ObjectiveTo investigate the role and mechanism of podoplanin （PDPN） in hepatic stellate cell （HSC） activation and liver fibrosis. MethodsLiver biopsy samples were collected from 75 patients with chronic hepatitis B who attended Department of Infectious Diseases， Putuo Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine， for the first time from September 2019 to June 2022， and RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to measure the expression of PDPN in liver tissue of patients in different stages of liver fibrosis. A total of 12 male C57/BL6 mice were randomly divided into control group and model group. The mice in the model group were given intraperitoneal injection of 10% CCl₄， and those in the control group were injected with an equal volume of olive oil， for 6 weeks. HE staining and Sirius Red staining were used to observe liver histopathological changes； primary mouse liver cells were separated to measure the mRNA expression of PDPN in various types of cells； primary mouse HSCs were treated with PDPN protein， followed by treatment with the NF-‍κB inhibitor BAY11-708， to measure the expression of inflammatory factors in HSCs induced by PDPN. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups； a one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups， and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. The Spearman correlation analysis was used to investigate data correlation. ResultsAs for the liver biopsy samples， there was a relatively low mRNA expression level of PDPN in normal liver， and there was a significant increase in the mRNA expression level of PDPN in liver tissue of stage S3 or S4 fibrosis （all P<0.001）. Immunohistochemical staining showed that PDPN was mainly expressed in the fibrous septum and the hepatic sinusoid， and the PDPN-positive area in S4 liver tissue was significantly higher than that in S0 liver tissue （t=8.892， P=0.001）. In normal mice， PDPN was mainly expressed in the hepatic sinusoid， and there was a significant increase in the expression of PDPN in CCl₄ model mice （t=0.95， P<0.001）， mainly in the fibrous septum. RT-PCR showed a significant increase in the mRNA expression of PDPN in the CCl₄ model mice （t=11.25， P=0.002）. Compared with hepatocytes， HSCs， Kupffer cells， and bile duct endothelial cells， hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells showed a significantly high expression level of PDPN （F=20.56， P<0.001）. Compared with the control group， the primary mouse HSCs treated by PDPN protein for 15 minutes showed significant increases in the mRNA expression levels of the inflammation-related factors TNFα， CCL3， CXCL1， and CXCR1 （all P<0.05）， and there were significant reductions in the levels of these indicators after treatment with BAY11-7082 （all P<0.05）. ConclusionThere is an increase in the expression of PDPN mainly in hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells during liver fibrosis， and PDPN regulates HSC activation and promotes the progression of liver fibrosis via the NF-κB signaling pathway.

AIM To explore the mechanism of Yiqi Wenyang Huwei Decoction on airway inflammation improvement of rats with bronchial asthma based on IL-25/NF-κB signaling pathway.METHODS 60 rats were randomly divided into the control group,the model group,the dexamethasone group(0.2 mg/mL),the low-dose,medium-dose and high-dose Yiqi Wenyang Huwei Decoction groups(1,2,4 g/mL),with 10 rats in each group.Intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin(OVA)and aluminum hydroxide suspension was applied to establish the rat asthma model,followed by 2-week corresponding dosing of the drugs.The rats of each group had their daily diet,mental status,hair growth and respiration observed;their differential count of inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)detected by automatic hematology analyzer;their pathological changes of lung tissue observed by HE staining;their pulmonary IL-25 protein expression detected by immunohistochemistry(IHC);their levels of IL-4,IL-5 and IL-13 in BALF measured by ELISA;their pulmonary expression of IL-25 and TRAF6 mRNA detected by RT-qPCR;and their pulmonary protein expressions of IL-25,TRAF6,IκBα,p-IκBα,NF-κB p65 and p-NF-κB p65 detected by Western blot.RESULTS Compared with the control group,the model group displayed severe damage of the lung tissue and infiltration of a large number of inflammatory cells;increased number of inflammatory cells and levels of IL-4,IL-5 and IL-13 in BALF(P<0.01);increased mRNA expressions of IL-25 and TRAF6,and pulmonary protein expressions of IL-25,TRAF6,p-IκBα/IκBα and p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,all of the Yiqi Wenyang Huwei Decoction groups shared improved pulmonary infiltration of inflammatory cells;decreased number of inflammatory cells and levels of IL-4,IL-5 and IL-13 in BALF(P<0.05,P<0.01);and decreased mRNA expressions of IL-25 and TRAF6,and pulmonary protein expressions of IL-25,TRAF6,p-IκBα/IκBα and p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65(P<0.01).CONCLUSION Yiqi Wenyang Huwei Decoction can inhibit the airway inflammation in the rat model of bronchial asthma,which may be related to the inhibited activation of IL-25/NF-κB signaling pathway and the reduced expression of inflammatory factors.

