To elucidate the mechanism by which steaming affects the quality of Curcuma kwangsiensis root tubers, methods such as LSCM, RVA, dual-wavelength spectrophotometry, LF-NMR, and LC-MS were employed to qualitatively and quantitatively detect changes in starch gelatinization characteristics, water distribution, and material composition of C. kwangsiensis root tubers under different steaming durations. Based on multivariate statistical analysis, the correlation between differences in gelatinization parameters, water distribution, and terpenoid material composition was investigated. The results indicate that steaming affects both starch gelatinization and water distribution in C. kwangsiensis. During the steaming process, transformations occur between amylose and amylopectin, as well as between semi-bound water and free water. After 60 min of steaming, starch gelatinization and water distribution reached an equilibrium state. The content of amylopectin, the amylose-to-amylopectin ratio, and parameters such as gelatinization temperature, viscosity, breakdown value, and setback value were significantly correlated(P≤0.05). Additionally, the amylose-to-amylopectin ratio was significantly correlated with total free water and total water content(P≤0.05). Steaming induced differences in the material composition of C. kwangsiensis root tubers. Clustering of primary metabolites in the OPLS-DA model was distinct, while secondary metabolites were classified into 9 clusters using the K-means clustering algorithm. Differential terpenoid metabolites such as(-)-α-curcumene were significantly correlated with zerumbone, retinal, and all-trans-retinoic acid(P<0.05). Curcumenol was significantly correlated with isoalantolactone and ursolic acid(P<0.05), while all-trans-retinoic acid was significantly correlated with both zerumbone and retinal(P<0.05). Alpha-tocotrienol exhibited a significant correlation with retinal and all-trans-retinoic acid(P<0.05). Amylose was extremely significantly correlated with(-)-α-curcumene, curcumenol, zerumbone, retinal, all-trans-retinoic acid, and α-tocotrienol(P<0.05). Amylopectin was significantly correlated with zerumbone(P<0.05) and extremely significantly correlated with(-)-α-curcumene, curcumenol, zerumbone, retinal, all-trans-retinoic acid, and 9-cis-retinoic acid(P<0.01). The results provide scientific evidence for elucidating the mechanism of quality formation of steamed C. kwangsiensis root tubers as a medicinal material.
Curcuma/chemistry* ; Starch/chemistry* ; Multivariate Analysis ; Water/chemistry* ; Terpenes/analysis* ; Plant Roots/chemistry* ; Plant Tubers/chemistry* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*

OBJECTIVE: To optimize the perioperative management experiences for breast cancer patients undergoing direct-to-implant-based breast reconstruction, and provide reference for clinical practice. METHODS: A comprehensive review of recent domestic and international literature was conducted to systematically summarize the key points of perioperative management for direct-to-implant-based breast reconstruction, including preoperative health education, intraoperative strategies, and postoperative management measures, along with an introduction to the clinical experiences of West China Hospital of Sichuan University. RESULTS: Standardized perioperative management can effectively reduce the incidence of complications and achieve excellent cosmetic outcomes and quality of life after operation. Preoperative management includes proactive health education to alleviate patients' anxiety and improve treatment compliance, as well as comprehensive assessment by surgeons of the patient's physical condition and reconstructive expectations to select the most appropriate implant. Intraoperative management consists of strict aseptic technique, minimizing implant exposure, preserving blood supply to the nipple-areola complex (e.g., by using minimally invasive techniques or indocyanine green angiography, etc), and meticulous hemostasis. Postoperative management encompasses multimodal analgesia, individualized drain management (such as early removal or retaining a small amount of fluid to optimize contour), infection prevention and control (including topical and systemic antibiotics, ultrasound-guided minimally invasive drainage), guidance on rehabilitation exercises (early activity restriction followed by gradual recovery), and regular follow-up to evaluate aesthetic results and monitor for complications. CONCLUSION Establishing a standardized, multidisciplinary perioperative management framework markedly enhances surgical safety and patient satisfaction, thereby providing a replicable benchmark for direct-to-implant-based breast reconstruction across diverse clinical settings.
Humans ; Female ; Breast Neoplasms/surgery* ; China ; Perioperative Care/methods* ; Breast Implants ; Mammaplasty/methods* ; Breast Implantation/methods* ; Postoperative Complications/prevention & control* ; Quality of Life ; Mastectomy

The NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, a high-molecular-weight protein complex in the cytoplasm, is composed of three core components: the sensor protein NLRP3, the adaptor protein apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase-recruitment domain (ASC) and the effector protein caspase-1. It plays a critical role in regulating host immune and inflammatory responses. Studies have shown that the NLRP3 inflammasome has increasingly become a focal point in tumor molecular biology field. A growing body of evidence indicates that the increased expression and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome is closely associated with the pathogenesis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and the tumor microenvironment (TME). It may promote tumor proliferation, invasion, migration, and other biological behaviors through various regulatory mechanisms while influencing tumor immune evasion and therapy resistance, which holds promise as a prognostic biomarker for patients. This review explores the current effect and mechanism of the NLRP3 inflammasome and its signaling pathways in head and neck cancer, providing insights into clinical targeted drug development and molecular immunotherapy.
Humans ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/genetics* ; Inflammasomes/metabolism* ; Head and Neck Neoplasms/pathology* ; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck/metabolism* ; Tumor Microenvironment ; Signal Transduction ; Animals

OBJECTIVE: To explore the protective effects and underlying mechanisms of H ₂S against lipid peroxidation-mediated carbonyl stress in the uranium-treated NRK-52E cells. METHODS: Cell viability was evaluated using CCK-8 assay. Apoptosis was measured using flow cytometry. Reagent kits were used to detect carbonyl stress markers malondialdehyde, 4-hydroxynonenal, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, and protein carbonylation. Aldehyde-protein adduct formation and alcohol dehydrogenase, aldehyde dehydrogenase 2, aldo-keto reductase, nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) expression were determined using western blotting or real-time PCR. Sulforaphane (SFP) was used to activate Nrf2. RNA interference was used to inhibit CBS expression. RESULTS: GYY4137 (an H ₂S donor) pretreatment significantly reversed the uranium-induced increase in carbonyl stress markers and aldehyde-protein adducts. GYY4137 effectively restored the uranium-decreased Nrf2 expression, nuclear translocation, and ratio of nuclear to cytoplasmic Nrf2, accompanied by a reversal of the uranium-decreased expression of CBS and aldehyde-metabolizing enzymes. The application of CBS siRNA efficiently abrogated the SFP-enhanced effects on the expression of CBS, Nrf2 activation, nuclear translocation, and ratio of nuclear to cytoplasmic Nrf2 and concomitantly reversed the SFP-enhanced effects of the uranium-induced mRNA expression of aldehyde-metabolizing enzymes. Simultaneously, CBS siRNA reversed the SFP-mediated alleviation of the uranium-induced increase in reactive aldehyde levels, apoptosis rates, and uranium-induced cell viability. CONCLUSION H ₂S induces Nrf2 activation and nuclear translocation, which modulates the expression of aldehyde-metabolizing enzymes and the CBS/H ₂S axis. Simultaneously, the Nrf2-controlled CBS/H ₂S axis may at least partially promote Nrf2 activation and nuclear translocation. These events form a cycle-regulating mode through which H ₂S attenuates the carbonyl stress-mediated NRK-52E cytotoxicity triggered by uranium.
NF-E2-Related Factor 2/genetics* ; Animals ; Hydrogen Sulfide/pharmacology* ; Rats ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Lipid Peroxidation/drug effects* ; Cell Line ; Uranium/toxicity* ; Antioxidant Response Elements ; Kidney/metabolism* ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Cell Survival/drug effects* ; Apoptosis/drug effects*

In this study, the chloroplast genome of Camellia insularis Orel & Curry was sequenced using high-throughput sequencing technology. The results showed that the chloroplast genome of C. insularis was 156 882 bp in length with a typical tetrad structure, encoding 132 genes, including 88 protein-coding genes, 36 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. Codon preference analysis revealed that the highest number of codons coded for leucine, with a high A/U preference in the third codon position. Additionally, 67 simple sequence repeats (SSR) loci were identified, with a preference for A and T bases. The inverted repeat (IR) boundary regions of the chloroplast genome of C. insularis were relatively conserved, except for a few variable regions. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that C. insularis was most closely related to C. fascicularis. Yellow camellia is a valuable material for genetic engineering breeding. This study provides fundamental genetic information on chloroplast engineering and offers valuable resources for conducting in-depth research on the evolution, species identification, and genomic breeding of yellow Camellia.
Genome, Chloroplast/genetics* ; Phylogeny ; Plant Breeding ; Camellia/genetics* ; Chloroplasts/genetics*

ObjectiveTo compare the effects of Taxillus chinensis from different hosts with different meridian affinity on bone microstructure and bone metabolism in ovariectomized osteoporotic rats， and investigate its mechanism of action. MethodEighty-eight specific-pathogen-free （SPF）-grade female Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were selected and randomly divided into 11 groups： sham-operated group， model group， low-， medium- and high-dose groups of T. chinensis from Morus alba （2.5， 5， and 10 g·kg^-1）， low-， medium- and high-dose groups of T. chinensis from Cinnamomum cassia （2.5， 5， and 10 g·kg^-1）， and low-， medium- and high-dose groups of T. chinensis from C. burmannii （2.5， 5， and 10 g·kg^-1）. After 12 weeks of drug intervention， the rats were examined for proximal femur bone density and bone microstructure using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry （DXA） and micro-computed tomography （Micro-CT）. Histopathological changes in rat femur were observed by the hematoxylin-eosin staining （HE）. Contents of serum estradiol （E₂）， bone Gla protein （BGP）， bone alkaline phosphatase （BALP）， tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b （TRACP-5b） and pre-collagen type Ⅰ amino-terminal protopeptide （PINP） were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was employed to detect the messenger ribonucleic acid （mRNA） expressions of bone morphogenetic protein-2 （BMP-2）， Smad1， Smad9 and recombinant runt-related transcription factor 2 （Runx2） in rat humerus. Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of BMP-2， p-Smad1/5/9 and Runx2 in rat humerus. ResultCompared with that in the sham-operated group， the femur microstructure of rats in the model group was significantly disrupted， with significant decreases in bone mineral density （BMD） value， bone volume fraction （BV/TV）， trabecular number （Tb.N）， and trabecular thickness （Tb.Th） （P<0.01）， and significant increases in trabecular separation （Tb.Sp） and structure model index （SMI） （P<0.01）. The serum levels of BGP， BALP， TRACP-5b and PINP were significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and E₂ levels were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The mRNA expressions of BMP-2， Smad1， Smad9， and Runx2 were significantly decreased in rat humerus （P<0.01）， and the protein expressions of BMP-2， p-Smad1/5/9， and Runx2 were significantly reduced （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the administration groups of T. chinensis from different hosts all elevated the BMD， BV/TV， Tb.N， Tb.Th， Tb.Sp， and SMI levels in the femur， improved bone microstructure， increased serum E₂ levels （P<0.05， P<0.01）， lowered the levels of serum BGP， BALP， TRACP-5b， and PINP， upregulated the mRNA expression of BMP-2， Smad1， and Runx2 and upregulated the mRNA expression levels of Smad9 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and upregulated the protein expressions levels of BMP-2， p-Smad1/5/9， and Runx2 （P<0.01）. The best effect was observed in the group of T. chinensis from C. cassia. ConclusionT. chinensis from different hosts improved osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats， with the group of T. chinensis from C. cassia being the most potent among the administered groups， and its treatment of osteoporosis may regulate the balance of bone conversion by regulating BMP/Smad signaling pathway.

【Objective】 To investigate the association between genetic variations in the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) gene and BP responses to sodium and potassium intake. 【Methods】 A total of 514 subjects from 124 families were recruited in Meixian County, Shaanxi Province, in 2004, resulting in the establishment of a "salt-sensitive hypertension study cohort" . The subjects followed a dietary regimen which involved a normal diet for 3 days, a low-salt diet for 7 days, a high-salt diet for 7 days, and a high-salt potassium-supplemented diet for 7 days. BP measurement was conducted at different intervention periods, and peripheral blood samples were collected. Additionally, eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the GLP-1R gene were genotyped using the MassARRAY detection platform. 【Results】 The GLP-1R gene SNP rs9462472 exhibited a significant association with systolic BP, diastolic BP, and mean arterial pressure response to high-salt intervention. Similarly, SNP rs2268637 showed a significant association with systolic BP response to high-salt intervention. Furthermore, SNP rs2268637 was significantly associated with systolic BP and mean arterial pressure responses to high-salt plus potassium supplementation intervention. 【Conclusion】 Our findings indicate a significant association of genetic variations in the GLP-1R gene with BP responses to sodium and potassium intake. This suggests that the GLP-1R gene plays a role in the regulation of BP salt sensitivity and potassium sensitivity.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of bs-5-YHEDA iron chelating peptide combined with semaglutide on the cognitive ability and pathological characteristics of D-Gal-induced Alzheimer's disease(AD) model mice. METHODS Forty mice were randomly divided into 5 groups, namely the healthy control group, PBS group, bs-5-YHEDA iron chelating peptide group, combined treatment group and positive control group, with 8 mice in each group, half of each sex. Except for the healthy control group, D-galactose was injected to induce the AD mice model for 6 weeks. For 3 consecutive weeks starting from the 4th week, the bs-5-YHEDA iron chelating peptide group was injected with bs-5-YHEDA(1 mg·mL–1) once every other day at 200 µL in the tail vein; the bs-5-YHEDA iron chelating peptide(1 mg·mL–1) and semaglutide(25 nmol·kg–1·d–1) were given alternately once a day in the combination treatment group; the positive control group was given memantine(3.3 mg·kg–1·d–1) by gavage every other day. The healthy control group and PBS group were injected with the equal dose of PBS. At the end of treatment, the learning memory ability of mice was detected by the Morris water maze method, whole brain and whole blood were dissected, and pathological changes in hippocampal region were observed by HE staining, and Aβ expression and Tau protein phosphorylation levels were detected by immunohistochemistry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunoblotting. RESULTS In the Morris water maze spatial exploration experiment, the differences in the number of times the mice traversed the platform, the ratio of swimming distance to the target quadrant, and the time ratio were statistically significant in each group(P<0.05); compared with the PBS group, the ratio of swimming distance to the target quadrant increased in the combined treatment group, and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05). The results of HE staining showed that compared with the healthy control mice, the hippocampal area in the PBS group showed reduced levels of pyramidal cells, disorganized arrangement, cell edema, and deep staining of nuclei consolidation. Cellular disorganization, deep staining of nuclei and apoptosis in the hippocampus were significantly improved in each treatment group after drug treatment. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting results showed that the Aβ expression levels and Tau protein phosphorylation levels were significantly higher in the PBS-administered mice compared with the healthy control mice, and the Aβ expression levels and Tau protein phosphorylation levels were reduced in each group after drug treatment, with statistically significant differences(P<0.01 or P<0.001 ). CONCLUSION The combination of bs-5-YHEDA iron chelating peptide and semaglutide can effectively improve the learning and memory ability and pathological characteristics of AD mice, but from the results of immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting experiments, the improvement of pathological characteristics of AD mice in the combination treatment group is not obvious compared with the single bs-5-YHEDA iron chelating peptide group, suggesting that there may be a threshold effect of our designed dual-target combination treatment on the cognitive improvement of AD mice, and the optimization and validation of the effect of multi-target combination treatment need further study.

