ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effects of the Anemarrhenae Rhizoma water extract （AR） on Alzheimer's disease （AD） model rats and to explore its potential underlying mechanisms. MethodsMale rats were intraperitoneally injected with D-galactose （100 mg·kg^-1） for 42 days， and on day 14， 1 μL of β-amyloid （Aβ_25-35， 2 g·L^-1） solution was injected into the hippocampus. Rats were randomly divided into a model group， low-dose AR （0.6 g·kg^-1）， medium-dose AR （1.2 g·kg^-1）， high-dose AR （2.4 g·kg^-1）， and a positive control group （donepezil， 5 mg·kg^-1）. Healthy rats receiving only a hippocampal injection of 1 μL of sterile saline served as the sham-operated group. From day 21， rats in the treatment groups were administered the corresponding drugs by gavage once daily for 21 consecutive days， while the blank control and model groups received an equal volume of saline. Learning and memory abilities were assessed using the Morris water maze. Brain tissue damage was observed by hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining， and neuronal apoptosis was evaluated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling （TUNEL） staining. Levels of interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， and interleukin-10 （IL-10） in brain tissues were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. BV2 microglial cells were co-cultured with Aβ_25-35 （40 μmol·L^-1） for 2 h， and cell viability was determined by the CCK-8 assay to screen the optimal concentration of AR-containing serum （S-AR）. Cells were divided into blank control， Aβ_25-35， S-AR， EX527 ［silent information regulator 1 （SIRT1） inhibitor］， and S-AR+EX527 groups. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of CD16， CD206， and high-mobility group box 1 （HMGB1）. Western blot analysis was performed to measure the protein expression of CD16， inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS）， CD206， arginase （Arg）， and proteins related to the SIRT1/HMGB1/nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） signaling pathway. ResultsIn vivo experiments showed that， compared with the sham-operated group， the model group exhibited reduced platform crossings and time spent in the target quadrant （P<0.01）， prolonged escape latency， increased hippocampal neuronal apoptosis （P<0.01）， and obvious hippocampal damage. The expression levels of IL-6， TNF-α， IL-10， CD16， and iNOS in brain tissues were significantly elevated （P<0.01）， while CD206 and Arg protein expression showed an increasing trend without statistical significance. Compared with the model group， all AR-treated groups significantly increased platform crossings and target quadrant time （P<0.05， P<0.01）， alleviated hippocampal damage， reduced escape latency and neuronal apoptosis， downregulated the expression of TNF-α， IL-6， CD16， and iNOS （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and upregulated the expression of IL-10， CD206 and Arg （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In vitro experiments demonstrated that， compared with the blank control group， the Aβ_25-35 group showed increased fluorescence intensity of CD206， CD16， and HMGB1， as well as elevated protein expression of iNOS and CD16 （P<0.01）， while CD206 and Arg protein expression exhibited an increasing trend without statistical significance. After S-AR intervention， CD206 fluorescence intensity and the protein expression of Arg and CD206 were significantly increased （P<0.01）， whereas the fluorescence intensity of CD16 and HMGB1 and the protein expression of iNOS and CD16 were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. These effects were reversed by EX527 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Furthermore， compared with the blank control group， the Aβ_25-35 group showed significantly increased cytoplasmic HMGB1 expression and p-p65/p65 ratio （P<0.01）， along with significantly decreased SIRT1 and nuclear HMGB1 expression （P<0.01）. In contrast， the S-AR group exhibited opposite trends compared with the Aβ_25-35 group， and the regulatory effects of S-AR on these proteins were reversed by EX527 （P<0.01）. ConclusionAR exerts neuroprotective effects in AD model rats by regulating microglial polarization and alleviating neuroinflammation， potentially through modulation of the SIRT1/HMGB1/NF-κB signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo study on the different therapeutic effects and potential mechanisms of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma（RH） before and after steaming with wine on constipation model mice. MethodsFifty-four male ICR mice were randomly divided into control group， model group， lactulose group（1.5 mg·kg^-1）， high， medium and low dose groups of RH and RH steaming with wine（PRH）（8， 4， 1 g·kg^-1）. Except for the control group， the constipation model was replicated by gavage of loperamide hydrochloride（6 mg·kg^-1） in the other groups. After 2 weeks of modeling， each administration group was gavaged with the corresponding dose of drug solution， and the control and model groups were given an equal volume of normal saline， 1 time/d for 2 consecutive weeks. After administration， the feces were collected for 16S rRNA sequencing， the levels of gastrin（GAS）， motilin（MTL）， interleukin-6（IL-6）， γ-interferon（IFN-γ） in the colonic tissue were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA）， the histopathological changes of colon were observed by hematoxylin-eosin（HE） staining， flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion changes of CD4⁺， CD8⁺ and regulatory T cell（Treg） in peripheral blood. ResultsCompared with the control group， the model group showed significantly decrease in fecal number in 24 h， fecal quality and fecal water rate（P<0.01）， the colon was seen to have necrotic shedding of mucosal epithelium， localized intestinal glands in the lamina propria were degenerated， necrotic and atrophied， a few lymphocytes were seen to infiltrate in the necrotic area in a scattered manner， the contents of GAS and MTL， the proportions of CD4⁺， CD8⁺ and Treg were significantly reduced（P<0.01）， the contents of IL-6 and IFN-γ were significantly elevated（P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the fecal number in 24 h， fecal quality and fecal water rate of high-dose groups of RH and PRH were significantly increased（P<0.05， P<0.01）， the pathological damage of the colon was alleviated to varying degrees， the contents of GAS， MTL， IL-6 and IFN-γ were significantly regressed（P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the proportions of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ were significantly increased（P<0.01）， although the proportion of Treg showed an upward trend， there was no significant difference. In addition， the results of intestinal flora showed that the number of amplicon sequence variant（ASV） and Alpha diversity were decreased in the model group compared with the control group， and there was a significant difference in Beta diversity， with a decrease in the relative abundance of Lactobacillus and an increase in the relative abundances of Bacillus and Helicobacter. Compared with the model group， the ASV number and Alpha diversity were increased in the high-dose groups of RH and PRH， and there was a trend of regression of Beta diversity to the control group， the relative abundance of Lactobacillus increased， and the relative abundances of Bacillus and Helicobacter decreased. ConclusionRH and PRH can improve dysbacteriosis， promote immune system activation， inhibit the release of inflammatory factors for enhancing the gastrointestinal function， which may be one of the potential mechanisms of their therapeutic effect on constipation.

