BACKGROUND:Buqi Huoxue Compounds have significant clinical efficacy in treating ischemic stroke with Qi deficiency and phlegm stasis;however,the exact mechanism of action is not clear. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of Buqi Huoxue Compounds on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor,basic fibroblast growth factor,brain-derived neurotrophic factor and autophagy related protein Beclin1 and p62 in a rat model of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. METHODS:Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham operation group,model group,Buqi Huoxue Compounds group and autophagy inhibitor group,with 10 rats in each group.In the latter three groups,a rat model of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury was established.The Buqi Huoxue Compounds group was intragastrically given Buqi Huoxue Compounds(6.49 g/kg,administered three times a day)2 hours after reperfusion;the autophagy inhibitor group was intragastrically given Buqi Huoxue Compounds(6.49 g/kg,administered three times a day)2 hours after reperfusion and intraperitoneally given 3-methyladenine 2 hours before gavage and at days 1-3 of gavage.The sham operation group and model group were given equal amounts of saline by gavage for 7 consecutive days.Neurological function,cerebral infarct volume,brain tissue morphology and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor,basic fibroblast growth factor,brain-derived neurotrophic factor and autophagy-related proteins Beclin1 and p62 in the ischemic cortical region of rats were detected at 24 hours after the final administration. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Zea-Longa scoring results showed that the neurological function of rats was severely damaged after modeling and neurological deficit of rats in the Buqi Huoxue Compounds group was less than that in the model group and the autophagy inhibitor group(P＜0.05).TTC staining showed that cerebral infarct foci were observed in the model group,Buqi Huoxue Compounds group,and autophagy inhibitor group,and the cerebral infarct volume in the Buqi Huoxue Compounds group was lower than that in the model group and the autophagy inhibitor group(P＜0.05).The results of hematoxylin-eosin staining in ischemic brain tissues showed that there were large gaps between nerve cells in the model group and cell arrangement was not neat,and cytoplasmic agglutination and pyknosis were observed.Immunohistochemical staining results showed that vascular endothelial growth factor was mostly expressed in neuronal cells,glial cells and capillary endothelium;basic fibroblast growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor were mostly expressed in neuronal cells and glial cells;and there was no significant difference in the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor,basic fibroblast growth factor,and brain-derived neurotrophic factor among the four groups(P＞0.05).The results of western blot assay showed that compared with the sham operation group,Beclin1 protein expression was decreased(P＜0.05)and p62 protein expression was elevated(P＜0.05)in the model group;compared with the model group,Beclin1 protein expression was increased(P＜0.05)and p62 protein expression was reduced(P＜0.05)in the Buqi Huoxue Compounds group;compared with the Buqi Huoxue Compounds group,Beclin1 protein expression was decreased(P＜0.05)and p62 protein expression was elevated(P＜0.05)in the autophagy inhibitor group.To conclude,Buqi Huoxue Compounds attenuate cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats by promoting autophagy.

OBJECTIVE:Neuromuscular exercise is a new comprehensive rehabilitation therapy in recent years,but its effect on knee osteoarthritis is still controversial.The purpose of this paper is to systematically evaluate the efficacy of neuromuscular exercise on knee osteoarthritis pain and function. METHODS:The randomized controlled trials addressing neuromuscular exercise in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis pain and function were retrieved from PubMed,Cochrane Library,Embase,EBSCO,CNKI,Web of Science,China Biomedical Database(CBM),VIP,and WanFang Database.The retrieval time ranged from database inception to October 2023.The neuromuscular training group(experimental group)was given neuromuscular training or neuromuscular training as the main intervention;the control group was a blank group or given conventional rehabilitation.Outcome indicators included the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index(WOMAC)score,walking time,knee stability,and the maximum number of knee flexion in 30 seconds.The risk of bias was evaluated by the Cochrane Collaboration tool and the Physiotherapy Evidence Database.Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 software. RESULTS:A total of 11 randomized controlled trials were included,and 628 samples were extracted.The results of Meta-analysis showed that the experimental group was superior to the control group in terms of WOMAC pain score[standardized mean difference(SMD)=0.38,95%confidence interval(CI):0.08-0.69,P=0.01],knee stability(SMD=0.57,95%CI:0.23-0.92,P=0.001),the maximum number of knee joint flexion in 30 seconds(SMD=0.35,95%CI:0.05-0.65,P=0.02),and WOMAC physical function score(SMD=-0.79,95%CI:-1.30 to-0.28,P=0.002).In both groups,walking speed was increased and walking ability was improved in patients with knee osteoarthritis,but there was no significant difference(walking time:SMD=-0.22,95%CI:-0.48-0.03,P=0.09). CONCLUSION:Neuromuscular exercise can effectively improve knee joint pain,enhance the stability of the knee joint,and promote functional recovery in patients with knee osteoarthritis.However,more high-quality randomized controlled trials are still needed to further confirm the research.

By reviewing modern research and integrating clinical practice， this paper elucidates the correlation between the traditional Chinese medicine theory of pathological accumulation from collateral obstruction and gap junction intercellular communication （GJIC）， as well as its theoretical connotation and clinical application in tumor prevention and treatment. Physiologically， gap junction and collateral channels share similarities in structural distribution， substance exchange and information transmission. Pathologically， metabolic coupling mediated by dysfunctional gap junction resembles collaterals stagnation， forming the basis of tumor pathogenesis. The establishment of heterotypic gap junction parallels collateral hyperactivity， contributing to tumor metastasis. The post-translational modifications （PTMs） disorder of connexins is similar to the deficiency of collaterals， serving as a driver of tumor progression. Clinically， tumor treatment should follow the pathomechanism of collateral obstruction leading to pathological accumulation. In the early stage， detoxifying and unblocking collaterals can restore intercellular communication and inhibit tumorigenesis； in the progressive stage， calming hyperactivity and suppressing aberrant collateral pathways can prevent metastasis by interrupting heterotypic gap junction formation； and in the terminal stage， supporting vital qi and modulating PTMs of connexins can help delay tumor progression.

OBJECTIVE To investigate ameliorative effects and mechanisms of two probiotics （Bacillus subtilis， Lactobacillus acidophilus） combined with Aurantii Fructus Immaturus （AFI） on functional dyspepsia （FD） in rats. METHODS Rats were randomly divided into blank group， model group， positive control group （domperidone group， 2.7 mg/kg）， AFI group （9 g/kg）， L. acidophilus group （5×107 cfu/kg）， B. subtilis group （5×107 cfu/kg）， L. acidophilus+ AFI group （L. acidophilus 5×107 cfu/kg+ AFI 9 g/kg）， and B. subtilis+AFI group （B. subtilis 5×107 cfu/kg+AFI 9 g/kg）， with 8 rats in each group. Except for the blank group， FD model was established by tail-clamping stimulation+hunger and satiety disorder+swimming exhaustion in other groups. After modeling， each group was given the corresponding drug/probiotic suspensions/physiological saline intragastrically， once a day， for 14 consecutive days. After the last medication， gastric emptying rate and the rate of propulsion of the small intestine in rats were measured； the levels of brain-gut peptide-related indicators [gastrin （GAS）， substance P （SP）， vasoactive intestinal peptide （VIP）， somatostatin （SS） and cholecystokinin （CCK）] in the serum of rats were measured. The pathological morphology of the gastric antrum tissue and duodenal tissue was observed. Cecal contents from the rats were collected for gut microbiota sequencing analysis. The protein expression levels of tyrosine kinase receptor c-Kit and stem cell factor （SCF） in the gastric antrum tissue， as well as Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）， myeloid differentiation factor 88 （MyD88）， and nuclear factor κB （NF-κB） in the duodenal tissue of the rats were detected. RESULTS Compared with the blank group， model group showed significantly lower gastric emptying rate， small intestinal propulsion rate， serum levels of GAS and SP， relative abundance of Firmicutes， Ace， Chao and Sobs indexes of the gut microbiota， and protein levels of SCF and c-Kit in gastric antrum （P＜0.05）， while serum levels of VIP， SS and CCK， relative abundance of Bacteroidetes， as well as protein expressions of TLR4， MyD88， and NF-κB， were significantly higher （P＜0.05）. The histological structure JZYC23S53） of the gastric antrum tissue appeared basically normal； however， abnormalities were observed in the duodenal structure， with a significant infiltration of inflammatory cells visible. Compared with the model group， all treatment groups significantly modulated most of the above indexes （P＜0.05）. The histological structure of the gastric antrum tissue was normal. Except for the B. subtilis group and the B. subtilis+AFI group， the pathological states of the duodenum in the remaining rats gradually recovered. Compared with each single drug group， most of above indexes in rats from each combination group showed further improvement （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS The combination of AFI with two probiotics can improve gastrointestinal motility in FD rats， and the effect is superior to that of using the drugs alone. The specific underlying mechanisms may be related to the activation of the SCF/c-Kit signaling pathway and the inhibition of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the clinical characteristics of drug-induced liver injury （DILI） induced by glucagon- like peptide-1 receptor agonists （GLP-1RAs）， and to provide a reference for safe clinical medication. METHODS Using search terms such as “GLP-1”“GLP-1RAs”“semaglutide” “drug-induced liver injury”， relevant studies from PubMed， Embase， the Cochrane Library， CNKI， Wanfang Data and VIP were retrieved. Descriptive analysis was performed on cases of DILI induced by GLP-1RAs. RESULTS A total of 11 studies， comprising 11 patients， were included. Among them， 4 were male （36.4%） and 7 were female （63.6%）. Patient ages ranged from 17 to 64 years； 5 patients （45.5%） were between 50 and 65 years old. Six patients were treated for diabetes， and five for weight loss. Ten patients had underlying diseases. The shortest time to the onset of DILI was 5 days after medication， while the longest was approximately 180 days. The DILIs induced by GLP-1RAs were mainly hepatocellular injury type （6 cases）； severity levels included severe （3 cases）， moderate （6 cases）， and mild （2 cases）. Gastrointestinal symptoms and jaundice were the most common clinical manifestations. The association between DILI and GLP- 1RAs was assessed as “probable” in 10 cases and “possible” in 1 case. All 11 patients improved after drug discontinuation and （or） corresponding treatment. CONCLUSIONS DILI induced by GLP-1RAs is relatively concentrated in patients aged 50-65， with a higher incidence in females. The risk may be further increased in patients with underlying diseases. Clinical use of these agents should enhance pharmaceutical care， including identification of high-risk populations and patient education （especially symptom recognition）. When relevant symptoms appear， the drug should be discontinued immediately， with liver-protective therapy initiated when necessary， to ensure patient safety of drug use.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of phytoestrogen biochanin A （BCA） on liver fibrosis induced by CCl₄ in female mice with bilateral oophorectomy （ovariectomized） and its mechanism. MethodsA total of 50 ovariectomized Kunming mice were selected and given intraperitoneal injection of CCl₄ to establish a model of liver fibrosis， and then according to body weight， they were randomly divided into model group， positive control group， and low-， middle-， and high-dose BCA groups， with 10 mice in each group. In addition， 10 female mice in the same litter were given resection of a small amount of adipose tissue near both ovaries to establish the sham-operation group. The mice in the positive control group were given estradiol 2 mg/kg by gavage， and those in the low-， middle-， and high-dose BCA groups were given BCA by gavage at a dose of 25， 50， and 100 mg/kg， respectively， once a day for 7 consecutive weeks； the mice in the sham-operation group and the model group were given an equal volume of 0.5% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose solution by gavage. The mice were anesthetized and sacrificed after administration to collect samples. Liver index and uterus index were measured； HE staining and Masson staining were used to observe liver histopathological changes； the biochemical analysis was used to measure the activity of aspartate aminotransferase （AST） and alanine aminotransferase （ALT）； ELISA was used to measure the levels of interleukin-6 （IL-6） and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in liver tissue， and Western blot was used to measure the relative protein expression levels of collagen Ⅰ， transforming growth factor-beta 1 （TGF-β₁）， alpha-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA）， estrogen receptor beta （ERβ）， and p-NF-κBp65/NF-κBp65 in liver tissue. The t-test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups； a one-way analysis of various was used for comparison between multiple groups， and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. The Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups and further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the sham-operated group， the model group had a significant increase in liver index and a significant reduction in uterus index， as well as significant increases in the activities of serum AST and ALT， the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in liver tissue， and the protein expression levels of collagen Ⅰ， TGF-β₁， α-SMA， and p-NF-κBp65/NF-κBp65 in liver tissue （all P<0.05）， with no significant change in the expression of ERβ in liver tissue （P>0.05）， and the model group showed significant fibrosis lesions in the liver， such as hepatocyte edema， steatosis， and necrosis with inflammatory cell infiltration and hyperplasia， deposition， and staggered distribution of collagen fibers. Compared with the model group， the low-， middle-， and high-dose BCA groups had significant reductions in liver index， the activities of serum AST and ALT， the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α， and the protein expression levels of collagen Ⅰ， TGF-β₁， α-SMA， and p-NF-κBp65/NF-κBp65 in liver tissue （all P<0.05）， with no significant change in uterine index （P>0.05）， as well as a significant increase in the protein expression level of ERβ in liver tissue （P<0.05） and varying degrees of improvement in liver fibrosis lesions. ConclusionBCA can effectively improve CCL₄-induced liver fibrosis in ovariectomized female mice， possibly by upregulating ERβ to inhibit the NF-κB signaling pathway and then alleviating inflammatory response.