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Abstract Kidney injury from high-altitude polycythemia (HAPC) is common, yet few studies have explored effective treatments. This research assessed the renal benefits of therapeutic erythrocytapheresis (TE) in HAPC patients, analyzing the efficacy of single versus multiple treatments. From 2017 to 2023, 631 patients undergoing TE were included. Findings showed notable improvements in hemoglobin levels (median: 228.00 vs. 169.00 g/L, p

Northwest Xizang White Cashmere Goat (NXWCG) is the first new breed of cashmere goat in the Xizang Autonomous Region. It has significant characteristics of extremely high fineness, gloss, and softness. Genome-wide association analysis is an effective biological method used to measure the consistency and correlation of genotype changes between two molecular markers in the genome. In addition, it can screen out the key genes affecting the complex traits of biological individuals. The aim of this study was to analyze the genetic mechanism of cashmere trait variation in NXWCG and to discover SNP locus and key genes closely related to traits such as superfine cashmere. Additionally, the key genes near the obtained significant SNPs were analyzed by gene function annotation and biological function mining. In this study, the phenotype data of the four traits (cashmere length, fiber length, cashmere diameter, and cashmere production) were collected. GGP_Goat_70K SNP chip was used for genotyping the ear tissue DNA of the experimental group. Subsequently, the association of phenotype data and genotype data was performed using Gemma-0.98.1 software. A linear mixed model was used for the association study. The results showed that four fleece traits were associated with 18 significant SNPs at the genome level and 232 SNPs at the chromosome level, through gene annotated from Capra hircus genome using assembly ARS1. A total of 107 candidate genes related to fleece traits were obtained. Combined with Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis, we can find that CLNS1A, CCSER1, RPS6KC1, PRLR, KCNRG, KCNK9, and CLYBL can be used as important candidate genes for fleece traits of NXWCG. We used Sanger sequencing and suitability chi-square test to further verify the significant loci and candidate genes screened by GWAS, and the results show that the base mutations loci on the five candidate genes, CCSER1 (snp12579, 34,449,796, A → G), RPS6KC1 (snp41503, 69,173,527, A → G), KCNRG (snp41082, 67,134,820, G → A), KCNK9 (14:78472665, 78,472,665, G → A), and CLYBL (12: 9705753, 9,705,753, C → T), significantly affect the fleece traits of NXWCG. The results provide a valuable basis for future research and contribute to a better understanding of the genetic structure variation of the goat.

Objective To investigate and analyze the root and root canal morphology of mandibular first molars (MFMs) in the Tibetan population using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and to provide references for clinical root canal treatment in the Tibetan population. Methods This study was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee, and informed consent was obtained from the patients. CBCT imaging data of 300 mandibular first molars from 300 Tibetan patients were included. Patient age, the number of roots in mandibular first molars were recorded. The morphology and incidence of mesial root and mesial root canals and the morphology and incidence of distal root and distal root canals were statistically analyzed by Vertucci classification. Results There were 198 double-root teeth and 102 three-root teeth in the 300 mandibular first permanent molars. Among the three-rooted molars, 1 case had mesiolingual roots, and the rest had distolingual roots. The incidence rate of the distolingual root was 33.7%(101/300). The most common root canal configuration was Vertucci Ⅳ 65.7% (197/300), followed by Vertucci Ⅱ 20.3% (61/300) in the mesial roots. The overall incidence of middle mesial canals (MMCs) was 6% (18/300), with the highest incidence of MMCs in the 20-40 year-old group at 9% (9/100). The distal roots canals of single-distal-rooted mandibular first molars were mainly Vertucci Ⅰ 66.8% (133/199), followed by Vertucci Ⅱ 14.6% (29/199) and Vertucci Ⅳ 11.6% (23/199). For the mandibular first permanent molars with two distal roots, 96% (97/101) of the distal buccal roots and 100% (101/101) of the distal lingual roots were Vertucci Ⅰ root canals. Conclusion The root and root canal morphology of mandibular first permanent molars in a Tibetan population is complex and variable. Approximately one-third of patients have distolingual roots, and clinicians should carefully explore the root canals under the guidance of CBCT.

