This study aimed to investigate the effect of saltwater stir-fried Plantaginis Semen(SPS) on renal fibrosis in rats and decipher the underlying mechanism. Thirty-six Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into control, model, losartan potassium, and low-, medium-, and high-dose(15, 30, and 60 g·kg~(-1), respectively) SPS groups. Rats in other groups except the control group were subjected to unilateral ureteral obstruction(UUO) to induce renal fibrosis, and the modeling and gavage lasted for 14 days. After 14 consecutive days of treatment, the levels of serum creatinine(Scr) and blood urea nitrogen(BUN) in rats of each group were determined by an automatic biochemical analyzer. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) and Masson staining were used to evaluate pathological changes in the renal tissue. Western blot and immunofluorescence assay were conducted to determine the protein levels of fibronectin(FN), collagen Ⅰ, vimentin, and α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA) in the renal tissue. The mRNA levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)-associated transcription factors including twist family bHLH transcription factor 1(TWIST1), snail family transcriptional repressor 1(SNAI1), and zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1(ZEB1), as well as inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), were determined by RT-qPCR. Human renal proximal tubular epithelial(HK2) cells exposed to transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β) for the modeling of renal fibrosis were used to investigate the inhibitory effect of SPS on EMT. Network pharmacology and Western blot were employed to explore the molecular mechanism of SPS in alleviating renal fibrosis. The results showed that SPS significantly reduced Scr and BUN levels and alleviated renal injury and collagen deposition in UUO rats. Moreover, SPS notably down-regulated the protein levels of FN, collagen Ⅰ, vimentin, and α-SMA as well as the mRNA levels of SNAI1, ZEB1, TWIST1, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in the kidneys of UUO rats and TGF-β-treated HK-2 cells. In addition, compared with Plantaginis Semen without stir-frying with saltwater, SPS showed increased content of specific compounds, which were mainly enriched in the mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) signaling pathway. SPS significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK) and p38 MAPK in the kidneys of UUO rats and TGF-β-treated HK2 cells. In conclusion, SPS can alleviate renal fibrosis by attenuating EMT through inhibition of the MAPK signaling pathway.
Animals ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition/drug effects* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Male ; Rats ; Fibrosis/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Kidney Diseases/pathology* ; Kidney Tubules/pathology* ; Humans

OBJECTIVE: To explore clinical efficacy of percutaneous endoscopic discectomy with a lateral approach and dual-channel method in treating highly free lumbar disc herniation(LDH). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 54 patients with highly free LDH who were treated with spinal endoscopic techniques from January 2021 to December 2022. Twenty-seven patients were treated with lateral approach dual-channel(lateral approach dual-channel group), including 16 males and 11 females, with an average age of (54.6±10.5) years old. Twenty-seven patients were treated with unilateral biportal endoscopic (UBE group), including 17 males and 10 females, with an average age of (52.9±12.3) years old. The number of intraoperative fluoroscopy, operation time and hospital stay, as well as visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry diability index (ODI) of low back and leg pain between two patients before operation, 1 day, 1, 3, and 12 months after operation, and the efficacy was evaluated by the modified MacNab criteria at 12 mohths after operation. RESULTS: All patients were successfully completed surgical and were followed up, the time raged from 12 to 22 months with an average of (13.57±4.12) months. There was no statistically significant difference in operation time between two groups (P>0.05). The hospital stay of lateral approach dual-channel group was (3.9±1.1) days, which was shorter than that of UBE group (6.5±1.4) days, the number of intraoperative fluoroscopy in lateral approach dual-channel group was (12.7±2.1) times, which was more than that in UBE group (6.6±1.3) times, the differences were statistically significant (t=5.197, -7.532;P<0.05). VAS and ODI for low back pain at 1 day and 1 month after operation, and VAS for leg pain at 1 day after operation of lateral approach dual-channel group were superior to those of UBE group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). However, there were no statistically significant differences in VAS and ODI for low back and leg pain between two groups before operation and 3 and 12 months after operation (P>0.05). VAS and ODI of low back and leg pain were significantly improved at each time point before and after operation in both groups, and the difference were statistically significant (P<0.05). At 12 months after operation, according to the modified MacNab criteria, the excellent and good rates of therapeutic effects between lateral approach dual-channel group and UBE group were 92.6% (25/27) and 88.9% (24/27), respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant (χ²=0.22, P>0.05). CONCLUSION For patients with highly free lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion, both of lateral approach dual-channel method and UBE endoscopic surgery are safe and effective. Endoscopic surgery with lateral approach and dual-channel method could be performed under local anesthesia, allowing for the removal of the nucleus pulposus under direct vision. It is simpler, more efficient.