This study aims to investigate the ameliorating effect of Corni Fructus(CF) on the myocardial ischemic injury and the pharmacokinetic properties of characteristic components of CF. The mouse model of isoproterenol-induced myocardial ischemia was established and administrated with the aqueous extract of CF. The general efficacy of CF in ameliorating the myocardial ischemic injury was evaluated based on the cardiac histopathology and the levels of myocardial injury markers: creatine kinase isoenzyme(CK-MB) and cardiac troponin I(cTn-I). The metabolomics analysis was carried out for the heart and serum samples of mice to screen the biomarkers of CF in ameliorating the myocardial ischemic injury and then the predicted biomarkers were submitted to metabolic pathway enrichment. The pharmacokinetic analysis was performed for morroniside, loganin, and cornuside Ⅰ in mouse heart and serum samples to obtain the pharmacokinetic parameters of these components. The pharmacokinetic parameters were then integrated on the basis of self-defined weighting coefficients to simulate an integrated pharmacokinetic profile of CF iridoid glycosides in the heart and serum of the mouse model of myocardial ischemia. The results indicated that CF reduced the pathological damage to cardiac cells and tissue(hematoxylin-eosin staining) and lowered the levels of CK-MB and cTn-I in the serum of the mouse model of myocardial ischemia(P<0.01). Metabolomics analysis screed out 31 endogenous metabolites in the heart and 35 in the serum as biomarkers of CF in ameliorating the myocardial ischemic injury. These biomarkers were altered by modeling and restored by CF. Six metabolic pathways in the heart and 5 in the serum were enriched based on these metabolic markers. The main integrated pharmacokinetic parameters of CF iridoid glycosides were T_(max)=1 h, t_(1/2)=(1.52±0.05) h in the heart and T_(max)=1 h, t_(1/2)=(1.56±0.50) h in the serum. Both concentration-time curves showed a double-peak phenomenon. In conclusion, CF demonstrated the cardioprotective effect by regulating metabolic pathways such as taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, and pantothenic acid and coenzyme A biosynthesis. The integrated pharmacokinetics reflect the general pharmacokinetic properties of characteristic components in CF.
Animals ; Cornus/chemistry* ; Mice ; Metabolomics ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Male ; Myocardial Ischemia/metabolism* ; Humans ; Troponin I/metabolism* ; Myocardium/pathology* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Biomarkers/metabolism* ; Creatine Kinase, MB Form/metabolism*

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between maternal depressive symptoms and adolescent suicidal ideation, and to examine the chain mediating roles of childhood trauma and ineffectiveness. METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was administered by school psychologists to 4 157 mother-adolescent pairs from middle schools in Shanghai and Henan, China. Measures included the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, and the Children's Depression Inventory. Using Bootstrap method to examine the chain mediating effect of childhood trauma and ineffectiveness on the relationship between maternal depression symptoms and adolescent suicidal ideation. RESULTS: The prevalence of maternal depressive symptoms was 17.68% (735/4 157); among adolescents, the prevalence of depressive symptoms was 15.49% (644/4 157), and suicidal ideation was 28.19% (1 172/4 157). Adolescent depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation were positively correlated with maternal depressive symptoms, childhood trauma, and ineffectiveness (all P<0.01). Childhood trauma significantly mediated the association between maternal and adolescent depressive symptoms (95%CI: 0.046 9-0.077 2). The chain mediation of childhood trauma and ineffectiveness in the association between maternal depressive symptoms and adolescent suicidal ideation was also significant (95%CI: 0.000 7-0.001 3). CONCLUSIONS Higher maternal depressive symptom levels are associated with a greater likelihood of adolescents' exposure to childhood trauma, which increases adolescents' ineffectiveness and, in turn, is associated with suicidal ideation. This chain effect has important implications for social interventions targeting adolescent depression.
Humans ; Suicidal Ideation ; Adolescent ; Female ; Depression/etiology* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Mothers/psychology* ; Male ; Child ; Adult

