ObjectiveTo establish a geographical origin identification model for Foeniculi Fructus from Haiyuan， providing a new technical reference for the protection of Haiyuan's geo-authentic medicinal materials and its designation as a national geographical indication agricultural product. MethodsSamples of Foeniculi Fructus were collected from eight producing areas， including Minqin （Gansu）， Bozhou （Anhui）， Qingdao （Shandong）， Dezhou （Shandong）， Urumqi （Xinjiang）， Nujiang （Yunnan）， Gutuo （Inner Mongolia）， and Haiyuan （Ningxia）. Gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry （GC-IMS） was used to detect the volatile organic compounds （VOCs） in samples from these geographic origins. VOCs were qualitatively analyzed through dual matching with the National Institute of Standards and Technology （NIST） mass spectral database and the IMS drift time database. Using the Reporter module and Gallery Plot visualization tools within the LAV analytical platform， VOC fingerprint profiles characterizing geographic origins were constructed. A non-targeted analytical strategy was adopted， and 97 VOCs detected via GC-IMS were subjected to principal component analysis （PCA） and partial least squares discriminant analysis （PLS-DA） based on their differential distribution patterns to construct an origin identification model for Foeniculi Fructus from Haiyuan region. Key discriminative markers were screened using variable importance in projection （VIP） values greater than 1. ResultsA total of 97 VOCs were identified， including alcohols， aldehydes， ketones， esters， organic acids， terpenoids， ethers， alkenes， and benzenes. The PLS-DA model， based on VOCs data obtained by GC-IMS， effectively distinguished Foeniculi Fructus in Haiyuan region from those of other origins. During cross-validation， the model achieved a prediction parameter （Q²） of 0.976 and a goodness-of-fit parameter （R²） of 0.936， with no overfitting observed in permutation testing. Twelve key flavor markers with VIP > 1 were identified as characteristic indicators of Haiyuan origin. ConclusionA stable and highly predictive origin identification model for Foeniculi Fructus from Haiyuan was successfully established using GC-IMS technology， PLS-DA， and VIP-based marker screening. This model provides a novel technical strategy for accurately distinguishing Foeniculi Fructus in Haiyuan region from other regional varieties and offers new technical support for its protection as a geo-authentic medicinal material and a nationally designated geographical indication agricultural product in China.

ObjectiveTo establish a geographical origin identification model for Foeniculi Fructus from Haiyuan， providing a new technical reference for the protection of Haiyuan's geo-authentic medicinal materials and its designation as a national geographical indication agricultural product. MethodsSamples of Foeniculi Fructus were collected from eight producing areas， including Minqin （Gansu）， Bozhou （Anhui）， Qingdao （Shandong）， Dezhou （Shandong）， Urumqi （Xinjiang）， Nujiang （Yunnan）， Gutuo （Inner Mongolia）， and Haiyuan （Ningxia）. Gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry （GC-IMS） was used to detect the volatile organic compounds （VOCs） in samples from these geographic origins. VOCs were qualitatively analyzed through dual matching with the National Institute of Standards and Technology （NIST） mass spectral database and the IMS drift time database. Using the Reporter module and Gallery Plot visualization tools within the LAV analytical platform， VOC fingerprint profiles characterizing geographic origins were constructed. A non-targeted analytical strategy was adopted， and 97 VOCs detected via GC-IMS were subjected to principal component analysis （PCA） and partial least squares discriminant analysis （PLS-DA） based on their differential distribution patterns to construct an origin identification model for Foeniculi Fructus from Haiyuan region. Key discriminative markers were screened using variable importance in projection （VIP） values greater than 1. ResultsA total of 97 VOCs were identified， including alcohols， aldehydes， ketones， esters， organic acids， terpenoids， ethers， alkenes， and benzenes. The PLS-DA model， based on VOCs data obtained by GC-IMS， effectively distinguished Foeniculi Fructus in Haiyuan region from those of other origins. During cross-validation， the model achieved a prediction parameter （Q²） of 0.976 and a goodness-of-fit parameter （R²） of 0.936， with no overfitting observed in permutation testing. Twelve key flavor markers with VIP > 1 were identified as characteristic indicators of Haiyuan origin. ConclusionA stable and highly predictive origin identification model for Foeniculi Fructus from Haiyuan was successfully established using GC-IMS technology， PLS-DA， and VIP-based marker screening. This model provides a novel technical strategy for accurately distinguishing Foeniculi Fructus in Haiyuan region from other regional varieties and offers new technical support for its protection as a geo-authentic medicinal material and a nationally designated geographical indication agricultural product in China.