ObjectivesThis study aimed to assess the knowledge and awareness of nicotine, nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), and electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) among general practitioners with a special interest (GPwSIs) in respiratory medicine.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2021 to February 2022. Knowledge and awareness were compared among smokers and non-smokers, as well as different age and gender groups.ResultsThe study consisted of 102 GPwSIs from 21 cities in Sichuan Province, China. Most respondents would recommend NRT for long-term use. Only a few believed that e-cigarettes are an effective means of smoking cessation and 71.6% would not recommend e-cigarettes as a substitute for cigarettes to their patients. Additionally, the majority did not regularly provide extensive help to assist patients in quitting smoking and needed smoking cessation counseling training.ConclusionGPwSIs in respiratory medicine in China could have a relatively low level of knowledge and awareness regarding nicotine, NRT, and e-cigarettes. The study highlights the need for smoking cessation training among GPwSIs to improve their knowledge and provide better assistance to patients who want to quit smoking.

Ziziphi Spinosae Semen (ZSS) is a valued seed renowned for its sedative and sleep-enhancing properties. However, the price increase has been accompanied by adulteration. In this study, chromaticity analysis and Fourier transform near-infrared (FT-NIR) combined with multivariate algorithms were employed to identify the adulteration and quantitatively predict the adulteration ratio. The findings suggested that the utilization of chromaticity extractor was insufficient for identification of adulteration ratio. The raw spectrum of ZMS and HAS adulterants extracted by FT-NIR was processed by SNV + CARS and 1d + SG + ICO respectively, the average accuracy of machine learning classification model was improved from 77.06 % to 97.58 %. Furthermore, the R2 values of the calibration and prediction set of the two quantitative prediction regression models of adulteration ratio are greater than 0.99, demonstrating excellent linearity and predictive accuracy. Overall, this study demonstrated that FT-NIR combined with multivariate algorithms provided a significant approach to addressing the growing issue of ZSS adulteration.

Evaluating a staff's perception of safety culture is a critical factor in hospital management, and the knowledge of value and efficiency in hospitals is still inadequate. This study aimed to investigate the perceptions of safety culture among medical staffs and determine priorities for clear and better management.

ABSTRACT Decreased estrogen level is one of the main causes of lipid metabolism disorders and coronary heart disease in women after menopause. Exogenous estradiol benzoate is effective to some extent in alleviating lipid metabolism disorders caused by estrogen deficiency. However, the role of gut microbes in the regulation process is not yet appreciated. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of estradiol benzoate supplementation on lipid metabolism, gut microbiota, and metabolites in ovariectomized (OVX) mice and to reveal the importance of gut microbes and metabolites in the regulation of lipid metabolism disorders. This study found that high doses of estradiol benzoate supplementation effectively attenuated fat accumulation in OVX mice. There was a significant increase in the expression of genes enriched in hepatic cholesterol metabolism and a concomitant decrease in the expression of genes enriched in unsaturated fatty acid metabolism pathways. Further screening of the gut for characteristic metabolites associated with improved lipid metabolism revealed that estradiol benzoate supplementation influenced major subsets of acylcarnitine metabolites. Ovariectomy significantly increased the abundance of characteristic microbes that are significantly negatively associated with acylcarnitine synthesis, such as Lactobacillus and Eubacterium ruminantium group bacteria, while estradiol benzoate supplementation significantly increased the abundance of characteristic microbes that are significantly positively associated with acylcarnitine synthesis, such as Ileibacterium and Bifidobacterium spp. The use of pseudosterile mice with gut microbial deficiency greatly facilitated the synthesis of acylcarnitine due to estradiol benzoate supplementation and also alleviated lipid metabolism disorders to a greater extent in OVX mice. IMPORTANCE Our findings establish a role for gut microbes in the progression of estrogen deficiency-induced lipid metabolism disorders and reveal key target bacteria that may have the potential to regulate acylcarnitine synthesis. These findings suggest a possible route for the use of microbes or acylcarnitine to regulate disorders of lipid metabolism induced by estrogen deficiency.

