[Bupleuri Radix-Paeoniae Radix Alba medicated plasma exerts effects on HepG2 hepatoma cells by regulating miR-1297/PTEN signaling axis].

The present study aimed to investigate the effect and mechanism of Bupleuri Radix-Paeoniae Radix Alba medicated plasma on HepG2 hepatoma cells by regulating the microRNA-1297(miR-1297)/phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10(PTEN) signaling axis. Real-time quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR) was carried out to determine the mRNA levels of miR-1297 and PTEN in different hepatoma cell lines. The dual luciferase reporter assay was employed to verify the targeted interaction between miR-1297 and PTEN. The cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) was used to detect cell proliferation, and the optimal concentration and intervention time of the medicated plasma were determined. The cell invasion and migration were examined by Transwell assay and wound healing assay. Cell cycle distribution was detected by PI staining, and the apoptosis of cells was detected by Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining. The mRNA levels of miR-1297, PTEN, protein kinase B(Akt), and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K) were determined by RT-qPCR. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of PTEN, Akt, p-Akt, caspase-3, caspase-9, B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2), and Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax). The results showed that HepG2 cells were the best cell line for subsequent experiments. The dual luciferase reporter assay confirmed that miR-1297 could bind to the 3'-untranslated region(3'UTR) in the mRNA of PTEN. The medicated plasma inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells, and the optimal intervention concentration and time were 20% and 72 h. Compared with the blank plasma, the Bupleuri Radix-Paeoniae Radix Alba medicated plasma, miR-1297 inhibitor, miR-1297 inhibitor + medicated plasma all inhibited the proliferation, invasion, and migration of HepG2 cells, increased the proportion of cells in the G_0/G_1 phase, decreased the proportion of cells in the S phase, and increased the apoptosis rate. The medicated plasma down-regulated the mRNA levels of miR-1297, PI3K, and Akt and up-regulated the mRNA level of PTEN. In addition, it up-regulated the protein levels of PTEN, Bax, caspase-3, and caspsae-9 and down-regulated the protein levels of p-Akt, p-PI3K, and Bcl-2. In conclusion, Bupleuri Radix-Paeoniae Radix Alba medicated plasma can inhibit the expression of miR-1297 in HepG2 hepatoma cells, promote the expression of PTEN, and negatively regulate PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, thereby inhibiting the proliferation and inducing the apoptosis of HepG2 cells.

Recent advances in functionalized ferrite nanoparticles: From fundamentals to magnetic hyperthermia cancer therapy.

Cancers are fatal diseases that lead to most death of human beings, which urgently require effective treatments methods. Hyperthermia therapy employs magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) as heating medium under external alternating magnetic field. Among various MNPs, ferrite nanoparticles (FNPs) have gained significant attention for hyperthermia therapy due to their exceptional magnetic properties, high stability, favorable biological compatibility, and low toxicity. The utilization of FNPs holds immense potential for enhancing the effectiveness of hyperthermia therapy. The main hurdle for hyperthermia treatment includes optimizing the heat generation capacity of FNPs and controlling the local temperature of tumor region. This review aims to comprehensively evaluate the magnetic hyperthermia treatment (MHT) of FNPs, which is accomplished by elucidating the underlying mechanism of heat generation and identifying influential factors. Based upon fundamental understanding of hyperthermia of FNPs, valuable insights will be provided for developing efficient nanoplatforms with enhanced accuracy and magnetothermal properties. Additionally, we will also survey current research focuses on modulating FNPs' properties, external conditions for MHT, novel technical methods, and recent clinical findings. Finally, current challenges in MHT with FNPs will be discussed while prospecting future directions.

