Hydrogen-rich water (HRW) shows excellent antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and wound-healing properties and plays a positive role in the treatment of various diseases, such as brain injury, kidney injury, and periodontitis. Current studies found that HRW can inhibit periodontopathogenic biofilm formation, inhibit oral connective tissue and bone tissue destruction, and show anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in periodontitis. Additionally, HRW can alleviate periodontal tissue damage by inhibiting oxidative stress and up-regulating the expression of antioxidant enzymes, such as glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase. HRW exerts anti-inflammatory effects by regulating the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways, which are closely associated with inflammation. Additionally, HRW inhibits the expression of inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukins, inhibits the growth and proliferation of bacterial plaque biofilms, and down-regulates glycosyltransferases and glucan-binding proteins to prevent bacterial adhesion and subsequent development of periodontitis. Furthermore, HRW has a positive effect on the expression of various cell growth factors, α-smooth muscle actin, and type I collagen, which promotes wound healing. Current clinical studies have demonstrated the biological safety of HRW (to a certain extent) and reported no adverse reactions. However, most studies on HRW in oral diseases are preclinical in vivo and in vitro studies. Therefore, further clinical studies are required to validate the therapeutic significance and optimal therapeutic regimen of HRW in human periodontitis. This article aims to review the therapeutic role and the underlying mechanisms of HRW in periodontitis.

[Objective]To explore the disease diagnosis and treatment philosophy embedded in Zhiyi's Mohe Zhiguan(Great Calm and Insight).[Methods]Using a literary research methodology,this study interprets the medical content of Mohe Zhiguan based on classical theories of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)and traditional Chinese cultural frameworks.A descriptive analysis without subjective interpretation was adopted to examine the diagnostic and therapeutic characteristics in the text,analyze the value and contributions of Zhiyi's medical philosophy,elucidate his unique cognitive model of medicine,and compare it with modern psychosomatic medicine to uncover its contemporary relevance.[Results]Although Mohe Zhiguan primarily serves as a guide to meditative practice,it contains rich insights into medical diagnosis and treatment.These include an emphasis on medical ethics,distinctive perspectives on life,etiology and therapeutic approaches.While some of these concepts may differ from modern understandings of disease pathology and treatment principles,they offer valuable insights for addressing psychosomatic disorders prevalent in contemporary society when viewed through the lens of holistic and mind-body medicine.[Conclusion]Zhiyi,a master of Buddhist classics,integrated TCM and Indian medical traditions to develop a unique medical paradigm.When critically examined as part of China's cultural heritage,his work can complement and enrich research in TCM.Further in-depth exploration and dissemination of his ideas are warranted to advance the study of traditional medical systems.

Objective:To evaluate potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) in hospitalized elderly patients with bacterial pneumonia, and explore its influencing factors.Methods:It was a single-center cross-sectional study. The study focused on elderly patients with bacterial pneumonia who were admitted to Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2018 to November 2022. Patients′ gender, age, weight, length of hospital stay, diagnosis at admission, physical examination, diagnosis at discharge, comorbidities, medications, and laboratory test results were extracted from hospital information system and electronic medical records. Medication use of patients included in the analysis during their hospitalization were evaluated according to the classification of PIMs in the 5 lists of the Beer′s criteria of American Geriatrics Society. Based on whether PIM occurred, the patients were divided into with PIM group and without PIM group. The clinical features between the 2 groups were compared and the influencing factors of PIM were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression.Results:A total of 2 720 patients were included, in which 1 734 (63.75%) were male. The median age was 78 (70, 85) years and their ages ranged from 65 to 103 years. The number of drugs used per patient was 14 (10, 18) kinds, ranging from 1 to 57 kinds. The length of hospital stay was 12 (9, 17) days, ranging from 1 to 162 days. Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) was 6 (5, 8) points. Among the 2 720 patients, 1 894 (69.63%) experienced PIM, with a total of 6 166 cases of PIM. The top 3 drugs ranked by the number of PIM occurrence were antiplatelet agents (1 357 cases), benzodiazapine receptor agonists (956 cases), and antipsychotics (884 cases). The comparison of clinical characteristics between the 2 groups showed that differences in age, CCI, length of hospital stay, and number of medications between with PIM and without PIM patients were statistically significant (all P<0.001). Multivariable logistic regression results showed that CCI, length of hospital stay, and number of medications were independent influencing factors for PIM. The risk increased by 8% and 1% with one point increase in CCI and one day extension in length of hospital stay [odds ratio ( OR)=1.08, 95% confidence interval ( CI): 1.04-1.13, P<0.001; OR=1.01, 95% CI: 1.00-1.03, P=0.03]. PIM risk of patients with more than 15 concurrent medications had a 22.16 times higher PIM risk than those with less than 5 concurrent medications ( OR=22.16, 95% CI: 14.15-34.72, P<0.001). Conclusions:Hospitalized eldery patients with bacterial pneumonia who have more severe comorbidities, longer hospital stay, and multiple concomitant medications are at a higher risk of PIM occurrence. Rational medication use among these patients should be paid attention to in clinical practice.

