With technological advancement and the growing demand for renewable energy, research and applications of new energy materials are becoming increasingly widespread. Typical new energy materials include lithium-ion battery materials, nanomaterials, nuclear energy materials and magnetic materials, etc., each of which has special toxicological characteristics. These materials may pose potential toxicological risks in the process of resource exploitation, production, transportation, usage, recycling or disposal, which have negatively impact on human health and the ecological environment. Occupational exposure is the main route of energy materials exposure, with potential health hazards on workers during the processes of production, transportation, recycling, and disposal. Among them, the disassembled batteries in the recycling or waste disposal process requires quality control, which is the high-risk position of occupational hazards. At present, the toxicology study of typical new energy materials mainly focuses on the potential impact of lithium-ion battery materials and nanomaterials on human health and the environment, but there are still limitations and challenges. In the future, it is necessary to further strengthen the human health risk management and prevention and control of new energy materials to protect human health and sustainable development.

ObjectiveTo analyze the "compatibility" relationship of sugars and glycosides and the heat-clearing and blood-cooling effect of the roots of four varieties of Rehmannia glutinosa and provide a basis for research on the pharmacodynamic material basis and quality control of R. glutinosa. MethodsThe content of sugars and glycosides in the roots of four varieties of R. glutinosa was determined during the growth period. The principal component analysis （PCA）， orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis （OPLS-DA）， and the "compatibility" relationship of active components were employed to screen out the differential samples. A rat model of bleeding due to blood heat was used to verify the pharmacodynamic differences and the potential active components of differential samples. ResultsThe content and proportion characteristics of various components in roots of the four varieties of R. glutinosa during the expansion stage and the maturity stage had obvious differences. The proportion of phenylethanoid glycosides at the maturity stage was higher than that at the expansion stage. The R. glutinosa variety 85-5 had special quality characteristics among the tested varieties. All the samples alleviated the symptoms in the rat model. The effect of clearing heat and cooling blood was different between the maturity stage and the expansion stage， as well as between 85-5 samples at the maturity stage and other samples. The effect of clearing heat and cooling blood of R. glutinosa roots was the result of the combined action of multiple components in R. glutinosa roots and might be related to the high proportions of polysaccharides， iridoid glycosides， and phenylethanoid glycosides. ConclusionThe growth stage and variety affect the quality of R. glutinosa roots. The effect of clearing heat and cooling blood of R. glutinosa roots was related to the content and proportions of various components. The study can provide a basis for the basic research on the active components and quality control of R. glutinosa.

ObjectiveTo analyze the "compatibility" relationship of sugars and glycosides and the heat-clearing and blood-cooling effect of the roots of four varieties of Rehmannia glutinosa and provide a basis for research on the pharmacodynamic material basis and quality control of R. glutinosa. MethodsThe content of sugars and glycosides in the roots of four varieties of R. glutinosa was determined during the growth period. The principal component analysis （PCA）， orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis （OPLS-DA）， and the "compatibility" relationship of active components were employed to screen out the differential samples. A rat model of bleeding due to blood heat was used to verify the pharmacodynamic differences and the potential active components of differential samples. ResultsThe content and proportion characteristics of various components in roots of the four varieties of R. glutinosa during the expansion stage and the maturity stage had obvious differences. The proportion of phenylethanoid glycosides at the maturity stage was higher than that at the expansion stage. The R. glutinosa variety 85-5 had special quality characteristics among the tested varieties. All the samples alleviated the symptoms in the rat model. The effect of clearing heat and cooling blood was different between the maturity stage and the expansion stage， as well as between 85-5 samples at the maturity stage and other samples. The effect of clearing heat and cooling blood of R. glutinosa roots was the result of the combined action of multiple components in R. glutinosa roots and might be related to the high proportions of polysaccharides， iridoid glycosides， and phenylethanoid glycosides. ConclusionThe growth stage and variety affect the quality of R. glutinosa roots. The effect of clearing heat and cooling blood of R. glutinosa roots was related to the content and proportions of various components. The study can provide a basis for the basic research on the active components and quality control of R. glutinosa.

Purpose: There is still insufficient evidence for predicting stroke risk in patients with mild carotid atherosclerotic stenosis. This study aimed to explore the association between carotid intraplaque neovascularization (IPN) in mild stenosis and ischemic stroke, using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) imaging. Methods: This retrospective observational study included 369 patients from July 2021 to March 2022. These patients were categorized as symptomatic or asymptomatic based on their recent history of ipsilateral ischemic stroke. Initial parameters of carotid plaques, such as IPN grading and contrast enhancement index, were assessed using B-mode ultrasonography and CEUS. The follow-up period lasted 12 months or until a newly-developed ischemic stroke occurred. Logistic regression models and Cox proportional-hazards regression models were employed to explore the associations between ultrasonic parameters and the incidence of recent and future ischemic strokes. Results: In patients with mild stenosis, both increasing age and grade 2 carotid IPN were significant predictors of recent primary ischemic stroke. Furthermore, grade 2 carotid IPN independently predicted future ischemic strokes in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Conclusion This study demonstrated that carotid IPN as detected by CEUS imaging holds potential as a useful non-invasive biomarker for predicting recent and future ischemic strokes in patients with mild carotid stenosis.

