ObjectiveTo characterize the changes of metabolites of Blumea balsamifera in the process of sweating by non-targeted metabolomics， and to investigate the influence of sweating processing on the constituents of B. balsamifera. MethodsUltra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/electrostatic field orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry（UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap-MS） metabolomics was used to identify the metabolites in no sweating group（F1）， sweating 2 d group（F2） and sweating 4 d group（F3）， the differences of metabolites between the groups were compared by principal component analysis（PCA） and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis（OPLS-DA）， and differential metabolites were screened according to the variable importance in the projection（VIP） value>1 and P<0.05， and the pathway enrichment of the differential metabolites was analyzed by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes（KEGG）. ResultsThe results of PCA and OPLS-DA showed a clear distinction between the three groups of samples， indicating significant differences in the compositions of the three groups of samples. A total of 433 differential metabolites were screened between the F1 and F2， with 154 up-regulated and 279 down-regulated， the significant up-regulated metabolites were tangeritin， 5-O-demethylnobiletin and so on， while the metabolites with significant down-regulation included alternariol， fortunellin， etc. A total of 379 differential metabolites were screened between the F2 and F3， with 150 up-regulated and 229 down-regulated， the significant up-regulated metabolites were isoimperatorin， helianyl octanoate and so on， and the significant down-regulated metabolites were hovenoside I， goyasaponin Ⅲ， etc. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that tyrosine metabolism， isoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis， phenylalanine， tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis， tryptophan metabolism， valine， leucine and isoleucine biosynthesis， pantothenate and coenzyme A biosynthesis may be the key pathways affecting metabolite differences of B. balsamifera after sweating treatment. ConclusionSweating can reduce the content of endophytic mycotoxins in B. balsamifera and has a great impact on the synthesis and metabolic pathways of total flavonoids and auxin. This study can provide a reference for the process research on the sweating conditions of B. balsamifera.

To explore the inhibitory effect of ginkgolide B (GB) on MH7A human fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) and its potential mechanism. Firstly, 20 μg/L tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was pretreated with MH7A to establish a cell model of arthritis. After incubation of MH7A cells with various concentrations of GB, CCK-8 assay, Transwell assay, and flow cytometry (FCM) were separately used to detect cell viability, cell invasion, and cell apoptosis rate and cell cycle; Real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot assay were performed to detect the apoptosis- and cycle-related gene transcriptions and protein expressions, respectively. The results showed that compared with the control group, GB dose- and time-dependently suppressed cell viability to a greater extent; GB significantly reduced cell invasive ability and increased cell apoptosis rate and proportion of G0/G1 phase in MH7A cells, along with increased transcription levels of Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) and p21 mRNA and decreased transcription levels of Bcl-2, myeloid cell leukemia 1(Mcl-1), protein kinase B (PKB; AKT), IP3K, Cyclin D1 and cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) mRNA; GB remarkably increased expression levels of Bax, p21, and cleaved-Caspase 3 protein and decreased expression levels of Bcl-2, Mcl-1, p-AKT, p-PI3K, Cyclin D1, and CDK4 protein, with decreased ratios of p-PI3K/PI3K, p-AKT/AKT, and Bcl-2/Bax. In conclusion, GB blocks the G1-to-S cell cycle transition, suppresses cell viability and cell invasion and induces cell apoptosis of MH7A human RA-FLS via suppressing the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis （IPF） can be classified as pulmonary collateral disease，and its pathogenesis is mainly characterized by the loss of Qi meridian nourishment，the loss of Yin meridian nourishment，and the formation of blood stasis in the blood vessels. Qi Yin deficiency is the pathological basis that runs through IPF，and obstruction of meridians and collaterals is a key element in the development of the disease. The dysfunction of "spleen being in charge of the defensive function" is closely related to the formation of the pathological pattern of "lung deficiency and collateral stasis" in IPF. The term "spleen being in charge of the defensive function" originated from the Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon. If the spleen is healthy，the Qi will be filled with vitality. Positive energy is stored inside，evil cannot be dried up. Its concept is quite similar to the immune defense function in modern medicine. If the principle of "spleen being in charge of the defensive function" is lost，the key structure and function of the IPF alveolar epithelial barrier may be abnormal，and it can interact with various innate immune cells to promote inflammation and fibrosis processes. Therefore，this article explains the imbalance of immune homeostasis in IPF alveolar epithelium from two aspects：the barrier function of alveolar epithelial cells（AECs） and their interaction with innate immune cells. And based on the theory of "spleen being in charge of the defensive function"，using traditional Chinese medicine for strengthening the spleen and nourishing Qi to treat IPF from the perspective of the spleen. This not only strengthens the scientific connotation of "spleen being in charge of the defensive function" in the pathogenesis of IPF，but also provides new research directions and ideas for its future clinical prevention and treatment.