Objective: To systematically compare the types and contents of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in purplish-brown and yellow-brown Ziziphi Spinosae Semen, and to provide a scientific basis for their rapid identification and quality evaluation.
Methods: Headspace-gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (HS-GC-IMS) was employed to determine the VOCs in two colored samples. GC-IMS spectra and fingerprint profiles were established, and chemometric methods including principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) were applied to visualize the differences in volatile components.
Results: A total of 44 VOCs were identified, including 1 aldehyde, 9 esters, 10 ketones, 2 enals, 14 alcohols, 3 acids, 2 furans, 1 disulfide, and 2 hydrocarbons. Alcohols and esters were the main volatile components. The fingerprint profiles showed high consistency within groups but significant differences between groups. Both PCA and PLS-DA effectively distinguished the two sample types. Compounds such as pentanol, methyl butyrate, 2-ethylfuran, 2-hexanol, and 2-methylpropenal were identified as key markers for differentiation.
Conclusion: HS-GC-IMS combined with chemometrics accurately distinguishes the volatile compounds of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen with different colors. This method is rapid, sensitive, and suitable for quality control and rapid authentication of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate a mature three-dimensional reconstruction technique using Cordyceps sinensis as an example, to establish the methodology for creating digital specimens of traditional Chinese medicine. This can lay a solid the foundation for digitizing traditional Chinese medicine samples and identifying their characteristics.
Methods: Based on the research results related to the characteristics identification of Cordyceps sinensis generated by the research team and survey of the existing literature, a characteristic identification evaluation method was designed. The key technical factors of three-dimensional reconstruction (measurement methods, repeatability and reproducibility, synthetic computation, digital specimen format, and color correction) were investigated. A methodology for constructing three-dimensional digital specimens of Cordyceps sinensis was established, and several types of samples (various origins, different completeness, diverse types) were subjected to three-dimensional reconstruction to validate this novel method.
Results: Through this methodological research, the application of three-dimensional reconstruction technology in the construction of digital specimens of Cordyceps sinensis was elegantly established. This method can accurately reproduce all the characteristic identification features of the physical samples. All the samples could be reconstructed into their corresponding three-dimensional digital specimens.
Conclusion: Overall, combining computer-aided three-dimensional reconstruction technology and methodology developed by us can create three-dimensional digital specimens of Cordyceps sinensis and provide a fundamental assessment for restoring the characteristic identification features.

BACKGROUND:Alzheimer's disease has been associated with sarcopenia,but a causal relationship has not been established.Exploring the causal relationship between the two most common disability-burdening diseases in the aging population-Alzheimer's disease and sarcopenia-and their potential mediating factors holds certain implications for further alleviating the healthcare costs and socioeconomic burden for older adults in China.OBJECTIVE:To explore the potential causal relationship between Alzheimer's disease and sarcopenia in the general population using a Mendelian randomization study and to explore the role of body mass index in this context.METHODS:Two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis based on published genome-wide association studies(GWAS)were used to infer causality,and univariate Mendelian randomization and mediation analyses were used in the study design.Through the Integrative Epidemiology Unit(IEU)database,ieu-b-2 was selected as the Alzheimer's disease dataset(sample size:63 926),ieu-b-4816 as the body mass index dataset(99 998),ebi-a-GCST90000027 as the appendicular lean mass dataset(244 730),ukb-b-7478 as the left hand grip strength dataset(461 026),ukb-b-10215 as the right hand grip strength dataset(461 089)and ukb-b-4711 as the walking pace dataset(459 915).Inverse-variance weighting was used as the primary analysis method,and the results were validated by pleiotropy and heterogeneity analysis.The Steiger Directionality Test was performed to validate the reasonableness of the causal direction.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The Mendelian randomization analyses provided evidence that Alzheimer's disease predicted the risk of appendicular lean mass[odds ratio(OR)=1.009;95％confidence interval(Cl),1.001-1.017;P=0.023),and walking pace(OR=1.010;95％Cl,1.003-1.017;P=0.008).No correlation with hand grip strength was observed.(2)Alzheimer's disease was negatively correlated with body mass index(OR=0.893;95％Cl,0.811-0.984;P=0.022);body mass index was positively correlated with appendicular lean mass(OR=1.084;95％Cl,1.031-1.141;P=0.002)and negatively correlated with walking pace(OR=0.975;95％Cl,0.969-0.980;P＜0.001).(3)Mediation analyses showed that the causal relationship between Alzheimer's disease and appendicular lean mass and walking pace was partially mediated by body mass index,with the proportion of mediations being 50.25％and 32.11％,respectively.(4)The results of this study suggest that based on large-scale population studies,genetic prediction of Alzheimer's disease is a potential risk factor for sarcopenia,in which body mass index plays an important mediating role.This suggests that in clinical practice,attention should be paid to the muscle condition of patients with Alzheimer's disease,and weight management should be implemented,as maintaining a body mass index within the normal high range may have a preventive effect on the occurrence of sarcopenia in patients with Alzheimer's disease.However,further research is needed to verify the applicability of this conclusion to other ethnic groups.This study utilized an international public database for analysis,providing a reference for research on the correlation between Alzheimer's disease and sarcopenia in the Chinese population.It also highlights the significant mediating role of body mass index,offering insights for further prevention and treatment of sarcopenia among Chinese individuals.

