Objective To explore the recognition capabilities of electronic nose combined with machine learning in identifying the breath odor map of benign and malignant pulmonary nodules and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndrome elements. Methods The study design was a single-center observational study. General data and four diagnostic information were collected from 108 patients with pulmonary nodules admitted to the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery of Hospital of Chengdu University of TCM from April 2023 to March 2024. The patients' TCM disease location and nature distribution characteristics were analyzed using the syndrome differentiation method. The Cyranose 320 electronic nose was used to collect the odor profiles of oral exhalation, and five machine learning algorithms including random forest (RF), K-nearest neighbor (KNN), logistic regression (LR), support vector machine (SVM), and eXtreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) were employed to identify the exhaled breath profiles of benign and malignant pulmonary nodules and different TCM syndromes. Results (1) The common disease locations in pulmonary nodules were ranked in descending order as liver, lung, and kidney; the common disease natures were ranked in descending order as Yin deficiency, phlegm, dampness, Qi stagnation, and blood deficiency. (2) The electronic nose combined with the RF algorithm had the best efficacy in identifying the exhaled breath profiles of benign and malignant pulmonary nodules, with an AUC of 0.91, accuracy of 86.36%, specificity of 75.00%, and sensitivity of 92.85%. (3) The electronic nose combined with RF, LR, or XGBoost algorithms could effectively identify the different TCM disease locations and natures of pulmonary nodules, with classification accuracy, specificity, and sensitivity generally exceeding 80.00%.Conclusion Electronic nose combined with machine learning not only has the potential capabilities to differentiate the benign and malignant pulmonary nodules, but also provides new technologies and methods for the objective diagnosis of TCM syndromes in pulmonary nodules.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the intervention effect of Dabufei decoction on acute lung injury in rats with high altitude hypoxia by regulating the expression of the HIF-1α/NLRP3 signaling pathway and related molecules. METHODS Sixty SPF SD rats were randomly divided into blank group, model group, positive drug group, Dabufei decoction high-dose, medium-dose, and low-dose groups with 10 rats in each group. After 3 d of adaptation to feeding, the rats in the blank group and model group were given the same amount of normal saline by gavage, and the rats in Dabufei decoction high-dose, medium-dose, and low-dose groups were given gavage for 14 d, respectively. The positive drug group was given dexamethasone by intraperitoneal injection for three consecutive days before entering the chamber. Except for the blank group, the rats in each group were exposed to hypoxia in the experimental animal low-pressure simulation chamber from the 15th day for three consecutive days. At the end of the experiment, the wet to dry ratio(W/D) of the rat lung tissue was detected. The morphology of lung tissue was observed by HE staining. ELISA detected the levels of IL-1β and IL-18 in serum. Western blotting and RT-qPCR were used to detect the protein and mRNA expressions of HIF-1α, NLRP3, GSDMD, and caspase-1 in the lung tissue of rats. RESULTS The W/D value showed that compared with the blank group, the W/D of the model group was significantly increased(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the W/D of rats in the positive drug group, Dabufei decoction high-dose group, medium-dose, and low-dose groups was significantly decreased(P<0.01 or P<0.05). HE results showed that compared with the blank group, alveolar septum thickening, pulmonary interstitial congestion, edema, inflammatory cell infiltration, and a small amount of exudation in the alveolar cavity were seen in the lung tissue of the model group. Compared with the model group, the thickening of alveolar walls in the positive drug group, Dabufei decoction high-dose group, medium-dose, and low-dose groups were reduced, and the pulmonary interstitial congestion, edema, and inflammatory cell infiltration were significantly reduced. ELISA results showed that IL-1β and IL-18 in rat serum were significantly higher in the model group than in the blank group(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the levels of IL-1β and IL-18 in the serum of the rats in the positive drug group, Dabufei decoction high-dose group, medium-dose, and low-dose groups were significantly decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01). Moreover, the results of Western blotting and RT-qPCR showed that compared with the blank group, the relative protein and mRNA expressions of HIF-1α, NLRP3, GSDMD, and caspase-1 in the lung tissue of the model group were significantly increased(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the relative protein and mRNA of HIF-1α, NLRP3, caspase-1 and GSDMD in the positive drug group and Dabufei decoction high-dose group were significantly decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01), the relative protein of HIF-1α, NLRP3, caspase-1 and GSDMD in Dabufei decoction medium-dose group were significantly decreased and HIF-1α, caspase-1 mRNA were significantly decreased(P<0.05), the relative protein of HIF-1α and GSDMD in the low-dose group was decreased(P<0.05). The positive drug group and Dabufei decoction high-dose group had the more significant effect. CONCLUSION Dabufei decoction can regulate the HIF-1α/NLRP3 signaling pathway, inhibit pyroptosis and reduce inflammation, and has a certain protective effect on acute lung injury in rats with high altitude hypoxia.