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of hydrogen on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and nigericin-induced pyroptosis in macrophages and the role of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) nuclear-enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1).Methods:Human monocyte-derived macrophages THP-1 cells were cultured in vitro and divided into 4 groups ( n=25 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), LPS and nigericin group (group LN), hydrogen-rich medium+ LPS and nigericin group (group H+ LN), and lentiviral transfection+ hydrogen-rich medium+ LPS-nigericin group (group LV+ H+ LN). THP-1 cells were cultured in the common culture medium for 24 h in group C. LPS at a final concentration of 100 ng/ml and nigericin 10 μmol/L were added to the culture medium, and the cells were incubated for 24 h in group LN. In group H+ LN, the culture medium was replaced with 0.6 mmol/L hydrogen-rich medium, then LPS at a final concentration of 100 ng/ml and nigericin 10 μmol/L were immediately added, and the cells were incubated for 24 h. In group LV+ H+ LN, THP-1 cells over-expressing NEAT1 stably after being transfected with lentivirus were used, then LPS at a final concentration of 100 ng/ml and nigericin 10 μmol/L were immediately added, and the cells were incubated for 24 h. Cell viability was detected by CCK-8 assay. Lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) release was assessed by colorimetric method. The amount of LDH released was measured by colorimetry. The concentrations of interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and IL-18 in culture medium were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The pyroptotic rate was detected by flow cytometry. The expression of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor-containing pyrin domain 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC), caspase-1 and gasdermin D (GSDMD) was detected by Western blot. The expression of NEAT1 gene was determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results:Compared with group C, the cell viability was significantly decreased, the amount of LDH released, concentrations of IL-1β and IL-18, and pyroptotic rate were increased, and the expression of NEAT1 gene, NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1 and GSDMD was up-regulated in group LN ( P<0.05). Compared with group LN, the cell viability was significantly increased, the amount of LDH released, concentrations of IL-1β and IL-18, and pyroptotic rate were decreased, and the expression of NEAT1 gene, NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1 and GSDMD was down-regulated in group H+ LN ( P<0.05). Compared with group H+ LN, the cell viability was significantly decreased, the amount of LDH released, concentrations of IL-1β and IL-18, and pyroptotic rate were increased, and the expression of NEAT1 gene, NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1 and GSDMD was up-regulated in group LV+ H+ LN ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Hydrogen can ameliorate LPS and nigericin-induced pyroptosis in macrophages, and the mechanism may be associated with down-regulating the expression of lncRNA NEAT1.

Objective To explore the value of combined detection of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2(Lp-PLA2),neuron specific enolase(NSE)and S-100 calcium binding protein β(S-100β)in the diagnosis and prognosis evaluation of acute cerebral infarction(ACI)in patients with carbon monoxide poisoning(CMP).Methods A total of 102 patients with CMP complicated with ACI admitted to the hospital from Jan-uary 2020 to November 2021 were selected as the study group,meanwhile,102 patients with simple CMP were enrolled as the control group.Patients in the study group were followed up for 6 months after discharge,ac-cording to the follow-up results,they were grouped into good prognosis group(60 cases)and poor prognosis group(42 cases).The serum levels of Lp-PLA2,NSE and S-100β were detected by enzyme-linked immunosor-bent assay(ELISA).The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was applied to analyze the value of the combination of serum Lp-PLA2,NSE and S-100β in the early diagnosis and prognosis evaluation of patients with CMP and ACI.Results Compared with the control group,the levels of Lp-PLA2,NSE and S-100β in the study group were obviously higher(P<0.05).The ROC curve analysis results showed that the area under the curve(AUC)of the combined detection of serum Lp-PLA2、NSE、S-100β for the diagnosis of CMP complicat-ed with ACI was greater than the AUC of single detection of each indicator(P<0.001).Compared with the good prognosis group,the levels of Lp-PLA2,NSE and S-100β in the poor prognosis group were obviously higher(P<0.05).The results of ROC curve analysis showed that the AUC of the combined detection of ser-um Lp-PLA2、NSE、S-100β for the prognosis of patients with CMP complicated with ACI was greater than the AUC of single detection of each indicator(P<0.05).Conclusion The expression of Lp-PLA2,NSE and S-100β in serum of patients with CMP complicated with ACI is high,and the combined detection of the three has certain value in the diagnosis and prognosis evaluation for patients with CMP complicated with ACI.