Background Metals and metalloids in fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) may cause damage to the respiratory and circulatory systems of the human body, and long-term exposure is prone to causing chronic poisoning, cancer, and other adverse effects. Objective To assess the distribution characteristics of metals and metalloids in outdoor PM_2.5 in a southern city of China, conduct source apportionment, and evaluate the associated health risks, thereby providing theoretical support for further pollution control measures. Methods PM_2.5 samples were collected in districts A, B, and C of a southern China city, and the concentrations of 17 metals and metalloids were detected by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Pollution sources were assessed through enrichment factor and principal components analysis, and the main pollution sources were quantified using absolute principal component scores-multivariate linear regression (APCS-MLR). Health risks were evaluated based on the Technical guide for environmental health risk assessment of chemical exposure (WS/T777—2021). Results The ambient air PM_2.5 concentrations in the city were higher in winter and spring, and lower in summer and autumn. The annual average concentrations of ambient PM_2.5 in districts A, B, and C were 36.7, 31.9, and 24.4 μg·m⁻³, respectively. The ambient PM_2.5 levels in districts B and C were below the second-grade limit set by the Ambient air quality standards (GB 3095—2012). The enrichment factors of cadmium (Cd), aluminum (Al), and antimony (Sb) were greater than 10, those of copper (Cu), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), nickel (Ni), mercury (Hg), and molybdenum (Mo) fell between 1 and 10, and those of manganese (Mn), vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), barium (Ba), beryllium (Be), and uranium (U) were below or equal to 1. The comprehensive evaluation of source analysis showed that the main pollution sources in districts A and C and the whole city were coal-burning. In district B, the main pollution source was also coal combustion, followed by industrial process sources and dust sources. The carcinogenic risks of As and Cr were between 1×10⁻⁶ and 1×10⁻⁴. However, the hazard quotients for 15 metals and metalloids in terms of non-carcinogenic risk were below 1. Conclusion Cr and As in the atmospheric PM_2.5 of the city present a certain risk of cancer and should be paid attention to. In addition, preventive control measures should be taken against relevant pollution sources such as industrial emission, dust, and coal burning.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of Puerariae lobatae radix （PLR） and Anemarrhenae Rhizoma （AR） in preventing and treating Alzheimer’s disease （AD） and explore its potential mechanism of action by LC-MS serum metabolomics strategy. Methods The AD rat model was established by administering aluminum chloride （AlCl₃） and D-galactose （D-gal） for 20 weeks. The traditional Chinese medicine intervention group was given the PLR, AR, and PLR-AR extracts for 8 weeks by gavage. The model effect and efficacy were evaluated by Morris water maze test and biochemical indicators including SOD, NO, and MDA; Metabolomics research based on the UHPLC-Q/TOF-MS method was conducted, and relevant metabolic pathways were analyzed through the MetaboAnalyst online website. Results The learning and memory abilities of AD model rats were significantly decreased compared with the control group, and the levels of oxidative stress and lipid peroxides were significantly increased （P<0.05）, while the SOD content was decreased considerably （P<0.01）. The learning and memory abilities of AD model rats were improved, oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation levels were reversed, and serum SOD content was increased significantly after the intervention of PLR-AR, with better effects than single drugs. Through metabolomics, 70 differential metabolites were identified between the AD model group and the control group, mainly involving 10 pathways, including phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis, phenylalanine metabolism, and unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, et.al. The intervention of PLR-AR could adjust 47 metabolites, with 20 metabolites showing significant differences （P<0.05）. The significantly adjusted metabolites involve 6 pathways, including phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis, et al. Conclusion The combination of PLR and AR could significantly improve the learning and memory abilities of AD rat models. The mechanism may be related to the improvement of oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation levels, the increase of serum SOD content, and the regulation of phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis pathways.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of auricular electroacupuncture for post-stroke dysphagia in the pharyngeal phase. METHODS: Eighty-two patients with post-stroke dysphagia in the pharyngeal phase were randomized into an auricular electroacupuncture group (41 cases) and a swallowing electrical stimulation group (41 cases, 1 case dropped out). In the auricular electroacupuncture group, electroacupuncture was applied at auricular points, i.e. Xin (CO₁₅) and Yanhou (TG₃), using disperse-dense wave, in frequency of 2 Hz/10 Hz, 30 min a time. In the swallowing electrical stimulation group, swallowing electrical stimulation was delivered for 30 min a time. Both groups were treated once daily for 4 weeks. The functional oral intake scale (FOIS) grade, as well as the hyolaryngeal complex displacement, the pharyngeal constriction rate (PCR) and the pharyngeal delay time (PDT) under video fluoroscopic study of swallowing (VFSS) were observed before and after treatment, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated in the two groups. RESULTS: Compared before treatment, the FOIS grade was improved (P<0.01), the forward and upward displacement amplitude of hyoid bone and thyroid cartilage was increased (P<0.05), and the PCR and PDT were decreased (P<0.05) after treatment in the two groups. After treatment, compared with the swallowing electrical stimulation group, the FOIS grade was superior (P<0.01), the upward displacement amplitude of hyoid bone and thyroid cartilage was larger (P<0.05) and the PCR and PDT were lower (P<0.05) in the auricular electroacupuncture group. The total effective rate was 85.4% (35/41) in the auricular electroacupuncture group, which was higher than 62.5% (25/40) in the swallowing electrical stimulation group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Auricular electroacupuncture can effectively trigger pharyngeal initiation and improve post-stroke dysphagia in the pharyngeal phase.
Humans ; Electroacupuncture ; Male ; Deglutition Disorders/etiology* ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Stroke/physiopathology* ; Pharynx/physiopathology* ; Acupuncture, Ear ; Acupuncture Points ; Deglutition ; Treatment Outcome ; Adult