OBJECTIVE To form an expert consensus on the clinical application of parenteral direct thrombin inhibitors （DTIs） in patients during the perioperative period. METHODS Led by Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital （the Affiliated Hospital of UESTC）， a multidisciplinary working group was established. Through literature review and the Delphi method， clinical questions related to the rational perioperative use of parenteral DTIs were identified. A structured design was adopted using the “Population-Intervention-Comparison-Outcome” framework； systematic searches were conducted in CNKI， Medline， Embase and other databases. Relevant evidence from randomized controlled trials and cohort studies was included and synthesized. Evidence quality was assessed using the Grades of Recommendations Assessment，Development and Evaluation （GRADE） approach， and recommendations were formulated through multiple rounds of Delphi surveys and expert consensus meetings. RESULTS &CONCLUSIONS Seven recommendations （each with an expert consensus rate exceeding 90%） on the use of parenteral DTIs in perioperative patients were developed. These recommendations specify drug selection， dosing ranges， key monitoring points， and safety management strategies for parenteral DTIs in various scenarios， including the perioperative period of ventricular assist device implantation， the perioperative period of cardiac surgery， perioperative patients with lower-extremity atherosclerotic disease， the perioperative period of percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute coronary syndrome， the perioperative period of carotid artery stenting in patients with carotid stenosis， the perioperative period of patients with right heart thrombosis， and patients who develop related thrombosis and dysfunction after a central venous catheter insertion. In addition， warning and management pathways for perioperative bleeding and thrombotic events were proposed. This expert consensus， which is formulated based on the best available evidence， provides evidence-based guidance for standardized and individualized use of parenteral DTIs in perioperative period.

BACKGROUND:Alzheimer's disease has been associated with sarcopenia,but a causal relationship has not been established.Exploring the causal relationship between the two most common disability-burdening diseases in the aging population-Alzheimer's disease and sarcopenia-and their potential mediating factors holds certain implications for further alleviating the healthcare costs and socioeconomic burden for older adults in China.OBJECTIVE:To explore the potential causal relationship between Alzheimer's disease and sarcopenia in the general population using a Mendelian randomization study and to explore the role of body mass index in this context.METHODS:Two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis based on published genome-wide association studies(GWAS)were used to infer causality,and univariate Mendelian randomization and mediation analyses were used in the study design.Through the Integrative Epidemiology Unit(IEU)database,ieu-b-2 was selected as the Alzheimer's disease dataset(sample size:63 926),ieu-b-4816 as the body mass index dataset(99 998),ebi-a-GCST90000027 as the appendicular lean mass dataset(244 730),ukb-b-7478 as the left hand grip strength dataset(461 026),ukb-b-10215 as the right hand grip strength dataset(461 089)and ukb-b-4711 as the walking pace dataset(459 915).Inverse-variance weighting was used as the primary analysis method,and the results were validated by pleiotropy and heterogeneity analysis.The Steiger Directionality Test was performed to validate the reasonableness of the causal direction.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The Mendelian randomization analyses provided evidence that Alzheimer's disease predicted the risk of appendicular lean mass[odds ratio(OR)=1.009;95％confidence interval(Cl),1.001-1.017;P=0.023),and walking pace(OR=1.010;95％Cl,1.003-1.017;P=0.008).No correlation with hand grip strength was observed.(2)Alzheimer's disease was negatively correlated with body mass index(OR=0.893;95％Cl,0.811-0.984;P=0.022);body mass index was positively correlated with appendicular lean mass(OR=1.084;95％Cl,1.031-1.141;P=0.002)and negatively correlated with walking pace(OR=0.975;95％Cl,0.969-0.980;P＜0.001).(3)Mediation analyses showed that the causal relationship between Alzheimer's disease and appendicular lean mass and walking pace was partially mediated by body mass index,with the proportion of mediations being 50.25％and 32.11％,respectively.(4)The results of this study suggest that based on large-scale population studies,genetic prediction of Alzheimer's disease is a potential risk factor for sarcopenia,in which body mass index plays an important mediating role.This suggests that in clinical practice,attention should be paid to the muscle condition of patients with Alzheimer's disease,and weight management should be implemented,as maintaining a body mass index within the normal high range may have a preventive effect on the occurrence of sarcopenia in patients with Alzheimer's disease.However,further research is needed to verify the applicability of this conclusion to other ethnic groups.This study utilized an international public database for analysis,providing a reference for research on the correlation between Alzheimer's disease and sarcopenia in the Chinese population.It also highlights the significant mediating role of body mass index,offering insights for further prevention and treatment of sarcopenia among Chinese individuals.

