ObjectiveTo investigate how Xiaoyao Shukun decoction （XYSKD） regulates the formation and release of neutrophil extracellular traps （NETs） via the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt）/mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR） signaling pathway， thereby reducing inflammation， inhibiting the excessive proliferation of fibroblasts in pelvic adhesion tissue， decreasing adhesion and fibrosis， and repairing the tissue damage in sequelae of pelvic inflammatory disease （SPID）. MethodsA total of 84 Wistar rats were randomly allocated into seven groups： blank， model， XYSKD （8 mg·kg^-1）， mTOR agonist （10 mg·kg^-1）， mTOR agonist + XYSKD （10 mg·kg^-1+8 mg·kg^-1）， mTOR inhibitor （2 mg·kg^-1）， and mTOR inhibitor + XYSKD （2 mg·kg^-1+8 mg·kg^-1）. The rat model of SPID was constructed by starvation， fatigue， and ascending Escherichia coli infection. After 14 days of drug intervention， the ultrastructure of fibroblasts in the pelvic adhesion tissue was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The general morphology of the uterus， fallopian tube， and ovary was observed by laparotomy. The levels of interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， interleukin-17 （IL-17）， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in the peritoneal flushing fluid were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The expression of myeloperoxidase （MPO） and citrullinated histone 3 （H3） in the fallopian tube was detected by immunofluorescence. Western blot and Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） were employed to determine the relative protein and mRNA levels， respectively， of neutrophil elastase （NE）， intercellular adhesion molecule-1 （CD54）， α-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA）， H3， PI3K， and Akt. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the model group presented a large number of collagen fibers in bundles， numerous cytoplasmic folds of fibroblasts， reduced or absent mitochondrial cristae， and disordered and expanded endoplasmic reticulum. By laparotomy， extensive pelvic congestion， connective tissue hyperplasia， thickening and hardening of the tubal end near the uterus， and tubal and ovarian adhesion or cyst were observed in the model group. In addition， the model group showed raised levels of IL-1β， IL-17， and TNF-α in the peritoneal flushing fluid （P<0.01）， increased average fluorescence intensities of MPO and H3 （P<0.01）， and up-regulated protein and mRNA levels of NE， H3， CD54， PI3K， and Akt （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the mTOR agonist group showed increased fibroblasts and cytoplasmic folds， absence of mitochondrial cristae， endoplasmic reticulum dilation， and evident collagen fiber hyperplasia. Pelvic adhesions were observed to cause aggravated damage to the uterine， fallopian tube， and ovarian tissues. The levels of IL-1β， IL-17， and TNF-α in the peritoneal lavage fluid elevated （P<0.01） and the average fluorescence intensities of MPO and H3 enhanced （P<0.01） in the mTOR agonist group. In contrast， the XYSKD group and the mTOR inhibitor group showcased decreased fibroblasts and collagen fibers， alleviated mitochondrial crista loss and endoplasmic reticulum dilation， improved morphology and appearance of the uterine， fallopian tube， and ovarian tissues， lowered levels of IL-1β， IL-17， and TNF-α in the peritoneal lavage fluid （P<0.01）， decreased average fluorescence intensities of MPO and H3 （P<0.01）， and down-regulated protein and mRNA levels of NE， H3， CD54， PI3K， and Akt （P<0.05）. Compared with the mTOR agonist group， the mTOR agonist + XYSKD group showed alleviated pathological changes in the pelvic tissue， declined levels of IL-1β， IL-17， and TNF-α （P<0.01）， decreased average fluorescence intensities of MPO and H3 （P<0.01）， and down-regulated protein levels of NE， H3， CD54， α-SMA， p-PI3K/PI3K， and p-Akt/Akt （P<0.01） and mRNA levels of NE， H3， CD54， α-SMA， PI3K， and Akt （P<0.01）. Compared with the mTOR inhibitor group， the mTOR inhibitor + XYSKD group demonstrated reduced pathological severity of the pelvic tissue， reduced levels of IL-1β， IL-17， and TNF-α （P<0.01）， decreased average fluorescence intensities of MPO and H3 （P<0.01）， and down-regulated protein and mRNA levels of NE and CD54 （P<0.05）. ConclusionXYSKD can inhibit the excessive formation and release of NETs via PI3K/Akt/mTOR to ameliorate the inflammatory environment and reduce fibrosis and adhesion of the pelvic tissue， thereby playing a role in the treatment of SPID. It may exert the effects by lowering the levels of IL-1β， IL-17， and TNF-α and down-regulating the expression of NE， H3， CD54， α-SMA， PI3K， and Akt in the pelvic adhesion tissue.

