ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy and underlying mechanisms of Gynostemma pentaphyllum alcohol extract in improving glucose and lipid metabolism disorders in db/db mice through transcriptomics and gut microbiota analysis. MethodsEighteen db/db mice were randomly assigned to the model（DM） group， metformin（MET） group， and G. pentaphyllum alcohol extract（GP） group， with six mice in each group， based on stratification of fasting blood glucose and body weight. An additional six db/m mice were selected as the normal control（NC） group. Mice in the NC and DM groups were administered deionized water （10 mL·kg^-1） daily. The MET group received metformin （0.195 g·kg^-1） by gavage. The GP group was treated with G. pentaphyllum alcohol extract （3.9 g·kg^-1） by gavage for six weeks. Fasting blood glucose was measured every two weeks. After six weeks of intervention， serum levels of total cholesterol （TC）， triglycerides （TG）， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）， aspartate aminotransferase （AST）， alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， creatinine （CREA）， and blood urea nitrogen （BUN） were assessed. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to measure insulin （FINS）， adiponectin （ADP）， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe liver histomorphology， periodic acid-Schiff （PAS） staining was employed to assess hepatic glycogen synthesis， and Oil Red O staining was used to detect hepatic lipid deposition. Liver transcriptomic data were used to identify differentially expressed genes in the liver and conduct enrichment analysis. Real-time PCR was employed to verify the expression levels of adiponectin gene （Adipoq）， peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α （PGC-1α）， AMP-activated protein kinase （AMPK）， peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α （PPARα）， glucokinase （GCK）， forkhead box （Fox）O1， FoxO3， phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase （PEPCK）， and glucose-6-phosphatase （G6PC）. Metagenomic sequencing was conducted to analyze changes in gut microbiota composition. ResultsCompared with the NC group， the DM group exhibited significantly elevated fasting blood glucose （P<0.01）， serum AST， ALT， TC， TG， LDL-C， and HDL-C （P<0.01）. FINS， homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance （HOMA-IR）， and the inflammatory cytokine TNF-α were significantly increased （P<0.01）， while ADP was significantly decreased （P<0.05）. Histological analysis confirmed severe hepatic steatosis and excessive lipid accumulation in the DM group， along with markedly reduced glycogen synthesis. Compared with the DM group， the GP group showed significantly decreased fasting blood glucose （P<0.01）， reduced serum TC， LDL-C， and HDL-C levels （P<0.05）， significantly decreased serum TG and AST levels （P<0.01）， significantly reduced FINS， HOMA-IR， and TNF-α levels （P<0.01）， and significantly increased ADP （P<0.01）. Hepatic steatosis and lipid deposition were significantly alleviated， while glycogen synthesis was markedly enhanced. Transcriptomic differential and enrichment analyses suggested that the mechanisms by which G. pentaphyllum alcohol extract improved hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism in db/db mice may involve regulation of the AMPK and FoxO signaling pathways. Real-time PCR results confirmed that expression of PGC-1α， PEPCK， G6PC， FoxO1， and FoxO3 was significantly downregulated following treatment with G. pentaphyllum alcohol extract （P<0.05， P<0.01）， whereas mRNA expression of Adipoq， PPARα， GCK， and AMPK was significantly upregulated （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Metagenomic analysis showed that the relative abundance of Lactobacillus， Alistipes， and Akkermansia species was higher in the GP group than in the DM group. ConclusionG. pentaphyllum alcohol extract may improve glucose and lipid metabolism disorders in db/db mice by regulating the hepatic AMPK/PPARα pathway to suppress lipid deposition and alleviate hepatic steatosis， by inhibiting gluconeogenesis through the AMPK/PGC-1α and FoxO pathways to lower fasting blood glucose， and by increasing the abundance of beneficial gut bacteria such as Lactobacillus， Alistipes， and Akkermansia to restore gut microbiota balance.

ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy and underlying mechanisms of Gynostemma pentaphyllum alcohol extract in improving glucose and lipid metabolism disorders in db/db mice through transcriptomics and gut microbiota analysis. MethodsEighteen db/db mice were randomly assigned to the model（DM） group， metformin（MET） group， and G. pentaphyllum alcohol extract（GP） group， with six mice in each group， based on stratification of fasting blood glucose and body weight. An additional six db/m mice were selected as the normal control（NC） group. Mice in the NC and DM groups were administered deionized water （10 mL·kg^-1） daily. The MET group received metformin （0.195 g·kg^-1） by gavage. The GP group was treated with G. pentaphyllum alcohol extract （3.9 g·kg^-1） by gavage for six weeks. Fasting blood glucose was measured every two weeks. After six weeks of intervention， serum levels of total cholesterol （TC）， triglycerides （TG）， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）， aspartate aminotransferase （AST）， alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， creatinine （CREA）， and blood urea nitrogen （BUN） were assessed. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to measure insulin （FINS）， adiponectin （ADP）， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe liver histomorphology， periodic acid-Schiff （PAS） staining was employed to assess hepatic glycogen synthesis， and Oil Red O staining was used to detect hepatic lipid deposition. Liver transcriptomic data were used to identify differentially expressed genes in the liver and conduct enrichment analysis. Real-time PCR was employed to verify the expression levels of adiponectin gene （Adipoq）， peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α （PGC-1α）， AMP-activated protein kinase （AMPK）， peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α （PPARα）， glucokinase （GCK）， forkhead box （Fox）O1， FoxO3， phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase （PEPCK）， and glucose-6-phosphatase （G6PC）. Metagenomic sequencing was conducted to analyze changes in gut microbiota composition. ResultsCompared with the NC group， the DM group exhibited significantly elevated fasting blood glucose （P<0.01）， serum AST， ALT， TC， TG， LDL-C， and HDL-C （P<0.01）. FINS， homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance （HOMA-IR）， and the inflammatory cytokine TNF-α were significantly increased （P<0.01）， while ADP was significantly decreased （P<0.05）. Histological analysis confirmed severe hepatic steatosis and excessive lipid accumulation in the DM group， along with markedly reduced glycogen synthesis. Compared with the DM group， the GP group showed significantly decreased fasting blood glucose （P<0.01）， reduced serum TC， LDL-C， and HDL-C levels （P<0.05）， significantly decreased serum TG and AST levels （P<0.01）， significantly reduced FINS， HOMA-IR， and TNF-α levels （P<0.01）， and significantly increased ADP （P<0.01）. Hepatic steatosis and lipid deposition were significantly alleviated， while glycogen synthesis was markedly enhanced. Transcriptomic differential and enrichment analyses suggested that the mechanisms by which G. pentaphyllum alcohol extract improved hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism in db/db mice may involve regulation of the AMPK and FoxO signaling pathways. Real-time PCR results confirmed that expression of PGC-1α， PEPCK， G6PC， FoxO1， and FoxO3 was significantly downregulated following treatment with G. pentaphyllum alcohol extract （P<0.05， P<0.01）， whereas mRNA expression of Adipoq， PPARα， GCK， and AMPK was significantly upregulated （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Metagenomic analysis showed that the relative abundance of Lactobacillus， Alistipes， and Akkermansia species was higher in the GP group than in the DM group. ConclusionG. pentaphyllum alcohol extract may improve glucose and lipid metabolism disorders in db/db mice by regulating the hepatic AMPK/PPARα pathway to suppress lipid deposition and alleviate hepatic steatosis， by inhibiting gluconeogenesis through the AMPK/PGC-1α and FoxO pathways to lower fasting blood glucose， and by increasing the abundance of beneficial gut bacteria such as Lactobacillus， Alistipes， and Akkermansia to restore gut microbiota balance.

Diabetic kidney disease （DKD） is a common microvascular complication of diabetics mellitus （DM） and the leading cause of end-stage renal disease （ESRD）. Renal interstitial fibrosis （RIF） is the primary pathological basis for DKD progression to ESRD， which significantly increases the mortality rate of DKD patients and burdens patients and society， and it is thus a clinical problem that needs to be solved urgently. The pathogenesis of RIF is complex and mainly associated with excessive deposition of extracellular matrix （ECM）， epithelial-mesenchymal transition （EMT）， oxidative stress， inflammation， and autophagy. Multiple signaling pathways such as transforming growth factor-β₁/Smad （TGF-β₁/Smad）， nuclear transcription factor-κB （NF-κB）， p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （p38 MAPK）， secretory glycoprotein/β-catenin （Wnt/β-catenin）， mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR）， Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription （JAK/STAT）， neurogenic site-gap homologous protein （Notch）， and nuclear factor E₂-associated factor 2 （Nrf2） mediate the development of RIF， which are currently novel targets for DKD therapy. Due to the complexity of its pathogenesis， the current Western medical treatment mainly focuses on essential treatment to improve metabolism， which has poor efficacy and is difficult to prevent the progression of DKD， so it is significant to find new treatment methods clinically. In recent years， many studies have proved that traditional Chinese medicine can alleviate oxidative stress， inhibit inflammatory response， and regulate cellular autophagy by modulating relevant signaling pathways， so as to treat RIF in DKD， which has the advantages of multi-pathway， multi-targeting， multi-linking， and significant therapeutic efficacy. However， there is still a lack of relevant summary. By reviewing the latest research reports in China and abroad， this article examines the roles of the signaling pathways mentioned above in the occurrence and development of RIF in DKD and the recent research progress in the intervention of RIF in DKD by traditional Chinese medicine via these pathways， aiming to provide new ideas and references for further scientific research and clinical practice.

