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ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Fuhe Decoction (敷和汤) with different doses of Suanzaoren (Ziziphus jujuba) for atopic dermatitis (AD). MethodsForty-eight female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into normal group, model group, loratadine group, and Fuhe Decoction groups with high, medium, and low doses of Fuhe Decoction (Fuhe Decoction high-, medium-, and low-dose groups), with eight mice in each group. The AD model was prepared by continuous stimulation with 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) in all groups but the normal group. After modelling, the Fuhe Decoction high-, medium- and low-dose groups were given 24, 18 and 15 g/(kg·d) of Fuhe Decoction, the loratadine group was given 0.001 g/(kg·d) of loratadine dry suspension, and the normal group and the model group were given 10 ml/(kg·d) of normal saline by gavage. All groups were gavaged for 14 days. The number of scratches within 10 min and the score of skin lesions were observed on the 7th and 14th days of modelling and on the 7th and 14th days of drug administration, respectively; serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) was detected by ELISA; the histopathological and morphological changes of the skin were observed by HE staining; and the diversity and abundance of intestinal flora were detected by 16S rRNA sequencing of fecal matter from the colon of the mice. ResultsCompared with the normal group, mice in the model group on the 7th day and the 14th day of modelling and the 7th day, the 14th day of gavage showed increased scratching within 10 min and higher skin lesion scores (P<0.05), with hyperkeratotic or incomplete epidermis, marked thickening of spiny cells, and a large number of inflammatory cells infiltrated in the mice after gavage; serum levels of IgE elevated (P<0.05), and the abundance of Bacillota decreased, that of the Bacteroidota and bacteria elevated, and relative abundance of Lactobacillus spp. and Prevotella spp. decreased, and relative abundance of Anaplasma spp. and Treponema spp. increased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the number of scratches within 10 min and the skin lesion scores of mice in the loratadine group and the Fuhe Decoction medium- and high-dose groups decreased on the 7th day and the 14th day of gavage (P<0.05), serum IgE reduced, and the bacteria reduced in the loratadine group, the abundance of Bacteroidesmus spp. increased and Bacteriodesmus spp. decreased in the medium-dose group of Fuhe Decoction, the abundance of Bacteriodesmus spp. decreased in the loratadine group, the abundance of Bacteriodesmus spp. decreased, and that of both Lactobacillus spp. and Prevotella spp. increased in Fuhe Decoction medium-dose group (P<0.05). Compared with the loratadine group, the skin lesion scores increased in Fuhe Decoction low-dose group, and the number of scratching increased in the Fuhe Decoction low- and high-dose groups on the 7th day and the 14th day of gavage; the IgE content increased in Fuhe Decoction low-dose group, the Bacillota increased and the Bacteroidota decreased, the Lactobacillus spp. and Prevotella spp. increased in Fuhe Decoction middle-dose group, and Anopheles spp. increased in Fuhe Decoction high-dose group after gavage (P<0.05). ConclusionFuhe Decoction can improve the clinical symptoms of AD, regulate the relative abundance of intestinal flora to correct the disorders of the bacterial flora, among which the effect of Fuhe Decoction medium-dose group is optimal and comparable to that of the loratadine group, and the reduction of serum IgE inflammatory response may be one of its mechanisms of action.