Objective:To evaluate potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) in hospitalized elderly patients with bacterial pneumonia, and explore its influencing factors.Methods:It was a single-center cross-sectional study. The study focused on elderly patients with bacterial pneumonia who were admitted to Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2018 to November 2022. Patients′ gender, age, weight, length of hospital stay, diagnosis at admission, physical examination, diagnosis at discharge, comorbidities, medications, and laboratory test results were extracted from hospital information system and electronic medical records. Medication use of patients included in the analysis during their hospitalization were evaluated according to the classification of PIMs in the 5 lists of the Beer′s criteria of American Geriatrics Society. Based on whether PIM occurred, the patients were divided into with PIM group and without PIM group. The clinical features between the 2 groups were compared and the influencing factors of PIM were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression.Results:A total of 2 720 patients were included, in which 1 734 (63.75%) were male. The median age was 78 (70, 85) years and their ages ranged from 65 to 103 years. The number of drugs used per patient was 14 (10, 18) kinds, ranging from 1 to 57 kinds. The length of hospital stay was 12 (9, 17) days, ranging from 1 to 162 days. Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) was 6 (5, 8) points. Among the 2 720 patients, 1 894 (69.63%) experienced PIM, with a total of 6 166 cases of PIM. The top 3 drugs ranked by the number of PIM occurrence were antiplatelet agents (1 357 cases), benzodiazapine receptor agonists (956 cases), and antipsychotics (884 cases). The comparison of clinical characteristics between the 2 groups showed that differences in age, CCI, length of hospital stay, and number of medications between with PIM and without PIM patients were statistically significant (all P<0.001). Multivariable logistic regression results showed that CCI, length of hospital stay, and number of medications were independent influencing factors for PIM. The risk increased by 8% and 1% with one point increase in CCI and one day extension in length of hospital stay [odds ratio ( OR)=1.08, 95% confidence interval ( CI): 1.04-1.13, P<0.001; OR=1.01, 95% CI: 1.00-1.03, P=0.03]. PIM risk of patients with more than 15 concurrent medications had a 22.16 times higher PIM risk than those with less than 5 concurrent medications ( OR=22.16, 95% CI: 14.15-34.72, P<0.001). Conclusions:Hospitalized eldery patients with bacterial pneumonia who have more severe comorbidities, longer hospital stay, and multiple concomitant medications are at a higher risk of PIM occurrence. Rational medication use among these patients should be paid attention to in clinical practice.

[Objective]To explore the disease diagnosis and treatment philosophy embedded in Zhiyi's Mohe Zhiguan(Great Calm and Insight).[Methods]Using a literary research methodology,this study interprets the medical content of Mohe Zhiguan based on classical theories of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)and traditional Chinese cultural frameworks.A descriptive analysis without subjective interpretation was adopted to examine the diagnostic and therapeutic characteristics in the text,analyze the value and contributions of Zhiyi's medical philosophy,elucidate his unique cognitive model of medicine,and compare it with modern psychosomatic medicine to uncover its contemporary relevance.[Results]Although Mohe Zhiguan primarily serves as a guide to meditative practice,it contains rich insights into medical diagnosis and treatment.These include an emphasis on medical ethics,distinctive perspectives on life,etiology and therapeutic approaches.While some of these concepts may differ from modern understandings of disease pathology and treatment principles,they offer valuable insights for addressing psychosomatic disorders prevalent in contemporary society when viewed through the lens of holistic and mind-body medicine.[Conclusion]Zhiyi,a master of Buddhist classics,integrated TCM and Indian medical traditions to develop a unique medical paradigm.When critically examined as part of China's cultural heritage,his work can complement and enrich research in TCM.Further in-depth exploration and dissemination of his ideas are warranted to advance the study of traditional medical systems.

