ObjectiveTo investigate the ameliorative effect of Xingpi capsules on functional dyspepsia（FD） and the potential mechanism. MethodsSixty SPF-grade male SD neonatal rats（7 days old） were randomly divided into the normal group（n=12） and the modeling group（n=48）， and the FD model was prepared by iodoacetamide gavage in the modeling group. After the model was successfully prepared， the rats in the modeling group were randomly divided into the model group， the low-dose and high-dose groups of Xingpi capsules（0.135， 0.54 g·kg^-1） and the domperidone group（3 mg·kg^-1）， with 12 rats in each group. Rats in the normal and model groups were gavaged with distilled water， and rats in the rest of the groups were gavaged with the corresponding medicinal solution， once a day for 7 d. The general survival condition of the rats was observed， and the water intake and food intake of the rats were measured， the gastric emptying rate and the small intestinal propulsion rate were measured at the end of the treatment， the pathological damage of the rat duodenum was examined by hematoxylin-eosin（HE） staining， and the expressions of colonic tight junction protein（Occludin） and zonula occludens protein-1（ZO-1） were detected by immunofluorescence. The differentially expressed genes in the duodenal tissues of the model group and the normal group， and the high-dose group of Xingpi capsules and the model group were detected by transcriptome sequencing after the final administration， and Gene Ontology（GO） and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes（KEGG） enrichment analyses were carried out. The transcriptomic results were validated by Western blot， immunofluorescence， and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction（Real-time PCR）， and the active ingredients of Xingpi capsules were screened for molecular docking with the key targets. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the general survival condition of rats in the model group was poorer， and the water intake， food intake， gastric emptying rate and small intestinal propulsion rate were all significantly reduced（P<0.05）， inflammatory infiltration was seen in duodenal pathology， and the fluorescence intensities of Occludin and ZO-1 in the colon were significantly reduced（P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the general survival condition of rats in the high-dose group of Xingpi capsules improved significantly， and the water intake， food intake， gastric emptying rate and small intestinal propulsion rate were all significantly increased（P<0.05）， the duodenal pathology showed a decrease in inflammatory infiltration， and the fluorescence intensities of colonic Occludin and ZO-1 were significantly increased（P<0.01）. Transcriptomic results showed that Xingpi capsules might exert therapeutic effects by regulating the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase（PI3K）/protein kinase B（Akt） through the key genes such as Slc5a1， Abhd6. The validation results showed that compared with the normal group， the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and Akt proteins， the protein expression level of interleukin（IL）-1β， and the fluorescence intensities of IL-6 and IL-1β were significantly increased in the model group（P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the mRNA levels of Slc5a1， Abhd6， Mgam， Atp1a1， Slc7a8， Cdr2， Chrm3， Slc5a9 and other key genes were significantly increased（P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and Akt， the protein expression level of IL-1β and the fluorescence intensities of IL-6 and IL-1β in the high-dose group of Xingpi capsules were significantly reduced（P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the mRNA levels of Slc5a1， Abhd6， Mgam， Atp1a1， Slc7a8， Cdr2， Chrm3 and Slc5a9 were significantly reduced（P<0.05）. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis and molecular docking results showed that E-nerolidol and Z-nerolidol in Xingpi capsules were well bound to ABDH6 protein， and linarionoside A， valerosidatum and senkirkine were well bound to Slc5a1 protein. ConclusionXingpi capsules can effectively improve the general survival and gastrointestinal motility of FD rats， its specific mechanism may be related to the inhibition of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway to alleviate the low-grade inflammation of duodenum， and E-nerolidol， Z-nerolidol， linarionoside A， valerosidatum and senkirkine may be its key active ingredients.

