Effect of nourishing and purging fire Chinese herbal mixture on delaying light-induced premature puberty in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the mechanism of the nourishing Yin and purging fire Chinese herbal mixture (NYPF) in delaying light-induced premature puberty in rats. METHODS: Twenty-one days old female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to normal group (N), long light exposure group (L), NYPF and normal saline group (NS). Rats in the L, NYPF and NS groups were exposed to 16 h: 350 lux light/8 h: dark, while rats in the N group were exposed to 12 h: 50 lux light/12 h: dark. NYPF and normal saline was administered to the rats in the NYPF group or NS group, respectively, from day 21. Five rats in every group were sacrificed at 9 p.m. on day 28 (P28), on the day when rat's vulva opened in the L group (L-VO), on the day when the first estrous interphase occurred in rats of L group (L-E1), and on the day when the second estrous interphase occurred in rats of L group (L-E2), respectively. RESULITS: On day 34, all rats in the L group, 80% of rats in the NS group, 40% of rats in the N group, and 20% of rats in the NYPF group showed complete opening of the vulva. At P28, mRNA level of hypothalamic kisspeptin (Kiss-1) in the L group was significantly higher than that in the N group (P < 0.05). The rats in the L and NS groups had significantly lower hypothalamic arginine-phenylalanine-amide (RFamide)-related peptide 3 (RFRP-3) mRNA levels than those in the N group (P < 0.05), whereas RFRP-3 mRNA level was significantly higher in the NYPF group than that in the L group (P < 0.05). At L-VO, the ovarian index of the L and NS groups was significantly higher than that of the N group (P < 0.05) and estradiol (E2) level of the NYPF group was significantly lower than that of the N and NS groups (P < 0.05); hypothalamic Kiss-1 mRNA level in the L and NS groups was significantly higher than that in the N and NYPF groups (P < 0.05), whereas hypothalamic RFRP-3 mRNA level in the L, NYPF, and NS groups was significantly lower than that in the N group (P < 0.05). At L-E1, E2 level of the L and NS groups was significantly higher than that of the N group (P < 0.01), whereas it was significantly lower in the NYPF group than that of the N, L, and NS groups (P < 0.01), and serum luteinizing hormone level of the L and NS groups was significantly higher than that of the N group (P < 0.05); levels of serum melatonin and ovarian melatonin receptor 1 (MT-1) mRNA in the L, NYPF, and NS groups were significantly lower than those in the N group (P < 0.05). At L-E2, the uterine organ index of the NYPF group was significantly lower than that of the L group (P < 0.05); and ovarian MT-1 mRNA level of the L and NS groups was significantly lower than that in the N group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: NYPF can delay puberty onset in rats exposed to strong light for a prolonged duration, and regulation of the gene expression of Kiss-1 and RFRP-3 in the hypothalamus has been suggested as one of the mechanisms.

Recent advances in lamellar liquid crystal emulsification methods encapsulating natural active substances for functional cosmetics / 药学学报

Due to the high similarity with the lipid layer between human skin keratinocytes, functional cosmetics with layered liquid crystal structure prepared by liquid crystal emulsification technology encapsulating natural active substances have become a hot research topic in recent years. This type of functional cosmetic often has a fresh and natural skin feel, excellent skin barrier repair function and efficient moisturizing effect, etc., showing great potential in cosmetic application. However, the present research on the application of liquid crystal emulsification technology to functional cosmetics is still in the initial stage, and there are fewer relevant reports with reference values. Based on the mentioned above, this review provides a comprehensive summary of functional cosmetics with layered liquid crystal structures prepared by liquid crystal emulsification technology from the following aspects: the structure of human skin, the composition of lamellar liquid crystal, the advantages of liquid crystal emulsification technology containing natural active substances used in the field of functional cosmetics, the preparation process, main components, influencing factors during the preparation and the market functional cosmetics with lamellar liquid crystal structure. Finally, the prospect of the application of liquid crystal emulsification technology in functional cosmetics is presented, to provide useful references for those engaged in the research of liquid crystal emulsification technology-related functional cosmetics.

