ObjectiveTo investigate the urate-lowering effect of Shenling Qushi prescription in the mouse model of hyperuricaemia. MethodsSixty-three C57BL/6N mice were randomly assigned to the following groups （n=9）： Control， model， low-dose （6 g·kg^-1） Shenling Qushi prescription， medium-dose （12 g·kg^-1） Shenling Qushi prescription， high-dose （24 g·kg^-1） Shenling Qushi prescription， medium-dose Shenling Qushi prescription plus febuxostat （12+0.003 g·kg^-1）， and febuxostat （3 mg·kg^-1）. A mouse model of persistent hyperuricaemia was established via intraperitoneal injection of potassium oxazolamide （250 mg·kg^-1） combined with oral administration of allopurinol （300 mg·kg^-1） over a 28-day period. Concurrently， the prescription was administered orally at the specified doses once daily for 21 consecutive days. Throughout the experiment， mouse body weight， food intake， water consumption， and urine output were measured and recorded. Kidney and liver indices were calculated. Renal histopathological changes were observed by haematoxylin and eosin staining. Serum uric acid （SUA） and urinary uric acid （UUA） levels， along with xanthine oxidase （XOD） and adenosine deaminase （ADA）， alanine aminotransferase （ALT） and aspartate aminotransferase （AST） activities， were determined. Real-time PCR was employed to assess the mRNA levels of urate anion transporter 1 （URAT1） and glucose transporter 9 （GLUT9） in the renal tissue， alongside those of XOD and ADA in the liver tissue. The protein levels of URAT1 and GLUT9 in the renal tissue were determined by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the normal group， model mice exhibited reduced food intake and body weight （P<0.01）， decreased water consumption yet increased urine output， no significant change in the liver index but increased kidney index （P<0.01）. Pathological findings revealed renal tissue damage including glomerular atrophy， epithelial cell detachment， and inflammatory cell infiltration. Furthermore， the model group exhibited elevated UUA and SUA levels （P<0.01）， enhanced activities of ALT， AST， XOD， and ADA in the liver tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）， upregulated mRNA and protein levels of URAT1 and GLUT9 in the renal tissue （P<0.05）， alongside markedly elevated mRNA levels of XOD and ADA in the liver （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the Shenling Qushi prescription groups showed no significant changes in body weight or food intake， with water consumption and urine output remaining within normal ranges， alleviated glomerular atrophy， with reduced pathological damage such as inflammatory infiltration， declined UUA and SUA levels （P<0.01）， and increased activities of ALT， AST， XOD， and ADA in the serum （P<0.01）. Real-time PCR results demonstrated that Shenling Qushi prescription downregulated the mRNA levels of URAT1 and GLUT9 in the renal tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01） and XOD and ADA in the hepatic tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Western blot results demonstrated Shenling Qushi prescription reduced the protein levels of URAT1 and GLUT9 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionShenling Qushi prescription modulates fluid balance and reduces uric acid levels， thereby alleviating renal injury in hyperuricaemic mice. This effect is highly likely mediated through inhibition of uric acid synthesis and reabsorption.