Objective:To explore the influencing factors for compliance to colonoscopy screening for colorectal cancer in outpatients.Methods:Patients aged 40-74 years who visited the outpatient gastroenterology department of 7 tertiary hospitals in 7 regions of Xinjiang from January 2022 to June 2022 were enrolled. Recommendations for colonoscopy screening were made according to the patient's medical conditions, and the questionnaire was used to collect information. The Chi-square test was used to compare the differences of compliant and non-compliant patients. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of compliance to colonoscopy screening.Results:A total of 463 valid questionnaires were obtained from 7 centers, in which, 427 outpatients (92.2%) followed the recommendation for colonoscopy screening, and 36 (7.8%) did not. Chi-square test results showed that there were statistically significant differences between the two groups in gender, age, education, subjective cognition of intestinal polyps, personal history of colorectal polyps, family history of colorectal cancer, family history of colorectal polyps, abdominal pain or distension, and defecation habit or stool changes ( P<0.05). The results of multivariate regression analysis showed that the screening compliance of patients aged 40-49 years ( P=0.005, OR=0.141, 95% CI: 0.036-0.549) and 50-59 years ( P=0.039, OR=0.257, 95% CI: 0.071-0.932) was lower than that of patients aged 60-74 years. The screening compliance of patients with high school education ( P=0.011, OR=3.121, 95% CI: 1.304-7.473) and college education or above ( P=0.016, OR=3.544, 95% CI: 1.270-9.890) was higher than those with primary school education and below. Patients with personal history of colorectal polyps ( P=0.015, OR=12.288, 95% CI: 1.629-92.719), family history of colorectal cancer ( P=0.038, OR=8.506, 95% CI: 1.124-64.351) and changes in defecation habit or stool trait ( P=0.039, OR=4.794, 95% CI: 1.085-21.192) also had higher compliance. Conclusion:Age, educational level, personal history of colorectal polyps, and family history of colorectal cancer are related to colonoscopy screening compliance in outpatients of 7 tertiary hospitals in 7 regions of Xinjiang. The independent risk factors affecting compliance to colorectal cancer screening in outpatients are age of 40-59 years, lower educational level, no previous history of polyps or family history of colorectal cancer, and no defecation habit or stool changes.

Objective:To analyze the imaging characteristics of Stanford B aortic dissection in aortic CT angiography, in order to explore the possible related factors of aortic dissection combined with renal malperfusion and to analyze the morphological changes in each involved vessel after TEVAR.Methods:From January 2018 to December 2019, totally 148 patients of Stanford B aortic dissection underwent TEVAR in our hospital. The preoperative aortic CTA was analyzed, and all cases complicated with renal malperfusion were determined according to the clinical manifestation, laboratory examination and imaging results. The differences of morphological features between the patients with and without renal malperfusion and the possible correlative factors were analyzed.The different ischemic types of the involved renal arteries were analyzed, and the morphological changes of the involved vessels before and after the operation of TEVAR were compared.Results:The logistic regression analysis showed that the concave configuration of the tear at the renal artery level was the independent risk factor for renal malperfusion (right kidney OR=5.319, P=0.032; left kidney OR=12.879, P=0.007). The diameter of renal artery was the independent protective factor for renal malperfusion (right kidney OR=0.464, P=0.018; left kidney OR=0.685, P=0.016). Compared with preoperative CTA, the diameter of the involved renal artery was significantly enlarged after TEVAR, no matter which type of ischemia. Most of the dynamic ischemia (15/16) was improved after TEVAR; while static and mixed ischemia only partially improved after TEVAR (static 22/36, mixed 11/19) . Conclusion:The concave configuration of the renal artery level, and the diameter of renal artery are associated with renal malperfusion.The malperfusion can be improved in most cases of dynamic ischemia type vessels, while only can be partially improved in static and mixed types vessles.