Clinical study of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment treatment with minimally invasive foldable capsular buckle scleral buckling / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM:To investigate the clinical efficacy of minimally invasive foldable capsular buckle(FCB)scleral buckling in treating rhegmatogenous retinal detachment(RRD).METHOD: This retrospective study enrolled 11 patients(11 eyes)with RRD treated with minimally invasive FCB scleral buckling at the Hainan Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital from May to July 2023. The surgeries were performed without subconjunctival anesthesia, extraocular muscle pulling, intraocular positioning, retinal cryotherapy or drainage of subretinal fluid, or FCB suture fixation. Furthermore, the best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), intraocular pressure and complications were observed.RESULTS: Minimally invasive FCB scleral buckling was performed on 11 eyes, with successful retinal reattachment in 10 eyes(91%), and the remaining 1 eye(9%)had postoperative retinal re-detachment and underwent vitrectomy with silicone oil filling for multiple retinal tears. One-time successful surgery was in 4 eyes(40%), gas injection in vitreous body after the surgery was performed in 1 eye(10%), FCB position adjustment after the surgery was performed in 3 eyes(30%), gas injection in vitreous body and FCB position adjustment after the surgery were performed in 2 eyes(20%); and FCB was removed 4-12 wk after the surgery in 5 eyes(50%), without retinal redetachment. The average BCVA(LogMAR)of the 10 eyes improved from 1.30±1.10 before surgery to 0.37±0.39 at 4 wk after surgery(P&#x0026;#x003C;0.01); the average preoperative intraocular pressure was 11.51±3.37 mmHg and 13.72±2.57 mmHg at 4wk after surgery(P&#x0026;#x003E;0.05). No serious complications occurred.CONCLUSION:Minimally invasive FCB scleral buckling effectively treats RRD with minimal injury, simple operation, time-saving, and fewer complications.

Spatial-temporal distribution characteristics and traceability analysis of organic matter in Shahe Reservoir (Beijing, China).

Shahe Reservoir is a key node in the upstream of the North Canal, and the water quality has gradually improved after the implementation of low water operation in 2018. The organic matter(OM) in the sediment decreased from 16.66 to 14.22%.In this study, the FI index and parallel factor method were used to investigate the traceability of OM and dissolved organic matter (DOM) in the Shahe Reservoir before and during low water level operation(LWLO), and the results showed that the terrestrial source fraction of OM in sediments was mainly related to organic-rich terrestrial plant residues carried by tributaries and overflows/outfalls during the rainy season, and the FI index indicated that the organic matter (OM) in the Shahe Reservoir before and during LWLO in each DOM in the area is derived from authigenic sources of autotrophic microorganisms, algae, etc. The parallel factor method shows that more than most of the pollutants in the DOM are input from endogenous sources and a small proportion of pollutants are input from exogenous sources. Nutrients in both sediment and interstitial water increased during the LWLO, with TN and TP levels increasing by 262.38 and 204.45 mg·kg-1 in sediment, NH4+-N, PO43--P, TN and TP in interstitial water increasing by 0.98, 1.36, 2.07 and 4.33 mg·L-1, respectively. Pearson correlation analysis and principal component analysis showed that OM was significantly correlated with nutrients: OM and TN (p < 0.01) and OM and TP (p < 0.05) in the pre-LWLO; OM and TN and TP (p < 0.01) in the LWLO.The results suggested that organic matter pollution control should be mainly carried out from the perspective of endogenous input, focusing on controlling the release of nutrients in sediments.

Association between lesion location and depressive symptoms in acute ischemic stroke patients using voxel-based lesion-symptom mapping / 中华内科杂志