AIM:Regulatory T cells(Tregs)are a specialized subset of CD4+T cells primarily involved in im-munosuppressive functions.AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK)serves as a metabolic sensor that governs the differen-tiation,maturation,and immune functions of Tregs through metabolic reprogramming.However,the impact of AMPKα1(the catalytic subunit of AMPK)knockout specifically in Tregs on the host's immune microenvironment remains largely un-explored.METHODS:Histological changes in immune organs were assessed using HE staining.The types of immune cells and their relative population percentages in immune organs and blood were quantified through flow cytometry in both AMPKα1flox/flox(AMPKα1fl/fl)mice and Treg-specific AMPKα1 knockout mice(AMPKα1fl/flFoxp3cre mice).RESULTS:Compared to AMPKα1fl/fl mice,the percentage of eosinophils in the bone marrow of AMPKα1fl/flFoxp3cre mice was significant-ly reduced.Additionally,while the thymus of AMPKα1fl/flFoxp3cre mice exhibited normal structure,both its size and the ra-tio of thymus weight to body weight were significantly decreased.The knockout of AMPKα1 in Tregs led to a notable reduc-tion in the total percentage of immature double-negative(DN)cells.Consequently,the percentage of CD4+T cells derived from these DN cells also decreased,even though the percentages of DN1 and DN4 cells were higher in the thymus of AMPKα1fl/flFoxp3cre mice compared to AMPKα1fl/fl mice.Importantly,the proportion of Siglec-F+CD11b+eosinophils in the thymus was significantly lower in AMPKα1fl/flFoxp3cre mice.Knockout of AMPKα1 in Tregs resulted in a marked increase in the percentage of CD4+T cells in peripheral blood,alongside a decrease in the proportion of mature CD8+T cells.Similar-ly,the proportion of CD4+T cells in the spleen of AMPKα1fl/flFoxp3cre mice was elevated compared to AMPKα1fl/fl mice.In contrast,the proportion of neutrophils significantly decreased,while mononuclear cell proportions increased in the spleen of AMPKα1fl/flFoxp3cre mice.In lymph nodes,the medullary boundaries in AMPKα1fl/flFoxp3cre mice were blurred,and the lymphoid follicles were missing,a feature not observed in AMPKα1fl/fl mice.Furthermore,the knockout of AMPKα1 in Tregs reduced the CD3+T cell population,particularly the CD8+T cell population,in lymph nodes.Although the mature Treg cell population was significantly lower in AMPKα1fl/flFoxp3cre mice,the percentage of CD4+T cells was markedly in-creased.In contrast,there was no statistically significant difference in granulocyte populations between AMPKα1fl/flFoxp3cre and AMPKα1fl/fl mice.CONCLUSION:The populations of mature Tregs,CD8+T cells and eosinophils in various im-mune organs were significantly altered in mice with Treg-specific AMPKα1 knockout,suggesting a potential remodeling of the host immune microenvironment in response to inflammatory stimuli.

Objective:To identify the key individual factors influencing intertemporal health decision-making and construct an interpretive structural model to analyze the logical relationships between these factors, providing intervention targets for making health-related intertemporal decisions.Methods:Through literature review and expert discussion, individual factors influencing health intertemporal decision-making were identified. The interpretive structural model and cross-impact matrix multiplication method were used to analyze the hierarchical relationships and category distribution among these factors.Results:A hierarchical structural model consisting of three levels and eight elements was established, with category distribution including independent, associated, and dependent groups. Education level and economic status were identified as fundamental factors at the bottom level, influencing each other and belonging to the independent group. Health cognition, health status, self-control, and emotional state were middle-level indirect factors. Self-control was influenced by health status and also affected emotional state and health cognition, while health cognition, in turn, influenced health status, placing these factors in the associated group. Future time perception and future situational expectations were direct factors at the top level, influencing each other and belonging to the dependent group.Conclusions:Education level, economic status, health cognition, health status, self-control, emotional state, future time perception, and future situational expectations are individual factors influencing intertemporal health decision-making, with an inherent relationship from bottom to top. Clarifying the pathways between these factors will help to provide targeted interventions based on individual conditions, promoting correct health intertemporal decision-making.

