ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Tongluo Baoshen prescription （TLBS）-containing serum on the rat podocyte injury induced by lipopolysaccharide （LPS） and explore the potential mechanisms. MethodsSD rats were used to prepare the blank serum， losartan potassium-containing serum， and low-， medium-， and high-dose TLBS-containing sera. Rat podocytes were cultured in vitro， and the effects of drug-containing sera on podocyte viability were detected by the cell counting kit-8 （CKK-8） method. The optimal intervention volume fraction of drug-containing sera and the optimal concentration of LPS for inducing the podocyte injury were determined. Rat podocytes were grouped as follows： normal control （NC， 10% blank serum）， model control （MC， 20.00 mg·L^-1 LPS+10% black serum）， losartan potassium （LP， 20.00 mg·L^-1 LPS+10% losartan potassium-containing serum）， low-dose TLBS （TLBS-L， 20.00 mg·L^-1 LPS+10% low-dose TLBS-containing serum）， medium-dose TLBS （TLBS-M， 20.00 mg·L^-1 LPS+10% medium-dose TLBS-containing serum）， and high-dose TLBS （TLBS-H， 20.00 mg·L^-1 LPS+10% high-dose TLBS-containing serum）， and the interventions lasted for 48 h. The ultrastructure of podocytes was observed under a transmission electron microscope. The podocyte apoptosis was detected by the terminal deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick-end labeling （TUNEL） kit. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression of gasdermin D N-terminal fragment （GSDMD-NT） in podocytes. The mRNA and protein levels of G protein-coupled receptor family C group 5 member B （GPRC5B）， nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） p50， NF-κB p52， NF-κB p65， Rel B， c-Rel， NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）， cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-1 （Caspase-1）， GSDMD-NT， interleukin （IL）-1β， IL-18， nephrin， integrin α₃， and integrin β₁ in podocytes were determined by real-time quaritiative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot， respectively. ResultsCompared with the NC group， the MC group showed reduced podocyte protrusions and organelles， segmental missing of cell membranes， increased and swollen mitochondria， irregular nuclear membranes， light chromatin， increased TUNEL fluorescence-positive nuclei （P<0.01）， obviously enhanced fluorescence intensity of GSDMD-NT， up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of GPRC5B， NF-κB p50， NF-κB p52， NF-κB p65， Rel B， c-Rel， NLRP3， caspase-1， GSDMD-NT， IL-1β， and IL-18 （P<0.01）， and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of nephrin， integrin α₃， and integrin β₁ （P<0.01） in podocytes. Compared with the MC group， the LP， TLBS-M， and TLBS-H groups showed improved ultrastructure of podocytes with increased protrusions， intact cell membranes， reduced organelles， and alleviated mitochondrial swelling， decreased TUNEL fluorescence-positive nuclei （P<0.01）， weakened fluorescence intensity of GSDMD-NT， down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of GPRC5B， NF-κB p50， NF-κB p52， NF-κB p65， Rel B， c-Rel， NLRP3， caspase-1， GSDMD-NT， IL-1β， and IL-18 （P<0.01）， and up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of nephrin， integrin α₃， and integrin β₁ （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Moreover， the changes above were the most obvious in the TLBS-H group. ConclusionThe TLBS-containing serum can regulate the GPRC5B/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway to inhibit pyroptosis， thereby ameliorating the podocyte injury induced by LPS.

