OBJECTIVE To investigate the regulatory effects of couplet medicinals of Atractylodes macrocephala-Aucklandia lappa on gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acids （SCFAs） in the diarrhea-type irritable bowel syndrome （IBS-D） rats with spleen deficiency. METHODS The IBS-D rat model with spleen deficiency was induced by intragastric administration of Senna alexandrina combined with restraint stimulation. The model rats were divided into model group， positive control group （pinaverium bromide 1.5 mg/kg）， A. macrocephala-A. lappa low-dose， medium-dose and high-dose groups （0.7， 1.4， 2.8 g/kg）， with 6 rats in each group. Another 6 healthy rats were taken as the blank control group. The blank control group and the model group were given normal saline intragastrically， and other groups were given relevant drug liquid intragastrically， once a day， for consecutive 14 days. The general characteristics of rats and fecal water content were observed， and intestinal sensitivity [evaluating by abdominal wall withdrawal reflex （AWR） threshold] and the intestinal propulsion rate were determined. The serum levels of 5- hydroxytryptamine（5-HT）and SP were detected， and the pathological changes of colon tissue were observed； the protein expressions of 5-HT-3 receptor（5-HT3R）， 5-HT4R and 5-HT transporter（SERT） in colon tissue of rats were detected. 16S rRNA sequencing was performed for the feces of rats in blank control group， model group and A. macrocephala-A. lappa high-dose group； the contents of acetic acid， propionic acid and butyric acid in the feces of the rats were determined. RESULTS Compared with the model group， the body weight after 7 and 14 days of medication， fecal water content， AWR threshold， and the protein expressions of 5-HT4R and SERT in colon tissue were increased significantly in the A. macrocephala-A. lappa medium-dose and high-dose groups （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）； serum contents of 5-HT and SP， intestinal propulsion rate （except for A. macrocephala-A. lappa medium-dose group）， the protein expression of 5-HT3R in colon tissue were decreased significantly （P＜0.01）； diarrhea relief， mental state recovery， and partially recovery of the structure of colon tissue were all found； moreover， the diversity and species number of gut microbiota were reduced in A. macrocephala-A. lappa high-dose group and the content of butyric acid in fecal samples was significantly reduced （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS The compatibility of A. macrocephala and A. lappa can improve intestinal motility and sensitivity of IBS-D model rats with spleen deficiency， and alleviate diarrhea. This may be related to improving changes in intestinal microbiota structure， reducing 5-HT expression and butyric acid content， and increasing 5-HT4R and SERT expression.

Humans ; Amyloidosis ; Amyloid ; Cardiomyopathies

ObjectiveTo investigate the different effects of Yunvjian with or without Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix on glucose and lipid metabolism and inflammatory response in diabetic rats with the syndrome of Yin deficiency and internal heat. MethodThe rat model of diabetes due to Yin deficiency and internal heat was established by feeding with a high-sugar and high-fat diet and injection of thyroxine and streptozotocin. The successfully modeled rats were randomized into model control， Yunvjian without Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix （11.8 g·kg^-1）， Yunvjian with Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix （12.8 g·kg^-1）， and Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix （1.0 g·kg^-1） groups （n=10）， and another 10 rats were taken as the normal control group. Each group was administrated with corresponding drugs or saline by gavage for 28 days. The fasting blood glucose （FBG）， fasting insulin （FINS）， total cholesterol （TC）， triglycerides （TG）， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C） in rats were measured. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to determine the levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate （cAMP）， cyclic guanosine monophosphate （cGMP）， triiodothyronine （T₃）， thyroxine （T₄）， interleukin （IL）-1β， IL-6， tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α， and C-reactive protein （CRP） in the serum. The histopathological changes of the liver were observed. The expression of lipoxygenase-2 （COX-2） was detected by immunofluorescence. The mRNA levels of nuclear transcription factors-κB （NF-κB）， monocyte chemotactic protein-1 （MCP-1）， and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 （ICAM-1） were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）.Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of NF-κB in hibitory protein（IκB） kinase β （IKKβ）， IκBα， and phosphorylated IκBα （p-IκBα） in the liver and the protein levels of NF-κB in the cytoplasm and nucleus. ResultCompared with the normal group， the model group showed elevated levels of FBG， FINS， insulin resistance index， TC， TG， LDL-C， cAMP， T₃， T₄， IL-1β， IL-6， TNF-α， and CRP， up-regulated mRNA levels of NF-κB， MCP-1， and ICAM-1， and up-regulated protein levels of COX-2， p-IκBα， and nuclear NF-κB （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， Yunvjian without Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix lowered the levels of FBG， FINS， insulin resistance index， TC， TG， LDL-C， cAMP， T₃， T₄， IL-1β， IL-6， TNF-α， and CRP， down-regulated the mRNA levels of NF-κB， MCP-1， and ICAM-1， and down-regulated the protein levels of COX-2， p-IκBα and nuclear NF-κB （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the Yunvjian without Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix， Yunvjian with Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix showed lowered levels of FBG， FINS， insulin resistance index， and inflammatory cytokines， down-regulated mRNA levels of NF-κB， MCP-1， and ICAM-1， and down-regulated protein levels of p-IκBα and nuclear NF-κB （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionAchyranthis Bidentatae Radix can enhance the performance of Yunvjian in reducing blood glucose and inhibiting inflammation in diabetic rats with the syndrome of yin deficiency and internal heat by down-regulating the IKK/IκB/NF-κB signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND:Studies have shown that both Panax notoginseng saponins and concentrated growth factor can promote fracture healing,but there are few studies addressing their combined effects on fracture healing.Panax notoginseng saponins may accelerate fracture healing by promoting the release of concentrated growth factor-related factors over a certain period of time. OBJECTIVE:To study the effect of Panax notoginseng saponins on concentrated growth factor release and fracture healing in rats. METHODS:Eighteen 8-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were numbered and randomly divided into three groups:Panax notoginseng saponins group,model control group and blank group.Panax notoginseng saponins group was fed with Panax notoginseng saponins for 2 weeks.Model control group was given 2 mL of normal saline for 2 weeks and blank group was fed normally.Concentrated growth factor was obtained by the centrifugation method both from the Panax notoginseng saponins group and model control group.After 1 week of normal feeding,all animals underwent modeling for femoral fracture.The Panax notoginseng saponins group and the model control group were implanted with autologous concentrated growth factor,and then the release concentration of growth factors at different time points(1 hour,1,3,5,7,9 and 11 days)were measured by ELISA.Fracture healing was assessed based on postoperative X-ray and hematoxylin-eosin staining of bone tissues. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the model control group,the Panax notoginseng saponins group had higher release concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor A and transforming growth factor β at 7,9,and 11 days,Platelet-derived growth factor BB at 5,9,and 11 days,and basic fibroblast growth factor at 1-11 days(P<0.01).X-ray examinations indicated that fracture healing in the Panax notoginseng saponins group was better than that in the model control group,and fracture healing in these two groups was better than that in the blank group at 2 months after surgery.Hematoxylin-eosin staining results found that the constituent osteocyte density in the Panax notoginseng saponins group was greater than that in the model control group,and the constituent osteocyte density in these two groups was better than that in the blank group.These findings indicate that Panax notoginseng saponins can increase the concentration of concentrated growth factor-related factors.After intervention with Panax notoginseng saponins,concentrated growth factors are more advantageous in promoting fracture healing in rats.