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement/surgery* ; Middle Aged ; Diskectomy, Percutaneous/methods* ; Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery* ; Endoscopy/methods* ; Adult ; Retrospective Studies ; Aged

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of patients with extranasal NK/T-cell lymphoma (NKTCL). METHODS: The clinical data of 138 patients with NKTCL diagnosed in 10 medical centers of Huaihai Lymphoma Working Group from June 2015 to April 2021 were collected and analyzed retrospectively. The differences in clinicopathological characteristics of patients with different involvement and efficacy of pegaspargase regimen were compared, as well as perform survival analysis. RESULTS: A total of 138 extranasal NKTCL patients were included, with a median age of 46 years, and the ratio of males to females was approximately 2∶1. There were 39 patients with gastrointestinal involvement, 32 patients with oropharyngeal involvement, 17 patients with skin involvement, 11 patients with lymph node involvement, 11 patients with orbital involvement, and 28 patients with other parts involvement. Patients with skin involvement had a higher proportion of advanced disease and a lower proportion of CD56 positive rate compared to those with oropharyngeal involvement. Among the patients with gastrointestinal involvement, the survival rate of patients who received pegaspargase regimen was significantly higher than those who were treated without pegaspargase (P < 0.01). Multivariate analysis showed that serum creatinine was an independent prognostic factor for patients with skin involvement ( HR =1.027, 95%CI : 1.001-1.054, P =0.040), ECOG PS and EBV DNA were independent prognostic factors for patients with gastrointestinal involvement ( HR =2.635, 95%CI : 1.096-6.338, P =0.030; HR =4.772, 95% CI : 1.092-20.854, P =0.038), and ECOG PS and CA stage were independent prognostic factors for patients with oropharyngeal involvement ( HR =13.875, 95%CI : 2.517-76.496, P =0.002; HR =20.261, 95%CI : 2.466-166.470, P =0.005). CONCLUSION The clinicopathological characteristics of extranasal NKTCL patients with different sites of involvement are vary, and effective individualized treatment need to be further explored.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Asparaginase/therapeutic use* ; Lymphoma, Extranodal NK-T-Cell/pathology* ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Polyethylene Glycols

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic effect of Xiangshao Granules (XSG) on post-stroke depression (PSD) and explore the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Forty-three C57BL/6J mice were divided into 3 groups: sham (n=15), PSD+vehicle (n=14), and PSD+XSG (n=14) groups according to a random number table. The PSD models were constructed using chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). The sham group only experienced the same surgical operation, but without MACO and CUMS stimulation. The XSG group received XSG (60 mg/kg per day) by gavage for 4 weeks. The mice in the sham and vehicle groups were given the same volume of 0.9% saline at the same time. The body weight and behavior tests including open field test, sucrose preference test, tail suspension test, and elevated plus-maze test, were used to validate the PSD mouse model. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and immunofluorescence staining were used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of XSG. The potential molecular mechanisms were explored and verified through network pharmacology analysis, Nissl staining, Western blot, ELISA, and RT-qPCR, respectively. RESULTS: The body weight and behavior tests showed that MCAO combined with CUMS successfully established the PSD models. XSG alleviated neuronal damage, reduced the expressions of pro-apoptotic proteins Caspase-3 and B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2)-associated X (BAX), and increased the expression of anti-apoptotic protein BCL-2 in PSD mice (P<0.05 or P<0.01). XSG inhibited microglial activation and the expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1 β, and IL-6 via the toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor kappa-B signaling pathway in PSD mice (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Furthermore, XSG decreased the expression of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase1 (IDO1) and increased the concentration of 5-hydroxytryptamine in PSD mice (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION XSG could reverse the anxiety/depressionlike behaviors and reduce the neuronal injury in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of PSD mice, which may be a potential therapeutic agent for PSD.
