ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanisms by which the combination of berberine （BBR） and baicalin （BAI） ameliorates type 2 diabetes mellitus （T2DM） due to internal accumulation of dampness-heat from the perspectives of gut microbiota and metabolomics. MethodsAntibiotics were used to induce pseudo-sterile mice. Thirty pseudo-sterile mice were randomized into a normal fecal microbiota transplantation group （n=10） and a T2DM （syndrome of internal accumulation of dampness-heat） fecal microbiota transplantation group （n=20）. The mice were then administrated with suspensions of fecal microbiota from healthy volunteers and a patient with T2DM due to internal accumulation of dampness-heat by gavage， respectively. Each mouse received 200 µL suspension every other day for a total of 15 times to reshape the gut microbiota. The T2DM model mice were then assigned into a model group （n=8） and a BBR-BAI group （n=11）. BBR was administrated at a dose of 200 mg·kg^-1， and BAI was administrated in a ratio of BBR-BAI 10∶1 based on preliminary research findings. The administration lasted for 8 consecutive weeks. Fasting blood glucose （FBG）， glycated hemoglobin （HbA1c）， insulin （INS）， triglycerides （TG）， total cholesterol （CHOL）， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）， aspartate aminotransferase （AST）， and alanine aminotransferase （ALT） levels were measured to evaluate the effects of the BBR-BAI combination on glucose and lipid metabolism and liver function in T2DM mice. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to observe pathological changes in the colon tissue. The expression of claudin-1， zonula occludens-1 （ZO-1）， and occludin in the colon tissue was determined by Western blot. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction（Real-time PCR） was employed to assess the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and interleukin-6 （IL-6） in the colon tissue. The fecal microbiota composition and differential metabolites were analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight tandem mass spectrometry （UPLC-Q-TOF-MS）， respectively. ResultsThe BBR-BAI combination lowered the FBG， HbA1c， and INS levels （P<0.05， P<0.01） and alleviated insulin resistance （P<0.01） in T2DM mice. Additionally， BBR-BAI elevated the levels of ZO-1， occludin， and claudin-1 （P<0.05， P<0.01） and down-regulated the expression levels of TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-6 in the colon （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The results of 16S rRNA sequencing showed that BBR-BAI increased the relative abundance of Ligilactobacillus， Phascolarctobacterium， and Akkermansia （P<0.05）， while significantly decreasing the relative abundance of Alistipes， Odoribacter， and Colidextribacter （P<0.05）. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS identified 28 differential metabolites， which were primarily involved in arachidonic acid metabolism and α-linolenic acid metabolism. ConclusionBBR-BAI can ameliorate T2DM due to internal accumulation of dampness-heat by modulating the relative abundance of various bacterial genera in the gut microbiota and the expression of fecal metabolites.

Objective To determine the effect of isopsoralen(ISO)on the healing of tibia fracture in mice and explore its underlying mechanism.Methods Fifty male C57BL/6 mice(2 month old,20±2 g)were randomly divided into model group and ISO treatment group,with 25 animals in each group.From the 3rd day after modeling,the mice from the ISO group were given an intragastric gavage of 40 mg/kg ISO,once per day for 28 consecutive days,while those of the model group was given same volume of normal saline in same way.On the 7th,14th,21st,and 28th day after gavage,the tibia on the surgical side was taken,and the fracture area was quantified by bone volume/total volume(BV/TV)after micro-CT scanning.The healing and shaping of the fracture end were observed through HE staining.ELISA was used to detect the serum contents of bone alkaline phosphatase(BALP)and procollagen type I N-terminal peptide(PINP)on the 14th day of gavage.Western blotting was employed to determine the expression levels of Collagen Ⅰ,Runx2,BMP2,OSX,and VEGF in the tibial callus tissue in 7 and 14 d after gavage.Vascular perfusion was applied to observe the callus microvessels in 28 d to quantitatively analyze the vascular volume fraction and vessel diameter.Immunohistochemical staining was conducted to observe the expression of VEGF in the callus in 14 d after gavage.Results HE staining displayed that the ISO group had faster healing process than the model group.Micro-CT quantification results showed that the ISO group had higher BV/TV ratio in 7 d after gavage though no statistical difference,significantly higher ratio in 14 d(P＜0.05),but obviously lower ratio in 21 and 28 d after gavage(both P＜0.05)when compared with the model group.The serum contents of BALP and PINP were also remarkably higher in the ISO group than the model group(P＜0.05).Western blotting results indicated that the expression levels of Collagen Ⅰ,Runx2,BMP2,OSX and VEGF in the ISO group were higher than those in the model group(P＜0.05).The results of angiography revealed that the vascular volume fraction and vessel diameter were notably increased in the ISO group than the model group(both P＜0.05).Immunohistochemical assay showed that the expression of VEGF was higher in the ISO group than the model group(P＜0.05).Conclusion ISO can improve the activity of osteoblasts,increase the expression of osteogenesis-related proteins,and accelerate the angiogenesis to promote fracture healing.