Background::The potential impact of pre-existing coronary artery stenosis (CAS) on acute pulmonary embolism (PE) episodes remains underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the association between pre-existing CAS and the elevation of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) levels in patients with PE.Methods::In this multicenter, prospective case-control study, 88 cases and 163 controls matched for age, sex, and study center were enrolled. Cases were patients with PE with elevated hs-cTnI. Controls were patients with PE with normal hs-cTnI. Coronary artery assessment utilized coronary computed tomographic angiography or invasive coronary angiography. CAS was defined as ≥50% stenosis of the lumen diameter in any coronary vessel >2.0 mm in diameter. Conditional logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between CAS and hs-cTnI elevation.Results::The percentage of CAS was higher in the case group compared to the control group (44.3% [39/88] vs. 30.1% [49/163]; P = 0.024). In multivariable conditional logistic regression model 1, CAS (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 2.680; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.243–5.779), heart rate >75 beats/min (OR, 2.306; 95% CI, 1.056–5.036) and N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) >420 pg/mL (OR, 12.169; 95% CI, 4.792–30.900) were independently associated with elevated hs-cTnI. In model 2, right CAS (OR, 3.615; 95% CI, 1.467–8.909) and NT-proBNP >420 pg/mL (OR, 13.890; 95% CI, 5.288–36.484) were independently associated with elevated hs-cTnI. Conclusions::CAS was independently associated with myocardial injury in patients with PE. Vigilance towards CAS is warranted in patients with PE with elevated cardiac troponin levels.

Background:Currently,there are no effective biomarkers for predicting the progression of gastric precancerous lesions or screening early gastric cancer in clinical practice.Aims:To explore the expressions of adenylate cyclase 7(ADCY7),G protein-coupled receptor GPR86,glutamate receptor,ionotropic,N-methyl D-aspartate 2D(GRIN2D)and regulator of G protein signaling 4(RGS4)in various gastric mucosal lesions and their predictive value for progression of gastric precancerous lesions.Methods:Expressions of ADCY7,GPR86,GRIN2D,and RGS4 were detected by immuno-histochemistry,real-time PCR and Western blotting in Correa cascade(chronic non-atrophic gastritis,chronic atrophic gastritis,low-and high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia,and mucosal and submucosal early gastric cancer)and cancerous and para-cancerous tissues,among which,the differences in expression levels of these four factors were analyzed.Results:There was an increasing tendency in expression levels of ADCY7,GPR86,GRIN2D,and RGS4 from gastritis,intra-epithelial neoplasia to early gastric cancer.Except for GRIN2D expression between intraepithelial neoplasia and early gastric cancer,significant differences could be observed in any two groups(all P<0.001).Both mRNA and protein expression levels of GRP86 and GRIN2D were significantly higher in cancerous tissue than in adjacent tissue>5 cm(all P<0.05).Protein expression of RGS4 was significantly higher in cancerous tissue than in adjacent tissue>5 cm,but its mRNA expression presented an opposite trend(all P<0.05).Significant difference between cancerous tissue and adjacent tissue>5 cm in ADCY7 expression was only existed at protein level(P<0.05).Conclusions:Alterations of the expression levels of ADCY7,GPR86,GRIN2D,and RGS4 in Correa cascade and cancerous and para-cancerous tissues suggest that they are involved in the occurrence and development of gastric precancerous lesions,and might be used as predictors for progression of gastric precancerous lesions.

