Objective This study aims to comprehensively explore the active components, key targets, and signaling pathways involved in the mechanism of Jinlida Granules in treating type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM) using network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques. Methods Active ingredients and their corresponding targets of Jinlida Granules were retrieved from the TCMSP database, while T2DM-related targets were obtained from DrugBank and GeneCards databases. The intersecting targets between the drug and the disease were identified and used to construct a protein-protein interaction(PPI) network to identify critical targets. The top five targets based on degree values were selected as core targets for T2DM treatment. Gene Ontology(GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed using the DAVID database. Finally, molecular docking was employed to validate the binding affinity between the top active ingredients and their respective targets. Results A total of 171 active ingredients in Jinlida Granules were identified. Quercetin, luteolin, stigmasterol, kaempferol, and β-sitosterol were identified as the five key compounds with significant potential in managing T2DM. Through target screening, 922 T2DM-related targets were identified, with 153 intersecting targets. TNF, IL-6, Akt1, PPARG, and TP53 were identified as the key targets. GO analysis revealed that the associated biological processes were mainly related to inflammation, hypoxic response, cell growth, and apoptosis. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis highlighted the TNF signaling pathway, among others, as crucial in the therapeutic effects of Jinlida Granules on T2DM. Molecular docking demonstrated strong and stable interactions between the key active ingredients and their respective targets. Conclusion Jinlida Granules exert therapeutic effects on T2DM through the synergistic modulation of multiple targets and signaling pathways. This study provides a theoretical basis for the use of Jinlida Granules in T2DM treatment, offers new insights for future diabetes research, and contributes to the integration of traditional Chinese medicine with modern scientific approaches.

Objective To investigate miR-106a-5p and 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase(PFKFB3) as sepsis biomarkers. Methods A total of 152 sepsis patients admitted to the ICU of the Affiliated Hospital of Yan'an University between January 2022 and September 2024 were selected as the sepsis group. Based on disease severity, they were divided into a general sepsis subgroup(n=84) and a septic shock subgroup(n=68). According to 90-day outcomes, patients were further categorized into a survival group and a death group. Additionally, 76 healthy volunteers undergoing routine physical examinations during the same period were included as the healthy control group. Serum levels of miR-106a-5p and PFKFB3 were measured using real-time quantitative PCR and ELISA, respectively. The binding site between miR-106a-5p and the 3′-UTR of PFKFB3 was predicted using an online database. Pearson correlation analysis was used to assess the relationship between serum miR-106a-5p and PFKFB3 levels. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify independent prognostic factors, and ROC curves were used to evaluate the predictive value of serum miR-106a-5p and PFKFB3 levels. Results Compared with the healthy control group, the sepsis group showed significantly lower serum miR-106a-5p levels and higher PFKFB3 levels(t/P=22.855/<0.001, 17.897/<0.001). A binding site was identified at position 1506-1512 of the PFKFB3 3′-UTR. Serum miR-106a-5p levels were negatively correlated with PFKFB3 levels in sepsis patients(r/P=0.669/<0.001). Compared with the general sepsis subgroup, the septic shock subgroup had lower miR-106a-5p levels and higher PFKFB3 levels(t/P=7.025/<0.001, 6.770/<0.001). The 90-day mortality rate was 39.47%(60/152). Septic shock, higher SOFA scores, higher APACHE Ⅱ scores, and elevated PFKFB3 were identified as independent risk factors for death, whereas high miR-106a-5p was an independent protective factor [OR(95%CI)=7.933(1.932-32.570),1.262(1.104-1.443),1.070(1.025-1.116),1.034(1.013-1.055),0.850(0.785-0.920)].The AUCs for predicting prognosis using serum miR-106a-5p, PFKFB3, and their combination were 0.790, 0.782, and 0.892, respectively, with the combined prediction outperforming either marker alone(Z/P=3.388/0.001, 3.695/<0.001).Conclusion The miR-106a-5p/PFKFB3 axis correlates with sepsis severity and outcomes, offering synergistic prognostic value.