Objectives:To describe the use of antihypertensive, antidiabetic and lipid-lowering drugs, and evaluate the effects on blood pressure, blood glucose and blood lipids controls required by Chinese Guideline on the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases (the guideline) in a community-based cohort of individuals at high risk for cardiovascular disease. To analyze the association of the uses of antihypertensive, antidiabetic and lipid-lowering drugs, and the comprehensive control of blood pressure, blood glucose and blood lipids with cardiovascular disease. Methods:From the CHinese Electronic health Records Research in Yinzhou (CHERRY), those who were at high risk for cardiovascular disease and aged 40-75 years as of January 1, 2013 in in Yinzhou District of Ningbo, Zhejiang Province were selected as study subjects. The information about their antihypertensive, antidiabetic, and lipid-lowering drug uses between 2013 and 2015 was collected, and blood pressure, blood glucose, and blood lipid measurements were conducted during the follow-up. The study constructed two kinds of comprehensive scores: the comprehensive medication score based on the guideline requirement for the treatment of hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia, dividing the study participants into the compliancy group and non-compliancy group; and the comprehensive control score based on the guideline requirement for blood pressure, blood glucose, and blood lipids control, dividing the study participants into better control group, moderate control group, and poor control group. Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to analyze the association of the comprehensive medication score and comprehensive control score with cardiovascular disease. The incidence data of cardiovascular disease were collected from January 1, 2015 (baseline time) to August 31, 2020 (follow up end time).Results:A total of 79 734 participants at high risk for cardiovascular disease were included in the study, in whom 68.4%, 27.4%, and 4.2% had 1, 2, or 3 cardiometabolic conditions (hypertension, diabetes, or hyperlipidemia), respectively. In the participants with hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia from 2013 to 2015, the proportions of those who had two years of medication compliancy records were 66.0%, 67.4%, and 13.9%, respectively. In the hypertension patients, 59.2% had better blood pressure control, in the diabetes patients, 28.7% had better blood glucose control, and in the patients with hyperlipidemia, 27.4% had better blood lipid control. After a median follow-up of 5.66 years, 4 088 cardiovascular disease cases or deaths occurred. After multivariate adjustment, compared with the non-compliancy group, the compliancy group had lower risk for cardiovascular disease ( HR=0.91, 95% CI: 0.85-0.96). Compared with the better control group, the poor control group had an increased risk for cardiovascular disease ( HR=1.67, 95% CI: 1.53-1.81). In the moderate control group, the risk increased significantly in the diabetes patients ( HR=1.29, 95% CI: 1.07-1.56), while no additional risk for cardiovascular disease was observed in non-diabetes patients ( HR=1.06, 95% CI: 0.97-1.16). Conclusions:Compliancy to the medication required by the guideline is associated with lower risk for cardiovascular disease. However, it is still necessary to improve the medication compliancy in people at high risk in primary prevention, especially in the patients with hyperlipidemia, due to their low taking rate of lipid-lowering drugs. Additionally, as the requirement of the guideline becomes more stringent, the management of disease has met more challenges. Notably, diabetes patients who have not met the guideline requirement are at high risk for cardiovascular disease, to whom the disease management should be strengthened.

Objectives:To describe the use of antihypertensive, antidiabetic and lipid-lowering drugs, and evaluate the effects on blood pressure, blood glucose and blood lipids controls required by Chinese Guideline on the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases (the guideline) in a community-based cohort of individuals at high risk for cardiovascular disease. To analyze the association of the uses of antihypertensive, antidiabetic and lipid-lowering drugs, and the comprehensive control of blood pressure, blood glucose and blood lipids with cardiovascular disease. Methods:From the CHinese Electronic health Records Research in Yinzhou (CHERRY), those who were at high risk for cardiovascular disease and aged 40-75 years as of January 1, 2013 in in Yinzhou District of Ningbo, Zhejiang Province were selected as study subjects. The information about their antihypertensive, antidiabetic, and lipid-lowering drug uses between 2013 and 2015 was collected, and blood pressure, blood glucose, and blood lipid measurements were conducted during the follow-up. The study constructed two kinds of comprehensive scores: the comprehensive medication score based on the guideline requirement for the treatment of hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia, dividing the study participants into the compliancy group and non-compliancy group; and the comprehensive control score based on the guideline requirement for blood pressure, blood glucose, and blood lipids control, dividing the study participants into better control group, moderate control group, and poor control group. Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to analyze the association of the comprehensive medication score and comprehensive control score with cardiovascular disease. The incidence data of cardiovascular disease were collected from January 1, 2015 (baseline time) to August 31, 2020 (follow up end time).Results:A total of 79 734 participants at high risk for cardiovascular disease were included in the study, in whom 68.4%, 27.4%, and 4.2% had 1, 2, or 3 cardiometabolic conditions (hypertension, diabetes, or hyperlipidemia), respectively. In the participants with hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia from 2013 to 2015, the proportions of those who had two years of medication compliancy records were 66.0%, 67.4%, and 13.9%, respectively. In the hypertension patients, 59.2% had better blood pressure control, in the diabetes patients, 28.7% had better blood glucose control, and in the patients with hyperlipidemia, 27.4% had better blood lipid control. After a median follow-up of 5.66 years, 4 088 cardiovascular disease cases or deaths occurred. After multivariate adjustment, compared with the non-compliancy group, the compliancy group had lower risk for cardiovascular disease ( HR=0.91, 95% CI: 0.85-0.96). Compared with the better control group, the poor control group had an increased risk for cardiovascular disease ( HR=1.67, 95% CI: 1.53-1.81). In the moderate control group, the risk increased significantly in the diabetes patients ( HR=1.29, 95% CI: 1.07-1.56), while no additional risk for cardiovascular disease was observed in non-diabetes patients ( HR=1.06, 95% CI: 0.97-1.16). Conclusions:Compliancy to the medication required by the guideline is associated with lower risk for cardiovascular disease. However, it is still necessary to improve the medication compliancy in people at high risk in primary prevention, especially in the patients with hyperlipidemia, due to their low taking rate of lipid-lowering drugs. Additionally, as the requirement of the guideline becomes more stringent, the management of disease has met more challenges. Notably, diabetes patients who have not met the guideline requirement are at high risk for cardiovascular disease, to whom the disease management should be strengthened.