Objective To investigate the effect of Ba Bao Dan(BBD)on cardiac injury induced by doxorubicin in zebrafish.Methods We induced a zebrafish myocardial injury model using the chemotherapeutic drug,doxorubicin.We then examined the effects of different concentrations of BBD on pericardial edema and heart rate under an in vivo microscope.We also examined the inhibitory effects of BBD on neutrophil infiltration in the heart in Tg(mpx:EGFP)transgenic zebrafish.The impacts of BBD on superoxide dismutase,catalase,and malondialdehyde were observed.mRNA expression levels of ferroptosis-related factors,including glutathione peroxidase 4a(gpx4a),prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2(ptgs2),arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase(alox5a),and acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4(acsl4)were determined by Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.The accumulation of ferrous ions in zebrafish heart was assessed using a fluorescent probe for ferrous ions.Results BBD alleviated doxorubicin-induced pericardial edema and bradycardia in zebrafish,reduced neutrophil infiltration in the heart(P＜0.05),decreased malondialdehyde concentration(P＜0.05),and enhanced the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase(P＜0.05).BBD also significantly inhibited ferroptosis,reduced the accumulation of ferrous ions in the zebrafish heart,suppressed the expression of ptgs2,alox5a,and acsl4(P＜0.05),and promoted the expression of gpx4a(P＜0.05).Conclusions BBD can attenuate doxorubicin-induced zebrafish myocardial injury and improve cardiac function by inhibiting lipid peroxidation and regulating ferroptosis.

Objective To observe the value of prenatal ultrasound measuring fetal cauda equina nerve parameters for diagnosing tethered cord syndrome(TCS).Methods Forty six fetuses with TCS(TCS group)and 591 healthy fetuses(control group)were retrospectively enrolled.The length,area and angle of cauda equina nerve were measured with prenatal ultrasound and compared between groups,and the value for diagnosing TCS was analyzed.Results Significant differences of the length,area and angle of fetal cauda equina nerve were found between groups(all P＜0.05),with the area under the curve for diagnosing TCS of 0.924,0.809 and 0.972,respectively.Conclusion Prenatal ultrasound measuring fetal cauda equina nerve parameters had high value for diagnosing TCS.

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the potential categories of parenting sense of competence and to analyze the influence of rumination and dyadic coping on the potential categories of parenting sense of competence. Methods: A total of 199 postpartum women who met the criteria were surveyed from a tertiary grade-A hospital in Shanxi (China) from May 2023 to August 2023. The instruments included the general demographic characteristics, Chinese version of parenting sense of competence scale, Chinese event related rumination inventory, and Chinese version of dyadic coping inventory. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to classify the parenting sense of competence in postpartum women, and logistic regression analysis was used to identify the influencing factors. Results: The characteristics of parenting sense of competence in postpartum women can be divided into two potential categories, namely, easy-to-satisfy group (39.3%) and strict-demand group (60.7%). Logistic regression analysis showed that years of marriage, place of residence, deliberate rumination, and dyadic coping were the influencing factors of the potential categories of parenting sense of competence in postpartum women (p < .05). Conclusions Through Latent profile analysis (LPA) analysis, it was found that postpartum women's parenting sense of competence exhibits different characteristics. Clinical workers should identify the characteristics and influencing factors of different categories of women and adopt targeted intervention strategies to promote the level of parenting sense of competence.

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the potential categories of parenting sense of competence and to analyze the influence of rumination and dyadic coping on the potential categories of parenting sense of competence. Methods: A total of 199 postpartum women who met the criteria were surveyed from a tertiary grade-A hospital in Shanxi (China) from May 2023 to August 2023. The instruments included the general demographic characteristics, Chinese version of parenting sense of competence scale, Chinese event related rumination inventory, and Chinese version of dyadic coping inventory. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to classify the parenting sense of competence in postpartum women, and logistic regression analysis was used to identify the influencing factors. Results: The characteristics of parenting sense of competence in postpartum women can be divided into two potential categories, namely, easy-to-satisfy group (39.3%) and strict-demand group (60.7%). Logistic regression analysis showed that years of marriage, place of residence, deliberate rumination, and dyadic coping were the influencing factors of the potential categories of parenting sense of competence in postpartum women (p < .05). Conclusions Through Latent profile analysis (LPA) analysis, it was found that postpartum women's parenting sense of competence exhibits different characteristics. Clinical workers should identify the characteristics and influencing factors of different categories of women and adopt targeted intervention strategies to promote the level of parenting sense of competence.