This article systematically reviews and verifies the medicinal materials of Dioscoreae Hypoglaucae Rhizoma（DHR）， Dioscoreae Spongiosae Rhizoma（DSR）， Smilacis Chinae Rhizoma（SCR） and Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma（SGR） from the aspects of name， origin， producing area， quality， harvesting， processing and efficacy by consulting historical literature， in order to provide reference for the development and utilization of famous classical formulas containing the four medicinal materials. DHR， DSR， SCR and SGR have a long history of application as medicinal materials. However， due to their similar growth environment and medicinal properties， as well as their functions of promoting dampness， dispelling wind and removing numbness， there have been instances of homonymous foreign objects and homonymous synonyms throughout history， resulting in confusion of the origin. Therefore， it is necessary to conduct comparative analysis and systematic research for clarifying the historical development and changes of the four， in order to provide a basis for safe and effective medication. According to research， Bixie was first recorded in Shennong Bencaojing and has been historically known as Baizhi， Chijie， Zhumu， and other aliases. From ancient times to the mid-20th century， there has always been a situation where the rhizomes of Dioscorea plants and Smilax plants， and even the rhizomes of Heterosmilax plants， were mixed together to be used as medicinal herbs for Bixie. However， since the Tang dynasty， it has been clearly advocated that the rhizomes of Dioscorea plants have excellent quality and have been the mainstream throughout history. The 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia categorized it into two types of medicinal herbs（DHR and DSR）. Among them， the origin of DHR is the dry rhizomes of Dioscorea hypoglauca， and the origins of DSR are the dry rhizomes of D. spongiosa and D. futschauensis. In ancient times， due to different types， the corresponding production areas of DHR and DSR were also different. Nowadays， They are mainly produced in the southern region of the Yangtze River. Since the Tang dynasty， the quality of Bixie has been characterized by its white color and soft nature. In modern times， it has been summarized that those with white color， large and thin pieces， powdery texture， tough and elastic texture， and neat and unbreakable are the best. The harvesting times of DHR and DSR are in spring or autumn， with the best quality harvested in autumn. The mainstream processing methods of them are slicing and then using the raw products or wine-processed products. SCR was first recorded in Mingyi Bielu and has been known as Jinganggen， Tielingjiao， Tieshuazi， and other aliases in history. The mainstream source is the dry rhizomes of Smilax china in the past dynasties， with the best quality being those that are tough and rich in powder. The harvesting time is from the late autumn to the following spring， and the main processing method throughout history has been slicing for raw use. SGR was first recorded under the item of Yuyuliang in Variorum of Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica. It was listed as an independent medicinal material from Bencao Gangmu. In history， there were such aliases as Cao Yuyuliang， Lengfantuan， Xianyiliang， Tubixie， etc. The main source of the past dynasties was dry rhizomes of S. glabra. In history， there have also been instances of multiple plants belonging to the same genus， and even cases of mixing the rhizomes of plants in the genus Heterosmilax. It is mainly produced in Guangdong， Hunan， Hubei， Zhejiang， Sichuan， Anhui and other regions， its quality has been summarized as large in size， powdery in texture， with few veins， and light brown in cross-section since modern times. The harvesting time is in spring or autumn， and the main processing method throughout history has been slicing for raw use. DHR， DSR， SCR and SGR all have the effects of promoting dampness， dispelling wind， relieving rheumatism and detoxifying. However， their detoxification abilities are ranked as follows：SGR>SCR>Bixie（DHR and DSR）. Especially for the treatment of limb spasms， arthralgia and myalgia， scrofula， and scabies caused by syphilis and mercury poisoning， SGR has a unique effect. Based on the research results， DHR is recommended to develop the famous classical formulas containing Bixie as the first choice for medicinal herbs. It should be harvested in autumn， sliced thinly while fresh， and processed according to the requirements of the famous classical formulas， without any requirements for raw use. Selecting the rhizomes of S. china， harvested in late autumn， and thinly sliced while fresh. If there are no special processing requirements in the formulas， use it raw. Selecting the rhizomes of S. glabra， it is harvested in autumn and thinly sliced while fresh. If there are no special processing requirements in the formulas， raw products can be used.