The antihyperuricemia activity of Astragali Radix through regulating the expression of uric acid transporters via PI3K/Akt signalling pathway.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Astragali Radix (AR) is the dry root of the leguminous plants Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch) Beg. var. mongholicus (Beg) Hsiao, and Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch) Bge., being used as a medicinal and edible resource. AR is used in traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions to treat hyperuricemia, but this particular effect is rarely reported, and the associated mechanism of action is still need to be elucidated. AIM OF THE STUDY: To research the uric acid (UA)-lowering activity and mechanism of AR and the representative compounds through the constructed hyperuricemia mouse and cellular models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In our study, the chemical profile of AR was analysed by UHPLC-QE-MS, as well as the mechanism of action of AR and the representative compounds on hyperuricemia was studied through the constructed hyperuricemia mouse and cellular models. RESULTS: The main compounds in AR were terpenoids, flavonoids and alkaloids. Mice group treated with the highest AR dosage showed significantly lower (p < 0.0001) serum uric acid (208 ± 9 µmol/L) than the control group (317 ± 11 µmol/L). Furthermore, UA increased in a dose-dependence manner in urine and faeces. Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen standards, as well as xanthine oxidase in mice liver, decreased (p < 0.05) in all cases, indicating that AR could relieve acute hyperuricemia. UA reabsorption protein (URAT1 and GLUT9) was down-regulated in AR administration groups, while the secretory protein (ABCG2) was up-regulated, indicating that AR could promote the excretion of UA by regulating UA transporters via PI3K/Akt signalling pathway. CONCLUSION: This study validated the activity, and revealed the mechanism of AR in reducing UA, which provided experimental and clinical basis for the treatment of hyperuricemia with it.

Acupuncture for gait disturbance of patients with subacute and chronic stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Hemiparetic gait is one of the most common sequelae of a stroke. Acupuncture has shown potential in correcting hemiplegic gait patterns and improving motor function recovery after stroke. However, controversial findings and a lack of supportive evidence on the effectiveness of acupuncture for post-stroke hemiplegia. The intelligent gait analysis system provides a new perspective for the study of hemiparetic gait. This systematic review aims to collect relevant studies and critically evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in alleviating gait disturbance of post-stroke hemiplegia based on quantified gait parameters. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane stroke group trials register, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, AMED, three Chinese databases (Chinese Biomedical Literatures database (CBM), National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wan fang Digital Periodicals), four trails registries (The WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, The Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, The US National Institutes of Health Ongoing Trials Register, and The Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry) will be conducted to identify randomised controlled trials of acupuncture for gait disturbance in post-stroke patients. No restrictions on language or publication status. The primary outcomes are gait temporospatial parameters (eg, step length, stride length, step width, step frequency (cadence), walking speed, etc), and gait kinematic parameters (eg, hip peak flex/extend angle, knee peak flex/extend angle, ankle peak dorsi/plantar-flexion angle, etc). We will assess bias using the approach recommended by the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. A meta-analysis will be conducted to synthesise the evidence for each outcome measure. The χ2 test and I2 statistic will be used for assessing heterogeneity between studies. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: No ethical approval is needed because no primary data is collected. Scientific conferences or peer-reviewed journals will publish the findings. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42022384348.

Matrine suppresses NLRP3 inflammasome activation via regulating PTPN2/JNK/SREBP2 pathway in sepsis.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis is defined as life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. Abnormal activation of NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of sepsis. Matrine is proved to show good anti-inflammatory properties, whereas its effect and the underlying molecular machinery on sepsis remains unclear. PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect and mechanism of Matrine on sepsis. STUDY DESIGN: THP-1 cells and J774A.1 cells were stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) with nigericin or adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to establish an in vitro model. Cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced sepsis mouse model was used. Matrine was given by gavage. METHODS: To investigate the NLRP3 inflammasome activation, phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-induced THP-1 cells were first primed with LPS and then stimulated by matrine, followed by treatment with nigericin or ATP. The concentration of interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß) and interleukin 18 (IL-18) in the cell culture supernatant was detected. The mechanism was explored by cell death assay, immunoblots and immunofluorescence in vitro. C57BL/6 mice were intragastrically administered with matrine for 5 days before CLP. The therapeutic effect of matrine was evaluated by symptoms, pathological analysis, ELISA and RT-qPCR. RESULTS: Our results revealed that matrine inhibited IL-1ß and IL-18 secretion, suppressed caspase-1 activation, reduced cell death, and blocked ASC speck formation upon NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Furthermore, matrine restrains NLRP3 inflammasome activation as well as pyroptosis through regulating the protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 2 (PTPN2)/JNK/SREBP2 signaling. Matrine also prominently improved the symptoms and pathological changes with reduced levels of TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6 in the lung tissues and serum in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: Matrine effectively alleviates the symptoms of CLP-induced sepsis in mice, restrains NLRP3 inflammasome activation by regulating PTPN2/JNK/SREBP2 signaling pathway, and may become a promising therapeutic agent for sepsis treatment.

