The development of atherosclerosis （AS） is closely associated with endothelial dysfunction and mitochondrial metabolic abnormalities. These alterations are fundamentally characterized by metabolic reprogramming， in which the tricarboxylic acid （TCA） cycle serves as a central regulatory hub. Disruption of the homeostasis of TCA cycle intermediates， including succinate， α -ketoglutarate， and itaconate， contributes to AS progression through multiple mechanisms， such as the modulation of oxidative stress， inflammation， and glucose and lipid metabolic networks. Owing to their multi-target and multi-pathway regulatory properties， bioactive compounds derived from traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） have demonstrated unique advantages in correcting metabolic dysregulation. Flavonoids， glycosides， and other bioactive constituents of TCM can target key enzymes and metabolites involved in the TCA cycle， thereby restoring aberrant metabolic reprogramming， alleviating endothelial injury induced by oxidative stress， inflammation， and glucose and lipid metabolic disorders， ultimately improving metabolic homeostasis and attenuating the progression of AS.

The development of atherosclerosis （AS） is closely associated with endothelial dysfunction and mitochondrial metabolic abnormalities. These alterations are fundamentally characterized by metabolic reprogramming， in which the tricarboxylic acid （TCA） cycle serves as a central regulatory hub. Disruption of the homeostasis of TCA cycle intermediates， including succinate， α -ketoglutarate， and itaconate， contributes to AS progression through multiple mechanisms， such as the modulation of oxidative stress， inflammation， and glucose and lipid metabolic networks. Owing to their multi-target and multi-pathway regulatory properties， bioactive compounds derived from traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） have demonstrated unique advantages in correcting metabolic dysregulation. Flavonoids， glycosides， and other bioactive constituents of TCM can target key enzymes and metabolites involved in the TCA cycle， thereby restoring aberrant metabolic reprogramming， alleviating endothelial injury induced by oxidative stress， inflammation， and glucose and lipid metabolic disorders， ultimately improving metabolic homeostasis and attenuating the progression of AS.

Objective: To examine the associations of pet ownership and daily outdoor activity duration with depressive symptoms in middle school students, so as to provide evidence for targeted prevention strategies of depressive symptoms in middle school students. Methods: Using a stratified cluster random sampling method, 83 601 middle and high school students from 103 districts and counties in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region were selected in 2024. A questionnaire survey was conducted to collect demographic data, household pet ownership, outdoor activity duration, and depressive symptoms of the research subjects. The comparison of reporting rates of depressive symptoms among different groups of middle school students was conducted using a χ 2 test. The association between pet ownership and outdoor activity duration and depressive symptoms among middle school students was evaluated using a Logistic regression model, and stratified analysis was conducted among different genders and regions to control for potential confounding factors and evaluate the stability of the association. Results: The prevalence of depressive symptoms among middleschool students in Inner Mongolia was 17.2%. Significant differences in depressive symptom reporting rates were observed across sex, grade, ethnicity, surveillance site, parental education, menarche/spermarche status, boarding status, smoking and alcohol use, daily breakfast consumption, school bullying, continuous 30 minute headphone use in a noisy environment, and often use the Internet ( χ 2=8.07-2 672.57, all P <0.01). Both pet ownership ( OR =0.78, 95% CI =0.75-0.81) and ≥2 h/d of outdoor activity( OR =0.81, 95% CI =0.78-0.84) were inversely associated with depressive symptoms;compared to the without owning pets and < 2 h of outdoor activity daily group, students who both owned pets and engaged in ≥2 h of outdoor activity daily had an even lower risk ( OR =0.83, 95% CI =0.78-0.87)(all P <0.05). Conclusion Pet ownership and increased daily outdoor activity duration may help mitigate depressive symptoms among middle school students.