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of palliative care on drug use, medical service utilization and medical expenditure of patients with advanced cancer. METHODS: A cohort of patients including pal-liative care and standard care was constructed using the medical records of the patients in Peking University Cancer Hospital from 2018 to 2020, and coarsened exact matching was used to match the two groups of patients. The average monthly opioid consumption, hospitalization rate, intensive care unit (ICU) rate and operation rate, and the average monthly total cost were selected to evaluate drug use, medical service utilization and medical expenditure. Chi-square test and Wilcoxon signed rank test were used to compare the differences between the two groups before and after exposure and the change in the palliative care group. The net impact of palliative care on the patients was calculated using the difference-in-differences analysis. RESULTS: In this study, 180 patients in the palliative care group and 3 101 patients in the stan-dard care group were finally included in the matching, and the matching effect of the two groups was good (L₁ < 0.1). Before and after exposure, the average monthly opioid consumption in the palliative care group was significantly higher than that in the standard care group (Before exposure: 0.3 DDD/person-month vs. 0.1 DDD/person-month, P < 0.01; After exposure: 0.7 DDD/person-month vs. 0.1 DDD/person-month, P < 0.01; DDD refers to defined daily dose), palliative care significantly increased the average monthly opioid consumption in the patients (0.3 DDD/person-month, P < 0.01). The hospitalization rate (48.9% vs. 74.3%, P < 0.01) and operation rate (3.9% vs. 8.8%, P < 0.01) of the patients in palliative care group were significantly lower than those in standard care group, and the ICU rate became similar between the two groups (1.1% vs. 1.6%, P=0.634). Palliative care significantly reduced the patients ' hospitalization rate (-25.6%, P < 0.01), ICU rate (-4.9%, P < 0.01) and operation rate (-14.5%, P < 0.01). Before and after exposure, the average monthly total costs of pal-liative care group were slightly higher than those of standard care group (Before exposure: 20 092.3 yuan vs. 19 132.8 yuan, P=0.725; After exposure: 9 719.8 yuan vs. 8 818.8 yuan, P=0.165). Palliative care increased the average monthly total cost by 2 208.8 yuan, but it was not statistically significant (P=0.316). CONCLUSION Palliative care can increase the opioid consumption in advanced cancer patients, reduce the rates of hospitalization, ICU and surgery, but has no significant effect on medical expenditure.
Humans ; Palliative Care/economics* ; Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Analgesics, Opioid/economics* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Hospitalization/economics* ; Intensive Care Units/statistics & numerical data* ; Health Expenditures/statistics & numerical data* ; Adult ; Drug Utilization/statistics & numerical data* ; Patient Acceptance of Health Care/statistics & numerical data*

Gut microbial communities are likely remodeled in tandem with accumulated physiological decline during aging, yet there is limited understanding of gut microbiome variation in advanced age. Here, we performed a metagenomics-based enterotype analysis in a geographically homogeneous cohort of 367 enrolled Chinese individuals between the ages of 60 and 94 years, with the goal of characterizing the gut microbiome of elderly individuals and identifying factors linked to enterotype variations. In addition to two adult-like enterotypes dominated by Bacteroides (ET-Bacteroides) and Prevotella (ET-Prevotella), we identified a novel enterotype dominated by Escherichia (ET-Escherichia), whose prevalence increased in advanced age. Our data demonstrated that age explained more of the variance in the gut microbiome than previously identified factors such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) or diet. We characterized the distinct taxonomic and functional profiles of ET-Escherichia, and found the strongest cohesion and highest robustness of the microbial co-occurrence network in this enterotype, as well as the lowest species diversity. In addition, we carried out a series of correlation analyses and co-abundance network analyses, which showed that several factors were likely linked to the overabundance of Escherichia members, including advanced age, vegetable intake, and fruit intake. Overall, our data revealed an enterotype variation characterized by Escherichia enrichment in the elderly population. Considering the different age distribution of each enterotype, these findings provide new insights into the changes that occur in the gut microbiome with age and highlight the importance of microbiome-based stratification of elderly individuals.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Bacteroides ; China ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/microbiology* ; Escherichia coli/classification* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/genetics* ; Metagenomics ; East Asian People

