Objective: To understand the hydration status and related factors of rural boarding primary school students, so as to provide a scientific basis for drinking water health intervention for primary school students. Methods: In November 2023, a convenience sampling approach was employed to conduct a hydration status survey among 144 boarding students in grades 5 and 6 of a rural primary school in Guangxi. The Duplicate meal method and weighing method were utilized to measure the food derived water intake over three consecutive days. Urine osmolarity of students was measured on site for three days, and a simple physical examination was also carried out. A self administered questionnaire was used to investigate students drinking water literacy, daily water intake, and physical activity levels. Meanwhile, a drinking water literacy survey was conducted among 21 substitute teachers and 144 parents of the boarding students in grades 5 and 6. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with students hydration status. Results: The median daily total water intake of students was 2 043.55 mL, and 54.86% of the students did not reach the recommended Adequate Intake (AI). The median food derived water intake was 1 149.24 mL, accounting for 53.94% of the total water intake. Univariate analysis revealed that the daily drinking frequency, daily water intake, and food derived water intake of students were related factors of hydration status ( β =-1.60, -1.01, -0.00, all P <0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that primary school students with a daily drinking frequency of ≥7 times were more likely to maintain an adequate hydration status ( OR =0.28, 95% CI =0.09-0.93, P ＜0.05). Conclusions The water intake from food is the main source of water in the body for boarding primary school students in a certain rural school in Guangxi. Primary school students should increase their water intake frequency appropriately to maintain an adequate hydration status.

Atherosclerosis （AS） is a vascular disease primarily affecting large and medium-sized arteries. It serves as the pathological basis for many cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and is associated with a relatively high incidence of complications and mortality worldwide. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of AS， demonstrating unique therapeutic advantages through multiple targets and pathways. Ligusticum chuanxiong， a commonly used Chinese medicine in clinical practice， contains key active components against AS， including ligustrazine， senkyunolide， ligustilide， quercetin， ferulic acid， vanillic acid， chlorogenic acid， gallic acid， protocatechuic acid， caffeic acid， chrysophanol， and β-sitosterol. Recent literature indicates that these active components can regulate AS through multiple mechanisms， including improving endothelial cell dysfunction， alleviating lipid metabolism disorders， inhibiting macrophage foam cell formation， suppressing the invasion， proliferation， and migration of smooth muscle cells， inhibiting apoptosis， exerting anticoagulant effects and inhibiting platelet activation， protecting mitochondrial function， and modulating intestinal flora and its metabolites， demonstrating significant pharmacological activity and clinical potential. Clinically， L. chuanxiong is often combined with Salvia miltiorrhiza， Paeonia lactiflora， Angelica sinensis， and borneol to form compound formulations， enhancing therapeutic effects and achieving synergistic anti-AS activity. Compound treatment with L. chuanxiong primarily focuses on promoting blood circulation and shows significant efficacy for different AS syndrome types. This article provides an in-depth review of the active components， drug pairs， and compound preparations of L. chuanxiong in the prevention and treatment of AS， aiming to lay a foundation for subsequent theoretical research and clinical applications in managing AS and its related complications.

Background: In acute and chronic renal inflammatory diseases, the activation of inflammatory cells is involved in the defect of erythropoietin (EPO) production. Ras guanine nucleotide-releasing protein-4 (RasGRP4) promotes renal inflammatory injury in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Our study aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of RasGRP4 in the production of renal EPO in diabetes. Methods: The degree of tissue injury was observed by pathological staining. Inflammatory cell infiltration was analyzed by immunohistochemical staining. Serum EPO levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and EPO production and renal interstitial fibrosis were analyzed by immunofluorescence. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of key inflammatory factors and the activation of signaling pathways. In vitro, the interaction between peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and C3H10T1/2 cells was investigated via cell coculture experiments. Results: RasGRP4 decreased the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 2-alpha (HIF2A) via the ubiquitination–proteasome degradation pathway and promoted myofibroblastic transformation by activating critical inflammatory pathways, consequently reducing the production of EPO in T2DM mice. Conclusion RasGRP4 participates in the production of renal EPO in diabetic mice by affecting the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines in PBMCs, degrading HIF2A, and promoting the myofibroblastic transformation of C3H10T1/2 cells.

Purpose: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common male sexual dysfunction. Gut microbiota plays an important role in various diseases. To investigate the effects and mechanisms of intestinal flora dysregulation induced by high-fat diet (HFD) on erectile function. Materials and Methods: Male Sprague–Dawley rats aged 8 weeks were randomly divided into the normal diet (ND) and HFD groups. After 24 weeks, a measurement of erectile function was performed. We performed 16S rRNA sequencing of stool samples. Then, we established fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) rat models by transplanting fecal microbiota from rats of ND group and HFD group to two new groups of rats respectively. After 24 weeks, erectile function of the rats was evaluated and 16S rRNA sequencing was performed, and serum samples were collected for the untargeted metabolomics detection. Results: The erectile function of rats and the species diversity of intestinal microbiota in the HFD group was significantly lower, and the characteristics of the intestinal microbiota community structure were also significantly different between the two groups. The erectile function of rats in the HFD-FMT group was significantly lower than that of rats in the ND-FMT group. The characteristics of the intestinal microbiota community structure were significantly different. In the HFD-FMT group, 27 metabolites were significantly different and they were mainly involved in the several inflammation-related pathways. Conclusions Intestinal microbiota disorders induced by HFD can damage the intestinal barrier of rats, change the serum metabolic profile, induce low-grade inflammation and apoptosis in the corpus cavernosum of the penis, and lead to ED.

