Shiwei-Ruxiang-capsule (SWRXC) is a classic formulation widely used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The study used liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) serum untargeted metabolomics and high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing association analysis to elucidate the mechanism of action of SWRXC for the treatment of Freund's complete adjuvant-induced RA. The results showed that SWRXC significantly improved symptoms and reduced serum cytokine levels in RA rats. Based on LC-MS/MS technology, metabolomics identified tryptophan metabolism, nucleotide metabolism and purine metabolism as the most relevant pathways for treatment. In addition, 16S rRNA sequencing results showed that SWRXC could ameliorate RA-induced intestinal microbial oncogenesis in rats. In conclusion, SWRXC can improve the morphology and structure of RA joint tissues, reduce serum factor levels, and may play a role in improving RA by modulating related metabolic pathways such as tryptophan metabolism, nucleotide metabolism and purine metabolism, and altering the composition of intestinal flora. Animal protocols were approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Qinghai Normal University (No. 2021041203).

Objective: To describe the distribution characteristics of hypertension among adult twins in the Chinese National Twin Registry (CNTR) and to provide clues for exploring the role of genetic and environmental factors on hypertension. Methods: A total of 69 220 (34 610 pairs) of twins aged 18 and above with hypertension information were selected from CNTR registered from 2010 to 2018. Random effect models were used to describe the population and regional distribution of hypertension in twins. To estimate the heritability, the concordance rates of hypertension were calculated and compared between monozygotic twins (MZ) and dizygotic twins (DZ). Results: The age of all participants was (34.1±12.4) years. The overall self-reported prevalence of hypertension was 3.8%(2 610/69 220). Twin pairs who were older, living in urban areas, married, overweight or obese, current smokers or ex-smokers, and current drinkers or abstainers had a higher self-reported prevalence of hypertension (P<0.05). Analysis within the same-sex twin pairs found that the concordance rate of hypertension was 43.2% in MZ and 27.0% in DZ, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). The heritability of hypertension was 22.1% (95%CI: 16.3%- 28.0%). Stratified by gender, age, and region, the concordance rate of hypertension in MZ was still higher than that in DZ. The heritability of hypertension was higher in female participants. Conclusions: There were differences in the distribution of hypertension among twins with different demographic and regional characteristics. It is indicated that genetic factors play a crucial role in hypertension in different genders, ages, and regions, while the magnitude of genetic effects may vary.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Alcohol Drinking ; Diseases in Twins/genetics* ; Hypertension/genetics* ; Twins, Dizygotic/genetics* ; Twins, Monozygotic/genetics*

Objective: To describe the distribution characteristics of hyperlipidemia in adult twins in the Chinese National Twin Registry (CNTR) and explore the effect of genetic and environmental factors on hyperlipidemia. Methods: Twins recruited from the CNTR in 11 project areas across China were included in the study. A total of 69 130 (34 565 pairs) of adult twins with complete information on hyperlipidemia were selected for analysis. The random effect model was used to characterize the population and regional distribution of hyperlipidemia among twins. The concordance rates of hyperlipidemia were calculated in monozygotic twins (MZ) and dizygotic twins (DZ), respectively, to estimate the heritability. Results: The age of all participants was (34.2±12.4) years. This study's prevalence of hyperlipidemia was 1.3% (895/69 130). Twin pairs who were men, older, living in urban areas, married,had junior college degree or above, overweight, obese, insufficient physical activity, current smokers, ex-smokers, current drinkers, and ex-drinkers had a higher prevalence of hyperlipidemia (P<0.05). In within-pair analysis, the concordance rate of hyperlipidemia was 29.1% (118/405) in MZ and 18.1% (57/315) in DZ, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Stratified by gender, age, and region, the concordance rate of hyperlipidemia in MZ was still higher than that in DZ. Further, in within-same-sex twin pair analyses, the heritability of hyperlipidemia was 13.04% (95%CI: 2.61%-23.47%) in the northern group and 18.59% (95%CI: 4.43%-32.74%) in the female group, respectively. Conclusions: Adult twins were included in this study and were found to have a lower prevalence of hyperlipidemia than in the general population study, with population and regional differences. Genetic factors influence hyperlipidemia, but the genetic effect may vary with gender and area.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult ; China/epidemiology* ; Diseases in Twins/genetics* ; Hyperlipidemias/genetics* ; Metabolic Diseases ; Twins, Dizygotic ; Twins, Monozygotic/genetics*

Subepithelial connective tissue or free gingival grafts are often used in traditional mucogingival surgery to treat gingival recession and keratinized gingival insufficiency. However, due to the disadvantages of autologous soft tissue grafts, such as the preparation of the second surgical site, the limited amount of tissue in the donor site, and postoperative discomfort for patients, the research on autologous soft tissue substitute materials has attracted extensive attention. A variety of donor-substitute materials from different sources are currently used in membranous gingival surgeries, including platelet-rich fibrin, acellular dermal matrix, xenogeneic collagen matrix, etc. This paper reviews the research progress and application of several different types of substitute materials in soft tissue augmentation for natural teeth, providing a reference for the application of autologous soft tissue substitutes in clinical gingival augmentation surgery.