BACKGROUND:Studies have shown that atorvastatin can up-regulate the expression of heme oxygenase-1 and enhance the anti-inflammation and anti-oxidative damage ability of cells.However,whether atorvastatin can regulate macrophage polarization,inhibit inflammation and reduce cholesterol accumulation by inducing heme oxygenase-1 expression remains unclear. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of atorvastatin on polarization,inflammation and cholesterol content of oxidized low-density lipoprotein stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages by inducing heme oxygenase-1 expression and its related mechanism. METHODS:Firstly,RAW264.7 cells were randomly divided into six groups and incubated with different concentrations of atorvastatin for 24 hours.The expression of heme oxygenase-1 protein and cell activity were detected to explore the optimal dose of atorvastatin for subsequent studies.RAW264.7 cells were randomly divided into control group,atorvastatin group and heme oxygenase-1 inhibition group.Cells were preincubated with pure medium,atorvastatin 20 μmol/L and atorvastatin 20 μmol/L + zinc protoporphyrin IX 10 μmol/L for 24 hours,and then oxidized low-density lipoprotein 50 mg/L was added for 48 hours.The polarization of macrophages was detected by flow cytometry.The secretion of inflammatory factors such as transforming growth factor β,interleukin 10,interleukin 1β,and tumor necrosis factor α was detected by ELISA.The expression levels of heme oxygenase-1,LC3II,LC3I,P62,PPARγ and ABCA1 were detected by western blot assay.The intracellular cholesterol content was measured with the oxidose method and the accumulation degree of intracellular lipid droplets was evaluated by oil red O staining. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Atorvastatin could induce the expression of heme oxygenase-1 protein in macrophages in a dose-dependent manner.(2)Oxidized low-density lipoprotein could induce macrophages to polarize towards M1,secrete proinflammatory factors,and increase the accumulation of intracellular cholesterol.(3)Compared with the control group,the heme oxygenase-1 protein expression of macrophages was increased after atorvastatin intervention,and the cells turned to M2-type polarization and mainly secreted anti-inflammatory factors such as transforming growth factor-β and interleukin-10.PPARγ,ABCA1,LC3II/I and other signal molecules reflecting cholesterol efflux and autophagy increased,and the contents of intracellular cholesterol and lipid droplets decreased significantly(P<0.05).(4)The heme oxygenase-1 inhibition group treated with zinc protoporphyrin IX significantly reversed the above changes in the atorvastatin group.(5)The results have shown that atorvastatin may promote the polarization of macrophages stimulated by oxidized low-density lipoprotein to M2 type and inhibit inflammation by up-regulating the expression of heme oxygenase-1 and by up-regulating PPARγ/ABCA1 signaling pathway and enhancing autophagy.Atorvastatin can increase the outflow of intracellular cholesterol and reduce the accumulation of intracellular lipids.

