Objective By combining biological detection and imaging evaluation, a clinical prediction model is constructed based on a large cohort to improve the accuracy of distinguishing between benign and malignant pulmonary nodules. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of the 32 627 patients with pulmonary nodules who underwent chest CT and testing for 7 types of lung cancer-related serum autoantibodies (7-AABs) at our hospital from January 2020 to April 2024. The univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were performed to screen independent risk factors for benign and malignant pulmonary nodules, based on which a nomogram model was established. The performance of the model was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA). Results A total of 1 017 patients with pulmonary nodules were included in the study. The training set consisted of 712 patients, including 291 males and 421 females, with a mean age of (58±12) years. The validation set included 305 patients, comprising 129 males and 176 females, with a mean age of (58±13) years. Univariate ROC curve analysis indicated that the combination of CT and 7-AABs testing achieved the highest area under the curve (AUC) value (0.794), surpassing the diagnostic efficacy of CT alone (AUC=0.667) or 7-AABs alone (AUC=0.514). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that radiological nodule diameter, nodule nature, and CT combined with 7-AABs detection were independent predictors, which were used to construct a nomogram prediction model. The AUC values for this model were 0.826 and 0.862 in the training and validation sets, respectively, demonstrating excellent performance in DCA. Conclusion The combination of 7-AABs with CT significantly enhances the accuracy of distinguishing between benign and malignant pulmonary nodules. The developed predictive model provides strong support for clinical decision-making and contributes to achieving precise diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary nodules.

A growing body of research points out that gut microbiota plays a key role in tumor immunotherapy. By optimizing the composition of intestinal microbiota, it is possible to effectively improve immunotherapy resistance and enhance its therapeutic effect. This article comprehensively analyzes the mechanism of intestinal microbiota influencing tumor immunotherapy resistance, expounds the current strategies for targeted regulation of intestinal microbiota, such as traditional Chinese medicine and plant components, fecal microbiota transplantation, probiotics, prebiotics and dietary therapy, and explores the potential mechanisms of these strategies to improve patients' resistance to tumor immunotherapy. At the same time, the article also briefly discusses the prospects and challenges of targeting intestinal microbiota to improve tumor immunotherapy resistance, which provides a reference for related research to help the strategy research of reversing tumor immunotherapy resistance.

Objective To analyze the health effects of long-term occupational exposure to ionizing radiation on radiation workers in a nuclear power plant, and to provide a scientific basis for their occupational health monitoring. Methods In 2023, 183 radiation workers in a nuclear power plant were subjected to the analysis of blood cell parameters such as mean red blood cell count, white blood cell count (WBC), lymphocyte count, and hemoglobin count, thyroid function indicators such as serum triiodothyronine, thyroxine, and thyrotropin, as well as the chromosomal aberration rate and micronucleus rate of the lymphocytes in the peripheral blood. Results The blood cell parameters, thyroid function indicators, chromosomal aberration rate, and micronucleus rate of these radiation workers in the nuclear power plant were within normal reference ranges. Comparison among radiation workers with different ages showed statistically significant differences in triiodothyronine (H = 6.98, P < 0.05) and micronucleus rate (H = 48.44, P < 0.05). Among the three groups of radiation workers with different working years, WBC was significantly different (χ² = 3.87, P < 0.05), with the lowest WBC observed in radiation workers with ≥ 20 years of service. Thyroxine (χ² = 4.01, P < 0.05) and micronucleus rate (H = 40.95, P < 0.05) also varied significantly among these three groups. Conclusion Thyroid triiodothyronine level and micronucleus rate were affected by age, while WBC, thyroid thyroxine level, and micronucleus rate were related to working years. Targeted health management should be carried out for radiation workers in nuclear power plants to improve the awareness of radiation protection and continuously enhance their health status.

