ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Maxing Kugan decoction （MKD） on inflammatory response and apoptosis in rats with oleic acid （OA）-induced acute lung injury （ALI） and explore its mechanism of action. MethodsSixty Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly assigned into six groups： a control group， a model group， a dexamethasone-treated group （2 mg·kg^-1）， and three MKD-treated groups at low， medium， and high doses （3.1， 6.2，12.4 g·kg^-1）. Each group was administered either an equivalent volume of normal saline or the corresponding concentration of MKD by gavage for seven consecutive days. The model group and each administration group were used to establish the ALI model by tail vein injection of OA （0.2 mL·kg^-1）. Twelve hours after modeling， blood gas analyses were conducted， and the wet-to-dry （W/D） weight ratio of lung tissue was measured for each group. Additionally， enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was employed to quantify the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha （TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and interleukin-6 （IL-6） in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid （BALF） of the rats. Cell damage and apoptosis in lung tissue were examined via hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling （TUNEL） assays， and the results were subsequently scored. The expression levels of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （p38 MAPK）/nuclear factor kappa-B （NF-κB） signaling pathway and apoptosis-related proteins and mRNAs were assessed using Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. ResultsCompared with the control group， the model group exhibited a significant decrease in partial pressure of oxygen （PaO₂）， blood oxygen saturation （SaO₂）， and oxygenation index （PaO₂/FiO₂）， along with a marked increase in partial pressure of carbon dioxide （PaCO₂） and lung W/D ratio （P<0.01）. Additionally， levels of TNF-α， IL-6， and IL-1β in BALF were significantly elevated （P<0.01）. Histopathological analysis of lung tissue showed significant inflammatory infiltration， tissue edema， alveolar septal thickening， and apoptosis of lung tissue. Pronounced increases were observed in the mRNA expression levels of p38 MAPK， NF-κB p65， inhibitor of NF-κB （IκBα）， B-cell lymphoma-2 associated x protein （Bax）， and Caspases-3， as well as the protein expression levels of p-p38 MAPK， p-NF-κB p65， p-IκBα， Bax， Caspases-3， and cleaved Caspases-3， while the mRNA and protein expression of Bcl-2 was downregulated （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， MKD significantly elevated PaO₂， SaO₂， and PaO₂/FiO₂ while reducing PaCO₂ and W/D ratio in rats （P<0.01）. It also greatly reduced TNF-α， IL-6， and IL-1β levels in BALF （P<0.01） and alleviated inflammatory infiltration， tissue edema， alveolar septal thickening， and apoptosis of lung tissue. Additionally， it downregulated the mRNA expression of p38 MAPK， NF-κB p65， IκBα， Bax， Caspases-3， as well as protein expression of p-p38 MAPK， p-NF-κB p65， p-IκBα， Bax， Caspases-3， and cleaved Caspases-3 in lung tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while significantly upregulating mRNA and protein expression of Bcl-2 （P<0.01）. ConclusionMKD exerts a protective effect on OA-induced ALI rats， potentially through the regulation of the p38 MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway to inhibit inflammation and apoptosis.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Maxing Kugan decoction （MKD） on inflammatory response and apoptosis in rats with oleic acid （OA）-induced acute lung injury （ALI） and explore its mechanism of action. MethodsSixty Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly assigned into six groups： a control group， a model group， a dexamethasone-treated group （2 mg·kg^-1）， and three MKD-treated groups at low， medium， and high doses （3.1， 6.2，12.4 g·kg^-1）. Each group was administered either an equivalent volume of normal saline or the corresponding concentration of MKD by gavage for seven consecutive days. The model group and each administration group were used to establish the ALI model by tail vein injection of OA （0.2 mL·kg^-1）. Twelve hours after modeling， blood gas analyses were conducted， and the wet-to-dry （W/D） weight ratio of lung tissue was measured for each group. Additionally， enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was employed to quantify the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha （TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and interleukin-6 （IL-6） in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid （BALF） of the rats. Cell damage and apoptosis in lung tissue were examined via hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling （TUNEL） assays， and the results were subsequently scored. The expression levels of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （p38 MAPK）/nuclear factor kappa-B （NF-κB） signaling pathway and apoptosis-related proteins and mRNAs were assessed using Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. ResultsCompared with the control group， the model group exhibited a significant decrease in partial pressure of oxygen （PaO₂）， blood oxygen saturation （SaO₂）， and oxygenation index （PaO₂/FiO₂）， along with a marked increase in partial pressure of carbon dioxide （PaCO₂） and lung W/D ratio （P<0.01）. Additionally， levels of TNF-α， IL-6， and IL-1β in BALF were significantly elevated （P<0.01）. Histopathological analysis of lung tissue showed significant inflammatory infiltration， tissue edema， alveolar septal thickening， and apoptosis of lung tissue. Pronounced increases were observed in the mRNA expression levels of p38 MAPK， NF-κB p65， inhibitor of NF-κB （IκBα）， B-cell lymphoma-2 associated x protein （Bax）， and Caspases-3， as well as the protein expression levels of p-p38 MAPK， p-NF-κB p65， p-IκBα， Bax， Caspases-3， and cleaved Caspases-3， while the mRNA and protein expression of Bcl-2 was downregulated （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， MKD significantly elevated PaO₂， SaO₂， and PaO₂/FiO₂ while reducing PaCO₂ and W/D ratio in rats （P<0.01）. It also greatly reduced TNF-α， IL-6， and IL-1β levels in BALF （P<0.01） and alleviated inflammatory infiltration， tissue edema， alveolar septal thickening， and apoptosis of lung tissue. Additionally， it downregulated the mRNA expression of p38 MAPK， NF-κB p65， IκBα， Bax， Caspases-3， as well as protein expression of p-p38 MAPK， p-NF-κB p65， p-IκBα， Bax， Caspases-3， and cleaved Caspases-3 in lung tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while significantly upregulating mRNA and protein expression of Bcl-2 （P<0.01）. ConclusionMKD exerts a protective effect on OA-induced ALI rats， potentially through the regulation of the p38 MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway to inhibit inflammation and apoptosis.

In order to explore the possible role and molecular mechanism of the combined action of leech and bear bile in liver and gallbladder diseases, this study first used network pharmacology methods to screen the components and targets of leech and bear bile, as well as the related target genes of liver and gallbladder diseases. The selected key genes were subjected to interaction network and GO/KEGG enrichment analysis. Then, using sodium oleate induced HepG2 cell lipid deposition model and DL-ethionine induced mouse fatty liver model, the activity of leech and bear bile alone and in combination in reducing liver fat was evaluated in vitro and in vivo, and the expression of key pathway related proteins suggested by network pharmacology was detected by Western blot. The results of network pharmacology analysis showed that the active ingredients of leech and bear bile have 295 intersecting targets with liver and gallbladder related diseases, involving more than 200 signaling pathways, including the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and phospholipase D signaling pathway closely related to glucose and lipid metabolism. The results of in vitro validation experiments showed that both leech and bear bile, alone and in combination, can significantly inhibit the lipid deposition induced by sodium oleate in human liver cells, reduce the triacylglycerol level in cell culture supernatant, and inhibit the lipid content in liver cells. The observation results of Nile red staining confocal microscopy showed that the combination of leech and bear bile had better activity in reducing lipid deposition in liver cells compared to using them alone. In a mouse fatty liver model, the combination of leech and bear bile can better reduce elevated organ indices, blood lipids, and liver lipid levels, as well as lower the levels of serum liver injury biomarkers. The animals used in this experiment and related disposal meet the requirements of animal welfare. Before the experiment, it was reviewed and approved by IACUC, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. The Western blot experiment results showed that the combination of leech and bear bile can significantly upregulate the expression levels of p-PI3K and p-Akt proteins, and increase the p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt ratios, which is consistent with the predicted results of network pharmacology. The combination of leech and bear bile has great potential for treating fatty liver disease, and activating the PI3K/Akt pathway may be one of the important mechanisms for reducing lipid deposition in liver cells.

