ObjectiveTo explore the clinical efficacy and safety of Da Chaihutang （DCH） for the treatment of sepsis with Yang syndrome. MethodsA total of 70 patients suffering from sepsis with Yang syndrome were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group， with 35 cases in each group. They both received standard Western medicine treatment. The observation group was additionally given a dose of DCH， which was boiled into 100 mL and taken twice. The control group was additionally given an equal volume and dosage of warm water. The intervention lasted for three days. The 28-day all-cause mortality and the changes in the following indicators before and after intervention were compared between the two groups， including sequential organ failure assessment （SOFA）， acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ （APACHE Ⅱ） score，white blood cell （WBC），the percentage of neutrophils （NEU%），C-reactive protein （CRP），procalcitonin （PCT），alanine transaminase （ALT），aspartate transaminase （AST），total bilirubin （TBil），creatinine （Cr），blood urea nitrogen （BUN），acute gastrointestinal injury （AGI） grade，gastrointestinal dysfunction score （GDS），serum intestinal fatty acid-binding protein （iFABP）， citrulline （CR），platelet （PLT），prothrombin time（PT），activated partial thromboplastin time （APTT），fibrinogen （Fib），international normalized ratio （INR），and D-dimer （D-D）. ResultsThere was no significant difference between the two groups regarding 28-day all-cause mortality. After the intervention，SOFA，WBC，PCT，and Cr were significantly decreased， and PLT was significantly increased in the control group （P<0.05）. SOFA，APACHE Ⅱ，NEU%，CRP，PCT，ALT，AST，Cr，BUN，AGI grade，GDS，and serum iFABP and CR were significantly improved in the observation group （P<0.05）. After the intervention，APACHE Ⅱ，PCT，AGI grade，GDS，and serum iFABP in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group ，while CR and PLT were higher （P<0.05，P<0.01）. There were significant differences regarding the gap of SOFA，APACHE Ⅱ，AST，TBil，AGI grade，GDS，iFABP，CR， and PLT between the two groups （P<0.05，P<0.01）. There were slight differences regarding PT，APTT，Fib，INR，and D-D between the two groups，which were in the clinical normal range. ConclusionOn the basis of Western medicine， DCH helped to reduce sepsis severity and improved multiple organ dysfunction with high clinical efficacy and safety， but further research on its impact on the prognosis of patients with sepsis is still required.

Receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) functions as a key regulator in inflammation and cell death and is involved in mediating a variety of inflammatory or degenerative diseases. A number of allosteric RIPK1 inhibitors (RIPK1i) have been developed, and some of them have already advanced into clinical evaluation. Recently, selective RIPK1i that interact with both the allosteric pocket and the ATP-binding site of RIPK1 have started to emerge. Here, we report the rational development of a new series of type-II RIPK1i based on the rediscovery of a reported but mechanistically atypical RIPK3i. We also describe the structure-guided lead optimization of a potent, selective, and orally bioavailable RIPK1i, 62, which exhibits extraordinary efficacies in mouse models of acute or chronic inflammatory diseases. Collectively, 62 provides a useful tool for evaluating RIPK1 in animal disease models and a promising lead for further drug development.

ObjectiveTo describe the epidemic characteristics of COVID-19 after policy adjustment from “Category B notifiable disease with category A management” to “Category B notifiable disease with category B management”， and to explore the protective effect of previous infection with SARS-CoV-2 on common symptoms of reinfection. MethodsHealthcare workers infected with SARS-CoV-2 in a grade A tertiary hospital in Shanghai were included in the study from December 4， 2022 to January 11， 2023. Data on demographic characteristics， clinical symptoms， medical history， and COVID-19 vaccination history were collected. We determined the epidemiological curve and characteristics， and then compared the difference in the severity of clinical symptoms between primary and reinfection subjects. ResultsA total of 2 704 cases were included in the study， of which 45 had reinfection， 605 （22.4%）were males， 608 （22.5%）were doctors， 1 275 （47.2%） were nurses， and 2 351 （86.9%） received ≥3 doses of COVID-19 vaccination. The average age of these healthcare workers was （34.9±9.1） years old. The number of cases with mild/moderate illness， asymptomatic infection， fever， headache， dry cough， expectoration， and chest tightness were 2 704 （100.0%）， 92 （3.4%）， 2 385 （88.2%）， 2 066 （76.4%）， 1 642 （60.7%）， 1 807 （66.8%）， and 439 （16.2%）， respectively. Reinfection was a protective factor for fever （OR=0.161， P<0.001）， headache （OR=0.320， P<0.001）， and peak body temperature （β=-0.446， P<0.001）. ConclusionFollowing the COVID-19 policy adjustment as a category B notifiable disease， healthcare workers at a grade A tertiary hospital in Shanghai predominantly experiences mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms. Reinfection results in milder clinical manifestations， with a lower proportion of being asymptomatic.

