Buyang Huanwu Decoction(BYHWD), as one of the classic formulas in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) for the treatment of cerebral ischemic stroke(CIS), has demonstrated definite effects in clinical practice. However, the material basis and mechanism of treatment have not been systematically elucidated. This study employed network pharmacology and molecular docking to analyze the potential targets and mechanisms of blood-and brain-penetrating active components of BYHWD in reducing cell apoptosis in CIS. Cell experiments were then carried out to validate the prediction results. In the experiments, five active components including hydroxysafflor yellow A( HSYA), tetramethylpyrazine( TMP), astragaloside Ⅳ( AS-Ⅳ), amygdalin( AMY), and paeoniflorin(PF) were selected to explore the pharmacological effects of BYHWD. HT22 cells were treated with BYHWD, and the cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) method was employed to examine the toxic and side effects of BYHWD. A cell model of oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation( OGD/R) was constructed, with apoptosis and pyroptosis as the main screening indicators. The levels of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) and glutathione(GSH) were measured to assess the cell membrane integrity. Flow cytometry was employed to detect apoptosis, and the activities of caspase-3 and caspase-1 were measured to clarify the status of apoptosis and pyroptosis. ELISA was employed to determine the levels of interleukin(IL)-1β and IL-18 to confirm pyroptosis. HSYA and AMY were identified in this study as the active components regulating apoptosis and pyroptosis. TUNEL was employed to detect the apoptosis rate, and Western blot was employed to determine the expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax), and caspase-3, which confirmed that the anti-apoptotic effect of the combined component group was superior to that of the single component groups. The molecular docking results revealed strong binding affinity of HSYA and AMY with SDF-1α and CXCR4.AMD3100, a selective antagonist of CXCR4, was then used for intervention. The results of Western blot showed alterations in the expression levels of apoptosis-associated proteins, SDF-1α, and CXCR4. In conclusion, HSYA and AMY influence cellular apoptosis by modulating the SDF-1α/CXCR4 signaling cascade.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Animals ; Neurons/cytology* ; Mice ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Cell Line ; Glucose/metabolism* ; Humans ; Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacology*

This study explored the growth-promoting effect and mechanism of the endophytic bacterium Kocuria rosea on Rehmannia glutinosa, aiming to provide a scientific basis for the development of green bacterial fertilizer. R. glutinosa 'Jinjiu' was treated with K. rosea, and the shoot parameters including leaf length, leaf width, plant width, and stem diameter were measured every 15 days. After 120 days, the shoots and roots were harvested. The root indicators(root number, root length, root diameter, root fresh weight, root dry weight, root volume, and root vitality) and secondary metabolites(catalpol, rehmannioside A, rehmannioside D, verbascoside, and leonuride) were determined. The R. glutinosa growth-promoting mechanism of K. rosea was discussed from the effect of K. rosea on the nutrient element content in R. glutinosa and rhizosphere soil and the genome information of this plant. After application of K. rosea, the maximum increases in leaf length, leaf width, plant width, and stem diameter were 35.67%(60 d), 25.39%(45 d), 40.17%(60 d), and 113.85%(45 d), respectively. The root number, root length, root diameter, root volume, root fresh weight, root dry weight, and root viability increased by 41.71%, 45.10%, 48.61%, 94.34%, 101.55%, 147.61%, and 42.08%, respectively. In addition, the content of rehmannioside A and verbascoside in the root of R. glutinosa increased by 76.67% and 69.54%, respectively. K. rosea promoted the transformation of nitrogen(N), phosphorus(P), and potassium(K) in the rhizosphere soil into the available state. Compared with that in the control, the content of available N(54.60 mg·kg~(-1)), available P(1.83 μmol·g~(-1)), and available K(83.75 mg·kg~(-1)) in the treatment with K. rosea increased by 138.78%, 44.89%, and 14.34%, respectively. The content of N, P, and K in the treatment group increased by 293.22%, 202.63%, and 23.80% in the roots and by 23.60%, 107.23%, and 134.53% in the leaves of R. glutinosa, respectively. K. rosea carried the genes related to colonization(rbsB, efp, bcsA, and gmhC), N, P, and K metabolism(narG, narH, narI, nasA, nasB, GDH2, pyk, aceB, ackA, CS, ppa, ppk, ppk2, pstS, pstA, pstB, and pstC), and indole-3-acetic acid and zeatin synthesis(iaaH and miaA). Further studies showed that K. rosea could colonize the roots of R. glutinosa and secrete indole-3-acetic acid(3.85 μg·mL~(-1)) and zeatin(0.10 μg·mL~(-1)). In summary, K. rosea promotes the growth of R.ehmannia glutinosa by enhancing the nutrient uptake, which provides a theoretical basis for the development of plant growth-promoting microbial products.
