Wuwei Kushen Changrong capsule alleviates DSS-induced colitis in mice via inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome and STAT3 pathway.

Purpose: Wuwei Kushen Changrong capsule (Composite Colon-soluble Capsule, CSCC) is a Chinese patent medicine developed to treat ulcerative colitis. Studies highlight CSCC potential efficacy for ulcerative colitis (UC) but unclear mechanism limits its widely treatment for patients. We aimed to investigate the anti-colitis efficacy of CSCC and explore the mechanism by which GPR43 inhibits the NLRP3/STAT3 signaling pathway, thereby mediating the protective effects of CSCC on the intestinal barrier.

Survival benefit and biomarker of PD-1 inhibitor combination therapy in first-line of advanced biliary tract cancer: A retrospective study.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) combination therapies have shown promise in the first-line treatment of advanced biliary tract cancer (BTC). However, the best partner remains to be validated. Moreover, progress on biomarkers predicting the efficacy of ICI in BTC is slow.

Risk prediction models for mortality and readmission in patients with acute heart failure: A protocol for systematic review, critical appraisal, and meta-analysis.

Introduction: A considerable number of risk models, which predict outcomes in mortality and readmission rates, have been developed for patients with acute heart failure (AHF) to help stratify patients by risk level, improve decision making, and save medical resources. However, some models exist in a clinically useful manner such as risk scores or online calculators, while others are not, providing only limited information that prevents clinicians and patients from using them. The reported performance of some models varied greatly when predicting at multiple time points and being validated in different cohorts, which causes model users uncertainty about the predictive accuracy of these models.

Effectiveness of Yiqi Fumai lyophilized injection for acute heart failure: Rationale and design of the AUGUST-AHF cohort study.

Introduction: The effect of Yiqi Fumai lyophilized injection (YQFM) on acute heart failure (AHF) patients has been evaluated in a large sample, randomized, controlled trial (AUGUST-AHF RCT study). However, restrictive eligibility criteria from a randomized clinical trial may raise concerns about the generalizability of the results to under-represented groups or complex patients with multimorbidity. Therefore, we intend to conduct the AUGUST-AHF cohort study which aims to assess the effectiveness of YQFM in patients with AHF in a real-world setting and compare the results with AUGUST-AHF RCT study.

Engineering a HemoMap Nanovaccine for Inducing Immune Responses against Melanoma.

Neoantigen vaccines have opened a new paradigm for cancer immunotherapy. Here, we constructed a neoantigen nanovaccine-HemoMap, with the ability to target lymph nodes and activate immune cells. We propose a HemoMap nanovaccine consisting of the mouse melanoma highly expressed antigenic peptide Tyrp1 and a magnesium nanoadjuvant-HemoM.

A dual-adjuvant neoantigen nanovaccine loaded with imiquimod and magnesium enhances anti-tumor immune responses of melanoma.

Neoantigen-based tumor vaccines have been applied in patient-specific melanoma-derived immunogenic mutated epitopes (neoantigens), with potential antineoplastic and immunomodulating effects. Yet, their use is limited by different physicochemical properties and poor pharmacokinetics. Herein, we constructed a human serum albumin-based dual adjuvant neoantigen nanovaccine loaded with imiquimod and magnesium.

Efficacy of pharmacologic therapies in patients with acute heart failure: A network meta-analysis.

A network meta-analysis (NMA) of the current recommended drugs for the treatment of acute heart failure (AHF), was performed to compare the relative efficacy. We used PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Clinical Trials Register, and Web of Science systems to search studies of randomized controlled trials (RCT) for the treatment of AHF recommended by the guidelines and expert consensus until 1 December 2020. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality within 30 days.

Efficacy and safety of lumbrokinase plus aspirin versus aspirin alone for acute ischemic stroke (LUCENT): study protocol for a multicenter randomized controlled trial.

Background: Lumbrokinase has been widely used for patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in China; however, because rigorously designed studies are lacking, safety and efficacy of lumbrokinase in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke remains largely unknown. In this multicenter, randomized, and controlled trial, we aim to compare lumbrokinase plus aspirin versus aspirin alone in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Methods: A total of 220 eligible participants will be randomized to either the intervention or control group with a 1:1 ratio.