Objective:The study aimed to investigate the association between lesion location and post-stroke depression (PSD) in acute ischemic stroke patients.Methods:In this case-control study, acute ischemic stroke patients were recruited from the Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), between September 2020 and June 2021. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) criteria, the patients were divided into the PSD and non-PSD groups. The 24-item Hamilton Rating Scale (HAMD) was used to evaluate the severity of depression. The Student′s t-test, Mann-Whitney test, and Chi-square test were used to compare the clinical baseline characteristics of PSD and non-PSD groups. Voxel-based lesion-symptom mapping (VLSM) was applied to investigate the association between lesion location and depression occurrence and severity. Results:A total of 70 and 173 patients were admitted to the PSD and non-PSD groups, respectively. The mean age of patients was 59 years (23-86). There were 153 males and 90 females. Univariate analysis showed a significant difference only in Hamilton Anxiety ( P=0.025) and Depression ( P<0.001) scores between the PSD and non-PSD groups. VLSM analysis identified clusters within the anterior cingulate gyrus ( Z=-3.05, P<0.001), left hippocampus ( Z=-3.15, P<0.001), and left lingual lobe ( Z=-3.08, P<0.001) where lesions were significantly associated with PSD. Additionally, the severity of PSD was associated with damage in the anterior cingulate gyrus ( Z=-3.64, P<0.001), left hippocampus ( Z=-3.51, P<0.001), left lingual lobe ( Z=-4.18, P<0.001), and pericalcarine cortex ( Z=-3.65, P<0.001). Conclusion:VLSM demonstrated that lesion location could be used to predict the occurrence of PSD in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Clinical application and mechanism research progress of Wuling Powder in the treatment of brain edema / 国际中医中药杂志

Brain edema belongs to the category of "stroke" and "true headache", while Traditional Chinese Medicine mostly understands its core disease mechanisms from the perspectives of stasis, deficiency, and heat, and mostly treats the disease by using warming yang to induce diuresis and eliminating stasis to remove water. Wuling Powder has been lauded as the "first party to typhoid and relieving diuresis", which is used to cure clearing damp and promoting diuresis and warming yang and transforming qi, and has been clinically used in the treatment of brain edema caused by various causes such as head trauma, intracerebral hemorrhage, cerebral infarction, and intracranial space occupying, all with remarkable efficacy. Wuling Powder improves cellular energy supply, scavenges excess oxygen radicals and calcium ions in brain tissue, and reduces the damage to brain tissue caused by vascular inflammatory factors and regulates aquaporins and vascular endothelial growth factor, thereby achieving therapeutic effects.

Dexmedetomidine can not reduce the incidence of acute and chronic kidney disease after laparoscopic radical nephrectomy: a propensity score matching-based analysis / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of dexmedetomidine (DEX) on renal function after laparoscopic radical nephrectomy.@*METHODS@#We reviewed the clinical data of 282 patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC), who underwent laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN) in the Department of Urology, Third Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from November, 2020 and June, 2022.According to whether DEX was used during the operation, the patients were divided into DEX group and control group, and after propensity score matching, 99 patients were finally enrolled in each group.The incidence of acute kidney injuries were compared between the two groups.Serum creatinine (sCr) data within 3 months to 1 year after the operation were available in 51 patients, including 26 in DEX group and 25 in the control group, and the incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) was compared between the two groups.@*RESULTS@#After propensity score matching and adjustment for significant covariates, there were no significant differences in postoperative levels of sCr, cystatin C (CysC), β2-microglobulin (β2-MG), hemoglobin (Hb), or C-reactive protein (CRP), extubation time, incidence of AKI, or length of hospital stay between the two groups (P>0.05).The intraoperative urine volume was significantly higher in DEX group than in the control group (P < 0.05).A significant correlation between AKI and CKD was noted in the patients (P < 0.05).The incidence of CKD did not differ significantly between the two groups (P>0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#DEX can not reduce the incidence of AKI or CKD after LRN.

A Dataset on the Dynamic Monitoring of Health and Family Planning of China's Internal Migrants: A Multi-Wave Large-Scale, National Cross-Sectional Survey from 2009 to 2018 / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

This data article presents data from the China Migrants Dynamic Survey (CMDS), a multi-wave, large-scale national cross-sectional survey of China's internal migrants from 2009 to 2018. The CMDS is an annual questionnaire survey conducted by the former National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) of the People's Republic of China. The respondents included in this survey are internal migrants over 15 years old. The sample was drawn from the China Migrant Population Information System, using multi-stage stratified sampling method and the probability proportional-to-size (PPS) cluster sampling strategy. Between 2009 and 2018, there were 1,527,650 internal migrants from 23 provinces, 5 autonomous regions and 4 municipalities participated in the surveys. The survey tools were a series of self-designed questionnaires with high inheritance and consistency designed and implemented by the NHFPC. The questionnaires mainly contain basic information of the respondents and their family members, migration status, healthcare or health behaviors, public health service utilization, social insurance, social integration, and family planning. The dataset is currently the most widely used survey data on China's internal migrants, offering information on migration patterns, healthcare and health behaviors, use of public health services, access to social security, social integration, and family planning, which are valuable for health planning, health decision-making, and health equity research.