Purpose: There is still insufficient evidence for predicting stroke risk in patients with mild carotid atherosclerotic stenosis. This study aimed to explore the association between carotid intraplaque neovascularization (IPN) in mild stenosis and ischemic stroke, using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) imaging. Methods: This retrospective observational study included 369 patients from July 2021 to March 2022. These patients were categorized as symptomatic or asymptomatic based on their recent history of ipsilateral ischemic stroke. Initial parameters of carotid plaques, such as IPN grading and contrast enhancement index, were assessed using B-mode ultrasonography and CEUS. The follow-up period lasted 12 months or until a newly-developed ischemic stroke occurred. Logistic regression models and Cox proportional-hazards regression models were employed to explore the associations between ultrasonic parameters and the incidence of recent and future ischemic strokes. Results: In patients with mild stenosis, both increasing age and grade 2 carotid IPN were significant predictors of recent primary ischemic stroke. Furthermore, grade 2 carotid IPN independently predicted future ischemic strokes in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Conclusion This study demonstrated that carotid IPN as detected by CEUS imaging holds potential as a useful non-invasive biomarker for predicting recent and future ischemic strokes in patients with mild carotid stenosis.

Purpose: There is still insufficient evidence for predicting stroke risk in patients with mild carotid atherosclerotic stenosis. This study aimed to explore the association between carotid intraplaque neovascularization (IPN) in mild stenosis and ischemic stroke, using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) imaging. Methods: This retrospective observational study included 369 patients from July 2021 to March 2022. These patients were categorized as symptomatic or asymptomatic based on their recent history of ipsilateral ischemic stroke. Initial parameters of carotid plaques, such as IPN grading and contrast enhancement index, were assessed using B-mode ultrasonography and CEUS. The follow-up period lasted 12 months or until a newly-developed ischemic stroke occurred. Logistic regression models and Cox proportional-hazards regression models were employed to explore the associations between ultrasonic parameters and the incidence of recent and future ischemic strokes. Results: In patients with mild stenosis, both increasing age and grade 2 carotid IPN were significant predictors of recent primary ischemic stroke. Furthermore, grade 2 carotid IPN independently predicted future ischemic strokes in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Conclusion This study demonstrated that carotid IPN as detected by CEUS imaging holds potential as a useful non-invasive biomarker for predicting recent and future ischemic strokes in patients with mild carotid stenosis.

ObjectiveThis study aims to enhance of the farnesyl pyrophosphate（FPP） pool in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by heterologously expressing different farnesyl diphosphate synthases（FPSs） from various plants， thereby increasing the production of terpenoid compounds by the engineered yeast. MethodsRNA from mixed samples of roots， stems， and leaves of seven plants including Arabidopsis thaliana， Rosa rugosa， Artemisia annua， Centella asiatica， Humulus lupulus， Medicago sativa， and Panax ginseng was extracted by column chromatography and reverse transcribed into the first strand of complementary DNA（cDNA）， and based on the transcriptome data of the seven species of plants， sequence-specific primers were designed for CaFPS， RrFPS， MsFPS， HiFPS， PgFPS， AtFPS， and AaFPS， the full-length of the genes was cloned， and the genes were analyzed for bioinformatics in order to construct a pESC yeast shuttle vector. These seven plant-derived FPSs were further heterologously expressed in the previous constructed β-elemene-producing yeast， and the yield of β-elemene was indicated for their catalytic acivities. ResultsThe coding sequences of CaFPS， RrFPS， MsFPS， HiFPS， PgFPS， AtFPS， and AaFPS were all of 1 021 bp in length and encoding 301 amino acids， all of which were similarly related to the endogenous FPS-encoding gene（ERG20） in S. cerevisiae. After heterologous expression， RrFPS was identified as the most effective in catalyzing the synthesis of FPP from isopentenyl pyrophosphate（IPP） and dimethylallyl pyrophosphate（DMAPP）. Compared to the control strains， the RrFPS overexpressed yeast strains YB-1-Rr and YB-3-Rr increased the production of β-elemene by 231.25% and 189.3%， respectively. ConclusionBy comparing the functions of FPS-encoding genes from seven different plant sources， it is determined that the protein encoded by the RrFPS from R. rugosa has the best catalytic ability， which can provide key genetic elements for the construction of engineered yeast strain constructs with high terpenoid production.