Zuogui Wan improves spermatogenesis of GC1-spg cells through modulating AR-related pathways.

Zuogui Wan (ZGW) is a common prescription medication used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to significantly improve the sperm quality and treat male infertility. This study evaluated the repair effect of ZGW and Levocarnitine (LEV) on GC1-spg cell injury induced by Glucosides of Tripterygium WilforDII Hook (GTW). The results showed that the ultrastructure and apoptosis rate of GC1- spg cells in LEV and ZGW group were considerably better than GTW.

Explore the effects of pulmonary fibrosis on sperm quality and the role of the PI3K/Akt pathway based on rat model.

Researches were reported that respiratory diseases can lead to male infertility; however, it is unclear whether there is a relationship between pulmonary fibrosis (PF) and male infertility. This study examined the influence of PF on sperm quality and its mechanisms. The key signalling pathway of male infertility caused by PF was predicted based on bioinformatics research.

[Asthma affects erectile function in rats: An experimental study].

Objective: To investigate the impact of asthma on erectile function in rats and the expressions of related proteins.

Methods: Male rats were injected intraperitoneally with ovalbumin solution to induce asthma followed by subcutaneous injection of apomorphine at 100 μg/kg into the neck, and then observed for reduced frequency or loss of penile erection. Based on the results of observation, a model of asthma-induced ED (AED) was made in 6 of the animals, and another 6 normal male rats were taken as controls.

The mechanism analysis using PI3K/AKT pathway for the effects of levocarnitine in the treatment of spermatogenic dysfunction.

LEV improves the percentage of forward-motion spermatozoon and total sperm motility in patients with oligozoospermia or asthenospermia in clinical settings. However, the mechanism of action of levocarnitine (LEV) in the treatment of spermatogenic dysfunction was unclear. Based on in vitro and in vivo experiments, we used Glucosides of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F (GTW) to construct a cell model (using spermatogenic GC-1 spg cells) and an animal model (using rats) of spermatogenic dysfunction.

Mechanism by which Huoxue Tongluo Qiwei Decoction improves the erectile function of rats with diabetic erectile dysfunction.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Huoxue Tongluo Qiwei Decoction is a classical herbal formula, which can improve the symptoms of erectile dysfunction (ED) patients and has a good therapeutic effect on patients with diabetic erectile dysfunction (DIED). The main function of Huoxue Tongluo Qiwei Decoction is to stimulate the blood circulation and dredge collaterals, remove blood stasis, and calm wind.

Rationale: To further explore the mechanism of Huoxue Tongluo Qiwei Decoction in the treatment of DIED, related animal experiments were designed.

Network Pharmacology Analysis of the Effects of Plus on Migraine-induced Erectile Dysfunction.

Background And Aim: Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix plus Semen Vaccariae are traditional Chinese medicines, which have been widely applied in the treatment of migraine and Erectile Dysfunction (ED) for many years. This study verified the effect of Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix plus Semen Vaccariae in improving migraine-induced ED and explored its potential mechanism.

Methods: Key targets and signaling pathways of Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix plus Semen Vaccariae in migraine-induced erectile dysfunction treatment were predicted by network pharmacology.

A Bioinformatic Investigation of the Mechanism Underlying Migraine-Induced Erectile Dysfunction.

Background: Over recent years, an increasing body of literature has focused on the relationship between erectile dysfunction (ED) and migraine. However, the specific mechanism is unclear.

Materials And Methods: We used a bioinformatic database to predict the targets and pathways associated with migraine and ED.

Potential mechanism of plus semen vaccariae granules in the treatment of diabetes mellitus-induced erectile dysfunction in rats utilizing combined experimental model and network pharmacology.

Context: Blume (Amaranthaceae) (ABR) and semen vaccariae (SV) are used commonly in the clinical treatment of erectile dysfunction in males with diabetes mellitus (DMED) to strengthen the kidney and promote blood circulation, and often achieve good curative effects.

Objective: Explore mechanistic details of ABR + SV treatment against DMED.

Materials And Methods: Prediction of key targets by network pharmacology.

Mechanism of Huoxue Tongluo Decoction in treatment of erectile dysfunction caused by ischemic stroke based on network pharmacology.