Three important short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) attenuate the inflammatory response induced by 5-FU and maintain the integrity of intestinal mucosal tight junction.

BACKGROUND: 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a used chemotherapy drug for cancer, and its main side effect is intestinal mucositis which causes chemotherapy to fail. It was known that short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) can inhibit immune cell release of various proinflammatory factors and inhibit excessive intestinal inflammation. However, the inhibitory effect of SCFAs on 5-FU-induced intestinal mucositis is still unclear. RESULTS: To simulate the effects of SCFAs on immune and intestinal epithelial cells, the cells (THP-1 cells and Caco-2 cells) were pretreated with sodium acetate (NaAc), sodium propionate (NaPc) and sodium butyrate (NaB), then inflammation was induced by 5-FU. The expressions of reactive oxygen species (ROS), Beclin-1, LC3-II, NF-κB p65, NLRP3 inflammasome, proinflammatory/anti-inflammatory cytokines and mucosal tight junction proteins were determined. In our results, the three SCFAs could inhibit ROS expressions, NLRP3, Caspase-1, IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-18, Beclin-1 and LC3-II, when induced by 5-FU. In a 5-FU-induced chemoentermuctis mouse model, Lactobacillus rhamnoides can increase the concentrations of three SCFAs in faeces and increase the concentrations of IL-1ß, IL-6 and IgA in serum, and decrease the expressions of NLRP3 and IL-17 in spleen cells. The expressions of ZO-1 and Occludin in intestinal mucosa were significantly increased. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicated that the three SCFAs can effectively suppress the inflammation of THP-1 cells and Caco-2 cells and maintain tight junction integrity in intestinal mucosal epithelial cells.

Clinical changes of leptin/ghrelin and PAI-1 levels in adolescent girls with abnormal uterine bleeding-ovulatory dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE: To observe and compare the expression of energy regulators (leptin/ghrelin) and PAI-1 in girls with abnormal uterine bleeding-ovulatory dysfunction (AUB-O) and healthy adolescent girls. METHODS: A total of 80 adolescent girls were studied including 60 with AUB-O and 20 healthy girls. All the general characteristics of subjects including height, weight, age, and age at menarche were collected after consent. The concentration of plasma leptin, ghrelin, PAI-1, and sex hormones was examined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and DXI800 Access immunoassay system respectively. RESULTS: Two groups were comparable in the age at menarche, visiting age, postmenarchal years, and BMI SDS (p > .05). Levels of leptin (11.12 ± 4.96 ng/ml vs. 18.59 ± 13.22 ng/ml, p < .001) and PAI-1 (116.40 ± 36.63 ng/ml vs. 173.19 ± 52.44 ng/ml, p < .001) in girls with AUB-O were significantly lower than that in healthy girls, and the levels of ghrelin were significantly higher than that in healthy girls (1.52 ± 4.20 ng/ml vs. 0.43 ± 0.64 ng/ml, p = .01). At the same time, we also found that girls with AUB-O showed negative correlation between the level of leptin, ghrelin, and estradiol. CONCLUSIONS: Energy metabolism and coagulation might play a role in the development of AUB-O in adolescent girls.

A study on the application of Hay and IPE in the position evaluation of functional departments directors at public hospitals / 中华医院管理杂志