Coronary restenosis is an important cause of poor long-term prognosis in patients with coronary heart disease. Here, we show that lysine methyltransferase SMYD2 expression in the nucleus is significantly elevated in serum- and PDGF-BB-induced vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), and in tissues of carotid artery injury-induced neointimal hyperplasia. Smyd2 overexpression in VSMCs (Smyd2-vTg) facilitates, but treatment with its specific inhibitor LLY-507 or SMYD2 knockdown significantly inhibits VSMC phenotypic switching and carotid artery injury-induced neointima formation in mice. Transcriptome sequencing revealed that SMYD2 knockdown represses the expression of serum response factor (SRF) target genes and that SRF overexpression largely reverses the inhibitory effect of SMYD2 knockdown on VSMC proliferation. HDAC3 directly interacts with and deacetylates SRF, which enhances SRF transcriptional activity in VSMCs. Moreover, SMYD2 promotes HDAC3 expression via tri-methylation of H3K36 at its promoter. RGFP966, a specific inhibitor of HDAC3, not only counteracts the pro-proliferation effect of SMYD2 overexpression on VSMCs, but also inhibits carotid artery injury-induced neointima formation in mice. HDAC3 partially abolishes the inhibitory effect of SMYD2 knockdown on VSMC proliferation in a deacetylase activity-dependent manner. Our results reveal that the SMYD2-HDAC3-SRF axis constitutes a novel and critical epigenetic mechanism that regulates VSMC phenotypic switching and neointimal hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVE To explore the neuroprotective effect and possible mechanism of celastrol （Cel） and its derivatives （Cel-1， Cel-2） in terms of neuroinflammation and oxidative damage. METHODS Neuroinflammation model of microglial BV2 cells was induced by 1 μg/mL lipopolysaccharide （LPS）； oxidative damage model of human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells was induced by 200 μmol/L hydrogen peroxide （H2O2）. The toxicity of different concentrations of Cel， Cel-1 and Cel-2 （0.625-20 μmol/L） to the two types of cells was investigated. The levels of nitric oxide （NO）， tumor necrosis factor α （TNF-α）， interleukin 1β （IL-1β）， and IL-6 in BV2 cells induced by LPS at safe concentrations （0.039-0.625 μmol/L） were all detected. The survival rate of SH-SY5Y cells induced by H2O2 was also determined. The expression levels of phosphoinositide 3-kinase （PI3K）， p-PI3K， protein kinase B （Akt）， p-Akt， cystatinase 3 （caspase-3）， B-cell lymphoma 2 （Bcl-2） and Bcl-2-related X protein （Bax） in SH- SY5Y cells induced by H2O2 at 0.156， 0.313， 0.625 μmol/L of active compound 2 were all detected. RESULTS In the concentration gradient range between 0.039 and 0.625 μmol/L， the results of neuroinflammation model experiments showed that Cel， Cel-1 and Cel-2 could reduce the contents of NO， TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-6 in culture medium of BV2 cells （P＜0.05 or P＜ 0.01）； their IC50 values for neuroinflammation were （0.25±0.04）， （0.61±0.14） and （0.11±0.02） μmol/L respectively. Meanwhile， all of them could reverse the phenomenon of decreased cell survival rate after H2O2 treatment in the oxidative damage experiments at a certain concentration （P＜ 0.05 or P＜0.01）， with neuroprotective EC50 values of （0.43± XJC2023009） 0.08）， （0.45±0.04） and （0.28±0.03） μmol/L， respectively.Induced by H2O2， the phosphorylation of PI3K and Akt protein， protein expressions of Bcl-2 and Bcl-2/Bax ratio were all increased significantly （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）， while the protein expressions of caspase-3 and Bax were decreased significantly （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS Cel， Cel-1， and Cel-2 all have significant neuroprotective activities at certain concentrations， and Cel-2 shows the most significant protective effect. The mechanism of action of Cel-2 may be related to regulating the PI3K/Akt and caspase-3/Bcl-2/Bax signaling pathways， reducing the inflammatory response， oxidative stress damage and inhibiting neuronal apoptosis.

[Objective]To explore the health preservation thoughts contained in Three Essentials of Health Cultivation written by the health practitioner YUAN Huang in Ming Dynasty,providing certain techniques for modern people to cultivate and maintain health.[Methods]By using literature research methods,this paper analyzes the health preservation content of Three Essentials of Health Cultivation and systematically interprets it in conjunction with classic theories of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)and traditional Chinese culture.By adopting the approach of"passing on the ancient culture without adding anything new to it",the paper delves into the health preservation ideas and methods contained in the book,analyzes the author's contribution to health preservation and the guiding significance of health preservation benefits for people in today's society.[Results]The Three Essentials of Health Cultivation was written by YUAN Huang,who was a native of Jiashan Zhejiang during the Ming Dynasty.This book was extracted by later generations from the YUAN Huang's True Interpretation of Praying for Inheritance.In the book,YUAN Huang elaborated the three major principles of maintaining health:essence,Qi and spirit,namely gathering essence,nourishing Qi and preserving spirit for health preservation.The book contains both the health preservation concepts of TCM and the techniques of Taoism and Buddhism.Its health preservation techniques are friendly and natural which are explained reasonably,making it particularly practical.[Conclusion]The health preservation methods mentioned by YUAN Huang are simple and practical,which are easy to understand and practice for modern people who are obsessed with external factors and have rare leisure time.If one can practice a little while busy,he can achieve the goal of maintaining physical and mental health and promoting a better life.

