This article systematically analyzes the historical evolution of the name， origin， quality evaluation， harvesting， processing and other aspects of Picrorhizae Rhizoma by referring to the medical books， prescription books， and other documents of the past dynasties， combined with relevant modern research materials， in order to provide a basis for the development and utilization of famous classical formulas containing this medicinal herb. The research results indicate that Picrorhizae Rhizoma was first recorded in New Revised Materia Medica from the Tang dynasty. Throughout history， Huhuanglian has been used as its official name， and there are also aliases such as Gehu Luze， Jiahuanglian and Hulian. The main source of past dynasties is the the rhizomes of Picrorhiza kurrooa and P. scrophulariiflora. In ancient times， Picrorhizae Rhizoma was mainly imported by foreign traders via Guangzhou and other regions， and also produced in China， mainly in Xizang. In ancient times， it was harvested and dried in early August of the lunar calendar， while in modern times， it is mostly harvested from July to September， with the best quality being those with thick and crispy rhizomes without impurities， and bitter taste. Throughout history， Picrorhizae Rhizoma was collected， washed， sliced， and dried before being used as a raw material for medicine， it has a bitter and cold taste， mainly used to treat bone steaming， hot flashes， infantile chancre fever， and dysentery. There is no significant difference in taste and efficacy between ancient and modern times. Based on the research results， it is recommended that the rhizomes of P. scrophulariiflora in the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia， or the rhizomes of P. kurrooa， can be used in famous classical formulas containing this medicinal herb， which can be processed according to the processing requirements marked by the original formula. For those without clear processing requirements， the dried raw products are used as medicine.

Objective To explore the value of high-frequency ultrasound in the detection of metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma and displaying lesion characteristics. Methods A total of 38 paitients with hepatocellular carcinoma satellite lesions within 40 mm of subcutaneous tissue were underwent low-frequency (1-5 MHz) and high-frequency (6-9 MHz) ultrasound. Detection rates and ultrasonic features were compared. Results High-frequency grayscale ultrasound had a higher detection rate (71.1% vs. 36.8%, P＜0.001). Subgroup analysis showed higher detection rates with chemotherapy history (88.9% vs. 33.3%, P＝0.002), fatty liver (71.9% vs 31.3%, P＜0.001) or superficial lesion (within 20 mm, 76.5% vs 41.2%, P＝0.031). High-frequency ultrasound also showed clearer margins (P＝0.004) and more arterial-phase rim enhancement (P＝0.007). Conclusions 6-9 MHz ultrasound detects metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma, especially superficial lesions, more effectively than 1-5 MHz ultrasound and better visualizes characteristics.

Piper nigrum L. is an evergreen climbing vine, which belongs to the genus Piperia in the Piperaceae family. Piper nigrum L., which known as the “king of spices”, is used as both food and medicine. The main active substances in Piper nigrum L. are alkaloids mainly composed of amides, and essential oil, as well as phenolic compounds. In this paper, the chemical compositions, especially amide alkaloids, and their biological activities of Piper nigrum L. were summarized. These studies showed that Piper nigrum L., as a medicinal and food plant, had a wide range of biological activities and was deserved further research and in-depth utilization.

Glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px） is a key selenoenzyme that protects the body from oxidative damage. A series of small molecular organic selenium compounds have been designed and synthesized as functional mimics of GPx, among which isoselenazolones are the most widely studied. Taking ebselen as a representative, the catalytic mechanism of isoselenazolones in mimicing GSH-Px activity in vivo, the therapeutic effects of isoselenazolones in stroke, sensorineurium deafness and tinnitus, treatmentresistant depression （TRD） and coronavirus disease 2019 （COVID-19）, and research on their chemical synthesis methods were summarized and discussed in this paper.

