Based on the interaction between supramolecule of traditional Chinese medicine and enterobacteria, the material basis of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma and Coptidis Rhizoma was explored. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) were used to characterize the morphological differences of Rhubarb single decoction, Coptis single decoction and Rhubarb and Coptis co-decoction. An in vitro antibacterial model (E. coli, E. faecium and B. subtilis) was established to evaluate the damage effect of the combination of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma and Coptidis Rhizoma on enterobacteria. Ultra high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was used to analyze the changes of chemical components of single decoctions and co-decoctions. The co-decoction of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma and Coptidis Rhizoma was turbid after decocting. The spherical particles of 300-400 nm were observed under SEM, and the co-decoction was more uniform and stable than that of single decoction. The interaction between supramolecules formed after the combination of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma and Coptidis Rhizoma and enterobacteria was significantly different from that of single decoction. In the process of interaction between supramolecules and enterobacteria, the spherical state was maintained, and the medicinal ingredients in Coptidis Rhizoma or Rhei Radix et Rhizoma were blocked, which could effectively alleviate the damage to enterobacteria. This study provided a reference for subsequent studies on the regulation of intestinal flora homeostasis by the combination of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma and Coptidis Rhizoma.

Objective:To determine the incidence of adrenal incidentalomas(AIs) in patients with diabetes mellitus and the metabolism profiles.Methods:A total of 615 hospitalized patients with diabetes mellitus in the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism of Peking University People′s Hospital from March 2020 to May 2021 were retrospectively included in this study. AIs were screened by unenhanced chest computed tomography(CT) retrospectively and subsequently confirmed by multiplanar reconstruction. Participants′ physical indicators, metabolic profiles, and adrenal function parameters were collected. Unpaired t test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Chi-Square test were adopted to compare the metabolism profiles between diabetes mellitus patients with or without AIs. Regression models were used to estimate the correlations between AIs and the metabolism profiles such as blood glucose, blood lipids, blood pressure, and the adrenal function parameters.Results:Twenty-seven out of 615 participants were detected with AIs(4.4%). Patients with AIs had higher body mass index, waist circumference, and hip circumference than patients without AIs [(29.4±5.1)kg/m 2vs(26.8±3.8)kg/m 2,P=0.018; (102.3±11.7)cm vs(95.8±10.3)cm, P=0.002; (107.3±10.1)cm vs(101.4±7.6)cm, P=0.008]. The levels of serum uric acid and urinary albumin/creatinine ratio were also significantly increased in patients with AIs [(409.6±118.1)μmol/L vs(357.4±100.6)μmol/L, P=0.009; 21.25(7.49, 180.24)mg/g vs 8.60(4.71, 34.56)mg/g, P=0.010]. Besides, individuals with AIs were also associated with a higher risk of co-existing hypertension( P=0.045). Conclusion:The incidence of AIs in patients with diabetes is 4.4%. The presence of AIs in patients with diabetes may associated with increased risk of obesity and hypertension.

Human physiological indicators have become an important standard for assessing health in modern society.Traditional detection methods often require a separate laboratory,complex operation process and long detection time,so it is urgent to develop portable,fast and accurate on-site detection technologies for bioanalysis.Point-of-care testing(POCT),which differs from traditional laboratory testing,can realize the rapid in situ detection of biomarkers without the complicated analytical process of the laboratory.Smartphones,which are an essential tool in our daily life,not only have independent operating systems and built-in storage functions,but also have high-definition cameras,which have great application potential in POCT visualization.The combination of various biosensing technologies and smartphones has developed into a new direction in the field of POCT.This review mainly introduced the research progress of smartphone-based visual biosensors in POCT in recent years,including colorimetric sensors,fluorescence sensors,chemiluminescence sensors and electrochemiluminescence sensors.Finally,the problems faced by smart-phone-based visual biosensors in the application of POCT were summarized,and their future development was prospected.

