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 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.

Objective:To identify and validate secreted effector proteins of Chlamydia psittaci ( C. psittaci) through bioinformatic prediction and experimental verification, and to characterize their subcellular localization in host cells. Methods:Potential effector proteins were predicted using bioinformatics tools. Candidate effectors were fused to β-lactamase through the constructed expression vectors, and these vectors were transformed into C. psittaci. The secretion of these candidate effectors was evaluated by β-lactamase translocation assays. Eukaryotic expression vectors of confirmed effectors were transfected into host cells to determine their intracellular localization patterns. Results:Bioinformatic analysis identified 29 candidate effector proteins. Experimental validation confirmed the secretion of five effectors, with four exhibiting cytoplasmic localization and one displaying nuclear localization in host cells.Conclusion:This study characterizes five novel C. psittaci secreted effector proteins, providing critical insights for investigating the molecular pathogenesis of psittacosis.

This study aims to explore protective effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides(LBP)on intestinal damage caused by lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)in chicks.Network pharmacology was initially employed to determine the target proteins of wolfberry in the prevention and treatment of IBD.Following this,protein-protein interaction analy-sis,GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis,and molecular docking studies were conducted.Subsequently,an animal study was conducted:a total of 100 one-day-old male Hy-line brown lay-ing hens were randomly divided into five groups:a blank control group(CON),an LPS treatment group(LPS),a low-dose LBP group(LPS+LBP 0.25 g/L,L-LBP),a medium-dose LBP group(LPS+LBP 0.5 g/L,M-LBP),and a high-dose LBP group(LPS+LBP 1 g/L,H-LBP).Upon reac-hing 21 days old,duodenal,jejunal,ileal,and cecal tissues were collected to determine SOD and GSH-Px levels.Furthermore,the mRNA expression levels of TNF-α,AKT1,IL-6,IL-1β and TP53 in the intestinal tissues were measured using quantitative real-time PCR.The results demonstrated that network pharmacology identified 45 active ingredients in wolfberry that target 116 key protein sites,including TNF,AKT1 and IL6.The primary objectives focus on signaling pathways including AGE-RAGE,IL-17,TNF,HIF-1,and NF-κB.Molecular docking showed excellent ligand-receptor docking scores,with stable binding facilitated by hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions.Compared to the LPS group,the 0.5 g/L LBP exhibited notably higher levels of SOD and T-AOC.In comparison with the LPS group,the medium and high-dose LBP experimental groups showed notably decreased the mRNA expressions of TNF-α,AKT1,IL-6,and IL-1β,while TP53 mRNA expression was significantly upregulated(P＜0.01).In summary,wolfberry exerts preventive and therapeutic effects on IBD through a multi-component,multi-target,and multi-pathway mecha-nism.

Objective·To explore the value of combined diaphragm and intercostal muscle ultrasound assessment compared with conventional diaphragm ultrasound in predicting the weaning outcome in mechanically ventilated patients with sepsis.Methods·Mechanically ventilated patients with sepsis,consecutively admitted to the Department of Critical Care Medicine of Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University from October 2022 to December 2023,were selected.During the peri-weaning period,after the patient's sepsis condition improved and the patient passed the spontaneous breathing trial(SBT),ultrasound evaluation of respiratory muscles was performed by ultrasound qualified personnel with ultrasound qualification and experience in bedside ultrasound examination.Diaphragm excursion(DE),thickening fraction of diaphragm(TFD),and thickening fraction of intercostal muscle(TFic)were measured,respectively.The patients were divided into a successful weaning group(n=114)and a failed weaning group(n=24)according to the weaning results.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were used to analyze the value of diaphragm ultrasound and intercostal muscle ultrasound,alone and in combination,in predicting ventilator weaning outcome.Results·TFic and TFic/TFD were significantly higher in the failed weaning group during SBT than in the successful weaning group(all P<0.05).The areas under the ROC curve(AUROC)of DE,TFD,and TFic to predict weaning failure in mechanically ventilated patients with sepsis during the period of SBT were 0.689(0.591?0.776),0.657(0.557?0.747),and 0.769(0.676?0.846),respectively,whereas the combined indexes TFic/TFD and TFic&TFD_mix had AUROCs of 0.867(0.786?0.925)and 0.860(0.778?0.920),respectively.TFic/TFD with a cutoff value of>0.95 had a sensitivity of 86.7%and a specificity of 75.3%in predicting weaning failure,and TFic&TFD_mix with a cutoff value of>0.13 had a sensitivity of 86.6%and a specificity of 80.9%in predicting weaning failure.Moreover,the intercostal muscle ultrasonography method had an intra-observer intraclass correlation coefficient(ICC)of 0.890 and an extra-observer ICC of 0.876 for measurement reliability,which were both rated as good(P<0.001).Conclusion·Combined diaphragm and intercostal muscle ultrasonography provides a more comprehensive picture of the patient's overall respiratory muscles,and has a higher guiding value in predicting the weaning outcomes in mechanically ventilated patients with sepsis than diaphragm ultrasound alone.