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of modified Lianpoyin formula （LPYJWF） in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori （Hp）-associated gastric mucosal damage based on mitochondrial autophagy and NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway. MethodsA total of 60 eight-week-old Balb/c male mice were assigned via the random number table method into control， model， high-dose LPYJWF （LPYJWF-H， 27.3 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， medium-dose LPYJWF （LPYJWF-M， 13.65 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， low-dose LPYJWF （LPYJWF-L， 6.83 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， and quadruple therapy groups. Except the control group， other groups were modeled for Hp infection. Mice were administrated with LPYJWF at corresponding doses by gavage. Quadruple therapy group was given omeprazole （6.06 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） + amoxicillin （303 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） + clarithromycin （151.67 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） + colloidal pectin capsules （30.3 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） by gavage. The control group was given an equal volume of 0.9% NaCl for 14 days. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the pathological changes of gastric mucosa， and Warthin-Starry （W-S） silver staining was used to detect Hp colonization. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to observe the mitochondrial ultrastructure of the gastric tissue， and immunofluorescence co-localization assay was adopted to detect the expression of mitochondrial transcription factor A （TFAM） and translocase of the outer mitochondrial membrane member 20 （TOMM20）. The water-soluble tetrazolium salt method and thiobarbituric acid method were used to determine the levels of superoxide dismutase （SOD） and malondialdehyde （MDA）， respectively， in the gastric tissue. Western blot was employed to measure the protein levels of PTEN-induced kinase 1 （PINK1）， Parkin， p62， microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 （LC3）， NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）， apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD （ASC）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and interleukin-18 （IL-18）. Real-time quantitative PCR was employed to assess the mRNA levels of PINK1， Parkin， p62， and LC3. ResultsCompared with the control group， the model group presented obvious gastric mucosal damage， colonization of a large number of Hp， severe mitochondrial damage， vacuolated structures due to excessive autophagy， reduced TOMM20 and TFAM co-expression in the gastric mucosal tissue， and reduced SOD and increased MDA （P<0.01）. In addition， the gastric tissue in the model group showed up-regulated protein and mRNA levels of PINK1， Parkin， and LC3 and down-regulated protein and mRNA levels of p62 （P<0.01， as well as increased expression of inflammasome-associated proteins NLRP3， ASC， IL-1β， and IL-18 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the LPYJWF and quadruple therapy groups showed alleviated pathological damage of gastric mucosa， reduced Hp colonization， mitigated mitochondrial damage， and increased co-expression of TOMM20 and TFAM. The SOD level was elevated in the LPYJWF-L group （P<0.01）， and the MDA levels became lowered in the LPYJWF and quadruple therapy groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Furthermore， the LPYJWF and quadruple therapy groups showed down-regulated mRNA levels of PINK1， Parkin， and LC3 and protein levels of PINK1 and Parkin， and up-regulated mRNA level of p62 （P<0.01）. The LPYJWF-M， LPYJWF-H， and quadruple therapy groups showcased down-regulated LC3 Ⅱ/LC3 Ⅰ level （P<0.05， P<0.01） and up-regulated protein level of p62 （P<0.01）. The expression of inflammasome-associated proteins NLRP3， ASC， IL-1β， and IL-18 were reduced in the LPYJWF and quadruple therapy groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionLPYJWF ameliorates gastric mucosal damage and exerts mucosa-protective effects in Hp-infected mice， which may be related to the inhibition of excessive mitochondrial autophagy， thereby inhibiting the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway.

