Objective: To explore the association between sleep quality and dry eye symptoms in adolescents,so as to provide the evidence for reducing the prevalence of dry eye symptoms. Methods: The study population was adolescents aged 12-24 years from the Psychology and Behavior Investigation of Chinese Residents (PBICR) survey, which was conducted from 20 June to 31 August 2022. A stratified random sampling and quota sampling method was used to select 6 456 adolescents within mainland China. The Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) and Brief version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (B-PSQI) were used to assess dry eye symptoms and sleep quality. Multiple Logistic regression model was used to explore the relationship between sleep quality and dry eye symptoms in adolescents. The influence of gender on the association was explored by using interaction terms. Results: A total of 2 815 adolescents reported having dry eye symptoms, with a prevalence of 43.6%. Logistic regression analysis results showed an increased risk of exacerbation of dry eye symptoms in adolescents with poor sleep quality. The OR (95% CI ) for mild, moderate, and severe dry eye symptoms groups were 1.39(1.16-1.67), 1.52(1.28-1.81), and 2.35(2.02-2.72), respectively, compared with the ocularly normal group ( P <0.05). There was a significant interaction between sleep quality and gender on dry eye symptoms in adolescents ( P <0.01). Conclusions Sleep quality is associated with dry eye symptoms in adolescents, and those with poor sleep quality have a higher risk of dry eye symptoms. The effect of sleep quality on dry eye symptoms is greater in boys.

Objectives: To investigate whether the protective actions of ginsenoside Rb1 (Rb1) on astrocytes are mediated through the Gs-type G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR-Gs). Methods: Primary astrocyte cultures derived from neonatal mouse brain were used. Astrocyte injury was induced via oxygen-glucose deprivation/re-oxygenation (OGD/R). Cell morphology, viability, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage, apoptosis, glutamate uptake, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) secretion were assessed to gauge cell survival and functionality. Western blot was used to investigate the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathways. GPCR-Gs-specific inhibitors and molecular docking were used to identify target receptors. Results: Rb1 at concentrations ranging from 0.8 to 5 μM did not significantly affect the viability, glutamate uptake, or BDNF secretion in normal astrocytes. OGD/R reduced astrocyte viability, increasing their LDH leakage and apoptosis rate. It also decreased glutamate uptake and BDNF secretion by these cells. Rb1 had protective effects of astrocytes challenged by OGD/R, by improving viability, reducing apoptosis, and enhancing glutamate uptake and BDNF secretion. Additionally, Rb1 activated the cAMP and Akt pathways in these cells. When the GPCR-Gs inhibitor NF449 was introduced, the protective effects of Rb1 completely disappeared, and its activation of cAMP and Akt signaling pathways was significantly inhibited. Conclusion Rb1 protects against astrocytes from OGD/R-induced injury through GPCR-Gs mediation.

ObjectiveTo observe the neuroprotective effects of ginsenoside Rb₁ on lipopolysaccharide （LPS）-induced neuroinflammation in mice and to preliminarily investigate its mechanism of action. MethodSeventy ICR mice were randomly divided into blank group， model group， dexamethasone sodium phosphate injection group， and low-dose， high-dose ginsenoside Rb₁ groups， with 14 mice in each group. A mouse brain neuroinflammation model was prepared using the LPS dose escalation method， starting with a dose of 1 mg·kg^-1 and administered via intraperitoneal injection every 48 h （every other morning）. Each subsequent dose increased by 2 mg·kg^-1， for a total of 7 injections， culminating in a final dose of 13 mg·kg^-1. The dexamethasone sodium phosphate injection group received an intraperitoneal injection at 5 mg·kg^-1·d^-1. The low-dose and high-dose ginsenoside Rb₁ groups were given intraperitoneal injections at 10 mg·kg^-1·d^-1 and 20 mg·kg^-1·d^-1， respectively， while the blank and model groups received the same volume of normal saline for 14 days. The behavioral activity of LPS mice was observed， anxiety-like behavior was assessed using the Y-maze and elevated plus maze， and