The plateau zokor (Myospalax baileyi) and plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) are native species unique to the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau with successful adaptation to the hypoxic environment. In this study, the number of red blood cells, hemoglobin concentration, mean hematocrit and mean volume of red blood cells were measured in plateau zokors and plateau pikas at different altitudes. Hemoglobin subtypes of two plateau animals were identified by mass spectrometry sequencing. The forward selection sites in two animals' hemoglobin subunits were analyzed by PAML4.8 program. Homologous modeling was used to analyze the effect of forward selection sites on the affinity of hemoglobin to oxygen. The adapting strategies of plateau zokors and plateau pikas to hypoxia at different altitudes were analyzed through comparing blood parameters between the two species. The results indicated that, with increasing altitudes, plateau zokors responded to hypoxia by increasing red blood cell count and decreasing red blood cell volume, while plateau pikas took the opposite strategies to plateau zokors. In erythrocytes of plateau pikas, both adult α₂β₂ and fetal α₂ε₂ hemoglobins were identified, while erythrocytes of plateau zokors only had adult α₂β₂ hemoglobin, however the affinities and the allosteric effects of the hemoglobin of plateau zokors were significantly higher than those of plateau pikas. Mechanistically, in the α and β subunits of hemoglobin of plateau zokors and pikas, the numbers and the sites of the positively selected amino acids as well as the side chain groups polarities and orientations of the amino acids differed significantly, which may result in the difference of the affinities to oxygen of hemoglobin between plateau zokors and pikas. In conclusion, the adaptive mechanisms to respond to hypoxia in blood properties of plateau zokors and plateau pikas are species-specific.
Animals ; Altitude ; Amino Acids ; Hemoglobins ; Hypoxia ; Lagomorpha

Quantity is the key factor to ensure the safety and effectiveness of medicines. It is very important to study and determine the traditional measuring units and their quantity values of Tibetan medicine. Based on the literature records of Tibetan medicine and combined with modern experimental verification and investigation research, this study determined the reference, name, and conversion rate of traditional measuring units of Tibetan medicine. Meanwhile, through large sample sampling and repeated quantification of refe-rence of basic units, its weight and volume were clarified. The modern SI volume and weight unit values corresponding to the traditional volume and weight units of Tibetan medicine were deduced, and the correctness, reliability, and practicability of these determination results were demonstrated. This study also put forward some specific suggestions and reference values for formulating the standards of measuring units of weight and volume of Tibetan medicine. It is of great significance in guiding the processing, production, and clinical treatment of Tibetan medicine, and promoting the standardization and standardized development of Tibetan medicine.
Medicine, Tibetan Traditional ; Reproducibility of Results

OBJECTIVE: To explore the pathogenesis of erythrocytosis by detecting the key enzymes of glucose metabolism and glucose transporter in bone marrow erythrocytes of chronic mountain sickness (CMS), and analyzing its correlation with hemoglobin. METHODS: Twenty CMS patients hospitalized in Qinghai Provincial People's Hospital from January 2019 to December 2020 were selected as CMS group. Twenty males with leukocyte count > 3.5×10⁹/L who had accepted bone marrow aspiration and had normal result were taken as control group. The mRNA and protein expression of key enzymes and glucose transporter in glucose metabolism in bone marrow CD71⁺ erythrocytes were detected by real time qPCR and Western blot, respectively. Glucose, lactic acid and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate in the bone marrow supernatant and serum were tested by ELISA. The mRNA and protein expression of key enzymes and glucose transporter, glucose, lactic acid and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate of the two groups were compared. Pearson correlation was used to analyze the correlation between key enzymes, glucose transporter in glucose metabolism in bone marrow CD71⁺ erythrocytes and hemoglobin. RESULTS: The expression of HK2, GLUT1 and GLUT2 mRNA in the CMS group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.001), while the expression of HK1, OGDH and COX5B mRNA were not different. The expression of HK2, GLUT1 and GLUT2 protein in the CMS group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). The levels of glucose and lactic acid in the bone marrow supernatant and serum in the CMS group were not different from those in the control group, while the level of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate was higher (P<0.001). Both HK2 and GLUT2 proteins were positively correlated with hemoglobin (r=0.511, 0.717). CONCLUSION CMS patients may increase glycolysis by increasing the expression of HK2, and promote the utilization of glucose through high expression of GLUT1 and GLUT2 to meet the need of energy supply.
Male ; Humans ; Altitude Sickness/metabolism* ; Glucose Transporter Type 1 ; 2,3-Diphosphoglycerate ; Hemoglobins ; Chronic Disease ; RNA, Messenger ; Phenotype ; Glucose

