ObjectiveTo investigate the potential mechanisms and pathways through which Gandouling （GDL） exerts its effects in the treatment of liver fibrosis in Wilson disease. MethodsSixty male SD rats were randomly divided into six groups： the normal group， the model group， the GDL low-， medium-， and high-dose groups （0.24， 0.48， 0.96 g·kg^-1）， and the penicillamine group （90 mg·kg^-1）， with 10 rats in each group. A copper-loaded Wilson disease rat model was established by gavage administration of 300 mg·kg^-1 copper sulfate pentahydrate to all groups except the normal group. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and Masson staining were used to observe the pathomorphological changes in the liver. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was employed to measure the levels of hyaluronic acid （HA）， laminin （LN）， procollagen type-Ⅲ peptide （PC-Ⅲ）， and collagen type-Ⅳ （C-Ⅳ）. Transmission electron microscopy was used to examine the ultrastructure of liver tissues. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the expression levels of liver tissues and serum exosomal long noncoding RNA H19 （LncRNA H19）， phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）， protein kinase B （Akt）， and mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR）. Western blot analysis was performed to assess the expression levels of PI3K， Akt， mTOR， and their phosphorylated forms， as well as autophagy-related proteins Beclin1 and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B （LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ） in liver tissues. Beclin1 and LC3-Ⅱ fluorescence signal intensity was observed by immunofluorescence. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group exhibited inflammatory cell infiltration in hepatocytes， unclear nuclear boundaries with cell cleavage and necrosis， and collagen fiber deposition around confluent areas. The levels of HA， LN， PC-Ⅲ， and C-Ⅳ were significantly elevated （P<0.01）. Transmission electron microscopy revealed an increased number of autophagic vesicles， with autophagic lysosomes exhibiting a single-layer membrane structure following degradation of most envelopes. Expression levels of Beclin1 and LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ were significantly increased （P<0.01）， and fluorescence signals of Beclin1 and LC3-Ⅱ were markedly enhanced. The protein expression levels of PI3K， Akt， mTOR， p-PI3K， p-Akt， and p-mTOR were reduced （P<0.01）， while LncRNA H19 expression was increased （P<0.01）， and mRNA expression levels of PI3K， Akt， and mTOR were decreased （P<0.01）. After treatment with GDL， the degree of liver fibrosis was significantly improved， with decreased levels of HA， LN， PC-Ⅲ， and C-Ⅳ. The number of autophagic vesicles was significantly reduced， and expression levels of Beclin1 and LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ proteins were lower （P<0.01）. The fluorescence signals of Beclin1 and LC3-Ⅱ weakened dose-dependently. The protein levels of PI3K， Akt， mTOR， p-PI3K， p-Akt， and p-mTOR were elevated （P<0.01）， while the expression level of LncRNA H19 was reduced （P<0.01）. Furthermore， the mRNA expression levels of PI3K， Akt， and mTOR increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionGDL may alleviate liver fibrosis and reduce liver injury by regulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR autophagy signaling pathway via LncRNA H19.

Objective The effect of the functionally unknown gene C6orf120 on autoimmune hepatitis was investigated on C6orf120 knockout rats(C6orf120-/-)and THP-1 cells. Method Six-eight-week-old C6orf120-/-and wild-type(WT)SD rats were injected with Con A(16 mg/kg),and euthanized after 24 h.The sera,livers,and spleens were collected.THP-1 cells and the recombinant protein(rC6ORF120)were used to explore the mechanism in vitro.The frequency of M1 and M2 macrophages was analyzed using flow cytometry.Western blotting and PCR were used to detect macrophage polarization-associated factors. Results C6orf120 knockout attenuated Con A-induced autoimmune hepatitis.Flow cytometry indicated that the proportion of CD68+CD86+M1 macrophages from the liver and spleen in the C6orf120-/-rats decreased.C6orf120 knockout induced downregulation of CD86 protein and the mRNA levels of related inflammatory factors TNF-α,IL-1β,and IL-6 in the liver.C6orf120 knockout did not affect the polarization of THP-1 cells.However,rC6ORF120 promoted the THP-1 cells toward CD68+CD80+M1 macrophages and inhibited the CD68+CD206+M2 phenotype. Conclusion C6orf120 knockout alleviates Con A-induced autoimmune hepatitis by inhibiting macrophage polarization toward M1 macrophages and reducing the expression of related inflammatory factors in C6orf120-/-rats.

