BACKGROUND:Shujin Jiannao Prescription is an empirical formula for the treatment of cerebral palsy in Dongzhimen Hospital,Beijing University of Chinese Medicine,with clear clinical efficacy,but the specific mechanism needs to be elucidated. OBJECTIVE:To explore the possible mechanism of Shujin Jiannao Prescription in treating cerebral palsy. METHODS:Sixty-four 7-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal group(n=12)and a model group(n=52).An animal model was established by the Rice-Vannucci method.After successful modeling,52 model rats were randomly divided into control model group(n=12),minocycline group,and the low-,medium-,and high-dose groups of the Shujin Jiannao Prescription(n=10 per group).Rats in the minocycline group were given 40 mg/kg·d minocycline by gavage;rats in the low-,medium,and high-dose groups were given 4,8,and 16 g/kg·d Shujin Jiannao Prescription granules by gavage,respectively;and rats in the normal group and control model group were given an equal dose of normal saline by gavage.Medication in each group was given once a day for 1 week.The rats in each group were evaluated behaviorally using suspension test,abnormal involuntary movement score,and Bederson score.The pathological changes of the cerebral cortex were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining.The levels of tumor necrosis factor α,interleukin 1β,and interleukin 10 in the cerebral cortex were determined using ELISA.The positive expressions of Janus kinase 2(JAK2),phosphorylated Janus kinase 2(p-JAK2),phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(p-STAT3)in the cerebral cortex were detected using immunohistochemistry.The protein expression levels of JAK2,p-JAK2,and p-STAT3 were detected using western blot. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the normal group,the suspension test score and involuntary movement score were decreased in the control model group(P＜0.01 or P＜0.05).The pathological results showed structural disruption of nerve cells,formation of large numbers of vacuoles,cell swelling,and increased intercellular space in the control model group.In addition,the expressions of tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 1β in the cerebral cortex were significantly increased(P＜0.01),the expression of interleukin 10 was decreased(P＜0.05),and the protein expressions of JAK2,p-JAK2,and p-STAT3 in the cerebral cortex were significantly increased(P＜0.01)in the control model group compared with the normal group.Compared with the model group,minocycline and Shujin Jiannao Prescription at each dose could improve the behavioral indexes of rats(P＜0.01 or P＜0.05)and ischemic-hypoxic pathological changes were attenuated,with only a small amount of necrotic nerve cells and a few vacuoles,and reduced intercellular space.Moreover,the expressions of tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 1β in the cerebral cortex were decreased in each drug group compared with the control model group(P＜0.05),while the protein expressions of JAK2,p-JAK2,and p-STAT3 in the cerebral cortex were significantly decreased(P＜0.01).The most obvious improvement was observed in the high-dose Shujin Jiannao Prescription group.To conclude,Shujin Jiannao Prescription can inhibit inflammation in the cerebral cortex of rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.The mechanism may be related to the regulation of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND:At present,there are some limitations in evaluating the severity of acute spinal cord injury,and a rapid and accurate evaluation method is urgently needed. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the correlation between the expression levels of serum oxidative stress and nerve injury indexes and the severity of the disease in patients with acute spinal cord injury. METHODS:A total of 65 patients were included in the study from August 2020 to May 2022,including 32 patients in the experimental group(acute spinal cord injury)and 33 patients in the control group(simple spinal fracture).American Spinal Injury Association(ASIA)Impairment Scale and neurological function score were evaluated within 8 hours of admission.Meanwhile,serum levels of superoxide dismutase,malondialdehyde,glutathione,nitric oxide,glial fibrillary acidic protein and neuron-specific enolase were detected and compared between the two groups.The correlation between the expression levels of the above serological indicators in serum and ASIA impairment grade and AISA neural function score was analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The average serum levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione in the experimental group were significantly lower than those of the control group(P<0.001),while the average serum levels of malondialdehyde,nitric oxide,glial fibrillary acidic protein and neuron-specific enolase in the experimental group were higher than those of the control group(P<0.01).The serum levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione in the experimental group were positively correlated with the damage grade of AISA(r=0.862 4,0.849 3,P<0.01),while the serum levels of malondialdehyde,nitric oxide,glial fibrillary acidic protein and neuron-specific enolase were negatively correlated with the damage grade of AISA(r=-0.866 1,-0.638 1,-0.746 6,P<0.001),and the serum level of nitric oxide was not significantly correlated with the damage grade of AISA(r=-0.177 5,P>0.05).The serum level of glutathione in the experimental group was positively correlated with AISA sensory function scores(r=0.569 9,P<0.001),while the serum levels of malondialdehyde,glial fibrillary acidic protein and neuron-specific enolase were negatively correlated with AISA sensory function scores(r=-0.574 1,-0.099 2,-0.708 6,P<0.05),and the serum levels of superoxide dismutase and nitric oxide were not significantly correlated with AISA sensory function scores(r=0.230 8,-0.376 2,P>0.05).The serum levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione in the experimental group were positively correlated with ASIA motor function scores(r=0.380,0.524 7,P<0.05);the serum levels of malondialdehyde,glial fibrillary acidic protein and neuron-specific enolase were negatively correlated with AISA motor function scores(r=-0.577 9,-0.452 2,-0.662 8,P<0.05);and the level of nitric oxide had no significant correlation with AISA motor function scores(r=-0.049 7,P>0.05).To conclude,the serum levels of superoxide dismutase,malondialdehyde,glutathione,nitric oxide,glial fibrillary acidic protein and neuron-specific enolase in serum of patients with acute spinal cord injury are significantly correlated with ASIA impairment grade and ASIA neural function score,which could be used as biomarkers for early clinical assessment of disease severity.

