week, for consecutive 8 weeks. The self-rating depression scale (SDS) and insomnia severity index (ISI) scores were compared between the two groups before and after treatment and 1 month after the end of treatment (follow-up) separately. The cortical excitability indexes (resting motor threshold [rMT], motor evoked potential amplitude [MEP-A], cortical resting period [CSP]) and the level of serum 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) were measured before and after treatment in the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment and in follow-up, SDS and ISI scores were decreased in both groups compared with those before treatment (P<0.05), and the scores in the acupuncture group were lower than those in the sham-acupuncture group (P<0.05), and the decrease range in the acupuncture group after treatment was larger than that in the sham-acupuncture group (P<0.05). After treatment, rMT was reduced (P<0.05), while MEP-A and CSP were increased (P<0.05) in the acupuncture group compared with that before treatment. The levels of serum 5-HT in both groups were increased compared with those before treatment (P<0.05). The rMT in the acupuncture group was lower than that in the sham-acupuncture group, while MEP-A and CSP, as well as the level of serum 5-HT were higher in the acupuncture group in comparison with the sham-acupuncture group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Shugan Tiaoshen acupuncture combined with western medication can relieve depression and improve sleep quality in the patients with depression-insomnia comorbidity due to COVID-19 quarantine, which is probably related to rectifying the imbalanced excitatory and inhibitory neuronal functions.
Humans ; Depression ; Quarantine ; Serotonin ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; COVID-19 ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Comorbidity