Objective:To investigate the prevalence of adult skeletal fluorosis caused by drinking tea-type endemic fluorosis in Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (hereinafter referred to as Yushu Prefecture), Qinghai Province, and provide scientific basis for prevention and control of the disease.Methods:In August 2021, one village was selected as a survey site in six counties (cities) in Yushu Prefecture, including Nangqian, Chindu, Yushu, Zadoi, Qumarlêb, and Zhiduo. Drinking water samples and 10 brick tea samples were collected from each village to determine the fluoride content in water and brick tea; at least 100 permanent residents aged ≥ 25, who had a habit of drinking brick tea and had lived in the local area for more than 5 years, were selected for X-ray imaging to examine the prevalence of adult skeletal fluorosis.Results:A total of 75 samples of residential drinking water were collected, with a fluoride content of (0.21 ± 0.05) mg/L, ranging from 0.11 to 0.34 mg/L; 60 samples of brick tea, with a fluoride content of (626.70 ± 157.27) mg/kg, ranging from 324.00 to 2 102.00 mg/kg. A total of 1 136 adults were examined, and 318 cases of skeletal fluorosis were diagnosed, with a detection rate of 27.99%. Among them, the detection rates of mild, moderate, and severe skeletal fluorosis were 20.95% (238/1 136), 6.07% (69/1 136), and 0.97% (11/1 136), respectively, with mild symptoms being the main. The detection rates of skeletal fluorosis in males and females were 29.09% (121/416) and 27.36% (197/720), respectively, with no statistically significant difference between the gender (χ 2 = 0.39, P = 0.533). Comparison of the skeletal fluorosis in different gender, the differences were statistically significant (χ 2 = 22.31, P < 0.001). The detection rates of skeletal fluorosis in the age groups of 25 - 35, 36 - 45, 46 - 55, 56 - 65, 66 - 75, and ≥76 years old were 6.86% (7/102), 22.37% (51/228), 24.02% (92/383), 37.44% (73/195), 43.48% (70/161), and 37.31% (25/67), respectively. The differences between the groups were statistically significant (χ 2 = 59.84, P < 0.001). Moreover, there was a statistically significant difference in the composition of skeletal fluorosis among different age groups ( H = 37.66, P < 0.001). The Spearman correlation analysis results showed that the severity of adult skeletal fluorosis was positively correlated with age ( r = 0.34, P < 0.001). Conclusions:There is a certain degree of prevalence of adult skeletal fluorosis in Yushu Prefecture. And as age increases, the condition of skeletal fluorosis becomes more severe.

Most patients with differentiated thyroid cancer have a good prognosis after radioiodine-131 therapy,but a small number of patients are insensitive to radioiodine-131 therapy and even continue to develop disease.At present,some targeted drugs can improve progression-free survival in patients with radioactive iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer(RAIR-DTC),such as sorafenib and levatinib,have been approved for the treatment of RAIR-DTC.However,due to the presence of primary and acquired drug resistance,drug efficacy in these patients is unsatisfactory.This review introduces the acquired drug resistance mechanism of sorafenib in the regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase(PI3K)pathways and proposes related treatment strategies,in order to provide a reference for similar drug resistance mechanism of sorafenib and effective treatment of RAIR-DTC.

Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the bacterial communities of biting midges and ticks collected from three sites in the Poyang Lake area,namely,Qunlu Practice Base,Peach Blossom Garden,and Huangtong Animal Husbandry,and whether vectors carry any bacterial pathogens that may cause diseases to humans,to provide scientific basis for prospective pathogen discovery and disease prevention and control. Methods Using a metataxonomics approach in concert with full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing and operational phylogenetic unit(OPU)analysis,we characterized the species-level microbial community structure of two important vector species,biting midges and ticks,including 33 arthropod samples comprising 3,885 individuals,collected around Poyang Lake. Results A total of 662 OPUs were classified in biting midges,including 195 known species and 373 potentially new species,and 618 OPUs were classified in ticks,including 217 known species and 326 potentially new species.Surprisingly,OPUs with potentially pathogenicity were detected in both arthropod vectors,with 66 known species of biting midges reported to carry potential pathogens,including Asaia lannensis and Rickettsia bellii,compared to 50 in ticks,such as Acinetobacter lwoffii and Staphylococcus sciuri.We found that Proteobacteria was the most dominant group in both midges and ticks.Furthermore,the outcomes demonstrated that the microbiota of midges and ticks tend to be governed by a few highly abundant bacteria.Pantoea sp7 was predominant in biting midges,while Coxiella sp1 was enriched in ticks.Meanwhile,Coxiella spp.,which may be essential for the survival of Haemaphysalis longicornis Neumann,were detected in all tick samples.The identification of dominant species and pathogens of biting midges and ticks in this study serves to broaden our knowledge associated to microbes of arthropod vectors. Conclusion Biting midges and ticks carry large numbers of known and potentially novel bacteria,and carry a wide range of potentially pathogenic bacteria,which may pose a risk of infection to humans and animals.The microbial communities of midges and ticks tend to be dominated by a few highly abundant bacteria.