ObjectiveTo investigate the alleviating effect of calcium cyanamide （CaCN₂） soil fumigation on replanting problems of Rehmannia glutinosa. MethodsNewly soil （NP） was used as the control group， while three treatment groups were established： replanted soil （RP）， newly soil treated with CaCN₂ （120 g·m²， tillage depth 25 cm） （NPCC）， and replanted soil treated with CaCN₂ （RPCC）. R. glutinosa was cultivated in all groups. At harvest， the tuber agronomic traits （number of enlarged roots， maximum root diameter， fresh weight， dry weight） were measured. The content of catalpol and rehmannioside D was quantified by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography （UPLC） to evaluate medicinal quality. Rhizosphere soil available nutrients and enzyme activities were analyzed by assay kits. The community structure and composition of fungi and bacteria in rhizosphere soil were assessed via internal transcribed spacer 2 （ITS2） sequencing and 16S rDNA sequencing， respectively. ResultsCompared with NP， the RP group showed obviously reduced in tuber agronomic traits and quality indicators （P0.05）. However， the RPCC group showed significant improvement in agronomic traits and a notable increase in rehmannioside D content compared to RP （P0.05）. The contents of available phosphorus and potassium in RPCC and NP groups were obviously lower than those in RP （P0.05）. The polyphenol oxidase soil （S-PPO） activity in RP was obviously lower than in NP （P0.05）， while sucrose soil （S-SC）， acid phosphatase soil （S-ACP）， and S-PPO activities in RPCC were obviously higher than in RP （P0.05）. Microbial richness and diversity in RP were obviously higher than in NP （P0.05）， whereas no significant differences were observed between the RPCC and NP. The relative abundances of fungal genera Nectria， Myrothecium， Tomentella， and bacterial genus Skermanella were obviousl lower in RPCC and NP than in RP （P0.05）. Correlation analysis that S-ACP activity was positively correlated with the content of rehmannioside D （P0.05）. Fungal genera Engyodontium and Alternaria， and bacterial genera Pir4 lineage， Pirellula， Methyloversatilis， Brevundimonas， Ralstonia， and Acidibacter were obviously positively correlated with tuber dry weight （P0.05）. Conversely， fungal genera Pseudaleuria， Nectria， Haematonectria， Ceratobasidium， and bacterial genera Streptomyces， Skermanella， RB41， Gemmatimonas， and Bacillus were obviously negatively correlated with dry weight （P0.05）. The fungal genus Alternaria and bacterial genera Brevundimonas， Ralstonia， Acidibacter， and Dongia showed positive correlations with medicinal quality of R.glutinosa tuber， while fungal genera Pseudaleuria， Nectria， Stachybotrys， Fusarium， Gibberella， Ceratobasidium， and bacterial genera Sphingomonas， Skermanella， RB41， Gemmatimonas， and Bacillus were obviously negatively correlated （P0.05）. ConclusionCaCN₂ soil fumigation can significantly improve enzyme activities in replanted Rehmannia rhizosphere soil， enhance the utilization of available nutrients， reshape microbial community structure of replanted R.glutinosa at the family and genus level， and notably improve tuber agronomic traits and medicinal quality. This study provides a novel approach to alleviating replanting problems and offers insights for the integrated development of standardized cultivation techniques， including soil disinfection， nutrient-targeted regulation， and microbial inoculant application.