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of Qingda Granule (QDG) in ameliorating hypertension-induced cardiac damage and investigate the underlying mechanisms involved. METHODS: Twenty spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were used to develope a hypertension-induced cardiac damage model. Another 10 Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats were used as normotension group. Rats were administrated intragastrically QDG [0.9 g/(kg•d)] or an equivalent volume of pure water for 8 weeks. Blood pressure, histopathological changes, cardiac function, levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory response markers were measured. Furthermore, to gain insights into the potential mechanisms underlying the protective effects of QDG against hypertension-induced cardiac injury, a network pharmacology study was conducted. Predicted results were validated by Western blot, radioimmunoassay immunohistochemistry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively. RESULTS: The administration of QDG resulted in a significant decrease in blood pressure levels in SHRs (P<0.01). Histological examinations, including hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson trichrome staining revealed that QDG effectively attenuated hypertension-induced cardiac damage. Furthermore, echocardiography demonstrated that QDG improved hypertension-associated cardiac dysfunction. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and colorimetric method indicated that QDG significantly reduced oxidative stress and inflammatory response levels in both myocardial tissue and serum (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Both network pharmacology and experimental investigations confirmed that QDG exerted its beneficial effects in decreasing hypertension-induced cardiac damage by regulating the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)/angiotensin II (Ang II)/Ang II receptor type 1 axis and ACE/Ang II/Ang II receptor type 2 axis.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Hypertension/pathology* ; Renin-Angiotensin System/drug effects* ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Male ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Blood Pressure/drug effects* ; Myocardium/pathology* ; Rats ; Inflammation/pathology*

Sulforaphane is a naturally occurring active substance derived from cruciferous vegetables with potent antioxidant and anticancer properties. Researches have shown that sulforaphane has good bioavailability and can be absorbed by the small intestine through passive transport, followed by excretion in the form of urine via the hydrophobic acid pathway. In addition, since sulforaphane is easy to be absorbed and metabolized, wrapping sulforaphane with nanomaterials can improve its bioavailability and stability, prolong its action time in human body, and better utilize its therapeutic effect. In terms of mechanism of action, sulforaphane can activate Nrf2 and HSF1 signaling pathways, induce the expression of phase II detoxification enzymes HO-1, NADPH, GST and HSP, thus regulating the concentration of oxidative stress ROS in vivo; inhibit NF-κB signaling pathway, thus suppressing the expression of inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1 and IL-6; regulate epigenetic modifications, thus inhibiting HDAC and DNMT, and increasing the concentration of histone H3 and H4. By regulating the expression levels of the above factors, sulforaphane can affect the occurrence and development of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and other diseases. In recent years, several phase I/II clinical trials have shown that sulforaphane has good drug-generating properties. For example, researchers have found that patients with skin cancer have not shown any health problems and their corresponding functional problems have improved greatly after long-term use of sulforaphane. This suggests that in the future sulforaphane has a very high medicinal potential for the treatment of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. In this paper, we review the pharmacokinetics, target of action and safety of sulforaphane and its research progress in tumor and neurodegenerative diseases to provide a reference for the future application of sulforaphane in the treatment of tumor and neurodegenerative diseases.

Objective To investigate the incidence rate,clinical characteristics,and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen,China.Methods Led by Shenzhen Children's Hospital,the Shenzhen Neonatal Data Collaboration Network organized 21 institutions to collect 36 cases of neonatal stroke from January 2020 to December 2022.The incidence,clinical characteristics,treatment,and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen were analyzed.Results The incidence rate of neonatal stroke in 21 hospitals from 2020 to 2022 was 1/15 137,1/6 060,and 1/7 704,respectively.Ischemic stroke accounted for 75％(27/36);boys accounted for 64％(23/36).Among the 36 neonates,31(86％)had disease onset within 3 days after birth,and 19(53％)had convulsion as the initial presentation.Cerebral MRI showed that 22 neonates(61％)had left cerebral infarction and 13(36％)had basal ganglia infarction.Magnetic resonance angiography was performed for 12 neonates,among whom 9(75％)had involvement of the middle cerebral artery.Electroencephalography was performed for 29 neonates,with sharp waves in 21 neonates(72％)and seizures in 10 neonates(34％).Symptomatic/supportive treatment varied across different hospitals.Neonatal Behavioral Neurological Assessment was performed for 12 neonates(33％,12/36),with a mean score of(32±4)points.The prognosis of 27 neonates was followed up to around 12 months of age,with 44％(12/27)of the neonates having a good prognosis.Conclusions Ischemic stroke is the main type of neonatal stroke,often with convulsions as the initial presentation,involvement of the middle cerebral artery,sharp waves on electroencephalography,and a relatively low neurodevelopment score.Symptomatic/supportive treatment is the main treatment method,and some neonates tend to have a poor prognosis.