Background The Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region is a vast area with a wide array of ecological environments, resulting in considerable regional variations in air pollution characteristics. Current research is limited by a scarcity of systematic, region-wide studies and risk assessments. Objective To assess the health risks associated with inhalation exposure to nine heavy metal and metalloid elements in atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) for the population of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Methods From the 10th to the 16th of each month throughout 2023, atmospheric PM_2.5 samples were collected at designated monitoring sites in 12 leagues (cities) across the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region to analyze the characteristics and trends in concentration. The health risk assessment model developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency was employed to evaluate both the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks associated with the heavy metal elements beryllium (Be), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), hydrargyrum (Hg), plumbum (Pb), manganese (Mn), and nickel (Ni) and the metalloid elements stibium (Sb) and arsenic (As). Results In 2023, a total of 1206 valid PM_2.5 samples were analyzed from the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The annual average PM_2.5 concentrations in Inner Mongolia, as well as in the cities of Ordos, Wuhai, and the Alxa League, all exceeded the national limit of 35 μg·m⁻³. The PM_2.5 concentrations across the leagues (cities) exhibited a clear seasonal variation, peaking in winter, followed by spring, and reaching a minimum in summer and autumn. The median PM_2.5 concentration in Ordos throughout the year was higher than that in the other leagues (cities) of the region. Concerning health risks, the non-carcinogenic risks associated with the 9 elements detected in each league (city) were all below 1, indicating acceptable levels. However, the non-carcinogenic risk values for Mn, Cr, and As were relatively high; specifically, Ordos City displayed the highest non-carcinogenic risk values for Mn (7.74×10⁻¹) and Cr (2.97×10⁻²), while Chifeng City recorded the highest value for As (2.34×10⁻³). The carcinogenic risk values for As, Cd, Cr, and Ni fell within the range of 1×10⁻⁹ to 1×10⁻⁵, representing an acceptable level. The health risks varied with age, and the elderly residents faced the highest non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks. Conclusion While the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks from heavy metals and metalloids within atmospheric PM_2.5 in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region are generally within acceptable limits, the potential risks that Mn, As, and Cr pose to the health of elderly people warrants particular attention, and Ordos and Chifeng cities exhibit notably higher health risks among other areas. It is recommended that regular, long-term monitoring be conducted, taking into account the specific conditions at monitoring sites across each league (city), and that targeted air quality management strategies be implemented to protect public health.

Objective To analyze the effect of graded exercise rehabilitation in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,and to provide references for clinical nursing practice.Methods A total of 70 patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who met the criteria in the Department of Respiratory Medicine of a tertiary hospital in Zunyi City from September to December 2023 were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group(with 35 cases in each group).The experimental group implemented graded exercise rehabilitation based on the Global Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Initiative guidelines,and the control group implemented routine exercise rehabilitation.After intervention,the lung function,blood gas analysis,oxygenation index,6 min walking test and the incidence of complications related to non-invasive mechanical ventilation were compared between the 2 groups.Results Finally,34 cases were included in the experimental group and 35 cases in the control group.After intervention,the forced expiratory volume in the first second of the experimental group was improved compared with the control group(P＜0.05).The 6-minute walking test of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group(P＜0.05).The total incidence of non-invasive mechanical ventilation-related complications in the experimental group was lower than that in the control group(P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in blood gas analysis and oxygenation index between the 2 groups(P＜0.05).Conclusion The implementation of graded exercise rehabilitation based on the Global Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Initiative guidelines can help patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease improve their respiratory function,improve their exercise endurance,and reduce non-invasive mechanical ventilation-related complications.

Stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase 1 (SCD1) catalyzes the rate-limiting step of de novo lipogenesis and modulates lipid homeostasis. Although numerous SCD1 inhibitors were tested for treating metabolic disorders both in preclinical and clinic studies, the tissue-specific roles of SCD1 in modulating obesity-associated metabolic disorders and determining the pharmacological effect of chemical SCD1 inhibition remain unclear. Here a novel role for intestinal SCD1 in obesity-associated metabolic disorders was uncovered. Intestinal SCD1 was found to be induced during obesity progression both in humans and mice. Intestine-specific, but not liver-specific, SCD1 deficiency reduced obesity and hepatic steatosis. A939572, an SCD1-specific inhibitor, ameliorated obesity and hepatic steatosis dependent on intestinal, but not hepatic, SCD1. Mechanistically, intestinal SCD1 deficiency impeded obesity-induced oxidative stress through its novel function of inducing metallothionein 1 in intestinal epithelial cells. These results suggest that intestinal SCD1 could be a viable target that underlies the pharmacological effect of chemical SCD1 inhibition in the treatment of obesity-associated metabolic disorders.

To develop biocontrol agents for the control of kiwifruit bacterial canker, we isolated a strain CXG2-5 with inhibitory activity against Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa), the pathogen of kiwifruit bacterial canker, from the rhizosphere soil of kiwifruit by the plate confrontation test. The strain was identified by morphological observation, physiological and biochemical tests, and molecular biological methods. The indoor control efficacy of the strain was determined by the inoculation of the strain into detached branches with wounds and into leaf discs by vacuum infiltration. The ability of the strain to expand and colonize leaf veins was determined by fluorescent labeling and scanning electron microscopy. Subsequently, the strain was prepared into microcapsules, the field control efficacy of which was evaluated. The strain CXG2-5 was identified as Pseudomonas benzenivorans. It demonstrated good antagonistic activity against Psa, with an inhibition zone diameter of 22 mm and an inhibition rate of 72.7%. The preventive effects of the strain on kiwifruit bacterial canker were better than the therapeutic effects on both detached branches and leaves, with the preventive effects reaching 65% and 92.4%, respectively. The control effect of microcapsules of this strain in the field reached 60.89%, which was slightly lower than that of 20% kasugamycin and higher than that of Bacillus subtilis wettable powder. In conclusion, strain CXG2-5 serves as a candidate for the control of kiwifruit bacterial canker, and the prepared microcapsules have good value for development and application.
Actinidia/microbiology* ; Plant Diseases/prevention & control* ; Pseudomonas syringae ; Pseudomonas/isolation & purification* ; Capsules ; Antibiosis ; Biological Control Agents ; Pest Control, Biological/methods*

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between the composition of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and depression/anxiety/sleep disturbances (D/A/S) in patients with chronic pain.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted at 13 tertiary hospitals across China, enrolling patients who experienced chronic pain between November 2023 and May 2024. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and TCM constitution categories were used to assess the patients. The association between the TCM constitution and the D/A/S ratio was analyzed using multivariable logistic regression.ResultsA total of 1107 patients (63.2% women) were analyzed. Compared with those with a balanced constitution, patients who had qi-deficiency and yin-deficiency were at a higher risk of depression. Qi-deficiency and yin-deficiency were associated with anxiety. Sleep disturbances were common in patients with qi-deficiency constitution (odds ratio [OR]: 2.32, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.42–3.81), yang-deficiency constitution (OR: 1.94, 95% CI: 1.26–2.98), yin-deficiency constitution (OR: 2.03, 95% CI: 1.24–3.32), blood stasis constitution (OR: 2.07, 95% CI: 1.01–4.22), and qi-stagnation constitution (OR: 2.66, 95% CI: 1.35–5.25).ConclusionIn patients with chronic pain, specific TCM constitutions may be associated with D/A/S. Further longitudinal studies are needed to clarify the potential causal relationships between TCM constitution types and these conditions.