Objective To compare the benefits and drawbacks of primary patch expansion versus pericardial tube right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection in patients diagnosed with pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect (PA/VSD). Methods A retrospective study was conducted on patients diagnosed with PA/VSD who underwent primary right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection surgery at our center between 2010 and 2020. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the type of right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection: a pericardial tube group and a patch expansion group. Clinical data and imaging findings were compared between the two groups. Results A total of 51 patients were included in the study, comprising 31 males and 20 females, with a median age of 12.57 (4.57, 49.67) months. The pericardial tube group included 19 patients with a median age of 17.17 (7.33, 49.67) months, while the patch expansion group consisted of 32 patients with a median age of 8.58 (3.57, 52.72) months. In both groups, the diameter of pulmonary artery, McGoon index, and Nakata index significantly increased after treatment (P<0.001). However, the pericardial tube group exhibited a longer extracorporeal circulation time (P<0.001). The reoperation rate was notably high, with 74.51% of patients requiring further surgical intervention, including 26 (81.25%) patients in the patch expansion group and 12 (63.16%) patients in the pericardial tube group. No statistical differences were observed in long-term cure rates or mortality between the two groups (P＞0.005). Conclusion In patients with PA/VSD, both patch expansion and pericardial tube right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection serve as effective initial palliative treatment strategies that promote pulmonary vessel development and provide a favorable foundation for subsequent radical operations. However, compared to the pericardial tube approach, the patch expansion technique is simpler to perform and preserves some intrinsic potential for pulmonary artery development, making it the preferred procedure.

The alternative pathway (AP) of the complement system is a key contributor to the pathogenesis of several diseases including paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), C3 glomerular disease (C3G) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Complement factor B (CFB) is a trypsin-like serine protein that circulates in the human bloodstream in a latent form. As a key node of the alternative pathway, it is an important target for the treatment of diseases mediated by the complement system. With the successful launch of iptacopan, the CFB small molecule inhibitors has become a current research hotspot, a number of domestic and foreign pharmaceutical companies are actively developing CFB small molecule inhibitors. In this paper, the research progress of CFB small molecule inhibitors in recent years is systematically summarized, the representative compounds and their activities are introduced according to structural types and design ideas, so as to provide reference and ideas for the subsequent research on CFB small molecule inhibitors.

Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of chronic cardiac arrhythmia. Catheter ablation and left atrial appendage occlusion are effective treatment methods for atrial fibrillation， but these procedures require anesthesia support. However， anesthetic drugs often cause side effects such as nausea， vomiting， involuntary movements， and respiratory depression. This paper presents a case of a successful one-stop procedure for cryoballoon ablation and left atrial appendage occlusion of atrial fibrillation performed entirely under acupuncture anesthesia. Thirty minutes before the procedure， acupuncture needles were inserted perpendicularly at bilateral Neiguan （PC 6）， Lieque （LU 7）， Ximen （PC 4） and （LU 6）. After obtaining the deqi （得气） sensation， an electroacupuncture device was connected， and electroacupuncture anesthesia was used for pain control throughout the procedure. The patient exhibited good tolerance and cooperation， with electroacupuncture anesthesia completely replacing intravenous anesthetics， ensuring the smooth completion of the surgery. Postoperative follow-up showed favorable outcomes.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism through which Danggui buxue decoction regulates neutrophil extracellular traps （NETs） to improve osteoporosis （OP） in rats with premature ovarian failure （POF）. METHODS Female SD rats were randomly divided into normal group， model group， calcitriol group， and Danggui buxue decoction low-dose， medium-dose and high-dose groups， with 9 rats in each group. Except for the normal group， all other groups were administered cisplatin via intraperitoneal injection on days 1 and 8 to establish a POF complicated with OP model. Each group received the corresponding drugs or normal saline intragastrically starting from day 5， once a day， for 4 consecutive weeks. After the last medication， serum levels of estradiol （E2）， NETs， 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25（OH）D3]， receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand （RANKL）， and osteocalcin （BGP） were measured. The histopathological changes in bone tissue were observed. The expressions of vitamin D receptor （VDR）， myeloperoxidase （MPO）， neutrophil elastase （NE） and citrullinated histone H3 （CitH3） in bone tissue were detected； the protein expressions of 25-hydroxyvitamin D-1α-hydroxylase （CYP27B1） and 1α，25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-24-hydroxylase （CYP24A1） were also determined. RESULTS Compared with the normal group， the bone tissue of rats in the model group showed a significant reduction in the number of trabeculae， which was thinner broken and poorly connected， with significant destruction of the reticular structure， and an enlarged marrow cavity. Serum levels of NETs and RANKL， the protein expressions of MPO， NE， CitH3 and CYP24A1 in bone tissue were significantly increased or upregulated， while serum levels of E2， 25（OH）D3 and BGP as well as protein expressions of VDR and CYP27B1 were significantly decreased or downregulated （P＜0.05）. Compared with the model group， the histopathological changes in the bone tissue of rats in each administration group showed some degree of recovery， with significant improvements observed in most quantitative indicators （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Danggui buxue decoction can restore the E2 level in POF complicated with OP rats， and improve OP. The mechanism may be related to its ability to upregulate VD level and inhibit the formation of NETs.