Objective By screening and passaging G0 generation Wistar rats,we obtained hypoxia-sensitive and hypoxia-tolerant G1 generation rats,and then the differences in hypoxia sensitivity among these rats were preliminarily explored.Methods 200 Wistar rats(half male and half female)were selected as G0 generation and placed in a controlled oxygen concentration system.The hypoxia tolerance time,which refers to the time from placement to near death,was recorded for the G0 generation rats at an oxygen volume fraction of 3％.30 rats(half male and half female)with the shortest hypoxia tolerance time were selected for mating and passage to obtain G1 generation hypoxia-sensitive rats.Similarly,30 rats(half male and half female)with the longest hypoxia tolerance time were selected for mating and passage to obtain G1 generation hypoxia-tolerant rats.An additional 24 standard Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups:a control group and a model group,with 12 rats in each group(half male and half female).The control group was kept in a normoxic environment,while the model group,along with the G1 generation hypoxia-sensitive rats(G1 sensitive group)and G1 generation hypoxia-tolerant rats(G1 tolerant group),were placed in a hypobaric hypoxia chamber(simulating an altitude of 5 000 m).After 12 hours,various indicators,including blood gas,complete blood count,blood biochemistry,pathological sections,and hypoxia-related genes were detected or observed to compare the differences in hypoxia sensitivity among the 4 groups.Results Compared with the G0 generation standard rats,the hypoxia tolerance time of G1 generation rats was significantly prolonged(P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the oxygen saturation(SatO2)in G1 tolerant group was significantly higher(P＜0.05).In the G1 sensitive group,the levels of white blood cell(WBC)count,neutrophil(NEUT)count,hemoglobin(HGB)concentration,hematocrit(HCT),red blood cell distribution width(RDW),platelet(PLT),and creatinine(Cr)significantly increased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),while actual bicarbonate(AB)content significantly decreased(P＜0.05),and the brain and lung coefficients were significantly elevated(P＜0.05).In addition,pathological section results showed that the brain and lung tissues in the model group,G1 sensitive group,and G1 tolerant group all suffered from significant damage,with no evident differences in the gene expression levels of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 α(HIF-1α)and vascular endothelial growth factor A(VEG FA)in brain tissues amongthe three groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion Compared with standard rats,G1 generation hypoxia-sensitive/tolerant rats exhibit good signs of hypoxia sensitivity/tolerance traits,but further screening and passage are still needed to purify them.

Objective To establish a simultaneous detection approach for 34 emerging contaminants(ECs)in tap water by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(HPLC-MS/MS).Human health risk assessment was performed according to the detection results from 43 tap water samples.Methods Tap water samples were concentrated and extracted by solid phase extraction,and then blown to near dry by nitrogen at 40℃.The sample extracts were dissolved in methanol-water solution(95:5,VN)to 0.5 mL for analyzing.Agilent Jet Stream Electrospray Ionization(AJS ESI)and the multiple reaction monitoring(MRM)mode were performed for MS to acquire the data of 34 ECs.A database including precursor ion,product ion and retention times was established accordingly.Results The average linear correlation coefficients(r)of 34 kinds of ECs was 0.995 9.The limits of detection were 0.01～0.60 ng/L and the recoveries were between 60.7％and 119.8％.The intra-group precisions were between 0.05％～9.89％and the intra-day precisions were between 0.20％～14.40％for the spiked samples.The method was applied to analyze 43 tap water samples and a total of 15 ECs were detected.According to the results,the detection rate of caffeine was the highest(84％),and the concentration range was ND～74.42 ng/L.Among all the ECs detected,1,2,3-benzotriazole had the highest concentration(ND～361.15 ng/L),where detection rate was 44％.Humans may be exposed to these ECs by drinking the tap water.The human health risk assessments of 12 kinds of ECs were carried out,however,the estimated risk was negligible(risk quotient＜0.01).Conclusion The method is simple,highly sensitive and selective,and could meet the detection needs of ECs at trace level in tap water.There was no human health risk posed for ECs identified in 43 tap water samples analyzed by this method.

The consensus was authored by National Society of Congenital Heart Diseases. After employing the Delphi process and incorporating literature reviews and expert discussions, seven recommendations were ultimately formulated. The consensus provides a detailed elaboration on the pathoanatomy, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic methods, and surgical treatment approaches for aortic valve diseases in children. It emphasizes that the treatment of aortic valve diseases in children should take into account the needs of growth and development, and recommends surgical strategies for different age groups and types of lesions, including valve plasty, Ross procedure, valve replacement, and balloon dilation. Specifically, aortic valve plasty is recommended for neonates and infants, while surgical options for older children are more diversified. The consensus only discusses isolated aortic valve disease and does not cover cases complicated with other heart malformations

