Objective: To investigate the role and mechanism of the heat-clearing and detoxifying drug Laggerae Herba in regulating the nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor-2(Nrf2)/solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11)/glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) signaling pathway to inhibit ferroptosis and improve chronic heart failure induced by transverse aortic arch constriction in mice. Methods: Twenty-four male ICR mice were divided into the sham (n=6) and transverse aortic arch constriction groups (n=18) according to the random number table method. The transverse aortic arch constriction group underwent transverse aortic constriction surgery to establish models. After modeling, the transverse aortic arch constriction group was further divided into the model, captopril, and Laggerae Herba groups according to the random number table method, with six mice per group. The captopril (15 mg/kg) and Laggerae Herba groups (1.95 g/kg) received the corresponding drugs by gavage, whereas the sham operation and model groups were administered the same volume of ultrapure water by gavage once a day for four consecutive weeks. After treatment, the cardiac function indexes of mice in each group were detected using ultrasound. The heart mass and tibia length were measured to calculate the ratio of heart weight to tibia length. Hematoxylin and eosin staining were used to observe the pathological changes in myocardial tissue. Masson staining was used to observe the degree of myocardial fibrosis. Wheat germ agglutinin staining was used to observe the degree of myocardial cell hypertrophy. Prussian blue staining was used to observe the iron deposition in myocardial tissue. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and glutathione (GSH) contents in mice serum. Colorimetry was used to detect the malondialdehyde (MDA) content in mice serum. Western blotting was used to detect the Nrf2, GPX4, SLC7A11, and ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1) protein expressions in mice cardiac tissue. Results: Compared with the sham group, in the model group, the ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS) of mice decreased, the left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) and left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD) increased, the left ventricular anterior wall end-systolic thickness (LVAWs) and left ventricular posterior wall end-systolic thickness (LVPWs) decreased, the ratio of heart weight to tibia length increased, the myocardial tissue morphology changed, myocardial fibrosis increased, the cross-sectional area of myocardial cells increased, iron deposition appeared in myocardial tissue, the serum NT-proBNP and MDA levels increased, the GSH level decreased, and Nrf2, GPX4, SLC7A11, and FTH1 protein expressions in cardiac tissue decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, in the captopril and Laggerae Herba groups, the EF, FS, and LVAWs increased, the LVESV and LVESD decreased, the ratio of heart weight to tibia length decreased, the myocardial cells were arranged neatly, the degree of myocardial fibrosis decreased, the cross-sectional area of myocardial cells decreased, the serum NT-proBNP level decreased, and the GSH level increased. Compared with the model group, the LVPWs increased, the iron deposition in myocardial tissue decreased, the serum MDA level decreased, and Nrf2, GPX4, SLC7A11, and FTH1 protein expressions in cardiac tissue increased (P<0.05) in the Laggerae Herba group. Conclusion Laggerae Herba improves the cardiac function of mice with chronic heart failure caused by transverse aortic arch constriction, reduces the pathological remodeling of the heart, and reduces fibrosis. Its mechanism may be related to Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 pathway-mediated ferroptosis.