IgA nephropathy is recognized as the most common primary glomerular disease， with up to 20%-40% of patients developing end-stage kidney disease within 20 years of onset. The deposition of IgA1-containing immune complexes targeting glycosylation defects in the mesangial region and the subsequent inflammation caused by T lymphocyte activation are considered as the main causes of IgA nephropathy， and innate immunity is also involved in the pathogenesis. Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain （NOD）-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3） is a newly discovered pattern recognition receptor expressed in renal intrinsic cells such as renal tubular epithelial cells， mesangial cells， and podocytes. Activated by external stimuli， NLRP3 can form NLRP3 inflammasomes with apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain （ASC）. The NLRP3 inflammasome can activate cysteine aspartate-specific protease-1 （Caspase-1）， causing the maturation and release of interleukin-18 （IL-18） and interleukin-1β （IL-1β） involved in inflammation. Increasing evidence has suggested that NLRP3 inflammasomes are involved in the pathogenesis and progression of IgA nephropathy and associated with the damage of renal intrinsic cells such as podocytes， mesangial cells， endothelial cells， and renal tubular epithelial cells. Chinese medicine can regulate inflammatory cytokines and their signaling pathways by acting on NLRP3 inflammasomes and related molecules， exerting therapeutic effects on IgA nephropathy. This article introduces the role of NLRP3 inflammasomes in IgA nephropathy and reviews the clinical and experimental research progress of Chinese medicine intervention in IgA nephropathy via NLRP3 inflammasomes， aiming to provide a reference for further research and application of Chinese medicine intervention in the NLRP3 inflammasome as a new therapeutic target.

Objective Taking Sortilin as the entry point,this study aims to explore the mechanism of vascular calcification in chronic renal failure(CRF)and explore the influence of Sanqi on Sortilin,TLRs and vascular calcification,and to provide an effective method for clinical reduction of cardiovascular events in CRF.Methods Thirty-six male SD rats were randomly divided into normal group,model group,low-,medium-and high-dose Sanqi group and calcitriol group,with 6 rats in each.The replicative CRF vascular calcification rat model was fed with adenine combined with high phosphorus diet.Aortic calcium salt deposition,serum creatinine(Scr),urea nitrogen(BUN),blood calcium(Ca),blood phosphorus(P),total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG),TLRs and Sortilin protein in aorta and inflammatory factors were detected.Results In the model group,renal fibrosis was obvious and many adenine crystals were found in renal interstitium.Large deposits of calcium salts were found.Renal fibrosis and calcium salt deposition were alleviated in different degrees in all treatment groups.Compared with those in the normal group,the level of BUN,Cr,P,TG,TC,IFN-γ,IL-6,IL-10 and IL-17A in the serum of the model group was ascended(P<0.01),while the level of Ca was descended(P<0.01).Compared with those in the model group,the level of BUN,Cr,P,TG,TC,IFN-γ,IL-6,IL-10 and IL-17A in the serum of rats in the Sanqi medium and high dose group and calcitriol group was significantly decreased(P<0.01),and the contents of Ca were significantly increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Compared with those in the normal group,the protein expression of BMP2,RUNX2,Sortilin,TLR7 and TLR9 in aortic tissue of rats in the model group was elevated(P<0.01),while the protein expression of SM22α was declined(P<0.01).Compared with those in the model group,the protein expression of BMP2,RUNX2,Sortilin,TLR7,and TLR9 in the low-,medium-,and high-dose Sanqi group and calcitriol group was decreased significantly(P<0.01);the protein expression of SM22α was increased significantly(P<0.05 or P<0.01),and the high-dose Sanqi group and calcitriol group had more significant effects.Conclusion Sanqi can improve renal fibrosis and vascular calcification in CRF model rats,and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of biological functions of Sortilin and TLRs.

