Isoliquiritigenin (ISL) is a chalcone compound isolated from licorice, known for its anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, and antioxidant properties. Our previous study has demonstrated that ISL effectively lowers blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) mice and improves disturbances in glucolipid and energy metabolism induced by T2DM. This study aims to further investigate the effects of ISL on alleviating abnormal endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) caused by T2DM and to elucidate its molecular mechanisms. In vivo experiments were conducted using 8-week-old SPF male C57BL/6J mice. The T2DM animal model was established by high-fat and high-sugar diet combined with intraperitoneal injections of streptozotocin (STZ), in compliance with the ethical guidelines set by the Animal Welfare Committee of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (approval number: BUCM-2022021503-1134). In vitro experiments employed human liver cancer HepG2 cells, which were induced with tunicamycin (TM) to establish the ERS cell model. Transcriptomic sequencing was used to analyze changes in gene expression in the liver samples of T2DM mice following ISL treatment. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was employed to assess the regulatory effects of ISL on key ERS genes. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Western blot (WB), and immunofluorescence techniques were used to evaluate ISL's effects on ERS-related proteins. Results indicate that ISL significantly downregulates the expression of ERS-related genes, reduces the level of glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), and inhibits the phosphorylation of protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), thereby alleviating abnormal ERS induced by T2DM. Additionally, ISL increases the protein levels of insulin receptor substrate (IRS) 1 and IRS2 and enhances the phosphorylation of protein kinase B (Akt), thereby improving insulin sensitivity. In conclusion, ISL is able to alleviate T2DM associated symptoms by improving abnormal ERS and enhancing insulin sensitivity.

Objective To observe the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of Guanyuan Mingmen Sequential Acupuncture on rats with premature ovarian insufficiency(POI)model.Methods Female SD rats were divided into the blank group,the model group,the protein kinase A(PKA)inhibitor(H89)+acupuncture group,and the acupuncture group,with 12 rats in each group.Except for the blank group,the POI model was prepared by gavage with Tripterygium Glycosides Tablets in the other three groups of rats.After the model was successfully established,the blank group and the model group were bundled once a day;in the acupuncture group,Guanyuan(RN4)point was taken during the intermotility period,and in the pre-motility period,Mingmen(DU4)point was taken;in the H89+acupuncture group,the intervention was performed in accordance with the acupuncture protocol of the acupuncture group,and H89 was injected intraperitoneally for 30 minutes prior to each acupuncture session.Continuous intervention was performed for 20 days.Samples were taken from each group of rats in the first estrus period and in proestrus period after intervention.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to measure the levels of follicle stimulating hormone(FSH)and estradiol(E2)during the estrous phase,Western Blot was used to measure the protein expressions of follicle stimulating hormone receptor(FSHR)and aromatase P450(P450arom)during the estrous phase,and the activity of granulocytes during the estrous phase and the proestrus phase were measured using the cell-counting kit 8(CCK-8)method.The immunohistochemistry method was used to detect the protein expression of pre-motility proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA).Results(1)Compared with the blank group,the serum FSH level of the model group and H89+acupuncture group was significantly increased(P＜0.01),and the E2 level was significantly decreased(P＜0.001);there was no difference between the FSH level of the H89+acupuncture group and that of the model group(P＞0.05),and the E2 level of the H89+acupuncture group was lower than that of the model group(P＜0.05);the FSH level of the acupuncture group was lower than that of the model group and that of the H89+acupuncture group(P＜0.05),had no difference with the blank group(P＞0.05),E2 level was significantly higher than the model group and H89+ acupuncture group(P＜0.01),still being lower than the blank group(P＜0.05).(2)The protein expressions of FSHR and P450arom in the model group and H89 + acupuncture group was lower than those in the blank group;the protein expression of FSHR in the H89 + acupuncture group was not different from that in the model group(P＞0.05),while the protein expression level of P450arom was lower than that in the model group(P＜0.05);the protein expression levels of FSHR and P450arom in the acupuncture group were higher than those in the model group and H89 + acupuncture group,but still lower than those in the blank group(P＜0.05).(3)Both GCs activity and average optical density value of PCNA in the model group and H89+acupuncture group were lower than the blank group(P＜0.05);both GCs activity and average optical density value of PCNA in the H89+acupuncture group were lower than the model group(P＜0.05);the activity of GCs and average optical density value of PCNA of the acupuncture group were significantly higher than that of the model group and H89+acupuncture group(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Conclusion Guanyuan Mingmen Sequential Acupuncture can regulate sex hormone levels,increase GCs activity and promote GCs cell proliferation by up-regulating protein expressions of follicle stimulating hormone receptor(FSHR)/cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP)/protein kinase A(PKA)pathway FSHR,P450arom,thus improving POI.

