ObjectiveTo investigate the changing trend of hemoglobin （Hb） and related influencing factors in patients with liver failure after artificial liver support system （ALSS） therapy. MethodsA total of 106 patients with liver failure who were hospitalized and received ALSS therapy in our hospital from January to December 2018 were enrolled and analyzed in terms of clinical data and red blood cell parameters such as Hb， mean corpuscular volume （MCV）， mean corpuscular hemoglobin （MCH）， mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration （MCHC）， and red blood cell distribution width-coefficient of variation （RDW-CV）. A one-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data with repeated measurement between groups， and the paired t-test was used for comparison between two groups. The Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of continuous data with skewed distribution between multiple groups， the Mann-Whitney U test was used for further comparison between two groups. Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were used to identify the influencing factors for the reduction in Hb after ALSS therapy. ResultsThe 106 patients with liver failure received 606 sessions of ALSS therapy， and Hb was measured for 402 sessions before and after treatment. There was a significant reduction in Hb after ALSS therapy in the patients with liver failure （97.49±20.51 g/L vs 109.38±20.22 g/L， t=32.764， P<0.001）. Longitudinal observation was further performed for 14 patients with liver failure， and the results showed that the level of Hb was 108.50±21.61 g/L before the last session of ALSS therapy， with certain recovery compared with the level of Hb （103.14±19.15 g/L） on the second day after ALSS， and there was an increase in Hb on day 3 （102.57±21.73 g/L） and day 7 （105.57±22.04 g/L） after surgery. The level of Hb in patients with liver failure on the second day after ALSS decreased with the increase in the number of ALSS sessions （F=8.996， P<0.001）， while MCV and MCH gradually increased with the increase in the number of ALSS sessions （F=9.154 and 13.460， P=0.004 and P<0.001）， and RDW-CV first gradually increased and then gradually decreased （F=4.520， P=0.032）； MCHC showed fluctuations with no clear trend （F=0.811， P=0.494）. The multivariate linear regression analysis showed that the duration of ALSS therapy， the mode of ALSS therapy， and initial treatment were independent risk factors for the reduction in Hb after ALSS therapy. ConclusionALSS therapy can influence the level of peripheral blood Hb in patients with liver failure， and patient blood management should be strengthened for patients with liver failure who are receiving ALSS therapy.

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) technology originated in China during the Eastern Jin Dynasty and has rapidly developed over the past two decades, becoming a primary method for studying the causal relationship between gut microbiota and the occurrence and progression of diseases. At the same time, the therapeutic effects of FMT in the field of gastrointestinal diseases have gained widespread recognition and are gradually expanding into other disease areas. The FMT procedure is relatively complex, and there is currently no standardized method; its success is influenced by various factors, including the donor, recipient, processing of the fecal material, and the method of implantation. Given the increasingly recognized relationship between gut microbiota and various diseases, FMT has become a research hotspot in both scientific studies and clinical applications, achieving a series of significant advancements. To help researchers better understand this technology, this paper will outline the development history of FMT, summarize common operational methods in research and clinical settings, review its application progress, and look forward to future development directions.

Xanthine oxidase (XO) is an important therapeutic target for the treatment of hyperuricemia and gout. Based on the previously identified potent XO inhibitor 1, seventeen oxadiazoles and their ring-opening analogues were designed and synthesized via the bioisostere replacement strategy. Among them, compounds 2l, 2n, and 3b showed obvious XO inhibitory activity at the concentration of 10 μmol·L^-1, and compound 3b exhibited an IC₅₀ value of 1.45 μmol·L^-1.

Vestibular syndrome is characterized by vertigo as the main symptom, with complex and diverse pathogenesis, and patients are often accompanied by emotional disorders such as anxiety and depression. In recent years, more and more researches have focus on the role of emotional disorders in vestibular syndrom, revealing that emotional disorders may have a significant impact on the occurrence and development of vestibular disorders, and quality of life of patients by affecting vestibular function. However, the influences and related mechanisms of anxiety and depression in affecting different types of vestibular syndromes are not clear. This review summaries complex relationship of different types of vestibular syndromes with anxiety and depression, points out the shortcomings of current treatment strategies for vestibular syndrome, and suggests that future researches should pay attention to the application of psychological intervention in the management of vestibular syndrome.

Objective To compare the cost-effectiveness between sodium valproate and levetiracetam in the treatment of childhood epilepsy and provide an economic basis for clinical medication choices. Methods A cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted using a decision tree model to compare the effectiveness and drug costs of sodium valproate and levetiracetam in treating childhood epilepsy. Single-factor sensitivity analysis and probabilistic sensitivity analysis were used to assess the impact of parameter variations on the study results. Results The treatment cost of levetiracetam was significantly higher than that of sodium valproate. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio （ICER） of levetiracetam compared to sodium valproate was ¥8 628.43. Sensitivity analysis results were consistent with the base-case analysis. The probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed that, over a 6-month treatment period, levetiracetam became a more cost-effective option when the willingness-to-pay （WTP） threshold was ¥9,000 or higher. One-way sensitivity analysis revealed that the price of levetiracetam was the most influential factor affecting the ICER. Conclusion When the WTP per effective pediatric epilepsy case is ¥9,000 or higher, levetiracetam demonstrates a cost-effectiveness advantage.

OBJECTIVE: To study the in vitro and in vivo antitumor effects of the polysaccharide of Alocasia cucullata (PAC) and the underlying mechanism. METHODS: B16F10 and 4T1 cells were cultured with PAC of 40 µg/mL, and PAC was withdrawn after 40 days of administration. The cell viability was detected by cell counting kit-8. The expression of Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 proteins were detected by Western blot and the expressions of ERK1/2 mRNA were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). A mouse melanoma model was established to study the effect of PAC during long-time administration. Mice were divided into 3 treatment groups: control group treated with saline water, positive control group (LNT group) treated with lentinan at 100 mg/(kg·d), and PAC group treated with PAC at 120 mg/(kg·d). The pathological changes of tumor tissues were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The apoptosis of tumor tissues was detected by TUNEL staining. Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 protein expressions were detected by immunohistochemistry, and the expressions of ERK1/2, JNK1 and p38 mRNA were detected by qRT-PCR. RESULTS: In vitro, no strong inhibitory effects of PAC were found in various tumor cells after 48 or 72 h of administration. Interestingly however, after 40 days of cultivation under PAC, an inhibitory effect on B16F10 cells was found. Correspondingly, the long-time administration of PAC led to downregulation of Bcl-2 protein (P<0.05), up-regulation of Caspase-3 protein (P<0.05) and ERK1 mRNA (P<0.05) in B16F10 cells. The above results were verified by in vivo experiments. In addition, viability of B16F10 cells under long-time administration culture in vitro decreased after drug withdrawal, and similar results were also observed in 4T1 cells. CONCLUSIONS Long-time administration of PAC can significantly inhibit viability and promote apoptosis of tumor cells, and had obvious antitumor effect in tumor-bearing mice.
Mice ; Animals ; Alocasia/metabolism* ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Caspase 3/metabolism* ; Apoptosis ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism*

Polysaccharides, predominantly extracted from traditional Chinese medicinal herbs such as Lycium barbarum, Angelica sinensis, Astragalus membranaceus, Dendrobium officinale, Ganoderma lucidum, and Poria cocos, represent principal bioactive constituents extensively utilized in Chinese medicine. These compounds have demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory capabilities, especially anti-liver injury activities, while exhibiting minimal adverse effects. This review summarized recent studies to elucidate the hepatoprotective efficacy and underlying molecular mechanisms of these herbal polysaccharides. It underscored the role of these polysaccharides in regulating hepatic function, enhancing immunological responses, and improving antioxidant capacities, thus contributing to the attenuation of hepatocyte apoptosis and liver protection. Analyses of molecular pathways in these studies revealed the intricate and indispensable functions of traditional Chinese herbal polysaccharides in liver injury management. Therefore, this review provides a thorough examination of the hepatoprotective attributes and molecular mechanisms of these medicinal polysaccharides, thereby offering valuable insights for the advancement of polysaccharide-based therapeutic research and their potential clinical applications in liver disease treatment.
Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Liver Diseases/drug therapy* ; Antioxidants ; Polysaccharides/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

Aim To investigate the effect of quercetin on the aging model of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells established under microgravity. Methods Using 3D gyroscope, a aging model of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells was constructed, and after receiving quercetin and microgravity treatment, the anti-aging effect of the quercetin was evaluated by detecting related proteins and oxidation indexes. Results Compared to the control group, the expressions of age-related proteins p21, pi6, p53 and RB in the microgravity group significantly increased, while the expressions of cyclin D1 and lamin B1 significantly decreased, with statistical significance (P<0.05). In the microgravity group, mitochondrial membrane potential significantly decreased (P<0.05), ROS accumulation significantly increased (P <0.05), SOD content significantly decreased and MDA content significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared to the microgravity group, the expressions of age-related proteins p21, pi6, p53 and RB in the quercetin group significantly decreased, while the expressions of cyclin D1 and lamin B1 significantly increased, with statistical significance (P<0.05). In the quercetin group, mitochondrial membrane potential significantly increased (P<0.05), ROS accumulation significantly decreased (P<0.05), SOD content significantly increased and MDA content significantly decreased (P<0.05). Conclusions Quercetin can resist oxidation, protect mitochondrial function and normal cell cycle, thus delaying the aging of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells induced by microgravity.

Berberine (BBR) is the main pharmacological active ingredient of Coptidis, which has hypoglycemic effect, but its clinical application is limited due to its poor oral bioavailability. Polyphenols, derived from cinnamon, are beneficial for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The combination of both may have an additive effect. The aim of this study was to investigate the hypoglycemic effect and mechanism of combined medication in diabetic rats. The modeling rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (berberine group, cinnamon group, combined group, metformin group, diabetic control group) and normal control group. The animal experiments were approved by the Animal Ethics Committee (approval number: HMUIRB2022003). The subjects were given orally, and the control group was given equal volume solvent and body weight was measured weekly. Thirty days after administration, oral glucose tolerance test and insulin sensitivity test were performed, and fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycated serum protein (GSP), and serum insulin (INS) levels were detected; high-throughput sequencing technology was used to detect intestinal microbiota structure; real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blot were used to detect G protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) expression levels. The results showed that, compared with the diabetic control group, the levels of FBG (P < 0.01) and GSP (P < 0.01) in the combined group were lower, and the insulin resistance was improved, which was better than that in the berberine group. Combined treatment increased the relative abundance of Bacteroides, Prevotella and Lactobacillus, reversed the decrease in Lactobacillus in the berberine alone induction group, and the combination of the two could promote the expression of TGR5 and GLP-1. In summary, the combined application of cinnamon and berberine can regulate glucose metabolism better than the application of berberine alone. Berberine combined with cinnamon can improve the function of pancreatic islet β cells in diabetes mellitus type 2 rats by changing the intestinal microbiota, increasing the expression of TGR5 and GLP-1 proteins, and thereby better regulating glucose metabolism.

Humans ; Aged ; Lung Diseases ; Pneumonia/drug therapy* ; Adrenal Cortex Hormones/therapeutic use* ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/drug therapy* ; Administration, Inhalation ; Community-Acquired Infections/drug therapy*