Objectives: . The prognostic value of the pretreatment albumin-to-alkaline phosphatase ratio (AAPR) in head and neck cancer (HNC) remains uncertain. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the predictive role of AAPR for survival outcomes in patients with HNC. Methods: . A comprehensive search of the Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Embase databases was conducted to identify relevant studies published up to July 30, 2024. We included studies on AAPR and survival outcomes in HNC patients. Results: . Eight studies comprising 1,737 HNC patients were analyzed using random-effects models. Lower AAPR values were significantly correlated with worse overall survival (hazard ratio [HR], 2.08), progression-free survival (HR, 2.00), and disease-free survival (HR, 2.18). Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of these results, with no significant publication bias detected. Conclusion . Our findings suggest that pretreatment AAPR could serve as a valuable and cost-effective prognostic indicator in HNC, potentially aiding clinicians in risk stratification and treatment decision-making. However, additional validation studies are warranted to confirm its clinical applicability.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of chronic hypoxic exposure on lipid metabolism in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis mice via transcriptomic analysis. MethodsMale C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into 3 groups： Control group （normal diet）， metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis group （MASH， high-fat diet）， hypoxic metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis group （CH-MASH， high-fat diet）. After 12 weeks， CH-MASH was given hypoxia intervention （altitude=3 800 m） for 4 weeks. Differentially expressed genes in the livers of mice from the three groups were identified using transcriptome sequencing， followed by GO and KEGG analyses. A protein-protein interaction （PPI） network was constructed to screen hub genes. Serum triglyceride （TG）， total cholesterol （TC）， and liver function parameters were measured， and hepatic histomorphological changes were observed by HE staining. ResultsSerum TG and TC significantly increased in MASH group and CH-MASH group compared with Control group. Compared to MASH group， serum TG and TC obviously increased in CH-MASH. HE staining suggested that the lipid level of CH-MASH was reduced compared with MASH. Liver transcriptomes differed markedly between CH-MASH and MASH mice. A total of 1 005 differentially expressed genes were screened. A total of 1 151 significantly enriched GO terms were obtained including extracellular regions， intrinsic components of membranes， lipid metabolism processes， small molecule metabolism processes， and small molecule synthesis processes KEGG enrichment analysis showed that DEGs were enriched in 41 pathways， including metabolic pathway， retinol metabolic pathway， PPAR signaling pathway， sterol synthesis pathway etc. In the screening protein interaction network， the closely connected genes related to lipid metabolism under hypoxia were Acaca， Hmgcs1， Acat2， Cyp51和Msmo1. The results of RT-qPCR were consistent. ConclusionChronic hypoxia significantly alters liver lipid metabolism transcription levels in MASH mice. The key genes and pathways screened in this study provide clues for further research on the mechanism of hypoxia exposure affecting liver metabolic changes in MASH mice.

Objective:To study the influence of image panel of different source image distances(SID)of beam central axis of Portal Dosimetry(PD)dose verification system on the verification of volumetric modulated arc therapy(VMAT)plan,so as to provide reference for dose verification in selecting the appropriate SID position and evaluation criteria.Methods:From July 2022 to May 2024,10 patients,who received radiotherapy on tumor at different-site in Specialized Medical Center of the Chinese People's Armed Police Force,were selected.All patients underwent VMAT.Ten simulated dose verification plans were established according to the data of patients,with a total of 10 arcs.The non-crystalline silicon image panel was calibrated at 0,-30,-40,-50 and-60 cm from the isocenter on the beam central axis,and the verification plans of PD system were established.Dose verification was carried out using electronic portal imaging device(EPID)(a-Si EPID)of non-crystalline silicon image panel that was onboard by accelerator.The γ pass rates under the standards of 3%/3 mm and 3%/2 mm were compared and analyzed.Results:Under the evaluation standard of 3%/3 mm,the γ pass rates of the collected doses were(98.93±0.81)%,(94.77±9.00)%,(92.18±11.34)%,(89.72±12.54)%and(87.05±13.06)%when the SID values were respectively 100,130,140,150 and 160 cm,which were all higher than these under the evaluation standard of 3%/2 mm,and the differences were statistically significant(t=2.75,3.44,3.59,4.16,6.47,P<0.05).There were significant differences between the average γ pass rate of the collected dose under evaluation standards of 3%/3 mm and 3%/2 mm when SID was 100cm,and the 100%of γ pass rate(t=-3.21,-3.62,P<0.05),while the differences of the obtained γ pass rates among other SID positions were not statistically significant(P>0.05).Conclusion:Under the evaluation standards of 3%/3 mm and 3%/2 mm,the γ pass rate of the collected dose at SID 100 cm is the highest.The γ pass rate of the collected dose at SID 130 cm can meet the basically clinical requirements.In EPID dose verification,the collection for dose should be prioritized for selection when SID was 100 cm,and the γ pass rate of dose verification is higher,the influence of interference is less at this time,which verification results have higher credibility.

