OBJECTIVES: To explore the therapeutic mechanism of puerarin for alleviating synovitis in rats with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). METHODS: In a SD rat model of CIA, we tested the effects of daily gavage of puerarin at low, moderate and high doses (10, 30, and 100 mg/kg, respectively) for 3 weeks, with tripterygium glycosides (GTW, 10 mg/kg) as the positive control, on swelling in the hind limb joints regions evaluated by arthritis index scoring. Mass fraction of the liver of the rats was calculated, and pathologies in joint synovial membrane were observed with HE staining. The expressions of transforming growth factor β‑activated kinase-1 (TAK1), Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), and nuclear factor kappa-Bp65 (NF‑κB p65) at the mRNA and protein levels in the synovial tissues were detected using Real-time PCR and Western blotting. RESULTS: Compared with those in the model group, the rats in GTW group and high-dose puerarin group showed significantly reduced mass fraction of the liver. Treatment with GTW and puerarin at the 3 doses all significantly alleviated plantar swelling, lowered arthritis index scores, and improved synovitis in CIA rats (P<0.05), and the effects of puerarin showed an obvious dose dependence. Both GTW and puerarin treatments significantly lowered TAK1, TLR4, and NF‑κB p65 mRNA and protein expressions in the synovium of CIA rats. CONCLUSIONS Puerarin alleviates synovium damages in CIA rats possibly by suppressing the TLR4/NF‑κB signaling pathway via downregulating TAK1 expression.
Animals ; Toll-Like Receptor 4/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Isoflavones/therapeutic use* ; Male ; Arthritis, Experimental/drug therapy* ; Transcription Factor RelA/metabolism* ; Synovial Membrane/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of different drying methods on the quality of Chrysanthemum morifolium， and to provide a basis for the harvesting and processing of C. morifolium. METHODS Twenty-five samples were obtained by drying the fresh products using 7 types and 25 kinds of drying methods， and the unqualified samples were removed by taking their appearance and moisture content as elimination indexes. The contents of six active ingredients （chlorogenic acid， luteoloside， 3，5- O-dicaffeoylquinic acid， quercetin， lignoceroside， baicalin） were used as indicators， and combined with principal component analysis （PCA）， partial least square method-discriminant analysis （PLS-DA）， PCA comprehensive score ranking and the best samples obtained from each drying method to select 6 experimental samples comprehensively. The quality of 6 kinds of samples was evaluated using the activities and stability of oxidation-related enzymes （polyphenol oxidase， peroxidase） and the microscopic morphology of the petal surface as evaluation indexes. RESULTS The results of PCA and PLS-DA showed significant differences in the quality of samples obtained by different drying methods， and chlorogenic acid， 3，5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid and baicalin might be the main reasons for the differences among the samples. The herbs treated with 100 ℃ steam fixation for 1 min combined with blast drying at 50 ℃ for 4 hours had the highest comprehensive score of active ingredients. The oxidation-related enzymes in C. morifolium treated with microwave 800 W fixation for 1 minute followed by 50 ℃ air drying for 4 hours and 100 ℃ steam sterilization for 1 minute followed by 50 ℃ drying for 4 hours were completely inactivated， and the stability was better than that of samples obtained by other drying methods. The observation results of the microstructure of the petal surface showed that the sample obtained by drying at a microwave power of 400 W for 6 minutes had the highest integrity and flatness compared to the above two samples. CONCLUSIONS From the perspective of finished product quality and drying efficiency， 100 ℃ steam fixation for 1 min combined with blast drying at 50 ℃ for 4 hours is the best drying method for C. morifolium.

Purpose/Significance To probe into the characteristics of high-level talents in the medical field in recent years,and to provide references for formulating talent cultivation policies and effectively playing the role of scientific and technological talents in China.Method/Process Based on Elsevier's 2017-2021"Highly Cited Chinese Researchers"list,the distribution pattern and development trend of candidates in the medical field for 5 consecutive years are analyzed.Result/Conclusion The study shows that the candidates are mainly from universities and research institutes,which indicates that there is a positive relationship between scientific research achieve-ments and scientific research resource agglomeration.The number of people involved in clinical medicine and pharmacy has a significant advantage.In the past 5 years,most of the candidates have maintained high scientific research output and research activity.Based on this research,suggestions for the development of top talents in the medical field are proposed.

Medical and pharmaceutical research laboratories encompass a wide range of study areas.They utilize diverse materials ranging from animals and microorganisms to nanoparticles and other substances.However,as laboratory waste increases,more biosafety risks are created.In this context,we outlined the safety risks associated with gene amplification,gene recombination,research involving pathogenic microorganisms,nanotechnology,animal experiments,genetically modified animals,and experimental waste.Additionally,we here in propose preventive measures to mitigate laboratory biosafety risks.These measures primarily involve the development of strict legal frameworks,improvement of hardware infrastructure,strengthening of safety awareness,and enhancement of education and training programs.

