The relationship between fluoride exposure, basal metabolic rate, body fat percentage, and grip strength among adults in rural areas with fluorosis of China / 中华地方病学杂志

Objective:To study the relationship between adult fluoride exposure and grip strength in rural areas of China with fluorosis, as well as the roles of basal metabolic rate (BMR) and body fat percentage (BFP) in the association between fluoride exposure and grip strength.Methods:From April to May 2017, a cluster sampling method was used to conduct a questionnaire survey, physical examination, and biological sample collection on residents aged 18 - 60 in Tongxu County, Kaifeng City, Henan Province (epidemic areas of drinking-water-borne fluorosis). A total of 1 168 subjects were included in the study, including 427 males and 741 females. The fluoride ion selective electrode method and the picric acid method were used to determine the concentrations of urine fluoride and urine creatinine, and the adjusted urine fluoride concentration (CUF) was calculated. BMR and BFP were measured by a bioelectrical impendence method, and the grip strength was measured by a Jamar grip dynamometer. The relationship between CUF, BMR, BFP and grip strength were analyzed using a generalized linear model regression. The mediation effect model was used to assess the mediating effect of BMR and BFP on the association between CUF and grip strength.Results:Female grip strength decreased by 0.28 kg ( P = 0.043) for every 1.00 mg/L increment in CUF. No similar association was found between the two in males ( P = 0.744). Regardless of gender stratification, BMR was positively correlated with grip strength ( P < 0.001). For every 1.00% increase in BFP, female grip strength decreased by 0.18 kg ( P = 0.043). The mediation effect model analysis results showed that the mediation effect ratios of BMR and BFP in the association between CUF and grip strength in female were 65.1% ( P < 0.001) and 8.4% ( P = 0.111), respectively. Conclusion:Fluoride exposure is associated with changes in female grip strength, and BMR changes play a partial mediating role in the association between fluoride exposure and female grip strength.

Comparison of different regimens in isoprenaline-induced chronic heart failure models / 中国实验动物学报

Objective To compare animal models of chronic heart failure(CHF)prepared by three different protocols,to establish a stable,reliable,and reproducible mouse model of CHF.Methods Twenty-five male C57BL/6J mice were divided randomly into four groups:a blank group,model A group(MA group),model B group(MB group),and model C group(MC group).The model groups adopted different preparation protocols for continuous injection of isoprenaline.The MA group and MB group were dose-decreasing models:MA group:subcutaneous injection of 10 mg/kg on day 1,5 mg/kg on day 2,2.5 mg/(kg·d)on days 3～30,total 30 days;and MB group:subcutaneous injection of 20 mg/kg on day 1,10 mg/kg on day 2,5 mg/(kg·d)on days 3～14,total 14 days.The MC group used a constant dose of intraperitoneal injection of 7.5 mg/(kg·d)for 28 days.The day after the final injection,the survival and model-formation rates for each group of mice were calculated.Cardiac function was measured by cardiac ultrasound and serum levels of N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide,interleukin-6,and tumor necrosis factor-α were measured.Results CHF was successfully induced in all the model groups after all injections at the end of the fourth week.However,comprehensive test result showed that the MC model was the most stable.Conclusions An isoprenaline-induced mouse model of CHF using constant intraperitoneal injection of 7.5 mg/(kg·d)for 28 days may be the most suitable model for subsequent research on traditional Chinese medicine.

Role of Lipid Metabolism Disorders in Renal Ageing and Renal Fibrosis / 生物化学与生物物理进展

