Objection To study and compare the pharmacodynamics in the treatment of chronic pharyngitis between Compound Heishen pills and Compound Heishen Drop pills. Methods Sixty healthy Wistar rats were randomly divided into blank group, positive control group and treatment group. The foot swelling thickness of each rat was measured at 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0 and 6.0 h after inflammation, and the foot swelling rate of each rat was calculated. Through the experimental model of rat toe swelling, the inhibition of foot swelling induced by carrageenan was observed by two dosage forms: drop pill and pill. Sixty healthy Kunming mice were randomly divided into the blank group, positive control group and treatment group. After 4 days of continuous intragastric administration, the mice were intraperitoneally injected with 0.5% phenol red solution. After 30min, the mice were sacrificed, their trachea was dissected and washed with 0.5%NaHCO₃ solution. The washing solution was put into ultraviolet spectrophotometer, and the absorbance was measured at 546 nm to calculate the corresponding concentration of phenolic red. Through the expectorant experiment of phenol red in mice, the effects of dropping pill and pill on the secretion of phenol red in experimental mice respiratory tract were compared. Results The experimental results of toes swelling in rats showed that compared with the blank experimental group, the five groups all had significant inhibition effect on acute foot swelling induced by carrageenan in rats. Compared with traditional form group, improved form had significant difference. The results of phenol red sputum removing experiment in mice showed that compared with the blank group，the amount of phenol red secretion in mice was increased in 5 test groups. There was no significant difference between improved form and traditional form in the amount of phenol red secretion in mice. Conclusion Both preparations had the function of anti-inflammatory and eliminating phlegm. There were no remarkable differences between the two preparations in pharmacologic actions.

POEMS syndrome is a rare condition associated with plasma cell disorders， and it often involves multiple systems and has diverse clinical manifestations. This article reports two cases of POEMS syndrome with hepatosplenomegaly as the initial manifestation. During the course of the disease， the patients presented with lower limb weakness， hepatosplenomegaly， lymph node enlargement， ascites， hypothyroidism， positive M protein， and skin hyperpigmentation， and ¹⁸F-FDG PET-CT imaging revealed bone lesions mainly characterized by osteolytic changes and plasma cell tumors. There was an increase in the serum level of vascular endothelial growth factor. The patients were finally diagnosed with POEMS syndrome， and the symptoms were relieved after immunomodulatory treatment.

Objective: To explore the role of outdoor activity in the relationship between infancy responsive caregiving trajectories and early childhood development, so as to provide a theoretical basis for the promotion of early child development. Methods: The study participants were drawn from the Shanghai Maternal-Child Pairs Cohort and 4 723 mother-child pairs who completed responsive caregiving questionnaires at 2, 6 and 12 months old were included. Questionnaires were used to assess children s responsive caregiving and average daily hours of outdoor activity at 2 years of age. The Age-Stage Questionnaire, Third Edition (ASQ-3) was used to evaluate children s development problems at 2-5 years old. Group based trajectory model was applied to fit infancy responsive caregiving trajectory. Modified Poisson regression was used to analyze associations between different responsive caregiving trajectory groups and child development, and moderating effects were tested for hours of outdoor activity. Results: Infancy responsive caregiving trajectories were categorized into general group ( n =3 871), declining group( n =160), and fluctuating group( n =646). After adjusting for confounding factors, such as parents educational level, annual household income, maternal progestation body mass index,maternal tobacco exposure during pregnancy,maternal anxiety and depression during pregnancy, maternal age at delivery,maternal gestational age,maternal mode of delivery, children s gender,children s birth weight, and duration of breastfeeding, the results of modified Poission regression analysis showed that compared with the general group, children at the age of 2 in declining and fluctuating group had increased risks of suspected developmental delays in communication, gross motor, fine motor, problem solving, and personal-social scales ( OR =1.41,1.31,1.35,1.23,1.21；1.07,1.08,1.08,1.09,1.06);but children only had increased risk of suspected developmental delays in communication of declining group ( OR =1.08), personal-social scales of fluctuating group ( OR =1.06) at 3-5 years of age ( P <0.05). At lower levels of outdoor activity, children in fluctuating group had reduced scores in communication ( β =-1.41), fine motor ( β =-2.34), problem solving ( β =-1.11) and personal-social scales ( β =-1.99) as compared to general group; and children in declining group had reduced scores in gross motor ( β =-4.78)( P <0.05). While at higher levels of outdoor activity, no differences were found between children in fluctuating, declining groups and those in general group in scores of different scales ( P >0.05). Conclusion Prolonged outdoor activity attenuates the adverse effects of declining and fluctuating trajectories of infancy responsive caregiving on early childhood development.