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 study the epidemiological characteristics of human brucellosis in Ordos City and provide reference and theoretical guidance for prevention and control of the disease.Methods:The surveillance data of human brucellosis cases and the serological surveillance data of key occupational populations reported by the Ordos City Center for Disease Control and Prevention from 2013 to 2022 were collected and analyzed descriptively. ArcGIS 10.8 software was used to draw a spatial distribution map of human brucellosis in Ordos City, and SPSS 26.0 software was used to conduct Spearman correlation analysis to further explore the impact of economic factors on human brucellosis.Results:From 2013 to 2022, a total of 8 676 cases of human brucellosis were reported in Ordos City, with an average annual incidence rate of 40.93/100 000. In 2022, 2 570 cases were reported, with an incidence rate of 116.78/100 000, reaching the peak in the past 10 years. The cases were mainly distributed in Dalad Banner, Hangjin Banner, and Otog Front Banner, with a total of 6 415 cases, accounting for 73.94% of the total number of cases. The spatial distribution spread from north to south and from north to east. The majority of cases were in the age group of 40 to 65 years old (6 061 cases, accounting for 69.86%), male (6 089 cases, accounting for 70.18%), and farmers and herdsmen (7 367 cases, accounting for 84.91%). The median time interval between onset and diagnosis was 16 days. The positive rate of serological surveillance in key occupational groups was 5.38% (7 058/131 229). The results of Spearman correlation analysis showed that the number of agricultural legal entities, the number of animal husbandry legal entities, regional gross domestic product, per capita disposable income of rural and pastoral residents, total agricultural output value, the number of cattle and sheep at the end of the year, milk production, and mutton production were important factors affecting the incidence of brucellosis ( P < 0.05). Conclusions:The incidence of brucellosis in Ordos City is on the rise, and the epidemic situation is severe. It is necessary to strengthen the surveillance and joint prevention and control of human brucellosis to prevent the spread and expansion of the epidemic.

Objective:To investigate the outcomes of natural cycle (NC) and modified natural cycle (MNC) assisted reproductive technology (ART) in patients with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), and to provide a scientific basis for individualized treatment strategies for DOR patients.Methods:A retrospective cohort analysis was performed on the clinical data of DOR patients who underwent ART at the Center for Reproductive Medicine of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2023. Patients were divided into the NC group ( n=801) and the MNC group ( n=385) based on their treatment protocol. The primary outcomes were cycle cancellation rate and oocyte retrieval rate. Secondary outcomes included clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate per fresh embryo transfer cycle and frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycle, cumulative pregnancy rate and cumulative live birth rate per started cycle and per transfer cycle, as well as laboratory parameters such as the number of retrieved oocytes, the number of two pronuclei (2PN) fertilized oocytes, the number of transferable embryos, and transferable embryo formation rate. Further, multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the impact of the treatment protocol on pregnancy and live birth outcomes. Results:There were no statistically significant differences between the NC and MNC groups in terms of general characteristics such as age, body mass index, and baseline hormone levels (all P>0.05). The cycle cancellation rate was significantly higher in the NC group [19.10% (153/801)] than in the MNC group [10.65% (41/385), P<0.001], and the oocyte retrieval rate was significantly lower in the NC group [66.31% (431/650)] than in the MNC group [74.86% (259/346), P=0.005]. The number of retrieved oocytes [1 (0,1)], the number of 2PN fertilized oocytes [1 (0,1)], and the number of transferable embryos [0 (0, 1)] were also significantly lower in the NC group than in the MNC group [1 (1, 2), P<0.001; 1 (1, 1), P<0.001; 0 (0, 1), P<0.001]. However, there were no statistically significant differences in 2PN fertilization rate and transferable embryo formation rate between the NC and MNC groups (all P>0.05). In both fresh embryo transfer cycles and frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles, there were no statistically significant differences in clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate between the NC and MNC groups (all P>0.05). The cumulative pregnancy rate per started cycle and transfer cycle, the cumulative live birth rate per started cycle and per transfer cycle were also not significantly different between the NC and MNC groups (all P>0.05). Multivariate logistic analysis showed no significant association between NC and clinical pregnancy or live birth compared with MNC. Conclusion:While MNC to some extent reduced the cycle cancellation rate and improved oocyte retrieval rates compared with NC, it did not ultimately improve pregnancy outcomes in DOR patients.

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.