Objective:To understand the current status of the level of chronic disease prevention and treatment literacy and health anxiety among chronic disease residents, as well as the urban-rural differences, in order to provide a basis for improving the level of chronic disease prevention and treatment literacy among chronic disease residents.Methods:This was a cross-sectional study. From July to August 2022, a multi-stage random sampling method was adopted to select 201 rural residents with chronic diseases in one rural health center and 242 urban residents with chronic diseases in two community health service centers. General demographic characteristics questionnaire, Chronic Disease Prevention and Control Literacy Questionnaire and Short version of Health Anxiety Scale were used for questionnaire survey.Results:There were 93 males and 108 females with chronic diseases in 201 rural chronic disease residents, and the age range was 19-69 years. There were 116 males and 126 females with chronic diseases in 242 urban chronic disease residents, and the age range was 18-69 years old. The score of chronic disease prevention and control literacy of rural chronic disease residents (7.86 ± 2.25) was lower than that of urban chronic disease residents (8.55 ± 2.03). The score of health anxiety of rural chronic disease residents (13.69 ± 5.26) was higher than that of urban chronic disease residents (11.67 ± 5.95). Both differences were statistically significant ( t=-3.43, 3.79, both P<0.05). After controlling the general demographic data, the layered linear regression analysis of rural chronic disease residents and urban chronic disease residents showed that health anxiety can negatively affect rural chronic disease residents and urban chronic disease residents of chronic disease prevention and treatment literacy level ( β=-0.185, -0.129, both P<0.05). Conclusions:There are urban-rural differences in chronic disease prevention and treatment literacy and health anxiety of chronic disease residents in community. It is necessary to strengthen psychological construction among rural chronic disease residents in order to improve their chronic disease prevention and treatment literacy.

Objective To investigate the effects and mechanisms of median nerve electrical stimulation on synaptic plasticity in ischemic stroke rats.Methods 18 healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into Sham group(n = 6),ischemic stroke group(MCAO group,n = 6)and median nerve electrical stimulation group(MNES group,n = 6).The left middle cerebral artery occlusion model of rats was established by thread plug method.Thread plug was not inserted in sham group.The median nerve electrical stimulation group was given median nerve electrical stimulation intervention on the 3rd day after modeling,and intervention on the next day.After intervention for 7 times,behavioral detection,HE staining was used to detect median nerve injury.Nissl staining was used to detect cerebral infarction volume.Western blot was used for detection of the expression level of proteins related to synaptic plasticity,and electron microscopy was performed.Results HE staining showed that median nerve electrical stimulation did not cause damage to the median nerve in stroke rats,and the median nerve membrane was intact without obvious inflammatory cells.Compared with MCAO group,the neural function,motor function and coordination of the injured forelimb in MNES group were significantly improved(P<0.01).Compared with MCAO group,cerebral infarction volume in MNES group was significantly reduced(P<0.05),the pyknosis of Nissl bodies in ischemic penumbra decreased.Compared with MCAO group,the expression levels of synaptic plastication-related proteins PSD95 and synI in the cortex of MNES group were significantly up-regulated after median nerve electrical stimulation(P<0.05),the number of synapses in the ischemic cortex increased significantly(P<0.01).Conclusion Median nerve electrical stimulation is a safe and effective therapeutic measure to improve nerve function after stroke,and its mechanism is related to promoting synaptic plasticity.