Objective: This study aimed to construct an animal model of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) that integrates disease and syndrome based on the "deficiency-blood stasis-toxin" pathogenesis and to evaluate it comprehensively. Methods: The HFpEF mouse model was constructed using a combination of Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and a high-fat diet. According to the random number table method, SPF-grade male C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to the control, L-NAME, high-fat diet, and model groups, 10 in each group. Comprehensive observations and data collection on macroscopic signs (e.g., fur condition, mental state, stool and urine, oral and nasal condition, paw and body condition, etc.) and cardiac function were performed after 10 and 16 weeks of model induction. Additionally, the syndrome evolution was elucidated based on diagnostic criteria for clinical syndromes of heart failure. Furthermore, pathological and molecular biological examinations of myocardial tissue were performed to assess the stability and reliability of the model. Results: Mice in the model group showed typical characteristics of syndrome of qi deficiency and blood stasis, as well as syndrome of internal heat accumulation, including lethargy, slow response, dull paw color and oral/nasal color, exercise intolerance, abnormal platelet activation, dry feces, and dark yellow urine. The time window for these syndromes was between 10 and 16 weeks post-modeling. Cardiac function assessments revealed severe diastolic dysfunction, concentric myocardial hypertrophy, and myocardial fibrosis in the model group. Pathological examinations showed a significantly increased collagen deposition in the myocardial interstitium, enlarged cross-sectional area of cardiomyocytes, and sparse coronary microvasculature in the model group. Molecular biological analyses indicated marked activation of the inducible nitric oxide synthase/nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells/NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 inflammatory pathway and significantly elevated inflammation levels in the myocardial tissue of the model group. Although mice in the L-NAME and high-fat diet groups also showed certain manifestations of qi deficiency syndrome, the substantial cardiac damage was relatively limited compared to the control group. Conclusion This study has constructed an animal model of HFpEF that integrates disease and syndrome based on the "deficiency-blood stasis-toxin" pathogenesis. The macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of this model are consistent with the manifestations of syndrome of qi deficiency and blood stasis, toxin syndrome, and syndrome of internal heat accumulation. Moreover, it can stably simulate the HFpEF state and reflect phenotypic changes in human disease. This model provides a suitable experimental platform to explore the pathogenesis of HFpEF, evaluate the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment regimens, and promote in-depth research on TCM syndromes of heart failure.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the intervention effect and potential mechanism of breviscapine on hepatic fibrosis （HF） in rats based on the transforming growth factor-β（1 TGF-β1）/Smad2/extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1（ERK1） and Kelch-like epichlorohydrin-associated protein 1（Keap1）/nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2（Nrf2）/heme oxygenase-1（HO-1） pathways. METHODS Totally 60 rats were randomly divided into normal control group， model group， breviscapine low-dose， medium-dose and high-dose groups （5.4， 10.8， 21.6 mg/kg）， and colchicine group （positive control， 0.45 mg/kg）， with 10 rats in each group， half male and half female. Except for the normal control group， HF model of the other groups was induced by carbon tetrachloride. Subsequently， each drug group was given corresponding medicine by gavage once a day for 28 days. The liver appearance of rats in each group was observed and their liver coefficients were calculated. The levels of alanineaminotransferase （ALT） and aspartate aminotransferase （AST）in serum， those of ALT， AST， superoxide dismutase （SOD），malondialdehyde （MDA） and glutathione peroxidase （GSH- Px） in liver tissue were detected. The liver tissue inflammatory and fibrotic changes were observed. The protein and mRNA expressions of TGF-β1， Smad2， ERK1， Nrf2， Keap1 and HO-in liver tissue were detected. RESULTS Compared with the normal control group， the model group showed large areas of white nodular lesions in the liver， obvious inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen fiber deposition. The body weight， the levels of SOD and GSH-Px in liver tissue， the protein and mRNA expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 were significantly lowered in the model group （P＜0.05）； the liver coefficient， the percentage of Masson staining positive area， ALT and AST levels of serum and liver tissue， MDA level of liver tissue， the protein and mRNA expressions of TGF-β1， Smad2， ERK1 and Keap1 were significantly increased （P＜0.05）. Compared with the model group， the liver lesions of rats in each drug group were improved， and the above quantitative indexes were generally reversed （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Breviscapine has a good intervention effect on HF rats， which may be related to inhibiting TGF-β1/Smad2/ERK1 pathway for anti-fibrosis and regulating Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway to inhibit oxidative stress.

Osteoarthritis （OA）， rheumatoid arthritis （RA）， gouty arthritis （GA）， and intervertebral disc degeneration （IVDD） are the most common bone and joint-related diseases in clinical practice. They can all affect related joints， leading to joint pain， swelling， dysfunction， and other symptoms. The difference is that OA is mainly caused by joint wear and age-related degradation and is manifested as joint pain， stiffness， and limited movement. RA is an autoimmune disease， manifested as joint pain， swelling， morning stiffness， and systemic symptoms. GA is caused by abnormal uric acid metabolism， manifested as acute arthritis， and IVDD is caused by intervertebral disc degeneration. Studies have shown that the mechanism of the occurrence and development of these bone and joint diseases is extremely complex. Pyroptosis is closely related to these bone and joint-related diseases by participating in bone and joint inflammation， cartilage metabolism imbalance， extracellular matrix degradation， and pathological damage of bone and joint. Inhibition of bone and joint-related pyroptosis will effectively prevent and treat bone and joint-related diseases. At the same time， many studies have confirmed that traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） has a prominent curative effect and obvious advantages in the prevention and treatment of bone and joint-related diseases. TCM can reduce the inflammatory reaction of bone and joints， improve the pathological damage of bone and joint diseases， and relieve bone and joint pain by inhibiting pyroptosis. Therefore， this article aims to briefly explain the relationship between pyroptosis and the occurrence and development of bone and joint-related diseases and summarize the latest research reports on the intervention of pyroptosis in the treatment of bone and joint-related diseases by TCM monomers， TCM extracts， and TCM compounds. It offers new ideas for the in-depth study of the pathogenesis and drug treatment of bone and joint diseases and provides a basis for the clinical use of TCM to prevent and treat bone and joint diseases.

Objective:To explore the rehabilitation effect of multi-factor intervention based on the Finnish model of prevention of cognitive impairment in the elderly on patients with cognitive impairment after first-episode stroke, and to provide reference for rehabilitation nursing of cognitive impairment after stroke.Methods:The quasi-experiment research scheme was adopted and convenience sampling method was used to select participants with first-episode stroke cognitive impairment hospitalized in the General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University Airport Site. The 50 patients admitted from January to June 2022 were selected as the control group, and 50 patients admitted from July to December 2022 were selected as the intervention group. The control group received routine rehabilitation nursing and health education, and the intervention group received the Finnish model of prevention of cognitive impairment in the elderly on patients before discharge on the basis of the control group. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Health Education Compliance Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients were used to evaluate the changes of overall cognitive function and rehabilitation compliance before intervention, 3 and 6 months after intervention.Results:The final control group included 49 cases, including 35 males and 14 females, aged (64.67 ± 7.47) years old; the intervention group included 50 cases, 32 males and 18 females, aged (66.68 ± 8.75) years old. Before intervention, there were no significant differences in overall cognitive function and compliance of rehabilitation score ( P>0.05). At 3 and 6 months after intervention, the overall cognitive function score, the total score on compliance of rehabilitation, dimension scores of diet compliance, exercise rehabilitation compliance and health behavior compliance of the intervention group were (26.36±2.36) , (125.96 ± 13.80) , (23.30 ± 5.26) , (27.72 ± 4.46) , (43.66 ± 6.80) and (27.26 ± 3.71) , (152.44 ± 9.06) , (30.12 ± 6.42) , (33.32 ± 3.02) , (52.36 ± 4.70) , respectively. They were higher than the control group (24.04 ± 4.50) , (116.67 ± 10.26) , (19.31 ± 3.95) , (25.29 ± 3.45) , (40.59 ± 4.33) and (24.27 ± 4.33) , (138.92 ± 16.71) , (24.20 ± 4.48) , (30.00 ± 5.53) , (47.65 ± 8.03) , and the differences had statistical significance ( t values were -5.31- -2.67, all P<0.05). According to the variance analysis of repeated measurement, intergroup and time factor, the interaction between groups and time had significant impact on general cognitive function score, the total score of rehabilitation compliance, the dimension scores of diet, exercise rehabilitation and health behavior compliance ( Fgroup values were 8.33-18.08, Ftime values were 135.71-944.69, Finteraction values were 5.46-27.30, all P<0.05) . Time factor had significant impact on patient medication adherence score ( Ftime=206.23, P<0.05) . Conclusions:Multi-factor intervention based on the Finnish model of prevention of cognitive impairment in the elderly can improve the overall cognitive function and rehabilitation compliance of patients with cognitive impairment after first-episode stroke.

BACKGROUND:Osteonecrosis due to drugs is a serious adverse reaction occurring after the application of such drugs.Increasing evidence suggests that the gut microbiota composition is associated with osteonecrosis due to drugs.However,the causal relationship of the gut microbiota to osteonecrosis due to drugs is still unclear. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the potential causal relationship between the gut microbiota and the risk of osteonecrosis due to drugs using the Mendelian randomization method. METHODS:A two-sample Mendelian randomization study was performed using the summary statistics of gut microbiota from the largest available genome-wide association study meta-analysis(n=13 266)conducted by the MiBioGen consortium as well as the summary statistics of osteonecrosis due to drugs obtained from the FinnGen consortium R9 release data(264 cases and 377 013 controls).Inverse variance weighted,MR-Egger,weighted median,weighted model and simple model were used to examine the causal association between gut microbiota and osteonecrosis due to drugs.Sensitivity analysis was used to test whether the results of the Mendelian randomization analysis were reliable.Reverse Mendelian randomization analysis was performed on all the bacteria as an outcome for effect analysis and sensitivity analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Inverse variance weighted estimates suggested that Lentisphaerae(phylum),Lentisphaeria(class),Melainabacteria(class),Gastranaerophilales(order),Rhodospirillales(order),Victivallales(order)and Bifidobacterium(genus)had protective causal effects on osteonecrosis due to drugs.Methanobacteria(class),Bacillales(order),Methanobacteriaceae(family),Lachnospiraceae(family),Methanobacteriales(order),Holdemania(genus),Holdemania(UCG010 group)(genus),Odoribacter(genus)and Tyzzerella3(genus)had negative causal effects on osteonecrosis due to drugs.According to the results of reverse Mendelian randomization analysis,Clostridiaceae1(family),Peptostreptococcaceae(family),Streptococcaceae(family),Clostridiumsensustricto1(genus)and Streptococcus(genus)showed negative causal effects on osteonecrosis due to drugs.However,Eisenbergiella(genus)showed protective causal effects on osteonecrosis due to drugs.None of the bidirectional sensitivity analysis revealed heterogeneity or horizontal pleiotropy.When gut microbiota were used as exposure and osteonecrosis due to drugs as the outcome,Mendelian randomization analysis found that seven bacterial traits were positively correlated to osteonecrosis due to drugs,nine bacterial traits were negatively related to osteonecrosis due to drugs.When osteonecrosis due to drugs were used as exposure and gut microbiota as the outcome,reverse Mendelian randomization analysis found a negative correlated relationship with five bacterial traits and a positive causal relationship with one bacterial trait.By changing the diversity and composition of gut microbiota,it is expected to improve the incidence and prognosis of osteonecrosis due to drugs,providing new ideas for the study of orthopedic diseases.

BACKGROUND:Osteonecrosis is a common refractory disease in clinical practice,and observational studies have suggested that micronutrients may have a prognostic role in osteonecrosis.However,the specific causal association between micronutrients and osteonecrosis is not known. OBJECTIVE:To explore the causal association between micronutrients and osteonecrosis by Mendelian randomization using summary data from a large population-based genome-wide association study(GWAS)for clinical diagnosis and treatment. METHODS:The required exposure and outcome data(calcium,magnesium,iron,vitamin E,carotenoids,retinol&osteonecrosis)were extracted from the IEU OpenGWAS database,GWAS catalog database,and FinnGen database.Data were analyzed by bidirectional Mendelian randomization with inverse-variance weighted as the primary study method,and weighted median method,simple mode method,weighted mode method,and MR-Egger regression to complement the results.The reliability of the data was then verified through sensitivity analyses. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The results found a positive correlation between serum iron concentration and osteonecrosis,while no correlation was found for other micronutrients.There was no reverse causality in all the data.(2)The results of sensitivity analysis showed a robust causality.(3)By Mendelian randomization method,this study provided evidence of causality between serum iron concentration and osteonecrosis,and understanding the causality of micronutrient elements on osteonecrosis can help in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of osteonecrosis,which is of great clinical significance.