Objective We aimed to observe the effect of the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)-based"tertiary hospital-community integrated"treatment program in patients with diabetic kidney disease.Methods A total of 126 patients from the Jiangtai and Cuigezhuang Communities in Chaoyang District were randomly divided into the experimental group and the control group(n=63 patients per group).In the experimental group,the"tertiary hospital-community integrated"treatment program was implemented(including TCM differentiated health preservation,chronic disease management,comprehensive diagnosis and treatment program of integrated Chinese and Western medicine),while in the control group,the existing chronic disease diagnosis,treatment,and management program in the community was implemented(including chronic disease management with regular follow-ups,diagnosis and treatment program of Western medicine).The observation period was 6 months,with 3 months as a course of treatment.The 24 h urine total protein level(24 hUTP),the serum level of creatinine(Scr),and the estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR)were compared between the two groups,as well as the effective rates of 24 hUTP,Scr,and eGFR,the rate of achieving standard glucose levels and normal lipid metabolism,including low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol(LDL-C),triglyceride(TG),and glycosylated hemoglobin(GHB),the level of patients'self-management,and the medical service in utilization.Results There were 120 patients included for analysis(60 in the experimental group and 60 in the control group).The difference in 24 hUTP was significantly different(P＜0.05),while Scr and eGFR were not statistically different between the experimental and control groups after 3 months of treatment.The differences in 24 hUTP,Scr,and eGFR were statistically significant after 6 months(P＜0.05).After 6 months of treatment in both groups,the effective rates of 24 hUTP,Scr,and eGFR were higher in the experimental group than in the control group(78.3％,48.3％,and 50.0％in the experimental group and 35.0％,18.3％,and 15.0％in the control group,respectively)(P＜0.05);after 6 months,the LDL-C,TG,and GHB qualified rates were higher in the experimental group than in the control group(75.0％,83.3％,and 71.7％in the experimental group and 56.7％,63.3％,and 46.7％in the control group,respectively;P＜0.05);comparing the self-management levels of the two groups after 3 and 6 months of treatment,the total self-management score and the total self-efficacy score were both higher in the experimental group than in the control group(P＜0.05);comparing the time of hospitalization and hospitalization costs of the two groups 6 months after enrollment,the time of hospitalization and hospitalization costs were lower in the experimental group(P＜0.05).Conclusion The"tertiary hospital-community integrated"TCM-based treatment program improves renal function,glucose and lipid metabolism,and patients'self-management;it can reduce the economic burden of families,save medical resources,and improve the utilization of medical services.

The adulteration and counterfeiting of herbal ingredients in medicinal and food homology (MFH) have a serious impact on the quality of herbal materials, thereby endangering human health. Compared to pharmaceutical drugs, health products derived from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) are more easily accessible and closely integrated into consumers' daily life. However, the authentication of the authenticity of TCM ingredients in MFH has not received sufficient attention. The lack of clear standards emphasizes the necessity of conducting systematic research in this area. This study utilized DNA barcoding technology, combining ITS2, psbA-trnH, matK as universal barcode sequences, and DX, HH, JYH as specific barcode sequences, to identify the authenticity of commercial medicinal and food homology scented herbal teas. The aim was to investigate the authenticity of scented herbal tea products circulating in the market. The research results revealed that among 180 scented herbal tea samples, DNA barcodes were successfully obtained from 164 samples, while the remaining samples either lacked the target components or suffered severe DNA degradation, resulting in failed amplification. Combined with morphological identification studies, it was found that out of the 180 samples, 141 were authentic, accounting for 78.33% of the total samples, while 31 samples showed adulteration and 8 samples lacked the target components, accounting for 21.67% of the total samples. Additionally, water testing revealed that 5 samples of Carthamus tinctorius herbal tea exhibited the phenomenon of weight adulteration. This study exposed the presence of adulteration and weight adulteration in scented herbal tea products, highlighting the need for regulatory authorities to expedite the establishment of quality standards in scented herbal tea industry. These findings provide valuable insights for the rapid development of the scented herbal tea industry.

italic>Salvia miltiorrhiza, a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine, has been widely recognized for its blood-activating and stasis-removing properties in the clinical treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The synthesis and regulatory mechanism of tanshinones, the key active constituents of Salvia miltiorrhiza, have been a hot topic of research. The paper summarized the research findings on the regulation of tanshinone biosynthesis by transcription factors such as AP2/ERF, bHLH, MYB, bZIP, and WRKY in recent years. The review identifies the existing issues in the transcriptional regulation studies of Salvia miltiorrhiza and discusses the research direction of transcription factors in the regulation of tanshinone biosynthesis, providing a theoretical basis for the further discovery and utilization of functional genes involved in the regulation of tanshinone bioactive constituents.