Ulcerative colitis （UC） is a chronic recurrent inflammatory bowel disease which primarily affects the colonic mucosa. The UC patients mainly present diarrhea， abdominal pain， tenesmus， and mucous bloody stools， and even malnutrition and systemic symptoms in severe cases， with rising incidence， which has a significant impact on the health and quality of life of patients. The pathogenesis of UC is not clear， and the Western medical therapies include sulfasalazine， glucocorticoids， and immunosuppressants， which， however， have side effects and unsatisfactory effects. Chinese medicine with high safety， mild adverse reactions， and a multi-component， multi-target， and multi-pathway treatment manner has garnering increasing attention. Therefore， finding the Chinese medicine to treat UC has become a hot spot. Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma is one of the commonly used Chinese herbal medicines， with the effects of tonifying spleen and reinforcing qi， clearing heat and detoxifying， dispelling phlegm and relieving cough， relieving pain， and harmonizing medicines. Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma mainly contains glycyrrhizic acid， glycyrrhetinic acid， diammonium glycyrrhizinate and other active ingredients. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma has anti-inflammatory， antioxidant， antimicrobial， and immunomodulatory activities. According to statistics， Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma is among the top three Chinese herbal medicines for the treatment of UC. The recent years have witnessed progress in the treatment of UC with Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and the related prescriptions. The present study summarized the mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory， immunomodulatory， intestinal flora-regulating， cell apoptosis-inducing， and oxidative stress-reducing effects of the key chemical constituents （glycyrrhetinic acid， diammonium glycyrrhizinate， polysaccharide， glycyrrhetinic acid， and isoglycyrrhizin） and compound prescriptions of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma. The findings provide a solid foundation for further development and clinical application of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma.

Objective To analyze the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in the patients with snow-white sign of advanced colorectal adenoma (ACA) and explore its clinical significance.Method Western blotting was employed to determine the expression of COX-2 in the adenoma tissue and the normal tissue adjacent to the adenoma tissue (>5 cm away from the distal end of the adenoma tissue) of 40 ACA patients with snow-white sign and 40 ACA patients without snow-white sign.Results The appearance of snow-white sign in ACA patients was associated with patient age (P=0.001) and not associated with sex,smoking history,drinking history,ethnic groups,family history of colorectal cancer,abdominal pain,diarrhea,constipation,fecal occult blood,or tumor markers (all P>0.05).Snow-white sign mainly appeared in the ACA patients with multiple adenomas (P=0.004),large adenomas (P=0.006),adenomas in distal colon (P=0.015),protruding polyps (P=0.044),and late-stage pathology (P=0.010).The occurrence of snow-white sign showed no difference in the ACA patients with different results of Japan NBI Expert Team classification (P=0.502).The expression of COX-2 in the adenoma tissue was higher than that in the adjacent normal tissue in the patients with and without snow-white sign (P<0.001,P=0.004).The patients with snow-white sign had higher expression of COX-2 protein in the adenoma tissue than the patients without snow-white sign (P=0.001).The expression of COX-2 protein in the adjacent healthy tissue had no significant difference between the patients with and without snow-white sign (P=0.603).Conclusions Snow-white sign is more like to appear in the ACA patients with young age,multiple and large adenomas,adenomas in distal colon,protruding polyps,and late-stage pathology.Moreover,the expression of COX-2 in the ACA patients with snow-white sign is significantly higher than that in the ACA patients without snow-white sign.The adults with snow-white sign are prone to cancerization than those without snow-white sign.
Adult ; Humans ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; Snow ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Adenoma

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy characterized by simple operation and few postoperative complications have gradually become the two most commonly used surgical methods in clinical practice.A series of complications often occur after bariatric surgery,including gallstone disease,anemia,malnutrition,gastroesophageal reflux disease,kidney stones,and birth defects in offspring of women of childbearing age.There are controversies regarding the causes and countermeasures of these complications.This article mainly reviews the risk factors and countermeasures for the complications after bariatric surgery.
Humans ; Female ; Bariatric Surgery/methods* ; Gastric Bypass/methods* ; Gastroesophageal Reflux/surgery* ; Postoperative Complications/prevention & control* ; Risk Factors ; Gastrectomy/methods* ; Laparoscopy/methods* ; Obesity, Morbid/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies