Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous condition with diverse phenotypes and endotypes. The emphysema phenotype, characterized by destruction of the terminal bronchioles and alveolar walls, is associated with more severe lung function impairment, heightened airway inflammation, and greater systemic dysfunction compared to other subtypes. Early diagnosis via biomarkers, signaling pathway analysis, and imaging, combined with targeted therapies, may improve patient outcomes. However, further research is needed to fully elucidate this phenotype. This review summarizes recent advances in the pathology, biomarkers, signaling pathways, and clinical management of the emphysema phenotype of COPD, aiming to enhance its recognition and inform future research.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous condition with diverse phenotypes and endotypes. The emphysema phenotype, characterized by destruction of the terminal bronchioles and alveolar walls, is associated with more severe lung function impairment, heightened airway inflammation, and greater systemic dysfunction compared to other subtypes. Early diagnosis via biomarkers, signaling pathway analysis, and imaging, combined with targeted therapies, may improve patient outcomes. However, further research is needed to fully elucidate this phenotype. This review summarizes recent advances in the pathology, biomarkers, signaling pathways, and clinical management of the emphysema phenotype of COPD, aiming to enhance its recognition and inform future research.

Background::Asthma imposes a large healthcare burden in China and the United States (US). However, the trends of asthma mortality and the relative risk factors have not been comparatively analyzed between the countries. The aim of this study was to compare the mortality and risk factors between China and the US.Methods::The deaths, and mortality rates of asthma in China and the US during 1990–2019 were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. The age–period–cohort model was used to estimate these mortality rates based on a log-linear scale with additive age, period, and cohort effects. The population attributable fractions of risk factors for asthma were estimated.Results::In 1990–2019, the asthma mortality rate was higher in China than in the US. The crude and age-standardized asthma mortality rates trended downward in both China and the US from 1990 to 2019. The decline in mortality was more obvious in China. Mortality gap between the two countries was narrowing. A sex difference in asthma mortality was observed with higher mortality in males in China and females in the US. The age effects showed that mortality increased with age in adults older than 20 years, particularly in the elderly. Downward trends were generally observed in the period and cohort rate ratios in both countries, with China experiencing a more obvious decrease. Smoking and high body mass index (BMI) were the leading risk factors for asthma mortality in China and the US, respectively. Mortality attributable to occupational asthmagens and smoking decreased the most in China and the US, respectively.Conclusions::In 1990–2019, the asthma mortality rate was higher in China than in the US; however, the mortality gap has narrowed. Mortality increased with age in adults. The improvements in asthma death risk with period and birth cohort were more obvious in China than in the US. Smoking, high BMI, and aging are major health problems associated with asthma control. The role of occupational asthmagens in asthma mortality underscores the importance of management and prevention of occupational asthma.

Purpose: Explore the causal relationship between the gut microbiota and erectile dysfunction (ED) at phylum, class, order, family, and genus levels, and identify specific pathogenic bacteria that may be associated with the onset and progression of ED. Materials and Methods: The genetic variation data of 196 human gut microbiota incorporated in our study came from the human gut microbiome Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) dataset released by the MiBioGen Consortium. The GWAS statistics for ED were extracted from one study by Bovijn et al., which included 223,805 participants of European ancestry, of whom 6,175 were diagnosed with ED. Subsequently, Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was carried out to explore whether a causal relationship exists between the gut microbiota and ED. Additionally, bidirectional MR analysis was performed to examine the directionality of the causal relationship. Results: Through MR analysis, we found that family Lachnospiraceae (odds ratio [OR]: 1.27, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05–1.52, p=0.01) and its subclass genus LachnospiraceaeNC2004 group (OR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.01–1.37, p=0.04) are associated with a higher risk of ED. In addition, genus Oscillibacter (OR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.02–1.35, p=0.03), genus Senegalimassilia (OR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.06–1.64, p=0.01) and genus Tyzzerella3 (OR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.02–1.27, p=0.02) also increase the risk of ED. In contrast, the inverse variance weighted estimate of genus RuminococcaceaeUCG013 (OR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.61–0.96, p=0.02) suggests that it has a protective effect against the occurrence of ED. Conclusions This study preliminarily identified 6 bacterial taxa that may have a causal relationship with ED, including family Lachnospiraceae, genus Lachnospiraceae NC2004 group, Oscillibacter, Senegalimassilia, Tyzzerella 3 and Ruminococcaceae UCG013. These identified important bacterial taxa may serve as candidates for microbiome intervention in future ED clinical trials.