Network pharmacology-based prediction of active compounds in the Wenyang Jiedu Huayu formula acting on acute-on-chronic liver failure with experimental support in vitro and in vivo.

Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is characterized by undermined liver function, massive necrosis/apoptosis of hepatocytes, and hepatic inflammatory cell recruitment, leading to multiorgan failure. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been widely applied in clinical and experimental studies of ACLF. In this study, 23 compounds with 6,386 drug targets were obtained from Wenyang Jiedu Huayu (WYJDHY), and 8,096 genes were identified as ACLF disease targets, among which 3,132 were overlapping co-targets. Expression profile analysis identified 105 DEGs among the co-targets, which were associated with biological activities such as lymphocyte activation, immune response regulation, and pathways such as Th17 cell differentiation and NF-κB signaling. After PPI analysis and network construction, atractylenolide I (AT-1) has been identified as the hub active ingredient of the WYJDHY formula. LPS stimulation inhibited rat hepatocytes' BRL 3A cell viability, promoted cell apoptosis, increased the levels of ALT, AST, IL-6, and VCAM-1 within the culture medium, and activated NF-κB signaling, whereas AT-1 treatment significantly attenuated LPS-induced toxicity on BRL 3A cells. Furthermore, the NF-κB signaling inhibitor PDTC exerted effects on LPS-stimulated BRL 3A cells similar to those of AT-1, and the combination of PDTC and AT-1 further attenuated LPS-induced toxicity on BRL 3A cells. In vivo, AT-1 alone or with PDTC improved the symptoms and local inflammation in ACLF model rats. In conclusion, 23 active ingredients of six herbs in the WYJDHY formula were retrieved, and 105 co-targets were differentially expressed in ACLF. AT-1 exerts protective effects on LPS-stimulated hepatocytes and ACLF rats, possibly by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway.

Effects of Changyu Daotan Decoction on Depression via Restoration of Mice Hippocampus and Alteration of Expression of Relevant Neurotrophic Factors.

Depression, a sort of common psychological disorder, is a serious hazard to people's health and social progress. Conventional clinical means for this disorder nowadays are mostly chemical medicine treatments accompanied by psychological counseling. Chinese application of using TCM to treat mental diseases like depression could be traced from hundreds of years ago, in comparison to the long-term depression course and the chemical medicine administration demerits like side effects and resistance, traditional Chinese medicines are milder, more lasting, stable and are the optimal choice for perennial depression treatment. This study was committed to making a comprehensive investigation of Changyu Daotan Decoction's efficacy in the depression mice model, and it turned out that the Changyu Daotan Decoction was capable of restoring the hippocampus of the depression mice and altering the expressions of neurotrophic factors (the expressions of ß-Catenin, cyclin D1 and in GSK-3ß BDNF, GFAP, NGF, and Wnt signaling pathways). Results of metabonomics analysis showed that the contents of GABA, His, Tyr, Trp, PA, and 5-HIAA in the mice of the Changyu Daotan Decoction group were restored after administration and showed a conspicuous relevance with the metabolic.

Efficacy and safety of Fuzheng Huayu tablet on persistent advanced liver fibrosis following 2 years entecavir treatment: A single arm clinical objective performance criteria trial.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Antiviral therapy can alleviate liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B, but it has a limited effect on advanced liver fibrosis/cirrhosis. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), particularly FuZheng HuaYu (FZHY) tablet, appears to have an antifibrotic effect, but its improving resolution of hepatitis b virus (HBV) -associated advanced fibrosis and experienced anti-viral treatment has not been investigated. AIM OF THE STUDY: To observe the safety and efficacy of adjunctive FZHY on the HBV-associated cirrhosis patients who received 2 years of entecavir but still with advanced fibrosis. METHODS: An open-label, multicentre, single arm trial. 251 patients were included and treated with TCM consisted of FZHY tablets 1.6 g and granules, three times a day in addition to entecavir 0.5 mg daily for an additional 48 weeks. Primary outcome was regression of fibrosis (the proportion of patients with a 1-point decrease in the Ishak liver fibrosis score from baseline to week 48). RESULTS: Fibrosis regression occurred in 94 of 184 patients with paired liver biopsy (51.09%, 95% CI: 43.9～58.0). In 132 compensated cirrhosis patients (Ishak score ≥5), 56.06% (74/132, 95% CI: 47.5～64.2) showed fibrosis regression and reached the goal of 54% (15% more than entecavir mono-therapy). 10 patients occurred adverse reaction, most of them were mild, and all recovered or achieved remission. CONCLUSIONS: The combination therapy of FZHY, TCM granules and ETV could regress the liver fibrosis in the patients with HBV cirrhosis, who experienced 2 years of ETV treatment, and it is safe and well tolerated.

