ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Chaihu and Longgu Mulitang （CLMT） on hippocampal neural damage in the mouse model of depression via the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase （ERK）/cAMP-response element-binding protein （CREB） signaling pathway. MethodsSeventy-eight male C57BL/6 mice were randomly allocated into normal control， model， low/medium/high-dose （2.89， 5.78， and 11.56 g·kg^-1， respectively） CLMT， and paroxetine （10 mg·kg^-1） groups. A depression model was established by chronic unpredictable mild stress （CUMS） combined with social isolation. Behavioral tests were carried out to evaluate depressive-like behaviors. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and Nissl staining were performed to assess hippocampal morphology and neuronal damage. Immunofluorescence was employed to detect glial fibrillary acidic protein （GFAP） and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 （Iba1）. Real-time PCR was employed to measure the mRNA levels of ERK and CREB. Western blot was employed to determine the expression of ERK/CREB pathway proteins and brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF） in the hippocampal tissue. Molecular Operating Environment （MOE） software was used for molecular docking to evaluate the interactions between CLMT components and target proteins. ResultsCompared with the normal control group， the model group showed decreased sucrose preference （P0.01）， increased tail-suspension immobility time （P0.01）， decreased activity in the central region of the open field test （P0.01）， and decreased activity in the middle and open-arm region of the elevated plus maze test （P0.01）. The hippocampal area in the model group showed wrinkled cells and a reduction in the number of cells， neurons with reduced sizes and Nissl bodies， enhanced fluorescence intensity of GFAP and Iba1 （P0.01）， and down-regulated expression of phosphorylated （p）-ERK， p-CREB， and BDNF （P0.05， P0.01） and mRNA levels of ERK and CREB （P0.01）. Compared with the model group， the CLMT group showed increased body weight （P0.05， P0.01）， restored cell morphology， with only a small number of ruptured cells， normal neuronal structure and morphology with obvious nuclei and abundant Nissl bodies， weakened fluorescence intensity of GFAP and Iba1 （P0.05， P0.01）， up-regulated mRNA levels of ERK and CREB （P0.05， P0.01） and protein levels of phosphorylated （p）-ERK， p-CREB， and BDNF in the hippocampal tissue （P0.05， P0.01）. The results of molecular docking indicated that nine active ingredients in CLMT had good binding affinity with ERK and CREB. ConclusionCLMT may ameliorate the hippocampal nerve injury in the mouse model of depression by regulating the ERK/CREB pathway.

Objective: To investigate the mechanism of action of Prim-O-glucosylcimifugin (POG) to improve cholesterol metabolism in osteoarthritic (OA) chondrocytes based on the long noncoding RNA nuclear-enriched transcript 1 (lncRNA NEAT1)/microRNA-128-3p (miR-128-3p) pathway. Methods: For in vivo experiments, 60 mice were divided into the normal, sham operation, model, and POG groups using the random number table method, with 15 mice per group. The osteoarthritis mouse model was constructed using the modified Hulth method in the model and POG groups. Mice in the POG group were administered 30 mg/(kg·d)POG by gavage. The other groups were administered an equal amount of normal saline for 8 weeks. The cartilage tissue structure of mice in each group was observed using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Real-time PCR was used to detect changes in the lncRNA NEAT1 and miR-128-3p mRNA expression levels in the cartilage tissues of mice. Western blotting was used to detect the protein expressions of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1), liver X receptor β (LXRβ), matrix metalloprotein-3 (MMP-3), and B-lymphoblastoma-2-associated X protein (Bax) in articular cartilage of mice. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) content in the synovial fluid of mice. A biochemical microplate assay was used to measure the total cholesterol level in the synovial fluid of mice. The in vitro experiments were divided into the negative control, interleukin-1β(IL-1β), IL-1β+ POG, IL-1β+ oe-lncRNA NEAT1, IL-1β+ oe-lncRNA NEAT1 + POG, IL-1β + miR-128-3p inhibition, and IL-1β+ miR-128-3p inhibition+ POG groups. An OA model was established by inducing chondrocytes with IL-1β for 24 h, and 90 mg/L of POG and miR-128-3p inhibitor(50 nmol/L) were administered for 48 h as an intervention. lncRNA NEAT1 expression in chondrocytes was detected using fluorescence in situ hybridization. A dual luciferase assay was used to detect the targeting relationship between lncRNA NEAT1 and miR-128-3p. Lentiviral plasmids overexpressing lncRNA NEAT1 were used to transfect mouse chondrocytes. Real-time PCR was used to detect the effect of lncRNA NEAT1 overexpression on the mRNA