Objective To investigate the effect of silencing alpha tubulin acetyltransferase 1(α-TAT1)on migration behavior of endothelial cells induced by hepatopulmonary syndrome(HPS).Methods Online database Tabula Muris was used to analyze the expression of α-TAT1 in various cell subsets in the lungs.Twenty-four male SD rats were randomly divided into control group(Sham group,n=6)and common bile duct ligation group(HPS group,n=18).The rats in HPS group were euthanasized at 2 and 4 weeks after modelling,and then the expression of α-TAT1 in pulmonary vascular endothelial cells was detected by immunofluorescence colocalization.The sera from the Sham and HPS rats were used to stimulate human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs)for 12 and 24 h,respectively.Then the obtained HUVECs were divided into 4 groups:Sham serum+siRNA NC group,Sham serum+siRNA α-TAT1 group,HPS serum+siRNA NC group,HPS serum+siRNA α-TAT1 group.The expression levels of α-TAT1 and Ace-α-tubulin in HUVECs were detected by Western blotting.Immunofluorescence assay was applied to observe the levels of polymerized microtubules of α-Tubulin in HUVECs after nocodazole(10 μmol/L)pretreatment to evaluate the stability of microtubule structure.Cell scratch assay combined with cell immunofluorescence assay was employed to observe the nuclear localization of Golgi apparatus and cell migration ability of HUVECs.The angiogenesis ability of HUVECs was tested by in vitro angiogenesis test.Results In vivo and in vitro experiments showed that the expression of α-TAT1 in endothelial cells was significantly increased after HPS inducement.The expression levels of α-TAT1 and Ace-α-tubulin were significantly down-regulated,and the stability of microtubules was weakened in the siRNA α-TAT1 interference group(P＜0.01).In addition,the distribution of GM 130 labeled Golgi apparatus in the protrusion of HUVECs was down-regulated in the siRNAα-TAT1 interference group,as well as the migration ability(P＜0.01).And the length of angiogenesis and network level were also significantly declined(P＜0.01).Conclusion Silencing α-TAT1 reduces the migrαtion and angiogenesis of endothelial cells in HPS,which was associated with weakened stabilization of microtubule.

Objective To exploring the effect of human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells(hAMSCs)on the re-pair of rat uterine scars.Methods The hAMSCs were isolated and cultured,Female SPF grade SD rats were selected for full-thickness incision of uterine wall and then implanted with hAMSCs.On the 30th day after op-eration,the uterine incision was examined histologically.ImageJ image analysis software was used to analyze and to compare the thickness of uterine myometrium and the percentage of fibrotic area in each group.Immuno-histochemical method was used for detecting the percentage of positive areas of α-SMA,TGF-β1,and Ki-67.Results Compared with the PBS group,the hAMSCs group showed significant thickening of the uterine mus-cle layer and fibrotic area was decreased,The positive expression of α-SMA,and Ki-67 significantly increased(P＜0.05),while the expression of TGF-β1 was significantly reduced(P＜0.05).Conclusions The hAMSCs may promote the repair of uterine incision scars by reducing the formation of scar fibrosis and promoting the proliferation of smooth muscle cells in uterine scars.

Objective To conduct a survey on students for their common needs for the course and the support to their research training,to provide reference for course reform and curriculum of ideology and politics.Methods A survey before and after course was conducted in 704 graduates who selected the course of"Experiments of Molecu-lar Biology"from the autumn of 2018 to the spring of 2024.After collecting the survey,they were summarized,counted,and analyzed.Results The students selected this course were mainly research-oriented graduate students.Their professional background was mainly in clinical medicine,and there was a relatively lack of training in tech-nology and laboratory skill in molecular biology experiment.The follow-up survey showed that experimental operation and implementation as well as analysis of experimental results were the two most helpful aspects for students;PCR,RNA extraction and detection,and Western blot were the most useful techniques for student learning and scientific research.Conclusions Through the survey,the professional background of students,dynamic changes in their course selection needs are well acknowledged and so thus able to optimize,provide good reference for teaching and learning in this field,and provide a basis for curriculum reform and construction of ideological and political courses.