In a healthy human, the airway mucus forms a thin, protective liquid layer covering the surface of the respiratory tract. It comprises a complex blend of mucin, multiple antibacterial proteins, metabolic substances, water, and electrolytes. This mucus plays a pivotal role in the lungs' innate immune system by maintaining airway hydration and capturing airborne particles and pathogens. However, heightened mucus secretion in the airway can compromise ciliary clearance, obstruct the respiratory tract, and increase the risk of pathogen colonization and recurrent infections. Consequently, a thorough exploration of the mechanisms driving excessive airway mucus secretion is crucial for establishing a theoretical foundation for the eventual development of targeted drugs designed to reduce mucus production. Across a range of lung diseases, excessive airway mucus secretion manifests with unique characteristics and regulatory mechanisms, all intricately linked to mucin. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the characteristics and regulatory mechanisms associated with excessive airway mucus secretion in several prevalent lung diseases.
Humans ; Mucus/metabolism* ; Mucins/physiology* ; Lung Diseases/metabolism* ; Respiratory Mucosa/metabolism* ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/physiopathology* ; Asthma/physiopathology* ; Cystic Fibrosis/physiopathology* ; Mucociliary Clearance/physiology*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of Yu Melody relaxation training (YMRT) combined with Jianpi Jieyu Decoction (JJD) in treating patients with insomnia disorders (ID). METHODS: In this randomized controlled study, 94 ID patients were included from Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences from September 2022 to January 2024. They were randomly assigned to the YMRT group (47 cases, YMRT plus JJD) and the control group (47 cases, oral JJD) using a random number table. Both treatment administrations lasted for 4 weeks, with a 2-week follow-up. The primary outcome was change in Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) scores from baseline to 4 weeks of intervention. Secondary outcomes included ISI response at week 4, as well as ISI, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scores at baseline and weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6. Additionally, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores were evaluated at baseline and weeks 4 and 6. Adverse events (AEs) were recorded and compared between groups. RESULTS: Five patients in each group did not complete the protocol requirements. The overall dropout rate was 10.64%. The full analysis set included all 47 cases in each group. The ISI score decreased significantly at week 4 from baseline in the YMRT group compared with the control group, with a between-group difference of -3.2 points [95% confidence interval (CI): -5.08 to -1.34; P<0.05]. The ISI response at week 4 in the YMRT group was significantly higher than that in the control group (85.11% vs. 51.06%), with a between-group difference of 34.05% (95% CI: 13.77% to 50.97%; P<0.05). At week 6, the YMRT group demonstrated greater reductions from baseline than the control group, with between-group differences of -2.1 points (-95% CI: -3.49 to -0.64; P<0.05) for PHQ-9 scores, -3.5 points (95% CI: -5.21 to -1.85; P<0.05) for PSQI scores, and -1.9 points (95% CI: -3.47 to -0.28; P<0.05) for GAD-7 scores. Moreover, at weeks 4 and 6, the ISI and PSQI scores in the YMRT group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05); and at week 6, the PHQ-9 score in the YMRT group was significantly lower (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence rates of AEs between the two groups (8.51% vs. 4.26%, P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS YMRT combined with oral JJD could improve sleep quality and alleviate depressive and anxiety symptoms in patients with ID. This combined therapy was effective and safe, and its effect was superior to oral JJD alone. (Registration No. ChiCTR2200063884).
Humans ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/drug therapy* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Male ; Female ; Relaxation Therapy/methods* ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Treatment Outcome ; Combined Modality Therapy

TCM proposes that the core pathological mechanism of depression is"deficient qi with stagnation and heat",with the following pathogenic characteristics and evolution patterns:"deficient qi"as the nature,and deficiency in nature is in spleen,and deficiency in superficiality is in brain;"stagnation"is the superficiality,and qi stagnation,phlegm stagnation,and blood stagnation are in the brain collaterals;"heat"fires the brain collaterals,depression raised the heat,and excessive heat accumulated to stagnation.Based on the understanding of the pathogenesis of depression caused by stress sensitization in modern medicine,this article explored the potential association between this mechanism and the core pathogenesis of"deficient qi with stagnation and heat".It proposed that tonifying deficiency,promoting circulation,and clearing heat are the basic treatment principles for depression.By inhibiting inflammatory reactions and improving the stress sensitization state of neurons and glial cells,TCM compound formulas can exert multi-target and multi-dimensional therapeutic characteristics.