The pathogenesis of aplastic anemia(AA)is complex and associated with hematopoietic stem cell defect,abnormal bone marrow microenvironment,immune dysfunction,and somatic mutation,in which the immune mechanism plays an important role.This article reviews the pathogenesis of AA from the following aspects:regulatory T cell reduction,hematopoietic stem cell reduction caused by factor-related apoptosis/factor-related apoptosis ligand signaling pathway,aberrant target gene expression induced by inflammatory factor-stimulated microRNAs,and regulatory T cell dysfunction,so as to provide ideas and methods for clinical practice.

The widespread application of implantable materials has brought about a corresponding increase in implant-related complications, with implant-associated infections being the most critical. Biofilms, which often form on these implants, can significantly impede the effectiveness of traditional antibiotic therapies. Therefore, strategies such as surgical removal of infected implants and prolonged antibiotic treatment have been acknowledged as effective measures to eradicate these infections. However,the challenges of antibiotic resistance and biofilm persistence often result in recurrent or hard-to-control infections, posing severe health threats to patients. Recent studies suggest that phages, a type of virus, can directly eliminate pathogenic bacteria and degrade biofilms. Furthermore, clinical trials have demonstrated promising therapeutic results with the combined use of phages and antibiotics. Consequently, this innovative therapy holds significant potential as an effective solution for managing implant-associated infections. This paper rigorously investigates and evaluates the potential value of phage therapy in addressing orthopedic implant-associated infections, based on a comprehensive review of relevant scientific literature.

Objective To evaluate the pharmacokinetic characteristics and safety of single and multiple oral azvudine tablets in healthy young and elderly Chinese subjects.Methods This was a open-label and parallel-group study.The trial consisted of two groups:healthy young subjects group and healthy elderly subjects group,with 12 subjects in each group.Enrolled subjects were first given a single dose,fasting oral azvudine tablet 5 mg,after a 3-day cleansing period entered the multiple dose phase,fasting oral azvudine tablet 5 mg·d-1 for 7 days.Results After a single dose of azvudine 5 mg,Cmax and AUC0-∞ were(4.76±2.12)ng·mL-1,(6.53±2.20)ng·mL-1·h,and Tmax,t1/2 were 0.75,1.87 h in young subjects;Cmax and AUC0-∞ were(6.40±3.25)ng·mL-1,(9.50±3.70)ng·mL-1·h,and Tmax,t1/2 were 0.63,2.66 h in elderly subjects.After a multiple dose of azvudine 5 mg·d-1 for 7 d,Cmax and AUC0-∞ were(3.26±1.61)ng·mL-1,(5.38±2.19)ng·mL-1·h,and Tmax,ss,t1/2,ss were 0.88,2.13 h in young subjects;Cmax,ss and AUC0-∞,ss were(3.97±2.09)ng·mL-1,(6.71±3.26)ng·mL-1·h,and Tmax,ss,t1/2,ss were 0.75,2.56 h in elderly subjects.Elderly/young geometric mean ratios and 90％CIs were 128.37％(88.23％-186.76％),139.93％(105.42％-185.72％),140.03％(106.33％-184.41％)for azvudine Cmax,AUC0-t,AUC0-∞ after a single dose,and were 118.66％(80.83％-174.20％),118.41％(83.60％-167.69％),118.95％(84.78％-166.89％)for azvudine Cmax,AUC0-t,AUC0_∞ after a multiple dose of azvudine 5 mg·d-1 for 7 d.Conclusion After single and multiple oral administration of azvudine tablets,systemic exposure to azvudine was higher in healthy elderly subjects compared with healthy young subjects.After taking azvudine tablets,the types,severity and incidence of adverse events and adverse drug reactions in healthy elderly people were not significantly different from those in healthy young subjects.Azvudine was found to be safe and well tolerated in healthy elderly subjects.