The nucleocapsid (N) protein of SARS-CoV-2 has been reported to have a high ability of liquid-liquid phase separation, which enables its incorporation into stress granules (SGs) of host cells. However, whether SG invasion by N protein occurs in the scenario of SARS-CoV-2 infection is unknow, neither do we know its consequence. Here, we used SARS-CoV-2 to infect mammalian cells and observed the incorporation of N protein into SGs, which resulted in markedly impaired self-disassembly but stimulated cell cellular clearance of SGs. NMR experiments further showed that N protein binds to the SG-related amyloid proteins via non-specific transient interactions, which not only expedites the phase transition of these proteins to aberrant amyloid aggregation in vitro, but also promotes the aggregation of FUS with ALS-associated P525L mutation in cells. In addition, we found that ACE2 is not necessary for the infection of SARS-CoV-2 to mammalian cells. Our work indicates that SARS-CoV-2 infection can impair the disassembly of host SGs and promote the aggregation of SG-related amyloid proteins, which may lead to an increased risk of neurodegeneration.
Amyloidogenic Proteins/metabolism* ; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/genetics* ; Animals ; COVID-19 ; Cytoplasmic Granules/metabolism* ; Mammals ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Stress Granules

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of ex vivo liver resection and autotransplantation (ELRA) by using a Bayesian single-arm Meta-analysis.Methods:Databases of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, and Wanfang were searched from January 1, 1990 to December 30, 2021 on ELRA studies. The Bayesian one-arm Meta-analysis was performed by using the statistical software of R (V4.1.2) and the Markov chain-Monte Carlo method was used to simulate the posterior distribution. The mortality rate within 30 days after operation, 1-year survival rate, major postoperative complications, R 0 resection rate and other related indexes were analyzed. Results:A total of 20 studies with 436 patients were included. Bayesian single-arm Meta-analysis showed that the 1-year survival rate after ELRA was 83.24% [95% highest posterior density ( HPD): 72.40%-92.05%]. The 1-year survival rates after surgery were 88.66% (95% HPD: 81.52%-94.50%) for patients with hepatic alveolar echinococcosis and 61.29% (95% HPD: 38.53%-93.68%) for patients with hepatic malignancies, respectively. The mortality rate within 30 d after surgery, the incidence of significant postoperative complications, and the R 0 resection rate were 6.96% (95% HPD: 4.47%-10.15%), 27.91% (95% HPD: 19.00%-38.30%), and 99.84% (95% HPD: 37.61%-100.00%), respectively. Renal failure was the most frequent cause of death after ELRA. Conclusion:ELRA is indicated for hepatic malignancies and hepatic alveolar echinococcosis when intrahepatic resection cannot be accomplished in vivo. The greatest benefit is observed in patients with hepatic alveolar echinococcosis, while only some patients with hepatic malignancies can benefit. The indications for ELRA for hepatic malignancies need to be further studied to define the subgroup of patients who can benefit from this operation.

Objective:To compare using a rat model of post-stroke depression (PSD) the effect of 28 days of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with that of medium-intensity continuous training (MICT) on inflammation and neuron apoptosis induced by phosphatase and the deletion of a tensin homolog on chromosome ten (PTEN).Methods:Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into a SHAM, a PSD, an MICT and an HIIT group. Except in the SHAM group, blood flow in the middle cerebral artery was blocked for 90 minutes followed by reperfusion. Repeated but unpredictable mild stimulation was then applied to induce depression. The rats in the HIIT and MICT groups started 28 days of training 24 hours after the successful modeling. The running platform speed was adjusted according to the lactic acid threshold and the maximum speed was measured weekly. In the SHAM group the common carotid artery, internal carotid artery and external carotid artery were only separated without occlusion and there was no depressive stimulation. Any improvements in depression were detected using the sucrose preference test and the forced swimming test. The expression of PTEN, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) were detected using western blotting. The expression of cysteine-containing, aspartate-specific proteases (caspase-3) was detected immunohistochemically.Results:Compared with the SHAM group, the PSD group′s average immobility time in the swimming test was significantly longer and its average sucrose consumption was significantly less. Compared with the PSD group, the rats in the MICT and HIIT groups showed, on average, significantly more sucrose consumption and shorter immobility time, indicating that their depression was ameliorated. The expression of PTEN, NF-κB and NLRP3 in the MICT and HIIT groups was, on average decreased significantly compared with the PSD group. The HIIT group′s averages were at the same time significantly lower than those of the MICT group. Average caspase-3 levels in the dentate gyrus of the MICT and HIIT group rats were significantly lower than in the PSD group, with the HIIT group′s average significantly lower than that of the MICT group.Conclusions:Both high- and medium-intensity interval training show neuroprotective effects. They inhibit activation of the PTEN/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway, reducing the expression of apoptotic proteins in the hippocampus. Higher intensity training has a more obvious antidepressant effect.