Objective To investigate the impact of overweight on the prognosis of patients with acute mild ischemic stroke or moderate-high risk transient ischemic attack (TIA). Methods A total of 366 patients with acute mild ischemic stroke or moderate-high risk TIA who carried CYP2C19 loss-of-function alleles were included in the study. Baseline data were collected at admission, and clinical outcomes were collected within 3 months post-onset (primary outcomes: stroke recurrences within 3 months post-onset; secondary outcomes: composite outcome of stroke recurrence or death within 3 months post-onset, vascular events, and quality of life within 3 months). Kaplan-Meier method was used to plot the cumulative incidence curve of outcomes. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards model and multivariate Logistic regression model were used to evaluate the relationship between overweight and clinical outcomes within 3 months post-onset in patientswith ischemic stroke or TIA. The integrated discrimination improvement index (IDI) and net reclassification improvement index (NRI) were calculated to assess the predictive value of adding body mass index (BMI, whether overweight or not) based on traditional models for predicting the prognosis of acute ischemic stroke or TIA. Results After 3 months of follow-up, 28 patients had stroke recurrence, 1 patient died, and 31 patients had vascular events. The Kaplan-Meier cumulative incidence curve showed that the cumulative incidences of stroke recurrence, stroke recurrence or death, and vascular events after 3 months of onset were lower in overweight patients compared with non-overweight patients (Log-rank P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that compared with non-overweight patients, overweight patients had significantly reduced risks of stroke recurrence within 3 months (HR=0.24; 95%CI, 0.08 to 0.71), composite outcome of stroke recurrence or death (HR=0.24; 95%CI, 0.08 to 0.69), and vascular events (HR=0.22; 95%CI, 0.07 to 0.63), and significantly improved quality of life within 3 months (OR=0.39; 95%CI, 0.20 to 0.76). The IDI and NRI calculations showed that compared with traditional models, the new model adding BMI (whether overweight) had significantly improved predictive ability for the prognosis of acute ischemic stroke or TIA. Conclusion Overweight may be a protective factor for the prognosis of TIA patients with acute mild ischemic stroke or moderate-high risk who carry CYP2C19 loss-of-function alleles. Compared with non-overweight patients, overweight patients have reduced risks of stroke recurrence, composite outcome of stroke recurrence or death, and vascular events within 3 months post-onset, and improved quality of life within 3 months post-onset.