Objective:To conduct a position evaluation of functional departments directors by means of Hay guide-chart profile (Hay) and international position evaluation (IPE) for heads of public hospital departments, and a comparative analysis of the results, for reference in reforming the performance-related pay system of the functional departments.Methods:From July to August of 2021, positions of ten functional department directors of a public tertiary general hospital were selected, and expert groups within and out of the hospital were invited for a position evaluation using both Hay and IPE. Cronbach α and intraclass correlation coefficient were used in the reliability and consistency evaluation. Technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) was conducted to compare the differences between results of both methods, with the position value ranked by quartiles. Results:22 position evaluation forms were issued and 20 were recovered (12 for in-hospital experts and 8 for extramural experts). In Hay evaluation, the scores of medical affairs department and hospital head office were higher, averaging 757.30 and 727.21 respectively, and those of logistics management department were the lowest, being 279.94. In-hospital experts scored lower than those extramural experts on the posts of directors of scientific research management department, Party committee office and medical insurance department, while the scores of the directors of the hospital head office were higher than those extramural experts. In IPE evaluation, the position values of hospital head office and medical affairs department were the highest, averaging 680.25 and 621.00 respectively, and the score of the logistics management department was the lowest, being 365.05. In-hospital experts scored lower than those extramural experts on the posts of directors of Party committee office, scientific research management department and logistics management department, while the scores of the directors of the hospital head office were higher than those of extramural experts. The Cronbach α coefficients of position value scoring of functional department heads evaluated by two evaluation methods were 0.943 (Hay) and 0.800 (IPE) respectively. The hospital head office and medical affairs department ranked the first quartile, the Party committee office and nursing department ranked the second, while the medical insurance department and logistics department ranked the third and fourth respectively. In addition, the ranking differences of the information technology department, human resource department, financial department and scientific research management department were within one quartile. Conclusions:The position evaluation results of Hay and IPE are consistent, but the former is more sensitive. Ranking of position values by quartiles via TOPSIS can support the reform of performance-related pay system of functional departments of public hospitals.

Research progress of novel drug therapy for antibody-mediated rejection in kidney transplantation / 中华泌尿外科杂志

Antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) is the primary factor affecting the long-term prognosis of kidney transplant recipients and kidney allograft. Currently, there is no universally recognized or approved drug for the treatment of AMR. Therefore, more novel drug studies and clinical trials are urgently needed in order to change the long-term prognosis of kidney transplant recipients. Based on the core principles of prevention and treatment of AMR, this paper discusses the mechanism and efficacy of several new types of drugs of most concern in the treatment of AMR from three aspects: removing donor specific antibody, blocking antibody-mediated and complement-mediated tissue damage, and inhibiting the proliferation and activation of antibody-producing cells. These emerging drugs have shown potential in preventing and treating AMR and improving the prognosis of recipients, which is expected to change the dilemma of AMR treatment in the future and provide more effective treatment options for improving the long-term prognosis of kidney transplant recipients.

Analysis of the efficacy and related influencing factors of pelvic packing in the treatment of intractable postpartum hemorrhage after emergency perinatal hysterectomy / 中华妇产科杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of pelvic packing on the control of intractable postpartum hemorrhage after emergency perinatal hysterectomy (EPH).Methods:Eleven cases with complete clinical data of pelvic packing due to failure of hemostasis after EPH were collected to evaluate the outcome, complications, hospital stay of pregnant women, and to analyze the factors affecting the effect of pelvic packing. The cases included patients who were admitted to the Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University after pelvic packing treatment in the other hospital due to continuous bleeding after EPH or who were referred to our hospital for pelvic packing treatment due to continuous bleeding after EPH from January 2014 to August 2021.Results:The median gestational week of 11 pregnant women was 38.3 weeks(38.0-39.9 weeks) , and the methods of termination of pregnancy were cesarean section in 7 cases (7/11) and vaginal delivery in 4 cases (4/11). The median time between postpartum hemorrhage and pelvic tamponade was 10 hours (5-57 hours), the median amount of bleeding was 8 500 ml(4 800-15 600 ml) , the median number of pelvic tamponade was 3 pieces (2-7 pieces), and the median retention time of gauze pad was 6.0 days (3.0-6.0 days). The median frequency of laparotomy in this pregnancy was 3 times (2-3 times), with a maximum of 4 among the 11 cases, the first pelvic packing was successful in hemostasis in 9 cases, and the final successful treatment in all of the 11 cases. All parturients had hemorrhagic shock (11/11) and disseminated intravascular coagulation (11/11) before pelvic packing. Other common complications were multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (9/11), cardiac arrest (4/11), deep vein thrombosis (3/11), septic shock (3/11), and intestinal obstruction (1/11). All parturients took out the gauze after the coagulation function returned to normal and there was no active bleeding. The recovery time of coagulation function in 11 cases was 3 days (3-5 days), the retention time of gauze pad was 6 days (3-6 days), the median length of stay in intensive care unit was 14 days (11-26 days), and the median total length of stay was 22 days (16-49 days).Conclusions:Pelvic packing could be used as a temporary strategy for intractable postpartum hemorrhage after EPH, which provides a key time for injury control resuscitation for patients with unstable vital signs. This technology provides an opportunity for referral to superior medical institutions and further treatment.