Objective To summarize and analyze the clinical efficacy of negative pressure suction bell in the treatment of young children (≤6 years) with pectus excavatum. Methods The relevant clinical medical records of the children with pectus excavatum who received negative pressure suction bell treatment in the Outpatient Department of Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from May 2019 to January 2023 were collected. The age, sex, type, severity, depth of depression, duration of use and prognosis of children with pectus excavatum were retrospectively analyzed. Results A total of 100 pediatric patients were ultimately included in the study, comprising 74 males and 26 females. The age distribution was 57 patients aged 0-3 years and 43 patients aged 3-6 years. All patients were prescribed and used a negative pressure suction device for at least 3 months, after which they returned to our department's outpatient clinic for follow-up. The treatment demonstrated clinical effectiveness in 99 patients, yielding an efficacy rate of 99.00%. The excellent/good rate was 52.00%, and the complication rate was 8.00%. After treatment, the Haller index and the depth of sternal depression were reduced compared with those before treatment (P<0.001), and there was no statistical difference in the effective rate and excellent/good rate between different genders, different ages, different types of pectus excavatum, or different severity (P＞0.05). Conclusion Negative pressure suction bell is safe and effective in the treatment of young children (≤6 years) with pectus excavatum, and the correction effect has nothing to do with gender, type and severity.

Objective To explore the bioactive components in Jiawei Xiaoyao Pills(JWXYP)and their mechanisms for alleviating depression-like behaviors.Methods The active compounds,key targets,and pathways of JWXYP were identified using TCMSP and TCMIP databases.Thirty-six SD rats were randomized equally into 6 groups including a control group and 5 chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS)-induced depression groups.After modeling,the 5 model groups were treated with daily gavage of normal saline,1.8 mg/kg fluoxetine hydrochloride(positive control drug),or JWXYP at 1.44,2.88,and 4.32 g/kg.The depression-like behaviors of the rats were evaluated using behavioral tests,and pathological changes in the liver and hippocampus were examined with HE staining.The biochemical indicators in the serum and brain tissues were detected using ELISA.Serum metabolomics analysis was performed to identify the differential metabolites using OPLS-DA,and gut microbiota changes were analyzed using 16S rDNA sequencing.Results Network pharmacology revealed that menthone and paeonol in JWXYP were capable of penetrating the blood-brain barrier to regulate inflammatory pathways and protect the nervous system.In the rat models subjected to CUMS,treatment with JWXYP significantly improved body weight loss,sucrose preference and open field activities,reduced liver inflammation,alleviated structural changes in the hippocampal neurons,decreased serum levels of TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6 and LBP,and increased 5-HT and VIP concentrations in the serum and brain tissue,and these effects were the most pronounced in the high-dose group.Metabolomics analysis showed changes in such metabolites as indole-3-acetamide and acetyl-L-carnitine in JWXYP-treated rats,involving the pathways for bile acid biosynthesis and amino acid metabolism.16S rDNA analysis demonstrated increased gut microbiota diversity and increased abundance of Lactobacillus species in JWXYP-treated rats.Conclusion JWXYP alleviates depression-like symptoms in rats by regulating the neurotransmitters,inhibiting inflammation and oxidation,and modulating gut microbiota.

