OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and potential mechanism of Qiangxin decoction on mitochondrion of rats with chronic heart failure （CHF）. METHODS The CHF model was established by ligating the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery. Modeled rats were divided into model group， Qiangxin decoction low-dose and high-dose groups （12.25， 24.50 g/kg， calculated by crude drug）， and chemical medicine group （Sacubitril valsartan sodium tablets， 10.42 mg/kg）， with 10 rats in each group； control group was set up without treatment. Each group of rats was orally administered with the corresponding medication or normal saline twice a day for 28 consecutive days. After the last medication， the contents of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide （NT-proBNP） and adenosine triphosphate （ATP） in serum and phosphatidic acid （PA） and cardiolipin （CL） in myocardial tissue were all detected； the pathological damage and collagen fibrosis of rat myocardial tissue were observed； the apoptosis of myocardial cells was determined； the ultrastructure of myocardial tissue was observed； the protein expressions of mitofusin 1 （Mfn1）， Mfn2， optic atrophy protein 1 （OPA1） and dynamin-related protein 1 （Drp1） were all detected in myocardial tissue. RESULTS Compared with control group，the serum content of NT-proBNP， apoptotic rate of myocardial cells， and relative expressions of S-OPA1 and Drp1 proteins were all increased significantly； serum content of ATP，contents of PA and CL， and relative expressions of Mfn1， Mfn2 and L-OPA1 proteins were all significantly reduced （P＜0.05）. There were abnormal membrane tissue structure in various layers of myocardial tissue， degeneration and necrosis of myocardial cells， and severe fibrosis； the mitochondria were swollen， with reduced or absent cristae， and uneven matrix density. After intervention with Qiangxin decoction， the levels of the aforementioned quantitative indicators in serum and myocardial tissue of rats （excluding CL content in the Qiangxin decoction low- dose group） were significantly reversed （P＜0.05）； the pathological damage of myocardial tissue had significantly improved， fibrosis had significantly reduced， mitochondrial morphology tended to be normal， cristae had increased， and matrix density was uniform. CONCLUSIONS Qiangxin decoction can regulate myocardial mitochondrial function and structural integrity of CHF rats， thereby improving myocardial energy metabolism and antagonizing myocardial fibrosis， the mechanism of which may be associated with activating PA/Mfn/CL signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and potential mechanism of Qiangxin decoction on mitochondrion of rats with chronic heart failure （CHF）. METHODS The CHF model was established by ligating the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery. Modeled rats were divided into model group， Qiangxin decoction low-dose and high-dose groups （12.25， 24.50 g/kg， calculated by crude drug）， and chemical medicine group （Sacubitril valsartan sodium tablets， 10.42 mg/kg）， with 10 rats in each group； control group was set up without treatment. Each group of rats was orally administered with the corresponding medication or normal saline twice a day for 28 consecutive days. After the last medication， the contents of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide （NT-proBNP） and adenosine triphosphate （ATP） in serum and phosphatidic acid （PA） and cardiolipin （CL） in myocardial tissue were all detected； the pathological damage and collagen fibrosis of rat myocardial tissue were observed； the apoptosis of myocardial cells was determined； the ultrastructure of myocardial tissue was observed； the protein expressions of mitofusin 1 （Mfn1）， Mfn2， optic atrophy protein 1 （OPA1） and dynamin-related protein 1 （Drp1） were all detected in myocardial tissue. RESULTS Compared with control group，the serum content of NT-proBNP， apoptotic rate of myocardial cells， and relative expressions of S-OPA1 and Drp1 proteins were all increased significantly； serum content of ATP，contents of PA and CL， and relative expressions of Mfn1， Mfn2 and L-OPA1 proteins were all significantly reduced （P＜0.05）. There were abnormal membrane tissue structure in various layers of myocardial tissue， degeneration and necrosis of myocardial cells， and severe fibrosis； the mitochondria were swollen， with reduced or absent cristae， and uneven matrix density. After intervention with Qiangxin decoction， the levels of the aforementioned quantitative indicators in serum and myocardial tissue of rats （excluding CL content in the Qiangxin decoction low- dose group） were significantly reversed （P＜0.05）； the pathological damage of myocardial tissue had significantly improved， fibrosis had significantly reduced， mitochondrial morphology tended to be normal， cristae had increased， and matrix density was uniform. CONCLUSIONS Qiangxin decoction can regulate myocardial mitochondrial function and structural integrity of CHF rats， thereby improving myocardial energy metabolism and antagonizing myocardial fibrosis， the mechanism of which may be associated with activating PA/Mfn/CL signaling pathway.

A 29-year-old man visited Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University in December 2021. The patient presented with recurrent coughing, sputum, and wheezing, high level of serum total IgE, positive aspergillus fumigatus-specific IgE and extremely severe mixed ventilatory dysfunction. These features and thoracic CT results scan showed bronchiectasis and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. In consideration of his clinical characteristics, including low levels of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), and nasal nitric oxide (nNO), persistent cough after birth, consanguineous marriage of his parents, etc. we ratiocinated a possibility of hereditary diseases, especially primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD). From this perspective, whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed and the diagnosis of PCD was ultimately confirmed.

Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of omalizumab in the treatment of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis(ABPA).Methods The clinical data of 26 ABPA patients treated with omalizumab in Zhongshan Hospital,Fudan University from November 2018 to December 2023 and 24 ABPA patients treated with prednisone combined with itraconazole in the same period were analyzed retrospectively.The primary outcomes were exacerbation times and oral corticosteroid-sparing effect.The secondary outcomes were respiratory symptoms,circulating eosinophil count,total immunoglobin E(IgE)level,specific IgE for aspergillus,pulmonary function(the percentage value of forced expiratory volume in one second predicted[FEV1%pred]),fraction of exhaled nitric oxide(FeNO),thoracic computed tomography(CT)manifestation and adverse reactions.Results In omalizumab group,the exacerbation times of ABPA after 6 and 12 months of treatment were 0(0,0)times/6 months and 0(0,1)times/6 months,there was no significant difference(P=0.157),which were significantly lower than those of the baseline(1[1,2]times/6 months,P＜0.001).The oral dose of prednisone decreased from 10(5,15)mg/d(before treatment)to 3.125(0,5)mg/d(6 months after treatment,P＜0.001).After 12 months of treatment,the oral dose of prednisone was 0(0,3.125)mg/d,which was significantly lower than that of the baseline dose(P=0.003).After treatment with omalizumab for 12 months,the FeNO level decreased significantly(26[13,36]×10﹣9 vs 30[18,56]×10﹣9,P=0.049).There was no significant difference in blood eosinophil count,total IgE level,specific IgE for aspergillus and FEV1%pred before and after omalizumab treatment.After 6 months of treatment with omalizumab,respiratory symptoms were relieved in 23 patients(88.5%)and radiographic improvement was achieved in eight out of sixteen patients(50%)with mucus plugs.More patients successfully discontinued oral prednisone when treated with omalizumab for 12 months than those in control group(P=0.035).During the treatment of omalizumab,4(15.4%)patients had a slight increase in alanine aminotransferase(ALT),and 1 patient was complicated with hepatocellular carcinoma during follow-up.Conclusions Omazumab treatment can effectively reduce the number of acute episodes of ABPA,reduce the dosage of oral glucocorticoids,improve FeNO,facilitate the absorption of mucus plugs,and has high safety.

Objective:To investigate the effects of dietary management during labor process on pregnancy outcome of pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 122 pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus who delivered at the Wenzhou People's Hospital between January and December 2022. Based on their dietary management methods, these patients were divided into an observation group and a control group, with 61 cases in each group. The control group underwent routine dietary management, whereas the observation group received dietary management during labor process. The labor process indicators and delivery outcomes between the two groups were compared.Results:The energy intake in the observation group was (75.36 ± 9.54) kcal/h, which was significantly higher than (57.23 ± 8.12) kcal/h in the control group ( t = -11.30, P < 0.05). Furthermore, the highest blood glucose levels, hyperglycemia ratios, and proportions of insulin usage in the observation group were (6.74±0.99) mmol/L, 4.92% (3/61), and 3.28% (2/61), respectively, which were significantly lower than those in the control group [(7.72 ± 1.05) mmol/L, 40.98% (25/61), 21.31% (13/61), t = 5.30, χ2 = 22.43, 9.20, all P < 0.05]. Additionally, the observation group had significantly shorter first stage labor time [(418.66 ± 114.26) minutes], active stage time [(281.37 ± 129.65) minutes], and second stage labor time [38.14 ± 17.25) minutes] compared with the control group [(519.93 ± 132.45) minutes, (358.69 ± 153.26) minutes, (51.37 ± 18.62) minutes, t = 4.52, 3.00, 4.07, all P < 0.05]. The incidence of neonatal hypoglycemia in the observation group was 1.64% (1/61), which was significantly lower than 16.39% (10/61) in the control group ( χ2 = 6.39, P < 0.05). Conclusion:Dietary management during the labor process can effectively improve the blood sugar level of pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus, as well as enhance the maternal and fetal outcomes.