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of modified Lianpoyin formula （LPYJWF） in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori （Hp）-associated gastric mucosal damage based on mitochondrial autophagy and NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway. MethodsA total of 60 eight-week-old Balb/c male mice were assigned via the random number table method into control， model， high-dose LPYJWF （LPYJWF-H， 27.3 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， medium-dose LPYJWF （LPYJWF-M， 13.65 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， low-dose LPYJWF （LPYJWF-L， 6.83 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， and quadruple therapy groups. Except the control group， other groups were modeled for Hp infection. Mice were administrated with LPYJWF at corresponding doses by gavage. Quadruple therapy group was given omeprazole （6.06 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） + amoxicillin （303 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） + clarithromycin （151.67 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） + colloidal pectin capsules （30.3 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） by gavage. The control group was given an equal volume of 0.9% NaCl for 14 days. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the pathological changes of gastric mucosa， and Warthin-Starry （W-S） silver staining was used to detect Hp colonization. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to observe the mitochondrial ultrastructure of the gastric tissue， and immunofluorescence co-localization assay was adopted to detect the expression of mitochondrial transcription factor A （TFAM） and translocase of the outer mitochondrial membrane member 20 （TOMM20）. The water-soluble tetrazolium salt method and thiobarbituric acid method were used to determine the levels of superoxide dismutase （SOD） and malondialdehyde （MDA）， respectively， in the gastric tissue. Western blot was employed to measure the protein levels of PTEN-induced kinase 1 （PINK1）， Parkin， p62， microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 （LC3）， NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）， apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD （ASC）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and interleukin-18 （IL-18）. Real-time quantitative PCR was employed to assess the mRNA levels of PINK1， Parkin， p62， and LC3. ResultsCompared with the control group， the model group presented obvious gastric mucosal damage， colonization of a large number of Hp， severe mitochondrial damage， vacuolated structures due to excessive autophagy， reduced TOMM20 and TFAM co-expression in the gastric mucosal tissue， and reduced SOD and increased MDA （P<0.01）. In addition， the gastric tissue in the model group showed up-regulated protein and mRNA levels of PINK1， Parkin， and LC3 and down-regulated protein and mRNA levels of p62 （P<0.01， as well as increased expression of inflammasome-associated proteins NLRP3， ASC， IL-1β， and IL-18 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the LPYJWF and quadruple therapy groups showed alleviated pathological damage of gastric mucosa， reduced Hp colonization， mitigated mitochondrial damage， and increased co-expression of TOMM20 and TFAM. The SOD level was elevated in the LPYJWF-L group （P<0.01）， and the MDA levels became lowered in the LPYJWF and quadruple therapy groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Furthermore， the LPYJWF and quadruple therapy groups showed down-regulated mRNA levels of PINK1， Parkin， and LC3 and protein levels of PINK1 and Parkin， and up-regulated mRNA level of p62 （P<0.01）. The LPYJWF-M， LPYJWF-H， and quadruple therapy groups showcased down-regulated LC3 Ⅱ/LC3 Ⅰ level （P<0.05， P<0.01） and up-regulated protein level of p62 （P<0.01）. The expression of inflammasome-associated proteins NLRP3， ASC， IL-1β， and IL-18 were reduced in the LPYJWF and quadruple therapy groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionLPYJWF ameliorates gastric mucosal damage and exerts mucosa-protective effects in Hp-infected mice， which may be related to the inhibition of excessive mitochondrial autophagy， thereby inhibiting the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway.

Objective To measure radiation filed distribution in the treatment room of the Varian Halcyon medical linear accelerator, and to provide a basis for shielding design and potential exposure analysis of treatment rooms for this type of accelerator. Methods Under the 6 MV X-ray (FFF) mode at a maximum dose rate of 800 MU/min and a maximum irradiation field of 28.00 cm × 28.00 cm, a total of 540 MU was delivered during gantry rotation. Radiation field distribution was measured using thermoluminescence dosimeters located at multiple points in the room. The measured data were then applied to shielding calculations, and the results were compared with those obtained using empirical formulas. Results The overall radiation levels in the treatment room were in the range of 12.2 µGy/540 MU to 5.520 Gy/540 MU, with the highest dose (5.520 Gy/540 MU) observed at the isocenter, and the lowest dose (12.2 µGy/540 MU) recorded at approximately 6.5 m from the gantry head. The radiation levels at most points were within the range of 100-1000 µGy/540 MU. At heights of 0.5, 1.1, and 1.7 m, the radiation field exhibited a rapid attenuation from the beam center outward, with a faster decay along the treatment couch direction (Y-axis) than along the perpendicular direction (X-axis). Shielding calculations based on the measured radiation field yielded required wall thicknesses of 1219 mm (east wall), 949 mm (south wall), 1235 mm (west wall), and 1252 mm (north wall), all of which were smaller than those calculated using empirical formulas. Conclusion Thermoluminescence dosimeter is suitable for multi-point in situ measurement of radiation field distribution in Halcyon accelerator treatment rooms. The measurement results can be used to optimize the shielding design of Halcyon accelerator treatment rooms.