Through network pharmacology and molecular docking technology, combined with in vitro experiment verification, we explored the mechanism of action of Porana racemosa Roxb. (PRA) in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and provided a modern pharmacological basis for the treatment of RA by PRA. The potential target of chemical components in the analyzed moth rattan was predicted by Swiss Target Prediction database; OMIM, GeneCards, TTD and Disgenet databases were used to search the disease targets of RA; the protein interaction (PPI) network and medicine-composition-target network were constructed using STRING database and Cytoscape software; GO (gene ontology) functional enrichment and KEGG (kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes) pathway analysis were carried out using DAVID database, and molecular docking software was used to dock the potentially active ingredients of PRA and core targets; finally, MH7A cells were selected for cell viability, scratch healing and mRNA expression level analysis of key genes to explore the effects of PRA and their potentially active ingredients on the proliferation, migration and apoptosis of MH7A cells. In this study, a total of 628 potentially active ingredient targets, 1 890 RA targets and 235 intersection targets were identified. It was screened that the potentially active ingredients of RA treatment by PRA were ethylcaffeate, N-p-coumaroyltyramine, 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid, methyl ester and so on, and the core targets involved tumor necrosis factor (TNF), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) and so on. 1 200 GO entries and 166 KEGG pathway entries were obtained from the enrichment analysis; molecular docking results showed that N-p-coumaroyltyramine and ethylcaffeate had good binding activity with TNF, MMP9, cysteine-aspartate protease 3 (CASP3), PTGS2, B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) proteins. In vitro experiments showed that PRA, ethylcaffeate and N-p-coumaroyltyramine could inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion of MH7A cells, up-regulate the expression of apoptosis-related gene CASP3 mRNA, and down-regulate the expression of MMP9, PTGS2 and BCL2 mRNA, and it can also down-regulate the expression of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase B (AKT) mRNA and PI3K and p-AKT proteins. This study preliminarily revealed that the treatment of RA by PRA may be related to proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis and regulation of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which Anmeidan improves learning and memory in insomnia rats by regulating the cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate synthase （cGAS）/stimulator of interferon genes （STING） signaling pathway to influence immunoinflammation. MethodsSixty SD rats were randomly divided into a blank group， a model group， a suvorexant group （30 mg·kg^-1）， and Anmeidan low-， medium-， and high-dose groups （4.55， 9.09， and 18.18 g·kg^-1）， with 10 rats in each group. The insomnia rat model was induced by intraperitoneal injection of p-chlorophenylalanine （PCPA）. Anmeidan decoction and normal saline were administered by gavage for 28 days at the corresponding doses. Morris water maze and new object recognition tests were used to assess learning and memory functions. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and Nissl staining were performed to observe hippocampal cell morphology. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to measure the serum levels of interleukin-1 （IL-1）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， interleukin-8 （IL-8）， interleukin-12 （IL-12）， interleukin-18 （IL-18）， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）. Western blot and Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction（Real-time PCR） were used to detect the relative protein and mRNA expression levels of hippocampal cGAS and STING. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the 5-HT content in the model group was significantly reduced （P<0.01）. The latency to the upper platform and total distance were significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while the residence time in the target quadrant and the number of platform crossings were significantly reduced （P<0.01）， and the relative recognition index for new objects was significantly lower （P<0.01）. The morphology and arrangement of hippocampal neurons were loose and disordered， with a decreased number of intracellular Nissl bodies. The relative expression levels of IL-1， IL-1β， IL-6， IL-8， IL-12， IL-18， TNF-α， cGAS， and STING pathway proteins and mRNA were significantly upregulated （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the latency to the upper platform in the high-dose Anmeidan group was significantly shortened （P<0.05）. In the medium- and high-dose Anmeidan groups and the suvorexant group， the residence time in the target quadrant and the number of platform crossings were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The total distance traveled was significantly reduced （P<0.01）， and the relative recognition index for new objects was significantly increased （P<0.01）. The hippocampal neurons were more neatly arranged， and the number of intracellular Nissl bodies increased. The expression of IL-1， IL-1β， IL-6， IL-8， IL-12， IL-18， TNF-α， and cGAS proteins and mRNA in the medium- and high-dose Anmeidan groups was significantly downregulated （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionAnmeidan improves learning and memory in insomnia rats， possibly by suppressing immunoinflammation through inhibition of the cGAS/STING signaling pathway.