In this study, we selected the Basomtso Lake in Xizang, China, as the research object, and utilized 16S rDNA Illumina high-throughput sequencing technology to investigate differences in the composition and structure of bacterial community across different locations and waters within Basomtso Lake. Our aim was to explore the correlation between environmental factors and the bacterial community in Basomtso Lake. Analysis of 16S rDNA gene sequences yielded a total of 5570 valid OTUs. with annotation revealing 88 phyla, 180 classes, 349 orders, 481 families, and 694 genera. The results showed that Proteobacteria, Bacteroidota, and Actinobacteria were the dominant phyla, while Candidatus_Aquirestis, hgcI_clade, and unidentified_MethylacidipHilaceae were the dominant genera. Redundancy analyses showed that temperature, dissolved oxygen, and biochemical oxygen demand exerted significant effects on changes in the bacterial community structure in the water bodies of the Basomtso Lake. Molecular ecological network analysis showed that Ascomycetes, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes as key nodes in the network construction, with 94.5% of edges displaying positive correlations. In summary, the bacterial resources in the Basomtso Lake are rich and diversified, closely related to environmental factors. Interactions among bacterial communities in Basomtso Lake are predominatly synergistic. This study provides an important theoretical foundation for the development and utilization of bacterial diversity in Basomtso Lake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Curcuma wenyujin rhizome (CWR) is a commonly used Chinese herbal medicine for treating blood stasis in China for 1000 of years. However, the underlying mechanism of CWR remains unclear. Aims and Objectives: The purpose of this study is to clarify the bioactive mechanism of CWR in treating blood stasis. Materials and Methods: In this study, pharmacological indexes, including hemorheology and four blood coagulation indexes were tested. Bile and urine metabolomics were engaged by UPLC-Q/TOF-MS. Multivariate statistical analysis were used to screen out differential endogenous metabolites. Results: The results indicated that CWR significantly ameliorated the hemorheology and coagulation functions of acute blood stasis (ABS) model rats. Moreover, 27 endogenous metabolites between the CWR group and the ABS group were screened, and the levels were all improved to certain degrees by CWR preadministration. Metabonomics results indicated that ABS was mainly related to linoleic acid metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, pentose and glucuronate intercereasonversions, steroid hormone biosynthesis, and primary bile acid biosynthesis. Conclusion: In a word, the metabolomics method is consistent with the holistic view of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that can be a powerful means to illustrate the biological activity mechanism of CWR in treating blood stasis and to offer research demonstration for further study on the effector mechanism of TCM.

Background:Curcumae Radix (CW) is traditionally used to treat primary dysmenorrea (PD). However, the mechanisms of action of CW in the treatment of PD have not yet been comprehensively resolved.Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effects of CW on PD and its possible mechanisms of action.Methods: An isolated uterine spastic contraction model induced by oxytocin was constructed in an in vitro pharmacodynamic assay. An animal model of PD induced by combined estradiol benzoate and adrenaline hydrochloride-assisted stimulation was established. After oral administration of CW, a histopathological examination was performed and biochemical factor levels were measured to evaluate the therapeutic effect of CW on PD. The chemical compositions of the drug-containing serum and its metabolites were analyzed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry. Network pharmacology and serum untargeted metabolomics were used to predict the mechanism of CW treatment for PD, and the predicted results were validated by RT-qPCR, WB, and targeted fatty acid (FA) metabolism.Results:In vitro, CW can relax an isolated uterus by reducing uterine motility. In vivo, the results showed that CW attenuated histopathological damage in the uterus and regulated PGF2α, PGE2, β-EP, 5-HT, and Ca2+ levels in PD rats. A total of 66 compounds and their metabolites were identified in the drug-containing serum, and the metabolic pathways of these components mainly included hydrogenation and oxidation. Mechanistic studies showed that CW downregulated the expression of key genes in the 5-HTR/Ca2+/MAPK pathway, such as 5-HTR2A, IP3R, PKC, cALM, and ERK. Similarly, CW downregulated the expression of key proteins in the 5-HTR/Ca2+/MAPK pathway, such as p-ERK/ERK. Indirectly, it ameliorates the abnormal FA metabolism downstream of this signaling pathway in PD rats, especially the metabolism of arachidonic acid (AA).Conclusion: The development of PD may be associated with the inhibition of the 5-HTR/Ca2+/MAPK signaling pathway and FA metabolic pathways, providing a basis for the subsequent exploitation of CW.