brain levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 （MCP-1）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， and interleukin-1β （IL-1β） were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Neuronal damage of microglia， and the activation status of microglia and astrocytes in the brain were assessed using immunofluorescence staining. The protein expression of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase （PI3K）， protein kinase B （Akt）， and nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） in mouse brain were detected by Western blot. ResultCompared with the blank group， the model group showed significantly increased anxiety-like behavior in the Y-maze and elevated plus maze （P<0.05， P<0.01）， significantly elevated levels of MCP-1， TNF-α， and IL-1β in the brain （P<0.01）， a significant decrease in the number of neuronal positive cells in the somatosensory cortex and hippocampus CA1 region （P<0.01）， significant activation of microglia and astrocytes （P<0.01）， and a significant increase in the expression of phosphorylated PI3K， Akt， and NF-κB proteins （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the ginsenoside Rb₁ low-dose and high-dose groups showed significantly reduced anxiety-like behavior in the Y-maze and elevated plus maze （P<0.05， P<0.01）， significantly decreased levels of MCP-1， TNF-α， and IL-1β in the brain （P<0.01）， a significant increase in the number of neuronal positive cells in the somatosensory cortex and hippocampus CA1 region （P<0.01）， significant inhibition of microglia and astrocyte activation （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and a significant decrease in the expression of phosphorylated PI3K， Akt， and NF-κB proteins （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionGinsenoside Rb₁ has neuroprotective effects on LPS-induced inflammation in mice， which may involve the regulation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE To study the pharmacokinetic changes in the plasma and cerebrospinal fluid of bronchial asthma model rats after the complication of Ephedra sinica and Prunus armeniaca. METHODS SD male rats were randomly divided into blank group， model group， E. sinica group （12 g/kg， calculated by raw drug， similarly hereinafter）， P. armeniaca group （6 g/kg） and E. sinica-P. armeniaca drug-pair group （12 g/kg of E. sinica+6 g/kg of P. armeniaca）， with 6 rats in each group. Except for the blank group， the bronchial asthma model was induced by spraying rats in each group with an equal volume mixture of 2% acetylcholine chloride and 0.4% histamine phosphate， once a day， for 7 d. One hour before modeling every time， rats in each group were gavaged with the corresponding drug/normal saline， once a day， for 7 d. After the final administration and provocation of asthma， blood and cerebrospinal fluid collection were performed at different time points. The plasma and cerebrospinal fluid samples were pre-treated （with geranylgeranyl as the internal standard）， and the mass concentrations of ephedrine/pseudoephedrine， methyl ephedrine and amygdalin in both samples were determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. DAS 2.0 pharmacokinetic software was used to determine the main pharmacokinetic parameters through the non-atrial chamber model and to compare the changes of the pharmacokinetic parameters before and after the combination of the two drugs. RESULTS Compared with E. sinica group， cmax and AUC0-21.33 h （or AUC0-10.67 h） of ephedrine/pseudoephedrine and methyl ephedrine in the plasma and cerebrospinal fluid of rats were significantly reduced in E. sinica-P. armeniaca drug-pair group， while CLZ/F and VZ/F were significantly increased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）； tmax of methyl ephedrine in the cerebrospinal fluid was significantly shortened （P＜ 0.05）.Compared with P. armeniaca group， the t1/2 of amygdalin in the plasma of rats in E. sinica-P. armeniaca drug-pair group was significantly shortened， and CLZ/F was significantly increased （P＜0.01）； the tmax of bitter amygdalin in the cerebrospinal fluid was significantly shortened， and the AUC0-10.67 h， CLZ/F， and VZ/F were significantly increased （P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS The combination of E. sinica and P. armeniaca accelerates the absorption and elimination of ephedra alkaloids， thus reducing the accumulation of ephedra alkaloids in the bronchial asthma model rats.