Objective Evaluation of the efficacy of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for chronic disturbance of consciousness after severe craniocerebral injury based on magnetic resonance spectroscopy.Methods The clinical data of 106 patients with chronic disturbance of consciousness after severe craniocerebral injury from January 2018 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed,and they were divided into control group(conventional rehabilitation treatment)and observation group(high frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment)by propensity score matching method(1∶1),with 53 cases in each group.Both groups were examined by magnetic resonance spectroscopy(MRS)before and after treatment.The brain metabolic indexes[N-acetyl aspartate(NAA)/creatine(Cr)value,choline complex(Cho)/Cr value],Glasgow coma scale(GCS)score,electroencephalogram(EEG)grading,coma recovery scale(CRS-R)score,brainstem auditory evoked potential(BAEP)grading,upper limb sensory evoked potential(SSEP)grading and Cerebral blood flow perfusion index[cerebral blood volume(CBV),mean transit time(MTT),cerebral blood flow(CBF)]were compared between the two groups.Results After treatment,the NAA/Cr values of the thalamus and brainstem in the two groups increased,while the Cho/Cr values decreased,and the levels of brain metabolic indexes in the observation group were signifi-cantly better than those in the control group(P<0.05).The two groups'GCS score and CRS-R score increased,and the improvement of the observation group was better than that of the control group(P<0.05).The BAEP grading,EEG grading,and SSEP grading of the two groups improved,and those of the observation group were better than the control group(P<0.05).The CBF and CBV of the two groups increased,and MTT decreased,and the level of cere-bral blood perfusion index in the observation group was better than that in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion High frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation has a significant effect on the recovery of patients with chronic consciousness disorders after severe craniocerebral injury.The mechanism may be related to improving the blood flow velocity of brain tissue and metabolism in the brain.

Objective To analyze the detection efficiency of p16INK4a protein combined with human papillomavirus and liquid-based cytology(LCT)in the screening of cervical precancerous lesions,and to provide a basis for cervical cancer preven-tion and treatment.Methods The results of p16INK4a staining of cervical epithelial cells,human papillomavirus testing and cer-vical cytology were analyzed in 139 inpatients at Guangzhou Women's and Children's Medical Center between January 2019 and December 2020.Of them,there were 111 patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia(CIN)and 28 cases of cervical inflam-matory disease.The efficacy of the three methods alone and in combination to screen for CIN lesions was compared.Results In the detection of CIN patients,the sensitivity of p16INK4a,microfluidic microarray and cervical cytology for detecting CIN and a-bove lesions was 91.89% ,94.59% and82.88% ,with specificity of 57.14% ,17.86% and46.43% ,and AUC of 0.75,0.56 and 0.65,respectively;while the sensitivity of"p16INK4a+LCT","p16INK4a+hrHPV","LCT+hrHPV"and their sen-sitivity were 96.40% ,97.30% ,94.59% and 99.10% ,their specificity was 85.71% ,92.86% ,89.29% and 92.86% ,and the AUC was 0.91,0.95,0.92 and 0.96,respectively.Conclusion The combined p16INK4a and hrHPV test helps to improve diagnostic accuracy and early detection,thus allowing for earlier intervention or treatment.This combined application allows for more accurate identification of low-grade and high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia,providing more information for indi-vidualized patient management.

Currently,human health due to corona virus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic has been seriously threatened.The coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)spike(S)protein plays a crucial role in virus transmission and several S-based therapeutic approaches have been approved for the treatment of COVID-19.However,the efficacy is compromised by the SARS-CoV-2 evolvement and mutation.Here we report the SARS-CoV-2 S protein receptor-binding domain(RBD)inhibitor licorice-saponin A3(A3)could widely inhibit RBD of SARS-CoV-2 variants,including Beta,Delta,and Omicron BA.1,XBB and BQ1.1.Furthermore,A3 could potently inhibit SARS-CoV-2 Omicron virus in Vero E6 cells,with EC50 of 1.016 pM.The mechanism was related to binding with Y453 of RBD deter-mined by hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry(HDX-MS)analysis combined with quan-tum mechanics/molecular mechanics(QM/MM)simulations.Interestingly,phosphoproteomics analysis and multi fluorescent immunohistochemistry(mIHC)respectively indicated that A3 also inhibits host inflammation by directly modulating the JNK and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)path-ways and rebalancing the corresponding immune dysregulation.This work supports A3 as a promising broad-spectrum small molecule drug candidate for COVID-19.