Equilibrium partitioning behaviors and remobilization of trace metals in the sediment profiles in the tributaries of the Three Gorges Reservoir, China.

Geochemical behaviors of trace metals in the sediment profiles are crucial for predicting the associated environmental risks in aquatic ecosystems. However, the comprehensive transport of trace metals under both equilibrium and dynamic conditions is still unclear under the changing hydrological regime. Here, the equilibrium partitioning behaviors and remobilization of five trace metals (Ni, Cu, Zn, As, and Pb) in sedimentary profiles within the tributaries of the Three Gorges Reservoir were explored by the partitioning coefficient (Kd), diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT), and DGT induced flux in sediments (DIFS) model. According to the Kd values, As posed the highest migration ability among the trace metals in the sediment profiles under equilibrium circumstances. Similarly, the dynamic processes of trace metals simulated by the DIFS model also suggested that As displayed the highest desorption rate despite having the lowest labile pool size. Moreover, all trace metals were classified as the "partially sustained" case, while the supply abilities of As and other trace metals were limited by the diffusion and the desorption kinetics, respectively. In addition, DGT-labile trace metals showed a diffusion trend from the sediment to the water column (except for Zn) at the sediment-water interface, indicating potential risks to water quality. Specifically, the equilibrium partitioning behaviors revealed the potential labile pool of trace metals in the solid phase, and the dynamic resupply process between the solid phase and porewater remained undetermined. In comparison, although DGT simulated the kinetic process of trace metals in the sediments, the labile pool of the trace metals could not be obtained. This study provided a holistic insight into the complementary trace metal behaviors under both equilibrium and dynamic conditions in the sediment and was beneficial to the water quality protection and internal pollution remediation in the aquatic environment.

Tracking microplastics biodegradation through CO2 emission: Role of photoaging and mineral addition.

Once microplastics (MPs) enter the terrestrial ecosystem, they may affect the assessment of soil carbon storage and the fluxes of greenhouse gases. This study showed microbial incubation diminished the size and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) content of MPs and introduced more oxygen-containing functional groups to MPs potentially through microbial colonization. The aged MPs generally showed higher carbon mineralization ratio (0.010-0.876 %) than the pristine MPs (0.007-0.189 %), which was supported by their higher enzyme activities and DOC content. Interestingly, four model minerals increased the DOC release and CO2 emission from MPs by altering MPs physicochemical properties and shaping the habitat for microbial growth. The higher enzyme activities in mineral artificial soils, except for montmorillonite, served as a potential valid explanation for their higher mineralization. The high CO2 emission but low enzyme activity in montmorillonite artificial soil was due to most DOC being already mineralized. Aging and minerals altered the microflora and enhanced the expression of some C metabolism- and N-related functional genes, which supplemented the cause of higher CO2 and N2O emissions from the corresponding artificial soils. Overall, the increased biomineralization of MPs carbon by minerals was divergent from the protective role of minerals on soil organic carbon.

[Identification of chemical constituents in Simiao Yong'an Decoction based on UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS].