OBJECTIVE: To explore the functional roles and underlying mechanisms of neferine in the context of angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced hypertension and vascular dysfunction. METHODS: Male mice were infused with Ang II to induce hypertension and randomly divided into treatment groups receiving neferine or a control vehicle based on baseline blood pressure using a random number table method. The hypertensive mouse model was constructed by infusing Ang II via a micro-osmotic pump (500 ng/kg per minute), and neferine (0.1, 1, or 10 mg/kg), valsartan (10 mg/kg), or double distilled water was administered intragastrically once daily for 6 weeks. A non-invasive blood pressure system, ultrasound, and hematoxylin and eosin staining were performed to assess blood pressure and vascular changes. RNA sequencing and network pharmacology were employed to identify differentially expressed transcripts (DETs) and pathways. Vascular ring tension assay was used to test vascular function. A7R5 cells were incubated with neferine for 24 h and then treated with Ang II to record the real-time Ca²⁺ concentration by confocal microscope. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blot were used to evaluate vasorelaxation, calcium, and the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 pathway. RESULTS: Neferine treatment effectively mitigated the elevation in blood pressure, pulse wave velocity, aortic thickening in the abdominal aorta of Ang II-infused mice (P<0.05). RNA sequencing and network pharmacology analysis identified 355 DETs that were significantly reversed by neferine treatment, along with 25 potential target genes, which were further enriched in multiple pathways and biological processes, such as ERK1 and ERK2 cascade regulation, calcium pathway, and vascular smooth muscle contraction. Further investigation revealed that neferine treatment enhanced vasorelaxation and reduced Ca²⁺-dependent contraction of abdominal aortic rings, independent of endothelium function (P<0.05). The underlying mechanisms were mediated, at least in part, via suppression of receptor-operated channels, store-operated channels, or voltage-operated calcium channels. Neferine pre-treatment demonstrated a reduction in intracellular Ca²⁺ release in Ang II stimulated A7R5 cells. IHC staining and Western blot confirmed that neferine treatment effectively attenuated the upregulation of p-ERK1/2 both in vivo and in vitro, which was similar with treatment of ERK1/2 inhibitor PD98059 (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Neferine remarkably alleviates Ang II-induced elevation of blood pressure, vascular dysfunction, and pathological changes in the abdominal aorta. This beneficial effect is mediated by the modulation of multiple pathways, including calcium and ERK1/2 pathways.
Animals ; Angiotensin II ; Male ; Benzylisoquinolines/therapeutic use* ; Network Pharmacology ; Blood Pressure/drug effects* ; Sequence Analysis, RNA ; Mice ; Hypertension/chemically induced* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Calcium/metabolism*

Three carboline fluorescent probes F1-F3 were designed and synthesized, based on lead compound JYJ-19, an antifungal compound discovered previously by our group. The antifungal activity in vitro results showed that compound F1 had moderate antifungal activity (MIC₈₀ = 32 μg·mL^-1). The stokes shift of F1 is 70 nm. The fluorescent probe F1 has good optical properties and can be used for fluorescence imaging research. Subcellular localization experiments results showed that F1 was enriched in the mitochondria of fungal cells. The detection of intracellular reactive oxygen species levels shows that JYJ-19 enhances intracellular reactive oxygen species levels. The above results indicated that carboline compounds could exert antifungal effects by acting on fungal mitochondria.