Animals ; Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase/metabolism* ; Depression/etiology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Hippocampus/metabolism* ; Male ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Prefrontal Cortex/pathology* ; Microglia/metabolism* ; Stroke/drug therapy* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mice ; Behavior, Animal/drug effects*

OBJECTIVE: Pneumoconiosis, a lung disease caused by irreversible fibrosis, represents a significant public health burden. This study investigates the causal relationships between gut microbiota, gene methylation, gene expression, protein levels, and pneumoconiosis using a multi-omics approach and Mendelian randomization (MR). METHODS: We analyzed gut microbiota data from MiBioGen and Esteban et al. to assess their potential causal effects on pneumoconiosis subtypes (asbestosis, silicosis, and inorganic pneumoconiosis) using conventional and summary-data-based MR (SMR). Gene methylation and expression data from Genotype-Tissue Expression and eQTLGen, along with protein level data from deCODE and UK Biobank Pharma Proteomics Project, were examined in relation to pneumoconiosis data from FinnGen. To validate our findings, we assessed self-measured gut flora from a pneumoconiosis cohort and performed fine mapping, drug prediction, molecular docking, and Phenome-Wide Association Studies to explore relevant phenotypes of key genes. RESULTS: Three core gut microorganisms were identified: Romboutsia ( OR = 0.249) as a protective factor against silicosis, Pasteurellaceae ( OR = 3.207) and Haemophilus parainfluenzae ( OR = 2.343) as risk factors for inorganic pneumoconiosis. Additionally, mapping and quantitative trait loci analyses revealed that the genes VIM, STX8, and MIF were significantly associated with pneumoconiosis risk. CONCLUSIONS This multi-omics study highlights the associations between gut microbiota and key genes ( VIM, STX8, MIF) with pneumoconiosis, offering insights into potential therapeutic targets and personalized treatment strategies.
Humans ; Male ; East Asian People/genetics* ; Europe ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Lung ; Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors/metabolism* ; Mendelian Randomization Analysis ; Multiomics ; Pneumoconiosis/microbiology* ; Intramolecular Oxidoreductases

Objective:To observe the clinical effect of lower eyelid blepharoplasty combined with micro-autologous fat transplantation (MAFT) in the rejuvenation of the infraorbital regions.Method:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of patients with lower eyelid pouch and tear trough treated with lower eyelid blepharoplasty combined with MAFT in the Department of Plastic Surgery of Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine from March 2020 to March 2022. Patients seeked medical attention due to lower eyelid pouch and tear trough, with or without skin laxity, and some patients had varying degrees of midface depression. After preoperative examination and evaluation of the patient’s infraorbital area and midfacial depression, appropriate individualized plans were developed.The patient underwent lower eyelid blepharoplasty by transconjunctival approach combined with tear trough MAFT. For patients with low or depressed midface, midface MAFT was also performed, and for patients with skin laxity, skin removal surgery was performed simultaneously. Complications were recorded after the operation. Preoperative and postoperative photos of more than 6 months were taken with the same postion and delivered to the same doctor to grade the patient’s Barton classification (0-3 grades, with higher grade indicating more obvious tear trough deformity). The improvement of tear trough deformity after surgery was assessed, and the global aesthetic improvement scale (GAIS) score was also assessed. The patients evaluated their improvement using the patients aesthetic improvement scale (PAIS) score (GAIS and PAIS are both 1-5 points, with higher scores indicating more significant postoperative improvement). Normal distribution metric data was represented by Mean±SD, and count data was represented by frequency and/or percentage; skewed distribution metric data was represented by M ( Q1, Q3), and compared by rank sum test. Results:A total of 69 patients were enrolled, including 9 males and 60 females, aged 25-45 years, with an average age of 36.7 years. Among them, 35 patients had midfacial depression, and 11 patients had skin laxity. (0.37±0.07) ml (0.2-0.6 ml) of micro-autologous fat was injected into the orbicularis oculi muscle on each side; (0.18±0.06) ml (0.1-0.2 ml) of micro-autologous fat was injected into the subcutaneous layer on each side; (3.80±0.98) ml (3-5 ml) of micro-autologous fat was injected into the deep medial cheek fat compartment and pyriform aperture fat compartment on each side. No serious complications occurred after the surgery. Postoperative follow-up lasted for 6-13 months, with an average of 8.7 months. The patient’s lower eyelid pouch, tear trough deformity, and depression in the midface have all improved, presenting a youthful and smooth appearance from the infraorbital area to the midface. The skin texture in the lower eyelid area had also improved. At the last follow-up, the Barton classification of the lacrimal groove decreased compared with that before surgery, and the difference was statistically significant [grade 0 (0, 1) vs. grade 2 (1, 2), Z=-7.62, P<0.001]. At the last follow-up, the PAIS score of 69 patients was 5 points in 49 cases (71%) and 4 points in 20 cases (29%); doctor’s GAIS score was 5 points in 38 cases (55%), 4 points in 27 cases (39%), and 3 points in 4 cases (6%) . Conclusion:For those patients with aging status of infraorbital region, like lower eyelid pouch and tear trough deformities, the combination of lower eyelid blepharoplasty through the transconjunctival approach and MAFT can achieve good therapeutic effects. This method is safe with a short recovery time.