Objective To explore the feasibility and safety of MCCE in gastrointestinal examination of elderly patients with malignant tumors.Methods Clinical data of 127 patients who underwent MCCE examination from April 2019 to September 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.According to age,the patients were divided into the elderly group(age≥65 year-old,n = 88)and the middle-aged group(40≤age<65 year-old,n = 39),and the clinical data of patients with malignant tumors were screened from the two groups for analysis and comparison.Results 131 patients received MCCE examination,and 4 elderly patients were excluded from this study due to swallowing failure,so 88 elderly patients were actually included in the study.In the elderly group,45.4%had serious cardiovascular diseases(40/88),27.3%had malignant tumors(24/88),8.0%had serious respiratory diseases(7/88),6.8%had anesthesia problems(6/88),and 9.1%had neurological diseases(8/88).Among the 24 elderly patients with malignant tumors,25.0%had severe cardiovascular disease,25.0%had poor general status,20.8%had brain metastases,and 12.5%had severe respiratory dysfunction.The positive diagnosis rate of gastric P2 lesions in the elderly group(52/88,59.1%)was significantly higher than that in the middle-aged group(13/39,33.3%)(P = 0.013).There was significant difference in positive rate of ulcer diagnosis between the two groups(29.5%and 10.2%)(P = 0.032).In patients with malignant tumors,the positive rate of ulcer diagnosis between the two groups(45.8%and 11.1%)was statistically significant(P = 0.038).The cleanliness and visualization scores of proximal stomach in the middle-aged group were higher than those in the elderly group,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion MCCE is generally effective and safe in elderly patients,especially those with malignant tumors,without missing any significant gastric lesions.

Objective:To evaluate the morphological characteristics of the fetal heart and the contractile function of the left and right ventricles in fetuses with pulmonary stenosis (PS) and pulmonary atresia (PA) using fetal heart quantitative analysis technology (fetal HQ), and to assess the impact of different degrees of right ventricular outflow tract obstruction (RVOTO) on the contractile function of the fetal left and right ventricles. To accumulate early data and explore parameters for constructing a predictive model and clinical decision-making tool for the progression of fetal PS and PA.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 42 cases of mild to moderate PS and 23 cases of severe PS or PA detected through fetal echocardiography in the Department of Ultrasound, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, from July 2020 to December 2021. A control group of 195 normal fetal cases matching gestational weeks was selected. The fetal HQ technique was employed to measure the global sphericity index (GSI), left ventricular ejection fraction (EF), left/right ventricular area change percentage (LVFAC, RVFAC), and left/right ventricular longitudinal strain (LVGLS, RVGLS). Additionally, 24-segment sphericity index (SI) and fractional shortening (FS) for both left and right ventricles were measured. Comparative analyses were performed between the case and control groups, as well as within the case group.Results:In comparison with the control group, the case group exhibited significantly decreased GSI, LVGLS, LVEF, LVFAC, RVGLS, and RVFAC.The differences were statistically significant in the mild to moderate PS group (all P<0.05) and highly significant in the severe PS/PA group (all P<0.01). In the mild to moderate PS group, the left ventricle′s 2nd segment, right ventricle′s 24th segment SI, and the left ventricle′s 1st-13th segments, right ventricle′s 1st-16th and 20th-24th segments FS showed statistically significant differences compared to the control group (all P<0.05). In the severe PS/PA group, the right ventricle′s 1st-22nd segment SI, and the left ventricle′s 6th-13th, 21st-24th segments, and the right ventricle′s 1st-14th segments FS were reduced, showing statistically significant differences compared to the control group (all P<0.05). The severe PS/PA group showed lower RVGLS, RVFAC, and SI for the right ventricle′s 1st to 17th segments when compared to the mild to moderate PS group, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). Conclusions:Quantitative indices derived by fetal HQ is capable of evaluating the cardiac morphology and function of fetuses with PS/PA, which may provide for reference information for comprehensive understanding of cardiac morphological and functional changes in such fetuses.