Objective:To investigate whether endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 1 ( ERAP1) is a susceptible gene for pre-eclampsia (PE) and the possible mechanism in the pathogenesis. Methods:This retrospective study included 990 PE patients (case group) and 1 240 healthy pregnant women (control group) in six prefecture-level tertiary hospitals in Shandong Province, including the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University and Zaozhuang Maternal and Child Health Hospital, from September 2018 to April 2021. Peripheral blood were collected for DNA extraction. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the ERAP1 gene (rs30187, rs27044, and rs469783 loci) were analyzed by Taqman probe polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Two missense mutant plasmids, rs30187(c.1583A>G) and rs27044(c.2188C>G), were constructed by point mutation induction based on wild-type plasmids. Six groups (knock-down control, knock-down, over-expression control, over-expression, variant 1 and 2 groups) were set up in this study. After transfecting Htr8 cells with different transfection molecules, the expression of ERAP1 at mRNA and protein levels were detected. Besides, the effects of different transfections on cell function were detected using Transwell migration assay, Transwell invasion assay, cell scratch assay, and CCK-8 assay. Statistical analysis was performed using two independent samples t-test, rank sum test, and Chi-square test. Results:(1) There were significant differences in the genetic distribution of rs30187 (Genotype: χ2=29.25, Allele: χ2=4.68) and rs469783 (Genotype: χ2=7.01, Allele: χ2=6.45) as well as the genotype distribution of rs27044 ( χ2=28.95) between the case group and the control group (all P<0.05). Statistical analysis of the genetic model revealed that rs30187 and rs27044, both recessive models, were statistically different between the two groups with a higher frequency of CC genotypes in the case group ( χ2=20.82 and 19.97, both P<0.05), but a lower frequency in CC dominant gene pattern for rs469783 ( χ2=5.82, P=0.016). (2) Compared with the knock-down control group, the knock-down group showed significantly inhibited expression of ERAP1 (mRNA: 0.5±0.1 vs 1.0±0.0, t=7.49; protein: 0.4±0.1 vs 0.7±0.1, t=2.81; both P<0.05), reduced cell migration rate after 48 h of scratching [(16.5%±1.8%) vs (23.8%±2.4%), t=3.33, P=0.031] and decreased number of cells crossing Transwell chambers after 24 h of culture (423.7±21.3 vs 499.0±24.6, t=3.29, P=0.031). Compared with the over-expression group, variant 1 group and variant 2 group showed significantly inhibited expression of ERAP1 at mRNA (both P<0.001) and protein ( P=0.003 and 0.006) levels after transfection, decreased number of cells crossing Transwell chambers ( P=0.001 and 0.032) and down-regulated cell migration rate after 48 h of scratching [variant 1: P=0.004; variant 2: (21.1±4.6)% vs (28.3±1.1)%, t=2.10, P=0.099]. ERAP1 expression at both mRNA ( P<0.001) and protein ( P=0.008) levels, as well as cell proliferation ( P<0.001) and invasion ability ( P<0.001), were all enhanced in the over-expression group than those in the over-expression control group. Moreover, the migration rate of cells after 48 h of scratching ( P=0.002) and the number of cells crossing Transwell chambers after 24 h of culture ( P=0.001) were also increased. Conclusions:The rs30187, rs27044, and rs46978 on ERAP1 gene were all associated with PE susceptibility, with more carriers of the CC genotype in PE patients at rs30187 and rs27044 loci and more carriers of the CC genotype in healthy gravida at rs469783 locus. ERAP1 may be involved in the pathogenesis of PE by affecting the migratory and invasive ability of trophoblast cells.

Neuromuscular diseases are a group of disorders that affect the anterior horn cells of the spinal cord, peripheral nerves, neuromuscular junction and skeletal muscle.A subset of children with neuromuscular disease have rapidly progressive conditions that threaten respiratory and medulla oblongata function.The main causes of neuromuscular disease in PICU include severe neurological impairment, infections, comorbidities, unexpected situations, and other conditions that can exacerbate the primary disease.In each case, timely identification and development of the specific therapies and supportive care measures could improve prognosis.

Objective:To report a family of Zellweger spectrum disorders (ZSD) caused by mutations in the PEX10 gene and to increase the level of awareness of the disease among clinicians. Methods:The clinical and genetic data of a brother-sister co-morbidity family with ZSD due to PEX10 gene mutation admitted to the Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University in July 2022 were collected and a literature review was performed. Results:The proband was a 24-year-old female who was admitted to the Qilu Hospital of Shandong University due to unstable walking for 8 years and aggravated for 1 year with squatting effort. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed cerebellar atrophy, electromyography suggested peripheral neuropathy with motor and sensory involvement, and pure tone hearing threshold measurement showed neurogenic deafness. The 15-year-old brother of the proband presented with "unsteadiness in walking and difficulty in squatting for 2 years". His cranial MRI and electromyography were similar to those of the proband, and his laboratory results suggested abnormal liver function. The whole exon sequencing results of the proband suggested a compound heterozygous mutation in the PEX10 gene with c. 992G>A(p. R331Q) and c. 988T>C(p. C330R) mutations and both were likely pathogenic mutations and respectively from her parents. And her brother also carried the above variants. A total of 9 case reports in English literature (1 of which was published by domestic scholars) were retrieved from major domestic and international databases on PEX10 gene mutations causing ZSD, with a total of 15 patients, most of whom had childhood and adolescent onset. The most common initial symptom was slowly progressed ataxia. The majority of patients showed cerebellar atrophy on cranial MRI and peripheral neuropathy was found in the most patients.The 2 patients were suggested to have phytic acid-free food, at the same time, they bagan taking L-arginine and ursodeoxycholic acid. Fortunately,both the ataxia symptom and liver function of them were dramatically alleviated 3 months later. Conclusions:For the patients with unexplained ataxia with polyneuropathy and abnormal liver function,the possibility of ZSD should be considered. Phytic acid-free food, L-arginine and ursodeoxycholic acid supplement may be beneficial for the ZSD patients.