Standardized clinical trial reporting is crucial for ensuring the scientific validity,reproducibility,and clinical translational value of reported results.The Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials(CONSORT)statement,an internationally recognized guideline for randomized controlled trials(RCTs),has become an important reference standard for writing research papers in medicine since the 2010 version of CONSORT was published.With advancements in scientific research methodologies and the emergence of new forms of clinical trials,the CONSORT working group released an updated version in April 2025,published in journals such as The BMJ.Herein,we provide a systematic interpretation of the core revisions of CONSORT 2025,as well as a comparison with CONSORT 2010 to highlight the key differences.By providing practical,example-based recommendations,we aim to help domestic researchers apply the new guidelines efficiently,thereby improving the quality of clinical trial reports authored by domestic researchers.

A high-quality clinical trial protocol is the cornerstone for ensuring the scientific integrity and ethical compliance of a study.The Standard Protocol Items:Recommendations for Interventional Trials(SPIRIT)has become the international benchmark for developing clinical trial protocols since its release in 2013.To adapt to the developing trends of open science and patient-centered principles,the SPIRIT group completed a comprehensive update in 2025.While retaining its core structure,this updated guideline introduces a new open science module and incorporates several new elements,including patient and public involvement,trial monitoring,and data sharing,alongside substantial revisions of five pre-existing items.In this article,we critically examine the core revisions in SPIRIT 2025 and,through analysis of representative case studies,illustrate the practical application of the new reporting guideline in drafting trial protocols.Our goal is to to provide Chinese researchers with a valuable reference for understanding and implementing this new reporting guideline,thereby enhancing the quality and rigor of clinical trial protocols developed in the country.

Flexible conductive fibers have been widely applied in wearable flexible sensing. However, exposed wearable flexible sensors based on liquid metal (LM) are prone to abrasion and significant conductivity degradation. This study presented a high-sensitivity LM conductive fiber with integration of strain sensing, electrical heating, and thermochromic capabilities, which was fabricated by coating eutectic gallium-indium (EGaIn) onto spandex fibers modified with waterborne polyurethane (WPU), followed by thermal curing to form a protective polyurethane sheath. This fiber, designated as Spandex/WPU/EGaIn/Polyurethane (SWEP), exhibits a four-layer coaxial structure: spandex core, WPU modification layer, LM conductive layer, and polyurethane protective sheath. The SWEP fiber had a diameter of (458.3 ± 10.4) μm, linear density of (2.37 ± 0.15) g/m, and uniform EGaIn coating. The fiber had excellent conductivity with an average value of (3 716.9 ± 594.2) S/m. The strain sensing performance was particularly noteworthy. A 5 cm × 5 cm woven fabric was fabricated using polyester warp yarns and SWEP weft yarns. The fabric exhibited satisfactory moisture permeability [(536.06 ± 33.15) g/(m ²·h)] and maintained stable thermochromic performance after repeated heating cycles. This advanced conductive fiber development is expected to significantly promote LM applications in wearable electronics and smart textile systems.
Wearable Electronic Devices ; Polyurethanes/chemistry* ; Electric Conductivity ; Gallium/chemistry* ; Metals/chemistry*