Primary dysmenorrhea (PDM) is a common disorder among women around the world. Two processed products of Curcuma aromatica Salisb. [Zingiberaceae] (CAS) are traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that have long been used to treat gynecological blood stasis syndrome such as primary dysmenorrhea. The mechanisms and active substances of CAS are still largely unknown. The study aimed to establish a rat model of primary dysmenorrhea which investigates the differences between the pharmacodynamics and mechanisms of raw CAS (RCAS) and vinegar-processed CAS (VCAS). Histopathology, cytokinetics, and metabolomics were adopted to evaluate the anti-blood stasis effect of RCAS and VCAS. In metabolomics, endogenous differential metabolites in plasma, urine, and feces are the essential steps to evaluate the effect of RCAS and VCAS. In this study, the rat model of primary dysmenorrhea was successfully established. After RCAS and VCAS intervention, the uterine tissue morphology of dysmenorrhea model rats was improved, and gland hypertrophy and myometrial hyperplasia were reduced as well as neutrophil content. Compared with the RCAS group, the VCAS group had better uterine morphology, few inflammatory factors, and significantly improved amino acid and lipid metabolism. The aforementioned results support the conclusion that VCAS performed better than RCAS in primary dysmenorrhea and that vinegar processing increases the efficacy of CAS.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is an important cereal crop, widely grown throughout the temperate zones, and also suitable for cultivation at higher elevations. Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a highly destructive disease of wheat throughout the globe. In July 2020, serious wheat FHB symptoms were observed in open fields located in Linzhi City, southeast of Tibet, China. The causal agent was identified as Fusarium avenaceum (Fr.) Sacc. by amplification and sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, translation elongation factor 1-alpha (EF-1α) gene, and RNA polymerase II subunit (RPB-2) gene, as well as by morphological characterization. Koch’s postulates were confirmed by a pathogenicity test on healthy spikes, including re-isolation and identification. To our knowledge, this is the first report of F. avenaceum causing FHB on wheat in Tibet, China. Moreover, to determine pathogen characteristics that may be useful for future disease management, the utilization of different carbon and nitrogen resources, temperature, light, and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation on mycelium growth and conidia germination were studied. Soluble starch and peptone were the best carbon, and nitrogen source for the pathogen respectively. The optimal temperatures for the pathogen’s mycelium growth and conidia germination were 15–20°C, matching the average temperature during the growing season in Linzhi (Tibet). Meanwhile, alternating 8-h light and 16-h dark was shown to be conducive to mycelia growth, and complete darkness facilitated conidia germination. In addition, UV Irradiation of 48 MJ/cm2, approximately 100 times of the local condition, did not inhibit the germination of conidia. Furthermore, in vitro screening of effective fungicides was conducted. Among the seven tested pesticides, carbendazim showed the best inhibition rate, with an EC50 (concentration for 50% of maximal effect) value of 2.1 mg/L. Propiconazole also showed sufficient inhibitory effects against F. avenaceum, with an EC50 value of 2.6 mg/L. The study provides insights into the newly identified causal agent of wheat FHB in Tibet, China, as well as first pathogen characteristics and promising candidate substances for its management.

Lhasa is a typical high-altitude city with strong solar radiation and high background ozone levels. With the rapid development and urbanization, the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in Tibet has been increasing annually. However, VOCs activity and the impact on air quality and human health have scarcely been investigated. We conducted online measurement of VOCs in urban Lhasa during May 2019. The mean mixing ratio (with one standard deviation) of the total VOCs was 21.5 ± 18.6 ppb. Of the total VOCs, alkanes, alkenes, and aromatic hydrocarbons accounted for 57.7%, 20.9%, and 21.4%, respectively. On the basis of VOC atmospheric reactivity, the ozone formation potential (OFP) and hydroxyl radical loss rate (LOH) were 91.7 ppb and 3.1 s−1, respectively. Alkenes accounted for the largest proportion of the OFP and LOH, followed by aromatic hydrocarbons. The results of correlation analysis on the benzene series (BTEX), and the similarity of the diurnal changes in CO, NOy, BTEX, and TVOC mixing ratios indicated that Lhasa city strongly affected by motor vehicle emissions. Source apportionments using positive matrix factorization (PMF) model further confirmed that traffic related emissions, including gasoline automobiles, diesel vehicles, and public transportation vehicles fueled with liquid natural gas contributed the most in total VOCs concentration (44.5%–50.2%), LOH (41.6%–46.8%) and OFP (47.4%–52.3%). Biomass combustion, mainly from the traditional biomass fuel in the plateau, was the second contributor to ambient VOCs (41.3%), LOH (26.4%), and OFP (29.7%), and existed a less variation in diurnal changes with a feature of regional background. Plants contributed only about 1.5% to the VOCs concentration but a relatively high (approximately 14.6%) LOH. The noncarcinogenic risk of BTEX did not exceed the hazard quotient value, but the carcinogenic risk of benzene was 4.47 × 10–6, indicating a potential risk.

