ObjectiveTo explore the effects of Kaixuan Jiedu core prescription （KXJD） on sphingolipid metabolism in the mouse model of imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like skin lesions. MethodsThirty-seven male C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned into five groups： healthy control （n=11）， model （n=11）， methotrexate （MTX， n=5）， low-dose （15.21 g·kg^-1） KXJD （n=5）， and high-dose （30.42 g·kg^-1） KXJD （n=5）. Psoriasis-like skin lesions were induced in mice with 62.5 mg 5% imiquimod cream applied on the back. The KXJD groups and MTX group were treated with 0.2 mL corresponding decoction and MTX， respectively， by gavage daily， while the other groups were given an equal volume of normal saline by the same way. After 5 days of treatment， back skin lesions were collected. Firstly， healthy control and model mice were selected for tandem mass tag （TMT） quantitative proteomics （control vs model=3 vs 3） and targeted lipid metabolomics （control vs model=11 vs 11）. Then， the binding degree between core components and target proteins was predicted via network pharmacology and molecular docking. Finally， an animal experiment was performed to decipher the specific regulation mechanism of KXJD on sphingolipid metabolism. Immunohistochemistry was employed to determine the expression level of sphingosine-1-phosphate （S1P）， and Western blot was employed to determine the expression levels of sphingosine kinase 2 （SPHK2） and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 （MCP-1）. ResultsTMT proteomics and targeted lipid metabolomics suggested that sphingolipid metabolism was active in the psoriatic skin， and key proteases ［serine palmitoyltransferase， long chain base subunit 2 （SPTLC2）， SPHK2， delta（4）-desaturase sphingolipid 1 （Degs1）， and ceramide synthase 4 （CerS4）］ and 8 sphingolipid metabolites （including ceramides， sphingol， sphingomyelin， and glycosphingolipid） expressed abnormally （P<0.05） compared with those in the healthy skin. The molecular docking results indicated that the binding energy between the active components （quercetin， kaempferol， and luteolin） in KXJD and key proteins involved in sphingolipid metabolism was less than-8 kal·mol^-1. Further experimental verification showed elevated expression levels of SPHK2， S1P， and MCP-1 in psoriatic skin compared with healthy skin （P<0.05）， and KXJD down-regulated the expression levels of SPHK2， S1P， and MCP-1 compared with the model group （P<0.05）. ConclusionThis study indicates that there is an imbalance in sphingolipid metabolism in psoriatic skin lesions. KXJD may reduce psoriasis-like lesions in mice by regulating sphingolipid metabolism via the SPHK2/S1P/MCP-1 pathway.

ObjectiveTo explore the effects of Kaixuan Jiedu core prescription （KXJD） on sphingolipid metabolism in the mouse model of imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like skin lesions. MethodsThirty-seven male C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned into five groups： healthy control （n=11）， model （n=11）， methotrexate （MTX， n=5）， low-dose （15.21 g·kg^-1） KXJD （n=5）， and high-dose （30.42 g·kg^-1） KXJD （n=5）. Psoriasis-like skin lesions were induced in mice with 62.5 mg 5% imiquimod cream applied on the back. The KXJD groups and MTX group were treated with 0.2 mL corresponding decoction and MTX， respectively， by gavage daily， while the other groups were given an equal volume of normal saline by the same way. After 5 days of treatment， back skin lesions were collected. Firstly， healthy control and model mice were selected for tandem mass tag （TMT） quantitative proteomics （control vs model=3 vs 3） and targeted lipid metabolomics （control vs model=11 vs 11）. Then， the binding degree between core components and target proteins was predicted via network pharmacology and molecular docking. Finally， an animal experiment was performed to decipher the specific regulation mechanism of KXJD on sphingolipid metabolism. Immunohistochemistry was employed to determine the expression level of sphingosine-1-phosphate （S1P）， and Western blot was employed to determine the expression levels of sphingosine kinase 2 （SPHK2） and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 （MCP-1）. ResultsTMT proteomics and targeted lipid metabolomics suggested that sphingolipid metabolism was active in the psoriatic skin， and key proteases ［serine palmitoyltransferase， long chain base subunit 2 （SPTLC2）， SPHK2， delta（4）-desaturase sphingolipid 1 （Degs1）， and ceramide synthase 4 （CerS4）］ and 8 sphingolipid metabolites （including ceramides， sphingol， sphingomyelin， and glycosphingolipid） expressed abnormally （P<0.05） compared with those in the healthy skin. The molecular docking results indicated that the binding energy between the active components （quercetin， kaempferol， and luteolin） in KXJD and key proteins involved in sphingolipid metabolism was less than-8 kal·mol^-1. Further experimental verification showed elevated expression levels of SPHK2， S1P， and MCP-1 in psoriatic skin compared with healthy skin （P<0.05）， and KXJD down-regulated the expression levels of SPHK2， S1P， and MCP-1 compared with the model group （P<0.05）. ConclusionThis study indicates that there is an imbalance in sphingolipid metabolism in psoriatic skin lesions. KXJD may reduce psoriasis-like lesions in mice by regulating sphingolipid metabolism via the SPHK2/S1P/MCP-1 pathway.

