ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Yiqi Wenyang Huoxue Lishui components on the cardiac function and mitochondrial energy metabolism in the rat model of chronic heart failure （CHF） and explore the underlying mechanism. MethodsThe rat model of CHF was prepared by transverse aortic constriction （TAC）. Eight of the 50 SD rats were randomly selected as the sham group， and the remaining 42 underwent TAC surgery. The 24 SD rats successfully modeled were randomized into model， trimetazidine （6.3 mg·kg^-1）， and Yiqi Wenyang Huoxue Lishui components （60 mg·kg^-1 total saponins of Astragali Radix， 10 mg·kg^-1 total phenolic acids of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma， 190 mg·kg^-1 aqueous extract of Lepidii Semen， and 100 mg·kg^-1 cinnamaldehyde） groups. The rats were administrated with corresponding agents by gavage， and those in the sham and model groups were administrated with the same amount of normal saline at a dose of 10 mL·kg^-1 for 8 weeks. Echocardiography was used to examine the cardiac function in rats. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to determine the serum levels of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide （NT-ProBNP）， hypersensitive troponin（cTnI）， creatine kinase （CK）， lactate dehydrogenase （LD）， free fatty acids （FFA）， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， and malondialdehyde （MDA）. The colorimetric assay was employed to measure the levels of adenosine triphosphate （ATP）， adenosine diphosphate （ADP）， and adenosine monophosphate （AMP） in the myocardial tissue. The pathological changes in the myocardial tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson staining. The Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase and Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺-ATPase activities in the myocardial tissue were determined by the colorimetric assay. The ultrastructural changes of myocardial mitochondria were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of ATP synthase subunit delta （ATP5D）， glucose transporter 4 （GLUT4）， and carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 （CPT-1）. The mitochondrial complex assay kits were used to determine the activities of mitochondrial complexes Ⅰ， Ⅱ， Ⅲ， and Ⅳ. ResultsCompared with the sham group， the model group showed a loosening arrangement of cardiac fibers， fracture and necrosis of partial cardiac fibers， inflammatory cells in necrotic areas， massive blue fibrotic tissue in the myocardial interstitium， increased collagen fiber area and myocardial fibrosis， destroyed mitochondria， myofibril disarrangement， sparse myofilaments， and fractured and reduced cristae. In addition， the rats in the model group showed declined ejection fraction （EF） and fractional shortening （FS）， risen left ventricular end-diastolic diameter （LVIDd）， left ventricular end-systolic diameter （LVIDs）， left ventricular end-diastolic posterior wall thickness （LVPWd）， left ventricular end-systolic posterior wall thickness （LVPWs）， left ventricular end-diastolic volume （LVVOLd）， and left ventricular end-systolic volume （LVVOLs）， elevated levels of NT-ProBNP， cTnI， CK， MDA， FFA， and LD， lowered level of SOD， down-regulated protein levels of GLUT4 and CPT-1， decreased activities of Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase， Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺-ATPase， and respiratory complexes Ⅰ-Ⅳ， and declined levels of ATP5D， ATP， ADP， and AMP （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the Yiqi Wenyang Huoxue Lishui components and trimetazidine groups showed alleviated pathological damage of the mitochondria and mycardial tissue， risen EF and FS， declined LVIDd， LVIDs， LVPWd， LVPWs， LVVOLd， and LVVOLs， lowered levels of NT-ProBNP， cTnI， CK， MDA， FFA， and LD， elevated level of SOD， up-regulated protein levels of GLUT4 and CPT-1， increased activities of Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase， Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺-ATPase， and respiratory complexes Ⅰ-Ⅳ， and elevated levels of ATP5D， ATP， ADP， and AMP （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionYiqi Wenyang Huoxue Lishui components can improve the cardiac function， reduce myocardial injury， regulate glucose and lipid metabolism， optimize the utilization of substrates， and alleviate the damage of mitochondrial structure and function， thus improving the energy metabolism of the myocardium in the rat model of CHF.

A 71-year-old male presented with esophageal cancer and severe aortic valve regurgitation. Treatment strategies for such patients are controversial. Considering the risks of cardiopulmonary bypass and potential esophageal cancer metastasis, we successfully performed transcatheter aortic valve implantation and minimally invasive three-incision thoracolaparoscopy combined with radical resection of esophageal cancer (McKeown) simultaneously in the elderly patient who did not require neoadjuvant treatment. This dual minimally invasive procedure took 6 hours and the patient recovered smoothly without any surgical complications.