Objective:To study anti-tumor effect of Dunhuang medical prescription Dabupi Decoction on gastric cancer-bearing mice and effect of Dabupi Decoction combined with oxaliplatin on inflammatory immunity of gastric cancer-bearing mice based on IL-17/NF-κB signaling pathway.Methods:Mouse model of MFC gastric cancer subcutaneously bearing tumor was established and ran-domly divided into model group,oxaliplatin group,high,medium and low doses of Dabupi Decoction combined with oxaliplatin groups[21.58,10.79,5.40 g/(kg·d)],with 10 mice in each group,male and female cage rearing.Administration began after 8 days of inoculation and continued for 14 days;next day after the last administration,eyeball blood was taken,mice were killed,tumor tissues were taken and weighed,and tumor inhibition rate was calculated.ELISA was used to detect contents of IL-17 and IL-6 in mice serum,immunohistochemistry(IHC),RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect IL-17,IL-6,NF-κB and p-NF-κB mRNA and protein expressions in mice tumor tissues,respectively.Results:Tumor inhibition rates of oxaliplatin group,high,medium and low doses of Dabupi decoction combined with oxaliplatin groups were 33.02%,52.92%,46.33%and 39.52%,respectively,and tumor quality of each treatment group was significantly lower than that of model group(P<0.01).High,medium and low doses of Dabupi Decoction combined with oxaliplatin groups were higher than that of oxaliplatin group.Compared with model group,contents of IL-17 and IL-6 in serum and expressions of IL-17,IL-6,NF-κB p65 and pNF-κB p65 mRNA and protein in tumor tissues in each treatment group were significantly reduced(P<0.01,P<0.05).Compared with oxaliplatin group,levels of IL-17 and IL-6 in serum and expres-sions of IL-17,IL-6,NF-κB p65 and pNF-κB p65 mRNA and protein in tumor tissues in high and medium doses of Dabupi Decoction combined with oxaliplatin groups were significantly reduced(P<0.01,P<0.05).Conclusion:Dunhuang medical prescription Dabupi Decoction has a certain anti-tumor effect on MFC gastric cancer-bearing mice,which can regulate inflammatory immunity and inhibit occurrence and development of gastric cancer by inhibiting IL-17/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Objective:To explore changes of acid-base metabolism in the brain tissue of patients with chronic ischemic cerebrovascular disease (CICVD) using MRI amide proton transfer-weighted (APTw) imaging.Methods:This was a cross-sectional study. From January 2021 to July 2022, thirty-nine patients with CICVD at West China Hospital, Sichuan University were retrospectively included. All patients received CT perfusion (CTP) and APTw imaging. NeuBrainCARE brain perfusion software was used to analyze the impaired perfusion sites and measure the mean transit time (MTT) and time to peak (TTP). Standard spatial matching between CTP and APTw images was performed to measure the APTw values of the same sites. For comparison with normal tissue, APTw values were measured for normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) in the ipsilateral cerebral hemisphere, the contralateral cerebral hemisphere, and the ipsilateral cerebellar hemisphere in areas of impaired perfusion. ANOVA was used to compare the APTw values of impaired perfusion brain tissue, ipsilateral cerebral NAWM, contralateral cerebral NAWM, and ipsilateral cerebellar NAWM. The Bonferroni method was used to correct for multiple comparisons. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to analyze the correlation between APTw values and MTT and TTP in the cerebral tissue with impaired perfusion.Results:In 39 patients with CICVD, both the mean and minimum APTw values of cerebral tissue with impaired perfusion were significantly lower than those in the NAWM of the ipsilateral cerebral hemisphere, the contralateral cerebral hemisphere, and the ipsilateral cerebellar hemisphere ( P<0.001). In the NAWM of the cerebellar hemispheres with unimpaired perfusion, both the mean and minimum APTw values were significantly higher than those in the ipsilateral cerebral hemispheres and the contralateral cerebral hemisphere ( P<0.001). Correlation analysis showed that MTT was significantly negatively correlated with both the mean APTw and the minimum APTw ( r values were -0.90 and -0.82, P<0.001). TTP was significantly negatively correlated with both the mean APTw and the minimum APTw ( r values were -0.86 and -0.78, P<0.001). Conclusion:APTw value can reflect acidosis in cerebral tissue with impaired perfusion in patients with CICVD.

Objective A neuroblastoma(NB)liver transplantation model was established and compared with the adrenal orthotopic transplantation model to explore its characteristics.Methods 5× 105 SK-N-SH cells were implanted along the long axis of the left lobe of mouse livers with a micro-injection needle.The growth,metastasis,expression of related genes,and histopathological changes of tumors were detected after the modeling.Results The tumor formation rate in mice inoculated with tumor cells reached 100％after 21 days,and tumor growth,metastasis,related gene expression changes,and pathological characteristics were apparent.Conclusions In this study,a neuroblastoma liver transplantation model was successfully constructed via a relatively simple surgical method to provide a more suitable choice for future scientific NB experiments.

Objective To study the effects of Gouteng Jiangya Jieyu Prescription(Uncariae Ramulus cum Uncis,Gastrodiae Rhizoma,Pheretima,Puerariae Lobatae Radix,Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,etc.)on learning and memory ability,hippocampal inflammatory response and autophagy-related protein expression in rats with hypertension complicated with depression(HD).Methods Thirty spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR)were randomly divided into model group,positive control group(Levamlodipine Besylate 0.45 mg·kg-1+Fluoxetine Hydrochloride 1.80 mg·kg-1)and Gouteng Jiangya Jieyu Prescription high-,medium-and low-dose groups(25.38,12.69,6.34 g·kg-1).Another 6 SD rats were used as blank control group.The SHR rats were intervened by chronic mild unpredictable stress combined with solitary rearing to replicate the HD rat model.At the same time,intragastric administration was given once a day for 6 weeks.The systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure of rat tail artery were measured by non-invasive sphygmomanometer.The learning and memory ability of rats was detected by Morris water maze test.The ultrastructure of hippocampal neurons was observed by transmission electron microscope.The contents of interleukin-1β(IL-1β),IL-18 and IL-10 in hippocampus were detected by ELISA.The expression of autophagy-related proteins Beclin1 and Bcl-2 in hippocampus was detected by immunohistochemistry.The expression of autophagy-related proteins LC3Ⅰ and LC3Ⅱ in hippocampus was detected by Western Blot.Results Compared with the blank control group,the SBP and DBP of the rats in the model group were significantly increased from week 1-6(P＜0.01).The escape latency was significantly prolonged on the third and fourth day(P＜0.01).The first time of crossing the