Progesterone is currently the first-line drug for clinical treatment and prevention of threatened abortion and habitual abortion. However， due to its special chemical structure， its solubility is low， which limits its clinical application. Therefore， the new technology and new dosage form of progesterone solubilization preparation is an important direction of its research and development. In this paper， the research progress of progesterone solubilization preparation technology in recent years is reviewed. It is found that the water solubility of progesterone can be enhanced by solid dispersion technology， inclusion technology， micronization， nanocrystallization （ including nanosuspensions， polymer micelles， nanoparticles， etc. ）， liposome technology， self- emulsification， cocrystal technology， and 3D printing. Eight technologies are used to increase the solubility of progesterone， improve its bioavailability and reduce its toxic and side effects， to serve the clinic better.

ObjectiveTo investigate the possible mechanism of Buzhong Yulin Decoction （补中愈淋汤） in the prevention and treatment of recurrent urinary tract infection. MethodsThe mouse models of recurrent urinary tract infection were established by uropathogenic Escherichia coli （UPEC） strain UTI89 by bladder perfusion， and the successful mouse models were randomly divided into a model group， an antibiotic group， and a low- and high-dose Buzhong Yulin Decoction group， with six mice in each group. In addition， 5 C57BL/6 mice without modelling were taken as blank group. The low- and high-dose Buzhong Yulin Decoction groups received 0.1 ml/10 g of decoction by gavage， with concentrations of 1.3 g/ml and 5.2 g/ml， respectively； the antibiotic group received 0.1 ml/10 g of levofloxacin hydrochloride solution with 5 mg/ml by gavage； the blank and model groups received 0.1 ml/10 g of distilled water by gavage. Each group was gavaged once a day for 7 consecutive days. The total number of urine marks， the number of central urine marks， and the total urine volume of the urine marks were observed by the urine marking test； HE staining was used to observe the histopathological changes in the bladder of mice； serum levels of the inflammatory factors interleukin 1β （IL-1β）， interleukin 6 （IL-6） and tumour necrosis factor α （TNF-α） were detected by ELISA； the morphology of the epithelial cells of bladder was observed by scanning electron microscopy； immunofluorescence assay to detect bladder tissue anti-UroPlakin 3A protein level and UPEC bacterial load； the spread plate method to detect urinary bacterial load and bacterial load of bladder epithelial cells； RT-PCR method to detect Ras-related protein Rab-11A （RAB11A） and Ras-related protein Rab-27B （RAB27B） mRNA level in bladder tissue； immunoblotting to detect microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain3 （LC3） and P62 protein levels in bladder tissue. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the bladder epithelial cell layers were lost and showed abnormal morphology in mice of the model group； bladder tissue UroPlakin 3A protein and RAB11A and RAB27B mRNA levels reduced， the total number of urine marks， the number of central urine marks， bladder tissue UPEC bacterial load， urinary bacterial load， bacterial load in bladder epithelial cells， serum IL-1β， IL-6， and TNF-α levels， and LC3 and P62 protein levels in bladder tissue all elevated （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared with the model group， the bladder epithelial cell layers were intact and the morphology of epithelial cells were regular in the low- and high-dose Buzhong Yulin Decoction groups； the average surface area of bladder epithelial cells reduced， the levels of UroPlakin 3A protein and RAB11A and RAB27B mRNA in bladder tissues elevated， and total number of urine marks， the number of central urine marks， bladder tissue UPEC bacterial load， urinary bacterial load， bacterial load in bladder epithelial cells， serum IL-1β， IL-6， and TNF-α levels， and P62 protein levels in bladder tissue all reduced （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）， but LC3 protein levels showed no statistically significant （P＞0.05）. In the antibiotic group， the bladder epithelial cells were partially missing and the morphology of epithelial cells was abnormal. Compared with the antibiotic group， the average surface area of the bladder epithelial cells in the mice increased in the low- and high-dose Buzhong Yulin Decoction groups， the bacterial load of the bladder epithelial cells decreased， and the P62 protein level of the bladder tissue decreased （P＜0.05）. When comparing between the low- and high-dose Buzhong Yulin Decoction groups， the differences in each index were not statistically significant （P＞0.05）. ConclusionBuzhong Yulin Decoction may prevent and treat recurrent urinary tract infection by repairing the bladder mucosal barrier， increasing RAB11A and RAB27B level and enhancing autophagy in bladder tissues， thereby facilitating bacterial clearance from bladder epithelial cells and reducing the bacterial load of bladder epithelial cells.