ObjectiveTo investigate the ameliorative effect of Xingpi capsules on functional dyspepsia（FD） and the potential mechanism. MethodsSixty SPF-grade male SD neonatal rats（7 days old） were randomly divided into the normal group（n=12） and the modeling group（n=48）， and the FD model was prepared by iodoacetamide gavage in the modeling group. After the model was successfully prepared， the rats in the modeling group were randomly divided into the model group， the low-dose and high-dose groups of Xingpi capsules（0.135， 0.54 g·kg^-1） and the domperidone group（3 mg·kg^-1）， with 12 rats in each group. Rats in the normal and model groups were gavaged with distilled water， and rats in the rest of the groups were gavaged with the corresponding medicinal solution， once a day for 7 d. The general survival condition of the rats was observed， and the water intake and food intake of the rats were measured， the gastric emptying rate and the small intestinal propulsion rate were measured at the end of the treatment， the pathological damage of the rat duodenum was examined by hematoxylin-eosin（HE） staining， and the expressions of colonic tight junction protein（Occludin） and zonula occludens protein-1（ZO-1） were detected by immunofluorescence. The differentially expressed genes in the duodenal tissues of the model group and the normal group， and the high-dose group of Xingpi capsules and the model group were detected by transcriptome sequencing after the final administration， and Gene Ontology（GO） and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes（KEGG） enrichment analyses were carried out. The transcriptomic results were validated by Western blot， immunofluorescence， and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction（Real-time PCR）， and the active ingredients of Xingpi capsules were screened for molecular docking with the key targets. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the general survival condition of rats in the model group was poorer， and the water intake， food intake， gastric emptying rate and small intestinal propulsion rate were all significantly reduced（P<0.05）， inflammatory infiltration was seen in duodenal pathology， and the fluorescence intensities of Occludin and ZO-1 in the colon were significantly reduced（P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the general survival condition of rats in the high-dose group of Xingpi capsules improved significantly， and the water intake， food intake， gastric emptying rate and small intestinal propulsion rate were all significantly increased（P<0.05）， the duodenal pathology showed a decrease in inflammatory infiltration， and the fluorescence intensities of colonic Occludin and ZO-1 were significantly increased（P<0.01）. Transcriptomic results showed that Xingpi capsules might exert therapeutic effects by regulating the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase（PI3K）/protein kinase B（Akt） through the key genes such as Slc5a1， Abhd6. The validation results showed that compared with the normal group， the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and Akt proteins， the protein expression level of interleukin（IL）-1β， and the fluorescence intensities of IL-6 and IL-1β were significantly increased in the model group（P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the mRNA levels of Slc5a1， Abhd6， Mgam， Atp1a1， Slc7a8， Cdr2， Chrm3， Slc5a9 and other key genes were significantly increased（P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and Akt， the protein expression level of IL-1β and the fluorescence intensities of IL-6 and IL-1β in the high-dose group of Xingpi capsules were significantly reduced（P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the mRNA levels of Slc5a1， Abhd6， Mgam， Atp1a1， Slc7a8， Cdr2， Chrm3 and Slc5a9 were significantly reduced（P<0.05）. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis and molecular docking results showed that E-nerolidol and Z-nerolidol in Xingpi capsules were well bound to ABDH6 protein， and linarionoside A， valerosidatum and senkirkine were well bound to Slc5a1 protein. ConclusionXingpi capsules can effectively improve the general survival and gastrointestinal motility of FD rats， its specific mechanism may be related to the inhibition of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway to alleviate the low-grade inflammation of duodenum， and E-nerolidol， Z-nerolidol， linarionoside A， valerosidatum and senkirkine may be its key active ingredients.

BACKGROUND:Studies have shown that atorvastatin can up-regulate the expression of heme oxygenase-1 and enhance the anti-inflammation and anti-oxidative damage ability of cells.However,whether atorvastatin can regulate macrophage polarization,inhibit inflammation and reduce cholesterol accumulation by inducing heme oxygenase-1 expression remains unclear. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of atorvastatin on polarization,inflammation and cholesterol content of oxidized low-density lipoprotein stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages by inducing heme oxygenase-1 expression and its related mechanism. METHODS:Firstly,RAW264.7 cells were randomly divided into six groups and incubated with different concentrations of atorvastatin for 24 hours.The expression of heme oxygenase-1 protein and cell activity were detected to explore the optimal dose of atorvastatin for subsequent studies.RAW264.7 cells were randomly divided into control group,atorvastatin group and heme oxygenase-1 inhibition group.Cells were preincubated with pure medium,atorvastatin 20 μmol/L and atorvastatin 20 μmol/L + zinc protoporphyrin IX 10 μmol/L for 24 hours,and then oxidized low-density lipoprotein 50 mg/L was added for 48 hours.The polarization of macrophages was detected by flow cytometry.The secretion of inflammatory factors such as transforming growth factor β,interleukin 10,interleukin 1β,and tumor necrosis factor α was detected by ELISA.The expression levels of heme oxygenase-1,LC3II,LC3I,P62,PPARγ and ABCA1 were detected by western blot assay.The intracellular cholesterol content was measured with the oxidose method and the accumulation degree of intracellular lipid droplets was evaluated by oil red O staining. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Atorvastatin could induce the expression of heme oxygenase-1 protein in macrophages in a dose-dependent manner.(2)Oxidized low-density lipoprotein could induce macrophages to polarize towards M1,secrete proinflammatory factors,and increase the accumulation of intracellular cholesterol.(3)Compared with the control group,the heme oxygenase-1 protein expression of macrophages was increased after atorvastatin intervention,and the cells turned to M2-type polarization and mainly secreted anti-inflammatory factors such as transforming growth factor-β and interleukin-10.PPARγ,ABCA1,LC3II/I and other signal molecules reflecting cholesterol efflux and autophagy increased,and the contents of intracellular cholesterol and lipid droplets decreased significantly(P<0.05).(4)The heme oxygenase-1 inhibition group treated with zinc protoporphyrin IX significantly reversed the above changes in the atorvastatin group.(5)The results have shown that atorvastatin may promote the polarization of macrophages stimulated by oxidized low-density lipoprotein to M2 type and inhibit inflammation by up-regulating the expression of heme oxygenase-1 and by up-regulating PPARγ/ABCA1 signaling pathway and enhancing autophagy.Atorvastatin can increase the outflow of intracellular cholesterol and reduce the accumulation of intracellular lipids.

BACKGROUND:The anterior cruciate ligament has unique nonlinear mechanical properties under a complex physiological loading environment.Elastin is an important contributor to the mechanical properties of the anterior cruciate ligament,but its mechanical response to the anterior cruciate ligament under axial tension is not clear. OBJECTIVE:To quantitatively analyze the effect of elastin on the tensile mechanical response of the anterior cruciate ligament. METHODS:Elastase solution and control buffer were prepared.The porcine anterior cruciate ligament samples were prepared into small-size samples and randomly soaked in 0,0.1,1.0,2.0,5.0,and 10.0 U/mL elastase solution for 6 hours,and other small samples of the same size were soaked in 2 U/mL elastase solution for 0,1,3,6,9,and 12 hours.To determine suitable soaking conditions for elastin-targeted enzymes and verify the digestive effect,histological staining was used to compare the effects of enzyme treatment on tissue structure and composition.The ligament samples were randomly divided into elastase-treated group and PBS group,and immersed in 2 U/mL elastase solution and PBS buffer for 6 hours,respectively.A mechanical tensile test was performed before and after immersion. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The biochemical results showed that being treated in 2 U/mL elastase solution for 6 hours could reduce the elastin content by 31.1%,and had no significant effect on other mechanical-related components in the tissue.(2)The histological results showed that elastase was able to penetrate the tissue,and the loose degree of tissue increased after treatment.(3)In the mechanical results before and after treatment,the mechanical properties of the PBS group decreased significantly,only the low-tension elastic modulus increased significantly and the initial length increased significantly in the elastase-treated group.(4)The intergroup comparison results showed that there was no significant difference between the two groups in pre-treatment,but the low-tension elastic modulus,initial slopes,saturated slopes,and initial length of the elastase-treated group after treatment were significantly higher than those in the PBS group.(5)These results suggest that elastin degradation significantly affects the biomechanical properties of the anterior cruciate ligament and further complements our understanding of the structure-function relationship of the anterior cruciate ligament.