The United States has established a perfect specialist training system for developmental and behavioral pediatrics (DBP), while the DBP specialist training system in China is still in the early stage of development and has been constantly improved. This article analyzes and compares the current status of DBP specialist training system between the United States and China from the aspects of training pattern, eligibility criteria, training plans and contents, assessment and evaluation, and certification. With reference to the training system in the United States, we can further improve the DBP specialist training system in China by perfecting the training system and related documents, constructing reasonable eligibility criteria, establishing a training pattern guided by post competency, improving the DBP assessment and evaluation system based on competency, and enhancing the certification of DBP physicians.

OBJECTIVE To provide standardized guidance for the clinical application and management of biosimilars， and promote their widespread and rational use in clinical treatment. METHODS The design， planning， and drafting process as well as the full report of Evidence-based Guideline for the Management of Clinical Application of Biosimilars in China （2024 Edition） followed the WHO Handbook for Guideline Development （2nd edition）， which fully considered the best current evidence from evidence-based medicine， multidisciplinary expert experience， and patient preferences and values. Grading of Recommendations Assessment， Development， and Evaluation （GRADE） approach was adopted to evaluate the quality of evidence and determine the strength of recommendations. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS Evidence-based Guideline for the Management of Clinical Application of Biosimilars in China （2024 Edition） presented 10 recommendations including 7 strong recommendations and 3 weak recommendations. The recommendations covered the entire process of clinical application and management of biosimilars. Medical institutions and relevant health regulatory departments can refer to this guideline for the scientific management of the extrapolation of unapproved indications of biosimilars. Healthcare providers can refer to this guideline for pre-treatment assessments， patient education， pre-treatment regimen before administration， and dosage regimen adjustments. Multidisciplinary medical teams can refer to this guideline to provide pharmacovigilance and patient management throughout the treatment process.

Objective: To provide the mechanism-based pharmacotherapy of the Huatan Qushi formula (HTQS formula), for the health management and treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods: A rat model of NAFLD was employed to examine the efficacy and safety of the HTQS formula. In vivo active components and potential mechanisms of the HTQS formula were identified using UPLC‒MS/MS combined with network pharmacology. The influence of the HTQS formula on the dominating proteins in PI3K/Akt pathway was validated in vivo using western blot. Finally, 16S rRNA sequencing of the gut microbiome was conducted followed by targeted metabolomics detecting fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and bile acids to determine the impact of the HTQS formula on gut microbiota. Results: The HTQS formula reduced weight gain and hepatic steatosis in NAFLD rats and decreased serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides, blood glucose, and insulin resistance (IR) without causing liver or kidney injury. We detected 28 components using UPLC‒MS/MS and identified 439 shared targets between NAFLD and the HTQS formula. Primarily, we focused on the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway based on protein‒protein interaction network analysis. We validated that the HTQS formula inhibited liver steatosis and inflammation by increasing the phosphorylation levels of PI3K, AKT, P27, GSK3β in the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that the HTQS formula reduced the abundance of the genus Family_XIII_AD3011_group, which was positively correlated with IR and taurodeoxycholic acid. In addition, Lachnospiraceae_UCG_010 inversely correlated with TC and five bile acids, which could be essential to the therapeutic effect of the HTQS formula against NAFLD. Conclusions The HTQS formula proved to be an effective pharmacotherapy for NAFLD without causing liver or kidney injury. Multiple potent components of the HTQS formula could alleviate liver steatosis and lipid metabolism disorder by modulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and restoring gut microbiota composition.