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has become a significant global public health problem. It is defined as chronic renal structural and functional dysfunction caused by various reasons. The prevalence of obesity and diabetes has increased dramatically in developing countries, which substantially affected the patterns of CKD observed in these regions. It’s inevitable that the disease spectrum of CKD is converting to metabolic diseases. CKD is also considered an independent risk factor for renal aging and cardiovascular disease in the elderly, which usually progresses to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Renal interstitial fibrosis is the pathological basis of ESRD and is a microscopic manifestation of renal aging. Conversely, renal aging is a risk factor for interstitial fibrosis. Although the healthy kidney has a relatively low lipid level, CKD-associated dyslipidemia has been extensively studied. Nevertheless, less is known about the contribution of lipid disorders to the development of renal senescence and interstitial fibrosis. Recent studies have demonstrated that lipid metabolism disorders occur in the progress of renal aging and interstitial fibrosis. Renal lipids accumulate once lipid uptake and synthesis exceed the balance with lipolysis, which is mainly characterized by increased levels of triglyceride (TG) and oxidized low-density lipoprotein, and decreased levels of high-density lipoprotein. Excessive lipid accumulation in the kidney not only induces lipotoxicity and endoplasmic reticulum stress but also increases intracellular and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, which induce stress injury and senescence in renal tubular epithelial cells. Pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic cytokines in a senescence-associated secretory phenotype secreted by senescent renal tubular epithelial cells further accelerate their senescence as well as the occurrence of inflammation and pericyte loss, promoting secretion of extracellular matrix (ECM) and subsequent fibrosis in the tubulointerstitial compartment. In addition, podocyte hypertrophy also leads to glomerulosclerosis. Currently, most of the studies on inhibiting or even reversing renal interstitial fibrosis are still in the experimental stage. What’s more, effective drugs to slow down renal aging have not been reported. Many inflammatory and fibrotic factors are both components of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), nevertheless, they are not sufficient to recognize cellular senescence. Given that indicators of senescence may vary from disease to disease and organ to organ, there is a need for more sensitive and specific senescence assays. Crucial enzymes and regulatory proteins of lipid metabolic pathways are expected to be potential targets for ameliorating renal aging and interstitial fibrosis. Lipid-lowering approach might represent another therapeutic in the management of kidney injury associated with metabolic dysfunction. Thus, clarifying the molecular regulatory mechanisms of lipid metabolism in kidney is extremely important for the delay of renal aging and the treatment of interstitial fibrosis. This review outlines the effects of lipid metabolism disorders on renal aging and renal fibrosis, analyses the role of lipid metabolism disorders in the development of renal diseases, and summarizes the potential targets and strategies for the prevention of renal aging and renal fibrosis based on lipid metabolism regulation, which will provide a reference for the discovery of new targets for the treatment of renal fibrosis.

TSHR Variant Screening and Phenotype Analysis in 367 Chinese Patients With Congenital Hypothyroidism

Background@#Genetic defects in the human thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor (TSHR) gene can cause congenital hypothyroidism (CH). However, the biological functions and comprehensive genotype–phenotype relationships for most TSHR variants associated with CH remain unexplored. We aimed to identify TSHR variants in Chinese patients with CH, analyze the functions of the variants, and explore the relationships between TSHR genotypes and clinical phenotypes. @*Methods@#In total, 367 patients with CH were recruited for TSHR variant screening using whole-exome sequencing. The effects of the variants were evaluated by in-silico programs such as SIFT and polyphen2. Furthermore, these variants were transfected into 293T cells to detect their Gs/cyclic AMP and Gq/11 signaling activity. @*Results@#Among the 367 patients with CH, 17 TSHR variants, including three novel variants, were identified in 45 patients, and 18 patients carried biallelic TSHR variants. In vitro experiments showed that 10 variants were associated with Gs/cyclic AMP and Gq/11 signaling pathway impairment to varying degrees. Patients with TSHR biallelic variants had lower serum TSH levels and higher free triiodothyronine and thyroxine levels at diagnosis than those with DUOX2 biallelic variants. @*Conclusions@#We found a high frequency of TSHR variants in Chinese patients with CH (12.3%), and 4.9% of cases were caused by TSHR biallelic variants. Ten variants were identified as loss-of-function variants. The data suggest that the clinical phenotype of CH patients caused by TSHR biallelic variants is relatively mild. Our study expands the TSHR variant spectrum and provides further evidence for the elucidation of the genetic etiology of CH.

Research progress on bone metabolism and molecular mechanisms in accelerated aging SAMP6 mice / 中国药理学通报

Senile osteoporosis (SOP) is a systemic bone disease characterized by increased susceptibility to fractures. The pathogenesis of SOP is complex and not well understood. Currently, the rapid aging model mouse, senescence accelerated mouse prone 6 (SAMP6), is an ideal model for studying the mechanisms of SOP development and exploring its prevention and treatment. This model exhibits characteristics including increased bone fragility, degradation of bone microstructure, loss of bone matrix, and abnormal metabolism and dysfunction of bone cells, faithfully replicating the process of SOP occurrence and progression at both macroscopic and microscopic levels.