Pulmonary hypertension has a high mortality rate,and although targeted therapy is available,it is still incurable,and the long-term prognosis for patients is poor.As a tyrosine kinase inhibitor,imatinib was approved for marketing in China in 2002 for the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia and other tumor diseases.In addition to the antitumor effects,imatinib was found to improve hemodynamics and exercise tolerance in patients with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension,but the safety was suboptimal.With the emergence of new formulations of imatinib targeted at the lungs,it is expected to become a new targeted drug for pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Objective:To report the results of national surveillance on the distribution and antimicrobial resistance profile of clinical Gram-negative bacteria isolates from bloodstream infections in China in 2022.Methods:The clinical isolates of Gram-negative bacteria from blood cultures in member hospitals of national bloodstream infection Bacterial Resistant Investigation Collaborative System（BRICS）were collected during January 2022 to December 2022. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were conducted by agar dilution or broth dilution methods recommended by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute（CLSI）. WHONET 5.6 and SPSS 25.0 software were used to analyze the data.Results:During the study period，9 035 strains of Gram-negative bacteria were collected from 51 hospitals，of which 7 895（87.4%）were Enterobacteriaceae and 1 140（12.6%）were non-fermenting bacteria. The top 5 bacterial species were Escherichia coli（ n=4 510，49.9%）， Klebsiella pneumoniae（ n=2 340，25.9%）， Pseudomonas aeruginosa（ n=534，5.9%）， Acinetobacter baumannii complex（ n=405，4.5%）and Enterobacter cloacae（ n=327，3.6%）. The ESBLs-producing rates in Escherichia coli， Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus spp. were 47.1%（2 095/4 452），21.0%（427/2 033）and 41.1%（58/141），respectively. The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli（CREC）and carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae（CRKP）were 1.3%（58/4 510）and 13.1%（307/2 340）；62.1%（36/58）and 9.8%（30/307）of CREC and CRKP were resistant to ceftazidime/avibactam combination，respectively. The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii（CRAB）complex was 59.5%（241/405），while less than 5% of Acinetobacter baumannii complex was resistant to tigecycline and polymyxin B. The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa（CRPA）was 18.4%（98/534）. There were differences in the composition ratio of Gram-negative bacteria in bloodstream infections and the prevalence of main Gram-negative bacteria resistance among different regions，with statistically significant differences in the prevalence of CRKP and CRPA（ χ2=20.489 and 20.252， P<0.001）. The prevalence of CREC，CRKP，CRPA，CRAB，ESBLs-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were higher in provinicial hospitals than those in municipal hospitals（ χ2=11.953，81.183，10.404，5.915，12.415 and 6.459， P<0.01 or <0.05），while the prevalence of CRPA was higher in economically developed regions（per capita GDP ≥ 92 059 Yuan）than that in economically less-developed regions（per capita GDP <92 059 Yuan）（ χ2=6.240， P=0.012）. Conclusions:The proportion of Gram-negative bacteria in bloodstream infections shows an increasing trend，and Escherichia coli is ranked in the top，while the trend of CRKP decreases continuously with time. Decreasing trends are noted in ESBLs-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Low prevalence of carbapenem resistance in Escherichia coli and high prevalence in CRAB complex have been observed. The composition ratio and antibacterial spectrum of bloodstream infections in different regions of China are slightly different，and the proportion of main drug resistant bacteria in provincial hospitals is higher than those in municipal hospitals.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the chemical components that were the absorbed in blood and liver tissue of rats after intragastric administration of aqueous extract from Abrus cantoniensis， and to speculate its possible metabolic pathways， providing reference for basic analysis of pharmacological substance in A. cantoniensis. METHODS Male SD rats were randomly divided into A. cantoniensis group （0.63 g/kg， calculated by crude drug） and blank group； they were given relevant drug solution/ultrapure water intragastrically. After a single dose， plasma and liver samples of rats in each group were collected. UPLC-Q-TOF/MS technology was used to identify chemical components that were absorbed in the blood and liver tissue of rats. RESULTS Totally， 30 chemical constituents were identified from the water extracts of A. cantoniensis， including alkaloids， flavonoids， organic acids， iridoids （such as L-abrine， schaftoside， isoshaftoside）. Ten prototype components and nine metabolites （such as decarboxylation and sulfation metabolites of protocatechuic acid， reduced sulfated metabolites of p-hydroxybenzoic acid） were identified from plasma samples； six prototype components and five metabolites （such as sulfated metabolites of p-hydroxybenzoic acid， decarboxylation and sulfation metabolites of p-hydroxybenzoic acid） were identified from liver samples. The main metabolic pathways included hydroxylation， demethylation， methylation， sulfation， glucuronidation， etc. CONCLUSIONS Alkaloids， flavonoids and organic acids are the main components of the aqueous extract from A. cantoniensis that are absorbed into the blood and liver， their metabolism mainly involves hydroxylation，demethylation， and sulfation.

