OBJECTIVE To optimize the simmering technology of Rheum palmatum from Menghe Medical School and compare the difference of chemical components before and after processing. METHODS Using appearance score， the contents of gallic acid， 5-hydroxymethylfurfural （5-HMF）， sennoside A+sennoside B， combined anthraquinone and free anthraquinone as indexes， analytic hierarchy process （AHP）-entropy weight method was used to calculate the comprehensive score of evaluation indicators； the orthogonal experiment was designed to optimize the processing technology of simmering R. palmatum with fire temperature， simmering time， paper layer number and paper wrapping time as factors； validation test was conducted. The changes in the contents of five anthraquinones （aloe-emodin， rhein， emodin， chrysophanol， physcion）， five anthraquinone glycosides （barbaloin， rheinoside， rhubarb glycoside， emodin glycoside， and emodin methyl ether glycoside）， two sennosides （sennoside A， sennoside B）， gallic acid and 5-HMF were compared between simmered R. palmatum prepared by optimized technology and R. palmatum. RESULTS The optimal processing conditions of R. palmatum was as follows: each 80 g R. palmatum was wrapped with a layer of wet paper for 0.5 h， simmered on high heat for 20 min and then simmered at 140 ℃， the total simmering time was 2.5 h. The average comprehensive score of 3 validation tests was 94.10 （RSD＜1.0%）. After simmering， the contents of five anthraquinones and two sennosides were decreased significantly， while those of 5 free anthraquinones and gallic acid were increased to different extents； a new component 5-HMF was formed. CONCLUSIONS This study successfully optimizes the simmering technology of R. palmatum. There is a significant difference in the chemical components before and after processing， which can explain that simmering technology slows down the relase of R. palmatum and beneficiate it.

Inflammation plays a pivotal role in the etiology and progression of various diseases. In traditional Chinese medicine, the whole plants of Thesium chinense Turcz. and its preparations (e.g. Bairui Granules) have been employed to manage inflammatory conditions. While flavonoids were previously considered the primary anti-inflammatory components, other potentially active constituents have been largely overlooked and not thoroughly investigated. This study presents a novel finding that the total alkaloids of T. chinense (BC-Alk) are potent active substances underlying the traditional and clinical applications of T. chinense and Bairui Granules as anti-inflammatory agents. UPLC-MS/MS analysis identified the composition of BC-Alk as quinolizidine alkaloids. The anti-inflammatory efficacy of BC-Alk was evaluated using a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced lung inflammation model in mice. Results demonstrated that BC-Alk significantly mitigated LPS-induced lung inflammation, attenuated the overproduction of IL-1β and the overproduction of inflammatory factors (TNF-α), and ameliorated lung tissue hyperplasia in mice in vivo. Mechanistic studies in vitro revealed that BC-Alk upregulated the expression of Nrf2 and its downstream proteins NQO1 and glutamate-cystine ligase and modifier subunit (GCLM), inhibited NF-κB phosphorylation, and suppressed NLRP3 activation. Collectively, these findings indicate that BC-Alk exerts potent inhibitory effects against lung inflammation by modulating Nrf2, NF-κB, and NLRP3 pathways. This study provides new insights into the anti-inflammatory constituents of T. chinense and Bairui Granules.
Animals ; Lipopolysaccharides/adverse effects* ; Alkaloids/pharmacology* ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism* ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Mice ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology* ; Male ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Pneumonia/genetics*

Objective To observe the value of motion freeze technology(MFT)for improving the quality of cone-beam CT(CBCT)images of renal artery aneurysms.Methods Twenty patients with renal artery aneurysms who would receive transcatheter arterial embolization were prospectively enrolled.Renal artery angiography was performed under the guidance of CBCT,and motion artifacts were processed using MFT.Then subjective and objective evaluation of images before and after MFT correction were performed,aimed on displaying of renal artery,parent artery and vascular tree in target area,and the mean value(mean)and standard deviation(SD)of unit density pixels,margin sharpening error rate of blood vessels were measured and calculated.Results After MFT correction,the displaying of renal artery on maximum intensity projection images and parent artery on reconstructed CBCT images were significantly better than those before correction(both P＜0.05),clear vascular trees could be automatically extracted using Flightplan for Liver software,SD and margin sharpening error rate of blood vessels of renal artery aneurysm significantly decreased but mean significantly increased on CBCT images(all P＜0.05).Conclusion MFT could effectively improve the quality of CBCT images of renal artery aneurysms.