A new suberin from roots of Ephedra sinica Stapf / 药学学报

Six compounds were isolated from the roots of Ephedra sinica Stapf using various chromatographic techniques such as silica gel column chromatography, thin layer chromatography and semi-preparative HPLC. Their chemical structures were identified by analysis of physicochemical properties and spectral data, and determined as (Z)-docosanylferulate (1), (E)-docosanylferulate (2), bis (2-ethylheptyl) phythalate (3), 2,2′-oxybis (1,4-di-tert-butylbenzene) (4), diisobutyl phthalate (5), bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (6). Among them, compound 1 is a new compound, compounds 2-4 were first isolated from Ephedra. A corticosterone-induced PC-12 cell injury model was used for compound activity screening. The results showed that compounds 1 and 5 significantly improved corticosterone-induced PC-12 cell injury and significantly increased 5-HT7 receptor protein expression in the cells, indicating potential antidepressant activity.

Preliminary study on the mechanism of halofuginone inhibiting the activity of HepG2 cells / 药学学报

This study aimed to investigate halofuginone's inhibitory effect and mechanism on the activity of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. HepG2 cells were used to detect the effects of halofuginone. After treatment, cell activity, cell migration, cell cycle, and cell apoptosis were detected by CCK-8, transwell, and flow cytometry, respectively. The expression levels of growth and metabolism-related factors such as citrate synthase (CS), ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (OGDH), and isocitrate deoxygenase (IDH) were detected by real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot. Compared with the control group, the activity of HepG2 cells was significantly inhibited by halofuginone (P < 0.01), the migration rate of HepG2 cells was decreased (P < 0.01), the apoptosis of HepG2 cells was induced (P < 0.01), and the cell cycle was arrested in S phase (P < 0.01). The expression levels of tricarboxylic acid key enzymes CS, IDH3, and OGDH were up-regulated, the expression level of isocitrate dehydrogenase isoenzymes IDH1 and IDH2 were down-regulation. In conclusion, halofuginone can inhibit the proliferation and migration of HepG2 cells and promote apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner, which may be due to the promotion of the aerobic metabolism of cells.

Research progress on the mechanism of -lactam resistance in group A Streptococci in vivo / 中国当代儿科杂志

-lactams, including penicillin, have been used for over 80 years in the treatment of group A Streptococcus (GAS) infections. Although -lactam-resistant GAS strains have not been identified in vitro tests, clinical treatment failures have been reported since the 1950s. The mechanism underlying the clinical failure of -lactam treatment in GAS infections remains unclear. Previous research has suggested that -lactam resistance in GAS in vivo is associated with reduced drug susceptibility of strains, bacterial inoculation effects, biofilm formation, the effect of coexisting bacteria, bacterial persistence, and bacterial internalization into host cells. This article reviews the main reports on -lactam treatment failure in GAS infections and analyzes the possible mechanisms of -lactam resistance in vivo. The findings aim to contribute to future research and clinical approaches in the field.

Effect of health education based on LEARNING model on discharged patients with peripherally inserted central catheter / 中国中西医结合急救杂志