Objective:To analyze and summarize the clinical characteristics of mpox patients, thereby to rise clinicians′ awareness of severe mpox and provide a foundation for clinical diagnosis and treatment.Methods:The clinical data were retrospectively analyzed in 41 mpox patients treated at the Beijing You′an Hospital, Capital Medical University, from June to November 2023. Patients were categorized into mild and severe cases based on clinical manifestations, and laboratory results of the two groups were compared. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney U test. Results:The clinical manifestations of 41 mpox patients mainly included fever, rash and lymphadenopathy. Five patients with severe mpox might develop serious complications, including bacterial pneumonia, type Ⅰ respiratory failure, fungal infections, penile or perianal dry gangrene, penile soft tissue edema, intestinal obstruction, septic shock, perianal abscess, and necrotizing fasciitis. Patients with severe mpox had significantly higher white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil count and C-reactive protein (CRP) level compare to those with mild cases (14.60(9.92, 24.08)×10 9/L vs 6.41(5.64, 8.37)×10 9/L, 12.43(7.02, 21.15)×10 9/L vs 3.35(2.46, 5.03)×10 9/L, 108.20(56.20, 124.10) mg/L vs 16.6(6.25, 49.98) mg/L), while the albumin level and CD4 + T lymphocyte count in the severe group were significantly lower compared to the mild cases (31.80(22.90, 35.15) g/L vs 44.70(42.90, 47.40) g/L, 24.00(12.00, 81.50)/μL vs 606.00(414.50, 767.50)/μL)). All these differences were statistically significant ( U=2.81, 3.02, 2.98, 3.56 and 3.26, respectively, all P<0.01). Conclusions:In clinical practice, clinicians should be vigilant for the possibility of severe mpox if patients exhibit a significant increase of WBC and CRP, a significant decrease in CD4 + T lymphocyte count, or if they develop severe complications.

[Objective]To investigate the impact of varying concentrations of baicalein on the proliferation and biological responses of MC3T3-E1 cells,as well as the antibacterial efficacy of baicalein against prevalent oral bacteria,and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.[Methods]MC3T3-E1 cells were exposed to different concentrations of baicalein(0,6,12,18,and 24 μmol/L)and cell viability was determined by using the CCK-8 assay.Alkaline phosphatase(ALP)activity of MC3T3-E1 cells following osteogenic induction was assessed.RT-PCR was used to examine the expression of RunX2,BMP2,and Osterix.After 24 hours of treatment,the antibacterial potential of baicalein against Escherichia coli,Staphylococcus Aureus and Streptococcus Sanguis was evaluated by using the K-B paper disk method.[Results]Baicalein exhibited a modest reduction in proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells but without affecting their sustained proliferation.Baicalein at a concentration of 18 μmol/L enhanced ALP activity of MC3T3-E1 cells,upregulated BMP2 and Osterix expression,downregulated RunX2 expression,significantly inhibited the proliferation of Staphylococcus Aureus and Streptococcus Sanguis(P<0.05).[Conclusions]Baicalein at an optimal concentration(18 μmol/L)demonstrated a promotional effect on the osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells and effectively suppressed the proliferation of common oral bacteria,including Staphylococcus Aureus and Streptococcus Sanguis.