Application of three-dimensional image reconstruction technology based on 3D-slicer software in urology / 国际外科学杂志

Objective:To investigate the application value of three-dimensional image reconstruction technology based on 3D-slicer software in urology.Methods:The data of 36 patients with urinary tract diseases admitted to Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University from May 2019 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, including 20 males and 16 females; the median age was 53.50(41.75, 66.25) years. There were 10 relative kidney transplant donors, 12 cases with renal tumors, 6 cases with hydronephrosis and 8 patients with urinary calculi. The CT urography data of 36 cases were reconstructed into three-dimensional image models based on 3D-slicer software, and the morphology of the target tissue was measured.Results:In the urinary system model of 10 relative kidney transplant donors constructed in this study, the type of donor renal artery was single artery in 7 cases and accessory renal artery in 3 cases; In the three-dimensional model of 12 tumor kidneys, 4 tumors were located at the upper part of the kidney (2 near ventral and 2 near dorsal), 5 tumors were located at the middle part of the kidney (2 near ventral and 3 near dorsal), and 3 tumors were located at the lower part of the kidney near ventral. The average maximum diameter of the tumors was (27.3 ± 9.63) mm, and the tumor volume was (15.89 ± 5.93) cm 2. The study also successfully constructed a three-dimensional image model of the urinary system in 6 patients with hydronephrosis and 8 patients with urinary calculi (without hydronephrosis). Three-dimensional model image reconstructed by 3D-slicer software clearly showed the spatial structure of renal parenchyma, blood vessels, renal pelvis, calyces and ureter. The diameter, position and direction of ureters and blood vessels can be observed clearly based on the three-dimensional reconstruction model, and clinicians could also evaluate the location, shape, size and adjacent relationship with surrounding tissues of renal cysts, tumors, stones or other masses. Conclusion:3D-slicer software platform can assist clinicians to reconstruct the three-dimensional model of urinary system, which is worthy of further clinical application.

Advances of targeted delivery vectors for inducing browning of white adipose tissue / 药学学报

Obesity has become an important inducer of many public diseases such as diabetes, endocrine disorders, and so on. Anti-obesity treatment has become a hot topic. Inhibiting fat synthesis and promoting fat decomposition are important ways of drug anti-obesity treatment. With the in-depth study of the distribution, morphology and function of adipose tissue, brown adipose tissue containing multi-compartment fat drops and rich mitochondria have attracted people's attention. Beige adipocytes which are similar to brown adipocytes in morphology and function have aroused great interest, such cells can be transformed from white adipocytes by external stimulation or browning agents. This process is called "white fat browning". The expression of promoting energy consumption proteins in these cells increase, so that the function of adipocytes changes from energy storage to energy consumption to increase excessive energy consumption in the body and reduce lipid accumulation. The browning of white adipose tissue has brought new ideas for obesity treatment, but the systemic administration of browning agent has the risk of adverse reactions to non-target tissues such as heart and central nervous system, which limits its application in inducing white fat browning. Browning agents to white adipose tissue can reduce its adverse reactions and improve its bioavailability by constructing a drug delivery system targeting white adipose tissue. In this review, the mechanism on browning of white adipose tissue, the commonly used browning agents and the targeted delivery carriers that induce browning of white adipose tissue are summarized.

Quantitative evaluation of global left ventricular myocardial work in patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis by pressure-strain loop / 中华肝脏病杂志

Objective: To quantitatively evaluate myocardial work in patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis by using left ventricular pressure-strain loop. Methods: 70 cases with hepatitis B cirrhosis who were hospitalized in Henan Provincial People's Hospital from March to December 2020 were selected as the study group. Patients were divided into three subgroups according to the Child-Pugh score of liver cirrhosis (Child-Pugh class A, B, and C groups: 25, 25, and 20 patients, respectively). At the same time, 25 healthy volunteers were included as the control group. Global longitudinal strain (GLS), global myocardial work index (GWI), global work efficiency (GWE), global constructive work (GCW), and global wasted work (GWW) were obtained by applying pressure-strain loops. The differences were analyzed and compared among the four groups parameters. Results: Compared with the control group, the Child-Pugh class A group had decreased GLS, while Child-Pugh class B and C had decreased GLS, GWI, GWE, GCW, and increased GWW, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Compared with Child-Pugh class A group, Child-Pugh class B group had decreased GLS, GWE, and increased GWW, while Child-Pugh class C group had decreased GLS,GWI, GWE, GCW, and increased GWW, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Compared with Child-Pugh class B group, Child-Pugh class C group had decreased GLS, GWI, GWE, GCW, and increased GWW, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: The pressure-strain loop can detect early myocardial dysfunction, and has a certain value in the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis evaluation of myocardial function changes in patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis.