AIM To evaluate the quality of Gegen Formula Granules.METHODS Linear calibration with two reference substances(LCTRS)was adopted in the predicting of retention time with puerarin and daidzein as internal standards.UPLC characteristic chromatograms were established.The contents of 3'-hydroxy puerarin,puerarin(internal standard),3'-methoxy puerarin,puerarin 6"-O-xyloside,puerarin apioside and daidzin were determined by quantitative determination analysis multi-components by a single marker(QAMS),after which their transfer rates were calculated.RESULTS Compared with relative retention time method,LCTRS demonstrated higher positional accuracy for characteristic peaks and wider application range for columns.There were 9 characteristic peaks in the characteristic chromatograms for 14 batches of formula granules and 15 batches of standard decoctions with the similarities of more than 0.95.The contents and transfer rates of various constituents in formula granules and standard decoctions were basically consistent.CONCLUSION The chemical constituents in formula granules and their standard decoctions of Puerariae lobatae Radix display good consistency,reliable preparation process is observable in the former.

Objective:To analyze the related factors of biochemical recurrence after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP).Methods:Clinical data of 312 patients with prostate cancer who received LRP in Hunan Provincial People's Hospital (the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University) from September 2020 to September 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Those patients were followed up for 1 year after surgery. According to whether biochemical recurrence occurred after surgery, the above patients were divided into biochemical recurrence group ( n=61) and non-biochemical recurrence group ( n=251). Compare the clinical data [including age, smoking history, drinking history, history of diabetes, postoperative Gleason score, body mass index (BMI), tumor stage, presence or absence of seminal vesicle invasion, and positive surgical margins] and laboratory indicators [including fasting blood glucose after admission, hemoglobin, prostate volume, prostate mass, and preoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA)] levels between the two groups of patients. Measurement data with normal distribution were presented as Mean±SD, comparison between the two groups was performed by the independent samples t-test. Categorical data were expressed as case (%), comparison between groups was performed by the χ2 test, multivariate analysis was performed by Logistic regression model. Results:The difference in smoking history between groups was not statistically significant( P>0.05). The proportions of patients with age≥65 years old [85.25% (52/61) vs. 68.13% (171/251)], alcohol drinking history[73.77% (45/61) vs. 68.53% (172/251)], diabetes mellitus[50.82% (31/61) vs. 40.24% (101/251)], Gleason score >7 points[72.13% (44/61) vs. 30.68% (77/251)], BMI≥30 kg/m 2[32.79% (20/61) vs. 14.34% (36/251)], disease stage ≥T2a[67.21% (41/61) vs. 23.11% (58/251)], seminal vesicle invasion[32.79% (20/61) vs. 13.55% (34/251)], and postoperative positive incisal margin[24.59% (15/61) vs. 3.59% (9/251)] in the biochemical recurrence group were higher than those in the non-biochemical recurrence group, and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2=393.22, 34.58, 74.28, 36.70, 725.49, 48.09, 171.37, 30.49, respectively, all P<0.001). The differences in fasting blood glucose [(6.81±0.89) mmol/L vs. (6.63±0.78) mmol/L], prostate volume[37.19±4.23) mL vs. (36.87±4.36) mL], prostate weight[(48.21±5.11) g vs. (47.82±5.13) g], and hemoglobin level[(134.08±15.62) g/L vs. (133.26±16.24) g/L] between both groups of patients were not statistically significant ( t=1.57,0.52,0.53,0.36, P=0.117,0.606,0.594,0.722, respectively). The preoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level was higher in the biochemical recurrence group than that in the non-biochemical recurrence group [(45.13±5.26) μg/L vs. (28.87±3.18) μg/L, t=30.99, P<0.001). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis results indicated that postoperative Gleason score >7 points, preoperative PSA and seminal vesicle invasion were risk factors for postoperative biochemical recurrence in patients undergoing LRP ( OR=5.39, 95% CI:1.57-18.48, P=0.008; OR=4.32, 95% CI:1.32-14.10, P=0.016; OR=12.76, 95% CI:1.47-111.03, P=0.022). Conclusion:Patients with prostate cancer are prone to biochemical recurrence after LRP, which is affected by postoperative Gleason score, preoperative PSA level and seminal vesicle invasion. It is necessary to take targeted measures to prevent biochemical recurrence.