Objective To investigate the distribution of pathogens and change of homology of Acinetobacter bau-mannii(AB)in intensive care units(ICUs)of partial medical institutions in Shanghai before and after the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19).Methods Pathogens were isolated and identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry(MALDI-TOF MS),the whole genome of AB was sequenced using Illumina Miseq sequencing platform,and its genetic relationship was explored based on multilocus sequence typing(MLST)and core genome multilocus sequence typing(cgMLST).Results The total detection rate of patho-gens in ICU environment after the pandemic was lower than before the pandemic([6.10％,101/1 656]vs[10.77％,181/1 680];P＜0.05).Before and after the pandemic,the proportion of AB detected on the surface of bedding in the ICU environment remained at the highest level.After the pandemic,the ST types showed a diverse distribution.MLST_Pasteur results showed that 162 strains of AB were divided into 20 ST types,with ST2(80.25％,n=130)being the main type.MLST_Oxford results showed that there were 19 ST types among 162 strains,with ST208(37.04％,n=60)being the main type.The clustering analysis based on cgMLST showed that ST208_Oxford had closer genetic relationship with ST540_Oxford and ST369_Oxford after the pandemic.ST164_Pasteur clone changed from ST234_Oxford before the pandemic to ST1418_Oxford after the pandemic,and 2 new types of ST_Pasteurr and 11 new types of ST_Oxford were discovered.Conclusion The detection rate of pathogens from ICU environment after the pandemic is lower than before the pandemic,and the distribution of ST types is slightly different at the same detection sites before and after the pandemic.ST2_Pasteur/ST208_Oxford is still the dominant epidemic clone before and after the pandemic,but some alleles have changed.cgMLST is more accurate than MLST_Oxford and MLST_Pasteur in homology analysis,evolution,spread,and outbreak analysis.

Aim To study the therapeutic effect of Balanophora polysaccharide(BPS)on gastric ulcer(GU)induced by acetic acid in rats and to investigateits mechanisms. Methods Sixty male SD rats were randomly divided into sham-operated group, GU model group, omeprazole positive group(3.6 mg·kg-1), and low, medium and high dose of BPS treatment groups(100, 200 and 400 mg·kg-1). The GU model group was prepared by acetic acid cautery method, and the morphology and pathological changes of ulcers were observed by visual observation combined with HE staining, and the ulcer area and inhibition rate were measured and calculated; superoxide dismutase(SOD)activity, malondialdehyde(MDA)content and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-PX)activity were measured by enzymatic assay; tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin-6(IL-6)content were detected by ELISA. The expression levels of epidermal growth factor(EGF)and epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR)were measured by immunohistochemistry staining and Western blot. Results Compared with the sham-operated group, obvious ulcer damage was seen in the model group. Compared with the model group, the BPS-treated group showed a significant reduction in ulcer area, an increase in SOD and GSH-PX activity and EGF and EGFR expression levels, and a significant decrease in MDA, TNF-α and IL-6 content. Conclusions BPS has a therapeutic effect on GU in rats, and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of oxidative stress, suppression of inflammatory stimuli and promotion of regenerative repair of gastric mucosa.

Objective: This cross-sectional investigation aimed to determine the incidence, clinical characteristics, prognosis, and related risk factors of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain in mainland China. Methods: Data of patients with SARS-CoV-2 from December 28, 2022, to February 21, 2023, were collected through online and offline questionnaires from 45 tertiary hospitals and one center for disease control and prevention in mainland China. The questionnaire included demographic information, previous health history, smoking and alcohol drinking, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, olfactory and gustatory function before and after infection, other symptoms after infection, as well as the duration and improvement of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction. The self-reported olfactory and gustatory functions of patients were evaluated using the Olfactory VAS scale and Gustatory VAS scale. Results: A total of 35 566 valid questionnaires were obtained, revealing a high incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain (67.75%). Females(χ2=367.013, P<0.001) and young people(χ2=120.210, P<0.001) were more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Gender(OR=1.564, 95%CI: 1.487-1.645), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), oral health status (OR=0.881, 95%CI: 0.839-0.926), smoking history (OR=1.152, 95%CI=1.080-1.229), and drinking history (OR=0.854, 95%CI: 0.785-0.928) were correlated with the occurrence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2(above P<0.001). 44.62% (4 391/9 840) of the patients who had not recovered their sense of smell and taste also suffered from nasal congestion, runny nose, and 32.62% (3 210/9 840) suffered from dry mouth and sore throat. The improvement of olfactory and taste functions was correlated with the persistence of accompanying symptoms(χ2=10.873, P=0.001). The average score of olfactory and taste VAS scale was 8.41 and 8.51 respectively before SARS-CoV-2 infection, but decreased to3.69 and 4.29 respectively after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and recovered to 5.83and 6.55 respectively at the time of the survey. The median duration of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions was 15 days and 12 days, respectively, with 0.5% (121/24 096) of patients experiencing these dysfunctions for more than 28 days. The overall self-reported improvement rate of smell and taste dysfunctions was 59.16% (14 256/24 096). Gender(OR=0.893, 95%CI: 0.839-0.951), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), history of head and facial trauma(OR=1.180, 95%CI: 1.036-1.344, P=0.013), nose (OR=1.104, 95%CI: 1.042-1.171, P=0.001) and oral (OR=1.162, 95%CI: 1.096-1.233) health status, smoking history(OR=0.765, 95%CI: 0.709-0.825), and the persistence of accompanying symptoms (OR=0.359, 95%CI: 0.332-0.388) were correlated with the recovery of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2 (above P<0.001 except for the indicated values). Conclusion: The incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain is high in mainland China, with females and young people more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Active and effective intervention measures may be required for cases that persist for a long time. The recovery of olfactory and taste functions is influenced by several factors, including gender, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status, history of head and facial trauma, nasal and oral health status, smoking history, and persistence of accompanying symptoms.
Female ; Humans ; Adolescent ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Smell ; COVID-19/complications* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; Incidence ; Olfaction Disorders/etiology* ; Taste Disorders/etiology* ; Prognosis

Coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke are the most well-known cardiovascular diseases, which share many common pathological basis. Yindan Xinnaotong soft capsule (YDXNT) is a commonly used Chinese patent medicine in the treatment of stroke and CHD. However, its action of mechanism of co-treatment for stroke and CHD is still unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the common mechanism of YDXNT in co-treatment of CHD and stroke using network pharmacology, experimental verification and molecular docking. An integrated literature mining and databases of IPA, ETCM, HERB, Swiss Target Prediction, OMIM and GeneCards were used to screen and predict active ingredients and potential targets of YDXNT in co-treatment of CHD and stroke. The protein-protein interaction network, GO analysis and pathway analysis were analyzed by IPA software. The effect of YDXNT on core targets was verified by immunofluorescence. UPLC-QTOF/MS and molecular docking were used to screen and predict the main active constituents of YDXNT and their interactions with core targets. A total of 151 potential targets are predicted for YDXNT in co-treatment of CHD and stroke. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF1α)-matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9)-mediated HIF1α signaling pathway serves as one of the common mechanisms. YDXNT could reduce the increase of mitochondrial fluorescence intensity and the protein expression of HIF1α and MMP9 in HL-1 and HA induced by oxygen and glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) in a dose-dependent manner. Baicalin may be the material basis for treating stroke and CHD with YDXNT. In conclusion, the HIF1α signaling pathway is one of the common key mechanisms of YDXNT in the co-treatment of stroke and CHD. The study provides support and basis for the in-depth scientific connotation of the traditional Chinese medicine theory of "same treatment to different diseases".

AIM: To explore the clinical efficacy of different anti-vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)drugs in the treatment of diabetic macular edema(DME), and analyze their relationship with optical coherence tomography(OCT)classification.METHODS: A total of 45 DME patients treated with ranibizumab(admitted to our hospital from February 2020 to February 2022)were selected as the ranibizumab group, and 45 DME patients treated with conbercept during the same period were selected as the conbercept group. The ranibizumab group was treated with retinal photocoagulation combined with ranibizumab, and the conbercept group was treated with retinal photocoagulation combined with conbercept. The improvement of symptoms(improvement time of macular edema, time of retinal thickness returning to normal, disappearance time of neovascularization and absorption time of fundus hemorrhage), levels of serum interleukin-6(IL-6)and VEGF, central macular thickness(CMT), best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), and complications were compared between the two groups, and the relationship between their clinical efficacy and different OCT types were analyzed.RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the improvement time of macular edema, time of retinal thickness returning to normal, disappearance time of neovascularization and absorption time of fundus hemorrhage between the two groups(P>0.05); After treatment, the values of IL-6, VEGF and BCVA in the two groups were significantly lower than those before treatment(P<0.01), but there was no significant difference between the two groups(P>0.05); compared with before treatment, CMT was significantly decreased in both groups after treatment(P<0.05), and compared with ranibizumab group, the CMT was significantly decreased in the conbercept group(P<0.01); there was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between two groups(P>0.05); there were significant differences in the total effective rate among patients with serous retinal detachment(SRD), cystoid macular edema(CME)and diffuse retinal thickening(DRT; P<0.05), among which DRT had the highest total effective rate and SRD had the lowest total effective rate.CONCLUSION: Both conbercept and ranibizumab in the treatment of DME can effectively improve the clinical symptoms of patients and reduce the inflammatory response, but conbercept can better reduce the level of CMT, and has better treatment effect on DRT-type DME patients.