Objective:To observe the clinical effect of lower eyelid blepharoplasty combined with micro-autologous fat transplantation (MAFT) in the rejuvenation of the infraorbital regions.Method:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of patients with lower eyelid pouch and tear trough treated with lower eyelid blepharoplasty combined with MAFT in the Department of Plastic Surgery of Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine from March 2020 to March 2022. Patients seeked medical attention due to lower eyelid pouch and tear trough, with or without skin laxity, and some patients had varying degrees of midface depression. After preoperative examination and evaluation of the patient’s infraorbital area and midfacial depression, appropriate individualized plans were developed.The patient underwent lower eyelid blepharoplasty by transconjunctival approach combined with tear trough MAFT. For patients with low or depressed midface, midface MAFT was also performed, and for patients with skin laxity, skin removal surgery was performed simultaneously. Complications were recorded after the operation. Preoperative and postoperative photos of more than 6 months were taken with the same postion and delivered to the same doctor to grade the patient’s Barton classification (0-3 grades, with higher grade indicating more obvious tear trough deformity). The improvement of tear trough deformity after surgery was assessed, and the global aesthetic improvement scale (GAIS) score was also assessed. The patients evaluated their improvement using the patients aesthetic improvement scale (PAIS) score (GAIS and PAIS are both 1-5 points, with higher scores indicating more significant postoperative improvement). Normal distribution metric data was represented by Mean±SD, and count data was represented by frequency and/or percentage; skewed distribution metric data was represented by M ( Q1, Q3), and compared by rank sum test. Results:A total of 69 patients were enrolled, including 9 males and 60 females, aged 25-45 years, with an average age of 36.7 years. Among them, 35 patients had midfacial depression, and 11 patients had skin laxity. (0.37±0.07) ml (0.2-0.6 ml) of micro-autologous fat was injected into the orbicularis oculi muscle on each side; (0.18±0.06) ml (0.1-0.2 ml) of micro-autologous fat was injected into the subcutaneous layer on each side; (3.80±0.98) ml (3-5 ml) of micro-autologous fat was injected into the deep medial cheek fat compartment and pyriform aperture fat compartment on each side. No serious complications occurred after the surgery. Postoperative follow-up lasted for 6-13 months, with an average of 8.7 months. The patient’s lower eyelid pouch, tear trough deformity, and depression in the midface have all improved, presenting a youthful and smooth appearance from the infraorbital area to the midface. The skin texture in the lower eyelid area had also improved. At the last follow-up, the Barton classification of the lacrimal groove decreased compared with that before surgery, and the difference was statistically significant [grade 0 (0, 1) vs. grade 2 (1, 2), Z=-7.62, P<0.001]. At the last follow-up, the PAIS score of 69 patients was 5 points in 49 cases (71%) and 4 points in 20 cases (29%); doctor’s GAIS score was 5 points in 38 cases (55%), 4 points in 27 cases (39%), and 3 points in 4 cases (6%) . Conclusion:For those patients with aging status of infraorbital region, like lower eyelid pouch and tear trough deformities, the combination of lower eyelid blepharoplasty through the transconjunctival approach and MAFT can achieve good therapeutic effects. This method is safe with a short recovery time.