AIM: To investigate the effect of accommodation on peripheral refraction in patients with myopia.METHODS: Cross-sectional study. A total of 105 patients(105 eyes)with myopia were consecutively recruited in this study. According to the degree of myopia, patients were divided into high myopia(SE≤-6.00 D), moderate myopia(-6.00 D0.017).CONCLUSION: The accommodation can affect the peripheral defocus in myopic patients, and the effect on moderate and low myopia is greater than that of high myopia.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a common respiratory emergency, but current clinical treatment remains at the level of symptomatic support and there is a lack of effective targeted treatment measures. Our previous study confirmed that inhalation of hydrogen gas can reduce the acute lung injury of ARDS, but the application of hydrogen has flammable and explosive safety concerns. Drinking hydrogen-rich liquid or inhaling hydrogen gas has been shown to play an important role in scavenging reactive oxygen species and maintaining mitochondrial quality control balance, thus improving ARDS in patients and animal models. Coral calcium hydrogenation (CCH) is a new solid molecular hydrogen carrier prepared from coral calcium (CC). Whether and how CCH affects acute lung injury in ARDS remains unstudied. In this study, we observed the therapeutic effect of CCH on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced acute lung injury in ARDS mice. The survival rate of mice treated with CCH and hydrogen inhalation was found to be comparable, demonstrating a significant improvement compared to the untreated ARDS model group. CCH treatment significantly reduced pulmonary hemorrhage and edema, and improved pulmonary function and local microcirculation in ARDS mice. CCH promoted mitochondrial peripheral division in the early course of ARDS by activating mitochondrial thioredoxin 2 (Trx2), improved lung mitochondrial dysfunction induced by LPS, and reduced oxidative stress damage. The results indicate that CCH is a highly efficient hydrogen-rich agent that can attenuate acute lung injury of ARDS by improving the mitochondrial function through Trx2 activation.

Pristimerin, which is one of the compounds present in Celastraceae and Hippocrateaceae, has antitumor effects. However, its mechanism of action in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the efficacy and mechanism of pristimerin on ESCC in vitro and in vivo. The inhibitory effect of pristimerin on cell growth was assessed using trypan blue exclusion and colony formation assays. Cell apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry. Gene and protein expressions were analyzed through quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) was employed to identify significantly differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Cell transfection and RNA interference assays were utilized to examine the role of key proteins in pristimerin?s effect. Xenograft models were established to evaluate the antitumor efficiency of pristimerin in vivo. Pristimerin inhibited cell growth and induced apoptosis in ESCC cells. Upregulation of Noxa was crucial for pristimerin-induced apoptosis. Pristimerin activated the Forkhead box O3a (FoxO3a) signaling pathway and triggered FoxO3a recruitment to the Noxa promoter, leading to Noxa transcription. Blocking FoxO3a reversed pristimerin-induced Noxa upregulation and cell apoptosis. Pristimerin treatment suppressed xenograft tumors in nude mice, but these effects were largely negated in Noxa-KO tumors. Furthermore, the chemosensitization effects of pristimerin in vitro and in vivo were mediated by Noxa. This study demonstrates that pristimerin exerts an antitumor effect on ESCC by inducing AKT/FoxO3a-mediated Noxa upregulation. These findings suggest that pristimerin may serve as a potent anticancer agent for ESCC treatment.
Forkhead Box Protein O3/genetics* ; Humans ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma/physiopathology* ; Esophageal Neoplasms/physiopathology* ; Pentacyclic Triterpenes ; Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/genetics* ; Mice ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Mice, Nude ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Triterpenes/pharmacology* ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Male ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects*