To investigate the mechanism of Jianpi Qutan Formula in regulating the balance between classically activated macrophages(M1) and alternatively activated macrophages(M2) in atherosclerotic plaques through phosphorylation and activation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 6(STAT6), thereby reducing inflammation, increasing plaque stability, and exerting anti-atherosclerosis(AS) effects. An AS model was established by feeding apolipoprotein E(ApoE)~(-/-) mice with atherosclerotic chow for 8 weeks. The ApoE~(-/-) mice were randomly divided into a model group(Mod group), a Jianpi Qutan Formula group(JPQT group, 8.97 g·kg~(-1)), and a Atorvastatin Calcium Tablets group(ATO group, 1.3 mg·kg~(-1)) according to a random table method, with 10 mice in each group. Additionally, 10 male C57BL/6J mice of the same age, fed with a normal diet, were set as the control group(Con group). The JPQT and ATO groups received their respective treatments via oral gavage for 8 consecutive weeks, while the Con and Mod groups were administered an equivalent volume of saline. Body weight was continuously monitored, and after blood collection, total cholesterol(TC) and triglyceride(TG) levels in the serum of each group were compared. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and oil red O staining were used to observe plaque formation in aortic tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was employed to detect the expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin(IL)-6 and IL-12, as well as the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the positive expression of aortic cluster of differentiation(CD)86 and CD206. Western blot analysis was conducted to detect the protein expression levels of aortic inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS), arginase 1(Arg1), STAT6, and p-STAT6. Compared to the Con group, the Mod group exhibited increased body weight and blood lipid levels, disordered aortic structure, significant AS plaque formation accompanied by extensive lipid deposition, and elevated serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-12, as well as elevated CD86 and iNOS protein levels. In contrast, the serum levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, along with the protein expression levels of CD206, Arg1, and p-STAT6/STAT6, were reduced. Compared to the Mod group, the drug intervention groups showed improvements in body weight and lipid metabolism, with a more significant improvement in aortic structure, reduced lipid accumulation, decreased serum levels of IL-6 and IL-12, and lower CD86 and iNOS protein levels. Meanwhile, levels of IL-10, CD206, Arg1, and p-STAT6/STAT6 increased. Jianpi Qutan Formula improves AS by regulating the imbalance in M1/M2 macrophage polarization, and its mechanism is likely closely related to the activation of the STAT6 signaling pathway.
Animals ; Atherosclerosis/metabolism* ; Male ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Mice ; Macrophages/cytology* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; STAT6 Transcription Factor/immunology* ; Humans ; Apolipoproteins E/genetics* ; Interleukin-6/immunology*

OBJECTIVE: Cigarette smoking exacerbates the progression of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). The role of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) in chronic lung diseases has gained attention; however, it remains unclear whether smoking-exacerbated lung damage in TB is associated with TLS. This study aimed to analyze the characteristics of pulmonary TLS in smokers with TB and to explore the possible role of TLS in smoking-related lung injury in TB. METHODS: Lung tissues from 36 male patients (18 smokers and 18 non-smokers) who underwent surgical resection for pulmonary TB were included in this study. Pathological and immunohistological analyses were conducted to evaluate the quantity of TLS, and chest computed tomography (CT) was used to assess the severity of lung lesions. The correlation between the TLS quantity and TB lesion severity scores was analyzed. The immune cells and chemokines involved in TLS formation were also evaluated and compared between smokers and non-smokers. RESULTS: Smoker patients with TB had significantly higher TLS than non-smokers ( P < 0.001). The TLS quantity in both the lung parenchyma and peribronchial regions correlated with TB lesion severity on chest CT (parenchyma: r = 0.5767; peribronchial: r = 0.7373; both P < 0.001). Immunohistochemical analysis showed increased B cells, T cells, and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 13 (CXCL13) expression in smoker patients with TB ( P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Smoker TB patients exhibited increased pulmonary TLS, which was associated with exacerbated lung lesions on chest CT, suggesting that cigarette smoking may exacerbate lung damage by promoting TLS formation.
Humans ; Male ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary/immunology* ; Middle Aged ; Tertiary Lymphoid Structures/pathology* ; Adult ; Lung/pathology* ; Smoking/adverse effects* ; Smokers ; Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

The n-butanol fraction of Alpinia oxyphylla Fructus 70% ethanol extract was separated and purified using column chromatography with MCI Gel CHP-20, Sephadex LH-20, ODS, and silica gel, combined with semi preparative liquid phase and TLC separation methods. One new halogenated 4,5-seco-eudesmane sesquiterpenoid and two new eremophilane sesquiterpenoids were isolated and purified from the n-butanol fraction of Alpinia oxyphylla Fructus. The structures of the isolated compounds were identified using modern spectroscopic methods (1D, 2D NMR, UV, IR, MS, etc.), and the absolute configuration of the new compounds were determined using the methods of calculated ECD and induced ECD.