Objective To evaluate the effect of LEARNS[listen(L),establish(E),adopt(A),reinforce(R),name(N),strengthen(S)]model health education for patients with peripherally inserted central catheter(PICC)after discharge.Methods From June 2020 to June 2021,193 discharged patients with PICC were selected as the study objects.They were divided into observation group(95 cases)and control group(98 cases)according to random number table method.The control group received routine health education and continued follow-up for 3 months.In the observation group,health education was constructed and implemented at 2,4,8 and 12 weeks after discharge based on the control group and the basis of LEARNS model.The incidence of PICC-related complications and PICC-related adverse events were compared between the two groups,and self-management ability was evaluated using cancer patients PICC self-management scale(CPPSMS)score,strategies used by people to promote health(SUPPH)were used to evaluate self-efficacy.Results The incidence of PICC-related complications and adverse events in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group[11.58%(11/95)vs.40.82%(40/98)and 6.32%(6/95)vs.22.45%(22/98),both P＜0.05].There were no statistically significant differences in CPPSMS scores(daily catheter observation,maintenance compliance,management confidence,anomaly handling,information acquisition,tubeed exercise,and tubeed daily life)and SUPPH scores(positive attitude,self-stress reduction,and self-decision-making)in the two groups before intervention,and the above scores were higher than those before intervention.After intervention,the above scores in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group(CPPSMS total score was 131.37±27.20 vs.92.41±23.89,daily catheter observation score was 26.02±6.04 vs.18.27±5.43,maintenance compliance score was 18.45±4.36 vs.13.28±3.12,and management confidence score was 17.69±3.37 vs.13.81±3.65,anomaly processing score was 15.01±3.46 vs.10.25±2.74,information acquisition score was 11.98±2.56 vs.7.84±2.07,tube motion score was 15.94±3.46 vs.10.28±2.78,daily life with tubes score was 26.28±5.19 vs.18.68±4.46,all P＜0.05;SUPPH total score was 106.54±20.84 vs.93.93±18.50,positive attitude score was 56.89±11.45 vs.49.34±10.56,self-stress reduction score was 38.25±8.73 vs.34.76±6.28,the self-decision-making score was 11.40±2.57 vs.9.83±2.96,all P＜0.05).Conclusion The implementation of health education based on LEARNS model in discharged patients with PICC tube can improve their self-management ability and self-efficacy,and improve clinical prognosis.

A case report of pelvic aggressive angiomyxoma / 中华泌尿外科杂志

Aggressive angiomyxoma (AAM) is a rare clinical entity. A case of AAM was reported in this paper. The patient presented with severe hydronephrosis of the left kidney and was diagnosed with a pelvic mass compressing the ureter. The patient underwent laparoscopic resection of the pelvic mass. The postoperative pathology and immunohistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis of AAM. The patient had no recurrence and metastasis after 9 months of follow-up.

Correlation analysis of BRAF V600E mutation with clinical pathological features and prognosis of differentiated thyroid cancer patients with different risk stratification / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Objective:To explore the relationship between B-Raf proto-oncogene, serine/threonine kinase (BRAF) V600E mutation and clinical pathological features in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), and to evaluate the value of BRAF V600E mutation in predicting the efficacy and follow-up of 131I treatment in DTC patients with different risk stratification. Methods:From January 2018 to June 2022, 893 DTC patients (205 males, 688 females, age (42.3±11.9) years) treated with 131I after total thyroidectomy in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into BRAF V600E mutation group ( n=729) and wild-type group ( n=164). According to the 2015 American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines, patients were divided into low-risk (39 cases), medium-risk (498 cases) and high-risk (356 cases), and the curative effect was divided into excellent response (ER) and non-excellent response (NER). The χ2 test, independent-sample t test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare differences between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis was performed to predict the influencing factors of treatment effect in DTC patients with different risk stratification. Results:The differences in age≥45 years, N stage, unilateral or bilateral DTC, multifocus, mode of operation, number and size of metastatic lymph nodes were statistically significant between BRAF V600E mutation group and wild-type group ( χ2 values: 4.45-17.40, t=-4.08, z=-3.08, all P<0.05). In medium- and high-risk stratification, the stimulated thyroglobulin (sTg) levels before and after 131I treatment were slightly higher in the BRAF V600E mutation group, while significantly sharp decreased of sTg and thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) in wild-type group ( z value: from -9.30 to -2.65, all P<0.05). In medium- and high-risk stratification, 69.0%(60/87) and 64.3%(45/70) of BRAF V600E wild-type patients reached ER after 131I treatment, which were higher than those of mutant patients (57.4%(236/411) and 45.8%(131/286); χ2 values: 3.96, 7.39, P values: 0.046, 0.007). BRAF V600E mutation was the independent predictor affecting the efficacy of 131I treatment in DTC patients with medium- and high-risk stratification (odds ratio ( OR): 0.411 (95% CI: 0.196-0.864), 0.192 (95% CI: 0.096-0.384), P values: 0.019, <0.001). Conclusions:DTC patients with BRAF V600E mutation are related to the high invasiveness, and show poor improvement in biochemical indicators after initial 131I treatment. In addition, BRAF V600E mutation is an important factor in predicting the therapeutic effect of 131I in DTC patients with medium- and high-risk stratification.