ObjectiveTo investigate the potential mechanism of action of the Qufeng Tongqiao Cough-relieving Decoction （祛风通窍止咳方， QTCD） in the treatment of upper airway cough syndrome （UACS）. MethodsTwenty-four guinea pigs were randomly divided into blank group， model group， traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） group， and inhibitor group， with six guinea pigs in each group. Except for the blank group， guinea pigs were sensitized with ovalbumin and aluminum hydroxide via intraperitoneal injection， followed by ovalbumin nasal drops combined with smoke exposure to establish the UACS model. After modeling， the TCM group was administered QTCD 0.9 g/（100 g·d） by gavage， the inhibitor group received the transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor 4 （TRPV4） inhibitor GSK2193874 1 mmol/L， 5 min by nebulisation， and the blank group and model group were given 2 ml/（100 g·d） normal saline by gavage once daily. After 7 days of treatment， a cough provocation test was performed using 0.4 mol/L citric acid. The levels of IgE in serum and inflammatory cytokines， including interleukin-6 （IL-6）， interleukin-8 （IL-8） in serum， bronchoalveolar lavage fluid （BALF）， and nasal lavage fluid （NLF） were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Histopathological changes in lung and nasal mucosal tissues were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the protein levels of TRPV4， substance P （SP）， and calcitonin gene-related peptide （CGRP） in lung and nasal mucosal tissues. Real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the mRNA expression of TRPV4， SP， and CGRP in lung tissues. ResultsHE staining showed significant structural damage and infiltration of inflammatory cells in the lung and nasal mucosal tissues in the model group， while the TCM group and inhibitor group showed improved pathological changes. Compared with the blank group， the model group showed increased cough frequency， serum IgE level， and IL-6 and IL-8 levels in serum， BALF， and NLF. The protein levels of TRPV4， SP， and CGRP in lung and nasal mucosal tissues and their mRNA expression were elevated （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared with the model group， the TCM group and inhibitor group showed reduced cough frequency， serum IgE level， and TRPV4 and SP mRNA expression in lung tissues. The TCM group showed reduced IL-6 and IL-8 levels in serum， BALF， and NLF， and reduced TRPV4 and CGRP protein levels in lung and nasal mucosal tissues. The inhibitor group showed reduced IL-6 and IL-8 levels in serum， BALF， and NLF， reduced IL-6 in BALF， reduced IL-8 in NLF， and decreased TRPV4， SP， and CGRP protein levels in lung tissues and SP and CGRP protein levels in nasal mucosal tissues （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared with the TCM group， the inhibitor group had increased serum IgE， IL-6， and IL-8 levels， increased IL-6 level in BALF， and increased IL-8 levle in NLF， but decreased SP protein level in lung tissues and increased TRPV4 and SP mRNA expression in lung tissues （P＜0.01）. ConclusionQTCD effectively reduces cough frequency in the UACS guinea pig model. Its mechanism may involve inhibiting the activation of the TRPV4 pathway， improving airway neurogenic inflammation， alleviating inflammatory responses， and reducing cough hypersensitivity.

ObjectiveTo explore the protective effect of Shengxiantang on cardiac function and myocardial microvascular injury in rats with chronic heart failure （CHF）. MethodsThe CHF rat model was prepared by aortic arch constriction （TAC）. Of the 72 SD rats， 8 were randomly selected as the sham operation group， where the chest was opened without ligating the aortic arch. The 40 successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into the model group， the Shengxiantang low-， medium-， and high-dose groups （5.1， 10.2， 20.4 g·kg^-1）， and the trimetazidine group （6.3 mg·kg^-1）， with 8 rats in each group. Drug administration began 4 weeks after modeling. The administration groups received the corresponding drugs by gavage， while the sham operation and model groups were given the same amount of distilled water for 8 consecutive weeks. Echocardiography was used to assess cardiac function. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect the levels of nitric oxide （NO）， endothelin （ET-1）， vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）， and von Willebrand factor （vWF）. Ultrastructural changes of microvessels were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression levels of ATP synthase subunit （ATP5D） and F-actin in myocardial tissue. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of occludin， claudin， vascular endothelial cadherin （VE-Cadherin）， and zonula occludens-1 （ZO-1）. Microvessel density was measured by immunofluorescence staining. ResultsCompared with the sham operation group， the ejection fraction （EF） and left ventricular shortening fraction （FS） in the model group were significantly decreased （P<0.01）， while the left ventricular diastolic diameter （LVIDd）， left ventricular systolic diameter （LVIDs）， left ventricular end-diastolic posterior wall thickness （LVPWd）， left ventricular end-systolic posterior wall thickness （LVPWs）， left ventricular end-diastolic volume （LVVOLd）， and left ventricular end-systolic volume （LVVOLs） were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The levels of NO and VEGF were significantly decreased （P<0.01）， while the levels of ET-1 and vWF were significantly increased （P<0.01）. Under electron microscopy， the microvascular basement membrane was incomplete and the tight junctions were blurred. The expression levels of ATP5D， F-actin， occludin， claudin， ZO-1， and VE-Cadherin were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the relative density of microvessels was significantly reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）. After intervention with Shengxiantang， the EF and FS of CHF rats significantly increased （P<0.01）， while the LVIDd， LVIDs， LVPWd， LVPWs， LVVOLd， and LVVOLs significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The levels of NO and VEGF significantly increased （P<0.01）， while the levels of ET-1 and vWF significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Under electron microscopy， the microvascular basement membrane was relatively complete and the tight junctions were more continuous. The expression levels of ATP5D， F-actin， occludin， claudin， ZO-1， and VE-Cadherin significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the relative density of microvessels significantly increased （P<0.01）. ConclusionShengxiantang can effectively improve the cardiac function of CHF rats， reduce microvascular endothelial injury， strengthen the connection between endothelial cells， and increase microvessel density， thereby protecting myocardial microvascular injury.