AIM:Regulatory T cells(Tregs)are a specialized subset of CD4+T cells primarily involved in im-munosuppressive functions.AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK)serves as a metabolic sensor that governs the differen-tiation,maturation,and immune functions of Tregs through metabolic reprogramming.However,the impact of AMPKα1(the catalytic subunit of AMPK)knockout specifically in Tregs on the host's immune microenvironment remains largely un-explored.METHODS:Histological changes in immune organs were assessed using HE staining.The types of immune cells and their relative population percentages in immune organs and blood were quantified through flow cytometry in both AMPKα1flox/flox(AMPKα1fl/fl)mice and Treg-specific AMPKα1 knockout mice(AMPKα1fl/flFoxp3cre mice).RESULTS:Compared to AMPKα1fl/fl mice,the percentage of eosinophils in the bone marrow of AMPKα1fl/flFoxp3cre mice was significant-ly reduced.Additionally,while the thymus of AMPKα1fl/flFoxp3cre mice exhibited normal structure,both its size and the ra-tio of thymus weight to body weight were significantly decreased.The knockout of AMPKα1 in Tregs led to a notable reduc-tion in the total percentage of immature double-negative(DN)cells.Consequently,the percentage of CD4+T cells derived from these DN cells also decreased,even though the percentages of DN1 and DN4 cells were higher in the thymus of AMPKα1fl/flFoxp3cre mice compared to AMPKα1fl/fl mice.Importantly,the proportion of Siglec-F+CD11b+eosinophils in the thymus was significantly lower in AMPKα1fl/flFoxp3cre mice.Knockout of AMPKα1 in Tregs resulted in a marked increase in the percentage of CD4+T cells in peripheral blood,alongside a decrease in the proportion of mature CD8+T cells.Similar-ly,the proportion of CD4+T cells in the spleen of AMPKα1fl/flFoxp3cre mice was elevated compared to AMPKα1fl/fl mice.In contrast,the proportion of neutrophils significantly decreased,while mononuclear cell proportions increased in the spleen of AMPKα1fl/flFoxp3cre mice.In lymph nodes,the medullary boundaries in AMPKα1fl/flFoxp3cre mice were blurred,and the lymphoid follicles were missing,a feature not observed in AMPKα1fl/fl mice.Furthermore,the knockout of AMPKα1 in Tregs reduced the CD3+T cell population,particularly the CD8+T cell population,in lymph nodes.Although the mature Treg cell population was significantly lower in AMPKα1fl/flFoxp3cre mice,the percentage of CD4+T cells was markedly in-creased.In contrast,there was no statistically significant difference in granulocyte populations between AMPKα1fl/flFoxp3cre and AMPKα1fl/fl mice.CONCLUSION:The populations of mature Tregs,CD8+T cells and eosinophils in various im-mune organs were significantly altered in mice with Treg-specific AMPKα1 knockout,suggesting a potential remodeling of the host immune microenvironment in response to inflammatory stimuli.

Objective:To identify the key individual factors influencing intertemporal health decision-making and construct an interpretive structural model to analyze the logical relationships between these factors, providing intervention targets for making health-related intertemporal decisions.Methods:Through literature review and expert discussion, individual factors influencing health intertemporal decision-making were identified. The interpretive structural model and cross-impact matrix multiplication method were used to analyze the hierarchical relationships and category distribution among these factors.Results:A hierarchical structural model consisting of three levels and eight elements was established, with category distribution including independent, associated, and dependent groups. Education level and economic status were identified as fundamental factors at the bottom level, influencing each other and belonging to the independent group. Health cognition, health status, self-control, and emotional state were middle-level indirect factors. Self-control was influenced by health status and also affected emotional state and health cognition, while health cognition, in turn, influenced health status, placing these factors in the associated group. Future time perception and future situational expectations were direct factors at the top level, influencing each other and belonging to the dependent group.Conclusions:Education level, economic status, health cognition, health status, self-control, emotional state, future time perception, and future situational expectations are individual factors influencing intertemporal health decision-making, with an inherent relationship from bottom to top. Clarifying the pathways between these factors will help to provide targeted interventions based on individual conditions, promoting correct health intertemporal decision-making.