OBJECTIVE To explore the effect of Tuoli Xiaodusan(MDX)on ischemia-reperfusion injury of rat skin flaps and its potential mechanism.METHODS Rats were randomly divided into sham operation group(Sham group),Model group,MDX high-dose group(MDX-H group)and MDX low-dose group(MDX-L group),with 10 rats in each group.After the rat back skin flap model was successfully constructed,the drug was administered by gavage immediately,once a day for 14 consecutive days.The changes of rat skin flaps in each group after surgery were observed,and the survival rate of rat skin flaps in each group was measured on the 14th day after surgery;the histopathological changes of rat skin flaps were observed by HE staining;the protein expression of p-p65 and p-IκBα in the rat skin flap tissue was detected by Western blot;ELISA method was used to detect the expression of TNF-α,IL-1β,and IL-6 cytokines;Ki67 and CD31 immunohistochemical staining were used to observe epidermal basal layer cell prolifera-tion and vascular regeneration.RESULTS Compared with Model group,MDX-H group and MDX-L group had a small amount of e-dema and inflammatory fluid exudation after surgery,and the scab removal time was advanced;the ischemic necrosis of the skin flap was significantly improved,the area of skin flap necrosis was significantly decreased,and the survival rate of rat skin flaps was signifi-cantly increased(P<0.01).In addition,MDX could significantly improve the pathological morphology of ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat back skin flaps,reduce the expression of p-p65 and p-IκBα proteins(P<0.001),and decrease the levels of TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6 inflammatory factor levels(P<0.05,P<0.01,P<0.001,P<0.000 1).The differences in Ki67 and CD31 also suggested that treatment with MDX accelerate re-epithelialization and blood vessel formation after ischemic flap injury.CONCLUSION MDX plays a role in improving ischemia-reperfusion injury of skin flaps by regulating the NF-κB signaling pathway and accelerating epithelializa-tion and angiogenesis.

Objective:To investigate the distribution characteristics of urinary tract pathogens in patients with community-acquired urinary tract infection and their sensitivity to nenoxacin and levofloxacin.Methods:This prospective, multicenter clinical trial included patients with community-acquired urinary tract infection who were admitted to urological clinics at 9 clinical research centers from November 2021 to August 2022.Inclusion criteria: Patients aged 18-70 years with community-acquired acute uncomplicated cystitis(AUC), recurrent acute episodes of urinary tract infection(rUTI), and non-febrile complicated urinary tract infection(cUTI) with signs of urinary tract irritation and abnormal elevation of routine white blood cells in urine. Exclusion criteria: ①Patients who received effective antimicrobial therapy within 72 h before enrollment and lasted for more than 24 h. ②Fever (>37.3℃) or symptoms of upper urinary tract infection such as low back pain, tapping pain in the kidney area, etc. ③Indwelling urinary catheter. At the first visit, clean midstream urine samples were taken for bacterial culture, and the distribution characteristics of urinary pathogens of different types of urinary tract infections were analyzed. Extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) were measured for Gram-negative bacteria. The susceptibility of nenoxacin and levofloxacin to urinary tract pathogens was determined by disk diffusion method. Drug resistance rate, sensitivity rate were analyzed between different disease groups.Results:There were 404 enrolled patients from 9 hospitals, including 364 (90.1%) females and 40 (9.9%) males. A total of 177 strains of pathogenic bacteria were isolated, among which the highest proportion of Escherichia coli was 66.1% (117/177).Klebsiella pneumoniae was followed by 6.8% (12/177) and Streptococcus agalactis 5.1% (9/177). The bacterial spectrum distribution of AUC and rUTI were similar, and the proportions of Escherichia coli were 70.6% (85/119) and 65.9% (29/44), respectively. However, the proportions of Escherichia coli isolated from cUTI patients were only 28.6% (4/14) and Enterococcus faecalis 7.1%(1/14). The overall detection rate of ESBLs in Gram-negative bacteria was 30.9%(43/139). The sensitivity rate of nenoxacin was 74.6%(91/122), and the resistance rate was 25.4%(31/122). The overall sensitivity rate of levofloxacin was 44.9%(70/156) and the resistance rate was 36.5%(57/156). The rate of resistance of urinary tract pathogens to levofloxacin was 48.2% (27/56) in patients with previous urinary tract infection history, and 30.0% (30/100) in patients with no previous urinary tract infection history, the difference was statistically significant( P=0.023).The sensitivity rate of Gram-negative bacteria to nenofloxacin was 70.7% (65/92) and that to levofloxacin was 50.0% (46/92, P<0.001). The sensitivity of Gram-positive bacteria to nenofloxacin was 80.0% (16/20), and that to levofloxacin was 70.0% (14/20, P=0.009). Conclusions:The bacterial profile of out-patient community acquired urinary tract infection varies greatly according to different diseases. The proportion of Escherichia coli in AUC and rUTI patients is higher than that in cUTI. The detection rate of ESBLs in Gram-negative bacteria was lower than the domestic average.Patients with a history of urinary tract infection had a high risk of treatment failure with levofloxacin. The sensitivity of common urinary tract pathogens to nenofloxacin was higher than levofloxacin.