Objective:To compare the prevalence of frailty and related factors in middle-aged and elderly people aged ≥45 years in island and mountainous areas of Taizhou, Zhejiang Province.Methods:Based on cross-sectional design, stratified cluster sampling and quota sampling methods were adopted. One administrative district was randomly selected from each of six coastal and three inland administrative districts in Taizhou during July to August, representing two different geographical terrains. In the island area (Jiaojiang District), all residents aged ≥45 years were included by cluster sampling. In the mountainous area (Xianju County), participants were selected through quota sampling, with same gender and age distributions. Data about their demographic characteristics, lifestyle and health-related factors were collected through questionnaire surveys and laboratory examinations. The prevalence of frailty was assessed using the Fried frailty phenotype scale. Hierarchical analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to compare the influencing factors of frailty.Results:A total of 1 011 local residents were studied, in whom island and mountainous residents accounted for 48.1% (486/1 011) and 51.9% (525/1 011) respectively; men and women accounted for 45.9% (464/1 011) and 54.1% (547/1 011) respectively. Middle-aged (45-49 years), younger elderly (60-74 years), and older elderly (≥75 years) residents accounted for 38.6% (390/1 011), 44.6% (451/1 011), and 16.8% (170/1 011) respectively. The overall prevalence rate of frailty was 3.6% (36/1 011), the prevalence rate was 3.7% (17/464) in men and 3.5% (19/547) in women. The prevalence rates in age groups 45-59,60-74 years and ≥75 years were 0.3% (1/390), 2.2% (10/451), and 14.7% (25/170), respectively. The prevalence rates of frailty and pre-frailty in island area were 6.0% (29/486) and 39.1% (190/486), respectively, which was higher than those in mountainous area (1.3%, 7/525) and (30.9%, 162/525). After adjusting for potential confounding factors, the risk for frailty in island residents was significantly higher than that in mountainous residents (a OR=1.55,95% CI: 1.07-2.25, P=0.019). In island area, older age (60-74 years:a OR=2.52,95% CI: 1.56-4.13; ≥75 years:a OR=11.65,95% CI:5.38-26.70), being women (a OR=1.94,95% CI: 1.20-3.17), suffering from depression (a OR=1.09,95% CI:1.02-1.17) were associated with frailty symptoms. In mountainous area, older age was also associated with an increased risk of frailty symptoms, but the OR value was lower than those in island area (60-74 years: a OR=1.74,95% CI:1.04-2.94;≥75 years: a OR=4.78,95% CI:2.45-9.50). Polydrug use (a OR=2.08,95% CI: 1.14-3.80) and suffering from depression (a OR=1.10,95% CI: 1.02-1.18) had significant positive association with frailty symptoms. Higher education level had significant negative association with frailty symptoms (junior high school: a OR=0.40,95% CI: 0.21-0.75; senior high school and technical secondary school: a OR=0.29,95% CI: 0.15-0.53; college or above:a OR=0.22,95% CI: 0.11-0.42). Conclusions:The prevalence of frailty in middle-aged and elderly community residents was significantly higher in island area than in mountainous area in Taizhou. The frailty-related factors varied with area. The elderly people (≥75 years) and women in island area had higher risk for frailty. Older age and suffering from depression were the independent risk factors for frailty. It is necessary to pay attention to the health risk factors and special environment in island area, and take comprehensive intervention measures to delay the process of debilitation and improve the quality of life of middle-aged and elderly people.

Objective To observe the drainage pathways of interstitial fluid(ISF)and substance clearance pattern in rat brain with fluorescence tracing imaging and treacer-based MRI.Methods Thirty-three male SD rats were randomly divided into fluorescence tracing group(F group,n=18)and treacer-based MRI group(MRI group,n=15),then further divided into thalamic,hippocampal and caudate nucleus subgroups,respectively.Evans blue was injected to rats in F group,and cardiac perfusion was performed after injection,then brain tissue was harvested,and frozen sections were made to observe the drainage pathways of IFS in different subgroups.MRI was performed on rats in MRI group before and after injection of gadolinium-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid(Gd-DTPA)to observe signal intensity in ROI of brain regions in different subgroups,the signal unit ratio was calculated,and the changing trend was explored.Results ISF in thalamus,hippocampus and caudate nucleus had different dominant drainage pathways,and the time of tracer reached to adjacent brain regions and whole brain in F group were different.In MRI group,within 4 h after injection of Gd-DTPA,there were differences in direction and clearance rate among tracer in thalamus,hippocampus and caudate nucleus,mainly manifesting as the tracer in thalamus and hippocampus drained to the ipsilateral cortex and lateral ventricle,while the tracer in the caudate nucleus diffused to the cortex and midbrain,and there were differences of the peak time of tracer signal among adjacent drainage brain regions.Conclusion Fluorescence and MR dual-mode imaging showed that there were differences in the dominant drainage pathways of IFS and clearance rates of small molecule substances among hypothalamus,hippocampus and caudate nucleus of rats.