Exposure to occupational noise and heavy metals are common occupational hazards in workplaces. Occupational noise exposure not only leads to noise-induced hearing loss but also cognitive dysfunction. Exposure to common heavy metals such as lead, manganese, and cadmium during work is closely related to cognitive dysfunction in workers. Combined exposure to noise and heavy metals is common in workplaces. However, current research on the combined effects of exposure to occupational noise with lead or manganese on workers' cognitive function is not comprehensive or systematic. The method for cognitive dysfunction identification varies, leading to a lack of comparability. And the causality between occupational exposure and cognitive dysfunction in workers has not been clarified. Therefore, studying the cognitive dysfunction due to combined exposure to noise and common heavy metals is of great significance for workers' occupational health. In the future, it is necessary to unify the method for cognitive dysfunction identification and conduct systematic and comprehensive research on the effects, mechanisms, and combined effects of exposure to occupational noise with lead, manganese, cadmium, and other heavy metals on workers' cognitive dysfunction, to ensure the occupational health rights and interests of workers.

BACKGROUND:Clinical studies have found good analgesic effects of silver needle-thermal conduction therapy in patients with myofascial pain syndrome,but the exact mechanism remains unclear. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of silver needle-thermal conduction therapy on silent information regulator homolog 3(SIRT3)changes and mitochondrial ultrastructure in a rat model of myofascial pain syndrome. METHODS:Twenty rats were randomly selected from 26 Sprague-Dawley rats and were subjected to percussion combined with motor fatigue for replicating the rat model of myofascial pain syndrome.Sixteen rats that were successfully modeled were randomly divided into model group and silver needle-thermal conduction therapy group(treatment group),with eight rats in each group.The remaining rats were used as controls(normal group).The treatment group was treated with silver needle-thermal conduction therapy.Mechanical withdrawal threshold and thermal withdrawal latency of rats were measured at 1 day before modeling,1 day after modeling and 14 days after treatment.Electromyographic activities of the right medial femoral muscle were measured at 14 days after treatment.The right medial femoral muscle tissue was taken for hematoxylin-eosin staining to observe the local morphology and for transmission electron microscopy to observe the mitochondrial ultrastructure.Western blot assay was performed to detect SIRT3 expression. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Pain threshold:The mechanical withdrawal threshold and thermal withdrawal latency of the model and treatment groups were significantly decreased compared with those in the normal group and before modeling(P＜0.01).After treatment,the mechanical withdrawal threshold and thermal withdrawal latency of rats were significantly higher in the treatment group compared with the model group(P＜0.01).Electromyography:The rats in the model group showed spontaneous electrical activity in the right medial femur,while the rats in the treatment group showed reduced spontaneous electrical activity,longer time frame(P＜0.01)and lower wave amplitude(P＜0.05)compared with the model group.Hematoxylin-eosin staining:In the normal group,rat muscle fibers arranged closely and regularly.In the model group,the muscle fibers of rats were atrophied,degenerated,and disordered in arrangement.In the treatment group,rat muscle structure disorder improved.Mitochondrial microstructure:Under the transmission electron microscope,mitochondrial structure in the normal group was normal;mitochondrial swelling with broken or disappeared cristae appeared in the model group;mitochondrial swelling in the treatment group was obviously relieved or tended to be normal.SIRT3 expression:SIRT3 expression was significantly downregulated in the model group compared with the normal group,but was significantly upregulated in the treatment group compared with the model group(P＜0.05).To conclude,abnormalities in local muscle mitochondria and downregulation of SIRT3 expression suggest the presence of impaired energy metabolism in the rat model of myofascial pain syndrome.Mitochondrial changes recover and are close to normal after the silver needle-thermal conduction therapy,and the expression of SIRT3 is also upregulated close to the normal group,indicating the silver needle-thermal conduction therapy may play a therapeutic role by promoting mitochondrial repair and improving energy metabolism disorder.