Rehmannia/metabolism* ; Endophytes/metabolism* ; Plant Roots/growth & development* ; Micrococcaceae/genetics* ; Data Mining ; Plant Leaves/metabolism* ; Genomics ; Rhizosphere

GJ-4 is crocin enrichments extracted from Gardenia jasminoides J. Ellis, and our previous studies have shown that GJ-4 significantly improved learning and memory impairment induced by Aβ in mice. Herein, a memory deficit model was developed by injecting okadaic acid (OA) into the lateral ventricle of mice, and the neuroprotection and underlying mechanism of GJ-4 on neuronal injury caused by Tau hyperphosphorylation were investigated. The Animal Care & Welfare Committee, Institute of Materia Medica, CAMS & PUMC has approved all procedures (No.00000318). GJ-4 at different doses was intragastric administration to mice for 16 days. Step-down test and Morris water maze test showed that GJ-4 could significantly improve OA-induced memory impairment in mice, and reduced the loss of Nissl bodies in the hippocampus of mice. GJ-4 could also decrease the phosphorylation level of Tau protein at Ser396, Thr231 and Ser404 via increasing protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) activity and inhibiting glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) activity. Besides, further researches indicated that GJ-4 could inhibit the level of oxidative stress in the brain of OA mice, reduce neuronal apoptosis and inhibit the neuroinflammation mediated by activation of astrocytes in the hippocampus of mice, and eventually achieve its effects in improving learning and memory impairment in mice. According to these findings, we anticipated that GJ-4 might be a potential therapeutic drug for Alzheimer's disease.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the incidence of extrauterine growth retardation (EUGR) and its risk factors in very preterm infants (VPIs) during hospitalization in China. METHODS: A prospective multicenter study was performed on the medical data of 2 514 VPIs who were hospitalized in the department of neonatology in 28 hospitals from 7 areas of China between September 2019 and December 2020. According to the presence or absence of EUGR based on the evaluation of body weight at the corrected gestational age of 36 weeks or at discharge, the VPIs were classified to two groups: EUGR group (n=1 189) and non-EUGR (n=1 325). The clinical features were compared between the two groups, and the incidence of EUGR and risk factors for EUGR were examined. RESULTS: The incidence of EUGR was 47.30% (1 189/2 514) evaluated by weight. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that higher weight growth velocity after regaining birth weight and higher cumulative calorie intake during the first week of hospitalization were protective factors against EUGR (P<0.05), while small-for-gestational-age birth, prolonged time to the initiation of total enteral feeding, prolonged cumulative fasting time, lower breast milk intake before starting human milk fortifiers, prolonged time to the initiation of full fortified feeding, and moderate-to-severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia were risk factors for EUGR (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS It is crucial to reduce the incidence of EUGR by achieving total enteral feeding as early as possible, strengthening breastfeeding, increasing calorie intake in the first week after birth, improving the velocity of weight gain, and preventing moderate-severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia in VPIs.