level of miR-128-3p in chondrocytes. Western blotting was used to detect ABCA1, LXRβ, MMP-3, and Bax protein expression in chondrocytes after lncRNA NEAT1 overexpression and miR-128-3p inhibition. Results: POG significantly reduced OA cartilage tissue damage. Compared with the model group, the lncRNA NEAT1 mRNA level decreased, whereas the miR-128-3p mRNA level increased in the cartilage tissue of the POG group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, ABCA1 and LXRβ protein expression increased in the POG group, whereas MMP-3 and Bax protein expression decreased (P<0.05). The TNF-α levels decreased in the POG group compared to the model group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the total cholesterol level in the synovial fluid of the joint of mice in the POG group decreased (P<0.05). The mean fluorescence intensity of lncRNA NEAT1 in the IL-1β+ POG group decreased compared with the IL-1β group (P<0.05). The relative luciferase activity in the miR-128-3p mimics group bound to the lncRNA NEAT1-WT plasmid decreased compared with the miR-128-3p negative control group (P<0.05). The lncRNA NEAT1 mRNA levels decreased, whereas the miR-128-3p mRNA levels increased in the IL-1β+ oe-lncRNA NEAT1 + POG group compared with the IL-1β+ oe-lncRNA NEAT1 group (P<0.05). Compared with the IL-1β+ POG group, ABCA1 and LXRβ protein expression decreased, whereas MMP-3 and Bax protein expression increased (P<0.05). Conclusion POG mediates lncRNA NEAT1/miR-128-3p to improve cholesterol metabolism in OA chondrocytes.

Objective To investigate the population density and seasonal fluctuations of Aedes albopictus in Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, from 2021 to 2023, so as to provide insights into A. albopictus control and management of dengue fever. Methods The surveillance of A. albopictus density was performed in all surveillance sites assigned across all streets (townships) in Guangzhou City during the period from January to December from 2021 to 2023. The surveillance frequency was twice every half month from May to September, and once every month for the rest of a year. In each surveillance period, A. albopictus mosquito larvae were captured from indoor and outdoor small water containers in residential areas, parks, medical facilities, schools, other government sectors and social organizations, construction sites, special industries and others for mosquito species identification. Adult mosquitoes were captured using electric mosquito suction apparatus for species identification and gender classification. Adult mosquitoes and mosquito eggs were collected with mosquito and egg traps at the breeding and dwelling places of Aedes mosquitoes for identification. The mosquito oviposition index (MOI), Breteau index (BI), adult mosquito density index (ADI) and standard space index (SSI) were calculated. The A. albopictus density was classified into grades 0, 1, 2 and 3 in each surveillance site, with Grade 0 density defined eligible, and the eligible rate of A. albopictus density was calculated at all surveillance sites each year from 2021 to 2023. In addition, the changing trends in MOI, SSI, BI and ADI of A. albopictus were analyzed in Guangzhou City from 2021 to 2023. Results The eligible rates of A. albopictus density were 61.69%, 68.75% and 55.15% in surveillance sites of Guangzhou City from 2021 to 2023 (χ² = 297.712, P < 0.001), and appeared a tendency towards a reduction followed by a rise each year, which gradually reduced since January, maintained at a low level during the period between May and October, and gradually increased from November to December. The MOI, SSI, BI and ADI of A. albopictus all appeared a tendency towards a rise followed by a reduction in Guangzhou City during the period between January and December from 2021 to 2023. The BI of A. albopictus peaked in the first half of June in 2021 (4.03), the first half of July in 2022 (3.89) and the last half of August in 2023 (5.02), and the SSI of A. albopictus peaked in the last half of June in 2021 (0.93), the last half of May in 2022 (0.59), and the last half of June (0.94) and the first half of September in 2023 (1.12). In addition, the MOI of A. albopictus peaked in the first half of May in 2021 (8.64), the first half of June in 2022 (8.96), and the last half of May (10.21) and the last half of June in 2023 (10.89), and the ADI of A. albopictus peaked in the first half of June in 2021 (3.41), the last half of June in 2022 (4.06), and the first half of July in 2023 (3.61). Conclusions The density of A. albopictus is high in Guangzhou City during the period from May to October, and the risk of local outbreak caused by imported dengue fever is high. Persistent intensified surveillance of the density and seasonal fluctuation of A. albopictus is recommended and timely mosquito prevention and control is required according to the fluctuation in the A. albopictus density.