Clinical characteristics of patients with malignant tumors and immune checkpoint inhibitors related multisystem adverse events as well as therapeutic efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors: a retrospective study / 肿瘤研究与临床

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with malignant tumors and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) related multisystem adverse events as well as therapeutic efficacy of ICI.Methods:The general data, immune-related adverse events (irAE) type, onset time, severity and ICI efficacy of patients with malignant tumors who developed irAE after receiving ICI in China-Japan Friendship Hospital between January 2019 and November 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were divided into multisystem irAE group and single system irAE group according to whether patients with more than 1 organ or system developed irAE for once. The occurrence of irAE was summarized, and the clinical characteristics of patients were compared. Progression-free survival analysis was not performed owing to the pause of immunotherapy caused by some irAE, so the efficacy of ICI was evaluated by using ICI treatment duration (TD).Results:A total of 47 patients with malignant tumors and irAE were included in this study, with 70 times of irAE in total. The median onset time was 90 d (35 d, 196 d). Among them, 12 patients (25.53%) developed multisystem irAE (32 times of irAE in total); the other 35 patients (74.47%) developed single system irAE (38 times of irAE in total). Cutaneous toxicity for 7 times, thyroid toxicity for 7 times and pulmonary toxicity for 5 times were the most frequent among multisystem irAE group; pulmonary toxicity for 13 times, thyroid toxicity for 12 times and cutaneous toxicity for 5 times were the most frequent among single system irAE group. There were no statistically significant differences in the proportion of patients stratified by age, gender, the combination of other treatments and different body mass between the two groups (all P > 0.05). The median follow-up time was 20 months (9-40 months). The median TD of ICI was 16.00 months (95% CI 3.62-31.22 months) in multisystem irAE group and 4.60 months (95% CI 4.12-11.30 months) in single system irAE group; TD in multisystem irAE group was longer than that in single system irAE group, and the difference was statistically significant ( HR = 0.413, 95% CI 0.202-0.844, P = 0.038). Conclusions:The efficacy of ICI in patients with malignant tumors and multisystem irAE is better than that in those with single system irAE. It suggests that the better efficacy of ICI may be associated with greater risk of irAE. There is no significant difference in the clinical features between multisystem irAE and single system irAE.

Design, synthesis, and activity of 5-cyano-2-thiacetyl aromatic pyrimidinone as DENV NS5 RdRp inhibitors / 药学学报

To screen novel anti-dengue virus (DENV) NS5 RdRp enzyme inhibitors, a series of 5-cyano-2-thiacetoaryl pyrimidinone compounds were designed and synthesized by molecular hybridization method with HCV NS5B RdRp inhibitor 3jc and ZIKV NS5 RdRp inhibitor 4w as lead compounds. The anti-DENV activity of these compounds was evaluated by MTT assay and plaque assay and five compounds showed anti-DENV activity. The most active compound 7a'k showed better anti-DENV activity than that of the positive control ribavirin (EC50 = 7.86 μmol·L-1 vs EC50 = 18.07 μmol·L-1), and the other four compounds showed almost the same anti-DENV activity as ribavirin. Finally, the prediction and simulation of the binding mode through molecular provided new ideas for the further development of this new DENV NS5 RdRp inhibitor.

A new flavonoid glycoside from Epimedium sagittatum / 药学学报

Fourteen flavonoids were isolated and purified from Epimedium sagittatum by various chromatography techniques such as macroporous adsorbent resin, silica gel, ODS, Sephadex LH-20, HW-40C and semi-preparative HPLC. Their structures were identified by analysis of physicochemical properties and spectral data, and determined as 3′-hydroxy-baohuoside-Ⅱ (1), huazhongilexone-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), kaempferol-3-O-α-L-rhamnoside (3), baohuoside-Ⅱ (4), icariside-Ⅱ (5), kaempferol 3,7-di-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (6), (+)-aromadendrin (7), kaempferol 3-O-(2-O-β-D-apiofuranosyl)-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (8), sagittatoside A (9), 2″-O-rhamnosyl icariside-II (10), apigenin-7-O-β-D-glucoside (11), quercetin 3-O-β-D-apiofuranoyl-(1→2)-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (12), kaempferol (13), icariin (14). Among them, compound 1 is a new compound, while compounds 2, 6-8, 11, and 12 were isolated from E.sagittatum for the first time.