BACKGROUND:Electrical stimulation is a physical method that can be used to induce various cellular activities such as cell proliferation,differentiation,and apoptosis.The induction of osteogenic differentiation of stem cells will be beneficial in the field of bone regeneration. OBJECTIVE:To observe whether micro-current field can promote the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells. METHODS:The fresh human umbilical cord tissue was cut to obtain umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells,which were inoculated into a 6-well plate after cell culture and passage to the third generation.After 24 hours,the cells were cultured under a stimulation of 0,50,and 100 mV/mm micro-electric field,at a frequency of 1 hour per day for 3 continuous days.The growth and morphological changes of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells were observed by a microscope.The cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 assay and EdU staining.Alizarin red staining was used to detect the osteogenic differentiation ability of cells.Western blot assay was used to determine the expression of ERK signal pathway proteins. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The optical density value and the number of proliferating cells in 50 and 100 mV/mm groups were significantly higher than those of the unstimulated group(P<0.05).(2)Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells could be induced to differentiate into osteocytes before and after micro-electric field stimulation,but the differentiation rate of 50 and 100 mV/mm groups was faster than that of unstimulated groups.(3)The protein expression of p-ERK1/2 in the 50 and 100 mV/mm groups was higher than that in the unstimulated group,and significant difference was detected between the 100 mV/mm group and the unstimulated group(P<0.05).(4)Micro-electric field can promote the proliferation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells,and the mechanism may be achieved by promoting the phosphorylation of ERK.

BACKGROUND:Oxidative stress is closely associated with the occurrence and progression of intervertebral disc degeneration,but its underlying mechanisms and effective treatment methods remain unclear. OBJECTIVE:To identify key genes associated with intervertebral disc degeneration accompanied by oxidative stress based on bioinformatics and three machine learning algorithms,as well as to conduct an immune infiltration analysis,followed by experimental validation. METHODS:Gene expression profiles related to intervertebral disc degeneration were obtained from the GEO database and oxidative stress-related genes obtained from the GeneCards database.Differential analysis and weighted gene co-expression networks analysis were performed on the intervertebral disc degeneration dataset.The intersection of the two analyses and the intersection with the oxidative stress-related genes were taken to obtain candidate hub genes.Gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses on the candidate hub genes were performed.Machine learning algorithms(LASSO regression,SVM-RFE,and random forest)were used to select the optimal feature genes and perform the receiver operator characteristic curve validation.Simultaneously,immune infiltration analysis was conducted.Nucleus pulposus samples from patients with cervical spondylosis who were treated at the Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from July to November 2023 were enrolled as the intervertebral disc degeneration group and nucleus pulposus samples from patients with cervical spinal cord injury as the control group.The relative expression of feature genes in the degenerated intervertebral disc was validated using qPCR method. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After differential gene analysis,424 differentially expressed genes were obtained.Weighted gene co-expression networks analysis yielded 5 087 genes,and 1 399 oxidative stress genes were identified,leading to the identification of 23 candidate hub genes.Gene ontology analysis revealed that these candidate hub genes are primarily involved in bacterial defense response,molecular response to bacteria,and other biological processes.In terms of cellular component,they are associated with secretion granule lumen and cytoplasmic vesicle lumen,among others.As for molecular function,they are related to endopeptidase activity and compound binding,including sulfur compounds.Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis demonstrated that these candidate hub genes are associated with neutrophil extracellular trap formation and the renin-angiotensin system pathway,among other signaling pathways.By applying three machine learning algorithms and conducting the receiver operator characteristic curve validation,two key genes,HSPA6 and PKD1,were determined.Immune infiltration analysis revealed a strong correlation between HSPA6 and activated dendritic cells(r=0.88,P＜0.001)as well as activated CD4+ T cells(r=-0.72,P＜0.01).Similarly,PKD1 showed close associations with effector memory CD8+ T cells(r=0.55,P＜0.05)and activated dendritic cells(r=-0.56,P＜0.05).qPCR experimental results indicated that the expression level of HSPA6 was lower in the intervertebral disc degeneration group compared with the control group(P＜0.000 1),while the expression level of PKD1 was higher in the intervertebral disc degeneration group(P＜0.000 1).These findings suggest that HSPA6 and PKD1 can serve as biomarkers for intervertebral disc degeneration accompanied by oxidative stress.Interventions targeting HSPA6 and PKD1 may hold promise for improving intervertebral disc degeneration.