This study aims to identify the chemical constituents of Simiao Yong'an Decoction based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with linear quadrupole ion trap-orbitrap mass spectrometry(UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS). The elution was performed through a UPLC BEH C_(18) column(2.1 mm × 100 mm, 1.7 µm) with the mobile phase of water(containing 0.1% formic acid)-acetonitrile at a flow rate of 0.4 mL·min~(-1). LTQ-Orbitrap-MS with heat electrospray ion(HESI) source was employed to collect MS fragment information in the negative ion mode. A total of 72 compounds were identified based on reference substance comparison, fragmentation rules, accurate molecular weight, related reports and databases(MassBank and HMDB), including 30 iridoid glycosides, 9 organic acids, 15 flavonoids, 10 phenylpropanoids, 7 triterpenoids, and 1 saccharide. The method established in this study is comprehensive, rapid, and accurate, which can help summarize the fragmentation rules of constituents and provide reference for revealing the active constituents and pharmacodynamic mechanism of Simiao Yong'an Decoction.

Comparative Pharmacokinetics of Seven Major Compounds in Normal and Atherosclerosis Mice after Oral Administration of Simiao Yong'an Decoction.

Simiao Yong'an decoction (SMYAD), a classic traditional Chinese medicine formula, has been used to treat atherosclerosis (AS) in clinical in China, but its therapeutic mechanism and pharmacodynamic material basis are not clear. In this study, the AS model was caused by a high-fat diet and perivascular carotid collar placement (PCCP), and SMYAD was orally administered to the model and normal mice. A rapid, sensitive, selective, and reliable method using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) system combined with a Q Exactive HF-X mass spectrometer (UHPLC-Q Exactive HF-X MS) was established and validated for the simultaneous determination of seven compounds, including harpagide, chlorogenic acid, swertiamarin, sweroside, angoroside C, liquiritin, and isoliquiritigenin in the plasma of normal and AS mice. The specificity, linearity, precision, accuracy, recovery, and stability of the method were all within the acceptable criteria. The results showed that some pharmacokinetic behaviors of harpagide, chlorogenic acid, and isoliquiritigenin were significantly different among the two groups of mice. The specific parameter changes were harpagide (AUC0-t and AUC0-∞ were 11075.09 ± 2132.38 and 16221.95 ± 5622.42 ng·mL-1·h, respectively; CLz/F was 2.45 ± 0.87 L/h/mg), chlorogenic acid (t 1/2 was 21.59 ± 9.16 h; AUC0-∞ was 2637.51 ± 322.54 ng·mL-1·h; CLz/F was 13.49 ± 1.81 L/h/mg) and isoliquiritigenin (AUC0-t and AUC0-∞ were 502.25 ± 165.65 and 653.68 ± 251.34 ng·mL-1·h, respectively; CLz/F was 62.16 ± 23.35 L/h/mg) were altered under the pathological status of AS. These differences might be partly ascribed to the changes in gastrointestinal microbiota, nonspecific drug transporters, and cytochrome P450 activity under the AS state, providing research ideas and experimental basis for pharmacological effects and pharmacodynamic material basis.

[Effect of electroacupuncture preconditioning on expression of Gasdermin D, Caspase-1 and IL-1ß in rats with myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) preconditioning on expression of Caspase-1, Gasdermin D(GSDMD) and interleukin-1ß(IL-1ß) in myocardial tissue of myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury (MIRI) rats in order to explore its underlying mechanisms in resisting MIRI. METHODS: Forty male rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: normal control (normal), sham operation (sham), MIRI model and EA groups. The MIRI model was established by ligation of the left anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery for 30 min and perfusion. EA (2 Hz/100 Hz, 1 mA) was applied to bilateral "Neiguan" (PC6) for 20 min, once a day for 3 consecutive days. The echocardiography was used to analyze the left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD), left ventricular end-systolic dimension (LVESD) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF, by using Teichholz formula) 4 h after modeling. The myocardial TTC staining was used to observe the proportion of the infarct area, and Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of GSDMD, Caspase-1, IL-1ß proteins in the myocardium. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, the immunoactivity of GSDMD was increased in the sham group (P<0.05). Compared with the sham group, the LVEF was significantly decreased (P<0.000 1), while the myocardial infarction area, immunoactivity of GSDMD, and the expression levels of Caspase-1, GSDMD and IL-1ß proteins were considerably increased in the model group (P<0.000 1, P<0.001). In comparison with the model group, the decreased ejection fraction and the increased myocardial infarction area, and Caspase-1, GSDMD and IL-1ß expression were reversed in the EA group (P<0.001, P<0.000 1, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: EA preconditioning may ameliorate myocardial injury in MIRI rats which may be associated with its function in down-regulating the expression of myocardial Caspase-1 protein to reduce cardiomyocyte pyroptosis.