ObjectiveTo explore the protective effect of Shengxiantang on cardiac function and myocardial microvascular injury in rats with chronic heart failure （CHF）. MethodsThe CHF rat model was prepared by aortic arch constriction （TAC）. Of the 72 SD rats， 8 were randomly selected as the sham operation group， where the chest was opened without ligating the aortic arch. The 40 successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into the model group， the Shengxiantang low-， medium-， and high-dose groups （5.1， 10.2， 20.4 g·kg^-1）， and the trimetazidine group （6.3 mg·kg^-1）， with 8 rats in each group. Drug administration began 4 weeks after modeling. The administration groups received the corresponding drugs by gavage， while the sham operation and model groups were given the same amount of distilled water for 8 consecutive weeks. Echocardiography was used to assess cardiac function. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect the levels of nitric oxide （NO）， endothelin （ET-1）， vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）， and von Willebrand factor （vWF）. Ultrastructural changes of microvessels were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression levels of ATP synthase subunit （ATP5D） and F-actin in myocardial tissue. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of occludin， claudin， vascular endothelial cadherin （VE-Cadherin）， and zonula occludens-1 （ZO-1）. Microvessel density was measured by immunofluorescence staining. ResultsCompared with the sham operation group， the ejection fraction （EF） and left ventricular shortening fraction （FS） in the model group were significantly decreased （P<0.01）， while the left ventricular diastolic diameter （LVIDd）， left ventricular systolic diameter （LVIDs）， left ventricular end-diastolic posterior wall thickness （LVPWd）， left ventricular end-systolic posterior wall thickness （LVPWs）， left ventricular end-diastolic volume （LVVOLd）， and left ventricular end-systolic volume （LVVOLs） were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The levels of NO and VEGF were significantly decreased （P<0.01）， while the levels of ET-1 and vWF were significantly increased （P<0.01）. Under electron microscopy， the microvascular basement membrane was incomplete and the tight junctions were blurred. The expression levels of ATP5D， F-actin， occludin， claudin， ZO-1， and VE-Cadherin were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the relative density of microvessels was significantly reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）. After intervention with Shengxiantang， the EF and FS of CHF rats significantly increased （P<0.01）， while the LVIDd， LVIDs， LVPWd， LVPWs， LVVOLd， and LVVOLs significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The levels of NO and VEGF significantly increased （P<0.01）， while the levels of ET-1 and vWF significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Under electron microscopy， the microvascular basement membrane was relatively complete and the tight junctions were more continuous. The expression levels of ATP5D， F-actin， occludin， claudin， ZO-1， and VE-Cadherin significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the relative density of microvessels significantly increased （P<0.01）. ConclusionShengxiantang can effectively improve the cardiac function of CHF rats， reduce microvascular endothelial injury， strengthen the connection between endothelial cells， and increase microvessel density， thereby protecting myocardial microvascular injury.

The chemical constituents in dried roots of Atractylodes macrocephala were investigated in this study. Through utilizing normal-phase silica gel and ODS column chromatography, TLC, and semi-preparative HPLC, 4 new sesquiterpenoids were purified from the ethyl acetate extract of A. macrocephala. By various spectroscopic techniques, such as 1D and 2D NMR, HR-ESI-MS, IR, UV, and CD, their structures were identified as atractylmacron A (1), 9β-hydroxyasterolide (2), atractylenolide H (3), atractylenolide J (4). Compound 1 possesses a rare 6/7 bicyclic skeleton.