Female ; Fetal Growth Retardation ; Gestational Age ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVE: Traditional Chinese medicine plays a significant role in the treatment of the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Tanreqing Capsule (TRQC) was used in the treatment of COVID-19 patients in the Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center. This study aimed to investigate the clinical efficacy of TRQC in the treatment of COVID-19. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 82 patients who had laboratory-confirmed mild and moderate COVID-19; patients were treated with TRQC in one designated hospital. The treatment and control groups consisted of 25 and 57 cases, respectively. The treatment group was given TRQC orally three times a day, three pills each time, in addition to conventional Western medicine treatments which were also administered to the control group. The clinical efficacy indicators, such as the negative conversion time of pharyngeal swab nucleic acid, the negative conversion time of fecal nucleic acid, the duration of negative conversion of pharyngeal-fecal nucleic acid, and the improvement in the level of immune indicators such as T-cell subsets (CD3, CD4 and CD45) were monitored. RESULTS: COVID-19 patients in the treatment group, compared to the control group, had a shorter negative conversion time of fecal nucleic acid (4 vs. 9 days, P = 0.047) and a shorter interval of negative conversion of pharyngeal-fecal nucleic acid (0 vs. 2 days, P = 0.042). The level of CD3 CONCLUSION Significant reductions in the negative conversion time of fecal nucleic acid and the duration of negative conversion of pharyngeal-fecal nucleic acid were identified in the treatment group as compared to the control group, illustrating the potential therapeutic benefits of using TRQC as a complement to conventional medicine in patients with mild and moderate COVID-19. The underlying mechanism may be related to the improved levels of the immune indicator CD3
Adult ; Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use* ; COVID-19/pathology* ; Capsules ; DNA, Viral/analysis* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Feces/virology* ; Female ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Lymphocyte Count ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods* ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; SARS-CoV-2/genetics* ; Severity of Illness Index ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To observe the early interventions of traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) on the conversion time of nucleic acid in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and find possible underlying mechanisms of action. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 300 confirmed COVID-19 patients who were treated with TCM, at a designated hospital in China. The patients were categorized into three groups: TCM1, TCM2 and TCM3, who respectively received TCM interventions within 7, 8-14, and greater than 15 days of hospitalization. Different indicators such as the conversion time of pharyngeal swab nucleic acid, the conversion time of fecal nucleic acid, length of hospital stay, and inflammatory markers (leukocyte count, and lymphocyte count and percentage) were analyzed to observe the impact of early TCM interventions on these groups. RESULTS: The median conversion times of pharyngeal swab nucleic acid in the three groups were 5.5, 7 and 16 d (P < 0.001), with TCM1 and TCM2 being statistically different from TCM3 (P < 0.01). TCM1 (P < 0.05) and TCM3 (P < 0.01) were statistically different from TCM2. The median conversion times of fecal nucleic acid in the three groups were 7, 9 and 17 d (P < 0.001). Conversion times of fecal nucleic acid in TCM1 were statistically different from TCM3 and TCM2 (P < 0.01). The median lengths of hospital stay in the three groups were 13, 16 and 21 d (P < 0.001). TCM1 and TCM2 were statistically different from TCM3 (P < 0.01); TCM1 and TCM3 were statistically different from TCM2 (P < 0.01). Both leucocyte and lymphocyte counts increased gradually with an increase in the length of hospital stay in TCM1 group patients, with a statistically significant difference observed at each time point in the group (P < 0.001). Statistically significant differences in lymphocyte count and percentage in TCM2 (P < 0.001), and in leucocyte count (P = 0.043) and lymphocyte count (P = 0.038) in TCM3 were observed. The comparison among the three groups showed a statistically significant difference in lymphocyte percentage on the third day of admission (P = 0.044). CONCLUSION In this study, it was observed that in COVID-19 patients treated with a combination of Chinese and Western medicines, TCM intervention earlier in the hospital stay correlated with faster conversion time of pharyngeal swab and fecal nucleic acid, as well as shorter length of hospital stay, thus helping promote faster recovery of the patient. The underlying mechanism of action may be related to improving inflammation in patients with COVID-19.