Curcuma aromatica Salisb. rhizome (CASR) has multifunctional characteristics worldwide and a long history of use as a botanical drug with. Currently, it is often used clinically to treat coronary heart disease (CHD) caused by blood stasis syndrome. However, the therapeutic mechanism of CASR in the treatment of CHD remains poorly understood. In study, the main chemical constituents of CASR were analyzed using UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS. Then, its potential therapeutic mechanism against CHD was predicted. Subsequently, pharmacological evaluation was performed using CHD rat model. Finally, a lipidomics approach was applied to explore the different lipid metabolites to verify the regulation of CASR on lipid metabolism disorders in CHD. A total of 35 compounds was identified from CASR. Seventeen active components and 51 potential targets related to CHD were screened by network pharmacology, involving 13 key pathways. In vivo experiments showed that CASR could significantly improve myocardial infarction, blood stasis, and blood lipid levels and regulate the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in CHD rats. Lipidomics further showed that CASR could regulate abnormal sphingolipid, glycerophospholipid, and glycerolipid metabolism in CHD rats. The therapeutic mechanism of CASR against CHD was initially elucidated and included the regulation of lipid metabolism. Its effects may be attributed to active ingredients, such as curzerene, isoprocurcumenol, and (+)-curcumenol. This study reveals the characteristics of multi-component and multi-pathway of CASR in the treatment of CHD, which provides a basis for the follow-up development and utilization of CASR.

This study aimed to explore the magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) manifestations of the pancreaticobiliary ducts and assess pancreatic exocrine function using Secretin-enhanced MRCP (S-MRCP) in dogs with acute edematous pancreatitis (AEP). Twelve (12) dogs were included, with six in the AEP group and six in the control group. The AEP model group underwent a procedure by way of pancreatic duct retrograde injection. The control group underwent the same procedure without infusion. MRCP and S-MRCP were performed identically in both the AEP group and control groups. MRCP was performed pre-surgery and on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th days post-surgery in the AEP group and control groups. The pancreaticobiliary duct diameter was significantly wider in the AEP group compared to the control group (P<0.01) on the 5th day. The S-MRCP images were evaluated on the 3rd day post-surgery at 1, 3, 5, 7, and 11 min after secretin infusion. Compared to the control group, the pancreatic ducts in the AEP group became dilated and branched which appeared, reaching the largest diameters, 3 min postsecretin injection (P<0.01). Eleven minutes after secretin infusion, the degree of duodenal filling in the AEP group was Grade 2, indicating impaired pancreatic exocrine function in dogs with AEP. In conclusion, MRCP provided excellent comprehensive visualization of the pancreatic and hepatobiliary duct systems in dogs with AEP. S-MRCP effectively detected branched pancreatic ducts and impaired pancreatic exocrine in AEP dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) were activated and secreted excessive amounts of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins during pathogenetic progress of liver fibrosis. Germacrone (GMO) and miR-29b can play an important role in inhibiting growth of HSCs and production of type I collagen. GMO and miR-29b were co-encapsulated into nanoparticles (NPs) based on poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PEG-PLGA). Then, NPs were modified with cyclic RGD peptides (cRGDfK). cRGDfK is an effective ligand to bind integrin αvβ3 and increase the targeting ability for fibrotic liver. GMO- and miR-29b-loaded NPs exhibited great cytotoxicity to activated HSCs and significantly inhibited production of type I collagen. Liver fibrosis model of mice was induced by administration of carbon tetrachloride. Great targeting ability was achieved in liver fibrotic mice treated with cRGD-modified NPs. Significant ant-fibrotic effects have been presented based on hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Masson and Sirius Red staining results of liver tissues collected from mice treated with drug-loaded NPs. All these results indicate GMO- and miR-29b-loaded cRGD-modified NPs have the potential for clinical use to treat liver fibrosis.