Objective:To compare the characteristics of background mucosa, lesion features, and the efficiency of endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD)between elderly and non-elderly patients with early gastric cancer(EGC).Methods:This study retrospectively collected data on patients with EGC who underwent ESD treatment at Beijing Hospital from April 2020 to December 2022.The clinical characteristics, background mucosa, lesion features, ESD outcomes, and pathological results of the patients were analyzed to compare the differences between elderly and non-elderly patients.Results:A total of 100 patients with EGC were selected, comprising 57 patients in the elderly group and 43 patients in the non-elderly group, with a total of 111 lesions identified(64 lesions in the elderly group and 47 lesions in the non-elderly group).The proportion of patients with a history of chronic atrophic gastritis was significantly higher in the elderly group(89.5%、51/57)compared to the non-elderly group(74.4%、32/43), with a statistically significant difference( P=0.047).Additionally, the difference in the extent of atrophy between elderly patients with EGC and their non-elderly counterparts was statistically significant( P=0.022).Among these patients, the proportion of those classified as Kimura-Takemoto C0 to C1 in the elderly group(15.6%、10/64)was lower than that in the non-elderly group(40.4%、19/47).In contrast, the proportion of patients classified as C2 to C3 in the elderly group(65.6%、42/64)was higher than that in the non-elderly group(51.1%、24/47), and the proportion of those classified as O1 to O3 in elderly patients(12.5%、8/64)was also higher than in the non-elderly group(4.3%、2/47).Furthermore, the difference in the extent of intestinal metaplasia between elderly and non-elderly patients with early gastric cancer was statistically significant( P=0.007).The overall proportion of total intestinal metaplasia in elderly patients(85.9%、55/64)was significantly higher than that in non-elderly patients(61.7%、29/47).Notably, the proportion of patients exhibiting extensive intestinal metaplasia(intestinal metaplasia present in both the gastric antrum and gastric body)was greater in the elderly group(43.8%、28/64)compared to the non-elderly group(23.4%、11/47).The Kyoto gastric cancer risk endoscopic score for elderly patients with EGC was(2.43±1.28)points, significantly higher than that of the non-elderly group(1.72±1.41)points, with a statistically significant difference observed( t=2.778, P=0.006).No statistically significant differences were observed in the proportions of total resection rates, R0 resections, curative resections, or postoperative complications following ESD when comparing elderly patients with EGC to their non-elderly counterparts. Conclusions:The proportion of extensive atrophy and intestinal metaplasia was higher in the background mucosa of elderly patients with EGC, and correspondingly, the Kyoto endoscopic gastric cancer risk score was elevated.Therefore, endoscopic examinations for elderly patients with chronic atrophic gastritis should be conducted with greater care and comprehensiveness.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a diabetic ocular complication that can lead to poor vision and blindness. This experiment aimed to investigate the ameliorative effect and its mechanism of Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) eye drops on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) in rats. All experiments were approved by the Animal Research Committee of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Animal welfare and the animal experimental protocols were strictly consistent with related ethics regulations of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (No. PZSHUTCM 211115004). Diabetes mellitus was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ into rats. Two months later, PNS solution was dropped binocular twice per day at 6 h intervals at dose of 20, 40, and 80 mg·kg^-1 continuously for 1 month. The morphological structure and activation of microglia of the retina were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunohistochemical assay. The disruption of the blood-retina barrier (BRB) was conducted by the Evans blue dye leakage assay. The number of acellular capillaries in the retina was assessed by digesting and hematoxylin-eosin staining assay. The number of retinal leukocyte adhesion was observed by fluorescein isothiocyanate-coupled concanavalin A lectin labeling assay. The serum expression of inflammatory factors was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Western blot experiments were used to detect the expression of relevant proteins in retinal tissue and transcriptional activation of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB). The results revealed that PNS eye drops significantly increased the thickness of the retina, decreased the number of acellular capillaries, and up-regulated the expression of the tight junction proteins claudin-1 and occludin, thereby alleviating BRB damage. In addition, PNS eye drops were also able to significantly reduce leukocyte adhesion and microglia activation, the expression of inflammatory factors in serum, and the nuclear translocation of retinal p65 proteins, effectively inhibiting the occurrence of retinal inflammation. The above results showed that PNS eye drops played a role in improving NPDR by inhibiting the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway and reducing inflammation.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors(TKIs)have emerged as the first-line small molecule drugs in many cancer therapies,exerting their effects by impeding aberrant cell growth and proliferation through the mod-ulation of tyrosine kinase-mediated signaling pathways.However,there exists a substantial inter-individual variability in the concentrations of certain TKIs and their metabolites,which may render patients with compromised immune function susceptible to diverse infections despite receiving theo-retically efficacious anticancer treatments,alongside other potential side effects or adverse reactions.Therefore,an urgent need exists for an up-to-date review concerning the biological matrices relevant to bioanalysis and the sampling methods,clinical pharmacokinetics,and therapeutic drug monitoring of different TKIs.This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the advancements in pretreatment methods,such as protein precipitation(PPT),liquid-liquid extraction(LLE),solid-phase extraction(SPE),micro-SPE(p-SPE),magnetic SPE(MSPE),and vortex-assisted dispersive SPE(VA-DSPE)achieved since 2017.It also highlights the latest analysis techniques such as newly developed high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC)and high-resolution mass spectrometry(HRMS)methods,capillary electro-phoresis(CE),gas chromatography(GC),supercritical fluid chromatography(SFC)procedures,surface plasmon resonance(SPR)assays as well as novel nanoprobes-based biosensing techniques.In addition,a comparison is made between the advantages and disadvantages of different approaches while pre-senting critical challenges and prospects in pharmacokinetic studies and therapeutic drug monitoring.