Construction and immune efficacy of recombinant Lactobacillus casei expressing OmpAI of Aeromonas veronii C5-I as molecular adjuvant.

Despite advancements in diagnosis and control, Aeromonas infections are considered the leading cause of economic aquaculture loss. In this study, to enhance DNA vaccine efficacy against Aeromonas infections, a fused DNA fragment (1504 bp) of the OmpAI gene from Aeromonas veronii (A. veronii) combined with the C5-I gene from the common carp was generated with splicing by overlapping PCR (SOE-PCR) and expressed in Lactobacillus casei strain CC16. Protein C5-I served as a molecular adjuvant for the antigen OmpAI. Two types of fusion antigens were developed (anchored and secretory). Generally, anchored-type antigens are more effective in inducing immune responses in fish than secretory antigens. Western blot analysis showed that the bands of both antigens were present at 58 kDa. After oral immunization, both DNA vaccines enhanced the serum levels of AKP, ACP, SOD and LZM in immunized carp; the genes IL-10, IL-1ß, TNF-α, and IFN-γ in the heart, liver, spleen, head kidney, and intestinal tract were upregulated; and a stronger phagocytic response was triggered in immunized fish. In addition, common carp administered the fused antigens were more protected from Aeromonas challenge (60-73.3% protection). Recombinant Lactobacillus bacteria expressing the fused protein showed a greater propensity for colonization in the intestinal tract in immunized fish than in controls. Here, we provide a promising approach to improve DNA vaccine immunogenicity for protecting common carp from A. veronii infections.

Correlation of Chemical Components in Periploca forrestii with Ecological and Soil Factors / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To study the correlation of eight chemical components in Miao medicine <italic>Periploca forrestii</italic> from different producing areas with the ecological and soil factors. Method:The contents of neochlorogenic acid， chlorogenic acid， cryptochlorogenic acid， isochlorogenic acid B， isochlorogenic acid A， isochlorogenic acid C， procyanidin A₂， and periplocin were simultaneously determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography （UPLC）. The root soil samples from various producing areas were collected for testing various soil factors， followed by climate data extraction with ArcGIS and topographic data recording using GPS. SPSS 24.0 was employed to conduct the bivariate analysis and stepwise regression analysis of the eight chemical components in <italic>P. forrestii</italic> from different producing areas with the ecological and soil factors. Result:Stepwise regression equations of the content of eight chemical components against ecological and soil factors were established. The findings demonstrated that neochlorogenic acid was negatively correlated with precipitation in the coldest season and chlorogenic acid negatively correlated with precipitation in the driest month. Cryptochlorogenic acid was negatively correlated with precipitation in the coldest season and average temperature in the warmest season， but positively with selenium. Isochlorogenic acid B was mainly affected by soil factors. Specifically， it was positively correlated with available iron and molybdenum but negatively with total phosphorus and available phosphorus. Isochlorogenic acid A was positively correlated with molybdenum but negatively with the coefficient of variation of precipitation. Isochlorogenic acid C showed a positive correlation with exchangeable magnesium. Procyanidin A₂ exhibited a positive correlation with molybdenum and a negative correlation with available potassium. Periplocin was negatively correlated with the coefficient of variation of precipitation. Conclusion:The correlation between the eight chemical components of <italic>P. forrestii</italic> and the ecological and soil factors has been clarified， which will provide reference for the introduction， cultivation， and standardized planting of <italic>P. forrestii </italic>and also a theoretical basis for further research on its ecological and soil factors and quality formation mechanism.