[Effect of electroacupuncture at "Neiguan" (PC 6) on cardiac function and inflammatory factors of acupoint area in rats with acute myocardial ischemia].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Neiguan" (PC 6) on cardiac function and cardiomyocyte apoptosis in rats with acute myocardial ischemia (AMI), and to explore the correlation between myocardial protective effect of EA and inflammatory factors i.e. interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and interleukin-17 (IL-17) of "Neiguan" (PC 6) area. METHODS: A total of 40 male SD rats with normal ultrasonic cardiogram were randomized into a sham-operation group, a sham-operation plus EA group, a model group and an EA group, 10 rats in each group. The AMI model was established by ligating the left anterior descending (LAD) branch of the coronary artery in the model group and the EA group, while the threading without ligating was adopted in the sham-operation group and the sham-operation plus EA group. In the sham-operation plus EA group and the EA group, EA at bilateral "Neiguan" (PC 6) was applied, with disperse-dense wave, 2 Hz/100 Hz in frequency and 2 mA in density, once a day, 20 min a time for 3 days. The cardiac ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS) were measured by ultrasonic cardiogram to evaluate the cardiac function, the cardiomyocyte apoptosis was detected by TUNEL staining, the infiltration of inflammatory factors of "Neiguan" (PC 6) area was observed by H.E. staining, the expression of inflammatory factors IL-1ß and IL-17 of "Neiguan" (PC 6) area was detected by immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: Compared with the sham-operation group, EF and FS were decreased (P<0.001), the average optical density of cardiomyocyte apoptosis was increased (P<0.001), the infiltration of inflammatory factors was obvious in skin dermis of "Neiguan" (PC 6) area in the model group; the positive expression of IL-1ß and IL-17 of "Neiguan" (PC 6) area was increased in the model group and the sham-operation plus EA group (P<0.001, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, EF and FS were increased (P<0.01), the average optical density of cardiomyocyte apoptosis was decreased (P<0.01), the infiltration of inflammatory factors was aggravating in skin dermis of "Neiguan" (PC 6) area, and the positive expression of IL-1ß and IL-17 of "Neiguan" (PC 6) area was increased in the EA group (P<0.001, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture at "Neiguan" (PC 6) can improve the cardiac function and reduce the apoptosis of cardiomyocyte in rats with acute myocardial ischemia, its mechanism may be related to the regulation of the inflammatory factors of "Neiguan" (PC 6) area.

The Efficacy of Acupuncture on Tic Disorders in Children: A Retrospective and Propensity Score-Matched Study.

Background : Acupuncture has been considered as a complementary or alternative therapy for children with tic disorders (TD), but its efficacy remains largely unknown. This study retrospectively examined the efficacy of acupuncture treatment for TD in children over the course of 12 weeks. Methods: Data were collected from Traditional Chinese Medicine clinics in a public pediatric hospital in Shanghai between June 2020 and March 2021. A total of 250 patients with TD were included in the study, with 122 patients exposed to acupuncture therapy combined with conventional treatment (observation group), and 128 patients exposed to conventional treatment alone (control group). Propensity score matching analyses were used to balance baseline characteristics, resulting in 78 matched patients for each group. Reductions in the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS) total score were analyzed in the two groups after 12 weeks of treatment. Results: The two groups reached equilibrium in terms of baseline demographic characteristics and YGTSS total score after the propensity score matching (P > 0.05). Compared to the control group, the reduction in the YGTSS total score after 12 weeks of treatment was greater for the observation group (OR = 2.94, 95% CI: 1.03, 8.39, P = 0.04), and this association was stronger for patients who had significant vocal tics (ß = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.88, 2.68, P = 0.001). The clinical efficacy for the observation group was significantly better than the control group. Conclusions: We provided preliminary evidence supporting the therapeutic effect of acupuncture for TD in children. Hence, our findings indicate that acupuncture could be an adjuvant treatment efficacious for TD in children, especially for vocal tics.

[Effect of electroacupuncture on expression of IL-23/IL-17 axis and TLR4 in infarcted tissue in rats with myocardial infarction].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on expression of interleukin (IL) -23/IL-17 axis and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in the infarcted tissue in rats with myocardial infarction (MI), and to explore the mechanism of EA on alleviating MI injury. METHODS: Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into a sham-operation group, a sham-operation plus EA group, a model group and an EA group, 10 rats in each group. The MI models were established by ligation of left anterior descending coronary artery in the model group and EA group, while only threading was performed in the sham-operation group and sham-operation plus EA group. The rats in the sham-operation plus EA group and EA group were treated with EA at "Neiguan" (PC 6), disperse-dense wave, 2 Hz/100 Hz, 2 mA, once a day, 20 min each time, for 3 days. After the intervention, the ejection fraction (EF) was measured by echocardiography to evaluate the cardiac function; the infarct area was measured by TTC staining; the HE staining was used to observe the morphological changes of myocardial tissue; the levels of IL-23 and IL-17 in infarcted tissue were detected by ELISA; the protein expression of TLR4 in infarcted tissue was detected by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the sham-operation group, the EF was decreased (P<0.01), the infarct area was increased (P<0.01), the myocardial fiber injury was obvious, accompanied by inflammatory cell infiltration, and the contents of IL-23, IL-17 and the expression of TLR4 in infarcted tissue were increased in the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the EF was increased (P<0.05), the infarct area was reduced (P<0.05), the myocardial fiber injury was significantly improved, the inflammatory cell infiltration was reduced, and the contents of IL-23, IL-17 and TLR4 expression in infarcted tissue were decreased in the EA group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: EA may alleviate the excessive inflammatory response after MI by inhibiting the expression of IL-23/IL-17 axis in MI rats, and TLR4 may be involved during the process.

Three-Dimensional Arterial Pulse Signal Acquisition in Time Domain Using Flexible Pressure-Sensor Dense Arrays.

In this study, we developed a radial artery pulse acquisition system based on finger-worn dense pressure sensor arrays to enable three-dimensional pulse signals acquisition. The finger-worn dense pressure-sensor arrays were fabricated by packaging 18 ultra-small MEMS pressure sensors (0.4 mm × 0.4 mm × 0.2 mm each) with a pitch of 0.65 mm on flexible printed circuit boards. Pulse signals are measured and recorded simultaneously when traditional Chinese medicine practitioners wear the arrays on the fingers while palpating the radial pulse. Given that the pitches are much smaller than the diameter of the human radial artery, three-dimensional pulse envelope images can be measured with the system, as can the width and the dynamic width of the pulse signals. Furthermore, the array has an effective span of 11.6 mm-3-5 times the diameter of the radial artery-which enables easy and accurate positioning of the sensor array on the radial artery. This study also outlines proposed methods for measuring the pulse width and dynamic pulse width. The dynamic pulse widths of three volunteers were measured, and the dynamic pulse width measurements were consistent with those obtained by color Doppler ultrasound. The pulse wave velocity can also be measured with the system by measuring the pulse transit time between the pulse signals at the brachial and radial arteries using the finger-worn sensor arrays.

A carrier-free nanoparticle with dual NIR/acid responsiveness by co-assembly of enediyne and IR820 for combined PTT/chemotherapy.

Combined photothermal therapy/chemotherapy by co-delivery of a photosensitizer (PS) and a chemotherapeutic drug has demonstrated great potential for cancer treatment. The intrinsic drawbacks of traditional drug delivery systems (DDSs), such as tedious synthetic procedures, side effects originated from the carrier materials, low loading efficiency, and uncontrolled drug release, however, have impaired their further advancement. On the other hand, enediyne antibiotics are highly cytotoxic toward cancer cells through the generation of lethal carbon radicals via thermal-induced cyclization, endowing them with great potential to achieve enhanced synergistic anticancer performance by incorporation with the photothermal effect of PS. To this end, a carrier-free and NIR/acid dual-responsive DDS was constructed for combined photothermal therapy/chemotherapy. The facile co-assembly of maleimide-based enediyne and PS IR820 was achieved in aqueous solution to give nanoparticles (EICN) with a hydrodynamic diameter of 90 nm and high stability. In vitro study confirmed the acid/NIR dual-responsive degradation and drug release, free radical generation and DNA-cleaving ability of EICN, which was accomplished by the corporation of enediyne and IR820 moieties. Further tests on HeLa cells verified the excellent synergistic anticancer performance of EICN including the improved cellular uptake, NIR-enhanced drug release, DNA damage and histone deacetylase inhibitor capacity. Overall, this carrier-free DDS with dual acid/NIR-responsivity would potentially provide new insights for the development of combined photothermal/chemotherapy.