Aim To study the effect of salidroside combined with rosavin on ischemic stroke in rats.Methods The model of MCAO was established by u-sing thread-embolic method.The rats were divided into the sham group,MCAO group,salidroside combined with rosavin group,positive control group,and the drug was given continuously for seven days.The infarct volume was measured by MRI and neurological deficit score was evaluated by Zea-Longa.The levels of Ne-uN,BDNF,TGF-β1,p-Smad were observed by West-ern blot and immunofluorescence staining.The expres-sions of IL-1β,TNF-α and IL-6 were performed by RT-qPCR/ELISA.The primary cortical neurons were isolated,OGD/R inducted,divided into the normal group,OGD/R group,salidroside combined with rosa-vin group,and TGF-β1 inhibitor+salidroside com-bined with rosavin group,the drug was given for 24 hours,and the expressions of NeuN,BDNF,IL-1β,TNF-α and IL-6 were measured.Results Salidroside combined with rosavin could decrease the infarct vol-ume,improve the neurological function,promote the levels of Neun,BDNF,TGF-β1,p-Smad,and inhibit the expressions of IL-1β,TNF-α and IL-6.Salidroside combined with rosavin could promote NeuN,BDNF,inhibit IL-1β,TNF-α,IL-6 in primary nerve cells in-duced by OGD/R,and these effects were blocked by TGF-β1 inhibitor.Conclusions Salidroside combined with rosavin has neuroprotective effects on MCAO rats,and primary neurons are induced by OGD/R,and these effects are closely related to the TGF-β pathway.

Objective:To summarize the clinical features of 14 cases with clinically and genetically diagnosed progressive pseudorheumatoid dysplasia(PPRD) and analyze the characteristics of joint lesions caused by PPRD to provide references for clinical diagnosis and treatment of PPRD.Methods:A retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data and genetic test data of 14 patients admitted to Children′s Hospital, Capital Institute of Pediatrics and cooperative units, from December 2017 to September 2023.An observational retrospective analysis was performed on hospitalization and follow-up data, and correlation factors were analyzed using the Kendall correlation test.Results:The 14 patients, including 6 males and 8 females, were all Chinese Han children.The average age of onset was 6.12 years(2-11 years), the average age of diagnosis was 10.61 years old(5-17 years old), and the average duration of the disease was 4.46 years(0.5-6.0 years) at diagnosis.The number of joint involvements ranged from 4 to 14, with an average of 9.20.There were 12 patients with claudication as the first symptom.All these 14 children had limited hip mobility and no obvious hip pain.The hip joint imaging indicated that space narrowing occurred in 11 cases, femoral neck shortening in 2 cases, femoral head displacement in 4 cases, and articular surface sclerosis, cystic degeneration or bone destruction in 8 cases.The joints of the four limbs were mainly manifested as enlargement of the proximal interphalangeal joints and metacarpophalangeal joints of both hands.The other joints were knees(11 cases), elbows(8 cases), wrists(7 cases) and ankles(5 cases) in the order of easy involvement, and the shoulder joint was less involved(1 case).The spine was mainly characterized by changes in the curvature, and limited movement was found in 8 cases.Thoracic and lumbar spines were mainly involved(13 cases), while cervical involvement was rare(1 case).The duration of the disease at diagnosis was positively correlated with the number of joint involvements and the number of joint mobility limitations( r=0.584, 0.671; P=0.007, 0.002).In this study, 8 children were misdiagnosed as juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and the longest misdiagnosis time was 6 years.All the 14 children had CCN6 gene mutations, including 10 complex heterozygous mutations and 4 homozygous mutations.Five children had c. 342T>G and c. 667T>G, 4 children had c. 589 + 2(IVS4)T>C, 3 children had c. 866dup, and 2 children had c. 136C>T and c. 624dupA. Conclusions:PPRD is characterized by multiple joint involvements, among which hip involvement is the most common.The lesions are serious and easily misdiagnosed as juvenile idiopathic arthritis.The number of affected joints increases gradually with the prolongation of the disease course.