Purpose: Explore the causal relationship between the gut microbiota and erectile dysfunction (ED) at phylum, class, order, family, and genus levels, and identify specific pathogenic bacteria that may be associated with the onset and progression of ED. Materials and Methods: The genetic variation data of 196 human gut microbiota incorporated in our study came from the human gut microbiome Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) dataset released by the MiBioGen Consortium. The GWAS statistics for ED were extracted from one study by Bovijn et al., which included 223,805 participants of European ancestry, of whom 6,175 were diagnosed with ED. Subsequently, Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was carried out to explore whether a causal relationship exists between the gut microbiota and ED. Additionally, bidirectional MR analysis was performed to examine the directionality of the causal relationship. Results: Through MR analysis, we found that family Lachnospiraceae (odds ratio [OR]: 1.27, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05–1.52, p=0.01) and its subclass genus LachnospiraceaeNC2004 group (OR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.01–1.37, p=0.04) are associated with a higher risk of ED. In addition, genus Oscillibacter (OR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.02–1.35, p=0.03), genus Senegalimassilia (OR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.06–1.64, p=0.01) and genus Tyzzerella3 (OR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.02–1.27, p=0.02) also increase the risk of ED. In contrast, the inverse variance weighted estimate of genus RuminococcaceaeUCG013 (OR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.61–0.96, p=0.02) suggests that it has a protective effect against the occurrence of ED. Conclusions This study preliminarily identified 6 bacterial taxa that may have a causal relationship with ED, including family Lachnospiraceae, genus Lachnospiraceae NC2004 group, Oscillibacter, Senegalimassilia, Tyzzerella 3 and Ruminococcaceae UCG013. These identified important bacterial taxa may serve as candidates for microbiome intervention in future ED clinical trials.

Purpose: Explore the causal relationship between the gut microbiota and erectile dysfunction (ED) at phylum, class, order, family, and genus levels, and identify specific pathogenic bacteria that may be associated with the onset and progression of ED. Materials and Methods: The genetic variation data of 196 human gut microbiota incorporated in our study came from the human gut microbiome Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) dataset released by the MiBioGen Consortium. The GWAS statistics for ED were extracted from one study by Bovijn et al., which included 223,805 participants of European ancestry, of whom 6,175 were diagnosed with ED. Subsequently, Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was carried out to explore whether a causal relationship exists between the gut microbiota and ED. Additionally, bidirectional MR analysis was performed to examine the directionality of the causal relationship. Results: Through MR analysis, we found that family Lachnospiraceae (odds ratio [OR]: 1.27, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05–1.52, p=0.01) and its subclass genus LachnospiraceaeNC2004 group (OR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.01–1.37, p=0.04) are associated with a higher risk of ED. In addition, genus Oscillibacter (OR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.02–1.35, p=0.03), genus Senegalimassilia (OR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.06–1.64, p=0.01) and genus Tyzzerella3 (OR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.02–1.27, p=0.02) also increase the risk of ED. In contrast, the inverse variance weighted estimate of genus RuminococcaceaeUCG013 (OR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.61–0.96, p=0.02) suggests that it has a protective effect against the occurrence of ED. Conclusions This study preliminarily identified 6 bacterial taxa that may have a causal relationship with ED, including family Lachnospiraceae, genus Lachnospiraceae NC2004 group, Oscillibacter, Senegalimassilia, Tyzzerella 3 and Ruminococcaceae UCG013. These identified important bacterial taxa may serve as candidates for microbiome intervention in future ED clinical trials.