Objective:To observe the effects of overexpression of S100A4 protein on retinal capillary cells and retinal ganglion cells (RGC) after retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury (RIRI).Methods:One hundred healthy adult male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into normal control group (group C), RIRI group, adeno-associated virus (AAV2)-S100A4 green fluorescent protein (GFP) intravitreal injection group (group S), RIRI+AAV2-GFP intravitreal injection group (group GIR), and RIRI+AAV2-S100A4-GFP intravitreal injection group (group SIR), with 20 mice in each group. The RIRI model was established using the high intraocular pressure anterior chamber method in the RIRI, GIR and SIR groups of mice. Eyes were enucleated 3 days after modelling by over anaesthesia. The number of retinal capillary endothelial cells and pericytes in the retinal capillaries of mice in each group was observed by retinal trypsinised sections and hematoxylin-eosin and periodic acid-Schiff staining; immunofluorescence staining was used to observe endothelial cell, pericyte coverage and RGC survival; The relative expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), p38 MAPK and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) in retinal tissues was measured by Western blot. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare data between groups.Results:Three days after modeling, the endothelial cell to pericyte ratio in group C was compared with group S and SIR, and the difference was not statistically significant ( F=106.30, P>0.05); the SIR group was compared with group RIRI and GIR, and the difference was statistically significant ( F=106.30, P<0.000 1). Comparison of endothelial cell coverage in each group, the difference was not statistically significant ( F=3.44, P>0.05); compared with the pericyte coverage in group C, the RIRI group and the GIR group were significantly lower, and the difference was statistically significant ( F=62.69, P <0.001). Compared with the RGC survival rate in group C, it was significantly lower in RIRI and GIR groups, and the difference was statistically significant ( F=171.60, P<0.000 1); compared with RIRI and GIR groups, the RGC survival rate in SIR group was significantly higher, and the difference was statistically significant ( F=171.60, P<0.000 1). The relative expression levels of TLR4, p38 and NRF2 proteins were statistically significant among all groups ( F=42.65, 20.78, 11.55; P<0.05). Conclusions:Pericytes are more sensitive to ischemia than endothelial cells after retinal RIRI in mice, and early vascular cell loss is dominated by pericytes rather than endothelial cells. The overexpression of S100A4 protein protects against loss of pericytes and RGC after RIRI by inhibiting the TLR4/p38/NRF2 signaling pathway.

Objective:To compare the efficacy of internal limiting membrane (ILM) flip coverage with ILM multilayer tamponade in the treatment of highly myopic macular hole-associated retinal detachment (MHRD).Methods:A retrospective clinical study. From November 2019 to June 2022, 53 cases and 53 eyes of MHRD patients who were examined and diagnosed at the Eye Centre of Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University were included in the study. Among them, 21 cases and 21 eyes were male and 32 cases and 32 eyes were female. The age was (55.28±11.40) years. The patients were categorized into two groups: the ILM coverage group (from November 2019 to September 2020) and the ILM multilayer tamponade group (from October 2020 to June 2022) based on their surgical procedures. The ILM coverage group comprised of 11 cases involving 11 eyes, while the ILM multilayer tamponade group comprised of 42 cases involving 42 eyes. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and optical coherence tomography were conducted. BCVA was measured using standardized international visual acuity charts and transformed to logarithmic minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) visual acuity for statistical analysis. The affected eyes were all treated with standard transciliary flattening three-channel 23-gauge vitrectomy. The inverted ILM flap technique was combined with flap coverage in the inverted group, while the ILM multilayer tamponade group used circular ILM stripping to preserve the ILM in the macular area and ILM flap around the macular hole with multilayer ILM tamponade. Postoperative follow-up was carried out for a minimum of 6 months. Relevant examinations were conducted during the follow-up using the same equipment and methods as those used before surgery. The BCVA, as well as the closure of macular hole, resurfacing of the retina, and development of macular hyperplasia, were observed.Results:In the ILM-covered group, the macular hole was closed in 7 out of 11 eyes after 1 week of surgery. At 1 month after surgery, the macular hole was closed in all treated eyes. At 6 months after surgery, the macular hole was closed in 9 eyes, while 2 eyes were reopened. In 42 eyes from the ILM-multilayer tamponade group, the macular hole closed after surgery in 41 eyes. At 6 months postoperatively, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of eyes in ILM-covered and ILM-multilayer tamponade groups was 0.91±0.29 and 1.05±0.39, respectively, with no statistically significant difference between the two groups ( t=1.140, P=0.260). The BCVA of the eyes in both groups showed a significant improvement compared to the preoperative period with a statistically significant difference ( t=8.490, 13.840; P<0.000 1); 6 months after surgery, 10 out of 11 eyes in the ILM coverage group had a restored retina with no detectable macular hyperplasia; 42 eyes in the ILM multilayer tamponade group had a restored retina, but 19 of these eyes had detectable macular hyperplasia. Conclusions:Either ILM flap coverage or ILM multilayer tamponade contributes to high myopic MHRD closure and improved visual acuity. Compared to ILM flap coverage, ILM multilayer tamponade results in higher and earlier rates of macular hole closure and lower rates of macular hole reopening. However, ILM multilayer tamponade may lead to a higher proportion of macular hyperplasia formation without affecting visual acuity recovery at 6 months after surgery.

