Rheumatoid arthritis （RA） is a common chronic systemic autoimmune disease with synovitis as the main manifestation， which often causes joint swelling and pain or even deformity. It is considered to be an incurable lifelong disease. Although the current Western medicine treatment can alleviate the progression of the disease， it has the clinical limitations of liver injury， cardiovascular complications， and other adverse reactions， along with easy recurrence. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） has a long history and has the advantages of individualized treatment and fewer adverse reactions. It can effectively relieve the symptoms of joint swelling and pain in RA patients and slow down the progression of bone destruction， which has attracted wide concern in the medical community. Janus kinase （JAK）/signal transducer and activator of transcription （STAT） signaling pathway is an important intracellular pathway involved in cell proliferation， differentiation， apoptosis， immune regulation， and other biological behaviors， and plays an important role in the pathophysiological process of RA. In recent years， many studies have confirmed that TCM monomers and compounds can inhibit inflammation and angiogenesis by regulating the JAK/STAT signaling pathway， induce apoptosis and inhibit proliferation of fibroblast-like synoviocytes （FLS）， regulate immune response， and thus exert an effect in the treatment of RA. However， there is still a lack of comprehensive and systematic induction and overview. Therefore， by searching the relevant literature in China National Knowledge Infrastructure （CNKI） and PubMed databases from 2009 to 2024， this study described the mechanism of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway in the occurrence and development of RA and summarized the research progress of TCM monomers and compounds in regulating the JAK/STAT signaling pathway in RA intervention. The study aims to provide new ideas and strategies for the clinical treatment of RA with TCM and the research and development of new drugs.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and potential mechanism of curcumin on neurological injury in neonatal rats with bacterial meningitis based on the signal transducer and activator of transcription 1（ STAT1）/ nucleotide-binding domain leucine- rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing receptor 3 （NLRP3） signaling pathway. METHODS Neonatal rats， with an equal number of males and females， were randomly divided into control group， model group， curcumin low-dose （Cur-L）， medium-dose （Cur- M） and high-dose （Cur-H） groups， and Cur-H+STAT1 transcription enhancer [2-（1，8-naphthyridin-2-yl）phenol] group （Cur-H+2- NP group）， with 15 rats in each group. Except for the control group， rats in other groups were injected with a suspension of group B Streptococcus （1×104 cfu/mL， 10 μL） into the cerebellomedullary cistern to establish a bacterial meningitis model. After successful model establishment， rats in Cur-L， Cur-M and Cur-H groups were intraperitoneally injected with 1.25， 2.5 and 5 mg/kg curcumin， respectively， and those in the Cur-H+2-NP group were intraperitoneally injected with 5 mg/kg curcumin and 0.5 mg/kg 2- NP， once a day， for 3 consecutive weeks. After the last administration， modified Loeffler score was conducted， white blood cells （WBC） count in cerebrospinal fluid as well as the contents of inflammatory factors [tumor necrosis factor-α， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， IL-1β and IL-18]， brain water content and blood-brain barrier permeability were detected； the histopathological changes of hippocampus and cortex tissues were observed. The percentage of apoptosis in hippocampal/cortical tissue cells， the positive expression of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule-1 （Iba-1）， the co-localization of Iba-1 and NLRP3， as well as the expressions of proteins related to the STAT1/NLRP3 signaling pathway （phosphorylated STAT1， NLRP3， apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD， gasdermin D， caspase-1， IL-1β and IL-18） were examined. RESULTS Compared with the control group， the neurons in the hippocampal/cortical tissues of rats in the model group exhibited significant morphological abnormalities， accompanied by neuronal edema and necrosis， as well as infiltration of inflammatory cells. The modified Loeffler score and the number of Nissl bodies were significantly decreased/reduced in the model group， while the WBC count， levels of inflammatory factors， brain water content， blood-brain barrier permeability， HE staining score， number of degenerated neurons， percentage of apoptotic cells， positive expression of Iba-1， percentage of Iba-1 and NLRP3 co-localization- positive cells， and expressions of pathway-related proteins were all significantly rose/increased/upregulated （P＜0.05）. Compared with the model group， the histopathological changes in the hippocampal/cortical tissues of rats in all curcumin dosage groups were alleviated to varying degrees， with significant improvements in all quantitative indicators （P＜0.05）； conversely， 2-NP significantly reversed the ameliorative effects of curcumin on these quantitative indicators （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Curcumin can alleviate cerebral edema and blood-brain barrier damage， reduce neuroinflammation， inhibit cell apoptosis and pyroptosis， and thereby alleviate neuronal injury in neonatal rats with bacterial meningitis. The underlying mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the STAT1/NLRP3 signaling pathway.