Objective:To investigate the impact of air pollution on dynamic changes in lung function and further explore the association between genetic factors and lung function and its changes.Methods:Research data were from 14 506 participants in the United Kingdom Biobank with two complete baseline and follow-up lung function tests. Particulate matter [including particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 μm and ≤10 μm (PM 2.5 and PM 10)], nitrogen dioxide (NO 2), and nitrogen oxides (NO x) concentrations were estimated using land-use regression models. Annual changes in lung function were calculated based on baseline and follow-up lung function tests. Polygenic risk scores (PRS) of lung function [forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV 1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and the ratio of FEV 1 to FVC (FEV 1/FVC)] were constructed by genetic variations. The association between air pollution concentrations and lung function changes was analyzed by multiple linear regression models, and the impact of genetic factors on lung function and its changes was also assessed. Results:PM 2.5, PM 10, NO 2, and NO x showed a negative correlation with FVC changes [PM 2.5: -6.66 (95% CI: -9.92- -3.40) ml/year; PM 10: -0.40 (95% CI: -0.77- -0.03) ml/year; NO 2: -1.84 (95% CI: -2.60- -1.07) ml/year; NO x: -1.37 (95% CI: -2.27- -0.46) ml/year]. Additionally, PM 2.5, PM 10and NO 2 were also negatively correlated with changes in FEV 1 [PM 2.5: -3.19 (95% CI: -5.79- -0.59) ml/year; PM 10: -3.00 (95% CI: -5.92- -0.08) ml/year; NO 2: -0.95 (95% CI: -1.56- -0.34) ml/year]. PRS of lung function were positively correlated with baseline lung function (FVC, FEV 1, and FEV 1/FVC) and lung function changes (all β>0, all P<0.001). In different PRS stratification analyses, the effect of air pollution on lung function changes remained significant, and there was no apparent heterogeneity. Conclusions:PRS of lung function are significantly associated with baseline and lung function changes. Long-term exposure to air pollution accelerates the decline of lung function indicators such as FVC and FEV 1. The effects of air pollution are consistent in individuals with different genetic risk scores.

Objective To investigate the relationship among circulating soluble major histocompatibility complex class Ⅰ-related chain A(sMICA),soluble major histocompatibility complex class Ⅰ-related chain B(sMICB),the activity of systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE)and autoantibodies.Methods A total of 156 SLE patients(SLE group)and 103 healthy volunteers(control group)who underwent physical examination in outpatient physical examination center were selected from the Qianjiang Hospital Affiliated to Chongqing University from January 2020 to January 2023.According to SLE disease activity score(SLEDAI),these SLE patients were divided into mild activity group(n=43),moderate activity group(n=69),and severe activity group(n=44).Serum levels of sMICA and sMICB,and the proportion of autoantibodies and peripheral blood NK cells were detected.Spearman or Pearson method was used to analyze the correlation among sMICA,sMICB,score,autoantibodies and peripheral blood NK cells proportion.Receiver operating characteristics(ROC)curve was used to evaluate the value of sMICA and sMICB in the diagnosis of SLE activity.Results Serum sMICA(173.65±23.92 pg/ml)and sMICB(96.35±15.74 pg/ml)levels in SLE group were higher than those in control group(32.51±6.27 pg/ml,12.03±2.47 pg/ml),while the proportion of CD3-CD56+NK cells(12.02％±2.65％)in peripheral blood was lower than that in control group(18.35％±3.71％),and the differences were statistically significant(t=58.498,53.897,-16.010,all P＜0.05).Serum sMICA and sMICB levels in severe active group were higher than those in moderately active group and mildly active group(t=8.192,12.352;19.652,23.742,all P＜0.05),and the proportion of CD3-CD56+NK cells in peripheral blood was lower than that in moderate and mild active groups(t=8.154,10.658,P＜0.05).The differences in positive rates of anti-dsDNA antibody,anti-nuclear antibody,anti-nucleosome antibody and anti-histone antibody in SLE patients with different disease activities were significant(x2=8.795,7.216,7.539,8.946,all P＜0.05).Serum sMICA and sMICB levels in SLE patients were positively correlated with SLED AI score,anti-dsDNA antibody,anti-nuclear antibody,anti-nucleosome antibody and anti-histone antibody(r=0.206～0.402,all P＜0.05),and negatively correlated with the proportion of CD3-CD56+NK cells in peripheral blood(r=-0.563,-0.427,all P＜0.05).The areas under the curve of SLE in severe active group diagnosed by sMICA and sMICB alone were 0.652 and 0.704,respectively.The area under the curve of SLE in severe active group diagnosed by sMICA and sMICB combined with SLE was 0.812,which was higher than that by the single diagnosis(Z=3.050,2.346,all P＜0.05).Conclusion The increased serum sMICA and sMICB levels in SLE patients were associated with the increased positive rate of SLE autoantibodies,the decreased proportion of NK cells in peripheral blood and the enhanced disease activity,which could be used as potential markers of SLE.