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.

Objective:To explore the effectiveness of streamlined modular teaching based on the organ system in standardized residency training in emergency medicine.Methods:We enrolled residents on standardized training in the Second Clinical College of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology from July 2020 to July 2021. They were randomly divided in a 1∶1 ratio into conventional group (25 trainees, adopting a traditional standardized teaching method) and modular group (25 trainees, adopting streamlined modular teaching based on the organ system in addition to the method of the conventional group). At the end of training, all the trainees were assessed for academic performance and teaching-related indicators through an exam and questionnaire survey, and the teachers were surveyed for the degree of satisfaction with the teaching method. Data were analyzed by the t-test and chi-squared test using SPSS 21.0 software. Results:The modular group had a significantly higher total final exam score than the conventional group [(93.52±0.49) vs. (84.44±0.57), t=12.02, P<0.001]. Specifically, the modular group had significantly higher scores than the conventional group in emergency medicine theory, medical history taking and writing, physical examination and procedures, interpretation of examination results, and treatment and management ( t=3.62, 4.29, 4.22, 10.09, 7.56, all P<0.001). The modular group was also superior to the conventional group in terms of teaching-related indicators (all P<0.05). All participating teachers were satisfied with the new teaching method. Conclusions:The streamlined modular teaching method based on the organ system is beneficial for the standardized training of residents in emergency medicine, which is worthy of promotion.

Objective To investigate the related factors and prevention measures of postoperative fever in patients with renal cyst.Methods Retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 150 patients who were treated with laparoscopic renal cyst decapitation and decompression and sclerotherapy in Hangzhou First People's Hospital from January 2018 to December 2021,including age,gender,location,diameter,preoperative non gonococcal urethritis,preoperative urine culture,preoperative urinary leukocytes,hypertension,diabetes,operation mode,postoperative blood C reactive protein(CRP),and postoperative blood leukocytes,The time of onset of fever and the highest temperature of fever in patients with renal cysts after surgery were recorded.The patients were divided into fever group and non fever group after surgery.The related factors and causes of fever in the two groups were analyzed.Results Postoperative fever occurred in 121 cases(80.7%).There were statistically significant differences in gender ratio,diabetes history,preoperative routine urine white blood cell count,preoperative urine culture,preoperative non-gonococcal urethritis and surgical methods between the two groups(P<0.05).Logistic multivariate analysis showed that the history of diabetes mellitus and preoperative concomitant non-gonococcal urethritis were independent risk factors for postoperative fever(OR>1,P<0.05),postoperative blood CRP difference was statistically significant(P<0.05),postoperative fever was related to infection.Conclusion Patients with renal cyst need routine urine bacterial culture and routine urine white blood cell count before surgery to thoroughly treat urinary tract infection.Renal cyst sclerotherapy is selected to reduce the incidence of postoperative fever.History of diabetes mellitus and non-gonococcal urethritis were independent risk factors for fever after renal cyst.