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether electroacupuncture (EA) at sensitized acupoints could reduce sympathetic-sensory coupling (SSC) and neurogenic inflammatory response by interfering with 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)ergic neural pathways to relieve colitis and somatic referred pain, and explore the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Rats were treated with 5% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) solution for 7 days to establish a colitis model. Twelve rats were randomly divided into the control and model groups according to a random number table (n=6). According to the "Research on Rat Acupoint Atlas", sensitized acupoints and non-sensitized acupoints were determined. Rats were randomly divided into the control, model, Zusanli-EA (ST 36), Dachangshu-EA (BL 25), and Xinshu (BL 15) groups (n=6), as well as the control, model, EA, and EA + GR113808 (a 5-HT inhibitor) groups (n=6). The rats in the control group received no treatment. Acupuncture was administered on 2 days after modeling using the stimulation pavameters: 1 mA, 2 Hz, for 30 min, with sparse and dense waves, for 14 consecutive days. GR113808 was injected into the tail vein at 5 mg/kg before EA for 10 min for 7 consecutive days. Mechanical sensitivity was assessed with von Frey filaments. Body weight and disease activity index (DAI) scores of rats were determined. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed to observe colon histopathology. SSC was analyzed by immunofluorescence staining. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to detect 5-HT and substance P (SP) expressions. The calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in skin tissue and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) protein levels in DRG were detected by Western blot. The levels of hyaluronic acid (HA), bradykinin (BK), prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) in skin tissue, 5-HT, tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (TPH1), serotonin transporters (SERT), 5-HT 3 receptor (5-HT3R), and 5-HT 4 receptor (5-HT4R) in colon tissue were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: BL 25 and ST 36 acupoints were determined as sensitized acupoints, and BL 15 acupoint was used as a non-sensitized acupoint. EA at sensitized acupoints improved the DAI score, increased mechanical withdrawal thresholds, and alleviated colonic pathological damage of rats. EA at sensitized acupoints reduced SSC structures and decreased TH and CGRP expression levels (P<0.05). Furthermore, EA at sensitized acupoints reduced BK, PGI2, 5-HT, 5-HT3R and TPH1 levels, and increased HA, 5-HT4R and SERT levels in colitis rats (P<0.05). GR113808 treatment diminished the protective effect of EA at sensitized acupoints in colitis rats (P<0.05). CONCLUSION EA at sensitized acupoints alleviated DSS-induced somatic referred pain in colitis rats by interfering with 5-HTergic neural pathway, and reducing SSC inflammatory response.
Rats ; Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Serotonin ; Acupuncture Points ; Pain, Referred ; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide ; Signal Transduction ; Colitis/therapy* ; Indoles ; Sulfonamides

Objective To investigate the clinical effect of transhepatic arterial chemoembolization(TACE)combined with tyrosine kinase inhibitors(TKIs)and programmed death receptors-1(PD-1)inhibitors(TACE+TKIs+PD-1 antibody)in the treatment of moderate advanced unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods The clinical data of 65 patients with moderate advanced unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College from January 2020 to January 2022 were analyzed retrospectively.65 patients were treated with TACE+TKIs+PD-1 antibody.The observation indexes were tumor response,objective response rate(ORR),disease control rate(DCR),total survival time,progression free survival time,conversion operation rate and adverse drug reaction.Results The ORR of 65 p-atients with hepatocellular carcinoma was 49.2％(32/65),and the DCR was 89.2％(58/65).Among them,there were 2 patients with complete remission(CR),30 patients with partial remission(PR),26 patients with stable disease(SD),and 7 patients with progression disease(PD).Among 65 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma,18 patients were transformed into resectable hepatocell-ular carcinoma and underwent RO surgery.The conversion rate was 27.6％(18/65).65 patients were followed up for 3 to 22.4 months,The median follow-up time was 16.5 months.The median overall survival time and median disease progression free survival time of 65 patients were 14.5 months(95％CI:12.3～16.6 months)and 8.8 months(95％CI:6.9～10.6 months),respectively.After treatment,65 patients all had post embolism syndrome(abdominal pain,fever,nausea,vomiting and other symptoms),and some patients had transient abnormal liver function.Adverse drug reactions below grade 3 recovered within a