Objective:To establish the Chinese version of (strength, assistance with walking, rise from a chair, climb stairs and falls, SARC-F) scale using the standardized methods and to validate the reliability and validity for sarcopenia screening among elderly population.Methods:Following the recommended procedure by World Health Organization and European Union Geriatric Medicine Society Sarcopenia Special Interest Group, the translation process included forward translation, expert panel, back-translation, pre-testing and cognitive interviewing to generate the final version. In the pilot study, the test-retest reliability, inter-rater reliability, and internal consistency of the Chinese version of SARC-F scale were assessed. In the diagnostic test for clinical validation, the participants were consecutively recruited from communities and hospitals in Beijing and Tianjin between December 2021 and October 2022. The scale administration, anthropometry, and body composition measurement were conducted by trained investigators. Participants with the SARC-F score ≥ 4 were considered at risk of sarcopenia. Diagnostic tests and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis were performed against the definitions of sarcopenia according to European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2) and Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS2019), and the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and the area under curve were displayed.Results:The Chinese version of SARC-F scale was approved by the author that the translation has expressed the original meaning correctly. The Chinese version of SARC-F had good test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.914), inter-rater reliability ( r = 0.726), and internal consistency ( α = 0.729). There were altogether 1 882 participants included in the clinical validation. According to the diagnostic criteria of EWGSOP2 and AWGS2019, the Chinese version of SARC-F scale had low sensitivity (13.6% and 16.0%) and positive predictive value (44.6% and 35.4%), high specificity (95.1% and 94.7%) and negative predictive value (79.0% and 86.2%), and moderate AUC of 0.619 and 0.616 (all P < 0.001) for sarcopenia screening. Conclusions:The Chinese version of SARC-F scale was of good reliability and validity. The application of SARC-F in the primary healthcare settings would contribute to the early diagnosis of sarcopenia.

Objective:To investigate the epidemiology of pathogens of acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI) in children in Guangzhou area.Methods:A total of 13 610 hospitalized children with ARTI in Guangzhou Women and Children′s Medical Center from January 2018 to December 2021 were enrolled. Throat swab specimens were collected, and fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to detect 11 respiratory pathogens, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus (ADV), parainfluenza virus (PIV), human rhinovirus (HRV), human bocavirus (HBoV), human metapneumovirus (HMPV), enterovirus (EV), influenza A virus (IFA), influenza B virus (IFB), Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) and Chlamydia pneumoniae (CP). Grouping according to age (< one year group, one to < three years group, three to < six years group, six to 14 years group) and season. Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis. Results:At least one pathogen was detected in 6 331 cases among 13 610 patients, and the overall positive rate was 46.52%. The detection rates from high to low were as follows: RSV (13.75%(1 872/13 610)), ADV (4.82%(656/13 610)), PIV (4.82%(656/13 610)), MP (4.54%(618/13 610)), HRV (3.39%(462/13 610)), HBoV (2.64%(359/13 610)), HMPV (2.59%(352/13 610)), EV (1.76%(239/13 610)), IFA (1.29%(176/13 610)), IFB (0.90%(122/13 610)) and CP (0.30%(41/13 610)). The positive rate of viral detection showed significant differences among different age groups ( χ2=49.91, P<0.001), and the highest positive rate was in the age group of one to

Objective:Based on the application and funding status of National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) in the field of oral and craniofacial sciences (H15), we analyzed the current status of basic research of the Oral and Craniofacial Sciences (OCS) in China, and provided the references for the sustainable and efficient funding of basic research and scientific frontier exploration in the field, supporting the construction of talents and teams, and enhancing the development of OCS in China.Methods:The data of both applied and funded grants of H15 in NSFC from 2010 to 2021 were analyzed, including the number of applications and funding, the amount of funding, the funding rate, the research direction and the supporting units. The status of basic research of H15 was summarized.Results:From 2010 to 2021, H15 received 15 060 applications and funded 2 569 grants. The overall funding rate of H15 was 17.06%, and the total funding amount was 1 140.305 million yuan. The applications and funded projects of H15 were