Currently, the drug delivery system (DDS) based on nanomaterials has become a hot interdisciplinary research topic. One of the core issues is drug loading and controlled release, in which the key lever is carriers. Vaterite, as an inorganic porous nano-material, is one metastable structure of calcium carbonate, full of micro or nano porous. Recently, vaterite has attracted more and more attention, due to its significant advantages, such as rich resources, easy preparations, low cost, simple loading procedures, good biocompatibility and many other good points. Vaterite, gained from suitable preparation strategies, can not only possess the good drug carrying performance, like high loading capacity and stable loading efficiency, but also improve the drug release ability, showing the better drug delivery effects, such as targeting release, pH sensitive release, photothermal controlled release, magnetic assistant release, optothermal controlled release. At the same time, the vaterite carriers, with good safety itself, can protect proteins, enzymes, or other drugs from degradation or inactivation, help imaging or visualization with loading fluorescent drugs in vitro and in vivo, and play synergistic effects with other therapy approaches, like photodynamic therapy, sonodynamic therapy, and thermochemotherapy. Latterly, some renewed reports in drug loading and controlled release have led to their widespread applications in diverse fields, from cell level to clinical studies. This review introduces the basic characteristics of vaterite and briefly summarizes its research history, followed by synthesis strategies. We subsequently highlight recent developments in drug loading and controlled release, with an emphasis on the advantages, quantity capacity, and comparations. Furthermore, new opportunities for using vaterite in cell level and animal level are detailed. Finally, the possible problems and development trends are discussed.

ObjectiveTo explore the material basis of the "interaction of blood stasis and toxin" mechanism in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury， as well as the protective role of Huoxue Huayu Jiedu prescription （HXHYJDF） against ferroptosis. MethodsSixty SPF-grade male SD rats were randomly divided into six groups： sham group， model group， deferoxamine （DFO） group （100 mg·kg^-1）， low-dose HXHYJDF group （4.52 g·kg^-1）， medium-dose HXHYJDF group （9.04 g·kg^-1）， and high-dose HXHYJDF group （18.07 g·kg^-1）， with ten rats in each group. Except for the sham group， the other groups were used to replicate the model of focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in the middle cerebral artery of rats by the reforming Longa method. Neurological function was assessed at 1^st， 3^rd， 5^th， and 7^th days post-reperfusion using the modified neurological severity scores （m-NSS）. Brain tissue pathology and the morphology of mitochondria were observed using hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and transmission electron microscopy. The contents of malondialdehyde （MDA）， glutathione （GSH）， divalent iron ions （Fe²⁺）， and reactive oxygen species （ROS） in the ischemic cerebral tissue were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot （WB） were used to detect the expression of iron death marker proteins glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4）， ferroportin-1 （FPN1）， transferrin receptor protein 1 （TfR1）， and ferritin mitochondrial （FtMt） in brain tissue. ResultsCompared with the sham group， the mNSS score of the model group was significantly increased （P<0.01）. HE staining showed that the number of neurons in the cortex of brain tissue was seriously reduced， and the intercellular space was widened. The nucleus was fragmented， and the cytoplasm was vacuolated. The results of transmission electron microscopy showed that the mitochondria in the cytoplasm contracted and rounded， and the mitochondrial cristae decreased. The matrix was lost and vacuolated， and the density of the mitochondrial bilayer membrane increased. The results of ELISA showed that the content of GSH decreased significantly （P<0.01）， and the contents of MDA， Fe²⁺， and ROS increased significantly （P<0.01）. The results of immunohistochemistry and WB showed that the expression of GPX4 and FPN1 proteins was significantly decreased （P<0.01）， and the expression of FtMt and TfR1 proteins was significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with those of the model group， the m-NSS scores of the high-dose and medium-dose HXHYJDF groups began to decrease on the 3^rd and 5^th days， respectively （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The results of HE and transmission electron microscopy showed that the intervention of HXHYJDF improved the pathological changes of neurons and mitochondria. The results of ELISA showed that the content of GSH in the medium-dose and high-dose HXHYJDF groups increased significantly （P<0.01）， and the contents of MDA， Fe²⁺， and ROS decreased significantly （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The content of GSH in the low-dose HXHYJDF group increased significantly （P<0.01）， and the contents of MDA and ROS decreased significantly （P<0.01）. The results of immunohistochemistry showed that the expression of GPX4 and FPN1 in the high-dose HXHYJDF group increased significantly （P<0.01）， and