Objective To investigate the effectsof adipocyte-specific Structural maintenance of chromosomes 5(Smc5)knockouton glucose and lipid metabolism in mice.Methods Adipocyte-specific Smc5 knockout mice(AKO mice)were constructed based onclustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated nuclease 9(CRISPR/Cas9)systems,and Smc5flox/flox mice(Flox mice)were used as controls.The Smc5 knockout efficiency of adipose tissue in mice was verified by qRT-PCR and Western blot.The body fat content was detected by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry(DEXA).The morphology of adipose tissue was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining and the area distribution of adipocytes was calculated.TG,HDL-C,LDL-C,free fatty acid(FFA),intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test(IPGTT)and intraperitoneal insulin tolerance test(IPITT)were compared.Results The AKO mouse model of fat specific knockout of Smc5 gene was successfully constructed.Smc5 mRNA in groin fat(iWAT),epididymal fat(eWAT)and brown adipocyte(BAT)of AKO mice,body weight after 15 weeks,organ weight of iWAT at 31 weeks,organ weight of eWAT,organ weight of BAT,body weight,fat mass,fat mass/weight,LDL-C,and percentage of 15-minute blood glucose in IPITT were lower than those of Flox mice(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusions Adipocyte-specific Smc5 gene knockout improves glucose and lipid metabolism by affecting adipose tissue production.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of sodium sivelestat on the expression of specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) synthesis enzymes in mice with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI).Methods:Eighteen SPF healthy male C57BL/6 mice, aged 6-8 weeks, weighing 20-25 g, were divided into 3 groups ( n=6 each) using a random number table method: control group (C group), LPS-induced ALI group (ALI group), and LPS-induced ALI + sodium sivelestat group (ALI+ SV group). ALI was induced by intravenous injection of LPS 15 mg/kg through the tail vein. Sodium sivelestat 50 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected at 1 h after LPS administration. At 12 h after LPS administration, blood samples were collected from the eyeballs for routine blood tests, and the remaining blood was processed for serum extraction. The mice were sacrificed after anesthesia, and lung tissues were collected to determine the wet/dry weight (W/D) ratio, serum concentrations of interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and IL-10 (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), expression of neutrophil elastase (NE) and SPMs synthesis enzymes 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), 12-lipoxygenase (12-LOX), and 15-lipoxygenase (15-LOX) in lung tissues (by Western blot) and to examine the pathological changes of lung tissues which were scored. Results:Compared with C group, the lung injury scores, W/D ratio, white blood cell counts, percentage of neutrophil, and serum IL-1β and IL-10 concentrations were significantly increased, the expression of NE was up-regulated, and the expression of 5-LOX, 12-LOX and 15-LOX was down-regulated in ALI group ( P<0.05). Compared with ALI group, the lung injury scores, W/D ratio, white blood cell counts, percentage of neutrophil, and serum IL-1β concentration were significantly decreased, the serum IL-10 concentration was increased, the expression of NE was down-regulated, and the expression of 5-LOX, 12-LOX and 15-LOX was up-regulated in ALI+ SV group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The mechanism by which sodium sivelestat alleviates LPS-induced ALI may be related to up-regulating the expression of SPMs synthesis enzyme and promoting the resolution of pulmonary inflammation in mice.

Humans ; Asthma/drug therapy* ; Biological Therapy

ObjectiveTo reveal the targets and molecular mechanisms of the action of Qiangxin Decoction （强心汤） for the treatment of chronic heart failure based on the combination of network pharmacology and molecular docking. MethodsThe active ingredients of Qiangxin Decoction were retrieved from TCMSP database， and the targets of chronic heart failure were screened by searching GeneCards， OMIM， TTD， PharmGkb， and DrugBank databases， and the intersections were taken to obtain the intersecting targets of Qiangxin Decoction for the treatment of chronic heart failure. STRING platform was used to construct the protein-protein interaction network （PPI）， Cytoscape 3.8.0 software was used to calculate the network topology to screen the core targets， and R 4.2.3 was used to construct the “active ingredient-target” network by analyzing the GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. AutoDock 1.5.7 was used for molecular docking to predict the binding performance of active ingredients and core targets. ResultsSeventy-five intersecting targets were identified for the treatment of chronic heart failure with Qiangxin Decoction， among which the core targets were estrogen receptor 1 （ESR1， degree value=7）， nuclear receptor coactivator 1 （NCOA1， degree value=8）， glucocorticoid receptor （NR3C1， degree value=7）， and nuclear receptor coactivator 2 （NCOA2， degree value=7）. GO enrichment analysis showed that the top 3 items with the smallest P value in molecular function were G protein-coupled amine receptor activity， postsynaptic neurotransmitter receptor activity， and neurotransmitter receptor activity （P＜0.01）； the top 3 items with the smallest P value in biological process were adenylyl cyclase-activated adrenergic receptor signaling pathway， adrenergic receptor signaling pathway， and adenylyl cyclase-regulated G protein-coupled receptor signaling pathway （P＜0.01）； the top 3 items with the smallest P values in cellular composition were components of the postsynaptic membrane， synaptic membrane， and presynaptic membrane （P＜0.01）. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the top 5 key signaling pathways were neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions， calcium signaling pathway， dopaminergic synapses， cocaine addiction， and cyclic guanosine monophosphate-protein kinase G （cGMP-PKG） signaling pathway. The molecular docking results showed that lignans and isoflavones had lower binding energies and more structural stability with the four core targets （ESR1， NCOA1， NR3C1， NCOA2）. ConclusionThe treatment of chronic heart failure by Qiangxin Decoction was associated with neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions， calcium signaling pathway， dopaminergic synapses， chemoattractant-receptor activation， cGMP-PKG signaling pathway， lipids and atherosclerosis， and cAMP signaling pathway， and lignans and isoflavones may be the core active compounds in its treatment of chronic heart failure.

Hydrogels/therapeutic use* ; Tissue Engineering ; Gelatin ; Intervertebral Disc/surgery* ; Methacrylates ; Tissue Scaffolds