Objective: To study the therapeutic effect of Huoxue Tongluo Decoction (HXTLD) on erectile dysfunction caused by ischemic stroke and identify the mechanisms involved.

Methods: Network pharmacology was used to predict the key active ingredients and targets of HXTLD. Surgical methods were used to create a rat model of ischemic stroke.

In vitro and in vivo investigation of the therapeutic mechanism of Lycium Chinense and Cuscutae Semen on oligoasthenozoospermia.

Through network pharmacology research, we found that CYP19, CYP17, AR and SRD5A2 were potential targets for lycium chinense-cuscutae semen (LC-CS) treatment of oligoasthenozoospermia. Using in vitro and in vivo experiments, tripterygium glycosides were used to induce spermatogenic dysfunction models in GC-1spg cells and SD male rats, respectively, and LC-CS was used to intervene in a spermatogenic dysfunction model. In vitro, LC-CS could repair the ultrastructure of GC-1spg cells damaged by tripterygium glycosides (TG).

Effects of Diabetes Mellitus on Sperm Quality in the Db/Db Mouse Model and the Role of the FoxO1 Pathway.

BACKGROUND Studies have shown that diabetes mellitus (DM) has a negative impact on male reproductive function, which may lead to changes in the testis and epididymis and a decline in semen quality. MATERIAL AND METHODS We performed animal experiments with 6 diabetic db/db mice as the model group (group B) and 6 C57BL/6J mice as the control group (group A). After adaptive feeding for 7 days, the sperm quality of each group was measured.

Effect of leech-centipede medicine on improving erectile function in diabetes-induced erectile dysfunction rats via PDE5 signalling pathway-related molecules.

Context: The leech and centipede granules have good curative effects on many diabetic vascular diseases, including diabetes-induced erectile dysfunction (DIED).

Objective: To explore the effect of leech and centipede on erectile function in rats with diabetes-induced erectile dysfunction and its possible mechanism.

Materials And Methods: Thirty male Sprague-Dawley DIED rats were randomly divided into the model group (Group M), low-dose group (Group DD), high-dose group (Group DG) and tadalafil group (Group T) ( = 6); diabetic rats were induced by streptozotocin.

To study the mechanism of Cuscuta chinensis Lam. And Lycium barbarum L. in the treatment of asthenospermia based on network pharmacology.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Cuscuta chinensis Lam. and Lycium barbarum L. (SC-FL) is a commonly used kidney tonic Chinese medicine combination that is widely used in the clinical treatment of oligoasthenospermia.

Effect of Asthma on Erectile Dysfunction in Rats as Determined by Biological Network Analysis.

BACKGROUND We explored the effect of asthma on erectile dysfunction (ED) and the effects of the expression of related proteins. MATERIAL AND METHODS We used a bioinformatics database to predict the targets and pathways associated with asthma and ED. The rat model of asthma was caused by an ovalbumin solution.

Effect of leech-centipede medicine on improving erectile function in DIED rats via PKC signalling pathway-related molecules.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Leeches (pinyin name Shui Zhi; Latin scientific name Hirudo; Hirudinea; Hirudinidae) and centipedes (pinyin name Wu Gong; Latin scientific name Scolopendridae; Chilopoda; Scolopendridae) are traditional Chinese medicines, and they belong to the family entomology. A combination of leech and centipede is used as an effective medicine to promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis in traditional Chinese medicine, and "leech-centipede" medicine has been used in many prescriptions to treat diabetic vascular disease, including diabetic erectile dysfunction (DIED). However, its specific mechanism remains unclear and requires in-depth study.

Biological Network Model of Effect of Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia on Spermatogenesis in Rats.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to explore the effect of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) on spermatogenesis and the effects of the expression of related proteins. MATERIAL AND METHODS Rats in Group A were normoxic (exposed to a normal level of oxygen). Rats in Group B were exposed to intermittent hypoxia.

A Network Pharmacology Approach to Reveal the Underlying Mechanisms of Zuogui Yin in the Treatment of Male Infertility.

Background And Aim: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), as a complementary and alternative therapy, has played increasingly important roles in clinical treatment and disease prevention. Zuogui Yin (ZGY) is one of the well-known TCM prescriptions used for the treatment of male infertility. To fully reveal the potential mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of ZGY on male infertility, a network pharmacology approach was conducted at the molecular level.