ObjectiveRapid and accurate identification of body fluid traces at crime scenes is crucial for case investigation. Leveraging the speed and sensitivity of nucleic acid detection technology based on SHERLOCK, our research focuses on developing a peripheral blood SHERLOCK-HBA detection system to detect mRNA in forensic practice. MethodsShort crRNA fragments targeting the blood-specific mRNA gene HBA were designed and screened, alongside RPA primers. Optimal RPA primers were selected based on specificity and amplification efficiency, leading to the establishment of the RPA system. The most efficient crRNA was chosen based on relative fluorescence units (RFU) generated by the Cas protein reaction, and the Cas protein reaction system was constructed to establish the SHERLOCK-HBA detection method. The RPA and Cas protein reaction systems in the SHERLOCK detection system were then individually optimized. A total of 79 samples of five body fluids were tested to evaluate the method’s ability to identify blood, with further verification through species-specific tests, sensitivity tests, mixed spots detection, aged samples, UV-irradiated samples, and actual casework samples. ResultsThe SHERLOCK reaction system for the peripheral blood-specific marker HBA was successfully established and optimized, enabling detection within 30 min. The method demonstrated a detection limit of 0.001 ng total RNA, better than FOB strip method and comparable to RT-PCR capillary electrophoresis. The system could detect target body fluids in mixed samples and identify blood in samples stored at room temperature for three years and exposed to UV radiation for 32 h. Detection of 11 casework samples showed performance comparable to RT-PCR capillary electrophoresis. ConclusionThis study presents a CRISPR/Cas-based SHERLOCK-HBA detection system capable of accurately, sensitively, and rapidly identifying blood samples. Introducing CRISPR/Cas technology to forensic body fluid identification represents a significant advancement in applying cutting-edge molecular biology techniques to forensic science.The method’s simplicity, shorter detection time, and independence from specialized equipment make it promising for rapid blood sample identification in forensic cases.

The effect of different concentrations of glycyrrhizic acid (GA) and Zn²⁺ on the self-assembly of metal complexes was investigated by forming metal complexes, and the properties and assembly mechanisms of the formed carrier-free supramolecular hydrogel were characterised. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and zeta potential were used to characterise the microscopic morphology and stability of the GA-Zn complex hydrogel, which had spherical-like particles of about 1 μm with good stability; the rheometer was used to detect its materialistic properties, which showed excellent stability, self-healing property and reversibility; through in vitro bacterial inhibition, it was found that the GA-Zn carrier-free supramolecular hydrogel has enhanced bacterial inhibition function after assembly. The hydrogel was also found to possess both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant efficacy when evaluated using LPS and H₂O₂ induced RAW 264.7 cell damage models, respectively. The above results suggest that GA-Zn hydrogel not only has good materialistic properties, but also possesses good antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, which has the value of clinical research as a carrier-free multi-functional antimicrobial dressing, and the present study provides a reference for the discovery of novel biomedical materials from active molecules of natural traditional Chinese medicine.

Objectives To explore factors associated with false positive treadmill exercise testing(TET)in patients with hypertensive responses to exercise.Methods Between November 2019 and October 2022,154 patients with positive TET and hypertensive response to exercise were selected from the de-partment of cardiac rehabilitation of Jiangsu Province Official Hospital,and divided into a false posi-tive group of 72 and a true positive group of 82.Then,demographic and TET-related parameters were compared between the two groups.Results There was a significant difference between the two groups in gender(P<0.05).Compared with the male,the female were more likely to get false-positive results.Moreover,the systolic blood pressure(SBP)at the time of ST segment depression in the false positive group was 203.87±8.70 mmHg,significantly different from the true positive group of 187.25±16.66 mmHg(P<0.05).According to logistic regression analysis,only the SBP at the time of ST seg-ment depression and gender were significantly correlated with TET false positives(P<0.05).The cut-off value of SBP at the time of ST segment depression was 188 mmHg,with a sensitivity of 1,a specific-ity of 0.625,and an area under the curve of 0.813.Conclusions In patients with hypertensive re-sponse to exercise,SBP at the time of ST segment depression can be considered as a predictor of false positive TET.When its value is no less than 188 mmHg,TET-positive conclusions should be drawn with caution,especially for female patients.