Background Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is associated with the development of metabolic syndrome (MS). However, the role of amino acids in PAH-induced MS remains unclear. Objective To explore the impact of PAHs exposure on the incidence of MS among coking workers, and to determine potential modifying effect of amino acid on this relationship. Methods Unmatched nested case-control design was adopted and the baseline surveys of coking workers were conducted in two plants in Taiyuan in 2017 and 2019, followed by a 4-year follow-up. The cohort comprised 667 coking workers. A total of 362 participants were included in the study, with 84 newly diagnosed cases of MS identified as the case group and 278 as the control group. Urinary levels of 11 PAH metabolites and plasma levels of 17 amino acids were measured by ultrasensitive performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between individual PAH metabolites and MS. Stratified by the median concentration of amino acids, Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) model was employed to assess the mixed effects of PAHs on MS. Due to the skewed data distribution, all PAH metabolites and amino acids in the analysis were converted by natural logarithm ln (expressed as lnv). Results The median age of the 362 participants was 37 years, and 83.2% were male. Compared to the control group, the case group exhibited higher concentrations of urinary 2-hydroxyphenanthrene (2-OHPhe), 9-hydroxyphenanthrene (9-OHPhe), and hydroxyphenanthrene (OHPhe) (P=0.005, P=0.049, and P=0.004, respectively), as well as elevated levels of plasma branched chain amino acid (BCAA) and aromatic amino acid (AAA) (P<0.05). After being adjusted for confounding factors, for every unit increase in lnv_2-OHPhe in urine, the OR (95%CI) of MS was 1.57 (1.11, 2.26), and for every unit increase in lnv_OHPhe, the OR (95%CI) of MS was 1.82 (1.16, 2.90). Tyrosine, leucine, and AAA all presented a significant nonlinear correlation with MS. At low levels, tyrosine, leucine, and AAA did not significantly increase the risk of MS, but at high levels, they increased the risk of MS. In the low amino acid concentration group, as well as in the low BCAA and low AAA concentration groups, it was found that compared to the PAH metabolite levels at the 50th percentile (P₅₀), the log-odds of MS when the PAH metabolite levels was at the 75th percentile (P₇₅) were 0.158 (95%CI: 0.150, 0.166), 0.218 (95%CI: 0.209, 0.227), and 0.262 (95% CI: 0.241, 0.282), respectively, However, no correlation between PAHs and MS was found in the high amino acid concentration group. Conclusion Amino acids modify the effect of PAHs exposure on the incidence of MS. In individuals with low plasma amino acid levels, the risk of developing MS increases with higher concentrations of mixed PAH exposure. This effect is partly due to the low concentrations of BCAA and AAA.

BACKGROUND:Studies have shown that metformin has anti-inflammatory,anti-tumor,anti-aging and vasoprotective effects,and can inhibit the progression of osteoarthritis,but its specific mechanism of action remains unclear. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the mechanism of metformin on cartilage protection in a rat model of osteoarthritis. METHODS:Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups(n=10 per group):blank,control,sham-operated,and metformin groups.The blank group did not undergo any surgery.In the sham-operated group,the joint cavity was exposed.In the model group and the metformin group,the modified Hulth method was used to establish the osteoarthritis model.At 1 day after modeling,the rats in the metformin group were given 200 mg/kg/d metformin by gavage,and the model,blank,and sham-operated groups were given normal saline by gavage.Administration in each group was given for 4 weeks consecutively.Hematoxylin-eosin staining,toluidine blue staining,and safranin O-fast green staining were used to observe the morphological structure of rat knee joints.Immunohistochemical staining and western blot were used to detect the protein expression of SOX9,type Ⅱ collagen,a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 5(ADAMTS5),Beclin1,P62,phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K),p-PI3K,protein kinase B(AKT),p-AKT,mammalian target of rapamycin(Mtor),and p-Mtor in rat cartilage tissue. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The results of hematoxylin-eosin,toluidine blue and safranin O-fast green staining showed smooth cartilage surface of the knee joints and normal histomorphology in the blank group and the sham-operated group,while in the model group,there was irregular cartilage surface of the knee joint and cartilage damage,with a decrease in the number of chondrocytes and the content of proteoglycans in the cartilage matrix.In the metformin group,there was a significant improvement in the damage to the structure of the cartilage in the knee joints of the rats,and the cartilage surface tended to be smooth,with an increase in the number of chondrocytes and the content of proteoglycans in the cartilage matrix.Immunohistochemistry staining and western blot results showed that compared with the control and sham-operated groups,the expression of SOX9,type Ⅱ collagen,and Beclin1 proteins in the cartilage tissue of rats in the model group was significantly decreased(P<0.05).Conversely,the expression of ADAMTS5,P62,as well as p-PI3K,p-AKT,and p-Mtor proteins was significantly increased(P<0.05).Furthermore,compared with the model group,the expression of SOX9,type Ⅱ collagen,and Beclin1 proteins in the cartilage tissue of rats in the metformin group was significantly increased(P<0.05),while the expression of ADAMTS5,P62,as well as p-PI3K,p-AKT,and p-Mtor proteins was significantly decreased(P<0.05).To conclude,Metformin can improve the autophagy activity of chondrocytes and reduce the degradation of cartilage matrix in osteoarthritis rats by inhibiting the activation of PI3K/AKT/Mtor signaling pathway,thus exerting a protective effect on articular cartilage.