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the expression level of miRNA Let-7 and the deletion of DNA mismatch repair(dMMR)proteins in endometrial carcinoma(EC).Methods A total of 74 patients with EC who underwent radical surgery at Lianyungang Maternal and Child Health Hospital in Jiangsu Province from May 2016 to December 2022 were selected.Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of dMMR proteins(including MLH1,PMS2,MSH2,and MSH6),while real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)was performed to measure the relative expression levelof miRNA Let-7.According to the expression of dMMR proteins,EC patients were divided into the complete expression group(n=43)and the absent expression group(n=31).Logistic multivariate regression analysis was conducted to identify risk factors associated with dMMR protein deficiency,and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was plotted to evaluate the predictive value of relevant factors.Results In 74 cases of EC,the expression level of miRNA Let-7 was higher in the myographic infiltration＜1/2 group than in the myographic infiltration ≥ 1/2 group,and the difference was significant(t=1.79,P=0.04).The deletion rate of dMMR protein expression was 41.89％,the deletion rate in patients aged＜55 years and miRNA Let-7 low expression group(＜0.715)were higher than those in ≥ 55 years and miRNA Let-7 high expression group(≥ 0.715),with significant differences(x2=3.92,4.50,all P＜0.05).Logistic regression analysis revealed that miRNA Let-7 expression level was an independent risk factor for dMMR expression deletion(P=0.012).Spearman correlation analysis demonstrated a negative correlation between miRNA Let-7 expression level and dMMR protein deletion(r=-0.247,P=0.034).ROC curve analysis indicated that the expression level of miRNA Let-7 had a certain predictive value for dMMR protein deletion in EC patients,with an AUC of 0.737,an optimal critical value of 0.77,a sensitivity and a specificity of 0.651 and 0.806,respectively.Conclusion The expression level of miRNA Let-7 was correlated with the deletion of dMMR proteins in patients diagnosed with EC.Moreover,it served as a potential risk factor for dMMR protein deficiency.It may offer valuable insights into predicting dMMR expression deletion.

Objective A rat model of pulmonary fibrosis was constructed using a single or two intratracheal drops of bleomycin(BLM)and the modeling rate and stability of the two modeling modalities were compared.Methods A total of 150 specific pathogen-free SD rats were divided randomly into blank control(control),single intratracheal drop of bleomycin(BLM-S),and two intratracheal drops of bleomycin(BLM-M)groups.Rats in the BLM-S group received a single dose of 3 mg/kg BLM by noninvasive intratracheal instillation,and rats in BLM-M group received 3 mg/kg BLM on day 1 and BLM 2 mg/kg on day 14.Rats in the control group were given intratracheal instillation of 0.9％sodium chloride(1 mL/kg).The rats were euthanized on days 28,42,56,and 84 after modelling,respectively.Deep inspiratory capacity(IC),vital capacity(VC),static lung compliance(Cchord),and dynamic lung complication(Cdyn)were measured in all rats.Pathological changes in lung tissue were observed,and the extent of alveolitis and fibrosis was graded.Collagen-Ⅲ(COL-Ⅲ)expression in rat lung tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry.Results(1)The survival rates in the control,BLM-S,and BLM-M groups were 100％,80％,and 66％,respectively.Rats in the BLM-S and BLM-M groups had significantly lower body weights on days 14～42 compared with the control group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),and rats in the BLM-M group had significantly lower body weight on days 28～42 than rats in the control and BLM-S groups(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).(2)Regarding lung function,IC,VC,Cchord,and Cdyn were all markedly decreased in the BLM-S group compared with the control group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01)and IC,VC,and Cchord were significantly decreased in the BLM-M group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01)on day 28.IC,VC,and Cchord were significantly decreased in rats in the BLM-S group on day 42(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),and were also significantly decreased in rats in the BLM-M group on days 42～84(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).(3)In terms of lung pathology,inflammatory infiltration and fibrous cords appeared in the BLM-S group from days 28～84 and then gradually decreased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),while fibrosis and alveolitis were relatively stable in the BLM-M group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).(4)COL-Ⅲ expression levels in lung tissue were significantly higher in rats in the BLM-S and BLM-M groups compared with the control group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),and the COL-Ⅲ content in the BLM-S group was significantly lower at 42～84 days than at 28 days(P＜0.05).Conclusions Both method are capable of effectively creating pulmonary fibrosis models.The single-dose approach is straightforward,has a lower death rate,and the degree of fibrosis is clearly visible by day 28,but progressively recovers after 42 days.In contrast,the two-dose instillation model has a greater success rate and better stability,with over half the rats still exhibiting visible fibrosis on day 84.