Abstract The development of multicore hardware has provided many new development opportunities for many application software algorithms. Especially, the algorithm with large calculation volume has gained a lot of room for improvement. Through the research and analysis, this paper has presented a parallel PO-Dijkstra algorithm for multicore platform which has split and parallelized the classical Dijkstra algorithm by the multi-threaded programming tool OpenMP. Experiments have shown that the speed of PO-Dijkstra algorithm has been significantly improved. According to the number of nodes, the completion time can be increased by 20–40%. Based on the improved heterogeneous dual-core simulator, the Dijkstra algorithm in Mi Bench is divided into tasks. For the G.72 encoding process, the number of running cycles using “by function” is 34% less than using “divided by data,” while the power consumption is only 83% of the latter in the same situation. Using “divide by data” will reduce the cost and management difficulty of real-time temperature. Using “divide by function” is a good choice for streaming media data. For the Dijkstra algorithm, the data is data without correlation, so using a simpler partitioning method according to the data partitioning can achieve good results. Through the simulation results and the analysis of the results of real-time power consumption, we conclude that for data such as strong data correlation of streaming media types, using “divide by function” will have better performance results; for data types where data correlation is not very strong, the effect of using “divide by data” is even better.

Abstract Background To support the multicomponent pharmacokinetics of Gastrodia elata, a rapid, simple, and sensitive ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem with mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) approach was established for simultaneous quantification of gastrodin, parishin A, parishin B, parishin C, and parishin E. Methods Five compounds were extracted from plasma by using one-step protein precipitation. The chromatographic separation was achieved on a C18 column with gradient mobile phase comprising acetonitrile and 0.05% formic acid. The detection was performed using negative electrospray ionization in multiple reaction monitoring mode. Results This new method maximizes assay throughput by using minimal sample clean-up procedures and a shorter analytical run time. The approach exhibited good linearity for the five compounds (r 2 > 0.995) in the concentration ranges. The lower limits of quantification (LLOQ) were determined as 1.37 ng/mL for parishin A, parishin B, parishin C, and parishin E and 10 ng/mL for gastrodin. Then the method was fully validated with intra- and inter-day precision, accuracy, matrix effects, extraction recovery, and stability. Conclusion This validated approach was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study following oral administration of Gastrodia elata extract to rats. This investigation may provide some guidance for the clinical application and explanation of the pharmacological mechanism of Gastrodia elata. Graphical abstract

The aim of this study was to describe radiography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of enzootic nasal tumors in goats infected with enzootic nasal tumor viruses. Five of six goats with a mean age of 2 years, showed clinical signs of respiratory disease. Head radiographs showed increased density of the unilateral or bilateral nasal cavity in four goats, and a CT scan showed that the space-occupying lesion of the nasal cavity originated from the ethmoid bone and was enhanced homogeneously postcontrast in all goats. The nasal concha was destroyed and the paranasal sinus mucosa was thickened and filled with fluid in some goats. On MRI, the mass exhibited equal or slightly higher signal intensity on T2 weighted images, equal signal intensity on T1 weighted images, a high signal on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images and heterogeneous enhancement postcontrast. After dissection, histopathological examination of the mass and virus genome detection of the nasal secretions confirmed that the intranasal mass was a low-grade adenocarcinoma and that the goats were infected with enzootic nasal tumor virus type 2. In conclusion, CT and MRI have high diagnostic values for enzootic nasal tumors because they match the postmortem findings and are more accurate than radiography.