Objective To analyse the clinical efficacy of low-frequency of midnight-noon ebb-flow acupuncture-opening method(also called Ziwu Liuzhu Acupuncture,referring to the needling method based on acupoints selection according to qi and blood movement following heavenly-stems and earthly-branches cycle)in treating low myopia in children.Methods A retrospective study was conducted to collect the clinical data of 84 cases(168 eyes)of children with low myopia who received treatment at the Outpatient Department of Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine from January 2021 to December 2022.The children were divided into two groups according to the different treatment protocols:42 cases(84 eyes)treated with acupuncture combined with conventional optometry as the control group,and 42 cases(84 eyes)treated with low-frequency of midnight-noon ebb-flow acupuncture-opening method combined with conventional optometry as the observation group,and the treatment course of both groups was 24 weeks.The changes of refractive error and axial length before and after treatment were observed,and the clinical efficacy in the two groups of children were evaluated.Results(1)After treatment,there being statistically significant differences in the refractive error between the two groups of the children(P＜0.05),and the differential value of the refractive error of the children between the two groups before and after treatment was statistically significant(P＜0.05).(2)After treatment,there being statistically significant differences in the axial length of the children in both groups(P＜0.05).The differential value of axial lengths of the children between the two groups before and after treatment was statistically significant(P＜0.05).(3)The total effective rate of the observation group was 84.52%(71/84),and which of the control group was 63.10%(53/84),the efficacy of the observation group was significantly superior to that of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion The low-frequency of midnight-noon ebb-flow acupuncture-opening method in treating low myopia in children can effectively postpone the degree of myopia,and decrease the growth of the axis,with exact therapeutic effect.

Objective To analyze the configuration of testing equipment in blood testing laboratories of blood stations in Shandong Province to facilitate to optimize equipment configuration for blood testing laboratories.Methods Questionnaires were distributed to obtain information on the number,the proportions of domestic and imported equipment,the usage time and the number of annual sample detection for the testing equipment of 17 blood testing laboratories(one laboratory from blood center and 16 laboratories from central blood stations)in Shandong Province,including the equipment for blood group testing,alanine aminotransferase(ALT)testing,sample adding of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),ELISA micro-plate processing and nucleic amplification test(NAT).The testing equipment in the laboratories with different sizes were analyzed in terms of substitutability,localization,number of annual sample detection and average usage time.Results The blood group and ALT testing equipment had low substitutability;the imported equipment for ALT testing and ELISA sample adding had high proportions;the numbers of yearly sample detection of the equipment for ELISA sample adding,ELISA microplate processing and NAT rose significantly with the increase of laboratory sizes(P＜0.05);the equipment for ELISA sample adding and microplate processing had long usage time,and the differences between the usage time of the equipment for ELISA sample adding from the laboratories with different sizes were statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion The equipment configuration of blood testing laboratories of blood stations in Shandong Province varies greatly,and each laboratory has to take measures based on their own actual situations,such as increasing the number of equipment,purchasing domestic equipment or accelerating equipment updating.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(3):81-85]

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a leading cause of dementia in the elderly. Mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase 1 (MKP-1) plays a neuroprotective role in AD. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of MKP-1 on AD have not been extensively studied. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level, thereby repressing mRNA translation. Here, we reported that the microRNA-429-3p (miR-429-3p) was significantly increased in the brain of APP23/PS45 AD model mice and N2A^APP AD model cells. We further found that miR-429-3p could downregulate MKP-1 expression by directly binding to its 3'-untranslated region (3' UTR). Inhibition of miR-429-3p by its antagomir (A-miR-429) restored the expression of MKP-1 to a control level and consequently reduced the amyloidogenic processing of APP and Aβ accumulation. More importantly, intranasal administration of A-miR-429 successfully ameliorated the deficits of hippocampal CA1 long-term potentiation and spatial learning and memory in AD model mice by suppressing extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2)-mediated GluA1 hyperphosphorylation at Ser831 site, thereby increasing the surface expression of GluA1-containing α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors (AMPARs). Together, these results demonstrate that inhibiting miR-429-3p to upregulate MKP-1 effectively improves cognitive and synaptic functions in AD model mice, suggesting that miR-429/MKP-1 pathway may be a novel therapeutic target for AD treatment.