Traditional Chinese medicine, liver fibrosis, intestinal flora: is there any connection?-a narrative review.

This paper aims to analyze how intestinal flora regulates liver fibrosis pathogenesis and to evaluate the regulatory effect of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) on the intestinal flora, providing new insights into liver fibrosis treatment. Destruction of the intestinal microbiome can lead to liver fibrosis development, accelerating the intestinal microbiome's disruption. TCM can effectively regulate the intestinal flora, helping prevent and treat liver fibrosis. This review discusses the mechanisms behind intestinal flora changes in liver fibrosis and how TCM can regulate these changes. We searched PubMed, the Wanfang database, and CNKI for "liver fibrosis", "intestinal microflora", and "intestinal microbiota" and reviewed the retrieved literature. We detail the prevention and treatment options for liver fibrosis though the use of TCM in regulating intestinal flora. We also highlight the influence of the intestinal flora on liver fibrosis and present the research regarding the prevention and treatment of liver fibrosis using TCM. We also describe the effects of TCM on the intestinal flora. TCM can effectively regulate the intestinal flora to prevent and treat liver fibrosis through the liver-intestine axis.

[Effect of electroacupuncture pretreatment on transient receptor potential vanilloid 1(TRPV1)/calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP) signal and NF-κB p65 protein expression in rats with acute myocardial ischemia].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA)pretreatment on transient receptor potential vanilloid 1(TRPV1)/calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP)signal and nuclear factor-κB p65 (NF-κB p65) protein expression in myocardial tissue of acute myocardial ischemic injury (AMI) rats, and to investigate the possible mechanism of electroacupuncture pretreatment against AMI. METHODS: A total of 60 adult male SD rats were randomly divided into blank control, sham operation, model and EA pretreatment groups, 15 rats in each group. The acute myocardial ischemia model was established by ligating the left anterior descending (LAD)branch of the coronary artery in the model group and EA pretreatment group, while threading but no ligating at left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery was applied in the sham operation group. In the EA pretreatment group, bilateral "Neiguan"(PC6) acupoints were selected, with intensity of 2 mA and frequency of 2 Hz/100 Hz, for 20 min, once daily for 7 days before modeling. Electrocardiogram (ECG) was recorded by physiological signal acquisition system, and the ST segment potential offset values of standard Ⅱ lead were analyzed before surgery，30 min and 24 h after operation. The TTC staining was used to observe the percentage of myocardial infarction area. The HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of myocardial tissue and the degree of inflammatory cell infiltration. And Western blot was used to detect TRPV1/CGRP signal and NF-κB p65 protein expression levels in myocardial tissue. RESULTS: Compared with the sham operation group, the ECG-J point potential in the model group was significantly increased at 30 min and decreased at 24 h after operation (P<0.05), myocardial infarction area increased significantly (P<0.05), the myocardial fibers were obviously disordered, inflammatory cell infiltration was obvious, and the expressions of TRPV1，CGRP and NF-κB p65 proteins were all increased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the EA pretreatment group was decreased in the ECG-J point potential at 30 min after operation(P<0.05), significantly reduced in myocardial infarction area (P<0.05), improved in the morphology of myocardial fibers, reduced ininflammatory cell infiltration, and increased in the protein expressions of TRPV1 and CGRP in myocardium (P<0.05), significantly decreased in the protein expression of NF-κB p65 (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: EA pretreatment may enhance TRPV1/CGRP signaling, down-regulate NF-κB p65 protein expression, reduce myocardial inflammatory response status, improve AMI injury, and reduce myocardial infarction area.