Objective To compare the success rate and stability of rat pulmonary fibrosis(PF)models induced by intratracheal instillation of different doses of bleomycin(BLM).Methods One hundred and fifty Sprague Dawley rats were divided randomly into control,low-dose BLM 3 mg/kg(BL-L),and high-dose BLM 5 mg/kg(BL-H)groups.General status,mortality,and weight changes were observed,and the lung inspiratory capacity(IC),vital capacity(VC),chord compliance(Cchord),and dynamic compliance(Cdyn)were detected on days 28,42,56,and 84.Lung coefficients were recorded and pathological changes in lung tissue were observed by hematoxylin and eosin and Masson staining.The lung hydroxyproline(HYP)content was detected and collagen type Ⅲ(COL Ⅲ)was detected by immunohistochemistry.Results The mortality rates in the BL-L and BL-H groups were 20％and 28％,respectively.Body weight was significantly lower in the BL-L group compared with the control group on days 0～56,and weight recovery after day 56.Body weight was significantly lower in the BL-H group compared with the control and BL-L groups from days 0～56(P＜0.01).Regarding lung function,IC,VC,Cchord,and Cdyn were significantly lower in the BL-L group compared with the control group on day 28(P＜0.01,P＜0.05),and IC and Cdyn were significantly lower in the BL-H group(P＜0.01).IC,VC,and Cchord were significantly decreased in the BL-L group on day 42(P＜0.01,P＜0.05),while IC,VC,Cchord,and Cdyn were significantly decreased in the BL-H group(P＜0.01,P＜0.05),and IC,VC,and Cchord were significantly lower compared with in the BL-L group(P＜0.01).Cchord was significantly lower in the BL-H group compared with the control and BL-L groups on day 56(P＜0.01).The lung coefficients on day 28 were significantly higher in the BL-L and BL-H groups compared with the control group(P＜0.01),and were significantly higher in the BL-H group from days 42～56 compared with the BL-L and control groups(P＜0.01).Regarding lung histopathology and immunohistochemistry,inflammatory infiltration,fibrotic streaks,and COL Ⅲ expression were observed in the BL-L group from days 28～56,and almost complete disappearance of the fibrotic lesions on day 84.In contrast,fibrotic lesions could be observed from days 28～84 in the BL-H group,with significantly elevated COL Ⅲ expression compared with the control group(P＜0.01).The HYP content was significantly higher in the BL-L group compared with the control group from days 28～42(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),and then gradually decreased,and the HYP content was significantly higher in the BL-H group than in the control group from days 28～84(P＜0.01).Conclusions Both 3 and 5 mg/kg BLM can successfully induce PF rat models.Rats treated with 3 mg/kg BLM developed fibrosis on day 28,which lasted until day 42 and then gradually recovered.Rats treated with 5 mg/kg BLM developed fibrosis on day 28,and the degree of fibrosis was more severe with the higher compared with the lower dose,with stable fibrotic lesions up to day 56 and moderate-to-severe fibrosis still present in half of the rats until day 84.