Background During pregnancy, negative emotions such as anxiety and depression may induce cortisol disruption. Cortisol can be transmitted to the fetus through the placental barrier, thereby affecting the neurodevelopment of the offspring. Objective To investigate the relationship between placental cortisol, maternal depression during pregnancy, and neurodevelopment of 3-month-old infants. Methods From September 2022 to September 2023, 171 pregnant women ordered routine prenatal checks at the obstetrics outpatient department of a tertiary hospital in Ningxia were selected using a prospective cohort design. After providing informed consent, these women participated in a questionnaire survey that covered general individual characteristics, prenatal depression, and sleep quality. At birth, placental samples were collected to measure cortisol levels using ELISA kits. Follow-up assessments on the neurodevelopmental of 3-month-old infants were conducted using the Warning Sign for Children Mental and Behavioral Development. LASSO regression analysis was conducted to screen the influencing factors of depression during pregnancy. Huber regression analysis was then applied to assess potential linear relationship between depression during pregnancy and placental cortisol levels. Log-binomial regression was used to analyze the linear relationships between cortisol levels and neurodevelopmental delay in 3-month-old infants. Additionally, a mediation effect model was fitted using R 4.3.3 to assess possible mediating role of cortisol in the association between prenatal depression and neurodevelopmental delay in 3-month-old infants. Results The positive rate of prenatal depression was 33.33%. Nine factors affecting prenatal depression were identified by LASSO regression, including rural residence, high school education or above, extroverted personality characteristics, moderate early pregnancy reactions, baby sex expectation, prenatal anxiety, family dysfunction, exposure to stressful life events during pregnancy, and moderate prenatal sleep quality. The Huber regression model showed a positive linear correlation between prenatal depression and placental cortisol (P<0.05). With or without controlling confounding factors, the results of log-binomial regression modeling showed that cortisol levels were associated with a reduced risk of neurodevelopmental delay in 3-month-old infants (crude model: RR=0.988, 95%CI: 0.9768, 0.9996, P＜0.05; adjusted model: RR=0.988, 95%CI: 0.9764, 0.9993, P＜0.05). A mediating effect of placental cortisol between prenatal depression and the risk of neurodevelopmental delay in 3-month-old offspring was found statistically significant (P=0.045), accounting for 67.0% of the total effect. Conclusion Prenatal depression is associated with elevated placental cortisol levels, and higher cortisol levels are found to be related to a lower risk of neurodevelopmental delay in infants. Placental cortisol mediates the relationship between prenatal depression and infant neurodevelopment.

Objective: To analyze CD36 gene by PacBio Sequel Ⅱ the third-generation sequencing technology (TGS), including non-coding sequence, and to investigate the molecular mechanism of CD36 deficiency. Methods: Flow cytometry was performed in the southern Chinese population to detect the CD36 phenotype. Among them, 15 cases of CD36 type I deficiency, 15 cases of CD36 type Ⅱ deficiency, and 10 positive samples were selected. The TGS of the CD36 gene was performed and statistical analysis was conducted. Results: 40 samples (including 15 cases of type I deficiency, 15 cases of type Ⅱ deficiency, and 10 positive samples) were subjected by TGS of CD36 full-length sequences (except part of intron1). A total of 180 polymorphic loci were identified. Among them, 13 kinds were in the coding region, the rest were in non-coding region, with most mutations located in regulatory regions such as the 5′-UTR and 3′-UTR. Conclusion: The high polymorphism of CD36 non-coding regions, particularly in regulatory sequences, provides mechanistic insights into type Ⅱ CD36 deficiency.