OBJECTIVE In the process of drug dispensing, using computer vision technology to identify drugs is vulnerable to the influence of lighting, angle, packaging and other factors, which will produce large identification errors. Therefore, this paper proposes an object detection algorithm for drug appearance recognition(YOLOv4-GhostNet-CMB). METHODS Firstly, the algorithm redesigned the backbone feature extraction network in YOLOv4 by using GhostNet. Secondly, the CA attention model was brought into the Ghost module, aggregate features along horizontal and vertical directions to enhance the precise positioning of drugs. Finally, Bi-FPN feature pyramid structure was introduced to connect with the new backbone, and added a feature graph output which could enhance feature extraction and improved the detection accuracy of drugs. RESULTS The experimental results show that the average detection accuracy of YOLOv4-GhostNet-CMB algorithm reached 92.24%, which was a significant improvement of 4.49% compared with YOLOv4 algorithm in term of detection accuracy. CONCLUSION The model size is only 150 MB, nd this algorithm can effectively identify drugs.

Objective To investigate the association between metabolic associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD)and carotid atherosclerotic plaque.Methods A total of 1 107 patients who were hospitalized in The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University from July,2014 to December,2022 were enrolled,and all patients underwent abdominal ultrasound and CT angiography of the head and neck arteries.Baseline data and clinical diagnosis were collected,and the patients were divided into MAFLD group with 499 patients and non-MAFLD group with 608 patients based on medical history,clinical tests,and imaging findings.According to the CT value,carotid plaques were classified into calcified plaques,non-calcified plaques,and mixed plaques.According to the NASCET criteria,carotid stenosis was categorized as normal vessel,slight stenosis,mild stenosis,moderate stenosis,and severe stenosis/occlusion.The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups,and the Mann-Whitney U rank sum test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups;the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups.Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the influencing factors for carotid atherosclerosis.Results Compared with the non-MAFLD group,the MAFLD group had a significantly higher proportion of patients with calcified plaques(74.3%vs 63.3%,P<0.05),non-calcified plaques(27.1%vs 17.1%,P<0.05),or mixed plaques(27.3%vs 20.7%,P<0.05),as well as a significantly higher proportion of patients with mild stenosis(50.9%vs 44.9%,P<0.05),moderate stenosis(14.6%vs 8.4%,P<0.05),or severe stenosis/occlusion(6.6%vs 3.5%,P<0.05).The univariate logistic regression analysis showed that MAFLD was a risk factor for calcified carotid plaques,non-calcified plaques,and mixed plaques,and it was also a risk factor for mild stenosis,moderate stenosis,and severe stenosis/occlusion of the carotid artery(all P<0.05).After adjustment for confounding factors,the multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that MAFLD was an independent risk factor for calcified plaque,non-calcified plaque,mixed plaque,and moderate stenosis of the carotid arteries(all P<0.05).Conclusion MAFLD is an independent risk factor for moderate stenosis,calcified plaques,non-calcified plaques,and mixed plaques of the carotid arteries.