Aim To discover the potential active compounds and possible mechanisms in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment with Zhi-Huang-Zhi-Tong powder (ZHZTP) by using network pharmacology and in vitro study. Methods The active ingredient targets and disease targets of Zhihuang Zhitong Powder were searched and screened by database; they intersected to get a common target; and the "drug-component-target" relationship network diagram was constructed for GO and KEGG enrichment analysis of the overlapping genes; then the core components were docked with the core targets. Finally, based on the inflammation model of HUVECs in vitro, the efficacy and mechanism of Zhihuang Zhitong powder were verified by MTT method, plate scratch test and Western blot. Results Active compounds involved in RA treatment were screened in the present study, and the top two were ursolic acid and emodin, all playing crucial roles in RA treatment with ZHZTP. Additionally, the key target was AKTA, TNF and IL-6. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that ZHZTP regulated BP, MF and CC, and also focused on regulating AKTA, TNF and IL-6 signaling pathway. Molecular docking showed that interactions between key active compounds and key targets were stable. In vitro ZHZTP significantly inhibited cell viability and migration of TNF-a-stimulated HUVECs, and the involved mechanism may be associated with PI3K/AKT/m-TOR signaling. Conclusions The present study reveals that the potential active compounds of ZHZTP are ursolic acid and emodin, and moreover, the involved mechanisms of ZHZTP for RA treatment are associated with PI3 K/AKT/m-TOR signaling.

ObjectiveAt present, the matching reagents of commercially available rapid DNA instruments based on microfluidics chip technology are autosome short tandem repeat (STR) individual identification reagents. The non-recombining part of the human Y chromosome is widely used in forensic DNA analysis, particularly in cases where standard autosomal DNA profile is uninformative. Y-STR loci are useful markers to identify males and male lineages in forensic practice. In order to achieve rapid and fully integrated detection ofY-STR loci, this study constructed the RTyper Y27 microfluidic chip rapid detection system and validated the performance of this system. MethodsThe system was verified and evaluated by sensitivity, success rate, typing accuracy, peak height balance, sizing precision and accuracy, mock case sample tests, mixture detection ability, and inhibition tolerance. ResultsComplete Y-STR profiles can be obtained when the template amount of DNA standard 9948 was ≥8 ng, the number of blood cards was ≥3 pieces, and the number of oral swab scrapings was≥7 times. The success rate of fully integrated detection was 91.52%, and the concordance rates was 99.74% for 165 testing samples. The success rate of 115 blood spots in these samples was 90.43%, with a typing accuracy of 99.65%, the success rate of 50 buccal swabs was 94%, with a typing accuracy of 99.92%. There was no significant difference in typing accuracy between blood spots and buccal swab samples. The peak height ratio between different fluorescence channels was 89.81%. The standard deviation of allelic ladder for 10 runs was within 0.5 bp. The size differences between allele and corresponding allele in allelic ladder was within 0.5 bp. The maximum precision CV values within and between batches were 0.48% and 0.68%, respectively, which were lower than 15%. These data indicate that the system has good accuracy and precision. The system was capable of accurately typing oral swabs, blood cards, saliva cards, cigarette butts, blood swabs and seminal stains. Complete Y-STR profiles can be obtained and distinguish at the 1∶3 ratio of minor and major contributors in artificial male DNA mixtures. Complete Y-STR genotyping can be obtained under the interference of inhibitors, such as different concentrations of humic acid (50-400 mg/L), indigotin (20-100 nmol/L) and hemoglobin (100-500 μmol/L). ConclusionIn this study, the RTyper Y27 microfluidic chip rapid amplification system is combined with the Quick TargSeq 1.0 integrated system, and the Y-STR profile can be obtained in approximately 2 h. Through a series of verification experiments, the results show that the system has good repeatability, accuracy and stability, can meet the on-site Y-STR detection requirements, and can be used in forensic practice.

Occasionally，previously healthy children develop severe hyperinflammatory syndrome shortly after infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2（SARS-CoV-2），which is mainly manifested as digestive tract symptoms，skin mucosal damage and cardiovascular system involvement.This disease is known as multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children（MIS-C），which is confused with other diseases manifested as systemic acute inflammation.The pathogenesis of MIS-C is not clear yet，and it may be related to immune disorders secondary to the SARS-CoV-2 infection.At present，its diagnostic criteria are not established.This article reviews the characteristics of MIS-C and the research progress，in order to improve the pediatricians' skill in recognition，diagnosis and treatment of MIS-C.

