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.

ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect of Baihe Wuyaotang （BWT） on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD） and elucidate its underlying mechanism. MethodC57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to six groups： normal control， model， positive drug （pioglitazone hydrochloride 1.95×10^-3 g·kg^-1）， and low-， medium-， and high-dose BWT （1.3，2.5 and 5.1 g·kg^-1）. Following a 12-week high-fat diet （HFD） inducement， the mice underwent six weeks of therapeutic intervention with twice-daily drug administration. Body weight was monitored weekly throughout the treatment period. At the fifth week， glucose tolerance （GTT） and insulin tolerance （ITT） tests were conducted. Subsequently， the mice were euthanized for the collection of liver tissue and serum， and the subcutaneous adipose tissue （iWAT） and epididymal adipose tissue （eWAT） were weighed. Serum levels of total triglycerides （TG） and liver function indicators，such as alanine aminotransferase （ALT） and aspartate aminotransferase （AST）， were determined. Histological examinations， including oil red O staining， hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， Masson staining， and transmission electron microscopy， were performed to evaluate hepatic lipid deposition， pathological morphology， and ultrastructural changes， respectively. Meanwhile， Western blot and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） were employed to analyze alterations， at both gene and protein levels， the insulin signaling pathway molecules， including insulin receptor substrate 1/2/protein kinase B/forkhead box gene O1 （IRS1/2/Akt/FoxO1）， glycogen synthesis enzymes phosphoenolpyruvate carboxy kinase （Pepck） and glucose-6-phosphatase （G6Pase）， lipid metabolism-related genes stearoyl-coA desaturase-1 （SCD-1） and carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 （CPT-1）， fibrosis-associated molecules α-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA）， type Ⅰ collagen （CollagenⅠ）， and the fibrosis canonical signaling pathway transforming growth factor-β₁/drosophila mothers against decapentaplegic protein2/3（TGF-β₁/p-Smad/Smad2/3）， inflammatory factors such as interleukin（IL）-6， IL-8， IL-11， and IL-1β， autophagy markers LC3B Ⅱ/Ⅰ and p62/SQSTM1， and the expression of mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR）. ResultCompared with the model group， BWT reduced the body weight and liver weight of NAFLD mice（P<0.05， P<0.01）， inhibited liver lipid accumulation， and reduced the weight of white fat： it reduced the weight of eWAT and iWAT（P<0.05， P<0.01） as well as the serum TG content（P<0.05， P<0.01）. BWT improved the liver function as reflected by the reduced ALT and AST content（P<0.05， P<0.01）. It improved liver insulin resistance by upregulating IRS2， p-Akt/Akt， p-FoxO1/FoxO1 expressions（P<0.05）. Besides， it improved glucose and lipid metabolism disorders： it reduced fasting blood glucose and postprandial blood glucose（P<0.05， P<0.01）， improved GTT and ITT（P<0.05， P<0.01）， reduced the expression of Pepck， G6Pase， and SCD-1（P<0.01）， and increased the expression of CPT-1（P<0.01）. The expressions of α-SMA， Collagen1， and TGF-β₁ proteins were down-regulated（P<0.05， P<0.01）， while the expression of p-Smad/Smad2/3 was downregulated（P<0.05）， suggesting BWT reduced liver fibrosis. BWT inhibited inflammation-related factors as it reduced the gene expression of IL-6， IL-8， IL-11 and IL-1β（P<0.01） and it enhanced autophagy by upregulating LC3B Ⅱ/Ⅰ expression（P<0.05）while downregulating the expression of p62/SQSTM1 and mTOR（P<0.05）. ConclusionBWT ameliorates NAFLD by multifaceted improvements， including improving IR and glucose and lipid metabolism， anti-inflammation， anti-fibrosis， and enhancing autophagy. In particular， BWT may enhance liver autophagy by inhibiting the mTOR-mediated signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND:Platelet-rich plasma has been shown to enhance the viability and the pro-angiogenesis capacity of mesenchymal stem cells.Extracellular vesicles are one of the key mediators for mesenchymal stem cells to exert their effects,but currently,it is unclear whether platelet-rich plasma affects the functions of extracellular vesicles. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of platelet-rich plasma on the function of extracellular vesicles from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,verify whether platelet-rich plasma can be used as an adjuvant to enhance the healing effects of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on repairing the peripheral nerve injury. METHODS:For in vitro study,bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were cultured under normal conditions and with 1%platelet-rich plasma.The ultracentrifugation was used to extract the extracellular vesicles produced by bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells cultured under normal conditions(EVs-nor)or the condition supplemented with 1%platelet-rich plasma(EVs-prp).Extracellular vesicles were used to incubate with Schwann cells.The EdU assay,western blot assay,qPCR and light microscopy photography were performed to examine the effects of EVs-nor and EVs-prp on Schwann cell reprogramming,which was characterized by cell proliferation,c-Jun expression,reprogramming-associated gene expression and cell morphology.For in vivo study,the model of sciatic nerve injury in rats was established.Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were grafted with or without 1%platelet-rich plasma into the injured rat sciatic nerve using a chitin nerve conduit.Eight weeks after the surgery,the recovery was assessed by histological and functional indexes,including regenerated nerve fiber density,gastrocnemius wet weight ratio and sciatic function index. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with EVs-nor,EVs-prp was stronger in promoting Schwann cell proliferation.The gene expressions of c-Jun and GDNF were significantly upregulated in EVs-prp treated Schwann cells.The morphology of Schwann cells was significantly longer in EVs-prp group than that in EVs-nor group,indicating that EVs-prp had a stronger ability to stimulate Schwann cell reprogramming than EVs-nor.(2)Sciatic nerve injury animal experiment results revealed that grafting mesenchymal stem cells along with platelet-rich plasma into the injured sciatic nerve showed the best recovery compared with grafting mesenchymal stem cells or platelet-rich plasma alone,demonstrated by the significantly improved density of nerve fibers,gastrocnemius wet weight ratio,and sciatic function index.(3)These results suggested that platelet-rich plasma improved the function of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles and could be served as a practical and feasible preparation to synergize with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells to improve peripheral nerve repair.