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the differentially expressed exosomal miRNAs in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) complicated by hyperuricemia (HUA) and explore their potential as novel diagnostic molecular markers and their target genes. METHODS: This study was conducted among 30 CHF patients with HUA (observation group) and 30 healthy volunteers (control group) enrolled between September, 2020 and September, 2023. Peripheral blood samples were collected from 6 CHF patients with HUA for analyzing exosomal miRNAs by high-throughput sequencing, and the results were validated in the remaining 24 patients using qRT-PCR. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were performed to predict the the target genes of the identified differential miRNAs. We also validated the differentially expressed miRNAs by animal experiment. RESULTS: A total of 42 differentially expressed exosomal miRNAs were detected in observation group by high-throughput sequencing; among them, miR-27a-5p was significantly upregulated (P=0.000179), and miR-139-3p was significantly downregulated (P=0.000058). In the 24 patients with both CHF and PUA, qRT-PCR validated significant upregulation of miR-27a-5p (P=0.004) and downregulation of miR-139-3p (P=0.005) in serum exosomes. When combined, miR-27a-5p and miR-139-3p had a maximum area under the curve (AUC) of 0.899 (95% CI: 0812-0.987) for predicting CHF complicated by HUA. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses suggested that the differential expressions of miR-27a-5p and miR-139-3p was associated with the activation of the AMPK-mTOR signaling pathway to activate the autophagic response. We obtained the same conclusion from animal experiment. CONCLUSIONS Upregulated exosomal miR-27a-5p combined with downregulated exosomal miR-139-3p expression can serve as a novel molecular marker for diagnosis of CHF complicated by HUA, and their differential expression may promote autophagy in cardiomyocytes by activating the AMPK-mTOR signaling pathway.
Humans ; Hyperuricemia/diagnosis* ; Heart Failure/genetics* ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Exosomes/metabolism* ; Chronic Disease ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Animals

OBJECTIVES: To explore the bioactive components in Jiawei Xiaoyao Pills (JWXYP) and their mechanisms for alleviating depression-like behaviors. METHODS: The active compounds, key targets, and pathways of JWXYP were identified using TCMSP and TCMIP databases. Thirty-six SD rats were randomized equally into 6 groups including a control group and 5 chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced depression groups. After modeling, the 5 model groups were treated with daily gavage of normal saline, 1.8 mg/kg fluoxetine hydrochloride (positive control drug), or JWXYP at 1.44, 2.88, and 4.32 g/kg. The depression-like behaviors of the rats were evaluated using behavioral tests, and pathological changes in the liver and hippocampus were examined with HE staining. The biochemical indicators in the serum and brain tissues were detected using ELISA. Serum metabolomics analysis was performed to identify the differential metabolites using OPLS-DA, and gut microbiota changes were analyzed using 16S rDNA sequencing. RESULTS: Network pharmacology revealed that menthone and paeonol in JWXYP were capable of penetrating the blood-brain barrier to regulate inflammatory pathways and protect the nervous system. In the rat models subjected to CUMS, treatment with JWXYP significantly improved body weight loss, sucrose preference and open field activities, reduced liver inflammation, alleviated structural changes in the hippocampal neurons, decreased serum levels of TNF‑α, IL-1β, IL-6 and LBP, and increased 5-HT and VIP concentrations in the serum and brain tissue, and these effects were the most pronounced in the high-dose group. Metabolomics analysis showed changes in such metabolites as indole-3-acetamide and acetyl-L-carnitine in JWXYP-treated rats, involving the pathways for bile acid biosynthesis and amino acid metabolism. 16S rDNA analysis demonstrated increased gut microbiota diversity and increased abundance of Lactobacillus species in JWXYP-treated rats. CONCLUSIONS JWXYP alleviates depression-like symptoms in rats by regulating the neurotransmitters, inhibiting inflammation and oxidation, and modulating gut microbiota.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Depression/drug therapy* ; Neurotransmitter Agents/metabolism* ; Rats ; Inflammation ; Male ; Hippocampus ; Behavior, Animal/drug effects*

Objective To analyze the current research status,hotspots,and trends in the field of mechanical ventilation weaning.Methods Literatures in the field of mechanical ventilation wea-ning were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection,PubMed,China National Knowledge In-frastructure(CNKI),and Wanfang Data Knowledge Platform from January 1,2010 to November 27,2024.CiteSpace software was used to analyze the research status and future trends.Results A total of 705 English and 494 Chinese eligible articles were included in this study.The author with the most publications was Laurent Brochard(14 articles).Research hotspots focused on mechanical ventila-tion,weaning,non-invasive ventilation,respiratory failure,etc.New research hotspots have shifted towards mechanical ventilation weaning failure,weaning complications,and prolonged weaning.Con-clusion Further research is needed on weaning failure,complications,and prolonged weaning,par-ticularly in the direction of invasive-high-flow oxygen therapy sequential therapy,which will help opti-mize clinical treatment plans and reduce patients' suffering and economic burdens.