Three novel sesquiterpenoid heterodimers,designated as auckcostusolides A-C(1-3),were isolated from Aucklandia costus leaves.The structures of compounds 1-3 were elucidated through comprehensive spectroscopic analysis,with their absolute configurations established using a combination of X-ray single-crystal diffraction and electronic circular dichroism(ECD)calculations.Notably,compounds 1 and 2,despite sharing identical planar structures derived from two identical sesquiterpenoids,exhibited oppos-ite configurations at C-11 and C-8'.This configurational difference can be attributed to distinct Diels-Alder cycloaddition processes between the sesquiterpenoid monomers.Additionally,the cytotoxic effects of compounds 1-3 were evaluated against colorectal can-cer HCT116 cells,fibrosarcoma HT1080 cells,and hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells.Compounds 1-3 induced cell death was characterized by endoplasmic reticulum(ER)swelling and cytoplasmic vacuolization,typical morphological changes associated with paraptosis.Mechanistic studies revealed that compounds 1 and 3 triggered paraptosis-like cell death through the accumulation of react-ive oxygen species(ROS),activation of ER stress,and stimulation of the MAPK signaling pathway.

Objective:To describe the current situation of mental health service utilization of community pa-tients with five mental disorders in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and provide reference for health education and formulating relevant policies.Methods:The multistage stratified sampling method with unequal probability was used to select a total of 12 315 community residents aged 18 and over in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.Using Composite International Diagnostic Interview,mood disorders,anxiety disorders,substance use disorders,intermit-tent explosive disorders,and eating disorders,and health service utilization were investigated.Descriptive statistics was completed by single factor analysis method.Results:The lifetime rates of consultation and treatment of any mental disorder were 18.7％and 10.2％,respectively.The highest proportion of patients received treatment by non-medical professionals was 31.4％,followed by psychiatrists in psychiatric hospital or psychologists in general hospitals.Among the patients,1.1％of them received medication,and 2.5％received psychotherapy.Conclusion:The utilization rate of mental health services in community patients with five mental disorders is relatively low.It is necessary to conduct health education for medical help seeking properly.

Objective:To describe the detail sampling design,weighting,instruments,filed procedures and quality control methods of the epidemiological survey on dementia among community residents in Tongliao City.Methods:A three-stage disproportionate probability sampling design was used to investigate the inhabitants aged 65 years and over in Tongliao City,Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.The 10/66 Dementia Research Group(10/66 DRG)assessment instruments were used to diagnose dementia,using computer-assisted personal interview mode in the selected older people.Comprehensive quality control methods were implemented throughout the field-work.Results:A total of 166 villages or communities were sampled from nine counties or districts in Tongliao Cit-y.Totally 4 345 older people were interviewed with 96.2％response rate.By calculating sampling design weights,non-response adjustment weights and post-stratification adjustment weights,these weights were multiplied and per-formed trimming adjustment and standardization adjustment to generate final weights.The 171 interviewers were well-trained and qualified to carry out filed interview.Quality control methods included computer data check,audio record check,and telephone check in order to ensure the quality of the survey.Conclusion:This survey is imple-mented using a rigorous sampling design and timely quality control methods,and uses the 10/66 DRG assessment instruments with satisfactory international validity and reliability as survey instruments,which has international cross-cultural comparability.It provides a valid and feasible methodology of epidemiological survey on dementia for further studies in different regions in China.

Objective:To estimate the costs of dementia from a societal perspective in Tongliao City and ex-plore the influencing factors of these costs.Methods:Dementia was diagnosed using the 10/66 Dementia Research Group assessment instruments.Data on healthcare utilization,caregiver's care time or costs,and the distress due to caregiving were collected.The cost-proportion conversion method was used to estimate the per capita cost of health services based on data from the National Statistical Yearbook.The human capital approach was used to estimate the unit value of informal care time,and the willingness-to-pay method was used to measure the intangible costs of car-egivers.The total societal costs of dementia were calculated based on the reference year 2023,and a two-part model was employed to analyze the factors influencing the societal costs.Results:A total of 390 dementia patients were di-agnosed,with an average societal cost per capita of 117 877 Yuan.The largest cost component was informal care provided by unpaid family members,accounting for 73.1％of the total societal cost.The societal costs for female patients were 61 395 Yuan higher than those for male patients.Patients with comorbid stroke had a higher societal cost of 63 008 Yuan compared to patients without stroke,and each additional chronic disease added 5 868 Yuan to societal costs.Additionally,each non-memory dimension impairment in the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale in-creased the societal costs by 53 997 Yuan.Conclusion:Dementia poses a significant socio-economic burden,with informal care being the major component of this burden.