Objective To investigate the setup error in patients with spinal bone metastasis who underwent radiotherapy under the guidance of kilovoltage cone-beam CT (KV-CBCT). Methods A total of 118 patients with spinal metastasis who underwent radiotherapy, including 17 cases of cervical spine, 62 cases of thoracic spine, and 39 cases of lumbar spine, were collected. KV-CBCT scans were performed using the linear accelerators from Elekta and Varian’s EDGE system. CBCT images were registered with reference CT images in the bone window mode. A total of 973 data were collected, and 3D linear errors were recorded. Results The patients with spinal bone metastasis were grouped by site, height, weight, and BMI. The P value of the patients grouped only by site was P<0.05, which was statistically significant. Conclusion When grouped by site in the 3D direction, the positioning effect of cervical spine is better than that of thoracic and lumbar spine. The positioning effect of the thoracic spine is better in the head and foot direction but worse in the left and right direction compared with that of the lumbar spine. Instead of extending or narrowing the margin according to the BMI of patients with spinal metastasis, the margin must be changed according to the site of spinal bone metastasis.

Objective: To evaluate the application of blood conservation measures in obstetric patients with different red blood cell transfusion volumes and to assess the impact of different transfusion volumes on postpartum outcomes. Methods: A retrospective investigation was conducted on 448 obstetric patients who received blood transfusions at the Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from January 2016 to December 2022. Patients were divided into four groups (1-2 units group, 3-4 units group, 5-6 units group, and >6 units group) based on the volumes of red blood cells (RBCs) transfused during and within 7 days after delivery. The maternal physiological indicators, pre- and postpartum laboratory test indicators, obstetric complications, application of blood conservation measures, use of blood products, and postpartum outcomes were reviewed. The clinical characteristics, application of blood conservation measures, and their impact on postpartum outcomes were compared among different transfusion groups. Results: There were statistically significant differences in the multivariate logistic analysis of history of previous cesarean section (OR=1.781), eclampsia/pre-eclampsia/(OR=1.972) and postpartum blood loss>1 000 mL（OR=1.699）(P<0.05) among different transfusion groups. In terms of blood conservation measures, the more RBCs transfused, the higher the rate of mothers receiving blood conservation measures such as balloon occlusion, arterial ligation, autologous blood transfusion with a cell saver, and hysterectomy. With the increase in the volume of RBCs transfusion, the demand for fresh frozen plasma（FFP）, cryoprecipitate, and platelet transfusions also increased. The hospitalization days for the four groups of parturients were 6.0 (4.0-9.0), 7.5 (5.0-14.8), 7.0 (4.5-13.0) and 11.0 (9.0-20.5), respectively (P<0.05) and the rates of ICU transfer were 2.0% (5/250), 9.4% (12/128),18.2% (6/33) and 51.4% (19/37), respectively (P<0.05). Both increased significantly with the increase in the volume of RBCs transfusion, and the differences between groups were statistically significant. Conclusion: Parturients who received higher volume of RBCs had multiple risks factors for bleeding before childbirth, had higher postpartum blood loss, and had a higher rate of application of various blood conservation measures. In addition, an increase in the volume of RBCs transfusion may have adverse effects on postpartum recovery.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2022.06.016.].