The angiogenic microenvironment is a new blood vessel with different molecular and functional characteristics that sprouts on the original blood vessels through different mechanisms,which directly affects the process of tumor cell growth,proliferation,and migration and has an important impact on the occurrence and development of precancerous lesions of gastric cancer.Correa mode has shown that precancerous lesions of gastric cancer is the key pathological stage before the occurrence of gastric cancer,and it is of great significance to advance the prevention and treatment strategy to this stage.TCM believes that qi deficiency and blood stasis is the key pathogenesis of precancerous lesions of gastric cancer,and its basic treatment is to replenish qi and remove blood stasis,and based on the syndrome differentiation,drugs with the efficacy of nourishing yin and tonifying stomach,soothing the liver and regulating qi,resolving phlegm and dispersing lumps,and clearing heat and dampness for treatment.This article discussed the correlation between precancerous lesions of gastric cancer and angiogenic microenvironment and its regulatory pathways,and summarized the methods and mechanisms of TCM in the treatment of precancerous lesions of gastric cancer from the perspective of regulating angiogenic microenvironment-related pathways,in order to provide a reference for the treatment of precancerous lesions of gastric cancer with TCM.

OBJECTIVE To explore the self precipitation source of Erhuang powder, determine the content of related components and its efficacy on HeLa cells. METHODS Bifurcation study to identify the main compatibility of precipitating. The self precipitation, supernatant and extract of Erhuang powder were analyzed by UHPLC-Q-Exactive MS. The main compounds in Coptidis Rhizoma and Catechu, catechin, epicatechin, epicberberine, coptisine, berberine and palmatine were selected as controls. A analysis method of UHPLC for self precipitation, supernatant and extract of Erhuang powder was established and the related components were quantitatively determined. The effects of self precipitation, supernatant and extract on HeLa cells were evaluated by MTT method and flow cytometry. RESULTS A slight flocculation precipitate appeared when the decoction of Erhuang powder was mixed in pairs, while a large amount of flocculation appeared when the decoction of Coptidis Rhizoma and Catechu water was mixed. The self precipitation, supernatant and extract samples contained 39 compounds, which were mainly alkaloids and phenolic acids. The contents of catechin and berberine in the 6 index components were mostly, which accounted for 73.56% of the total content of the index components in self precipitation and 61.89% of the total content of the index components in extract. Inhibition effect on HeLa cells: extract ≈ self precipitation > supernatant, and inducing apoptosis: self precipitate ≈ extract, supernatant had no apoptosis-inducing effect. CONCLUSION Coptidis Rhizoma-Catechu is the main compatible formula for precipitation formation. The self precipitation and extracts of Erhuang powder are mainly alkaloids and phenolic acids, among which berberine and catechin are high in content and can be used as representative components. The effect of self-precipitation and extract on HeLa cells was better than that of supernatant. This basically indicates that the self precipitation components and pharmacological effects of Erhuang powder are similar to those of the extract.