BACKGROUND: The HELIOS stent is a sirolimus-eluting stent with a biodegradable polymer and titanium oxide film as the tie-layer. The study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of HELIOS stent in a real-world setting. METHODS: The HELIOS registry is a prospective, multicenter, cohort study conducted at 38 centers across China between November 2018 and December 2019. A total of 3060 consecutive patients were enrolled after application of minimal inclusion and exclusion criteria. The primary endpoint was target lesion failure (TLF), defined as a composite of cardiac death, non-fatal target vessel myocardial infarction (MI), and clinically indicated target lesion revascularization (TLR) at 1-year follow-up. Kaplan-Meier methods were used to estimate the cumulative incidence of clinical events and construct survival curves. RESULTS: A total of 2998 (98.0%) patients completed the 1-year follow-up. The 1-year incidence of TLF was 3.10% (94/2998, 95% closed interval: 2.54-3.78%). The rates of cardiac death, non-fatal target vessel MI and clinically indicated TLR were 2.33% (70/2998), 0.20% (6/2998), and 0.70% (21/2998), respectively. The rate of stent thrombosis was 0.33% (10/2998). Age ≥60 years, diabetes mellitus, family history of coronary artery disease, acute myocardial infarction at admission, and device success were independent predictors of TLF at 1 year. CONCLUSION: The 1-year incidence rates of TLF and stent thrombosis were 3.10% and 0.33%, respectively, in patients treated with HELIOS stents. Our results provide clinical evidence for interventional cardiologists and policymakers to evaluate HELIOS stent. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03916432.
Humans ; Middle Aged ; Sirolimus/therapeutic use* ; Drug-Eluting Stents/adverse effects* ; Prospective Studies ; Cohort Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Risk Factors ; Time Factors ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention/adverse effects* ; Cardiovascular Agents/therapeutic use* ; Coronary Artery Disease/therapy* ; Myocardial Infarction/etiology* ; Thrombosis/complications* ; Polymers ; Registries

Objective This study aimed to explore the predictive value of endoplasmic reticulum stress response(ERS)-related regulatory gene expression for the pathological grading,prognosis,and malignant progres-sion phenotype of gliomas(excluding glioblastomas).Methods After excluding duplicate and non-survival samples,clinical sequencing data of glioma samples from the American Cancer Genome Atlas and the Chinese Brain Glioma Genome Atlas were selected as the training and validation sets.A prognosis-related ERS risk regression model was constructed through differential gene enrichment and protein interaction analysis.The predictive value of ERS Cox model for glioma prognosis and malignant progression phenotype was validated using ROC curve analysis,real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR,and immunohistochemistry.Results The study findings reveal that the expression of 7 ERS-related risk factors increases with the rise in glioma grade and accurately predicts unfavorable patient prognosis(with accuracies higher than 0.7 for predictions at 1,3,and 5 years),all of which are statistically significant.Further validation demonstrates a positive correlation between ERS risk genes and the glioma malignant phenotype marker CD44,as well as a negative correlation with the clinically favorable prognosis marker GPR158,both of which have statistical differences(P<0.05).Finally,gene expression and immunohistochemistry analysis of clinical samples confirm that ERS-related risk factors are highly expressed in higher-grade gliomas,positively correlated with CD44 expression,with statistical significance(P<0.05).Conclusion The preliminary results of the study suggest that the risk regression model based on ERS response exhibits the capacity to predict pathological grading and prognosis.Moreover,it demonstrates a positive correlation with the malignant progression phenotype of gliomas.These findings offer insights for precise and targeted diagnosis and treatment of gliomas.