Objective:To investigate auricular acupressure combined with massage-tapping exercises on body indicators, blood lipids, and liver function in patients with obesity-related fatty liver disease.Methods:This retrospective study included 78 patients with obesity-related fatty liver disease admitted to Hangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from April to December 2023. The patients were divided into two groups based on different treatment methods: the conventional group (36 patients receiving conventional interventions) and the combined group (36 patients receiving auricular acupressure combined with massage-tapping exercises in addition to conventional interventions). The total response rates, physical indicators (body weight, body mass index), blood lipid levels (triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol), and liver function indicators (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyltransferase were recorded and compared between the two groups.Results:The total response rate in the combined group was 94.87% (37/39), which was significantly higher than the 76.92% (30/39) in the conventional group ( χ2 = 5.19, P < 0.05). After intervention, the combined group showed lower body weight [(70.42 ± 8.32) kg vs. (75.84 ± 8.46) kg], lower body mass index [(24.32 ± 1.26) kg/m2 vs. (25.48 ± 1.30) kg/m2], lower triglycerides [(1.62 ± 0.42) mmol/L vs. (2.94 ± 0.78) mmol/L], lower total cholesterol [(5.24 ± 0.54) mmol/L vs. (6.72 ± 0.66) mmol/L], lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [(2.14 ± 0.46) mmol/L vs. (2.78 ± 0.50) mmol/L], lower aspartate aminotransferase [(35.32 ± 4.38) U/L vs. (40.16 ± 5.14) U/L], lower alanine aminotransferase [(31.05 ± 4.20) U/L vs. (37.24 ± 4.56) U/L], and lower gamma-glutamyltransferase [(43.35 ± 8.74) U/L vs. (57.62 ± 9.04) U/L] levels compared with the conventional group. The combined group showed higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level compared with the conventional group [(1.85 ± 0.26) mmol/L vs. (1.26 ± 0.30) mmol/L]. All differences were statistically significant ( t = 2.85, 4.00, 9.31, 10.84, 5.88, 4.48, 6.24, 7.09, 9.28, all P < 0.05). Conclusions:The combination of auricular acupressure and massage-tapping exercises is effective in treating obesity-related fatty liver disease in patients. This approach can regulate physical indicators, improve lipid metabolism, and enhance liver function, making it a method worth promoting in clinical practice.

Objective:To explore the relationship between life events, anxiety, depression, and behavior problems in adolescents.Methods:From September to October 2022, the cluster sampling method was used to select 5 341 adolescents from 4 middle schools in Xinxiang urban area.The subjects and their parents were investigated by the adolescent self-rating life events check list (ASLEC), generalized anxiety disorder scale (GAD-7), patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9), and child behavior checklist (CBCL). SPSS 27.0 software was used for Spearman correlation analysis, and AMOS 28.0 software was used to construct the structural equation model.Results:The scores of anxiety, depression, and behavioral problems were 1 (0, 4), 1 (0, 4), and 3 (0, 10). The total score of life events was 5 (1, 13), and the dimensions scored as follows: interpersonal conflict 1 (0, 4), academic pressure 2 (0, 5), punishment 0 (0, 2), loss 0 (0, 0), health and adaptation problem 0 (0, 1), and others 0 (0, 2). There were positive correlations between life events and its dimensions, depression, anxiety and behavioral problems ( r=0.28-0.69, all P<0.01). In the overall population, anxiety and depression played parallel mediating roles in the impact of life events on behavior problems. Life events could positively predict anxiety ( β=0.68, P<0.01), and anxiety could positively predict behavior problems ( β=0.04, P=0.02). Life events could positively predict depression ( β=0.77, P<0.01), and depression could positively predict behavior problems ( β=0.18, P<0.01). The standardized total effect size of the impact of life events on behavioral problems was 0.622 (95% CI=0.564-0.675). The standardized direct effect size and indirect effect size were 0.460 (95% CI=0.374-0.539) and 0.162 (95% CI=0.108-0.218), accounting for 74.0% and 26.0%of the total effect, respectively. After stratification by gender, the results for male adolescents were consistent with the overall population, while the mediating effect of anxiety was not significant in the female adolescents. Conclusion:Life events can lead to anxiety and depression in adolescents, thereby increasing the risk of behavior problems.