Objective:To identify diagnostic markers related to oxidative stress in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) by analyzing transcriptome sequencing data, and to investigate their roles in CRSwNP.Methods:Utilizing four CRSwNP sequencing datasets, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) analysis, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), and three machine learning methods for Hub gene selection were performed in this study. Subsequent validation was carried out using external datasets, as well as real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time qPCR), and immunofluorescence staining of clinical samples. Moreover, the diagnostic efficacy of the genes was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, followed by functional and pathway enrichment analysis, immune-related analysis, and cell population localization. Additionally, a competing endogenous RNA (CeRNA) network was constructed to predict potential drug targets. Statistical analysis and plotting were conducted using SPSS 26.0 and Graphpad Prism9 software.Results:Through data analysis and clinical validation, CP, SERPINF1 and GSTO2 were identified among 4 138 DEGs as oxidative stress markers related to CRSwNP. Specifically, the expression of CP and SERPINF1 increased in CRSwNP, whereas that of GSTO2 decreased, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05). Additionally, an area under the curve (AUC)>0.7 indicated their effectiveness as diagnostic indicators. Importantly, functional analysis indicated that these genes were mainly related to lipid metabolism, cell adhesion migration, and immunity. Single-cell data analysis revealed that SERPINF1 was mainly distributed in epithelial cells, stromal cells, and fibroblasts, while CP was primarily located in epithelial cells, and GSTO2 was minimally present in the epithelial cells and fibroblasts of nasal polyps. Consequently, a CeRNA regulatory network was constructed for the genes CP and GSTO2. This construction allowed for the prediction of potential drugs that could target CP. Conclusion:This study successfully identifies CP, SERPINF1 and GSTO2 as diagnostic and therapeutic markers related to oxidative stress in CRSwNP.

Adjuvant chemoradiotherapy,molecular targeted therapy,and immunotherapy are frequently employed to extend the survival of patients with advanced gastric cancer(GC).However,most of these treatments have toxic side effects,drug resistance,and limited improvements in survival and quality of life.Therefore,it is crucial to discover and develop new medications targeting GC that are highly effective and have minimal toxicity.In previous studies,the total terpene extract from the stem of Celastrus orbiculatus demonstrated anti-GC activity;however,the specific mechanism was unclear.Our research utilising co-immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry(Co-IP-MS),polypyrimidine tract binding protein 1(ptbp1)clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat-associated protein 9(Cas9)-knockout(KO)mouse model,tissue microarray,and functional experiments suggests that alpha actinin-4(ACTN4)could be a significant biomarker of GC.PTBP1 influences actin cytoskeleton restructuring in GC cells by interacting with ACTN4.Celastrus orbiculatus stem extract(COE)may directly target ACTN4 and affect the interaction between PTBP1 and ACTN4,thereby exerting anti-GC effects.