Objective:To report the results of national surveillance on the distribution and antimicrobial resistance profile of clinical Gram-positive bacteria isolates from bloodstream infections in China in 2022.Methods:The clinical isolates of Gram-positive bacteria from blood cultures in member hospitals of National Bloodstream Infection Bacterial Resistant Investigation Collaborative System（BRICS）were collected during January 2022 to December 2022. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were conducted by agar dilution or broth dilution methods recommended by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute（CLSI）. WHONET 5.6 and SPSS 25.0 software were used to analyze the data.Results:A total of 3 163 strains of Gram-positive pathogens were collected from 51 member units，and the top five bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus（ n=1 147，36.3%），coagulase-negative Staphylococci（ n=928，29.3%）， Enterococcus faecalis（ n=369，11.7%）， Enterococcus faecium（ n=296，9.4%）and alpha-hemolyticus Streptococci（ n=192，6.1%）. The detection rates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus（MRSA）and methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococci（MRCNS）were 26.4%（303/1 147）and 66.7%（619/928），respectively. No glycopeptide and daptomycin-resistant Staphylococci were detected. The sensitivity rates of Staphylococcus aureus to cefpirome，rifampin，compound sulfamethoxazole，linezolid，minocycline and tigecycline were all >95.0%. Enterococcus faecium was more prevalent than Enterococcus faecalis. The resistance rates of Enterococcus faecium to vancomycin and teicoplanin were both 0.5%（2/369），and no vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium was detected. The detection rate of MRSA in southern China was significantly lower than that in other regions（ χ2=14.578， P=0.002），while the detection rate of MRCNS in northern China was significantly higher than that in other regions（ χ2=15.195， P=0.002）. The detection rates of MRSA and MRCNS in provincial hospitals were higher than those in municipal hospitals（ χ2=13.519 and 12.136， P<0.001）. The detection rates of MRSA and MRCNS in economically more advanced regions（per capita GDP≥92 059 Yuan in 2022）were higher than those in economically less advanced regions（per capita GDP<92 059 Yuan）（ χ2=9.969 and 7.606， P=0.002和0.006）. Conclusions:Among the Gram-positive pathogens causing bloodstream infections in China， Staphylococci is the most common while the MRSA incidence decreases continuously with time；the detection rate of Enterococcus faecium exceeds that of Enterococcus faecalis. The overall prevalence of vancomycin-resistant Enterococci is still at a low level. The composition ratio of Gram-positive pathogens and resistant profiles varies slightly across regions of China，with the prevalence of MRSA and MRCNS being more pronounced in provincial hospitals and areas with a per capita GDP≥92 059 yuan.

Objective:To observe the role of Huaiqihuang Granules (HQ) in the long-term management of bronchial asthma in young children, and the effective effect on concomitant rhinitis.Methods:A prospective real-world multicenter study was conducted in children aged 2-5 years with asthma diagnosed in the outpatient department (from April 2016 to March 2019)who received either inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)/leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTRA)(control group); inhaled ICS/LTRA plus HQ(combination group), or HQ alone(HQ group). All patients were followed up at week 4, 8, 12 after treatment. The number of days with asthma symptoms, the frequency of severe asthma attacks, the level of asthma control, and the days with rhinitis symptoms in the last 4 weeks were recorded. Differences before and after treatment, and those among groups after treatment were compared using Kruskal- Wallis H test or Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Results:A total of 2 234 eligible patients were recruited, and 2 147 cases completed followed-up visits, including 477, 1 374 and 296 cases in the control group, combination group, and HQ group, respectively. After the treatment, all 3 groups showed significant declines in the days with asthma symptoms, frequency of severe asthma attack and the days with rhinitis symptoms (all P<0.01), and the rate of well-controlled asthma increased significantly ( P<0.01). It lasted until the end of follow-up. Among groups, patients in the combination group showed significantly less days of asthma symptoms than those of the other 2 group at week 8 and 12[0(0, 0.9) d vs.0(0, 0.3) d, P<0.05; 0(0, 0.1) d vs. 0(0, 1.0) d, P<0.01]. Patients in the combination group and HQ group showed a significantly lower rate of severe asthma attacks than that of the control group at week 12 [0(0, 1), 0(0, 1), 0(0, 2), all P<0.05]. The well-controlled rate of asthma in the combination group was significantly higher than that of the control group and HQ group at week 8 and 12 (89.6% vs. 85.9% vs.82.1%, H=15.28; 90.9% vs. 84.1% vs. 81.8%, χ2=29.32, all P<0.01). Conclusions:HQ can significantly alleviate symptoms of asthma and rhinitis, severe attack of asthma, and increase the control rate of asthma when used as an additional treatment or used alone.