Objective:To explore the potential application of two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) in terms of quantification and evaluating left and right atrial function in normal fetuses, and to investigate the relevant factors affecting left and right atrial function in normal fetuses as well as differences between both atrial function.Methods:A total of 100 single fetuses underwent fetal echocardiography in the Department of Diagnostic Ultrasound & Echocardiography, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University College of Medicine from January 2019 to October 2022 were retrospectively enrolled. The standard basal or apical four-chamber view clips were obtained, and the left and right atrial function were quantitatively analyzed using TomTec-ARENA off-line cardiac analysis software for quantitative assessment of both atrial strain measurements including left atrial reservoir phase longitudinal strain (LASr), left atrial ductal phase longitudinal strain (LAScd), left atrial systolic phase longitudinal strain (LASct), right atrial reservoir phase longitudinal strain (RASr), right atrial ductal phase longitudinal strain (RAScd), right atrial systolic phase longitudinal strain (RASct), and the ratio of systolic longitudinal strain to conduit longitudinal strain in left and right atrial systolic display groups were calculated which was denoted as Sct/Scd.Routine fetal obstetric ultrasound measurements and fetal echocardiographic parameters in the two groups were obtained including fetal heart rate (FHR), left atrial end-systolic length (LAESL), left atrial end-systolic diameter (LAESD), left atrial end-systolic area (LAESA), left ventricular end-diastolic transverse diameter (LVEDD), right atrial end-systolic length (RAESL), right atrial end-systolic diameter (RAESD), right atrial end-systolic area (RAESA), right ventricular end-diastolic transverse diameter (RVEDD), peak blood flow velocity of mitral valve and tricuspid valve in early and late diastolic period (E, A), peak ratio of E and A: E/A (MV), E/A (TV), and the difference between the left and right atrial strain indices and the routine fetal obstetric ultrasound and fetal echocardiographic parameters, as well as the correlation between the above parameters and gestational age were analyzed. The repeatability tests were performed using the intra-class correlation coefficientt (ICC).Results:Significant differences were found in LASr and RASr, LAScd and RAScd, LASct and LAScd, Sct/Scd between the left atrium and right atrium, E/A (MV) and E/A (TV), LAESD and RAESD, LAESL and RAESL (all P<0.05), there was significant difference in FHR between the left atrial contraction display group and the no atrial contraction display group ( P=0.011), no significant difference in other parameters (all P>0.05). Correlation analysis showed that, LASr, LASct, RASr, and RASct showed moderate negative correlation with gestational age ( rs=-0.570, -0.601, -0.469, -0.568; all P<0.001). While LAScd, RAScd, E/A (MV), E/A (TV) were moderately positively related with gestational age ( rs=0.310, 0.350, 0.330, 0.343; all P<0.05). LAESL, LAESD, LAESA, RAESL, RAESD, RAESA, LVEDD and RVEDD were significantly positively related with gestational age ( rs=0.662, 0.768, 0.792, 0.728, 0.828, 0.822, 0.838, 0.802, all P<0.001). The inter-examiner ICC of fetal LASr and RASr were 0.89 and 0.84 (both P<0.05) and the intra-examiner ICC of fetal RASr and LASr both were 0.80 (both P<0.05), with good consistency. Conclusions:2D-STE is highly feasible and reproducible in assessing fetal atrial function. The corresponding variation values of fetal atria at different gestational weeks were obtained in this study, which provides a new reference index for us to further study normal fetal atria as well as comparative analysis of fetal cardiac function under prenatal pathological conditions.