Due to the high similarity with the lipid layer between human skin keratinocytes, functional cosmetics with layered liquid crystal structure prepared by liquid crystal emulsification technology encapsulating natural active substances have become a hot research topic in recent years. This type of functional cosmetic often has a fresh and natural skin feel, excellent skin barrier repair function and efficient moisturizing effect, etc., showing great potential in cosmetic application. However, the present research on the application of liquid crystal emulsification technology to functional cosmetics is still in the initial stage, and there are fewer relevant reports with reference values. Based on the mentioned above, this review provides a comprehensive summary of functional cosmetics with layered liquid crystal structures prepared by liquid crystal emulsification technology from the following aspects: the structure of human skin, the composition of lamellar liquid crystal, the advantages of liquid crystal emulsification technology containing natural active substances used in the field of functional cosmetics, the preparation process, main components, influencing factors during the preparation and the market functional cosmetics with lamellar liquid crystal structure. Finally, the prospect of the application of liquid crystal emulsification technology in functional cosmetics is presented, to provide useful references for those engaged in the research of liquid crystal emulsification technology-related functional cosmetics.

Nucleic acid-based molecular diagnostic methods are considered the gold standard for detecting infectious pathogens.However,when applied to portable or on-site rapid diagnostics,they still face various limitations and challenges,such as poor specificity,cumbersome operation,and portability difficulties.The CRISPR(Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)/CRISPR-associated protein(Cas)-fluorescence detection method holds the potential to significantly enhance the specificity and signal-to-noise ratio of nucleic acid detection.In this study,we developed a portable grayscale reader detection system based on loop-mediated isothermal amplification(LAMP)-CRISPR/Cas.On one hand,in the presence of CRISPR RNA(crRNA),the CRISPR/Cas12a system was employed to achieve precise fluorescent detection of self-designed LAMP amplification reactions for influenza A and influenza B viruses.This further validated the high selectivity and versatility of the CRISPR/Cas system.On the other hand,the accompanying independently developed portable grayscale reader allowed for low-cost collection of fluorescence signals and high-reliability visual interpretation.At the end of the detection process,it directly provided positive or negative results.Practical sample analyses using this detection system have verified its reliability and utility,demonstrating that this system can achieve highly sensitive and highly specific portable analysis of influenza viruses.

Objective To make an epidemiological investigation on traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)dampness syndrome manifestations in the population at risk of cerebrovascular diseases in Guangdong area.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted to analyze the clinical data related to the risk of cerebrovascular diseases in 330 Guangdong permanent residents.The diagnosis of dampness syndrome,quantitative scoring of dampness syndrome and rating of the risk of stroke were performed for the investigation of the distribution pattern of dampness syndrome and its influencing factors.Results(1)A total of 306(92.73%)study subjects were diagnosed as dampness syndrome.The percentage of dampness syndrome in the risk group was 93.82%(258/275),which was slightly higher than that of the healthy group(48/55,87.27%),but the difference was not statistically significant(χ2 = 2.91,P = 0.112).The quantitative score of dampness syndrome in the risk group was higher than that of the healthy group,and the difference was statistically significance(Z =-2.24,P = 0.025).