Tumorigenesis is associated with metabolic abnormalities and genomic instability. Microsatellite mutations, including microsatellite instability (MSI) and loss of heterozygosity (LOH), are associated with the functional impairment of some tumor-related genes. To investigate the role of MSI and LOH in sporadic breast tumors in canines, 22 tumors DNA samples and their adjacent normal tissues were evaluated using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and silver staining for 58 microsatellites. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, promoter methylation analysis and immunohistochemical staining were used to quantify gene expression. The results revealed that a total of 14 tumors (6 benign tumors and 8 breast cancers) exhibited instability as MSI-Low tumors. Most of the microsatellite loci possessed a single occurrence of mutations. The maximum number of MSI mutations on loci was observed in tumors with a lower degree of differentiation. Among the unstable markers, FH2060 (4/22), ABCC9tetra (4/22) and SCN11A (6/22) were high-frequency mutation sites, whereas FH2060 was a high-frequency LOH site (4/22). The ABCC9tetra locus was mutated only in cancerous tissue, although it was excluded by transcription. The corresponding genes and proteins were significantly downregulated in malignant tissues, particularly in tumors with MSI. Furthermore, the promoter methylation results of the adenosine triphosphate binding cassette subfamily C member 9 (ABCC9) showed that there was a high level of methylation in breast tissues, but only one case showed a significant elevation compared with the control. In conclusion, MSI-Low or MSI-Stable is characteristic of most sporadic mammary tumors. Genes associated with tumorigenesis are more likely to develop MSI. ABCC9 protein and transcription abnormalities may be associated with ABCC9tetra instability.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the potential mechanisms and related bioactive components of ZSS for the treatment of insomnia.Method: The insomnia model of rat induced by PCPA was established. After oral administration of ZSS extract, the general morphological observation, pentobarbital sodium-induced sleep test and histopathological evaluation were carried out. Network pharmacology, assisted by UHPLC-Q-Exactive-MS/MS analysis, was developed to identify the targets of ZSS in the treatment of insomnia, as well as the corresponding signaling pathways. In addition, we validated the identified targets and pathways by RT-qPCR and immunohistochemical analysis.Results: The pentobarbital sodium-induced sleep test, determination of 5-HT and GABA levles in hypothalamic tissues and HE staining showed that ZSS extract was an effective treatment for insomnia. Network pharmacology analysis identified a total of 19 candidate bioactive ingredients in ZSS extract, along with 433 potentially related targets. Next, we performed protein-protein interaction (PPI), MCODE clustering analysis, GO functional enrichment analysis, KEGG pathway enrichment analysis, and ingredient-target-pathway (I-T-P) sub-networks analysis. These methods allowed us to investigate the synergistic therapeutic effects of crucial pathways, including the serotonergic and GABAergic synapse pathways. Our analyses revealed that palmitic acid, coclaurine, jujuboside A, N-nornuciferine, caaverine, magnoflorine, jujuboside B, and betulinic acid, all played key roles in the regulation of these crucial pathways. Finally, we used the PCPA-induced insomnia in rats to validate the data generated by network pharmacology; these in vivo experiments clearly showed that pathways associated with the serotonergic and GABAergic system were activated in the rats model. Furthermore, ZSS treatment significantly suppressed high levels of HTR1A, GABRA1, and GABRG2 expression in the hypothalamus and reduced the expression levels of HTR2A.Conclusion: Based on the combination of comprehensive network pharmacology and in vivo experiments, we successfully identified the potential pharmacological mechanisms underlying the action of ZSS in the treatment of insomnia. The results provide a theoretical basis for further development and utilization of ZSS, and also provide support for the development of innovative drugs for the treatment of insomnia.

Background: The pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is linked to an intricate association of environmental, microbial, and host-related factors. Polysaccharide affects host immunity by regulating the composition and metabolism of gut microbiota is the common mechanism of disease resistance. However, the efficacy and mechanism of Schisandra chinensis polysaccharide (SCP) in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease have not been studied.Objective: To explore the effect and mechanism of SCP on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) - induced ulcerative colitis (UC) in mice.Materials/Methods: In this study, we established a mouse model of UC, and used SCP for treatment intervention. The biochemical indexes related to inflammation were determined by ELISA kit, and the therapeutic effect of SCP on UC was clarified. Then, 16S rDNA sequencing was used to study the effect of SCP on the composition and diversity of gut microbiota. At the same time, GC-MS was used to determine the content of short chain fatty acids in intestinal contents. Finally, the relationship among gut microbiota, short chain fatty acids and inflammatory factors was analyzed, and to comprehensively explain the effect and mechanism of SCP on UC.Results: The results showed that SCP could significantly improve the physiological state of UC mice and regulate the level of inflammatory factors to normal levels. Meanwhile, SCP could significantly regulate the imbalance of gut microbiota and increase the content of SCFAs. In addition, the results of the correlation between gut microbiota and SCFAs showed that butyric acid, isobutyric acid and valeric acid had the highest correlation with gut microbiota.Conclusion: In conclusion, this research showed that SCP can inhibit inflammatory bowel disease by regulating the composition and metabolism of gut microbiota, and indicating that SCP may be used as adjuvant therapy for IBD patients.