Research progress on mechanisms of neuroinflammation induced by methamphetamine and HIV-1 Tat protein / 中国药理学通报

Methamphetamine abuse and HIV infection are extremely serious public health and social problems facing the world today. Methamphetamine and HIV-1 Tat protein can induce neurotoxicity in an individual and synergistic way, and neuroinflammation is one of the most important mechanisms for ca-using neurotoxicity. Neuroinflammation can be mediated by glial cells, cytokines, NLRP3 inflammasomes, etc. This paper reviews the research progress of neuroinflammation induced by methamphetamine and HIV-1 Tat protein in recent years, with the aim of providing reference and basis for further exploration of the mechanisms of neuroinflammation caused by them and effective drug intervention targets in the future.

Inhibition of MAPK pathway-induced apoptosis in renal cancer cells by ethanol extraction of Dysosma versipellis / 中国药理学通报

Aim To explore the effects of ethanol extraction of Dysosma versipellis on the proliferation and apoptosis of renal clear cell carcinoma OS-RC-2 cells and the underlying mechanism. Methods After treated with Dysosma versipellis, the proliferation of OS-RC-2 cells was detected by the CCK-8 assay and clone formation assay. The migration rate of cells was detected by thewound healing assay and Transwell assay. The level of ROS was detected by the reactive oxygen detection kit. The common targets between Dysosma versipellis and ROS were obtained by the network pharmacology. The above common targets were analyzed by KEGG. The apoptosis rate and cell cycle were detected by the flow cytometry, and the key proteins of MAPK signaling pathway and the levels of apoptosis related proteins were measured by Western blot. Results The results showed that Dysosma versipellis significantly inhibited the cell viability and migration ability of 0S-RC-2 cells, and up-regulated the level of ROS. Network pharmacology analysis showed a total of 165 common targets between Dysosma versipellis and ROS. KEGG analysis of the common targets revealed that there were significant changes in the MAPK signaling pathway. The results of Western blot showed that after treated with Dysosma versipellis, the protein level of JNK and the ratio of p-ERK/ERK were down-regulated. Besides, the protein level of caspase-9 and Bcl-2 declined, while the levels of cleaved caspase-9 and Bax were promoted. The flow cytometry results showed that Dysosma versipellis could significantly promote the apoptosis rate,down-regulate the cells in Gl-phase,while up-regulate the cells in G2/M-phase. The results of the rescue experiment showed that co-administration of NAC and Dysosma versipellis could significantly reverse the cell viability and apoptosis rate, the level of apop-totic related proteins, as well as the protein levels of MAPK pathway,when compared to treated with Dysosma versipellis alone in OS-RC-2. Conclusion In summary, Dysosma versipellis may inhibit the MAPK signaling pathway via the changes in ROS,further promoting apoptosis rate and decline cell proliferation in OS-RC-2 cell line.

Shenmai Injection Improves Hypertensive Heart Failure by Inhibiting Myocardial Fibrosis via TGF-β 1/Smad Pathway Regulation / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To study effects of Shenmai Injection on hypertensive heart failure and its mechanism for inhibiting myocardial fibrosis.@*METHODS@#Salt-sensitive (Dahl/SS) rats were fed with normal diet (0.3% NaCl) and the high-salt diet (8% NaCl) to observe the changes in blood pressure and heart function, as the control group and the model group. Salt-insensitive rats (SS-13BN) were fed with the high-salt diet (8% NaCl) as the negative control group. After modeling, the model rats were randomly divided into heart failure (HF) group, Shenmai Injection (SMI) group and pirfenidone (PFD) group by a random number table, with 6 rats in each group. They were given sterilized water, SMI and pirfenidone, respectively. Blood pressure, cardiac function, fibrosis and related molecular expression were detected by sphygmomanometer, echocardiogram, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), hematoxylin-eosin staining, Masson staining, immunofluorescence and qPCR analysis.@*RESULTS@#After high-salt feeding, compared with the control and negative control group, in the model group the blood pressure increased significantly, the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular fraction shortening (LVFS) were significantly reduced, and the serum NT-proBNP concentration increased significantly (all P<0.05); furthermore, the arrangement of myocardial cells was disordered, the edema was severe, and the degree of myocardial fibrosis was also significantly increased (P<0.05); the protein and mRNA expressions of collagen type I (Col I) were up-regulated (P<0.05), and the mRNA expressions of transforming growth factor β 1 (TGF- β 1), Smad2 and Smad3 were significantly up-regulated (P<0.05). Compared with HF group, after intervention of Shenmai Injection, LVEF and LVFS increased, myocardial morphology was improved, collagen volume fraction decreased significantly (P<0.05), and the mRNA expressions of Col I, TGF- β 1, Smad2 and Smad3, as well as Col I protein expression, were all significantly down-regulated (all P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Myocardial fibrosis is the main pathological manifestation of hypertensive heart failure, and Shenmai Injection could inhibit myocardial fibrosis and effectively improve heart failure by regulating TGF-β 1/Smad signaling pathway.