mainly focused on the General Projects and Youth Science Fund Projects, accounting for 90.33% (13 604/15 060) and 88.71% (2 279/2 569) of the total number of applications and funded projects, and 78.05% (89 002.5/114 030.5) of the total funding amount. In terms of talent training, the National Science Foundation for Distinguished Young Scholars received 65 applications, and 6 were founded, with a funding rate of 9.23%. The National Science Foundation for Outstanding Young Scholars received 85 applications, and 13 were founded, with a funding rate of 15.29%. In recent years, the number of applications has gradually increased and the number of grants has remained relatively stable. Among the nine sub-categories of H15, the top three in terms of the number of applications and grants were H1502, H1504, and H1507. H1502 (repair and regeneration of oral and craniofacial tissue and organ defects) received 2 760 applications, and 510 were funded. H1504 (periodontal and oral mucosal diseases) received 2 475 applications, and 419 were funded. H1507 (restoration of tooth defects and loss, and correction of dental deformities) received 2 270 applications, and 367 were funded. Peking University and Sichuan University ranked first and second with 1 092 and 1 001 applications, respectively. The top five recipients were Sichuan University (327 items), Peking University (260 items), Wuhan University (204 items), Shanghai Jiao Tong University (198 items) and the Fourth Military Medical University of the People's Liberation Army (193 items). The funding rates were 32.67%, 23.81%, 23.02%, 21.69% and 29.11%, respectively.Conclusions:Under the support of NSFC, the basic research of oral and craniofacial sciences has been developed in an all-round way. In recent years, the talent training of all echelons has increased year by year, the research direction and geographical coverage is comprehensive, and project support organization has its own research focus and discipline advantages, making contributions to the realization of the goal of healthy China and the progress of world medicine.

Glycyrrizae Radix et Rhizoma has high medicinal value and is widely used in compatibility. It is used most frequently in the compatibility of Chinese medicine prescriptions，and is known as ''Guolao''（national medicine） and "master of all medicines". The characteristic active ingredients are mainly liquitin，glycyrrizic acid，glycyrrizin，and licochalcone. In different compatibilities，based on traditional and modern pharmacological theories，the corresponding effect of Glycyrrizae Radix et Rhizoma are brought into play through different mechanisms. Based on the traditional pharmacology of Glycyrrizae Radix et Rhizoma for tonifying spleen，replenishing Qi，clearing heat，removing toxin，dispelling phlegm，relieving cough and pain，and harmonizing various medicines，this paper used herbal authentication to analyze its compatibility application and mechanism. It was found that Glycyrrizae Radix et Rhizoma played corresponding effect in compatibilities through "tonification"，"harmonization"，and "regulation". For example，Glycyrrizae Radix et Rhizoma was combined with tonics including Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma to tonify the five Zang-organs through its strong tonifying effect，combined with Paeoniae Radix Alba and Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata to relieve emergencies and pains through harmonizing medicine power and properties，and combined with Rhei Radix et Rhizoma and Natrii Sulfas to reduce medicine intensity through regulating medicine properties and body characteristics. The application law and mechanism of the modern pharmacological compatibility of Glycyrrizae Radix et Rhizoma were analyzed by data mining and network pharmacology. It was found that the modern clinical formula was often compatible with Glycyrrizae Radix et Rhizoma for anti-inflammation，cardiovascular and cerebrovascular protection，anti-virus，and anti-tumor，Ephedrae Herba and Scutellariae Radix for anti-inflammation，Bambusae Caulis in Taenias，Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma，and Aurantii Fructus Immaturus for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular protection，and Ophiopogonis Radix and Chuanxiong Rhizoma for nerves protection. Meanwhile，the important targets of the characteristic ingredients were protein kinase B1 （Akt1），interleukin-6 （IL-6），tumor necrosis factor （TNF），and epidermal growth factor receptor （EGFR）. The important characteristic pathways such as tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance pathway and cyclic guanosine monophosphate （cGMP）/protein kinase G （PKG） signal pathway played the role of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular protection，and proteoglycan pathway in cancer played a neuroprotective role. This study is expected to provide references for the rational compatibility and application of Glycyrrizae Radix et Rhizoma，as well as the compatibility application of Chinese medicine prescriptions.