ObjectiveTo establish the quality standards for Sennae Folium（Cassia angustifolia） dispensing granules based on standard decoctions. MethodsHigh performance liquid chromatography（HPLC） specific chromatograms were established for 15 batches of Sennae Folium（C. angustifolia） standard decoctions and 10 of Sennae Folium（C. angustifolia） dispensing granules from different manufacturers， and the similarity evaluation， hierarchical cluster analysis（HCA） and principal component analysis（PCA） were performed. Linear calibration with two reference substances（LCTRS） and quantitative analysis of multi-components by single-marker（QAMS） were established for the common peaks in the specific chromatograms to determine the contents of main components in the decoction pieces， standard decoctions and dispensing granules， and to calculate their transfer rates from decoction pieces to standard decoctions and dispensing granules. ResultsThe similarities of specific chromatograms of 15 batches of Sennae Folium（C. angustifolia） standard decoctions and 10 batches of Sennae Folium（C. angustifolia） dispensing granules were all greater than 0.95， and a total of 8 characteristic peaks were calibrated， and five of them were identified， including kaempferol-3，7-O-diglucoside， apigenin-6，8-di-C-glucoside， quercetin-3-O-gentianoside， sennoside B and sennoside A. HCA and PCA results showed that there were certain differences in the composition of different batches of standard decoctions， but no clustering was observed in the production area. As the standard decoctions， the extract rate of 15 batches of samples was 26.54%-45.38%， the contents of kaempferol-3，7-O-diglucoside， apigenin-6，8-di-C-glucoside， quercetin-3-O-gentianoside， sennoside B and sennoside A were 12.16-19.26， 2.57-4.94， 3.27-5.11， 6.75-11.39， 4.69-7.79 mg·g^-1， and their transfer rates from decoction pieces to standard decoctions were 45.41%-79.02%， 29.12%-55.07%， 40.52%-67.90%， 24.72%-49.12%， 27.54%-49.34%， respectively. The extract rates of Sennae Folium（C. angustifolia） dispensing granules（C8-C10） were 38.10%-39.50%， the transfer rates of the above five components from decoction pieces to dispensing granules were 72.85%-73.58%， 53.43%-53.94%， 40.19%-40.74%， 24.62%-25.00%， 28.65%-29.11%， respectively， which were generally consistent with the transfer rates from decoction pieces to standard decoctions. ConclusionCompared with the relative retention time method， LCTRS has higher prediction accuracy and is more suitable for chromatographic columns. The established quality control standard of Sennae Folium（C. angustifolia） dispensing granules based on standard decoction is reasonable and reliable， and all indicators of samples from different manufacturers are within the range specified based on the standard decoction， which can provide reference for the quality control and process research of this dispensing granules.

AIM: To investigate the changes of retinal nerve fiber layer(RNFL)thickness, retinal thickness and blood flow density in different stages of diabetic retinopathy(DR)patients based on optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA).METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 382 patients(382 eyes)diagnosed with DR in our hospital from February 2023 to February 2024. According to the staging criteria, the patients were divided into mild group(n=121), moderate group(n=133), severe group(n=72), and proliferative group(n=56). The general clinical data of the four groups of patients was compared; OCTA was used to scan and collect data from all patients, and the RNFL thickness, retinal thickness, and blood flow density were compared among the four groups of patients.RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in age, gender, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and random blood glucose among patients in the mild, moderate, severe, and proliferative groups(all P>0.05). As the stage of DR worsened, the duration of the disease gradually prolonged(P<0.05). The thickness of the RNFL(superior, inferior, temporal, nasal, and average thickness)and retinal thickness significantly increased with the severity of DR(all P<0.001); however, there was no statistically significant difference in inferior RNFL thickness between the moderate and mild groups(P>0.05). The blood flow density in the superficial and deep retinal layers, as well as in the choroidal capillary layer, significantly decreased with the progression of DR(all P<0.05). Nevertheless, there was no statistically significant difference in superficial retinal blood flow density between the moderate and severe groups(P>0.05).CONCLUSION: OCTA can accurately observe the changes in RNFL thickness, retinal thickness, and blood flow density in patients with DR at different stages, which can serve as sensitive indicators for monitoring DR progression.