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ObjectiveTo observe the regulatory effect of Huangwu Ganfu ointment on transient receptor potential anchor protein 1 (TRPV1) receptor expression, macrophage polarization, and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) signaling pathway in synovial tissue of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) rats with yang deficiency and cold coagulation syndrome and explore the mechanism of relieving peripheral inflammatory hyperalgesia of KOA. MethodForty-eight male SD rats were randomly divided into blank group, model group, high-dose, middle-dose, and low-dose groups of Huangwu Ganfu ointment (9.3, 4.65, 2.325 g·kg-1), and celecoxib group (20.82 mg·kg-1). The KOA rat model of yang deficiency and cold coagulation syndrome was established through climate box and swimming for two weeks combined with an injection of sodium iodoacetate (MIA) in the articular cavity. After continuous administration for four weeks, the general condition of rats in each group was observed, and the pain withdrawal threshold (PWT) and joint diameter induced by mechanical stimulation were recorded. The expression levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), nerve growth factor (NGF), and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) inflammatory factor were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the histopathological changes of synovial tissue of the knee joint were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of TRPV1, p38 MAPK, and p-p38 MAPK in synovial tissue of the knee joint, and immunofluorescence (IF) was used to evaluate the polarization of M1/M2 macrophages. ResultCompared with that in the blank group, the overall mental state of the model group was worse, and the autonomous activity was decreased. The body mass was lower, and the joint diameter was increased. The X-ray showed that the osteophyte at the edge of the joint proliferated, and the articular surface was obviously rough. The articular cavity was significantly narrowed, and the PWT was significantly decreased (P<0.01). The contents of IL-1β, TNF-α, CGRP, and NGF in serum and synovium Krenn score increased significantly (P<0.01). The protein expression of TRPV1 and p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK increased significantly (P<0.01), and the proportion of M1 macrophages and M1/M2 increased (P<0.01), while the proportion of M2 macrophages decreased (P<0.01). Compared with model group, the body mass in the low, middle, and high dose groups of Huangwu Ganfu ointment increased to different degrees (P<0.05, P<0.01). The diameter of the knee joint in the high dose group of Huangwu Ganfu ointment and celecoxib group decreased (P<0.01). The recovery of PWT in the high and middle dose groups of Huangwu Ganfu ointment groups was more obvious (P<0.05). The contents of IL-1β and CGRP in the serum of rats in each administration group were significantly decreased (P<0.01), and the content of serum TNF-α in the celecoxib group and high dose group of Huangwu Ganfu ointment decreased significantly (P<0.05). The content of serum NGF in the middle dose group of Huangwu Ganfu ointment decreased significantly (P<0.05), and the synovium Krenn score decreased in the high dose group of Huangwu Ganfu ointment (P<0.05). In addition, the protein expression of TRPV1 and p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK in synovial tissue decreased significantly in all groups of Huangwu Ganfu ointment (P<0.01). The proportion of M1 macrophages in synovial tissue in the celecoxib group and all groups of Huangwu Ganfu ointment decreased (P<0.01), and the proportion of M2 macrophages in the high dose group of Huangwu Ganfu ointment increased (P<0.05). The M1/M2 in the middle and high dose groups of Huangwu Ganfu ointment decreased (P<0.05). ConclusionHuangwu Ganfu ointment can mediate the polarization of macrophages to reduce the inflammatory reaction of KOA, alleviate the release of inflammatory pain mediators, and lower the protein expression of TRPV1. The mechanism may be related to the p38 MAPK signaling pathway, so as to improve the peripheral hyperalgesia of KOA.
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The theory of "brain-heart-kidney-semen chamber" axis is proposed based on the basic theories of traditional Chinese medicine, the modern physiological characteristics of men's diseases, and clinical practice. According to this theory, dysfunctions of the brain, heart, kidney, and semen chamber are the core mechanisms for the occurrence of premature ejaculation, and the loss of control of the opening and closing of the seminal orifices due to the dysfunction of the semen chamber is the final link in the occurrence of premature ejaculation. The treatment of premature ejaculation based on the theory of "brain-heart-kidney-essence chamber" axis highlights the overall regulation of the Zang-fu organs involved in the disease, while focusing on the simultaneous treatment of the mind and body. By exploring the biological basis of the "brain-heart-kidney-essence chamber" axis and premature ejaculation, we propose that the biological basis of premature ejaculation and the axis is mainly related to the function decline of the local brain area, neuromodulation malfunction, central neurotransmitter imbalance, endocrine disorders, and enhanced sensory afferents of the penis. This study aims at providing a new approach for the prevention and treatment of premature ejaculation by traditional Chinese medicine and a scientific basis for the development of more effective therapeutic methods.
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Objective:To investigate the expression of Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2(ERK1/2)in decidua tissue of patients with unexplained spontaneous abortion and their correlation.Methods:The expres-sions of TLR4,ERK1/2 and p-ERK1/2 in decidua tissues of 32 patients with unexplained spontaneous abortion(abortion group)and 32 normal pregnancy(control group)were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot,respectively.The correlation between TLR4 and p-ERK1/2 in abortion group were analyzed by Pearson hierarchical correlation analysis.Results:In immunohistochemical experiments,the cytoplasm of decidua cells in the two groups is the expression locus of TLR4,ERK1/2 and p-ERK1/2,the expression of the three proteins were different,and the expressions of TLR4 and p-ERK1/2 in abortion group were significantly higher than that in control group(P<0.01).There was no significant difference in ERK1/2 expression between abortion group and control group(P>0.05);In decidua tissue samples of abortion group,the protein level of TLR4 was higher than that of control group(P<0.05);the pro-tein level of p-ERK1/2 was significantly higher than that of control group(P<0.01),and the protein level of ERK1/2 in decidua tissue of abortion group was not statistically different from that of control group(P>0.05).TLR4 was positively correlated with p-ERK1/2 expression in abortion group(r=0.890,P<0.01).Conclusion:Abnormal activation of TLR4/ERK1/2 signaling pathway may be one of the mechanisms of unexplained spontaneous abortion.