In recent years, the development of host-acting antibacterial compounds has gradually become a hotspot in the field of anti-infection. Through research on the interaction mechanism between hosts and pathogenic bacteria, it has been found that the immune system is one of the key targets of host-acting antibacterial compounds. There is a communication system called the quorum sensing system in microorganisms, which mainly adjusts the structure of multi-microbial community and coordinates the group behavior. When the quorum sensing molecules secreted by microorganisms reach a threshold concentration, the quorum sensing system is activated and the overall gene expression of the microorganism is changed. In addition to regulating the density of microorganisms, quorum sensing molecules can also act as a link between pathogenic microorganisms and hosts, entering the host immune system and playing a role in affecting the morphological structure of immune cells, secreting cytokines, and inducing apoptosis, leading to host immune injury and causing host immune dysfunction.The key mechanism of 3-oxo-C12-HSL and other acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) molecules in the innate immune system has been extensively studied. The lipid solubility allows AHLs to pass through the plasma membrane of host immune cells easily and induce dissolution of lipid domains. Then, it acts through signaling pathways such as p38MAPK and JAK-STAT, further influencing the immune cell’s defense response to bacteria and potentially leading to cell apoptosis. Additionally, the human lactonase paraoxonase 2, which can degrade3-oxo-C12-HSL, has been found in macrophage. It acts as an immune regulator that promotes macrophage phagocytosis of pathogens and is hypothesized to have the ability to reduce bacterial resistance. The mechanism of quorum sensing molecules in the adaptive immune system is less studied, the current results suggest that 3-oxo-C12-HSL is closely related to the mitochondrial pathway in host immune cells. For example, 3-oxo-C12-HSL induces apoptosis of Jurkat cells by inhibiting the expression of three mitochondrial electron transport chain proteins; it can also trigger mitochondrial dysfunction and induce mast cell apoptosis through Ca²⁺ signaling.Among the quorum sensing molecules, the AHLs have the greatest impact on plant immune system. The different effects on plant resistance depends on the chain lengths of acyl groups in bacterial-produced AHLs. Short-chain AHLs (C4-HSL and C8-HSL) induce plant resistance to pathogenic bacteria mainly through the auxin pathway and jasmonic acid pathway. Long-chain AHL (3-oxo-C14-HSL) is commonly used in hosts against fungal pathogens by inducing stomata defense responses, and the reaction process is related to salicylic acid. Diffusible signal factor molecules also interfere with the stomatal immunity caused by pathogens. It may act through the formin nanoclustering-mediated actin assembly and MPK3 pathway to inhibit the innate immunity of Arabidopsis. In summary, AHLs induced different plant pathways and affects the plant-bacteria interactions to trigger plant immunity. As a quorum sensing molecule of fungi, farnesol has similar effects on host immunity as AHLs, such as stimulating cytokine secretion and activating an inflammatory response. It also plays a unique role on dendritic cell differentiation and maturation. In addition, studies have found that farnesol has a protective effect on autoimmune encephalomyelitis, which may be related to its effect on the composition of intestinal microorganisms of the host.Therefore, targeting the host immune system and quorum sensing molecules to develop antibacterial compounds can effectively inhibit the invasion of pathogens and subserve the host to resist the influence of pathogenic bacteria. This article will review the mechanism of host immune responses triggered by important quorum sensing molecules, aiming to explore the targets of host-acting antibacterial compounds and provide new directions for the prevention or treatment of causative infectious sources and the development of related drugs.