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Shufeng Jiedu capsule （SFJD）-containing serum on human lung epithelial cells infected by influenza A virus， and investigate the protective effect of the drug on the cells and the potential antiviral effect. MethodThe SFJD-containing serum was prepared and used to treat human lung epithelial cells （BEAS-2B） cultured in vitro. The viability of cells treated with different concentrations of SFJD-containing serum was measured by the cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8）， and the optimal concentration of SFJD-containing serum was screened for subsequent experiments. BEAS-2B cells were classified into normal control， virus infection， and SFJD-containing serum groups， and the CCK-8 method was used to detect the survival rate of BEAS-2B cells after virus infection and drug administration. The expression of influenza virus nucleic acid in the cells of each group was determined， and the apoptosis of cells in different groups was observed by fluorescence microscopy. Real-time PCR was employed to determine the mRNA levels of influenza virus nucleoprotein （NP）， Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）， and myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 （MyD88） in each group of cells. The immunofluorescence assay was used to detect the fluorescence intensities of TLR4， MyD88， and phosphorylated nuclear factor-κB （p-NF-κB） in lung epithelial cells. ResultCompared with that in the control group （normal serum）， the cell survival rates in the blank serum and the SFJD-containing serum （5%， 10%， and 20%） groups were 100.00%±0.00%， 89.05%±4.80%， 87.13%±5.90%， 93.83%±6.03%， and 99.33%±3.39%， respectively （P<0.01）. The SFJD-containing serum of 20% was selected as the optimal treatment for subsequent experiments. Compared with the normal control group， the virus infection group showed reduced cell survival rate （P<0.01）， and the reduction was increased by the SFJD-containing serum （P<0.01）. Compared with the virus infection group， SFJD-containing serum reduced the virus load （P<0.01） to decrease apoptosis. Compared with the normal control group， the virus infection group showed up-regulated mRNA levels of NP， TLR4， and MyD88 （P<0.01）， and the up-regulation was down-regulated by the SFJD-containing serum （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The fluorescence intensities of TLR4， MyD88， and p-NF-κB proteins in the cells increased after virus infection compared with those in the normal control （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and they were decreased after administration with the SFJD-containing serum （P<0.05）. ConclusionThe SFJD-containing serum can inhibit influenza virus in vitro by increasing the survival rate， reducing the apoptosis， and down-regulating the protein levels of TLR4， MyD88， and p-NF-κB in BEAS-2B cells.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of Lutongning granules in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia in animal models and study its mechanism of action， so as to provide laboratory data support for the clinical application of Lutongning granules and precise treatment. MethodMale SD rats were randomly divided into normal group， model group， carbamazepine group （0.06 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， high-dose Lutongning group （2.70 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， and low-dose Lutongning group （1.35 g·kg^-1·d^-1） according to the stratified basic mechanical pain thresholds， with 10 rats in each group. A trigeminal neuralgia model of rats was prepared by injecting 30% talc suspension into the infraorbital foramen area of the rat. The drug groups were administered 10 mL·kg^-1 of drugs by gavage after 2 h of modeling. The normal group and the model group were administered distilled water by gavage under the same conditions once a day for 10 consecutive days. Von Frey brushes were used to determine the mechanical pain threshold of rats. A fully automated blood and body fluid analyzer was employed to detect the blood routine of rats. Hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining was utilized to detect the pathological changes in the trigeminal ganglion and medulla oblongata tissue. Transmission electron microscopy was used to scan the ultrastructure of the medulla oblongata tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect the levels of inflammatory factors interleukin （IL）-1， IL-6， IL-8， tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α， neuropeptide substance P， and β-endorphins （β-EP） in the serum of rats， and Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of IL-1β， purinergic receptor P2X7 （P2X7R）， and phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （p-p38 MAPK）. ResultCompared with that in the normal group， the pain threshold of rats in the model group was significantly lower （P<0.01）. The absolute value of neutrophils （NEUT#） and the percentage of neutrophils （NEUT） were significantly improved， and the percentage of lymphocytes （LYMPH） was significantly reduced （P<0.01）. The serum levels of IL-1， IL-6， IL-8， and TNF-α were significantly increased （P<0.01）. SP content in brain tissue was significantly increased， and β-EP content was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The relative protein expression of IL-1β， P2X7R， and p-p38 MAPK was significantly increased （P<0.05）. HE staining and transmission electron microscopy results of medulla oblongata tissue revealed neuronal degeneration， mild proliferation of microglial cells， reduction in the number of myelinated nerves， and obvious demyelination. The trigeminal nerve fibers of rats were disarranged， and some nerve fibers showed vacuolization. Axons were swollen， and Schwann cells proliferated. Demyelination was observed. Compared with the model group， each administration group significantly increased the pain threshold of rats （P<0.05， P<0.01）， reduced NEUT# and NEUT， and elevated LYMPH （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The administration group significantly decreased the levels of IL-1， IL-6， IL-8， and TNF-α in serum and SP in brain tissue （P<0.01） and increased the level of β-EP （P<0.01）. They significantly down-regulated the protein expression of IL-1β， P2X7R， and p-p38 MAPK（P<0.05， P<0.01） and significantly ameliorated the pathological changes in medulla oblongata tissue and trigeminal nerves of rats. ConclusionLutongning Granules had significant therapeutic effects on trigeminal neuralgia induced by injection of talc into the infraorbital foramen of model rats， and the mechanism may be related to amelioration of P2X7R-mediated neuroinflammation and inhibition of demyelination of myelinated nerves.