Objective:To investigate the current status of endoscopic treatment for gastroesophageal varices in portal hypertension in China, and to provide supporting data and reference for the development of endoscopic treatment.Methods:In this study, initiated by the Liver Health Consortium in China (CHESS), a questionnaire was designed and distributed online to investigate the basic condition of endoscopic treatment for gastroesophageal varices in portal hypertension in 2022 in China. Questions included annual number and indication of endoscopic procedures, adherence to guideline for preventing esophagogastric variceal bleeding (EGVB), management and timing of emergent EGVB, management of gastric and isolated varices, and improvement of endoscopic treatment. Proportions of hospitals concerning therapeutic choices to all participant hospitals were calculated. Guideline adherence between secondary and tertiary hospitals were compared by using Chi-square test.Results:A total of 836 hospitals from 31 provinces (anotomous regions and municipalities) participated in the survey. According to the survey, the control of acute EGVB (49.3%, 412/836) and the prevention of recurrent bleeding (38.3%, 320/836) were major indications of endoscopic treatment. For primary [non-selective β-blocker (NSBB) or endoscopic therapies] and secondary prophylaxis (NSBB and endoscopic therapies) of EGVB, adherence to domestic guideline was 72.5% (606/836) and 39.2% (328/836), respectively. There were significant differences in the adherence between secondary and tertiary hospitals in primary prophylaxis of EGVB [71.0% (495/697) VS 79.9% (111/139), χ2=4.11, P=0.033] and secondary prophylaxis of EGVB [41.6% (290/697) VS 27.3% (38/139), χ2=9.31, P=0.002]. A total of 78.2% (654/836) hospitals preferred endoscopic therapies treating acute EGVB, and endoscopic therapy was more likely to be the first choice for treating acute EGVB in tertiary hospitals (82.6%, 576/697) than secondary hospitals [56.1% (78/139), χ2=46.33, P<0.001]. The optimal timing was usually within 12 hours (48.5%, 317/654) and 12-24 hours (36.9%, 241/654) after the bleeding. Regarding the management of gastroesophageal varices type 2 and isolated gastric varices type 1, most hospitals used cyanoacrylate injection in combination with sclerotherapy [48.2% (403/836) and 29.9% (250/836), respectively], but substantial proportions of hospitals preferred clip-assisted therapies [12.4% (104/836) and 26.4% (221/836), respectively]. Improving the skills of endoscopic doctors (84.2%, 704/836), and enhancing the precision of pre-procedure evaluation and quality of multidisciplinary team (78.9%, 660/836) were considered urgent needs in the development of endoscopic treatment. Conclusion:A variety of endoscopic treatments for gastroesophageal varices in portal hypertension are implemented nationwide. Participant hospitals are active to perform emergent endoscopy for acute EGVB, but are inadequate in following recommendations regarding primary and secondary prophylaxis of EGVB. Moreover, the selection of endoscopic procedures for gastric varices differs greatly among hospitals.

ObjectiveMetabolomics was utilized to investigate the preventive effect of notoginseng total saponins（NTS） on aspirin（acetyl salicylic acid， ASA）-induced small bowel injury in rats. MethodFifty male SD rats were randomly divided into normal and model groups， NTS high-dose and low-dose groups（62.5， 31.25 mg·kg^-1）， and positive drug group（omeprazole 2.08 mg·kg^-1+rebamipide 31.25 mg·kg^-1）， with 10 rats in each group. Except for the normal group， rats in other groups were given ASA enteric-coated pellets 10.41 mg·kg^-1 daily to establish a small intestine injury model. On this basis， each medication group was gavaged daily with the corresponding dose of drug， and the normal group and the model group were gavaged with an equal amount of drinking water. Changes in body mass and fecal characteristics of rats were recorded and scored during the period. After 14 weeks of administration， small intestinal tissues of each group were taken for hematoxylin-eosin（HE） staining， scanning electron microscopy to observe the damage， and the apparent damage of small intestine was scored. Serum from rats in the normal group， the model group， and the NTS high-dose group was taken and analyzed for metabolomics by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry（UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS）， and the data were processed by multivariate statistical analysis， the potential biomarkers were screened by variable importance in the projection（VIP） value≥1.0， fold change（FC）≥1.5 or ≤0.6 and t-test P<0.05， and pathway enrichment analysis of differential metabolites was performed in conjunction with Human Metabolome Database（HMDB） and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes（KEGG）. ResultAfter 14 weeks of administration， the average body mass gain of the model group was lower than that of the normal group， and the NTS high-dose group was close to that of the normal group. Compared with the normal group， the fecal character score of rats in the model group was significantly increased（P<0.05）， and compared with the model group， the scores of the positive drug group and the NTS high-dose group were reduced， but the difference was not statistically significant. HE staining and scanning electron microscopy results showed that NTS could significantly improve ASA-induced small intestinal injury， compared with the normal group， the small bowel injury score of the model group was significantly increased（P<0.01）， compared with the model group， the small bowel injury scores of the NTS low and high dose groups were significantly reduced（P<0.05， P<0.01）. Serum metabolomics screened a total of 75 differential metabolites between the normal group and the model group， of which 55 were up-regulated and 20 were down-regulated， 76 differential metabolites between the model group and the NTS groups， of which 14 were up-regulated and 62 were down-regulated. NTS could modulate three differential metabolites（salicylic acid， 3-hydroxybenzoic acid and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid）， which were involved in 3 metabolic pathways， namely， the bile secretion， the biosynthesis of folic acid， and the biosynthesis of phenylalanine， tyrosine and tryptophan. ConclusionNTS can prevent ASA-induced small bowel injury， and the underlying mechanism may be related to the regulation of bile secretion and amino acid metabolic pathways in rats.

Objective To compare the contents of alkaloid in Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix with different degrees of processing and their effects on electrocardiogram and vagus nerve action potential in SD rats;To establish a toxicity evaluation method for Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix and its processed products.Methods HPLC was used to determine the contents of six alkaloid components,including benzoyl neoaconitine,benzoyl aconitine,benzoyl subeaconitine,neoaconitine,subeaconitine and aconitine in Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix and Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix Cocta of soaking and boiled for 30 minutes,boiled for 4 h without soaking,soaking and boiled for 4 h,and soaking and boiled for 8 h.SD rats were subjected to sublingual drainage with Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix and four types of processed products.The vagus nerve action potential and electrocardiogram of rats before and after administration were recorded,and the correlation analysis between alkaloid content and vagus nerve action potential and heart rate was conducted.Results The contents of alkaloid of the four processed products showed that the content of diester alkaloids was soaking and boiled for 30 min>boiled for 4 h without soaking>soaking and boiled for 4 h>soaking and boiled for 8 h;monoester alkaloid content:boiled for 4 h without soaking>soaking and boiled for 30 min>soaking and boiled for 4 h>soaking and boiled for 8 h.After the administration of each sample,compared with the basal discharge,the vagus nerve discharge of rats with different processed products was changed by sublingual administration,heart rate increased,the degree of arrhythmia increased,and it varied with the degree of processing;the results of correlation analysis showed that there was a significant correlation between the nerve discharge area and the contents of diester alkaloids and total alkaloids.Conclusion The action potential of the vagus nerve and electrocardiogram of rats after sublingual drainage administration can reflect the degree of numbness in the tongue,which can provide reference for the study of tongue sensation of Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix.