Objective:To investigate the effect of sinusoidal alternating electromagnetic field(SEMF)on fracture healing and its mechanism.Methods:Femoral fracture model was established using specific pathogen free male Wistar rats.Thirty rats were randomly divided into the control and SEMF groups with 15 rats in each group.The SEMF group was given 50 Hz 1.8 mT for 90 min every day,while the control group was not treated.X-ray examinations were performed every two weeks to determine the formation of bone scabs.Three rats from both groups were sacrificed after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment.Protein was extracted from the fractured femurs,and the expression of type Ⅰ collagen(COL-1),osterix(OSX),Runt-related transcription factor 2(RUNX2),and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)was detected by Western blotting.After 8 weeks,the femur on the operated side was taken for micro-CT scanning to observe fracture healing,angiography to observe blood vessel growth,and organs such as hearts,livers,spleens,lungs,and kidneys were taken for safety evaluation by hematoxylin-eosin staining(HE staining).Results:The bone scab scores of the SEMF group were significantly higher than those of the control group after 2,4,6,and 8 weeks of treatment(all P<0.01).The fracture healing of the SEMF group was better than that of the control group after 8 weeks,and the bone volume scores of the two groups were 0.243±0.012 and 0.186±0.008,respectively(P<0.01);the number of blood vessels in the SEMF group was also more than that of the control group after 8 weeks.Western blotting results showed that the expressions of COL-1,OSX,RUNX2,and VEGF were higher in the SEMF group than those in the control group after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment(all P<0.05).HE staining showed that histopathological results of the examined organs were normal in both groups.Conclusion:SEMF can accelerate fracture healing by promoting the expression of osteogenic factors and vascular proliferation without significant adverse effects.

Endoplasmic reticulum(ER)is the predominant membrane structure in eukaryotic cells and is a key or-ganelle for the occurrence of important intracellular physiological processes.Under the action of various internal and ex-ternal factors,the homeostasis of ER is disrupted to block protein processing and transport,and the accumulation of unfol-ded or misfolded proteins in the ER lumen,forms endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS)and triggers the unfolded protein re-sponse(UPR).Moderate ERS reduces protein synthesis,promotes protein degradation,and increases molecular chaper-ones that assist protein folding through the UPR signaling pathway,ultimately relieving ER stress.However,if the ERS is too strong or prolonged and exceeds the cell's ability to regulate itself,the UPR can initiate apoptosis and lead to diseases.Numerous studies have shown that ERS is closely associated with the development of several cardiovascular diseases(CVD).This review focuses on the research progress of UPR in several common types of CVD and targets UPR as a po-tential therapeutic approach for CVD.

Objective A comparative study was conducted on rapid high-altitude models established in SD rats under two hypoxic stress modes,namely,a high-altitude field and simulated high-altitude environment,to evaluate the reliability of the simulated high-altitude test chamber.Methods SD rats were placed in a simulated rapid high-altitude animal experimental chamber(4000 m)or rapid high-altitude field laboratory(4010 m)to establish a rapid high-altitude rat model.After 24 or 72 h of exposure,physiological and pathological indicators related to high-altitude changes were collected and measured,mainly routine blood parameters,blood biochemistry,blood gas,oxidative damage indicators(superoxide dismutase(SOD),malondialdehyde(MDA),glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)),and inflammation indicators(interleukin 1β(IL-1 β),interferon-γ(IFN-γ),monocyte chemotactic protein 1(MCP-1)and interleukin 6(IL-6)),and pathological tissue analysis and hypoxia sensitive gene(hypoxia inducible factor-1α(Hif-1α)and vascular endothelial growth factor A(Vegfa))testing were performed.Finally,differential analysis was conducted on the result to obtain a differential evaluation report.Results At the same altitude,both high-altitude field and simulated high-altitude exposure for 72 h caused significant lung and brain damage.Under the same exposure time,the routine blood parameter,blood biochemistry,and blood gas result for the rats were similar.There were no significant differences in the detection of inflammation indicators(IL-6,IL-1β,MCP-1,and IFN-y),oxidative damage indicators(MDA,SOD,and GSH),or hypoxia-sensitive gene expression(Hif-1α and Vegfa)in the brain.However,partial pressure of carbon dioxide(PaCO2)and base excess(BE)were significantly higher in the simulated-72 h group than the other treatment group.The lung hypoxia-sensitive genes(Hif-1α and Vegfa)in the simulated-72 h group showed no significant expression difference with control group,and the brain coefficient of the high-altitude field treatment group was significantly higher than that of the simulated high-altitude treatment group.These result indicate that there may be slight differences between models prepared in high-altitude field and simulated high-altitude environments.Conclusions The simulated high-altitude animal experimental chamber can successfully establish a rapid high-altitude animal model.The simulated altitude can be appropriately increased on the basis of 4000 m.If an altitude of 4000 meters is used,the exposure time should be greater than 24 h but slightly shorter than 72 h.The simulated high-altitude experimental module has good reliability,but it is advisable to use plateaus for on-site experiments as much as possible,if conditions permit.