The occurrence of benign prostate hyperplasia(BPH)was related to disrupted sex steroid hormones,and metformin(Met)had a clinical response to sex steroid hormone-related gynaecological disease.How-ever,whether Met exerts an antiproliferative effect on BPH via sex steroid hormones remains unclear.Here,our clinical study showed that along with prostatic epithelial cell(PEC)proliferation,sex steroid hormones were dysregulated in the serum and prostate of BPH patients.As the major contributor to dysregulated sex steroid hormones,elevated dihydrotestosterone(DHT)had a significant positive rela-tionship with the clinical characteristics of BPH patients.Activation of adenosine 5'-monophosphate(AMP)-activated protein kinase(AMPK)by Met restored dysregulated sex steroid hormone homeostasis and exerted antiproliferative effects against DHT-induced proliferation by inhibiting the formation of androgen receptor(AR)-mediated Yes-associated protein(YAP1)-TEA domain transcription factor(TEAD4)heterodimers.Met's anti-proliferative effects were blocked by AMPK inhibitor or YAP1 over-expression in DHT-cultured BPH-1 cells.Our findings indicated that Met would be a promising clinical therapeutic approach for BPH by inhibiting dysregulated steroid hormone-induced PEC proliferation.

AIM:To investigate the role of Ywhab in the growth of mouse B-cell lymphoma,and to explore the potential underlying mechanisms.METHODS:The correlation between Ywhab and human diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(DLBCL)was investigated by bioinformatics analysis.Infection with retroviral vector was performed to establish stable mouse B-cell lymphoma 38B9 cell line with overexpression of Ywhab gene,which was verified by RT-qPCR and Western blot.The impact of Ywhab overexpression on 38B9 cell growth both in vitro and in vivo was detected by cell counting,CCK-8 assay,and subcutaneous tumor loading experiments.The expression of apoptosis-related proteins was detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot.Co-immunoprecipitation combined with mass spectrometry(CoIP-MS)was employed to search for proteins specifically binding to Ywhab gene product 14-3-3β,which was confirmed by Western blot and molecu-lar docking analysis.RESULTS:The Ywhab gene exhibited low expression in DLBCL,which was correlated with poor clinical prognosis of DLBCL patients.Compared with normal mouse bone marrow B cells,Ywhab expression was low in 38B9 cells.Overexpression of Ywhab induced apoptosis of 38B9 cells both in vitro and in vivo,promoted the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins Puma,Noxa and Bax at both mRNA and protein levels,and inhibited the mRNA and protein expres-sion of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl2(P＜0.05).The 14-3-3β protein specifically bound to Hsp90aa1 and reduced Hsp90aa1 protein levels,thereby suppressing the growth of 38B9 cells.CONCLUSION:Ywhab promotes the apoptosis of B-cell lymphoma cells by binding to Hsp90aa1 and thereby inhibiting the function of Hsp90aa1.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of blonanserin and olanzapine in the treatment of first-episode schizophrenia, so as to provide the basis for the medication choice for the treatment of first-episode schizophrenia. Methods: A total of 98 patients with first-episode schizophrenia admitted to the Second People's Hospital of Taizhou City were selected and randomly divided into the olanzapine group and the blonanserin group for a treatment period of two months. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) were used to investigate the improvement of symptoms, sleep quality and cognitive function before and after treatment, respectively, and the level of prolactin was detected. The generalized estimation equation was used to compare the differences between the two groups. The adverse reactions of the two groups were recorded and the safety of medication was evaluated. Results: Forty-nine patients each group were included, with 29 males and a mean age of (37.22±7.17) years in the olanzapine group, and 27 males and a mean age of (37.54±7.31) years in the blonanserin group. There were no significant differences in gender, age, disease course and educational duration between the two groups (all P>0.05). The scores of positive symptom, negative symptom, general psychopathology and overall PANSS in the two groups after treatment were decreased compared with those before (all P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups, and no interaction between the drugs and treatment duration (all P>0.05). The MCCB score of the blonanserin group was higher than that of the olanzapine group, while the PSQI score and the prolactin level of the blonanserin group were lower than that of the olanzapine group, and there was an interaction between the drugs and treatment duration (all P<0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions in the blonanserin group was 6.12%, which was lower than that in the olanzapine group of 20.41% (P<0.05). Conclusion Either blonanserin or olanzapine can improve psychotic symptoms inpatients with first-episode schizophrenia, while blonanserin is more effective than olanzapine in improving sleep quality, cognitive function and reducing prolactin level, and has higher safety.