Juvenile zebrafish were used to screen the active components of Lycii Fructus for improving osteoporosis. The screening results were further verified by zebrafish adult osteoporosis model and the action mechanism was explored. Prednisolone was used as the inducer to build osteoporosis models of juvenile and adult zebrafish, and 9 groups of samples of different extracts and chemical parts of Lycii Fructus were given. Alizarin red staining was applied for observing the scale matrix mineralization and bone resorption. The activities of osteoblasts and osteoclasts were detected using alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP/TRACP) staining. The expressions of bone metabolism-related genes alp, osteoprotectin (opn), osteoblast specific transcription factor (sp7), cathepsin K (ctsk), tracp, and Runt family transcription factor 2b (runx2b) in each group were determined using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The results showed that all components of Lycii Fructus improved the formation area of the first vertebrae, the staining light density value, and the number of vertebrae joints in juvenile zebrafish and the Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) treatment group exerted the best effect. In addition, LBP prevented the formation of bone resorption lacunae in zebrafish scales, increased ALP activity, decreased TRAP activity, up-regulated the alp, sp7, and opn genes, and lowered the expressions of ctsk and tracp genes. In conclusion, LBP regulated the activity of osteoblasts and osteoclasts, reduced bone resorption, promoted bone formation and enhanced bone density, which might be the main anti-osteoporosis active fraction of Lycii Fructus. This study provided modern scientific evidence for the scientific connotation of the traditional effect of "strengthening bones and muscles" of Lycii Fructus, provided the reference for the evaluation of the anti-osteoporosis activity of traditional Chinese medicine based on zebrafish adult model, and provided beneficial enlightenment for the bone health needs of the aging society population.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficiency and effect of establishing rat peri-implantitis model by traditional cotton thread ligation and local injection of Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (LPS) around the implant, as well as the combination of the two methods. METHODS: Left side maxillary first molars of 39 male SD rats were extracted, and titanium implants were implanted after four weeks of healing. After 4 weeks of implant osseointegration, 39 rats were randomly divided into 4 groups. Cotton thread ligation (n=12), local injection of LPS around the implant (n=12), and the two methods combined (n=12) were used to induce peri-implantitis, the rest 3 rats were untreated as control group. All procedures were conducted under 5% isoflurane inhalation anesthesia. The rats were sacrificed 2 weeks and 4 weeks after induction through carbon dioxide asphyxiation method. The maxilla of the rats in the test groups were collected and marginal bone loss was observed by micro-CT. The gingival tissues around the implants were collected for further real time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis, specifically the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) as well as interleukin-1β (IL-1β). The probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP) and gingival index (GI) of each rat in the experimental group were recorded before induction of inflammation and before death. RESULTS: After 4 weeks of implantation, the osseointegration of implants were confirmed. All the three test groups showed red and swollen gums, obvious marginal bone loss around implants. After 2 weeks and 4 weeks of inflammation induction, PD, GI and BOP of the three test groups increased compared with those before induction, but only BOP was statistically significant among the three test groups (P < 0.05). At the end of 2 weeks of inflammation induction, marginal bone loss was observed at each site in the cotton thread ligation group and the combined group. At each site, the bone resorption in the combined group was greater than that in the cotton thread ligation group, but the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05), bone resorption was observed at some sites of some implants in LPS local injection group. At the end of 4 weeks of inflammation induction, marginal bone loss was observed at all sites in each group. The marginal bone loss in the cotton thread ligation group and the combined group was greater than that in the LPS local injection group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). At the end of 2 weeks and 4 weeks of induction, the expression of TNF-α and IL-1β in the test groups were higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Compared with local injection of LPS around the implant, cotton thread ligature and the two methods combined can induce peri-implantitis in rats better and faster.
Animals ; Male ; Rats ; Alveolar Bone Loss/etiology* ; Dental Implants/adverse effects* ; Inflammation ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Peri-Implantitis/pathology* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect and mechanism of Qili Huanshao Formula(QLHSF)in ameliorating sex hormone disturbance and oxidative damage in testicular tissues of D-galactose-induced subacute aging mice.METHODS 105 male mice were randomly divided into the normal group,model group,low,medium and high doses of QLHSF group,vitamin E(VE)group and Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan(JGSQW)group.The subacute senescence model was established by continuous intraperitoneal injection of D-galac-tose(D-gal)and treated by intragastric administration,as well.The testicular histopathological damage was detected by HE staining.The levels of relevant sex hormones in serum were detected by ELISA.The expression of oxidative stress factors was detected by related kits.The apoptotic cells in testicular tissue were detected by TUNEL assay,and the expressions of oxidative stress and apop-totic related proteins in the testicular tissues of mice were detected by Western blot.RESULTS Compared to the aging model mice,all dose groups of QLHSF could obviously improve testicular tissue pathological damage.The levels of T,E2 and GnRH levels were in-creased,while LH and FSH were decreased in serum(P<0.01).Meanwhile,the SOD activity(P<0.01)and the levels of GSH(P<0.01)were increased,while MDA levels(P<0.01)were decreased in serum and testicular tissues.The medium dose group of QLHSF significantly inhibited testicular cell apoptosis(P<0.01),increased the expression of Nrf2,HO-1 protein and Bcl-2/Bax ratio(P<0.05),and down-regulated the expressions of Cleaved-Caspase-3/Caspase-3,Cleaved-Caspase-9/Caspase-9 apoptotic protein in the testis of mice(P<0.05).CONCLUSION QLHSF can effectively improve sex hormone disturbance and protect testicular tissue in aging mice,and the mechanism of action might be related to the inhibition of oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in testicular tissues.The study will provide reference and lay the foundation for the clinical application and functional anti-aging product develop-ment of Lycium barbarum and its formulations.