Purpose: Explore the causal relationship between the gut microbiota and erectile dysfunction (ED) at phylum, class, order, family, and genus levels, and identify specific pathogenic bacteria that may be associated with the onset and progression of ED. Materials and Methods: The genetic variation data of 196 human gut microbiota incorporated in our study came from the human gut microbiome Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) dataset released by the MiBioGen Consortium. The GWAS statistics for ED were extracted from one study by Bovijn et al., which included 223,805 participants of European ancestry, of whom 6,175 were diagnosed with ED. Subsequently, Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was carried out to explore whether a causal relationship exists between the gut microbiota and ED. Additionally, bidirectional MR analysis was performed to examine the directionality of the causal relationship. Results: Through MR analysis, we found that family Lachnospiraceae (odds ratio [OR]: 1.27, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05–1.52, p=0.01) and its subclass genus LachnospiraceaeNC2004 group (OR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.01–1.37, p=0.04) are associated with a higher risk of ED. In addition, genus Oscillibacter (OR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.02–1.35, p=0.03), genus Senegalimassilia (OR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.06–1.64, p=0.01) and genus Tyzzerella3 (OR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.02–1.27, p=0.02) also increase the risk of ED. In contrast, the inverse variance weighted estimate of genus RuminococcaceaeUCG013 (OR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.61–0.96, p=0.02) suggests that it has a protective effect against the occurrence of ED. Conclusions This study preliminarily identified 6 bacterial taxa that may have a causal relationship with ED, including family Lachnospiraceae, genus Lachnospiraceae NC2004 group, Oscillibacter, Senegalimassilia, Tyzzerella 3 and Ruminococcaceae UCG013. These identified important bacterial taxa may serve as candidates for microbiome intervention in future ED clinical trials.

Purpose: Explore the causal relationship between the gut microbiota and erectile dysfunction (ED) at phylum, class, order, family, and genus levels, and identify specific pathogenic bacteria that may be associated with the onset and progression of ED. Materials and Methods: The genetic variation data of 196 human gut microbiota incorporated in our study came from the human gut microbiome Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) dataset released by the MiBioGen Consortium. The GWAS statistics for ED were extracted from one study by Bovijn et al., which included 223,805 participants of European ancestry, of whom 6,175 were diagnosed with ED. Subsequently, Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was carried out to explore whether a causal relationship exists between the gut microbiota and ED. Additionally, bidirectional MR analysis was performed to examine the directionality of the causal relationship. Results: Through MR analysis, we found that family Lachnospiraceae (odds ratio [OR]: 1.27, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05–1.52, p=0.01) and its subclass genus LachnospiraceaeNC2004 group (OR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.01–1.37, p=0.04) are associated with a higher risk of ED. In addition, genus Oscillibacter (OR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.02–1.35, p=0.03), genus Senegalimassilia (OR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.06–1.64, p=0.01) and genus Tyzzerella3 (OR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.02–1.27, p=0.02) also increase the risk of ED. In contrast, the inverse variance weighted estimate of genus RuminococcaceaeUCG013 (OR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.61–0.96, p=0.02) suggests that it has a protective effect against the occurrence of ED. Conclusions This study preliminarily identified 6 bacterial taxa that may have a causal relationship with ED, including family Lachnospiraceae, genus Lachnospiraceae NC2004 group, Oscillibacter, Senegalimassilia, Tyzzerella 3 and Ruminococcaceae UCG013. These identified important bacterial taxa may serve as candidates for microbiome intervention in future ED clinical trials.

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.

The complex chemical composition and limited research ideas of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） have led to the unclear material basis and mechanism of the medicinal effects， which is a common problem hindering the modernization of TCM in China. The introduction of computer virtual technology has provided a new perspective for TCM research. In this study， we established the research method of structure-activity omics to study the relationships between the structures and effects of different compounds in TCM based on the chemical structures of TCM components and to analyze and predict the material basis and multitarget synergistic mechanism of TCM. Furthermore， a structure-activity omics study was carried out with the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of Qizhi Weitong granules as an example. This study provides support for screening the pharmacodynamic components and analyzing the active ingredients of TCM and gives insights into the research on the material basis and mechanism of compound efficacy and the development of lead compounds of TCM， thus promoting the modern research and the innovative development of TCM.