BACKGROUND:Solute carrier family 1 member 5(SLC1A5)plays a potential role in a variety of diseases,but the exact mechanism of action is unclear.The construction of stable SLC1A5 overexpression and knockdown cell models can provide a powerful experimental tool for in-depth study of the exact role and mechanism of SLC1A5 in diseases and the discovery of potential therapeutic targets. OBJECTIVE:To construct lentiviral vectors for overexpression and knockdown of mouse SLC1A5 and establish stable transfected RAW264.7 cell lines,so as to provide an experimental foundation for further investigation of the role of SLC1A5 in inflammation. METHODS:Primers were designed and synthesized based on the SLC1A5 gene sequence,and the gene segment was amplified using polymerase chain reaction.Subsequently,the target gene segment was directionally inserted into the GV492 vector plasmid,which had been digested with AgeI/NheI enzymes,to construct recombinant lentiviral plasmids.Positive clones were further selected,and their sequences were confirmed.The pHelper1.0 plasmid vector and pHelper2.0 plasmid vector,along with the target plasmid vector,was co-cultured with 293T cells for transfection,resulting in the production and titration of lentiviral stocks.Furthermore,RAW264.7 cells were cultured in vitro,and the working concentration of puromycin was determined.Lentiviruses were separately co-cultured with RAW264.7 cells,and transfection efficiency was determined by measuring fluorescence intensity.Stable transfected cells were selected using puromycin,and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and western blot assay were employed to assess the gene and protein expression levels of SLC1A5 in stably transfected cell lines. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Sequencing results indicated a perfect match between the sequencing and target sequences,confirming the successful construction of recombinant lentiviral vectors.(2)The titer for the overexpression SLC1A5 lentivirus was 1×109 TU/mL,while the titer for the knockdown SLC1A5 lentivirus was 3×109 TU/mL.(3)The working concentration of puromycin for RAW264.7 cells was determined to be 3 μg/mL.(4)The optimal conditions for transfecting RAW264.7 cells with overexpression/knockdown expression of SLC1A5 lentivirus involved the use of HiTransG P transfection enhancer with a multiplicity of infection value of 50.(5)A significant upregulation of the gene and protein expression levels of SLC1A5 was detected in cell lines stably overexpressing SLC1A5,while gene and protein expression levels of SLC1A5 were significantly decreased in the knockdown stable cell lines.These findings indicate that lentiviral vectors for mouse SLC1A5 overexpression and knockdown have been successfully constructed and a stably transfected RAW264.7 cell line has been obtained.

The Expert Consensus on Clinical Application of Qinbaohong Zhike Oral Liquid in Treatment of Acute Bronchitis and Acute Attack of Chronic Bronchitis （GS/CACM 337-2023） was released by the China Association of Chinese Medicine on December 13^th， 2023. This expert consensus was developed by experts in methodology， pharmacy， and Chinese medicine in strict accordance with the development requirements of the China Association of Chinese Medicine （CACM） and based on the latest medical evidence and the clinical medication experience of well-known experts in the fields of respiratory medicine （pulmonary diseases） and pediatrics. This expert consensus defines the application of Qinbaohong Zhike oral liquid in the treatment of cough and excessive sputum caused by phlegm-heat obstructing lung， acute bronchitis， and acute attack of chronic bronchitis from the aspects of applicable populations， efficacy evaluation， usage， dosage， drug combination， and safety. It is expected to guide the rational drug use in medical and health institutions， give full play to the unique value of Qinbaohong Zhike oral liquid， and vigorously promote the inheritance and innovation of Chinese patent medicines.