[Cheng's Juanbi Decoction alleviates the inflammation in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rats via inhibiting activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway].

Objective To investigate the potential mechanism of Cheng's Juanbi Decoction (JBT) for treating collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in rats. Methods Female SD rats were divided into normal group, CIA model group, methotrexate (MTX) group, JBT group with different doses, and LY294002 (PI3K blocker) group. The effects of JBT on toe swelling and arthritis index of rats before and after treatment were evaluated. HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of synovial tissues. ELISA was used to determine the levels of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α) in synovium of rats. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to detect mRNA expression levels of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (AKT), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), beclin-1, and P62. The expressions of AKT, phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT), mTOR, phosphorylated mTOR (p-mTOR), PI3K, phosphorylated PI3K (p-PI3K), P62, beclin-1, and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B (LC3B) were detected by Western blot analysis. Results Compared with the normal group, the toe of other groups was significantly swollen 1 hour before administration. Compared with the conditions 1 hour before administration, toe swelling in the high-dose JBT group, MTX group, and LY294002 group was significantly relieved 2 hours before blood collection after 30 days of administration. JBT can significantly reduce the degree of toe swelling, arthritis index(AI) score, and the destruction of synovial tissue. The levels of IL-1ß, TNF-α, mRNA expression of PI3K, AKT, mTOR and P62, and protein levels of p-PI3K, p-AKT, p-mTOR, and P62 in synovium samples of rats in the high-dose JBT group were significantly decreased. Beclin-1 mRNA and protein expression and LC3B protein level were significantly increased. Conclusion JBT may alleviate joint inflammation by inhibiting the activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, and the therapeutic effect of high-dose JBT is comparable to that of MTX and LY294002.

Characteristics and risk factors of nasal mucosal pressure injury in intensive care units.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to understand the risk factors that contribute to medical device-related (MDR) nasal mucosal membrane pressure injuries (MM PI) in ICU patients. BACKGROUND: ICU patients require substantial tube-based life support such as oxygen tubes, tracheal intubation and indwelling gastric tubes. As a result, there is an increased risk of PI occurrence; however, few studies have assessed the risk factors associated with nasal mucosal MDR-MMPI in ICU patients. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study design was performed. METHODS: From January 2019 to June 2020, data from 912 patients treated in the ICU of a tertiary first-class a hospital in China were collected. The occurrence of PI of the nasal mucosa was obtained by nasopharyngoscope when replacing the nasal catheter fixation patch every day. The study methods were followed by the STROBE guidelines. RESULTS: The incidence of nasal mucosal MDR-MM PI was 10.9%. The degree of nasal mucosal MM PI was mainly grade 1 (62cases, 62.6%), and no grade 4 were observed. The columella (58 cases, 58.6%) was the most common site of nasal mucosal MM PI followed by the anterior septum (18 cases, 18.2%). A high patient APACHE-Ⅱ score, the disturbance of consciousness, a history of diabetes, days of gastric tube indwelling, hypoproteinemia, fever (T > 37.5℃) and the use of vasoconstrictors were identified as significant influencing factors of nasal MM PI in ICU patients (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: A high APACHE-Ⅱ score, disturbance of consciousness, history of diabetes, days of gastric tube indwelling, hypoproteinemia, fever (T > 37.5℃) and use of vasoconstrictive drugs were risk factors for nasal mucosal MDR-MM PI in ICU patients. This study informs on the risk factors of nasal mucosal MM PI that will allow medical support staff to carry out key interventional measures to prevent nasal mucosal MM PI. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This study illustrates the characteristics and risk factors of nasal mucosal pressure injury in intensive care units, potentially contributing to the prevention of the incidence of nasal mucosal MDR-PI in ICU patients.

Auditory screening concurrent deafness predisposing genes screening in 10,043 neonates in Gansu province, China.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to evaluate the effectiveness of combining newborn hearing screening with screening for genetic mutations associated with deafness. METHODS: Ten thousand forty-three newborn babies, born between December 2009 and April 2011 in Gansu province, China, were screened for hearing loss using the otoacoustic emissions test or automatic auditory brainstem response test and genetic mutations associated with deafness using a standard protocol. RESULTS: In the hearing screening, the referral rate for hearing loss in the first-step screening was 14.4% (1409/9786), decreasing significantly to 3.8% (362/9506) upon retesting. After the second-step screening, a total of 537 newborns were lost to follow-up. The genetic screening found that about 2.29% (230/10,043) individuals carried one or more recessive risk alleles or the mitochondrial mutation. Among them, 18 babies had the pathogenic mitochondrial DNA mutation, 92 babies were SLC26A4 heterozygote carriers, one case with both SLC26A4 and 12S rRNA 1555A>G mutation, 117 babies were GJB2 heterozygote carriers, and two babies were GJB2 homozygote carriers. However, 83.5% (192/230) neonates passed the conventional hearing screening among these carriers. CONCLUSIONS: It might be effective to complement the conventional hearing screening with gene screening for the purpose of early diagnosis and discovery of the late-onset hearing loss.

[Effects of Yangyin Shengjin Decoction on hemorheological parameters and coagulation factors in model rabbits with syndrome of excessive heat consuming body fluid and blood stasis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Yangyin Shengjin Decoction (YYSJD) on hemorheological parameters and coagulation factors in model rabbits with syndrome of excessive heat consuming body fluid and blood stasis. METHODS: Rabbit model with syndrome of excessive heat consuming body fluid and blood stasis was produced. The effects of YYSJD on the blood viscosity, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), hematocrit, platelet aggregation rate, prothrombin time (PT), thrombin time (TT), kaolin partial thromboplastin time (KPTT), fibrinogen (Fg), thromboxane B(2) (TXB(2)), and 6-keto-prostaglandin F(1alpha) (6-keto-PGF(1alpha)) in the model rabbits were observed. RESULTS: YYSJD decreased the whole blood viscosity and hematocrit, inhibited the platelet aggregation, prolonged PT, TT and KPTT, and reduced the content of Fg. It also regulated the balance between TXB(2) and 6-keto-PGF(1alpha). CONCLUSION: YYSJD can promote the blood circulation, adjust the blood agglutinating function, and decrease the formation of thrombus. This is one of the pharmacological mechanisms of the therapeutic method of "nourishing yin to promote blood circulation" in the theory of traditional Chinese medicine for seasonal febrile diseases.