(2)Among the study subjects at risk of cerebrovascular disease,evaluation time(χ2 = 26.11,P = 0.001),stroke risk grading(χ2= 8.85,P = 0.031),and history of stroke or transient ischemic attack(TIA)(χ2 = 9.28,P = 0.015)were the factors influencing the grading of dampness syndrome in the population at risk of cerebrovascular disease.Conclusion Dampness syndrome is the common TCM syndrome in the population of Guangdong area.The manifestations of dampness syndrome are more obvious in the population with risk factors of cerebrovascular disease,especially in the population at high risk of stroke,and in the population with a history of stroke or TIA.The assessment and intervention of dampness syndrome should be taken into account for future project of stroke prevention in Guangdong.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of CYP3A5 gene polymorphism and Wuzhi capsule （WZ） on early postoperative tacrolimus exposure and adverse reactions in renal transplant patients. METHODS A total of 132 patients who underwent renal transplantation and received tacrolimus + mycophenolic acids + prednisone after operation in our hospital from September 2021 to September 2023 were selected and divided into four groups according to genotypes （CYP3A5*1 or CYP3A5*3/*3） and with or without WZ （“ +WZ” meant drug combination， “ +NO WZ” meant without combination）. The blood trough concentration/daily dose （c0/D） values of the four groups were analyzed on the 14th day， 1 month and 3 months after renal transplantation. The incidence of acute rejection and the incidence of tacrolimus-related adverse reactions within 3 months after transplantation were compared among 4 groups. RESULTS On the 14th day， 1 month and 3 months after surgery （except for the CYP3A5*1+WZ group）， c0/D values of CYP3A5*1 genotype patients were significantly lower than those of CYP3A5*3/*3 genotype patients regardless of whether they were treated with WZ additionally （P＜0.05）. Within 3 months after surgery， although there was no significant difference in the incidence of acute rejection and tacrolimus-related adverse reactions among the four groups （P＞ 0.05）， the incidence of hyperglycemia in patients with CYP3A5*3/*3 was higher （41.67%）. CONCLUSIONS CYP3A5 gene polymorphism is significantly related to tacrolimus c0/D in kidney transplant patients. Under the premise of c0 monitoring of tacrolimus， patients with CYP3A5*1 genotype should be given WZ as soon as possible after surgery to accelerate tacrolimus to reach the therapeutic concentration range， while CYP3A5*3/*3 genotype is not recommended to be given WZ because of the higher risk of hyperglycemia.

BACKGROUND:Our previous studies have confirmed that H2O2 and ginsenoside Rg1 can cause changes in reactive oxygen species levels in human periodontal ligament cells,but the correlation of reactive oxygen species with apoptosis and autophagy remains unclear. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect and mechanism of ginsenoside Rg1 on H2O2-induced apoptosis and autophagy of human periodontal ligament cells. METHODS:Human periodontal ligament cells were divided into control group,H2O2 group and H2O2+Rg1 group.Ginsenoside Rg1(50 μmol/L)was pre-incubated for 24 hours and H2O2 was treated for 2 hours(500 μmol/L).CCK-8 assay was used to detect the proliferation ability of the cells.A fluorescent probe DCFH-DA was used to detect the reactive oxygen species level of the cells.qRT-PCR and western blot assay were used to detect heme oxygenase 1,apoptosis-related factor Caspase-3,Bax,anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2,autophagy Beclin-1,P62,LC3,pathway-related factors phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase(PI3K),protein kinase B(AKT),mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR)mRNA and protein expression. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the control group,the proliferation activity of human periodontal ligament cells in the H2O2 group decreased.Compared with the H2O2 group,the proliferation activity of human periodontal ligament cells increased in the H2O2+Rg1 group.(2)Compared with the control group,the expression of reactive oxygen species and heme oxygenase-1 increased in the H2O2 group.Compared with the H2O2 group,the expression of reactive oxygen species and heme oxygenase-1 decreased in the H2O2+Rg1 group.(3)Compared with the control group,the expression of Caspase-3,Bax,Beclin-1 and LC3 increased,while the expression of Bcl-2 and P62 decreased in human periodontal ligament cells of the H2O2 group.Compared with the H2O2 group,the expressions of Caspase-3,Bax,Beclin-1 and LC3 decreased,and the expressions of Bcl-2 and P62 increased in the H2O2+Rg1 group.(4)Compared with the control group,the expressions of PI3K,AKT and mTOR decreased in human periodontal ligament cells of the H2O2 group.Compared with the H2O2 group,the expressions of PI3K,AKT and mTOR increased in human periodontal ligament cells of the H2O2+Rg1 group.(5)These results suggest that ginsenoside Rg1 can inhibit H2O2-induced apoptosis and autophagy in human periodontal ligament cells by reducing the content of reactive oxygen species and down-regulating the related factor expression of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

Intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS), a time-saving and cost-effective repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation regime, has been shown to improve cognition in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the specific mechanism underlying iTBS-induced cognitive enhancement remains unknown. Previous studies suggested that mitochondrial functions are modulated by magnetic stimulation. Here, we showed that iTBS upregulates the expression of iron-sulfur cluster assembly 1 (ISCA1, an essential regulatory factor for mitochondrial respiration) in the brain of APP/PS1 mice. In vivo and in vitro studies revealed that iTBS modulates mitochondrial iron-sulfur cluster assembly to facilitate mitochondrial respiration and function, which is required for ISCA1. Moreover, iTBS rescues cognitive decline and attenuates AD-type pathologies in APP/PS1 mice. The present study uncovers a novel mechanism by which iTBS modulates mitochondrial respiration and function via ISCA1-mediated iron-sulfur cluster assembly to alleviate cognitive impairments and pathologies in AD. We provide the mechanistic target of iTBS that warrants its therapeutic potential for AD patients.
Humans ; Mice ; Animals ; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ; Alzheimer Disease/therapy* ; Cognitive Dysfunction/therapy* ; Cognition ; Sulfur ; Iron ; Iron-Sulfur Proteins ; Mitochondrial Proteins

Objective To investigate the application value of tear inflammatory factors in early evaluation of the occurrence of complications after trabeculectomy in glaucoma patients.Methods A total of 150 eyes of 150 patients with angle-closure glaucoma who underwent trabeculectomy in Department of Ophthalmology of Zhangjiagang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine were included.The clinical data of all patients were collected,and the levels of inflammatory factors(including G-CSF,GM-CSF,IFN-γ,MCP-1,TNF-α,IL-12,IL-13,IL-15,IL-1β,IL-4,IL-7,IL-10,IL-17,IL-5)in tears were detected before surgery.According to the occurrence of postoperative complications,the patients were divided into the complication group and the control group,and the clinical data of the two groups were compared.Logistic regression was used to analyze the related factors of the occurrence of complications after trabeculectomy in glaucoma patients.The predictive model of tear inflammatory factors was established by Logistic regression,and the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was drawn to analyze the value of this model in early evaluation of the occurrence of complications after trabeculectomy in glaucoma patients.Results Complications occurred in 35(23.33%)of 150 glaucoma patients after trabeculectomy,including 24 cases of shallow anterior chamber,5 cases of ciliary body or choroid detachment,3 cases of iridocyclitis,2 cases of hyphema,and 1 case of retinal detachment.IFN-γ,GM-CSF and IL-5 levels of the patients in the complication group were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the levels of other inflammatory factors of patients between the two groups(P>0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that increased levels of IFN-γ(OR=0.999),GM-CSF(OR=0.988)and IL-5(OR=0.996)were independent protective factors for complications after trabeculectomy in glaucoma patients(P<0.05).ROC curve analysis showed that the sensitivity and specificity of the model were 94.29%and 83.84%in early evaluation of the occurrence of complications after trabeculectomy in glaucoma patients,and the AUC was 0.906,which was higher than that predicted by IFN-γ(AUC=0.642),GM-CSF(AUC=0.721)and IL-5(AUC=0.666)alone.Conclusion Preoperative analysis of tear inflammatory factors in glaucoma patients can early evaluate the occurrence of postoperative complications,especially the combined detection of IFN-γ,GM-CSF and IL-5 levels is of great significance for predicting the occurrence of complications.