Artificial vascular graft(AVG)fistula is widely used for hemodialysis treatment in patients with renal failure.However,it has poor elasticity and compliance,leading to stenosis and thrombosis.The ideal artificial blood vessel for dialysis should replicate the structure and components of a real artery,which is primarily maintained by collagen in the extracellular matrix(ECM)of arterial cells.Studies have revealed that in hepatitis B virus(HBV)-induced liver fibrosis,hepatic stellate cells(HSCs)become hyperactive and produce excessive ECM fibers.Furthermore,mechanical stimulation can encourage ECM secretion and remodeling of a fiber structure.Based on the above factors,we transfected HSCs with the hepatitis B viral X(HBX)gene for simulating the process of HBV infection.Subsequently,these HBX-HSCs were implanted into a polycaprolactone-polyurethane(PCL-PU)bilayer scaffold in which the inner layer is dense and the outer layer consists of pores,which was mechanically stimulated to promote the secretion of collagen nanofiber from the HBX-HSCs and to facilitate crosslinking with the scaffold.We obtained an ECM-PCL-PU composite bionic blood vessel that could act as access for dialysis after decellularization.Then,the vessel scaffold was implanted into a rabbit's neck arteriovenous fistula model.It exhibited strong tensile strength and smooth blood flow and formed autologous blood vessels in the rabbit's body.Our study demonstrates the use of human cells to create biomimetic dialysis blood vessels,providing a novel approach for creating clinical vascular access for dialysis.

Objective To evaluate the long-term efficacy of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)inhibitor(TNFi)in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis(AS)complicated with osteoporosis(OP)and the impact on bone metabolism,bone density,and inflammatory factors.Methods The data of 158 patients with AS and OP,who were admitted to Department of Rheumatology and Immunology of The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University(Second Military Medical University)from Jan.1,2010 to Dec.31,2017,were retrospectively collected.The patients were divided into bisphosphonate group(n=54),TNFi group(n=58),and TNFi+bisphosphonate group(n=46)according to the treatment methods.All patients were treated with calcium combined with calcitriol as the background treatment.After 5 years of treatment,Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index(BASDAI)and Bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index(BASFI)scores were evaluated,and inflammatory indexes,bone metabolism markers,and bone mineral density were detected.Results After 5 years of treatment,the BASDAI and BASFI scores,erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),C reactive protein(CRP),TNF-α,and interleukin-17A of the TNFi+bisphosphonate group and TNFi group were significantly lower than those before treatment(all P＜0.05);in the bisphosphonate group only ESR and CRP were significantly lower than those before treatment(both P＜0.05),and the other inflammatory indexes and BASDAI and BASFI scores showed no significant changes(all P＞0.05).The bone mineral density of the 3 groups after 5 years of treatment was significantly higher than that before treatment(all P＜0.05),and the bone mineral density of the TNFi+bisphosphonate group was significantly higher than that of the other 2 groups(both P＜0.05).After 5 years of treatment,the levels of parathyroid hormone(PTH),procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide(P1NP)and β-C-terminal telopeptide of type Ⅰ collagen(β-CTX)in the TNFi+bisphosphonate group and bisphosphonate group were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment(all P＜0.05),while the levels of N-terminal midfragment of osteocalcin(N-MID)and 25-hydroxy-vitamin D(25VitD)were significantly increased(all P＜0.05);in the TNFi group only PTH and P1NP levels were significantly decreased(both P＜0.05),while β-CTX,N-MID and 25VitD levels showed no significant differences(all P＞0.05).Conclusion Long-term use of TNFi in patients with AS and OP can effectively reduce disease activity,improve physical function,decrease the level of inflammatory factors,alleviate abnormal bone metabolism,and increase bone mineral density;and the combined use of TNFi and bisphosphonates has better efficacy.

The distribution of Ixodes and Ana plasma carried by Ixodes ticks in Anhui Province was clarified as reference for prevention and control of anaplasmosis.In total,630 hard ticks were collected from Jinzhai County,Hanshan County,Jing-de County and Chaohu City in Anhui Province from April to August 2023.Ticks were identified by morphological analysis and 16S rRNA sequencing.Nested PCR with Anaplasma species-specific primers were used to detect 16S rRNA of Anaplasma spe-cies carried by ticks.A phylogenetic tree was constructed using MEGA11.0 software.Of the identified ticks,18.8％(18/96)were Rhipicephalus microplus and 81.2％(78/96)were Haemaphysalis longicorni in Jinzhai County of Anhui Province,all were H.longicorni in Hanshan County and Chaohu City,while the main species in Jingde County was R.microplus.The posi-tive rate of Anaplasma carried by H.longicornis was 30.9％(102/330),which included A.bovis at 1.8％(6/330),A.phagocytophilum at 21.8％(72/330)and uncultured Anaplasma species at 7.3％(24/330).R.microplus was positively cor-related to A.bovis(13.6％,18/132).The uncultured Anaplasma species was mainly detected in host-free ticks.A.phagocy-tophilum was detected in 24.4％of parasitic ticks and 15.8％of host-free ticks.The positive rates of host-free and parasitic ticks were 19.9％and 17.8％,respectively.These results show that H.longicornis and R.microplus were the dominant ticks in several counties of Anhui Province.H.longicornis and R.microplus as well as free and parasitic ticks all carried Anaplas-ma.