BACKGROUND:Piezoelectric materials can catalyze the generation of reactive oxygen species,which can destroy bacteria by multiple ways without causing drug resistance.This indiscriminately attack bacteria strategy has obvious advantages over traditional antibiotic therapy,thus providing a novel idea for antibacterial strategies. OBJECTIVE:To summarize the properties and antibacterial mechanisms of piezoelectric materials and discuss the application status of several piezoelectric materials in the field of anti-bacteria. METHODS:The literature search was performed in PubMed,Web of Science,CNKI,and WanFang databases.Chinese search terms were"piezoelectric materials,piezoelectric catalysis,reactive oxygen species,antibacterial,bacterial infection,anti-infection,drug resistance."English search terms were"piezoelectric materials,piezoelectricity,piezoelectric catalysis,piezocatalysis,reactive oxygen species,ROS,bacterial infection,antibacterial strategies,anti-infection,drug resistance,drug-resistant bacteria."Retrieval time was from January 2013 to December 2023.Primary screening was conducted by reading the titles and abstracts.Repetitive studies and irrelevant articles were excluded.Finally,68 articles were included for review after literature quality evaluation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Piezoelectric materials are stable and environment-friendly materials,most of which show good biocompatibility.(2)Piezoelectric materials can catalyze a large amount of reactive oxygen species in the process of piezoelectric effect,combined with extracellular oxidation and intracellular oxidation,reactive oxygen species can destroy the membrane of bacteria,intracellular proteins,enzymes,and nucleic acids,disorder the structure and function,even kill the bacteria.The antibacterial performance is related to the rate of catalytic generation of reactive oxygen species,and the catalytic efficiency is related to many factors such as material system,morphology,and external conditions.(3)Reactive oxygen species producted by piezoelectric catalysis can kill bacteria without selectivity and show spectral antibacterial activity.This strategy does not rely on antibiotics and does not cause drug resistance.(4)Combined with the advantages of non-invasive,controllable,and penetrating ultrasound,piezoelectric materials will have significant value and great potential in the future as adjunctive or alternative treatments for drug-resistant bacterial infections and other fields.(5)The current challenge of low catalytic efficiency of piezoelectric materials limits its application in the field of antibacterial,how to improve the piezoelectric catalytic efficiency has become the focus of scholars'attention.

The chemical composition of Paeoniae Radix Alba(PRA) is complex, with primary secondary metabolites including monoterpenoids, tannins, triterpenoids, and flavonoids. In previous studies on the material basis of PRA, it was found that, in addition to the widely studied characteristic monoterpene glycosides, tannic acid components also play an important role in the efficacy of PRA. However, their pharmacological effects have not been thoroughly investigated. This paper reviews the tannic acid components in PRA, including pentagaloyl glucose(PGG), tetragaloyl glucose(TGG), trigaloyl glucose(TriGG), and gallic acid, along with their structures, properties, and characteristics to provide a detailed discussion of their pharmacological activities and related mechanisms, aiming to offer a theoretical basis for the material basis research and clinical application of PRA.
Paeonia/chemistry* ; Tannins/chemistry* ; Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Animals ; Plant Extracts

Process analytical technology(PAT) is a key means for digital transformation and upgrading of the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) manufacturing process, serving as an important guarantee for consistent and controllable TCM product quality. Near-infrared(NIR) spectroscopy has become the core technology for measuring the TCM manufacturing process. By incorporating NIR spectroscopy into PAT and starting from the construction of a smart platform for the TCM manufacturing process, this paper systematically described the development history and innovative application of the combination of NIR spectroscopy with chemometrics in measuring the TCM manufacturing process by the research team over the past two decades. Additionally, it explored the application of a validation method based on accuracy profile(AP) in the practice of NIR spectroscopy. Furthermore, the software development progress driven by NIR spectroscopy supported by modeling technology was analyzed, and the prospect of integrating NIR spectroscopy in smart factory control platforms was exemplified with the construction practices of related platforms. By integrating with the smart platform, NIR spectroscopy could improve production efficiency and guarantee product quality. Finally, the prospect of the smart platform application in measuring the TCM manufacturing process was projected. It is believed that the software development for NIR spectroscopy and the smart manufacturing platform will provide strong technical support for TCM digitalization and industrialization.
Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared/methods* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/analysis* ; Software ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Quality Control