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome is an infectious disease with high mortality caused by human immunodefi-ciency virus(HIV).Even after antiretroviral therapy,the virus reservoir formed by the provirus integrated in the host genome can evade host immune surveillance and clearance.The existing methods of HIV reservoir detection mainly include cell culture induced virus growth assay in vitro and direct detection of the provirus genome based on PCR technology.Understanding and measuring accurately of HIV reservoir can provide reliable technical basis for HIV treatment research.This article summarizes and analyzes various detection methods of HIV reservoirs in recent years and their advantages and disadvantages,in order to select the suitable method for different detection objects of HIV reservior,and give appropriate suggestions,to provide technical support and theoretical guidance for further research on acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

Objective To observe the value of dual-source CT(DECT)virtual monoenergetic imaging(VMI)for differentiating prostate cancer(PC)and benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH).Methods Thirty-three patients with PC(PC group)and 44 patients with BPH(BPH group)were retrospectively enrolled,and 40-100 keV(with 10 keV interval)VMI were reconstructed based on arterial phase DECT images,respectively.Clinical data,focal CT value and contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR)of VMI with different energy levels and conventional linear fusion images of arterial phase were compared between groups.Binary logistic regression models were constructed based on clinical data being significantly different between groups,focal CT value of VMI with energy level with the highest CNR,also focal CT value of conventional linear fusion images of arterial phase,respectively.The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC)was calculated to evaluate the efficacy of each model for differentiating PC and BPH.Results Free prostate-specific antigen(f-PSA),total prostate-specific antigen(t-PSA),focal CT value of 40-100 keV VMI and conventional linear fusion images of arterial phase in PC group were all higher,while short diameter in PC group was smaller than those in BPH group(all P＜0.05).Logistic regression models were constructed based on f-PSA,t-PSA,short diameter,CT value at 40 keV VMI and CT value at conventional linear fusion images of arterial phase,respectively,with AUC for differentiating PC and BPH of 0.879,0.902,0.701,0.911 and 0.857,respectively.Conclusion DECT VMI could be used as a supplementary examination for prostate diseases,and 40 keV VMI had the best efficacy for differentiating PC and BPH.

Colorectal tumors often create an immunosuppressive microenvironment that prevents them from responding to immunotherapy.Cannabidiol(CBD)is a non-psychoactive natural active ingredient from the cannabis plant that has various pharmacological effects,including neuroprotective,antiemetic,anti-inflammatory,and antineoplastic activities.This study aimed to elucidate the specific anticancer mechanism of CBD by single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNA-seq)and single-cell ATAC sequencing(scATAC-seq)technologies.Here,we report that CBD inhibits colorectal cancer progression by modulating the suppressive tumor microenvironment(TME).Our single-cell transcriptome and ATAC sequencing results showed that CBD suppressed M2-like macrophages and promoted M1-like macrophages in tumors both in strength and quantity.Furthermore,CBD significantly enhanced the interaction between M1-like macrophages and tumor cells and restored the intrinsic anti-tumor properties of macrophages,thereby preventing tumor progression.Mechanistically,CBD altered the metabolic pattern of macro-phages and related anti-tumor signaling pathways.We found that CBD inhibited the alternative acti-vation of macrophages and shifted the metabolic process from oxidative phosphorylation and fatty acid oxidation to glycolysis by inhibiting the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-protein kinase B signaling pathway and related downstream target genes.Furthermore,CBD-mediated macrophage plasticity enhanced the response to anti-programmed cell death protein-1(PD-1)immunotherapy in xenografted mice.Taken together,we provide new insights into the anti-tumor effects of CBD.

The computer information technology that has penetrated into every aspect of our lives, can not only assist the screening of drugs, but also simulate the effect of drugs. At present, computer-aided technologies have been used to screen aptamers, which play an important role in improving the screening efficiency and screening high affinity binding aptamers. This review summarized the screening methods of aptamers through computer-aided sequence evaluation, structural analysis and molecular docking.
Aptamers, Nucleotide ; Computers ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; SELEX Aptamer Technique/methods*

Animals ; Aedes/physiology* ; Hot Temperature ; Feeding Behavior ; Behavior, Animal/physiology*