Objective:To investigate the influencing factors for the development of gall-stone in population of Beijing.Methods:The retrospective cross-sectional survey was conducted. From November 2016 to September 2020, patients living in Beijing (registered residence in Beijing ≥12 months) who visited the biliary outpatient of Department of General Surgery of Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences for the first time were recruited to participate as respondents. The survey was conducted by the questionnaire survey on correlation between dietary habits and incidence of gallstones, in which the information of gender, age, body mass index (BMI), gallstone status, metabolic indicators (hypercholesterolemia, history of diabetes mellitus, reproductive times for female, menopause status of female, duration of menopause for female, history of weight loss), dietary indicators (dietary mix of meat and vegetable dishes, times of coffee intake per month, times of alcohol consumption per month, times of greasy diet intake per month, times of breakfast skipping per week, average overnight fasting time of breakfast skipping, times of supper skipping per week, average overnight fasting time of supper skipping), family history of gallstones, lifestyle indicators (times of staying up late per month, average overnight fasting time when staying up late, daily sedentary time, weekly physical activity score). Observation indicators: (1) results of questionnaire survey; (2) analysis of influencing factors for the occurrence of gallstone. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M( Q1, Q3). Count data were expressed as absolute numbers or percentages. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using the Logistic regression model. Results:(1) Results of questionnaire survey. A total of 1 036 questionnaires were distributed, and 1 004 complete questionnaires were recovered. Of the 1 004 patients who completed the questionnaire survey, there were 329 males and 675 females, aged (44±12)years. The BMI of 1 004 patients was (24±3)kg/m 2. Of the 1 004 patients, there were 659 cases with a history of cholecystolithiasis and 345 cases without. (2) Analysis of influencing factors for the occurrence of gallstone. Results of univariate analysis showed that age, history of diabetes mellitus, history of weight loss, times of coffee intake per month, times of greasy diet intake per month, family history of gallstone and daily sedentary time were related factors for the development of gallstone in 1 004 patients ( odds ratio=1.03, 2.26, 1.74, 1.01, 1.01, 2.22, 1.06, 95% confidence intervals as 1.02?1.05, 1.09?5.18, 1.22?2.53, 1.00?1.03, 1.00?1.01, 1.60?3.11, 1.01?1.11, P<0.05). Results of multivariate analysis showed that age, history of diabetes mellitus, history of weight loss, times of greasy diet intake per month, family history of gallstone and daily sedentary time were independent influencing factors for the development of gallstone in 1 004 patients ( odds ratio=1.03, 2.26, 1.82, 1.01, 2.22, 1.06, 95% confidence intervals as 1.02?1.05, 1.11?5.13, 1.28?2.62, 1.00?1.02,1.60?3.09, 1.01?1.12, P<0.05). Conclusion:Age, history of diabetes mellitus, history of weight loss, times of greasy diet intake per month, family history of gallstone and daily sedentary time are independent influencing factors for the development of gallstone in population of Beijing.

Objective: To investigate the activities of daily living and the use of assistive devices among disabled people demanding assistive devices in Jiading Township, Jiading District, Shanghai Municipality, so as to provide the evidence for the implementation of rehabilitation interventions and the selection of assistive devices for the disabled people living in the community. Methods: The disabled people demanding assistive devices were sampled from 17 communities in Jiading Township in January 2020. A face-to-face questionnaire survey was conducted to collect participants'age, gender, type of disability, provision and use of assistive devices. The activities of daily living were evaluated using the Activities of Daily Living Scale, and the difference in the frequency of assistive device use was compared among the disabled people with different activities of daily living. Results: A total of 377 questionnaires were allocated, and 328 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective recovery rate of 87.00%. The respondents included 187 men ( 57.01% ) and 141 women (42.99%), and had a mean age of ( 71.78±13.86 ) years. Among all respondents, limb disability was predominant (248 people, 75.61%), and 84.45% (277 people) were provided with assistive devices. Assessment of activities of daily living showed complete self-care in 85 respondents ( 25.91% ), functional decline in 39 respondents ( 11.89% ) and functional dysfunction in 204 respondents ( 62.20% ). The proportion of functional dysfunction was predominantly detected among disabled people at ages of 80 years and older ( 79.63% ) ( P<0.05 ). Of the disabled people with assistive devices, 139 people used the devices daily ( 50.18% ), and the proportion of daily use of assistive devices was significantly higher in people with functional dysfunctions than in those with complete self-care ( 59.33% vs. 29.41%; P<0.05 ). In addition, no need was identified as the predominant cause of non-provision of assistive devices ( 29 people, 56.86% ). Conclusions Functional dysfunction of daily living is highly prevalent among the disabled people demanding assistive devices in Jiading Township, in whom the elderly are predominant, and the proportion of assistive device use is high among people with functional dysfunctions. The provision of assistive devices recommends to be improved based on assessment of activities of daily living.