Objective:To investigate the effect of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) on weight loss in patients with different degrees of obesity.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on 152 patients with obesity who underwent LSG in Affiliated Huaian No.1 People′s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from March 2019 to May 2022, including 119 females (78.3%) and 33 males (21.7%), with a mean age of (30.9±7.9) years (ranging from 18 to 58 years). The body mass index (BMI) was 30.0-34.9 kg/m 2, 35.0-39.9 kg/m 2 and ≥40.0 kg/m 2 in Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ objesity groups respectively ( n=38, 57, 57). The body measurements, biochemical indexes, percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) and percentage of total weight loss (%TWL) were collected and analyzed before and after surgery at 1, 3, 6, 12 months. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 22.0 software. Results:LSG was successfully implemented in 152 patients. Body weight, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, liver function, blood glucose and lipid parameters all decreased at each time point of postoperative follow-up, while uric acid increased at 1 month and decreased at 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery and then gradually decreased. At 12 months after surgery, the body weight was (75.9±17.0) kg ( t=15.14, P<0.001), BMI (26.2±3.7) kg/m 2 ( t=14.44, P<0.001), waist circumference (89.0±10.7) cm ( t=9.20, P<0.001), hip circumference 100.6±7.6 cm ( t=12.67, P<0.001), alanine aminotransferase (18.2±16.6) μ/L ( t=2.83, P=0.018), aspartate aminotransferase (15.2±14.2) μ/L ( t=2.84, P=0.018), fasting plasma glucose (4.6±0.5) mmol/L ( t=2.01, P=0.026), triglyceride 1.1±0.5 mmol/L ( t=3.71, P=0.005) and uric acid 340.2±102.7 μmol/L ( t=4.46, P=0.001), all were lower than those before surgery with statistical significance. At 6 months after surgery, the %EWL in Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ obesity groups was (92.7±35.5) %, (86.1±16.0) % and (67.5±14.0) % respectively, with statistical significance among the 3 groups ( F=5.38, P=0.010). The %TWL was (20.5±7.4) %, (28.5±5.2) % and (28.9±6.1) % in the three groups respectively, and the overall difference was statistically significant ( F=3.50, P=0.043). At 1 year after surgery, there was no significant difference in %EWL and %TWL among the 3 groups. Conclusions:LSG was effective in treating simple obesity, with improvements of body weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, liver function, blood glucose and lipid and uric acid. In the first 6 months after surgery, %EWL in patients with class Ⅰ obesity was higher than that in patients with class Ⅲ obesity, achieving relatively better weight loss. However patients with class Ⅲ obesity also experienced significant weight loss until 1 year after surgery.

Objective To investigate the potential value of exosomes derived from rat ectoderm mesenchymal stem cells(EMSCs-exo)for repairing secondary spinal cord injury.Methods EMSCs-exo were obtained using ultracentrifugation from EMSCs isolated from rat nasal mucosa,identified by transmission electron microscope,nanoparticle tracking analysis(NTA),and Western blotting,and quantified using the BCA method.Neonatal rat microglia purified by differential attachment were induced with 100 μg/L lipopolysaccharide(LPS)and treated with 37.5 or 75 mg/L EMSCs-exo.PC12 cells were exposed to 400 μmol/L H2O2 and treated with EMSCs-exo at 37.5 or 75 mg/L.The protein and mRNA expressions of Arg1 and iNOS in the treated cells were determined with Western blotting and qRT-PCR,and the concentrations of IL-6,IL-10,and IGF-1 in the supernatants were measured with ELISA.The viability and apoptosis of PC12 cells were detected using CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry.Results The isolated rat EMSCs showed high expressions of nestin,CD44,CD105,and vimentin.The obtained EMSCs-exo had a typical cup-shaped structure under transmission electron microscope with an average particle size of 142 nm and positivity for CD63,CD81,and TSG101 but not vimentin.In LPS-treated microglia,EMSCs-exo treatment at 75 mg/L significantly increased Arg1 protein level and lowered iNOS protein expression(P<0.05).EMSCs-exo treatment at 75 mg/L,as compared with the lower concentration at 37.5 mg/L,more strongly increased Arg1 mRNA expression and IGF-1 and IL-10 production and decreased iNOS mRNA expression and IL-6 production in LPS-induced microglia,and more effectively promoted cell survival and decreased apoptosis rate of H2O2-induced PC12 cells(P<0.05).Conclusion EMSCs-exo at 75 mg/L can effectively reduce the proportion of M1 microglia and alleviate neuronal apoptosis under oxidative stress to promote neuronal survival,suggesting its potential in controlling secondary spinal cord injury.