Objective The risk evaluation indicators for the occurrence of diaphragm dysfunction in ICU patients was constructed to provide a reference for the establishment of the disease risk evaluation tools for diaphragm dysfunction.Methods The literature related to diaphragm dysfunction from CNKI,Wanfang Data,PubMed,Embase and Web of Science from the establishment of databases to November 11 th,2022 was systematically searched.After the first draft was determined through the literature review method,the first draft of the indicators was revised by brainstorming,with the opinions of 10 medical and nursing experts from May to June 2023.From June to July 2023,the content and weight of risk evaluation indicators of diaphragmatic dysfunction in ICU patients were determined through expert letter inquiry and hierarchical analysis.Results 35 experts completed the first round of letter inquiry,and 34 experts completed the second round of letter inquiry.The recovery rates of the valid questionnaires in the 2 rounds of expert correspondence were 92.1％and 97.1％,respectively,and the expert authority coefficients were 0.884 and 0.904,respectively,and the Kendall harmony coefficients of all indicators were 0.356～0.570 and 0.369～0.604,respectively(all P＜0.001).The final constructed risk evaluation indicators of diaphragm dysfunction in ICU patients includes 7 first-level indicators,34 secondary indicators and 34 tertiary indicators.Conclusion The risk evaluation index of diaphragm dysfunction in ICU patients constructed in this study is comprehensive,specific,scientific and applicable,which can guide medical staff to conduct early risk evaluation of diaphragm function in ICU patients,and provide references for the establishment of disease risk assessment tools for diaphragm function.

Objective To investigate the correlation between salivary cystatin D level and salivary gland injury in patients with primary Sj?gren syndrome(pSS).Methods A total of 51 pSS patients admitted in the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from September 1,2022 to June 30,2023,and 51 age-and gender-matched healthy individuals who took physical examination in the hospital during same period were enrolled in the study.The level of salivary cystatin D was detected,and the difference in the level between the 2 groups was compared using an independent-samples t test.Pearson correlation analysis was applied to analyze the correlation between salivary cystatin D and clinical parameters in the patients.Results The pSS patients had significantly lower cystatin D level than the healthy controls(206.55±108.11 vs 374.32±172.24 pg/mL,P＜0.01).The cystatin D level in the pSS patients was positively correlated with both static(r=0.433,P=0.002)and dynamic salivary flow rates(r=0.363,P=0.009).The patients with higher score of salivary gland ultrasonography(SGUS)had obviously lower cystatin D than those with lower SGUS score(parotid gland:160.75±85.56 vs 290.53±95.17 pg/mL,P＜0.01;submandibular gland:157.76±87.59 vs 276.25±97.06 pg/mL,P＜0.01).The cystatin D level was also negatively correlated with peripheral blood IL-6 level(r=-0.453,P=0.001)and CD4+T cell count(r=-0.396,P=0.005)in the pSS patients.Conclusion Salivary cystatin D level can be used as an indicator of salivary gland damage for pSS patients.

Objective:To investigate the effects of navigation bronchoscopy and artificial intelligence in the standardized training of residents on basic bronchoscopy skills, with the goal of enhancing their practical abilities.Methods:We selected 26 trainees (14 on standardized training of residents and 12 on standardized training of specialists) who participated in the basic navigational bronchoscopy skills and technique training (NBSTAT) at Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from September 2023 to January 2024. The training was structured around a modular curriculum with navigation as the core design concept, consisting of five modules: lesion identification, precise localization, route planning, navigation operation, and real-time error correction. Theoretical teaching and skill practice were combined. The skill proficiency of the trainees was assessed using the Ruijin Hospital bronchoscopy simulation training system and the electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy system. SPSS 26.0 was used to perform the t-test and Wilcoxon rank-sum test for comparisons. Results:After the training, the trainees as a whole showed significant improvements in practicing the skills, with the simulated operation time was reduced from (125.08±48.16) seconds to (77.69±24.75) seconds, the number of errors decreased from 1 to 0, the total score increased from (60.77±15.01) to (75.19±17.63), and the navigation operation time was reduced from 3 (3, 4) minutes to 2 (2, 3) minutes (all P<0.05). There were no significant differences in these assessment items between resident trainees and specialist trainees. The satisfaction rate of the trainees with the training reached 100.00%. Conclusions:The curriculum is effective in basic bronchoscopy skill training, remarkably enhancing the bronchoscopy skills of resident and specialist physicians, which is a useful approach for physicians to cope with the continuous development of diagnostic and therapeutic techniques for pulmonary diseases.