Ecology and Quality Suitability Regionalization of Sabia parviflora / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To explore the potential suitable distribution area and the high-quality distribution area of <italic>Sabia parviflora</italic>. Method:Combined with the distribution information and environmental factors，the maximum entropy （MaxEnt） model and ArcGIS software were used to predict the potential suitable distribution area of <italic>S. parviflora</italic>. Based on the correlation between environmental factors and total saponins，total flavonoids，quercetin-3-<italic>O</italic>-gentiobioside，camellianoside，tsubakioside A，kaempferol-3-<italic>O</italic>-rutinoside and isobariclisin-3-<italic>O</italic>-rutinoside，the quality regionalization was conducted by using spatial interpolation method and fuzzy superposition function in ArcGIS software. Result:<italic>S. parviflora</italic> is mainly distributed in Yunnan，Guizhou，Guangxi province in China. The medium and high suitable areas accounts for about 2.88% of the national area. The precipitation in October and November，the precipitation in the warmest and driest seasons，the standard deviation of seasonal changes in temperature and altitude are the main environmental factors that affect the distribution of <italic>S. parviflora</italic>. Slope，precipitation，solar radiation and temperature change had great influence on the accumulation of secondary metabolites. Based on the results of potential suitable distribution and spatial interpolation of each component，the high-quality areas of <italic>S. parviflora</italic> are mainly concentrated in the southwest of Guizhou，with Qinglong，Guanling，Zhenning，Pu'an，Xingren county and other areas as the core. Conclusion:This study provides a scientific guidance for the site selection of artificial planting and the procurement of medicinal materials for <italic>S. parviflora</italic>.

Interferon-gamma inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenasebright cancer stem cells in the 4T1 mouse model of breast cancer / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Despite improvements in disease diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis, breast cancer is still a leading cause of cancer death for women. Compelling evidence suggests that targeting cancer stem cells (CSCs) have a crucial impact on overcoming the current shortcomings of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In the present study, we aimed to study the effects of T cells and a critical anti-tumor cytokine, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), on breast cancer stem cells.@*METHODS@#BALB/c mice and BALB/c nude mice were subcutaneously injected with 4T1 tumor cells. Tumor growth and pulmonary metastasis were assessed. ALDEFLOUR™ assays were performed to identify aldehyde dehydrogenasebright (ALDHbr) tumor cells. ALDHbr cells as well as T cells from tumor-bearing BALB/c mice were analyzed using flow cytometry. The effects of CD8+ T cells on ALDHbr tumor cells were assessed in vitro and in vivo. The expression profiles of ALDHbr and ALDHdim 4T1 tumor cells were determined. The levels of plasma IFN-γ were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and their associations with the percentages of ALDHbr tumor cells were evaluated. The effects of IFN-γ on ALDH expression and the malignancy of 4T1 tumor cells were analyzed in vitro.@*RESULTS@#There were fewer metastatic nodules in tumor-bearing BALB/c mice than those in tumor-bearing BALB/c nude mice (25.40 vs. 54.67, P < 0.050). CD8+ T cells decreased the percentages of ALDHbr 4T1 tumor cells in vitro (control vs. effector to target ratio of 1:1, 10.15% vs. 5.76%, P < 0.050) and in vivo (control vs. CD8+ T cell depletion, 10.15% vs. 21.75%, P < 0.001). The functions of upregulated genes in ALDHbr 4T1 tumor cells were enriched in the pathway of response to IFN-γ. The levels of plasma IFN-γ decreased gradually in tumor-bearing BALB/c mice, while the percentages of ALDHbr tumor cells in primary tumors increased. IFN-γ at a concentration of 26.68 ng/mL decreased the percentages of ALDHbr 4T1 tumor cells (22.88% vs. 9.88%, P < 0.050) and the protein levels of aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 family member A1 in 4T1 tumor cells (0.86 vs. 0.49, P < 0.050) and inhibited the abilities of sphere formation (sphere diameter <200 μm, 159.50 vs. 72.0; ≥200 μm, 127.0 vs. 59.0; both P < 0.050) and invasion (89.67 vs. 67.67, P < 0.001) of 4T1 tumor cells.@*CONCLUSION@#CD8+ T cells and IFN-γ decreased CSC numbers in a 4T1 mouse model of breast cancer. The application of IFN-γ may be a potential strategy for reducing CSCs in breast cancer.