few days.Some patients were associated with multiple adverse drug reactions.1 patient(1.5％)stopped using TACE because of stubborn vomiting,and 5 patients(7.6％)stopped using Lenvatinib because of severe liver function damage during treatment,2 patients(3％)stopped using Camrelizumab because of severe reactive capillary hyperplasia,one patient(1.5％)stopped using Tislelizumab because of severe hypothyroidism,one patient(1.5％)stopped the treatment of Lenvatinib and Sintilimab due to severe gastrointestinal bleeding.The adverse drug reactions of grade 3～4 occurred in other patients were alleviated after drug reduction,symptomatic treatment and hormone treatment.Conclusion TACE+TKIs+PD-1 antibody can obtain reliable clinical efficacy and anti-tumor activity in the treatment of moderate advanced unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND:Due to the treatment of cervical spondylosis,the Zero-P system of the anterior cervical interbody fusion system will have problems such as screw loosening and fracture after operation,so a novel Low-P system has been developed. OBJECTIVE:To compare the effects of the novel Low-P and Zero-P anterior cervical intervertebral fusion systems on the biomechanical properties of adjacent segments of the cervical spine and to perform stress analysis on the internal fixation system,so as to provide a theoretical reference for clinical treatment. METHODS:A complete model of the C1-C7 segment of the cervical spine was established.Based on the effectiveness of the model,a finite element model of Low-P(type Z Low-P and type H Low-P)and Zero-P system implanted in C4-C5 segments was established.The stress distribution of implanted devices and adjacent vertebral nucleus pulposus,fibrous rings and end plates was analyzed under the conditions of forward flexion,posterior extension,lateral bending and rotation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)After implantation of Low-P and Zero-P internal fixation devices,the range of motion of the type H Low-P system was large;the maximum stress value of type Z Low-P system was small;the maximum stress of Zero-P on the nucleus pulposus of adjacent segments was large;the maximum stress of end plate was small.(2)The influence of three internal fixation systems on adjacent segment fiber rings was close.(3)The screw stress of the Zero-P internal fixation system was much greater than that of the Low-P system.(4)It is indicated that compared with Zero-P type internal fixation system,the novel Low-P system reduces the stress value of steel plate and screw,which can reduce screw loosening and internal fixation system failure.The Low-P system has less stress on the nucleus pulposus of adjacent discs and reduces disc degeneration in adjacent segments.This paper provides a theoretical basis for the clinical study of a Low-P type internal fixation system.

Objective:To construct an objective and scientific core competence training system for intensive care unit (ICU) specialized nurses in Yunnan Province, and to provide references for formulating a homogeneous and standardized ICU specialized nurse training strategy and assessment.Methods:Based on the theoretical basis of the nurse-patient safety competency framework, the relevant literature of nursing job competence was consulted, the core competency training system of ICU specialized nurses in Yunnan Province was constructed, and the expert letter questionnaire was designed through theoretical analysis. From January to May 2020, 15 experts of critical care medicine from Yunnan Province were consulted by Delphi method to establish a core competency training system for ICU specialized nurses in Yunnan Province. SPSS 21.0 was used to input and analyze the data.Results:A total of 2 rounds of Delphi expert consultation were carried out. The final core competency indicators for ICU specialized nurses included effective communication, teamwork, safety risk management, nursing quality improvement and professionalism, including 5 first-level indicators, 14 second-level indicators and 59 third-level indicators. The effective recovery rates of the two rounds of Delphi expert consultation questionnaires were 100.00% (15/15) and 86.67% (13/15), the expert authority coefficient values were 0.863 and 0.881 respectively, the Kendall harmony coefficients of the first-level index, the second-level index and the third-level index were 0.381, 0.299 and 0.250, and χ2 value was 22.86, 58.22 and 217.30, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.001). The 5 first-level indicators were safety risk management (0.360), professionalism (0.280), teamwork (0.200), nursing quality improvement (0.120), and effective communication (0.040) in descending order. Conclusions:The established core competence training system for ICU specialized nurses in Yunnan Province based on patient safety is reliable and scientific, which can provide objective basis for the on-the-job training, evaluation and development of patient safety education courses for ICU specialized nurses in Yunnan Province.