Objective This study aims to investigate the application of the Plan-Do-Check-Act(PDCA)cycle in the Di-agnosis Related Group(DRG)payment system for oncological diseases.Methods We analyzed the factors influencing DRG pay-ment and incorporated the PDCA Cycle in the oncological diseases at a tertiary hospital in Tianjin.The baseline data of cases partic-ipating in DRG payment from April 2022 to September 2022 were compared with the settlement data of cases participating in DRG payment from October 2022 to March 2023.SPSS 20.0 was used to evaluate the impact of data quality in medical record documenta-tion on DRG admission rate,average hospitalization costs,average length of stay,Case Mix Index(CMI)value,and DRG settle-ment rate,so as to assess the effectiveness of the PDCA cycle in DRG payment within the oncological diseases at the hospital.Re-sults Following the PDCA cycle,the DRG admission rate increased from 84.03%to 89.98%,and the cases ineligible for inclu-sion decreased by 22.78%due to mismatched main diagnosis and procedures."Violations of the reporting and coding principles that do not require reporting"and"omission of primary surgical procedure codes"were no longer observed as reasons for failed DRG inclusion.Ambiguous cases with both average hospitalization costs and average length of stay higher than those of normal inclu-sion cases,leading to an increase in the average hospitalization cost from 22 496.56 yuan to 24714.92 yuan,and the average length of stay increased from 7.50 days to 8.13 days.The CMI value increased from 0.96 to 1.08,and the DRG settlement rate increased from 107.93%to 130.67%.Conclusion The PDCA cycle can effectively enhance the quality of medical record documentation,leading to improved quality in medical insurance settlement lists and DRG admission rates.It can help identify operational issues within the de-partment and promote the smooth implementation of DRG payment reform in the oncological department.

Background and purpose:Exogenous bone morphogenetic protein 9(BMP9)inhibits the malignant progression of human breast cancer,but its expression is often abnormally low in breast cancer.In this study,we intended to explore the expression and role of epigenetically-modified histone lysine-specific demethylase 4A(KDM4A)in breast cancer,and to investigate the relationship between KDM4A and BMP9 and its possible regulatory mechanism.Methods:The expression of KDM4A in breast cancer and its relationship with BMP9 were analyzed by bioinformatics and verified by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RTFQ-PCR)and Western blot.Chromatin immunoprecipitation(ChIP)verified the regulatory role of KDM4A on BMP9,and RNA stability experiments and CHX protein stability experiments verified the effect of KDM4A in BMP9 expression.Exogenous recombinant MDA-MB-231 cells transfected with KDM4A small interfering RNA(siKDM4A)or infected with siBMP9 adenovirus(Ad-siBMP9)were constructed using RNA interference technology and adenoviruses knocking down BMP9,and the migratory and invasive abilities of the cells were detected by scratch healing assay and transwell assay,respectively.Results:Bioinformatics analysis showed that the expression of KDM4A was significantly higher in breast cancer than in normal tissues,and there was a negative correlation between the expression of KDM4A and that of BMP9 in breast cancer;RTFQ-PCR and Western blot showed that KDM4A was highly expressed in different breast cancer cell lines,and the knockdown of KDM4A significantly up-regulated BMP9.ChIP experiment confirmed that KDM4A could be significantly enriched in the promoter region of BMP9 gene,reducing its histone lysine 36 position instead of position 4 methyl status,thus silencing the expression of BMP9.RNA stability assay and CHX protein stability assay confirmed that KDM4A had no significant effect on the mRNA of BMP9,but could affect its protein degradation.After knocking down KDM4A,the migration and invasion abilities of breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231 were significantly inhibited,and this effect could be partially reversed by knocking down BMP9.Conclusion:KDM4A is highly expressed in breast cancer and breast cancer cell MDA-MB-231,and can silence its expression by down-regulating the level of histone methylation in the promoter region of the BMP9 gene,as well as affecting the stability of BMP9 at the protein level rather than at the level of mRNA,and promoting the migration and invasion of breast cancer.