Objective: To prepare platelet membrane biomimetic liposomes loaded with vincristine sulfate (VCR) for targeted delivery to tumor. Methods: Vincristine sulfate liposomes (LIPO) were prepared using the pH-gradient method, followed by the fusion of platelet membranes and subsequent drug loading to obtain platelet membrane biomimetic liposomes (PLM-LIPO). The particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), Zeta potential, and drug encapsulation efficiency (EE%) of both liposomes were characterized. The tumor-targeting capability was evaluated through in vitro cellular experiments and in vivo biodistribution studies. Results: The optimal preparation conditions for LIPO were determined as follows: DPPC-to-cholesterol molar ratio of 1∶1, internal aqueous phase of 0.3 M pH 4.0 citrate buffer, external aqueous phase of 1 M Na HPO solution, drug-to-lipid ratio of 1∶10, drug loading temperature of 60℃, and loading time of 10 minutes. The LIPO exhibited a mean particle size of (147.3±2.24) nm, PDI of 0.078±0.014, Zeta potential of (-3.54±0.75) mV, and EE% of 91.37±0.47. For PLM-LIPO, prepared via membrane fusion followed by drug loading, the mean particle size was (185.3±3.61) nm, PDI was 0.075±0.022, Zeta potential was (-18.91±1.54) mV, and EE% was 63.36±2.45. In the CD62P validation experiment, the fluorescence intensity of PLM-LIPO was five times higher than that of LIPO. In vitro cellular uptake experiments revealed that PLM-LIPO showed 1.3-fold and 1.2-fold higher uptake rates compared to LIPO at 6 h and 12 h, respectively. In vivo experiments demonstrated that 1h after administration, the accumulation of PLM-LIPO at tumor sites was 4-fold higher than that of LIPO and 6-7 times higher than that in healthy mice. Conclusion: The platelet membrane biomimetic liposomes loaded with vincristine sulfate were successfully developed. Both cellular uptake and tissue distribution studies confirmed the PLM-LIPO enhanced tumor-targeting capability.

Background: s/Aims: Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare histological subtype of HCC characterized by extremely poor prognosis; however, its molecular characterization has not been elucidated. Methods: In this study, we conducted an integrated multiomics study of whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, spatial transcriptome, and immunohistochemical analyses of 28 paired sarcomatoid tumor components and conventional HCC components from 10 patients with sarcomatoid HCC, in order to identify frequently altered genes, infer the tumor subclonal architectures, track the genomic evolution, and delineate the transcriptional characteristics of sarcomatoid HCCs. Results: Our results showed that the sarcomatoid HCCs had poor prognosis. The sarcomatoid tumor components and the conventional HCC components were derived from common ancestors, mostly accessing similar mutational processes. Clonal phylogenies demonstrated branched tumor evolution during sarcomatoid HCC development and progression. TP53 mutation commonly occurred at tumor initiation, whereas ARID2 mutation often occurred later. Transcriptome analyses revealed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxic phenotype in sarcomatoid tumor components, which were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we identified ARID2 mutations in 70% (7/10) of patients with sarcomatoid HCC but only 1–5% of patients with non-sarcomatoid HCC. Biofunctional investigations revealed that inactivating mutation of ARID2 contributes to HCC growth and metastasis and induces EMT in a hypoxic microenvironment. Conclusions We offer a comprehensive description of the molecular basis for sarcomatoid HCC, and identify genomic alteration (ARID2 mutation) together with the tumor microenvironment (hypoxic microenvironment), that may contribute to the formation of the sarcomatoid tumor component through EMT, leading to sarcomatoid HCC development and progression.

Background: s/Aims: Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare histological subtype of HCC characterized by extremely poor prognosis; however, its molecular characterization has not been elucidated. Methods: In this study, we conducted an integrated multiomics study of whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, spatial transcriptome, and immunohistochemical analyses of 28 paired sarcomatoid tumor components and conventional HCC components from 10 patients with sarcomatoid HCC, in order to identify frequently altered genes, infer the tumor subclonal architectures, track the genomic evolution, and delineate the transcriptional characteristics of sarcomatoid HCCs. Results: Our results showed that the sarcomatoid HCCs had poor prognosis. The sarcomatoid tumor components and the conventional HCC components were derived from common ancestors, mostly accessing similar mutational processes. Clonal phylogenies demonstrated branched tumor evolution during sarcomatoid HCC development and progression. TP53 mutation commonly occurred at tumor initiation, whereas ARID2 mutation often occurred later. Transcriptome analyses revealed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxic phenotype in sarcomatoid tumor components, which were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we identified ARID2 mutations in 70% (7/10) of patients with sarcomatoid HCC but only 1–5% of patients with non-sarcomatoid HCC. Biofunctional investigations revealed that inactivating mutation of ARID2 contributes to HCC growth and metastasis and induces EMT in a hypoxic microenvironment. Conclusions We offer a comprehensive description of the molecular basis for sarcomatoid HCC, and identify genomic alteration (ARID2 mutation) together with the tumor microenvironment (hypoxic microenvironment), that may contribute to the formation of the sarcomatoid tumor component through EMT, leading to sarcomatoid HCC development and progression.