platform was significantly prolonged(P＜0.01),the times of crossing the platform area was significantly reduced(P＜0.05),and the retention time of the platform area was significantly shortened(P＜0.01).The neuronal cell body was obviously swollen,the ridge was destroyed,the nucleus was shrunk,and a large number of autophagosomes appeared;the contents of IL-1β and IL-18 in hippocampus were significantly increased(P＜0.01).The ratio of LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ protein expression and the expression of Beclin1 protein in hippocampus were significantly up-regulated(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),and the expression of Bcl-2 protein was significantly down-regulated(P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the SBP of rats in the low-dose group of Gouteng Jiangya Jieyu Prescription was significantly decreased at the weeks 1,3,4,5,6(P＜0.01),and the DBP was significantly decreased at weeks 1,3,4,5(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).The SBP of the rats in the medium-dose group of Gouteng Jiangya Jieyu Prescription was significantly decreased at weeks 1,5,6(P＜0.01),and the DBP was significantly decreased at week 4(P＜0.05).The SBP of rats in the high-dose group of Gouteng Jiangya Jieyu Prescription was significantly decreased in the first week(P＜0.01).The escape latency of rats in the high-and medium-dose groups of Gouteng Jiangya Jieyu Prescription was significantly shortened on the third day(P＜0.05),and the escape latency of rats in the high-and low-dose groups of Gouteng Jiangya Jieyu Prescription was significantly shortened on the fourth day(P＜0.05).The first crossing platform time of rats in the high-,medium-and low-dose groups of Gouteng Jiangya Jieyu Prescription was significantly shortened(P＜0.01).The times of rats crossing the platform area in the medium-and low-dose groups of Gouteng Jiangya Jieyu Prescription were significantly increased(P＜0.05),and the retention time in the platform area was significantly prolonged(P＜0.05).In the administration group,the degree of hippocampal neuron damage was reduced,the nuclear shrinkage was significantly improved,and the autophagosomes were reduced.The contents of pro-inflammatory factors IL-1β and IL-18 in the hippocampus of rats in the high-and medium-dose groups of Gouteng Jiangya Jieyu Prescription were significantly decreased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).The content of anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 in the hippocampus of rats in the high-dose group of Gouteng Jiangya Jieyu Prescription was significantly increased(P＜0.01).The protein expression ratio of LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ in hippocampus of high-,medium-and low-dose groups of Gouteng Jiangya Jieyu Prescription was significantly down-regulated(P＜0.01),and the expression of Bcl-2 protein was significantly up-regulated(P＜0.01).The expression of Beclin1 protein in the hippocampus of the high-and medium-dose groups of Gouteng Jiangya Jieyu Prescription was significantly down-regulated(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Conclusion Gouteng Jiangya Jieyu Prescription can reduce the tail arterial pressure of HD rats,improve their learning and memory ability,and alleviate hippocampal neuronal damage.The mechanism may be related to reducing the release of inflammatory factors,increasing the level of anti-inflammatory factors,and regulating the expression of hippocampal autophagy-related proteins LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ,Beclin1 and Bcl-2.

ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of Guiqi Baizhu prescription combined with oxaliplatin on the intestinal barrier of tumor-bearing mice with gastric cancer by regulating downstream aquaporin 3 （AQP3） and aquaporin 4 （AQP4） through the vasoactive intestinal peptide （VIP）/cyclic adenosine monophosphate （cAMP）/protein kinase A （PKA） signaling pathway. MethodThe gastric cancer cell lines MFC with a density of 1×10⁷/mL were prepared into cell suspension. The tumor-bearing mouse model of gastric cancer was established by inoculating 0.2 mL cell suspension under the right axilla of mice. After successful modeling， mice were randomly divided into 5 groups， namely， model group， oxaliplatin group （10 mg·kg^-1）， and high， medium， and low-dose oxaliplatin + Guiqi Baizhu prescription groups （17.68， 8.84， 4.42 g·kg^-1）， with 10 mice in each group， and the remaining 10 mice were set as a blank group. Mice in each group were treated with Chinese medicine， oxaliplatin， or normal saline by gavage or intraperitoneal injection for 14 d. The next day after the last dose， blood was taken from the eyeball to separate serum and take colonic samples. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the changes in tissue morphology. The content of D-lactate acid （D-LA） and diamine oxidase （DAO） in the serum was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The mRNA and protein expressions of VIP， cAMP， PKA， AQP3， and AQP4 were detected by Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot， respectively. ResultCompared with the blank group， the model group showed edema in the colonic submucosa， disordered arrangement of intestinal glands in the mucosal layer， loss of goblet cells， infiltration of inflammatory cells， and villus shedding. However， there were different degrees of improvement in each administration group. As compared with the blank group， the serum levels of DAO and D-LA in the model group were significantly increased （P<0.01）. As compared with the model group， the levels of DAO and D-LA in the high-dose oxaliplatin + Guiqi Baizhu prescription group and the level of D-LA in the medium-dose oxaliplatin + Guiqi Baizhu prescription group were decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. As compared with the oxaliplatin group， the levels of D-LA in the high and medium-dose oxaliplatin + Guiqi Baizhu prescription groups were decreased （P<0.05）， and the levels of DAO and D-LA in other administration groups were decreased as well， but the difference had no statistical significance. As compared with the blank group， the mRNA and protein expression levels of VIP， cAMP， PKA， AQP3， and AQP4 in the model group were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. As compared with the model group， the mRNA and protein expression levels of VIP， cAMP， PKA， AQP3， and AQP4 in each administration group were increased， and those in the high-dose oxaliplatin + Guiqi Baizhu prescription group were significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while the protein expression level of cAMP in the medium-dose oxaliplatin + Guiqi Baizhu prescription group were increased （P<0.05）. As compared with the oxaliplatin group， the protein expression levels of cAMP in the high-dose oxaliplatin + Guiqi Baizhu prescription group were increased （P<0.05）， and the mRNA and protein expressions of these indexes in the other groups were also increased but the differences were not statistically significant. ConclusionGuiqi Baizhu prescription combined with oxaliplatin can regulate AQP3 and AQP4 through the VIP/cAMP/PKA signaling pathway to protect the intestinal barrier of tumor-bearing mice with gastric cancer.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Huangqi Baihe granules on the hypoxia-inducible factor 1α （HIF-1α）/nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB）/NOD-like receptor hot protein domain related protein 3 （NLRP3） signaling pathway in a rat model of high altitude hypoxia. MethodSixty male SPF SD rats were randomly divided into blank group， model group， dexamethasone group （5 mg·kg^-1）， and high， middle， and low-dose groups of Huangqi Baihe granules （4.1， 2.05， 1.025 g·kg^-1）. Among them， each Chinese medicine group was administrated orally for continuously 14 d， once a day， and the dexamethasone group was injected intraperitoneally for continuously 3 d as the positive control group. On the 15^th d， the model group， dexamethasone group， and high， middle， and low dose groups of Huangqi Baihe granules were exposed to the simulated high altitude， low pressure， and low oxygen environment in the animal low-pressure simulation cabin， and the exposure lasted for 3 d. Blood was collected from the abdominal aorta and serum was separated， and the brain tissue was taken after being killed. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the pathological changes in brain tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect the content of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and interleukin-1β （IL-1β） in rat serum. Western blot was used to detect HIF-1α， NLRP3， phosphorylated nuclear factor-κB （p-NF-κB）， NF-κB， desquamation D （GSDMD）， and cysteine aspartate-specitis protein-1（Caspase-1） in rats of each group. The mRNA expression levels of HIF-1α， NLRP3， NF-κB p65， GSDMD， and Caspase-1 were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. ResultThe results of HE staining showed that as compared with the normal group， the pathological sections of brain tissues in the model group showed that pyramidal cells were loosely arranged and distributed in disorder， with different sizes. Compared with the model group， the pathological changes in pyramidal cells in the dexamethasone group and high and middle-dose groups of Huangqi Baihe granules were reduced. The results of ELISA showed that as compared with the normal group， the content of TNF-α， IL-6， and IL-1β in the serum of rats in the model group was significantly higher （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the content of TNF-α， IL-6， and IL-1β in the serum of rats in the dexamethasone group and high and middle-dose groups of Huangqi Baihe granules decreased significantly （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The results of Western blot showed that as compared with the normal group， the relative protein expression levels of HIF-1α， NLRP3， p-NF-κB p65， GSDMD， and Caspase-1 in the brain tissue of the model group were significantly higher （P<0.01）. As compared with the model group， the relative expressions of HIF-1α， NLRP3， p-NF-κB p65， GSDMD， and Caspase-1 in the brain tissue of rats in the dexamethasone group and the high-dose group of Huangqi Baihe granules were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The relative protein expression levels of HIF-1α， NLRP3， p-NF-κB p65， and Caspase-1 in the brain tissue of rats in the middle-dose group of Huangqi Baihe granules decreased significantly （P<0.01）， and the relative protein expression of HIF-1α in the brain tissue of rats in the low-dose group of Huangqi Baihe granules was reduced （P<0.05）. The Real-time PCR analysis showed that as compared with the normal group， the mRNA expression levels of HIF-1α， NLRP3， NF-κB p65， GSDMD， and Caspase-1 in the brain tissue of the model group were significantly increased （P<0.01）. As compared with the model group， the mRNA expression levels of HIF-1α， NLRP3， NF-κB p65， GSDMD， and Caspase-1 in the brain tissue of rats in the dexamethasone group were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The mRNA expression levels of HIF-1α， NF-κB p65， GSDMD， and Caspase-1 in the brain tissue of rats in the high-dose group of Huangqi Baihe granules decreased significantly （P<0.01）. The mRNA expression levels of HIF-1α， NLRP3， and Caspase-1in the brain tissue of rats in the middle-dose group of Huangqi granules decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionThe protective effect of Huangqi Baihe granules on acute brain injury in low-pressure hypoxic rats may be related to the HIF-1α/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway.

The complexity of oral ulcerations poses considerable diagnostic and therapeutic challenges to oral specialists. The expert consensus was conducted to summarize the diagnostic work-up for difficult and complicated oral ulcers, based on factors such as detailed clinical medical history inquiry, histopathological examination, and ulceration-related systemic diseases screening. Not only it can provide a standardized procedure of oral ulceration, but also it can improve the diagnostic efficiency, in order to avoid misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis.
Consensus ; Humans ; Oral Ulcer/therapy*

To evaluate the application of medical magnifying loupes in diagnosis of oral mucosal diseases. Twenty-four patients with plaque-type oral lichen planus or homogeneous oral leukoplakia were inspected by naked eyes or assistance with magnifying loupes. Histopathological results were used as the gold standard to evaluate the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the two methods in clinical diagnosis. Questionnaires were used to evaluate the subjective effect of magnifying loupes on the diagnosis efficiency of oral mucosal diseases and to explore the most suitable parameters for application. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of medical magnifying loupes for the identification of plaque-type oral lichen planus and homogeneous oral leukoplakia were 94.74%, 100.00% and 95.83%, respectively, which were significantly higher than those of naked eye inspection (89.47%, 80.00% and 87.50%). The effective rate of magnifying loupes assisted diagnosis was 91.76% according to physicians' subjective evaluation. The most suitable parameters were 3.5 times magnification and working distance. The medical magnifying loupes can effectively improve the efficiency of the inspection and diagnosis of oral mucosal diseases, and have the characteristics of convenience and real-time. The recommended clinical parameters are 3.5 times magnification and working distance.
Efficiency ; Humans ; Lenses ; Surveys and Questionnaires