Objective To investigate the value of serum apolipoprotein J(ApoJ) and tumor necrosis factor-stimulated gene-6(TSG-6) levels in evaluating postoperative carotid intima-media thickness(CIMT) in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy(CEA). Methods A total of 120 patients with carotid artery stenosis(CAS) who underwent CEA in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Nanjing Mingji Hospital from January 2020 to September 2022 were selected as the CAS group. Based on CIMT measured 2 years post-operation, CAS patients were divided into a thickening subgroup(CIMT ≥ 1.0 mm, n=31) and a non-thickening subgroup(CIMT < 1.0 mm, n=89). Additionally, 60 healthy subjects during the same period were selected as the healthy control group. Serum ApoJ and TSG-6 levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to analyze the correlation between serum ApoJ and TSG-6 levels and CRP, TNF-α, and CIMT thickness 2 years after operation in CAS patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify influencing factors of CIMT thickening after CEA in CAS patients. The receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve was used to evaluate the predictive value of serum ApoJ and TSG-6 levels for CIMT thickening after CEA.Results Serum ApoJ and TSG-6 levels in the CAS group were higher than those in the healthy control group(t/P=9.656/<0.001, 9.534/<0.001). Compared with the non-thickening subgroup, the thickening subgroup had increased levels of D-dimer(D-D), C-reactive protein(CRP), and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), and decreased levels of ApoJ and TSG-6(t/P=3.454/0.001, 8.321/<0.001, 4.204/<0.001, 4.184/<0.001, 3.432/0.001). Pearson correlation analysis showed that serum ApoJ and TSG-6 levels in CAS patients were positively correlated with CRP and TNF-α levels(r/P=0.564/0.021, 0.612/0.004, 0.598/0.013, 0.690/<0.001), and negatively correlated with CIMT thickness 2 years after operation(r/P=-0.599/<0.001,-0.509/0.016). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that high levels of ApoJ and TSG-6 were protective factors [OR(95%CI)=0.808(0.687-0.951), 0.761(0.593-0.975)]. The area under the curve(AUC) of serum ApoJ and TSG-6 levels alone and their combination in predicting CIMT thickening after CEA were 0.715, 0.642, and 0.875, respectively. The AUC of the combination was greater than that of either marker alone(Z/P=2.169/0.015, 3.092/0.001).Conclusion Serum ApoJ and TSG-6 expression is upregulated in CAS patients, which is associated with CIMT thickening and inflammatory response after CEA. Both are independent influencing factors for CIMT thickening after CEA in CAS patients. Combined detection has high clinical value for assessing the risk of CIMT thickening after CEA.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the serum nucleotide-binding oligomeric domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3) inflammasomes and neurological function and prognosis in children with viral encephalitis(VE).Methods A total of 82 children with viral encephalitis diagnosed and treated in Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital from February 2021 to March 2023 were selected as the study objects, and were divided into mild group(n=31) and severe group(n=51) according to the severity of the disease. The mRNA expression levels of NLRP3, apoptosis-related spot-like protein(ASC), caspase-1(Caspase-1) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of the 2 groups were compared and the neural function indexes [brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF), central nervous specific protein(S100β), neuron-specific enolase(NSE)]were compared. The correlation between NLRP3 inflammasome index and neural function index was analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis. The patients were followed up for 6 months after discharge. GOS score was used to evaluate the prognosis of the children, and they were divided into good prognosis group(n=49) and poor prognosis group(n=33), the clinical/case data of the two groups were compared. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis of adverse prognostic factors in VE children; ROC curve was drawn to analyze the prognostic value of NLRP3, ASC and caspase-1 mRNA in children. Results The levels of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1 mRNA, S100β and NSE in severe group were higher than those in mild group. BDNF was lower than that of mild patients(t/P=7.245/<0.001,6.985/<0.001,11.319/<0.001,7.900/<0.001,3.906/<0.001,8.452/<0.001); NLRP3 inflammatory body indexes were positively correlated with S100β and NSE. There was a negative correlation with BDNF(P<0.01); There were persistent convulsions, moderate and severe EEG abnormalities, severe disease, NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1 Increased mRNA, S100β and NSE levels were independent risk factors for poor prognosis in children with VE, while increased BDNF levels were protective factors for poor prognosis in children with VE [OR(95%CI)=2.057(1.088-3.888), 2.002(1.024-3.913), 2.026(1.049-3.914), 2.489(1.028-6.025), 2.428(1.194-4.936), 2.261(1.130-4.526), 3.442(1.011-11.717), 2.641(1.053-6.621), 0.325(0.118-0.896)]; The AUC of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1 mRNA and their combination in predicting poor prognosis of VE children were 0.799, 0.759, 0.818, 0.947, respectively. The combined value of the three was better than that of each alone(the difference was compared by DeLong method)(Z=5.266, 5.678, 4.323, P<0.001).Conclusion The level of serum NLRP3 inflammatory body index in children with VE is significantly increased, which is closely related to the neurological injury and prognosis of children with VE, and has a good evaluation value for the prognosis of children with VE.

Objective To investigate changes in the microRNA-1323(miR-1323)/interleukin-6(IL-6) inflammatory axis in peripheral blood of children with refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia(RMPP) and its correlation with the risk of poor prognosis. Methods A total of 202 children with RMPP admitted to the Pediatric Department of Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital in Langfang City, Hebei Province, from January 2021 to March 2024 were selected as study subjects. Based on treatment prognosis, children were categorized into a good prognosis group(n=160) and a poor prognosis group(n=42). According to disease severity, they were further divided into a mild subgroup(n=33), a moderate subgroup(n=91), and a severe subgroup(n=78). Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qPCR) was used to detect the relative expression level of miR-1323, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to measure serum IL-6 levels. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to examine the correlation between miR-1323, IL-6 levels, and CRP and PCT levels in children with RMPP. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the relationship between miR-1323, IL-6 levels, and poor prognosis. Receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate the predictive value of the miR-1323/IL-6 inflammatory axis for poor prognosis in children with RMPP. Results Levels of miR-1323 and IL-6 were higher in the poor prognosis group than in the good prognosis group(t/P=8.523/<0.001, 6.514/<0.001). As disease severity increased, miR-1323 and IL-6 levels gradually rose(F/P=41.205/<0.001, 44.976/<0.001). Pearson correlation analysis showed that miR-1323 and IL-6 levels were positively correlated with CRP and PCT levels(miR-1323: r/P=0.734/<0.001, 0.824/<0.001; IL-6: r/P=0.839/<0.001, 0.834/<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that high miR-1323 and IL-6 levels were independent risk factors for poor prognosis in children with RMPP [OR(95%CI)=1.661(1.305-2.115), 1.579(1.231-2.026)]. The AUCs for predicting poor prognosis using miR-1323 alone, IL-6 alone, and their combination were 0.793, 0.779, and 0.895, respectively. The miR-1323/IL-6 inflammatory axis showed superior predictive performance compared to either factor alone(Z/P=1.997/0.043, 2.367/0.031). Conclusion The peripheral blood miR-1323/IL-6 inflammatory axis is significantly upregulated in children with RMPP, independently associated with poor prognosis risk, and demonstrates reliable predictive value.