Objective This study aimed to assess the prevalence of hypertension (HT) among individuals living at different altitudes in Tibet. Methods We conducted a stratified cluster survey among 1,631 participants in Tibet living in areas at three different altitudes. Results Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure and body mass index (BMI) values were highest at the lowest altitudes. After adjusting for age and sex, the prevalence of HT at low, medium, and high altitudes was 40.6%, 32.5%, and 20.4%, respectively. The prevalence of HT decreased with increasing altitude and increased with increasing age and BMI value. Conclusion Increasing altitude tended to decrease BMI levels, and as a consequence, the prevalence of HT was reduced. National policies and guidelines for HT in Tibet should focus on this relationship.

Schisandra chinensis (SC) is a well-known important traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that has been used to treat liver disease in China for a long time. However, its overall effects and mechanism of action are unclear. The present study aimed to explore the potential mechanism of SC in protection against alcoholic liver injury (ALI). In this research, to enable a full assessment of metabolic changes in ALI in Sprague-Dawley rats and to increase our understanding of physiological changes in normal and pathological states, ultra-high performance liquid chromatography combined with quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q/TOF-MS) was used to probe potential biomarkers to learn more about ALI and to evaluate the overall effect of SC for ALI in rats. Principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were used to investigate global metabolomic alterations and to evaluate the therapeutic effects of SC in rats. The component–target–pathway network of SC was then constructed on the basis of the network pharmacology, and the liver injury-relevant signaling pathways were thus dissected and validated. The results showed that SC has conspicuous therapeutic efficacy for ALI, as suggested by the results of the pathological section and biochemical index assays, such as those for Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate transaminase (AST), Alkaline phosphatase (AKP), γ-glutamyl transferase (γ-GT/GGT), Reactive oxygen species (ROS), and Malondialdehyde (MDA). Furthermore, 21 kinds of potential biomarkers were identified in plasma samples of ALI rats, and 20 kinds of potential biomarkers were identified in their bile samples. The biomarkers were mainly related to inflammation and dysfunctions of amino acids and energy metabolism. The recovery of these dysfunctions partly led to the curative effect of SC on ALI.

In this paper, we study the asymptotic stability and the hair-trigger effect for Cauchy problem of the following parabolic-parabolic Keller-Segel system with logistic term$ \begin{equation} \left\{ \begin{aligned} &u_{t} = \Delta u-\chi \nabla\cdot\left (u\nabla v \right)+u\left(a-b u\right)&x\in \mathbb{R}^{N},\, t>0,\\ &\tau v_{t} = \Delta v+\lambda u-\mu v&x\in \mathbb{R}^{N},\, t>0, \end{aligned} \right. \;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;\;(1)\end{equation} $where $ \chi $, $ a $, $ b $, $ \lambda $, $ \mu $ and $ \tau $ are positive constants and $ N $ is a positive integer. To this end, for small $ \chi $, we firstly obtain the global boundedness of solution by loop-argument based on $ L^p-L^q $ estimates of heat semigroup, with which we can further obtain the asymptotic stability of the positive constant equilibria in $ L^\infty(\mathbb R^N) $ for any initial data with positive lower bound. Moreover, for the special case $ \tau = 1 $, if $ \int_{B(x,\delta)}\ln u_0(s)ds\in L^\infty(\mathbb R^N) $ for some $ \delta>0 $, by constructing localized Lyapunov type functional, the solutions are shown to converge to the positive constant equilibria uniformly on any compact subset of $ \mathbb R^N $, which is known as the hair-trigger effect. Our contribution lies in the generalization of the results on asymptotic stability from the special case $ \tau = 1 $([31]) to any $ \tau>0 $, and the generalization of classical results on hair-trigger effect for Fisher-KPP equation to Keller-Segel system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of nanotechnology to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) enabled the development of Chinese medicine in the international society. The pharmacodynamics of TCM is not only depending on its chemical constituents but also related to its physical state such as particle size. Indeed, there is some new pesticide effect that appeared when the medicine was being made into nanophase. The application of nanotechnology to TCM can expand the use of a range of Chinese medicinal materials. In this review, we introduce the concept of nanometer TCM. We also review the preparation methods, advantages, and development tendency of Nano-TCM; furthermore, we analyze the problems in the process of development of Nano-TCM and put forward varies possible solutions to solve this problems, thereby providing new thought for the development of Nano-TCM.