Objective:To describe functional disability rate of anxiety disorders in Chinese community adults and explore related risk factors of functional disability.Methods:To conduct in-depth data analysis on China Mental Health Survey(CMHS).The diagnostic tool for anxiety disorders was the Composite International Diagnostic Inter-view-3.0,according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders,Fourth Edition(DSM-Ⅳ).The World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule,2nd edition,was the functional disability assessment standard for anxiety disorders.Weighted 12-month functional disability rate of DSM-Ⅳ anxiety disorder with co-morbidities and only anxiety disorder in population and those in patients,as well as days of partial disability were calculated.The effects of anxiety disorders comorbid other mental disorders and physical diseases and demographic factors on the severity and occurrence of functional disability were analyzed by multiple linear regression and logis-tic regression.Results:The functional disability rate of anxiety disorder with comorbidities in population was 1.7％,and 42.2％in patients,in which constituent rate of grade-four disability was the highest as 84.1％.The functional disability rate of only anxiety disorder in population was 0.3％,and 17.8％in patients.The medians of days of partial disability days in the past 30 days were from 0 to 14.42.Multiple linear regression showed a positive association between comorbid anxiety disorder with other mental disorders and physical diseases(β=0.24),comor-bid other mental disorders and physical diseases(β=0.21),physical diseases(β=0.18),comorbid anxiety disor-der and physical diseases(β=0.15),comorbid anxiety disorder with other mental disorders(β=0.08),other men-tal disorders(β=0.07),only anxiety disorder(β=0.06),lower education level(β=0.12),lower economic status(β=0.08),older age(β=0.06),non-marital status(β=0.06),male(β=0.02)and the severity of functional dis-ability.Logistic regression showed that comorbid anxiety with other mental disorders and physical diseases(OR=64.07),comorbid anxiety disorders with other mental disorders(OR=36.75),comorbid other mental disorders with physical diseases(OR=20.60),comorbid anxiety with physical diseases(OR=18.88),anxiety disorder(OR=9.20),other mental disorders(OR=6.65),physical diseases(OR=4.00),65 years old and over(OR=4.40),50 to 64 years old(OR=2.33),low economic status(OR=2.10),illiterate and below primary school educational level(OR=1.89),middle economic status(OR=1.70),elementary school educational level(OR=1.59),non-marital status(OR=1.47),male(OR=1.16)were the risk factors of the occurrence of functional disability.Conclusion:Comorbidity of anxiety disorders and other mental disorders,and physical diseases increases severity and occurrence of functional disability.Comorbidity,male,gender,older age,lower economic and educa-tional level and non-marital are risk factors of anxiety disorder functional disability.

Objective:To describe disability rates of dementia in community residents aged 65 years and over in China,and explore related risk factors of disability.Methods:This study conducted an in-depth data analysis of the China Mental Health Survey.World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0(WHODAS 2.0)was used to assess dementia disability,Community Screening Interview for Dementia(CSID)and Geriatric Mental Status Examination(GMS)were used for dementia screening and diagnosing.Univariate analysis was used to calcu-late the weighted disability rates of dementia in population and in patients,and their population distribution.Multiple linear regression and logistic regression were used to analyze the risk factors of the occurrence of dementia disability and its severity.Results:The weighted disability rate of dementia was 2.1％in population,and 38.6％in pa-tients.The disability rates of comorbid dementia in population and in patients were higher than those of patients with only dementia.Female,older age,lower education level,lower economic status,and lower cognitive test scores in CSID had higher disability rates of dementia in population.Female and urban resident had higher disability rates of dementia in patients.Multiple linear regression showed economic status(β=0.11),gender(β=0.11),age(β=0.10),and treatment in the last 12 months(β=-0.20)were statistically associated with WHODAS 2.0 scores.Multiple logistic regression showed female(OR=2.81)and treatment in the last 12 months(OR=2.38)were statistically associated with disability.Conclusions:Persons with low economic status,female and elderly peo-ple are the high-risk groups for dementia disability.It should be paid attention to prevent dementia and its conse-quential disabilities.

Objective:To study the prevalence and association factors of depressive and anxiety disorders in the hypertensive population.Methods:Using the database obtained from the 2013 China Chronic Disease and Risk Factor Surveillance and the 2013-2015 China Mental Health Survey,4 861 hypertensive residents were used as study subjects.And using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,Fourth Edition(DSM-Ⅳ)as diagnostic criterion for depressive and anxiety disorders,the 12-month prevalence was calculated.Multifactorial lo-gistic regression models were used to explore the association factors of hypertension comorbid depressive and anxie-ty disorders.Results:The 12-month prevalence rates of depressive disorders and anxiety disorders were 4.1％and 5.0％in 4 861 hypertensive residents.Chinese Han[OR(95％CI):2.00(1.01-3.93)],lack of sleep[OR(95％CI):1.82(1.34-2.48)],having myocardial infarction[OR(95％CI):2.35(1.18～4.67)]and stroke in the past year[OR(95％CI):2.10(1.19-3.72)],and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease[OR(95％CI):2.11(1.11-4.05)]were risk factors of hypertension comorbid depressive disorder.Hypertensive people with controlled blood pressure[OR(95％CI):2.01(1.30-3.13)]had a higher risk of co-morbid depressive disorder than those with blood pressure above the normal range on this measurement.Chinese Han[OR(95％CI):2.51(1.32-4.80)],Southwest China[OR(95％CI):1.64(1.02-2.63)],and lack of sleep[OR(95％CI):1.45(1.09-1.93)]were risk factors of hypertension comorbid anxiety disorder.Former but current non-smoking[OR(95％CI):0.48(0.23-0.99)]was a protective factor of hypertension comorbid anxiety disorder.Conclusion:The 12-month prevalence of anxiety disorder was higher than that of depressive disorder in this hypertensive population.Both Han and sleep deprived hypertensive people had a higher risk of comorbid depressive and anxiety disorders.