In this study, we explored the pharmacological effects of Siwu Decoction in treating premature ovarian insufficiency(POI) and its molecular mechanism based on the mitophagy pathway modulated and mediated by estrogen receptor(ER) subtypes. Female Balb/c mice were divided into a control group, model group, as well as high-dose and low-dose groups of Siwu Decoction. The POI mice model was constructed by intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin. The high-dose and low-dose groups of Siwu Decoction were administered intragastrically with Siwu Decoction each day for 14 days. During this period, we monitored the estrous cycle and body weight of the mice and calculated the ovarian index. The morphology of the ovaries was detected by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, and the number of primordial follicles was counted. The apoptosis of the ovarian tissue was detected by TUNEL staining. The expression levels of anti-Müllerian hormone(AMH), apoptosis-associated and mitophagy-associated proteins, ER subtypes, and the expression levels of key proteins of its mediated molecular pathways were detected by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. KGN cells were divided into a control group, model group, Siwu Decoction group, and gene silencing group. The apoptosis model was induced by H_2O_2, and PTEN-induced putative kinase 1(PINK1) gene silencing was induced by siRNA transfection. The Siwu Decoction group and gene silencing group were added to the medium containing Siwu Decoction. Cell viability was detected by CCK-8 assay. Cell senescence was detected by senescence-associated-β-galactosidase. The expression levels of apoptosis-associated and mitophagy-associated proteins were detected by Western blot. The results of in vivo experiments showed that compared with the model group, the mice in the high-dose and low-dose groups of Siwu Decoction significantly recovered the rhythm of the estrous cycle, and the levels of ovarian index, number of primordial follicles, and expression of AMH, representative indexes of ovarian function, were significantly higher, suggesting that the level of ovarian function was significantly improved. The expression levels of the apoptosis-related proteins, cytochrome C(Cyt C), cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 3(caspase 3), B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2)-associated X(Bax), and mitophagy-associated indicator(Beclin 1) were significantly decreased, and the expression levels of Bcl-2 was significantly elevated. The positive area of TUNEL was significantly reduced, suggesting that the apoptosis level of the ovaries was significantly reduced. The expression levels of PINK1, Parkin, and sequestosome 1(p62) were significantly reduced, suggesting that the level of ovarian mitophagy was significantly down-regulated. The expression levels of ERα and ERβ were significantly elevated, and the ratio of ERα/ERβ was significantly reduced. The expression levels of key proteins in the pathway, phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K) and protein kinase B(Akt), were significantly reduced, suggesting that the regulation of ER subtypes and the mediation of PI3K/Akt pathway were the key mechanisms. In vitro experiments showed that compared with the model group, the proportion of senescent cells in the Siwu Decoction group was significantly reduced. Cyt C, caspase 3, Beclin 1, Parkin, and p62 were significantly reduced, which was in line with in vivo experimental results. The proportion of senescent cells and the expression level of the above proteins were further significantly reduced after PINK1 silencing. It can be seen that Siwu Decoction can regulate the expression level and proportion of ER subtypes in KGN cells, then mediate the PI3K/Akt pathway to inhibit excessive mitophagy and apoptosis, and exert therapeutic effects of POI.
Animals ; Female ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Mitophagy/drug effects* ; Primary Ovarian Insufficiency/physiopathology* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Humans ; Receptors, Estrogen/genetics* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Ovary/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Anti-Mullerian Hormone/genetics*

Following the core outcome set standards for development(COS-STAD), this study aims to construct core outcome set(COS) for clinical research on traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) treatment of simple obesity. Firstly, a comprehensive review was conducted on the randomized controlled trial(RCT) and systematic review(SR) about TCM treatment of simple obesity that were published in Chinese and English databases to collect reported outcomes. Additional outcomes were obtained through semi-structured interviews with patients and open-ended questionnaire surveys for clinicians. All the collected outcomes were then merged and organized as an initial outcome pool, and then a preliminary list of outcomes was formed after discussion by the working group. Subsequently, two rounds of Delphi surveys were conducted with clinicians, methodology experts, and patients to score the importance of outcomes in the list. Finally, a consensus meeting was held to establish the COS for clinical research on TCM treatment of simple obesity. A total of 221 RCTs and 12 SRs were included, and after integration of supplementary outcomes, an initial outcome pool of 141 outcomes were formed. Following discussions in the steering advisory group meeting, a preliminary list of 33 outcomes was finalized, encompassing 9 domains. Through two rounds of Delphi surveys and a consensus meeting, the final COS for clinical research on TCM treatment of simple obesity was determined to include 8 outcomes: TCM symptom scores, body mass index(BMI), waist-hip ratio, waist circumference, visceral fat index, body fat rate, quality of life, and safety, which were classified into 4 domains: TCM-related outcomes, anthropometric measurements, quality of life, and safety. This study has preliminarily established a COS for clinical research on TCM treatment of simple obesity. It helps reduce the heterogeneity in the selection and reporting of outcomes in similar clinical studies, thereby improving the comparability of research results and the feasibility of meta-analysis and providing higher-level evidence support for clinical practice.
Humans ; Obesity/therapy* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Treatment Outcome ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*