Objective To investigate the effects of dapagliflozin combined with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) on hemorheology and insulin resistance in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods A total of 102 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Quanzhou City Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from November 2020 to October 2022 were randomly divided into two groups, with 51 cases in each group. Control group was treated with dapagliflozin, while study group received a combination therapy of dapagliflozin and GLP-1 RAs (liraglutide). The clinical efficacy, blood glucose indicators[fasting blood glucose (FBG), 2-hour postprandial glucose (2 hPG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c)], fasting insulin (FINS) and insulin resistance[homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), homeostasis model assessment of β-cell function (HOMA-β)], lipid indicators[total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-densitylipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)], hemorheological indicators[erythrocyte aggregation index (EAI), hematocrit (HCT), erythrocyte deformation index (EDI), plasma viscosity (PV)], and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups. Results The total effective rate was 94.12% in the study group, which was significantly higher than 80.39% in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, FBG, 2 hPG, HbA1c and BMI were significantly lower than those before treatment in both groups, and levels of FBG, 2 hPG and HbA1c in the study group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, FINS and HOMA-β in the study group were significantly higher than those in the control group, while HOMA-IR was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, HDL-C level was significantly higher than that before treatment in both groups, while TC, TG and LDL-C levels were significantly lower in both groups; additionally, HDL-C level after treatment in the study group was significantly higher than that in the control group, while TC, TG and LDL-C levels were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, EAI, HCT, EDI and PV levels were significantly lower than those before treatment in both groups, and levels of indexes mentioned above in the study group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The total incidence of adverse reactions in the study group was 11.76%, which showed no significant difference when compared to 9.80% in the control group (P>0.05). Conclusion The combination therapy of dapagliflozin and GLP-1 RAs (liraglutide) is effective in the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, which can effectively regulate blood glucose and lipid levels, alleviate insulin resistance, and improve hemorheological indicators.

Purpose: This retrospective study aimed to re-evaluate the effect of concurrent chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in the era of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). Materials and Methods: A total of 498 patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) combined with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) or IMRT were retrospectively reviewed. The distribution of baseline characteristics was balanced using propensity score matching. Additionally, the results of NCT+IMRT and NCT+CCRT were compared using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, and differences in survival rates were analyzed using the log rank test. Results: There were no significant differences in overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), and local progression-free survival (LRFS) between the two groups. Patients were further categorized into risk subgroups based on pretreatment Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA cutoff values using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. There were no statistically significant differences in OS, PFS, DMFS, and LRFS between patients who received NCT+CCRT and NCT+IMRT in the high-risk group. In the low-risk group, although there were no differences between NCT+CCRT and NCT+IMRT in OS, PFS, and LRFS, patients who received NCT+CCRT had better DMFS than those who received NCT+IMRT. Conclusion Pretreatment EBV DNA level can be used to individualize concurrent chemotherapy for patients with locally advanced NPC. Patients with low pretreatment EBV DNA levels may benefit from concurrent chemotherapy, whereas those with high levels may not. Other treatment modalities need to be explored for high-risk patients to improve their prognosis.

【Objective】 To analyze the dynamics of specific SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in blood donors in Fuzhou area after receiving booster doses of inactivated COVID-19 vaccine and breakthrough infections, and to provide evidence for the timing of the collection of specific immune plasma or convalescent plasma and the subsequent vaccine doses. 【Methods】 A total of 109 volunteers who received the first booster dose of inactivated COVID-19 vaccine and 102 volunteers who experienced breakthrough infections were recruited at Fujian Blood Center from October to November 2021. Blood samples were collected at eight time points: 14 (11, 20) days before the booster dose (Time0), 14 (10, 23) days after the booster dose (Time1), 53 (45.5, 61) days after the booster dose (Time2), 88 (78, 101.5) days after the booster dose (Time3), 124 (112.5, 138.5) days after the booster dose (Time4), 158 (146, 174) days after the booster dose (Time5), 194 (179.5, 214) days after the booster dose (Time6) and within one month after the breakthrough infection (Time7). Serum SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies were detected using a chemiluminescence immunoassay. The dynamics of antibody levels were analyzed and the effects of age, gender, weight, BMI, blood type and smoking on antibody levels were also analyzed. 【Results】 The positive rate of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies was 53.2% (58/109) at Time0, 100% (109/109) at Time1, and 95.4% (104/109) at Time6. The antibody levels were significantly higher at Time1 and Time6 than at Time0 (P<0.001). The highest level was observed at Time1, followed by a gradual decrease until Time2-Time6, which were 89.9% (9.74/10.84), 77.7% (8.42/10.84), 68.3% (7.4/10.84), 59.4% (6.44/10.84), and 53.9% (5.84/10.84) of the peak value at Time1 (P<0.001). There were no significant differences in IgG antibody levels among different gender, weight, BMI, age, blood type and smoker or non-smoker at the same time points (P values all >0.05). The IgG antibody level at Time7 was 2.07 times than that at Time1 (P<0.001). There were no significant differences in IgG antibody levels between asymptomatic groups and symptomatic groups and also between fever-free groups and fever groups (P values all >0.05). The IgG antibody level in breakthrough infection group was significantly higher than that in non-breakthrough infection group (P<0.001). 【Conclusion】 Booster doses of inactivated COVID-19 vaccine and breakthrough infections can stimulate stronger immune responses in the body. It is recommended to collect specific immune plasma or convalescent plasma within one month after breakthrough infections or booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine for special purposes. The timing of subsequent vaccine doses should be based on the dynamics of antibody levels. It is necessary to continuously monitor antibody levels to provide evidence for subsequent vaccine doses.