OBJECTIVE To establish the fingerprint of Pinghuo tea standard decoction and a method for determination of multi-component to clarify the transfer relationship of quantities and quality from pieces and standard decoction. METHODS Fifteen batches of Pinghuo tea standard decoction were prepared and the extract rate was determined； the fingerprint of the preparation was established by using high-performance liquid chromatography（HPLC）； the similarity evaluation and the determination of common peaks were performed， and chemometric analysis was performed； the same method was used to determine the content of indicator components and the transfer rate was calculated. The chromatographic column was Venusil C18 column with mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile-0.1% phosphoric acid solution （gradient elution）； the column temperature was 30 ℃， and the detection wavelengths were 238 nm （0-37 min， 85-102 min） and 330 nm （37-85 min） at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min with an injection volume of 10 μL. RESULTS The similarity of HPLC fingerprints for 15 batches of Pinghuo tea standard decoction was not lower than 0.968. A total of 24 common peaks were calibrated and 9 peaks were recognized， which were as follows neochlorogenic acid （peak 3）， chlorogenic acid （peak 6）， geniposide （peak 9）， glycyrrhizin （peak 10）， galuteolin （peak 11）， isochlorogenic acid A （peak 14）， luteolin （peak 21）， kaempferol （peak 23） and glycyrrhizic acid （peak 24）. Cluster analysis， principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis showed consistent results， all of which could classify the 15 batches of samples into three categories. The linear range of indicator components in 15 batches of Pinghuo tea standard decoction， such as geniposide， luteolin， isochlorogenic acid A， glycyrrhizin， and glycyrrhizic acid， were 0.020 580-0.411 600， 0.001 617-0.080 850， 0.006 076-0.607 600， 0.005 125-0.071 740， and 0.017 288-0.432 200 mg/mL， respectively； RSDs of precision， repeatability， stability and recovery rate tests were all not higher than 4% （n＝6）. The mass fractions ranged 3.227 9-10.002 2， 0.297 4-0.554 6， 3.350 1-6.159 6， 0.720 6-1.073 3， 2.003 1-3.030 1 mg/g； transfer rates from the pieces and standard decoction were 19.762 8%-35.840 5%， 12.123 3%-21.254 0%， 46.097 2%-82.869 4%， 58.708 8%-91.629 6%， 39.114 3%-63.710 6%. The transfer rates of the extract from 15 batches of Pinghuo tea standard decoction ranged from 61.15%-84.68%. CONCLUSIONS Established HPLC fingerprint and content determination methods in this study are simple and accurate， which can provide reference for the quantitative value transfer study， quality control， clinical application and the development of subsequent formulations of Pinghuo tea standard decoction.

Purpose: There is still insufficient evidence for predicting stroke risk in patients with mild carotid atherosclerotic stenosis. This study aimed to explore the association between carotid intraplaque neovascularization (IPN) in mild stenosis and ischemic stroke, using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) imaging. Methods: This retrospective observational study included 369 patients from July 2021 to March 2022. These patients were categorized as symptomatic or asymptomatic based on their recent history of ipsilateral ischemic stroke. Initial parameters of carotid plaques, such as IPN grading and contrast enhancement index, were assessed using B-mode ultrasonography and CEUS. The follow-up period lasted 12 months or until a newly-developed ischemic stroke occurred. Logistic regression models and Cox proportional-hazards regression models were employed to explore the associations between ultrasonic parameters and the incidence of recent and future ischemic strokes. Results: In patients with mild stenosis, both increasing age and grade 2 carotid IPN were significant predictors of recent primary ischemic stroke. Furthermore, grade 2 carotid IPN independently predicted future ischemic strokes in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Conclusion This study demonstrated that carotid IPN as detected by CEUS imaging holds potential as a useful non-invasive biomarker for predicting recent and future ischemic strokes in patients with mild carotid stenosis.

Purpose: There is still insufficient evidence for predicting stroke risk in patients with mild carotid atherosclerotic stenosis. This study aimed to explore the association between carotid intraplaque neovascularization (IPN) in mild stenosis and ischemic stroke, using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) imaging. Methods: This retrospective observational study included 369 patients from July 2021 to March 2022. These patients were categorized as symptomatic or asymptomatic based on their recent history of ipsilateral ischemic stroke. Initial parameters of carotid plaques, such as IPN grading and contrast enhancement index, were assessed using B-mode ultrasonography and CEUS. The follow-up period lasted 12 months or until a newly-developed ischemic stroke occurred. Logistic regression models and Cox proportional-hazards regression models were employed to explore the associations between ultrasonic parameters and the incidence of recent and future ischemic strokes. Results: In patients with mild stenosis, both increasing age and grade 2 carotid IPN were significant predictors of recent primary ischemic stroke. Furthermore, grade 2 carotid IPN independently predicted future ischemic strokes in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Conclusion This study demonstrated that carotid IPN as detected by CEUS imaging holds potential as a useful non-invasive biomarker for predicting recent and future ischemic strokes in patients with mild carotid stenosis.