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Objective To analyze the mechanism of Huangwu Ganfu Ointment in relieving pain of knee osteoarthritis(KOA)based on network pharmacology;To verify it in animal experiments.Methods The active components of Huangwu Ganfu Ointment were obtained by TCMSP database,PubChem database and SwissADME platform,the effective components were screened,and the targets were obtained from SEA database.KOA disease-related targets were obtained from GeneCards,OMIM and other databases,and the intersection targets were obtained.A effective component-target-disease network was constructed using Cytoscape 3.9.0 Software.Protein-protein interaction(PPI)network was constructed by STRING database and core targets were screened.GO and KEGG enrichment analysis of intersection targets were analyzed using DAVID platform.The KOA rat model with cold and damp syndrome was established,and the intervention of Huangwu Ganfu Ointment was carried out.The efficacy was observed and the core target expressions were detected.Results Totally 104 effective components were screened from Huangwu Ganfu Ointment,and 59 potential targets were obtained for treating KOA.PPI network interaction analysis obtained the important targets of IL6,IL1B and PTGS2.KEGG enrichment results showed that Huangwu Ganfu Ointment may involve 84 signaling pathways such as IL-17,TNF,TRP and NF-κB in the treatment of KOA,most of which were related to inflammation.The results of animal experiments showed that Lecuesne MG scores increased in the model rats(P<0.05),and paw withdrawal threshold(PWT)significantly decreased(P<0.05).Compared with model group,PWT in Huangwu Ganfu Ointment medium-and high-dosage groups were significantly recovered,and synovitis Krenn score decreased(P<0.05).The Mankin score of cartilage tissue of Huangwu Ganfu Ointment high-dosage group decreased(P<0.05).The contents of IL-6 and IL-1β in all Huangwu Ganfu Ointment groups decreased(P<0.01).Huangwu Ganfu Ointment medium-and high-dosage groups could down-regulate the expression of TRPV1 protein(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion The mechanism of Huangwu Ganfu Ointment in alleviating the pain of KOA may be related to reducing inflammatory response,reducing the release of inflammatory factors of IL-1β and IL-6,alleviating inflammatory pain sensitivity of KOA,and down-regulating the expression level of TRPV1.
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Objective Using event-related potentials(ERPs),to study the effect and mechanism of negative emotion accumulation hepatic insufficiency on working memory in normal people.Methods Fifty subjects in each of the emotionally stable group and emotionally unstable group were given two load tasks(0-back and 1-back)in the N-back paradigm,the reaction time and correct rate were recorded,and the ERPs components N200 and P300 were detected.The latency and amplitude of P300 were analyzed statistically.Results ①Compared with the emotionally stable group,the emotionally unstable group had a longer reaction time(P<0.05).②Compared with the emotionally stable group,the subjects in the emotionally unstable group had prolonged N200 latency,decreased P300 amplitude significantly(P<0.05),and P300 latency had a tendency to extend(P<0.1).Conclusion Long-term accumulation of negative emotions and liver failure in normal people have the performance of decreased working memory,which may be related to the reduction of attention resource allocation and the impairment of cognitive processing function.
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Objective Based on the comparison and analysis of Raman spectra of liver meridian(including other meridian)and non-liver meridian(other meridian excluding liver meridian)traditional Chinese medicine,the accurate quantitative characterization data of liver meridian was obtained,and the liver meridian identification model was established and analyzed.Methods Taking 120 non-liver meridian(other meridian excluding liver meridian)traditional Chinese medicines(TCMs)as blank control and 120 liver-meridian(including other meridian)TCMs as experimental medicines,Raman spectra of 240 TCMs were obtained after sample pretreatment and Raman spectroscopy detection,and then quantified in units of 1 cm-1.Then combined with Random Forest(Random Forest,RF),Artificial Neural Network(Artificial Neural Network,ANN)and other algorithms,we constructed the identification models of quantized characterization of liver meridian.Results Compared with non-liver meridian(other meridian excluding liver meridian)TCMs,the Raman spectra of the liver meridian TCM were generally lower in the whole detection range,especially in the range of 200-1100 cm-1.The quantized Raman spectrogram data combined with ANN presented the best discrimination results with accuracy,precision>0.871,the receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC)was drawn and the area under ROC curve(AUC)was obtained,with AUC>0.921.Conclusion The Raman spectrogram of TCMs has significant correlation with liver meridian,which can be used as a whole quantized characterization of liver meridian.Combined with ANN,Raman spectrogram can carry out identification analysis efficiently and accurately,which is conducive to solving the bottleneck problem of lacking accurate data on medicinal properties and enriching the scientific connotation of attributing meridians.