Objective To investigate the potential value of exosomes derived from rat ectoderm mesenchymal stem cells(EMSCs-exo)for repairing secondary spinal cord injury.Methods EMSCs-exo were obtained using ultracentrifugation from EMSCs isolated from rat nasal mucosa,identified by transmission electron microscope,nanoparticle tracking analysis(NTA),and Western blotting,and quantified using the BCA method.Neonatal rat microglia purified by differential attachment were induced with 100 μg/L lipopolysaccharide(LPS)and treated with 37.5 or 75 mg/L EMSCs-exo.PC12 cells were exposed to 400 μmol/L H2O2 and treated with EMSCs-exo at 37.5 or 75 mg/L.The protein and mRNA expressions of Arg1 and iNOS in the treated cells were determined with Western blotting and qRT-PCR,and the concentrations of IL-6,IL-10,and IGF-1 in the supernatants were measured with ELISA.The viability and apoptosis of PC12 cells were detected using CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry.Results The isolated rat EMSCs showed high expressions of nestin,CD44,CD105,and vimentin.The obtained EMSCs-exo had a typical cup-shaped structure under transmission electron microscope with an average particle size of 142 nm and positivity for CD63,CD81,and TSG101 but not vimentin.In LPS-treated microglia,EMSCs-exo treatment at 75 mg/L significantly increased Arg1 protein level and lowered iNOS protein expression(P<0.05).EMSCs-exo treatment at 75 mg/L,as compared with the lower concentration at 37.5 mg/L,more strongly increased Arg1 mRNA expression and IGF-1 and IL-10 production and decreased iNOS mRNA expression and IL-6 production in LPS-induced microglia,and more effectively promoted cell survival and decreased apoptosis rate of H2O2-induced PC12 cells(P<0.05).Conclusion EMSCs-exo at 75 mg/L can effectively reduce the proportion of M1 microglia and alleviate neuronal apoptosis under oxidative stress to promote neuronal survival,suggesting its potential in controlling secondary spinal cord injury.

Objective To investigate the impact of ropivacaine on apoptosis of lippolysaccharide(LPS)-induced ulcerative colitis cell line NCM-460 and on activity of nucleotide oligomerization domain(NOD)-like receptor protein-3(NLRP3)inflammatome.Methods Human colon epithelial cell line NCM-460 was cultured in vitro and divided into control group(no intervention),model group(10 μg/mL LPS treatment),low/medium/high concentration ropivacaine group(10 μg/mL LPS and 0.5,1,1.5 mmol/L ropivacaine co-treatment,respectiv-oly).Cell viability was determined by cell counting kit 8(CCK-8)and the appropriate concentration was selected.The cells were then divided into control group,model group,ropivacaine group(10 μg/mL LPS and 1.5 mmol/L ropivacaine treatment)and ropivacaine+inhibitor group(10 μg/mL LPS,1.5 mmol/L ropiva-caine and 1 μmol/L NF-κB pathway inhibitor BAY 11-7082 treatment),inhibitor group(10 μg/mL LPS+1 μmol/L NF-κB pathway inhibitor BAY 11-7082 treatment)and ropivacaine+activator group(10 μg/mL LPS,1.5 mmol/L ropivacaine and 1 μmol/L NF-κB pathway activator Prostratin),all groups were treated for 24 h.The level of IL-6,IL-8 and TNF-α were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The proliferation rate was detected by EdU incorporation.Hoechst 33258 staining microscopy was used to detect the apoptosis rate.Level of cyclinD1,caspase-3,NLRP3 and NF-κB pathway-related proteins were detected by Western blot.Results Compared with the control group,the cell viability of the model group was significantly decreased and the cell viability of high-concentration experimental group was increased after adding ropivacaine(P＜0.05).So,1.5 mmol/L ropivacaine was selected for the follow-up experiment.Compared with the control group,the concentration of inflammatory cytokines IL-6,IL-8,TNF-α,apoptosis rate and the protein expression of caspase-3,NLRP3 and phosphorylated p-NF-κB in model group were all significantly increased(P＜0.05),while the proliferation rate and cycilnD1 protein expression were decreased(P＜0.05).Com-pared with model group,the concentrations of IL-6,IL-8,TNF-α,apoptosis rate and the expression of caspase-3,NLRP3 and p-NF-κB protein in ropivacaine group and inhibitor group were significantly decreased(P＜0.05),while the proliferation and cycilnD1 protein expression were increased(P＜0.05).Compared with ropivacaine group,the trend of the above indexes in ropivacaine+inhibitor group was more significant(P＜0.05),and the trend of these indexes in ropivacaine+agonist group was significantly reversed(P＜0.05).Conclusions Ropivacaine can inhibit the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and block the signal transduction of NF-κB pathway,further inhibit LPS-induced apoptosis of NCM-460 cells and promote proliferation.