Objective:To evaluate the relationship between the occipitocervical angle(basilar vertebral angle [O-C 2 angle], mento-pharyngeal angle [M-P angle], and cervical range of motion [CROM]) and difficult airway after occipitocervical fusion surgery in the patients. Methods:This was a retrospective study. The clinical data from patients who underwent occipitocervical fusion surgery at our hospital from March 2018 to March 2023 were retrospectively collected. Preoperative and last follow-up airway assessment data and cervical lateral X-rays were collected to measure the O-C 2 angle, M-P angle and CROM. Patients were divided into negative group (Mallampati grade Ⅰ or Ⅱ, suggesting no difficulty in intubation) and positive group (Mallampati grade Ⅲ or Ⅳ, suggesting possible difficulty in intubation) based on the last follow-up modified Mallampati classification. Results:A total of 53 patients were finally included, with 18 cases in positive group and 35 in negative group. There were no statistically significant differences in the O-C 2 angle and CROM between preoperative and last follow-up in the 53 patients ( P>0.05), and the M-P angle was significantly decreased at the last follow-up compared with that before operation ( P<0.05). Compared with negative group, O-C 2 angle and M-P angle were significantly decreased at the last follow-up ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in CROM in positive group ( P<0.05). Compared with that before operation, the M-P angle was significantly decreased at the last follow-up in both groups, and the O-C 2 angle was significantly decreased at the last follow-up in positive group ( P<0.05). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves of O-C 2 angle, M-P angle and CROM in predicting difficult airway were 0.895, 0.888 and 0.519 respectively. Conclusions:The decrease in the O-C 2 angle and M-P angle after occipitocervical fusion surgery can increase the risk of difficult airway, and both can be used for airway assessment in the patients undergoing this kind of surgery.

Burkitt lymphoma is a highly aggressive B-cell lymphoma and the fastest proliferating human malignant tumor.If the disease is found in the early stage,the patient could have a high possibility to be cured successfully,whereas the prognosis is poor in the late stage.Burkitt lymphoma can occur in children and adults,and it is categorized as local(Africa),sporadic,and immunodeficiency associated type.Sporadic Burkitt lymphoma mainly affects children and ado-lescents,and the most common initial sites are abdominal organs and lymph nodes.Sporadic Burkitt lymphoma manifested by initial oral and maxillofacial lesions is rela-tively rare.Here,a case of pediatric sporadic Burkitt lym-phoma,with oral and maxillofacial lesions as the first symptoms,was reported.The patient was treated in the Department of Periodontology,Shandong University School and Hospital of Stomatology.After timely checkup was pro-vided,the patient was transferred to another hospital and had good results.In this article,an incidence of Burkitt lympho-ma,with oral and maxillofacial lesions as the first symptom,was reviewed to provide reference for oral clinicians to achieve early diagnosis and treatment of patients with Burkitt lymphoma with oral diseases and improve the success rate of treatment.

On the basis of synergetic theory and complex adaptive system theory, the dialectical relationship of "industry-university-research-competition" four-in-one practical teaching was analyzed. The path of practicing "industry-university-research-competition" four-in-one practical teaching in medical universities was explored. In terms of industry, the development adheres to the principles of broad vision and selective implementation, as well as accumulating resources gradually for substantial progress. Currently, the company operates in compliance with standards, seeking steady and proactive advancement. In terms of university, we explored the combination of professional courses and entrepreneurship and innovation teaching, the combination of experimental platform and entrepreneurship and innovation incubation, and the combination of holiday practice learning and entrepreneurship and innovation practice, so as to achieve full coverage of entrepreneurship and innovation practice teaching in class and outside class. In terms of research, students participated in the faculty research projects and teams or independently applied for college student innovation and entrepreneurship projects. Scientific research has become the primary carrier of training the innovation awareness of college students. At present, we have been granted with four national college student innovation and entrepreneurship projects. In terms of competition, we have normatively participated in discipline competitions and innovation and entrepreneurship competitions, and established a complete competition system. We have won more than 200 awards in competitions at various levels. Several years of unremitting efforts to practice teaching reform have led to promising results and moderate scale of teaching practice.