Objective To observe the effects and mechanism of Guiqi Yiyuan Ointment on immune function in 12C6+ beam bystander-effect rats.Methods Totally 60 Wistar rats were randomly divided into blank group,model group,positive control group,and TCM low-,medium-,and high-dosage groups,with 10 rats in each group.TCM low-,medium-,and high-dosage groups were given 1.2,2.4,and 4.8 g/kg Guiqi Yiyuan Ointment for gavage,and the blank group,model group and positive control group were given equal dose of sodium chloride solution for gavage for 14 days.Positive control group received intraperitoneal injection of amifostine 30 minutes before modeling.On the 15th day,except the blank group,the other groups were given 4 Gy 12C6+ beam of single irradiation on the right lung.After irradiation,each group was given gavage for 3 days.The general condition of rats was observed,peripheral blood leukocyte(WBC),red blood cell(RBC),hemoglobin(Hb),platelet(PLT)levels were detected,ELISA was used to detect the contents of serum interleukin(IL)-4 and interferon-γ(IFN-γ),lung and spleen organ indices were calculated,HE staining was used to observe the pathological morphology of left lung and spleen tissues,and flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes in the spleen,qPCR was used to detect the expressions of T-bet and GATA-3 mRNA in right lung and spleen tissues.Results Compared with the blank group,the model group rats showed a decrease in peripheral blood WBC,an increase in RBC,Hb,PLT,and an decrease in serum IL-4 and IFN-γ contents;the organ indices of left lung and spleen was significantly reduced,the alveoli were deformed,the alveolar walls became thicker,the alveolar cavities shrank,the lung tissue was significantly bleeding,the spleen tissue structure was severely damaged,the splenic sinus cavity became narrower,and the splenic cord showed fibrous hyperplasia;the proportion of CD4+ T lymphocytes and CD4+/CD8+ ratio in spleen tissue of the model group decreased,while the proportion of CD8+ T lymphocytes increased,the expression of T-bet mRNA in the left lung and spleen tissues decreased,while the expression of GATA-3 mRNA increased,with statistical significance(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the positive control group and TCM medium-and high-dosage groups showed an increase in peripheral blood WBC,an decrease in RBC,Hb,PLT,an increase in serum IL-4 and IFN-γ contents;the index of left lung and spleen organs increased in TCM high-dosage group;the pathological damage of left lung and spleen tissues in each treatment group alleviated to varying degrees,while the proportion of CD4+ T lymphocytes and CD4+/CD8+ ratio in spleen tissue of the positive control group and TCM high-dosage group increased,the proportion of CD8+ T lymphocytes decreased,the expression of T-bet mRNA in left lung and spleen tissues increased,and the expression of GATA-3 mRNA decreased,with statistical significance(P<0.05).Conclusion Guiqi Yiyuan Ointment can alleviate the lung and spleen injury of rats induced by 12C6+ beam radiation.Its mechanism is related to regulating the proportion of CD4+,CD8+ T lymphocytes and the expression of T-bet and GATA-3,and recovering cellular immune function.

ObjectiveTo observe the therapeutic effect of Shugan Huazheng prescription on hepatic fibrosis model rats induced by carbon tetrachloride （CCl₄） and explore whether it plays its role through hypoxia-induced factor-1α/vascular endothelial growth factor/transforming growth factor-β₁ （HIF-1α/VEGF/TGF-β₁） pathway. MethodA total of 54 male SPF SD rats were randomly divided into six groups： blank group， model group， colchicine group （0.2 mg·kg^-1）， and high-， medium-， and low-dose groups （29.52， 14.76， and 7.38 g·kg^-1） of Shugan Huazheng prescription， with nine rats in each group. The molding was conducted three times a week for eight weeks. Administration began the day after the first injection， and the drug intervention was once a day for eight weeks. On the day after the last administration， the rats were deprived of food and water， and they were killed the next day， during which the physiological status of each group of rats was dynamically monitored. The pathological changes in the liver were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， and the content of hydroxyproline （HYP） and angiotensin Ⅱ （AngⅡ） in liver tissue were detected by enzyme-related immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR （Real-time PCR） was used to determine the mRNA expression levels of HIF-1α， VEGF， and TGF-β₁ in liver tissue， and immunohistochemical method （IHC） and Western blot were used to detect the protein expression levels of HIF-1α， VEGF， and TGF-β₁ in liver tissue. ResultCompared with the blank group， the overall condition of rats in the model group decreased significantly. The proliferation of connective tissue and the increase in adipose cells between hepatocytes were obvious. The content of HYP and Ang was increased. The mRNA and protein expressions of HIF-1α， VEGF， and TGF-β₁ were increased to varying degrees （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the proliferation of connective tissue and inflammatory cell infiltration in the liver tissue of colchicine and Shugan Huazheng prescription groups were reduced. The content of HYP and Ang was decreased. The mRNA and protein expression levels of HIF-1α， VEGF， and TGF-β₁ were decreased， and the colchicine group and high-dose group of Shugan Huazheng prescription were the most significant （P<0.05）. ConclusionShugan Huazheng prescription has an obvious therapeutic effect on CCl₄-induced hepatic fibrosis model rats. Its therapeutic mechanism may be related to the regulation of the HIF-1α/VEGF/TGF-β₁ signaling pathway and the improvement of hepatic hypoxia， vascular remodeling， and the syndrome of Qi deficiency and blood stasis in hepatic fibrosis.