Objective To explore the correlation between the expression of long non-coding RNA(lncRNA)brain ischemia-related factor(BIRF)and focally amplified lncRNA on chromosome 1(lncRNA FAL1)in serum and the degree of white matter lesions(WML)in patients with cerebral small vessel disease(CSVD).Methods From June 2021 to June 2023,102 CSVD patients admitted to Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University were collected,and these patients were grouped into WML group(n=72)and non WML group(n=30)based on WML diagnostic criteria.According to the Fazekas score,the WML group was further grouped into mild WML group(n=24),moderate WML group(n=36)and severe WML group(n=12).Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)was applied to detect the levels of lncRNA BIRF and lncRNA FAL1 in serum.Pearson correlation was applied to analyze the correlation between serum lncRNA BIRF and lncRNA FAL1 levels.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was applied to analyze the diagnostic value of serum lncRNA BIRF and lncRNA FAL1 levels for severe WML in CSVD patients.Results The age(70.50±5.86 years),history of hypertension(Yes/No,43/29),history of diabetes(Yes/No,45/27),IL-33(68.35±6.80 pg/ml),IL-18(97.78±9.65 ng/L),ubiquitin carboxyl terminal hydrolase L1(UCH-L1)(0.29±0.10 μg/L)and lncRNA BIRF level(2.45±0.30)of patients in the WML group were higher than those in the non WML group(67.10±5.76 years,11/19,9/21,62.48±6.13 pg/ml,92.56±9.37 ng/L,0.24±0.06 μg/L,1.02±0.11),while the expression of serum lncRNA FAL1(0.52±0.10)was lower than that in the non WML group(1.04±0.15),with significant differences(t=2.683,4.518,8.978,4.085,2.510,2.550,25.346,20.500,all P<0.05).The serum lncRNA BIRF levels of CSVD patients in the mild,moderate and severe WML groups(2.23±0.23,2.47±0.31,2.82±0.42)were increased sequentially,while the expression of serum lncRNA FAL1(0.60±0.15,0.51±0.09,0.40±0.04)was decreased sequentially,with significant differences(F=14.913,13.899,all P<0.05).Pearson correlation analysis,the serum levels of lncRNA BIRF and lncRNA FAL1 in patients with WML were negatively correlated(r=-0.603,P<0.001),serum lncRNA BIRF was positively correlated with Fazekas score in WML patients(r=0.483,P<0.001),but serum lncRNA FAL1 was negatively correlated with Fazekas score(r=-0.507,P<0.001).The AUCs of serum lncRNA BIRF and lncRNA FAL1 levels alone and both combination for predicting severe WML in CSVD patients were 0.756(0.641～0.850),0.839(0.733～0.915)and 0.892(0.796～0.953),respectively,and the combination of the two was superior to the detection of serum lncRNA BIRF alone(Z=2.111,P=0.035).Conclusion The serum lncRNA BIRF level is increased and lncRNA FAL1 is reduced in patients with CSVD and WML,and both are related to the degree of WML in CSVD patients.

Objective To evaluate the relationship between ceftazidime-avibactam(CAZ-AVI)blood concentrations and efficacy in critically ill patients and to investigate the factors influencing blood levels.Methods The CAZ-AVI trough concentrations(Cmin)were detected in 29 patients who received CAZ-AVI treatment for at least 48 hours.The clinical materials of the patients were collected together for retrospective analysis.Results The Cmin of ceftazidime(CAZ)and avibactam(AVI)were(50.95±5.17)and(7.52±0.96)mg·L-1 in the effective group and(31.16±7.03)and(5.37±1.32)mg·L-1 in the ineffective group,respectively.The Cmin of CAZ in the effective group was significantly higher than in the ineffective group(P<0.05),and there was no significant difference in AVI Cmin between the two groups(P>0.05).Spearman's correlation analysis showed that CAZ Cmin was positively correlated with clinical efficacy(P<0.05),and no correlation between AVI Cmin and clinical efficacy(P>0.05).The optimal CAZ Cmin threshold was 24.59 mg·L-1.Multiple linear regression analysis showed that age and creatinine clearance was significantly correlated with the Cmin of CAZ,and creatinine clearance was significantly correlated with AVI Cmin(P<0.05).Conclusions The Cmin of CAZ correlates with efficacy,and it may be more beneficial for clinical treatment to keep the concentration of CAZ-AVI always greater than the minimum inhibitory concentration during the dosing interval.The creatinine clearance should be fully considered when optimizing CAZ-AVI dosage in critically ill patients.