Adult ; Aged ; COVID-19/drug therapy* ; Female ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; SARS-CoV-2

Objective To systematically analyze the framework and core content of physical activity inclusive school health policies. Methods This study conducted systematic content analysis of key messages of WHO key documents related to physical activity and school health services, and constructed policy and research framework. WHO's key policy documents in the field of school health included: Making Every School a Health-Promoting School Implementation Guidelines, WHO Guidelines on School Health Services, and the Global Criteria and Indicators for Making Every School a Health-Promoting School, and the key documents in the field of physical activity mainly include Global Action Plan for Physical Activity Promotion 2018-2030: Strengthening Physical Activity for a Healthy World, and WHO Guidelines on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior (Children and adolescents). Results Physical activity, as a health strategy and development strategy, is one of the most important tools for achieving health-promoting schools. In the area of health and education, the key to building health-promoting schools is to focus on child functioning and development, with the goal of promoting healthy inclusion and equity in schools. In the school setting, physical activity for children and adolescents is integrated into the school health service continuum with a focus on health promotion. At the macro level, the state and relevant authorities should establish a strategic structure and strategic planning for the integration of physical activity into the school health service system. At the meso level, educational institutions should develop and improve school health service policies and programs, and improve school health service tools based on the requirements of WHO school health service guidelines. Child health services are achieved through the provision of high-quality physical education programs and after-school physical activities. At the micro level, guided by global standards for building health-promoting schools, physical activity is promoted in the form of lessons and activities for healthy child development. Integrating physical activity into the school health service system can be done in six areas: school health leadership and governance, school infrastructure funding, school health service delivery that supports physical activity, human resources for school health, school health-related medicine and technology, and school health information system. We need to implement health-promoting school policies, strengthen multi-level school leadership and governance, raise the necessary funds to develop human resources adapted to the construction of health-promoting schools and build programs to support physical activity. Conclusion School health service is an important area for promoting children's health and achieving the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, and physical activity is an important strategy of school health services. Policy documents issued by WHO construct the integration of physical activity into the policy framework of the school health service system, of which the core component is to integrate physical activity into the health-promoting school with educational and physical activity approaches. According to the WHO six building blocks of health service system, the integration of physical activity into the school health requires strengthening school health leadership and governance, improving school infrastructure financing, developing school health human resources, developing school-based health-related medical technologies, and establishing a health information system for sharing student health data.

Objective To explore the theories, content and approaches of integrating physical activity in children's eye health service system in the context of health services. Methods From the perspectives of six building blocks of WHO health system, namely, leadership and governance, financing, human resources for health, service delivery, medical technology, and health information system, we analyzed the policy framework and key contents related to school-based eye health and physical activity, and explored how to promote the implementation of physical activity into the school-based eye health service system, and the integration of physical activity into the eye health continuum: prevention, intervention, rehabilitation, and health promotion. Results In perspective of health system, the integration of physical activity into school-based eye health services should be in accordance with the five principles of cross-cutting health services, namely, universal accessibility and equity, human rights, evidence-based, life-span, and empowerment. According to the World Vision Report, WHO advocates to build a person-centered eye health service system, and person-centeredness is the core concept of the new model of school-based eye health services and physical activity integration. WHO advocates a school-based approach to education and physical activity in health-promoting schools to promote student health, physical activity as a preventive, interventional, rehabilitation and health promotive measure related to children's eye health, and vigorously train professionals within schools who have knowledge and skills related to physical activity and eye health, build an information system on physical activity and children's eye health, and promote the integration of physical activity into the school-based eye health service system. Conclusion Physical activity is an important measure to promote children's eye health and an important component to achieve a person-centered eye health service system. Based on the six building blocks of the WHO health service system, a school-based eye health service that integrates a theoretical and methodological system of physical activity is constructed, requiring the provision of health promotion methods such as education and physical activity in the school setting, to enhance leadership and governance of eye health services based on educational and physical activity approaches in the school setting, establish new funding mechanisms, provide financial security, develop human resources related to physical activity for eye health, improve related service delivery systems, develop high-quality physical activity intervention eye health techniques and equipment, and integrate information on children's physical activity and eye health into school health information systems to achieve children's eye health and promote their physical and mental development.