There is still a serious challenge of the measurement of critical quality attributes (CQAs) related to clinical efficacy for Chinese materia medica manufacturing. To overcome this challenge, an integrated strategy of biosensor and ultra-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was proposed using Tongren niuhuang qingxin pills as a trial. Firstly, an original biosensor was created using a semiconductor chip material high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) as the transducer and the macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) as the identification element. By this MIF-HEMT biosensor, the efficacy on stoke of different components from Tongren niuhuang qingxin pills was measured. It was clear that all three components of Tongren niuhuang qingxin pills had strong therapeutic effects on stroke, especially the section A, the K_D of which reached to 8.722×10^-10 g·mL^-1. Furthermore, MIF-HEMT biosensor integrated UPLC-MS/MS was introduced to identify the efficacy CQAs of different components of Tongren niuhuang qingxin pills. As a result, 19 potential CQAs, such as albiforin, paeoniflorin, and prim-O-glucosylcimifugin, were measured as the efficacy CQAs of Tongren niuhuang qingxin pills on stroke treatment by MIF. These results provided vital measurement techniques and methodological guidance for the CQAs study of Tongren niuhuang qingxin pills intervention in MIF-induced stroke treatment. This also provided an essential guideline for the efficient utilization and quality control measurement of high-quality classical recipes.

Aiming at the hysteresis and destructiveness of off-line static detection of critical quality attribute of the moisture content of the raw material unit of the traditional Chinese medicine manufacturing process, honey-processed Tussilago farfara, honey-processed Astragalus and honey-processed Glycyrrhiza uralensis were used as the research carriers, and the drying method was used to measure the moisture content as a reference value. The moving stage was used to simulate the movement process of samples on the conveyor belt in the actual on-site production process, and near-infrared (NIR) spectra were collected, combined with machine learning, to establish NIR on-site dynamic detection model of moisture content in multi-variety honey-processed Chinese herbal slice. The results show that the second derivative method is used to preprocess the spectrum. The number of decision trees (ntree), the number of random features (max feature), and the minimum number of samples for generating leaf nodes (node size) are selected: 46, 76, and 8, respectively. The quantitative analysis model of moisture content has the best effect. The prediction coefficient of determination (the prediction coefficient of determination, R²_pre) and the root mean square error of prediction (root mean square error of prediction, RMSEP) of the model were 0.903 2 and 0.330 2, respectively. The NIR quantitative model for the moisture content of multi-variety honey-processed Chinese herbal slice established in this study has good predictive performance, and can achieve rapid, accurate and non-destructive quantitative analysis of the moisture content of honey-processed Tussilago farfara, honey-processed Astragalus and honey-processed Glycyrrhiza uralensis at the same time, and provides a method for determining the moisture content of honey-processed Chinese herbal slice of the raw material unit of the traditional Chinese medicine manufacturing process.

Chinese Society of Hepatology and Chinese Society of Infectious Diseases, Chinese Medical Association update the guidelines for the prevention and treatment of chronic hepatitis B (version 2022) in 2022. The latest guidelines recommend more extensive screening and more active antiviral treating for hepatitis B virus infection. This article interprets the essential updates in the guidelines to help deepen understanding and better guide the clinical practice.
Humans ; Hepatitis B, Chronic/drug therapy* ; Hepatitis B/drug therapy* ; Hepatitis B virus ; Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use* ; Gastroenterology

Child ; Humans ; Adolescent ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Intellectual Disability ; Exercise