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@#Objective To explore the predictive value of CT signs of mixed ground-glass nodules in the pathological subtype and differentiation of lung adenocarcinoma. Methods The clinical data of 66 patients with mixed ground-glass nodules pathologically diagnosed as invasive adenocarcinoma (IAC) in the Second Department of Thoracic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University from May to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, including 20 males and 46 females, aged 35-75 years. The CT findings were analyzed before operation, and the lesion profile was cut after operation to distinguish the ground-glass and solid components, and the pathological results of different positions were obtained. According to the postoperative pathological results, the patients were divided into a low-risk group (containing adherent type and no components of micropapillary subtype and solid subtype, n=16), a medium-risk group (containing niple or acinar type and no components of micropapillary subtype and solid subtype, n=38), and a high-risk group (containing micropapillary or solid subtype, n=12). The relationships between CT features and the pathological subtype and degree of differentiation were analyzed and compared. Results In 66 patients with IAC, the infiltration degree of solid components was greater than that of ground-glass components. When the solid component ratio (CTR) was≥25% (sensitivity 90.2%, specificity 64.0%, P=0.005), and the average CT value was>−283.95 HU (sensitivity 82.9%, specificity 64.0%, P=0.000), the histological grade was more inclined to medium and low differentiation. The CTR, Ki-67, average CT value and histological grade of IAC in the medium- and high-risk groups were higher than those of nodules in the low-risk group. Conclusion The infiltration degree of solid components is higher than that of ground-glass components in IAC mixed ground-glass nodules. The pathological subtype, Ki-67 expression and histological grade of lung adenocarcinoma can be predicted according to its CT characteristics, which has important clinical significance for determining the timing of surgery.
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Objective To investigate the expression of BRCA1 in familial thyroid cancer (FTC) and the relationship between BRCA1 expression and clinicopathologic features.Methods The expression of BRCA1 protein and mRNA was detected respectively by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR in 37 FTC tissues,35 sporadic thyroid carcinoma tissues and 35 normal thyroid tissues.Results BRCA1 mRNA expression was significantly downregulated in FTC (0.210±0.025) compared with sporadic thyroid carcinoma(0.943±0.021) and normal thyroid tissues(1.001±0.087)(P<0.01).The positive rate of BRCA1 protein expression was significantly lower in FTC(56.8%,21/37) than that in sporadic thyroid carcinoma(85.7%,30/35) and normal thyroid tissues(94.5%,33/35) (P<0.05).There was a correlation between BRCA1 protein expression and FTC clinicopathologic features (P<0.05).FTC patients with lower BRCA1 protein expression tended to have higher risk for bilateral carcinoma,lymph node metastasis,capsular invasion,morbidity under 30 years old and more than 2 patients in a family.Conclusions The expression of BRCA1 protein and mRNA is downregnlated in FTC.BRCA1 protein might serve as a potential biomarker for predicating biological behavior and prognosis of FTC.
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Objective To analyze research literature about integration of the body and the spirit; To understand the research status of this classical theory.Methods Relevant articles about integration of the body and the spirit in CNKI, Wanfang Data, VIP-Chinese Scientific and Technological Journal Data were searched, and bibliometric analysis with NoteExpress3.0, Bicomb2.0 and SPSS19.0 software was used to analyzed the data.ResultsA total of 156 efficient articles were retrieved. The number of published articles increased, but the core author group had not yet been formed. The number of cited articles was low. The study hot spots mainly focused on TCM constitution, the subject of health preservation, TCM basic theories, and psychosomatic medicine.Conclusion Domestic studies on integration of the body and the spirit are still in the initial stage. Research number should be increased, meanwhile, innovation and quality should be emphasized.