Objective To analyze the overall functioning of children with learning disabilities, and develop individualized exercise rehabilitation protocol using International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Methods Based on the theoretical framework of ICF and the disease diagnosis of International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), and with the perspective of child development, the functional profiles of cognition, understanding, attention, thinking, motor, and activity and participation of children with learning disabilities were analyzed. A function-oriented and individulized exercise rehabilitation protocol for children with learning disabilities was constructed in light of ICF bio-psycho-social health paradignm and the theory of somatic and mental interaction. Results The functional performance of children with learning disabilities mainly demonstrated in mental dysfunction in physical functioning in the activities and participation limitations, such as learning and applying knowledge, general tasks and demands, and communication. For the environment factors, products and technology for education, products and technology for culture, recreation and sports, and services, systems and policies could also affect children with learning disabilities. Physical activity was beneficial for children with learning disabilities to improve mental and motor functioning and to effectively enhance intellectual, cognitive, attentional, communication, and mobility skills for the overall development of the children. Physical activity for children with learning disabilities was selected according to WHO guidelines for physical activity and sedentary behavior for children, and moderate to vigorous physical activity for at least 60 minutes, as well as high-intensity training no less than three times a week, together with appropriate physical games and leisure physical activities could effectively improve learning outcomes and reduce learning disabilities. Conclusion The health condition, functioning and motor development of children with learning disability had been analyzed using ICD-11 and ICF, and with the theories of somatic and metal interaction and ICF bio-psycho-social model, the holistic and function-oriented exercise rehabilitation program was developed that recommended at least 60 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity, including aerobic exercise and physical games, per day, and at least three times a week of high intensity physical activity of no less than 30 minutes, including plyometrics and physical competition. The development of individualized function-based exercise rehabilitation programs incorporating the learning disability and motor function characteristics of children could effectively improve the cognitive, attentional, and thinking functions of children with learning disabilities, reduce learning disabilities, and promote the overall development of children.

Objective To study and analyze the theory, policy framework, and core content of physical activity policies and physical activity guidelines. Methods Using a policy research and content analysis approach and the theory of the six components of World Health Organization (WHO) health service system, we specifically analyze the theory, framework, and core content of WHO Global Action Plan on Physical Activity and WHO Physical Activity Guidelines. Results The Global Plan of Action for Physical Activity 2018-2030 (Action Plan) is an international policy document on physical activity issued by WHO that incorporates physical activity within the context of the seven principles of human rights, the life span, evidence-based practice, proportional universality, policy coherence and integration of health into all policies, participation and empowerment, and multisectoral partnerships into health services and social development. The Action Plan consists of four strategic objectives and 20 policy actions, covering six areas of WHO health service system, and the integration of physical activity policies into health services is of great importance in promoting the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 of universal health coverage. As a technical document for the implementation of the Action Plan, 2020 WHO Guidelines on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior (Guidelines) adopted the PI/ECO approach to analyze the physical activity needs of various groups of people, and provide guidelines to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behavior for children and adolescents, adults, older adults, pregnant and postpartum women, people with chronic diseases and people with disabilities. The guidelines cover duration, frequency, and intensity of physical activity, types of physical activity, critical and important health outcomes of physical activity, and health risk prevention and related considerations. The Guidelines implement the relevant guiding principles of the Action Plan and aim to improve overall population participation in physical activity at the micro level and improve critical and important health outcomes for the overall population. Conclusion As a health and development strategy, the Action Plan promotes the integration of physical activity into the health delivery system to facilitate the achievement of the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goal 3 of universal health coverage.The four strategic objectives and 20 policy actions of the Action Plan can be integrated into these six areas based on the six components of WHO Health Service Delivery System: leadership and governance, financing, human resources, service delivery, medical technology, and health information. As a technical document to implement the Action Plan, the Guidelines are based on the PI/ECO approach framework and provide guidance on increasing physical activity and reducing sedentary behavior for children and adolescents, adults, older adults, pregnant and postpartum women, chronic patients, and persons with disabilities. The core content addresses the target populations, duration, frequency, and intensity of physical activity, types of physical activity, critical and important health outcomes of physical activity, and health risk prevention and related considerations.