Analysis of the clinical characteristics of 25 cases with parenchymal neuro-Behcet's disease / 中华内科杂志

Objective: To retrospectively investigate the clinical data, radiological characteristics, treatment, and outcome of patients with parenchymal neuro-Behcet's disease (P-NBD) with particular emphasis on dizziness. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of clinical data from 25 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of P-NBD who were admitted to the Department of Neurology of the First Medical Center of Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital between 2010 and 2022. The median age of the population was 37 years (range: 17-85 years). Clinical data were retrospectively analyzed, including gender, age of onset, disease duration, clinical manifestations, serum immune indicators, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) routine biochemical and cytokine levels, cranial and spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, treatment, and outcome. Results: The majority of patients were male (16 cases; 64.0%), the mean age of onset was (28±14) (range: 4-58 years), and the disease course was acute or subacute. Fever was the most common clinical presentation, and the complaint of dizziness was not uncommon (8/25 patients). Analysis of serum immune indices, including complement (C3 and C4), erythrocyte sedimentation rate, interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-6, IL-8 and tumor necrotic factor-alpha were abnormal in 80.0% of patients (20/25). Most of the 16/25 patients who underwent lumbar puncture tests had normal intracranial pressure and increased CSF white cell count and protein [median values were 44 (15-380) ×106/L and 0.73 (0.49-2.81) g/L, respectively]. Of the five patients who underwent CSF cytokine tests, four patients had abnormal results; of these, an elevated level of IL-6 was most common, followed by IL-1 and IL-8. The most common site of involvement in cranial MRI was the brainstem and basal ganglia (60.0% respectively), followed by white matter (48.0%) and the cortex (44.0%). Nine cases (36.0%) showed lesions with enhancement and six cases (24.0%) showed mass-like lesions. Three patients (12.0%) patients had lesions in the spinal cord, most frequently in the thoracic cord. All patients received immunological intervention therapy; during follow up, the majority had a favorable outcome. Conclusions: P-NBD is an autoimmune disease with multiple system involvement and diverse clinical manifestations. The symptom of dizziness is not uncommon and can be easily ignored. Early treatment with immunotherapy is important and can improve the outcome of these patients.

Interpretation of the essential updates in guidelines for the prevention and treatment of chronic hepatitis B (Version 2022) / 中华肝脏病杂志

Chinese Society of Hepatology and Chinese Society of Infectious Diseases, Chinese Medical Association update the guidelines for the prevention and treatment of chronic hepatitis B (version 2022) in 2022. The latest guidelines recommend more extensive screening and more active antiviral treating for hepatitis B virus infection. This article interprets the essential updates in the guidelines to help deepen understanding and better guide the clinical practice.

Analysis on the Ethical Principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine Health Preservation Thought from the Perspective of Healthy China: Taking Master Lyu’s Spring and Autumn Annals as an Example / 中国医学伦理学

"Healthy China 2030" states that health is a necessary requirement for all-round human development and a basic condition for economic and social development. Achieving national health and longevity is an important symbol of national prosperity and rejuvenation, and also the common aspiration of the people of all ethnic groups in China. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) health preservation has been fully integrated into the construction of "Healthy China", and the development of TCM health preservation culture and thought has a profound historical origin. Starting from the development of TCM health preservation culture thought and ethical principles, this paper analyzed the TCM health preservation thought contained in Master Lyu’s Spring and Autumn Annals, and further discussed and summarized the ethical principles contained in them, with a view to comprehensively and systematically promoting the development of TCM health preservation culture and providing a theoretical basis for people to use health preservation ethical principles to achieve physical fitness, disease prevention and longevity.