the expression of FtMt and TfR1 decreased significantly （P<0.01）. The expression of GPX4 and FPN1 in the medium-dose HXHYJDF group increased significantly （P<0.05）， and the expression of TfR1 decreased significantly （P<0.01）. WB results showed that the expression levels of FPN1 and GPX4 proteins in the high-dose， medium-dose， and low-dose HXHYJDF groups were significantly up-regulated （P<0.01）， and the expression levels of FtMt and TfR1 proteins were significantly down-regulated （P<0.01）. ConclusionHXHYJDF can significantly improve neurological dysfunction symptoms in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury， improve the pathological morphology of the infarcted brain tissue， and protect the brain tissue of rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury to a certain extent. Neuronal ferroptosis is involved in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury， with increased levels of MDA， Fe²⁺， ROS， and TfR1 and decreased levels of FtMt， FPN1， GPX4， and GSH potentially constituting the material basis of the interaction of blood stasis and toxin mechanism in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. HXHYJDF may exert brain-protective effects by regulating iron metabolism-related proteins， promoting the discharge of free iron， reducing brain iron deposition， alleviating oxidative stress， and inhibiting ferroptosis.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

OBJECTIVE: To identify phytochemical constituents present in the extract of flowers of Xanthoceras sorbifolia and evaluate their anti-oxidant and anti-hyperglycemic capacities. METHODS: The AlCl₃ colorimetric method and Prussian Blue assay were used to determine the contents of total flavonoids and total phenolic acids in extraction layers, and the bioactive layers was screened through anti - oxidative activity in vitro. The Waters ACQUITY UPLC system and a Waters ACQUITY UPLC BEH C₁₈ column (2.0 mm × 150 mm, 5 μm) were used to identify the ingredients. And anti-oxidative ingredients were screened by off-line UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS-free radical scavenging. The ameliorative role of it was further evaluated in a high-fat, streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic rat model and the study was carried out on NADPH oxidase (PDB ID: 2CDU) by molecular docking. RESULTS: Combined with the results of activity screening in vitro, the anti - oxidative part was identified as the ethyl acetate layer. A total of 24 chemical constituents were identified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry in the ethyl acetate layer and 13 main anti-oxidative active constituents were preliminarily screened out through off-line UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS-free radical scavenging. In vivo experiments showed that flowers of X. sorbifolia could significantly reduce the blood glucose level of diabetic mice and alleviate liver cell damage. Based on the results of docking analysis related to the identified phytocompounds and oxidase which involved in type 2 diabetes, quercetin 3-O-rutinoside, kaempferol-3-O-rhamnoside, isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside, and isoquercitrin showed a better inhibitory profile. CONCLUSION The ethyl acetate layer was rich in flavonoids and phenolic acids and had significant anti-oxidant activity, which could prevent hyperglycemia. This observed activity profile suggested X. sorbifolia flowers as a promising new source of tea to develop alternative natural anti-diabetic products with a high safety margin.

OBJECTIVE To systematically evaluate the real-world effectiveness and safety of belimumab in the treatment of lupus nephritis （LN） in Chinese adult patients. METHODS Retrieved from PubMed， Embase， Web of Science， Cochrane Library， Wanfang data， CNKI， VIP and CBM， real-world studies on belimumab in the treatment of LN in Chinese adult patients were collected from the inception to July 7th， 2023. Two reviewers independently screened the literature， extracted data， and assessed the quality of the included studies. Meta-analysis was then performed using RevMan 5.3 software. RESULTS A total of 10 real- world studies were included， involving 253 Chinese adult patients with LN. The results of the meta-analysis demonstrated that the complete renal response rate， partial renal response rate， and the incidence of adverse reaction rate in Chinese adult patients with LN treated with belimumab were 61% （95%CI was 46%-76%， P＜0.000 01）， 23%（95%CI was 2%-44%， P＝0.03）， and 30% （95%CI was 16%-43%， P＜0.000 01）， respectively. Belimumab could reduce the 24-hour urinary protein （MD＝－1.71， 95%CI was －3.02-－0.40， P＝0.01）， urine protein-creatinine ratio （MD＝－1.76，95%CI was －2.06-－1.46，P＜0.000 01）， the systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index （MD＝－8.63， 95%CI was －12.12-－5.13， P＜0.000 01）， and glucocorticoids dosage （MD＝－18.65， 95%CI was －31.82-－5.48， P＝0.006）. In addition， it could elevate the levels of complement C3 （MD＝0.19， 95%CI was 0.08-0.30， P＝0.000 6） and complement C4 （MD＝0.06， 95%CI was 0.02-0.09， P＝0.001）. However， belimumab could not improve the levels of serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate （P＞0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Belimumab has good efficacy and safety in Chinese adult patients with LN.