The eutR gene deletion mutant of Salmonella enteritidis was successfully constructed by homologous recombination.Through the study of its biochemical characteristics,motility,resist-ance to stress in vitro and survival ability in RAW 264.7 cells,it was found that the biochemical characteristics and motility of the eutR gene deletion mutant of Salmonella enteritidis had no sig-nificant change compared with the wild type of Salmonella enteritidis.The ability of eutR gene de-letion strain of Salmonella enteritidis to resist acid,alkali and oxidation was significantly reduced,while the ability to resist heat was not significantly changed;the survival ability of eutR gene dele-tion strain in RAW 264.7 cells was significantly reduced compared with the wild type.In order to further analyze the effect of eutR gene on the expression of virulence factors of Salmonella enterit-idis,the relative expression levels of invH,ssav,ssrA,xthA,orf245,sodC,lrp,mrr1 and hflk virulence genes of the deletion strain and the wild strain were detected by SYBR Green PCR.It was found that the expression of the virulence factors mentioned above in the eutR gene deletion strain of Salmonella enteritidis was significantly down-regulated compared with that in the wild-type strain.The LD50 of the eutR gene-deleted strain of Salmonella enteritidis was determined by ani-mal experiments,and the results showed that the LD50 of the eutR gene-deleted strain was higher than that of the wild-type strain,indicating that the eutR gene could affect the virulence of Salmonella.This study clarified the effect of eutR gene on the survival ability,some biological characteristics and virulence of Salmonella enteritidis in macrophages,and provided a new gene knockout target for the development of attenuated Salmonella enteritidis genetic engineering vac-cine.

Aim To analyze serum exosome sequencing data from patients with coronary heart disease(CHD)and normal subjects by using bioinformatics-related methods to construct a competitive endogenous ln-cRNA-miRNA-mRNA(ceRNA)regulatory network,to mine the predicted potential Chinese medicines,and to perform preliminary validation of the biological processes and core Chinese medicines involved in the ceRNA network.Methods We used exoRbase data-base to obtain the expression matrix of differential genes,combined with the raw letter method to con-struct the ceRNA network,and performed GO analysis and KEGG analysis on the differential mRNAs in the network,and used COREMINE database to predict the biological processes and core target genes involved in the ceRNA network,and to screen the herbal medi-cines with potential therapeutic effects;AVECs oxida-tive damage cell model was constructed in vitro,and the cytoskeleton,tube-forming function,cell prolifera-tion,LDH leakage rate,ROS level and p-AKT,AKT,p-PI3K and AKT protein expression were examined to verify the action pathways and targets of the core Chi-nese medicine Salvia miltiorrhiza for the treatment of coronary heart disease.Results Compared with nor-mal subjects,395 mRNAs,80 miRNAs,60 lncRNA differential genes,and 80 miRNAs were predicted in serum exosomes of coronary heart disease,and the constructed ceRNA sub-network,mainly consisted of 21 lncRNAs,80 miRNAs,and 82 mRNAs;AKT1,VEGFA,IL1B and other genes in the network.The abnormally expressed mRNAs were involved in biologi-cal processes such as oxidative stress and signaling pathways such as PI3 K/Akt,and Dan Shen,Chuanx-iong and Panax notoginseng were most closely related to exosome-mediated biological processes and core genes in coronary heart disease.The active ingredients of tanshinone ⅡA,the core Chinese medicine,could pro-mote vascular endothelial cell proliferation,tube for-mation,skeleton formation and repair,reduce LDH leakage rate and ROS level,and promote the expres-sion of p-AKT and p-PI3K protein.Conclusion There is a complex ceRNA regulatory network trans-duction in coronary artery disease serum exosomes,and traditional Chinese medicine can be used to treat CHD through multi-target intervention,and Dan Shen,Chuanxiong and Panax notoginseng are expected to be candidate sources of traditional Chinese medicine,a-mong which the active ingredient of Dan Shen,tanshi-none ⅡA,activates PI3 K/Akt signaling pathway to play a protective role against oxidative stress-injured cells,and treats CHD.

Background/Aims: Low educational attainment is a well-established risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in developed areas. However, the association between educational attainment and the risk of NAFLD is less clear in China. Methods: A cross-sectional study including over 200,000 Chinese adults across mainland China was conducted. Information on education level and lifestyle factors were obtained through standard questionnaires, while NAFLD and advanced fibrosis were diagnosed using validated formulas. Outcomes included the risk of NAFLD in the general population and high probability of fibrosis among patients with NAFLD. Logistic regression analysis was employed to estimate the risk of NAFLD and fibrosis across education levels. A causal mediation model was used to explore the potential mediators. Results: Comparing with those receiving primary school education, the multi-adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for NAFLD were 1.28 (1.16 to 1.41) for men and 0.94 (0.89 to 0.99) for women with college education after accounting for body mass index. When considering waist circumference, the odds ratios (95% CIs) were 0.94 (0.86 to 1.04) for men and 0.88 (0.80 to 0.97) for women, respectively. The proportions mediated by general and central obesity were 51.00% and 68.04% for men, while for women the proportions were 48.58% and 32.58%, respectively. Furthermore, NAFLD patients with lower educational attainment showed an incremental increased risk of advanced fibrosis in both genders. Conclusions In China, a low education level was associated with a higher risk of prevalent NAFLD in women, as well as high probability of fibrosis in both genders.