Microbiota ; Forecasting

Chemical constituents from the air dried parts of Cichorium glandulosum were studied. The chemical constituents of C. glandulosum were separated and purified by means of silica gel, Sephadex-LH 20, ODS column chromatography and semi-preparative high performance liquid chromatography. The structure was elucidated by physicochemical characteristics and spectral data. One new flavonoid glycoside was isolated from C. glandulosum, and identified as quercetin-3-O-［6″-O-(3-ethoxy-1, 3-dioxopropyl)］-β-D-glucopyranoside(1).

Objective To investigate the clinical application value of longitudinal peak strain( LPS ) and peak strain dispersion ( PSD ) in evaluating left ventricular systolic function and synchrony in patients with essential hypertension . Methods Fifty‐five patients with essential hypertension were enrolled , including 30 patients with non‐left ventricular hypertrophy ( NLV H ) , 25 patients with left ventricular hypertrophy ( LV H ) , at the same time , 30 healthy volunteers were selected as the control group . Echocardiography was performed in all three groups ,and two‐dimensional dynamic images of the left ventricular apical four‐chamber ,three‐chamber ,and two‐chamber′s long‐axis view s were collected for three consecutive cardiac cycles . T he myocardial layer‐specific strain was used to measure the LPS of the left ventricular myocardium of subendocardium ,the middle layer ,the subepicardium ,and the myocardial strain and the PSD of the w hole myocardial layers . Correlation analysis and ROC curve analysis were performed . Results T he LPS in the control group ,NLV H group and LV H group were decreased in turn from inner to out myocardial layers . Compared with the control group , the LPS in the subendocardial , middle , subepicardial ,and w hole myocardial layer of NLV H group were decreased ( P ＜ 0 .05 ) , and the subepicardial myocardial LPS was slightly lower than that in the control group ,the difference was not statistically significant ( P ＞ 0 .05 ) . T he LPS in the subendocardial , middle , subepicardial ,and whole myocardial layer of LV H group were all reduced ( P＜0 .05) . Between the NLV H group and LV H group , the declines of the LPS in the subendocardial and middle layer in the LV H group were statistically significant ( P ＜0 .05) ,the LPS in the subepicardial layer and the w hole myocardial layer had no significant difference ( P ＞0 .05) . Compared with the control group ,the PSD of the NLVH group and the LVH group increased ( P ＜ 0 .05 ) . Compared with the NLV H group ,the PSD of the LV H group increased ( P ＜0 .05) . Inter‐ventricular septum thickness ( IVSd) and the LPS in the subendocardial ,middle ,subepicardial , and w hole myocardial layer were negatively correlated ( r ＝ －0 .537 ,－0 .518 ,－0 .266 ,－0 .471 ; all P ＜0 .05) , left ventricle posterior wall thickness ( LVPWd ) and the LPS in the subendocardial , middle , subepicardial ,and whole myocardial layer were negatively correlated ( r ＝ －0 .539 , －0 .524 , －0 .283 ,－0 .478 ;all P ＜0 .05) . T he area under the ROC curve ( AUC) of the LPS in the subendocardial ,middle , subepicardial ,and w hole myocardial layer and PSD for the diagnosis of hypertension were 0 .685 ,0 .652 , 0 .510 ,0 .623 ,0 .995 ,respectively . T he cut‐off values were －21 .70% ,－18 .90% ,－16 .95% ,－19 .45% , 46 .50 ms , and the sensitivities were 94 .4% , 83 .3% , 77 .8% , 94 .4% , 100% , respectively , and the specificities were 47 .8% ,52 .2% ,39 .1% ,39 .1% ,95 .7% ,respectively . Conclusions T he layer‐specific strain can quantitatively evaluate myocardial longitudinal strain in patients with essential hypertension , provide a non‐invasive test for early diagnosis of hypertensive heart disease ,and the evaluation of left ventricular myocardial stratification . PSD for evaluating primary synchronous changes in left ventricular myocardial contraction in patients with hypertension has certain advantages .