To elucidate the mechanism by which steaming affects the quality of Curcuma kwangsiensis root tubers, methods such as LSCM, RVA, dual-wavelength spectrophotometry, LF-NMR, and LC-MS were employed to qualitatively and quantitatively detect changes in starch gelatinization characteristics, water distribution, and material composition of C. kwangsiensis root tubers under different steaming durations. Based on multivariate statistical analysis, the correlation between differences in gelatinization parameters, water distribution, and terpenoid material composition was investigated. The results indicate that steaming affects both starch gelatinization and water distribution in C. kwangsiensis. During the steaming process, transformations occur between amylose and amylopectin, as well as between semi-bound water and free water. After 60 min of steaming, starch gelatinization and water distribution reached an equilibrium state. The content of amylopectin, the amylose-to-amylopectin ratio, and parameters such as gelatinization temperature, viscosity, breakdown value, and setback value were significantly correlated(P≤0.05). Additionally, the amylose-to-amylopectin ratio was significantly correlated with total free water and total water content(P≤0.05). Steaming induced differences in the material composition of C. kwangsiensis root tubers. Clustering of primary metabolites in the OPLS-DA model was distinct, while secondary metabolites were classified into 9 clusters using the K-means clustering algorithm. Differential terpenoid metabolites such as(-)-α-curcumene were significantly correlated with zerumbone, retinal, and all-trans-retinoic acid(P<0.05). Curcumenol was significantly correlated with isoalantolactone and ursolic acid(P<0.05), while all-trans-retinoic acid was significantly correlated with both zerumbone and retinal(P<0.05). Alpha-tocotrienol exhibited a significant correlation with retinal and all-trans-retinoic acid(P<0.05). Amylose was extremely significantly correlated with(-)-α-curcumene, curcumenol, zerumbone, retinal, all-trans-retinoic acid, and α-tocotrienol(P<0.05). Amylopectin was significantly correlated with zerumbone(P<0.05) and extremely significantly correlated with(-)-α-curcumene, curcumenol, zerumbone, retinal, all-trans-retinoic acid, and 9-cis-retinoic acid(P<0.01). The results provide scientific evidence for elucidating the mechanism of quality formation of steamed C. kwangsiensis root tubers as a medicinal material.
Curcuma/chemistry* ; Starch/chemistry* ; Multivariate Analysis ; Water/chemistry* ; Terpenes/analysis* ; Plant Roots/chemistry* ; Plant Tubers/chemistry* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*

To explore the variation laws of volatile oil during the extraction process of Artemisiae Argyi Folium and its impact on the quality of the medicinal solution, as well as to achieve precise control of the extraction process, this study employed headspace solid phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(HS-SPME-GC-MS) in combination with multiple light scattering techniques to conduct a comprehensive analysis, identification, and characterization of the changes in volatile components and the physical properties of the medicinal solution during the extraction process. A total of 82 volatile compounds were identified using the HS-SPME-GC-MS technique, including 21 alcohols, 15 alkenes, 14 ketones, 9 acids, 6 aldehydes, 5 phenols, 3 esters, and 9 other types of compounds. At different extraction time points(15, 30, 45, and 60 min), 71, 72, 64, and 44 compounds were identified in the medicinal solution, respectively. It was observed that the content of volatile components gradually decreased with the extension of extraction time. Through multivariate statistical analysis, four compounds with significant differences during different extraction time intervals were identified, namely 1,8-cineole, terpinen-4-ol, 3-octanone, and camphor. RESULTS:: from multiple light scattering techniques indicated that at 15 minutes of extraction, the transmittance of the medicinal solution was the lowest(25%), the particle size was the largest(0.325-0.350 nm), and the stability index(turbiscan stability index, TSI) was the highest(0-2.5). With the extension of extraction time, the light transmittance of the medicinal solution improved, stability was enhanced, and the particle size decreased. These laws of physicochemical property changes provide important basis for the control of Artemisiae Argyi Folium extraction process. In addition, the changes in the bioactivity of Artemisiae Argyi Folium extracts during the extraction process were investigated through mouse writhing tests and antimicrobial assays. The results indicated that the analgesic and antimicrobial effects of the medicinal solution were strongest at the 15-minute extracting point. In summary, the findings of this study demonstrate that the content of volatile oil in Artemisiae Argyi Folium extracts gradually decreases with the extension of extraction time, and the variation in volatile oil content directly influences the physicochemical properties and pharmacological efficacy of the medicinal solution. This discovery provides important scientific reference for the optimization of Artemisiae Argyi Folium extraction processes and the development and application of process analytical technologies.
Oils, Volatile/pharmacology* ; Artemisia/chemistry* ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Chlorogenic Acid/pharmacology* ; Solid Phase Microextraction ; Quality Control