Objective To investigate the inhibitory effect of bromfenac sodium hydrate ophthalmic solution on corneal neovascularization (CNV) induced by alkali burn.Methods A total of 192 specific pathogen free (SPF) degree adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were used in this study.One hundred and seventy-two rats were chosen to establish CNV model with alkali burn in the right eyes.Following alkali burn,rats were randomly divided into CNV group,model control group,bromfenac sodium group and fluorometholone group,with 43 rats (43 eyes) in each group.Another 20 rats (40 eyes) served as normal control group.One day after modeling,the model control group,bromfenac sodium group and fluorometholone group received phosphate buffer saline (PBS),bromfenac sodium hydrate ophthalmic solution and 0.1％ fluorometholone eye drops,respectively.The state of cornea and anterior chamber and the growth of CNV of rats in each group were observed by slit-lamp microscope every day after modeling.At 1,3,7,14,21 and 28 days after modeling,the anterior segment photos of the experimental eyes were captured,and the percent of cornea areas covered by CNV was calculated.At 7,14 and 28 days after modeling,the eye tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry staining to evaluate the expressions of CD45 and VEGF-A.Real-time quantitative PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)were used to detect the expression of COX-2 and VEGF mRNA and protein level.The use and care of the animals complied with the Statement of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology(ARVO).Results Each model group showed corneal edema and opacification 1 day after modeling.The corneal edema was aggravated 7 days after modeling.On the 14th day after modeling,the degree of corneal opacity and edema decreased gradually.On the 28th day after modeling,leucoma was observed in CNV group and model control group,and nebula was observed in bromfenac sodium group and fluorometholone group.At 7,14,21 and 28 days after modeling,the percentages of CNV areas in bromfenac sodium group and fluorometholone group were significantly lower than those in CNV group and model control group (all at P＜0.05).No significant difference was found in the percentage of CNV areas between bromfenac sodium group and fluorometholone group at various time points (all at P＞0.05).On the 7th day after modeling,the thinning of corneal epithelial layer,edema and arrangement disorder of stroma layer were observed,and the expression of VEGF-A was positive in all model groups;a small amount of CD45 positive inflammatory cell infiltrations were observed in CNV group and model control group.On the 14th and 28th day after modeling,CNV was seen in the center of cornea in CNV group and model control group;the epithelial keratosis and reduction of corneal edema were seen in each group,and no inflammatory cell infiltration was observed in each group.On the 7th day after modeling,the expressions of COX-2 and VEGF mRNA in CNV group and model control group were significantly higher than those in normal control group,bromfenac sodium group and fluorometholone group (all at P ＜ 0.05),the expressions of COX-2 and VEGF protein in bromfenac sodium group were significantly lower than those in CNV group (all at P＜0.05).The corneal peroration rate in model control group and bromfenac sodium group was 10％ (1 case in 10 rats).The corneal perforation rate in fluorometholone group was 30％ (3 cases in 10 rats).In each model group,10％ to 30％ rats had hyphema.Conclusions Bromfenac sodium hydrate ophthalmic solution can inhibit the formation and growth of CNV after alkali burn in rats.This effect may be mediated by regulating COX-2 expression,reducing inflammation and inhibiting VEGF production.