This study adopted the policy text analysis method,review the historical background of the enactment,aimed to comparatively analyze the international pharmaceutical trade policies of the BRICS countries.The main objectives of the BRICS countries'international pharmaceutical trade policies included ensuring stable and accessible drug supply,expanding exports of domestic products and creating a favorable political environment.For these purposes,Brazil,Russia,and South Africa all ensure drug supply through substantial imports.However,they have also taken measures such as compulsory patent licensing and promoting localization of production by foreign companies to reduce import dependence.India,on the other hand,protects its domestic industry by resisting drug imports to ensure drug supply while simultaneously promoting the export of pharmaceutical products.China continually optimizes approval and data monitoring procedures to align with international standards,creating a favorable trade environment and expanding exports.China should further refine its international pharmaceutical trade policies while ensuring the autonomy of domestic drug research and supply,fostering stronger collaboration within BRICS nations and promoting global access to public healthcare products.

Objective To design a novel oxygenator to solve the existing problems of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO)machine in high transmembrane pressure difference,low efficiency of blood oxygen exchange and susceptibility to thrombosis.Methods The main body of the oxygenator vascular access flow field was gifted with a flat cylindrical shape.The topology of the vascular access was modeled in three dimensions,and the whole flow field was cut into a blood inlet section,an inlet buffer,a heat exchange zone,a blood oxygen exchange zone,an outlet buffer and a blood outlet section.The oxygenator was compared with Quadrox oxygenator by means of ANSYS FLUENT-based simulation and prototype experiments.Results Simulation calculations showed the oxygenator designed was comparable to the clinically used ones in general,and gained advantages in transmembrane pressure difference,blood oxygen exchange and flow uniformity.Experimental results indicated that the oxygenator behaved better than Quadrox oxygenator in transmembrane pressure difference and blood oxygen exchange.Conclusion The oxygenator has advantages in transmem-brane pressure difference,temperature change,blood oxygen ex-change and low probability of thrombosis.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(3):23-28]

Objective:To investigate the incidence and prothrombotic risk factors of postoperative venous thromboembolism(VTE) in Cushing′s disease and to further develop an assessment model to identify those at high risk of postoperative VTE events.Methods:A retrospective study was performed in 82 patients who were admitted to Huashan Hospital, Fudan University during January 2019 and January 2020 and diagnosed with Cushing′s disease. These patients underwent the evaluation about their clinical, hormonal, and coagulation parameters, as well as ultrasonography and pulmonary angio-CT when necessary. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO) regression analysis was used to screen independent risk factors, and a nomogram model for postsurgical VTE risk assessment in Cushing′s disease was initially established, and Bootstrap method was used for internal verification. Finally, the predictive model was evaluated for calibration and clinical applicability in the study cohort.Results:Nineteen patients(23.17%) developed VTE events, with 14 cases occurring after endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery. Compared to patients without VTE, those in the VTE group were older( P<0.001), had longer postoperative bed rest, higher rates of current infection, higher HbA 1C levels, and more severe glucose tolerance impairment(all P<0.05). Through LASSO regression analysis, two independent risk factors for postoperative VTE were identified: Age and current infection. Then a VTE risk assessment nomogram model was established to predict the patients at high risk of VTE. In the nomogram model for VTE risk assessment, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.868(95% CI 0.787-0.949), with the calibration curve closely aligning with the ideal diagonal line and the clinical decision curve exceeding the two extreme curves. Conclusions:Advanced perioperative assessment needs to be taken to screen those with high VTE risks in patients diagnosed with Cushing′s disease. Additionally, during the perioperative period, patients with Cushing′s disease should undergo mandatory physical activity or prophylactic anticoagulant therapy.

As a key epigenetic regulator, histone deacetylases (HDACs) play a crucial role in cancer development. Small molecule HDAC inhibitors have been shown to inhibit tumor proliferation and induce apoptosis, attracting significant research attention. In this study, we designed and synthesized a series of novel saccharin derivatives as HDAC inhibitors. Biological experiments demonstrated that the target compound 9a exhibited superior HDACs inhibition activity to vorinostat and demonstrating promising in vitro and in vivo anti-tumor activity against triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). All animal experiments in this study were performed in strict accordance with the protocols approved by the Ethical Committee of School of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Shandong University (Approval No. 230094). This work represents an initial exploration of developing saccharin-based HDAC inhibitors, and the active compound 9a could serve as a lead compound for further study.