Objective To cultivate and breed laboratory cats in conventional laboratory animal facilities,collect background data on laboratory cats,and compare them with purchased domestic cats to assess the feasibility of breeding laboratory cats.Methods Indigenous cat breeds were introduced for reproduction and population expansion under conventional laboratory environment,with recording of kitten survival rates and growth curves.Indicators of 20 laboratory cats of F1 generation(half male and half female),including complete blood count,blood biochemistry,organ mass,organ coefficient,heart rate,and blood pressure,were detected and comparisons between sexes were made.Blood pressure values and sensitivity to histamine of these cats were measured using depressor substance detection method in the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China-Four Parts:2020,and were compared with the data from 173 concurrently purchased domestic cats.Results Laboratory cats adapted well to the environment of conventional laboratory facilities,with a survival rate of 77.08％of kittens at 8 weeks of age.Red blood cell count,hemoglobin content,mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration,and hematocrit in male laboratory cats were significantly higher than those in females(P＜0.01),while the mean corpuscular volume in males was significantly lower than that in females(P＜0.01).The levels of serum alanine aminotransferase,total bilirubin,creatinine,triacylglycerol,high-density lipoprotein cholesterol,and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in male laboratory cats were significantly higher than those in females(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),while cholesterol,globulin,total protein,and the albumin-globulin ratio were significantly lower in males(P＜0.01).The liver coefficient in male laboratory cats was significantly lower than that in female cats(P＜0.05),while the kidney coefficient was significantly higher(P＜0.05).The spleen-brain and kidney-brain ratios were significantly higher in males compared to females(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).No significant differences were found in heart rate,systolic pressure,diastolic pressure,mean blood pressure,or sensitivity to histamine between male and female laboratory cats(P＞0.05).Compared to laboratory cats,purchased domestic cats had significantly higher heart rate,systolic pressure,and mean blood pressure(P＜0.01),and the magnitude of blood pressure changes induced by medium and high doses of histamine was significantly reduced(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Conclusion It is feasible to breed laboratory cats in conventional laboratory animal facilities.The accuracy of experimental results can be improved by using laboratory cats with clear and standardized background data.

Objective To investigate the impact of human leukocyte antigen(HLA)functional epitope mismatch(EM)on the efficacy of platelet transfusion in patients with hematological diseases.Methods HLA genotyping was performed on platelet donors and patients with hematological diseases who applied for platelet serological cross-matching and HLA antigen matching from June 2021 to June 2023 by PCR-SBT method.HLA platelet matching was based on the principle of CREG to se-lect donors for patients.HLA Matchmaker 4.0 software was used to analyze donor-recipient HLA EM information.The expres-sion level and gene distribution of related HLA functional epitope(Eplet)were searched from the international HLA Epitope registry website(www.Epregistry.com.br).Retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical platelet transfusion data to evalu-ate the impact of HLA EM on platelet transfusion effectiveness.Results Platelet transfusion efficacy showed no correlation with gender and age,but it was associated with platelet matching strategy.When the total number of HLA EMs was less than 20,a lower total number of donor-recipient HLA EMs resulted in higher platelet transfusion efficiency(χ2=19.311,P=0.001)and higher average value of 24 h corrected count increment(CCI)(F=7.737,P<0.001).The total number of donor-recipient HLA EMs had negative correlation with actual 24 h CCI(Rho=-0.322,P<0.001).Further statistical analysis re-vealed that 17 Eplets were related to the effectiveness of platelet transfusion.The locus distribution of 17 Eplets might be u-nique to HLA-A(17.6%)or-B(64.7%)or shared between HLA-A and-B(17.6%),and its expression may be high(58.8%)or intermediate(41.2%).Conclusion The total number of donor-recipient HLA EMs is a crucial factor influencing platelet transfusion effectiveness,and several HLA Eplets associated with this effectiveness have been identified.

Background: Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG)-resistant Kawasaki disease is associated with coronary artery lesion development.Purpose: This study aimed to explore the factors associated with IVIG-resistance and construct and validate an interpretable machine learning (ML) prediction model in clinical practice. Methods: Between December 2014 and November 2022, 602 patients were screened and risk factors for IVIG-resistance investigated. Five ML models are used to establish an optimal prediction model. The SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) method was used to interpret the ML model. Results: Na+, hemoglobin (Hb), C-reactive protein (CRP), and globulin were independent risk factors for IVIG-resistance. A nonlinear relationship was identified between globulin level and IVIG-resistance. The XGBoost model exhibited excellent performance, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.821, accuracy of 0.748, sensitivity of 0.889, and specificity of 0.683 in the testing set. The XGBoost model was interpreted globally and locally using the SHAP method. Conclusion Na+, Hb, CRP, and globulin levels were independently associated with IVIG-resistance. Our findings demonstrate that ML models can reliably predict IVIG-resistance. Moreover, use of the SHAP method to interpret the established XGBoost model's findings would provide evidence of IVIG-resistance and guide the individualized treatment of Kawasaki disease.