AIM: To analyze the current status and influencing factors for insufficient hyperopia reserve in preschool children from Changzhi City, Shanxi Province, and to provide reference and basis for myopia prevention and control in this district.METHODS: A stratified cluster random sampling strategy was used to select 2 854 preschool children(5 708 eyes)from 29 child-care centers in Changzhi City between January and May 2024. Hyperopia reserve was assessed through measurements and questionnaire surveys. Totally 2 820 cases(5 640 eyes)were finally included, with 34 cases excluded(32 cases of uncooperativeness and 2 cases of distractibility). The univariate analysis and multivariate Logistic regression were performed to analyze the associated influencing factors of insufficient hyperopia reserve.RESULTS: A total of 580 preschool children with insufficient hyperopia reserve were detected, with an incidence of 20.57%. Logistic regression analysis revealed that male(OR=1.723, 95% CI: 1.419-2.093), maternal myopia(OR=2.210, 95% CI: 1.681-2.906), paternal myopia(OR=1.426, 95% CI: 1.059-1.921), myopia in both parents(OR=2.761, 95% CI: 2.110-3.612), preterm infants(OR=1.740, 95% CI: 1.294-2.342), the mean daily sleep duration <10 h(OR=1.272, 95% CI: 1.024-1.579), and the mean daily outdoor activity time <2 h(OR=1.222, 95% CI: 1.005-1.485)were risk factors for insufficient hyperopia reserve(all P<0.05). Conversely, using blackout curtains during the day and turning off lights at night(OR=0.598, 95% CI: 0.405-0.883)were identified to be protective factors(P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Sex, genetics, gestational age, sleep duration and environmental conditions, and outdoor activity time are potentially associated with insufficient hyperopia reserve in preschool children. Caregivers should prioritize the management of these risk factors to prevent the occurrence of myopia.

AIM:To investigate the protective effects of soy isoflavones on retinal ganglion cells(RGCs)damage in diabetic rats and related mechanisms.METHODS: Totally 80 male SD rats(80 eyes), aged 4-6 weeks, were randomly divided into four groups(n=20 per group): a control group, a diabetic model group, a low-dose soy isoflavone treatment group, and a high-dose soy isoflavone treatment group. Among them, the control group was fed normal chow, while the diabetic group, soy isoflavone low-dose-treated group, and soy isoflavone high-dose-treated group were fed high-fat chow. After a feeding period of 4 wk, rats in the diabetic group, as well as those in the soy isoflavone low-dose and high-dose treatment groups, were injected intraperitoneally with streptozotocin(STZ)at a dose of 50 mg/kg to establish a diabetic model. Rats in the control group received an equivalent volume of sodium citrate buffer acid. The soy isoflavone low-dose-treated group was administered 360 mg/kg of soy isoflavones daily via gavage, while the soy isoflavone high-dose-treated group received 540 mg/kg of soy isoflavones daily via gavage. Both the control group and the diabetic group were given an equal amount of purified water daily via gavage. Body weight and blood glucose levels were measured at 4 and 8 wk post-gavage treatment. The eyes were extracted and the retinas were dissected at 8 wk following the gavage treatment. The number of RGCs in each group was determined using immunochemical tissue staining and protein blotting techniques, while the superoxide dismutase(SOD)activity and malondialdehyde(MDA)content of the rat retinal tissue were measured through histochemical methods.RESULTS: Compared with diabetic rats, treatment with high-dose soy isoflavones for 8 wk resulted in a reduction of blood glucose to 8.9±1.23 mmol/L, an increase in intraretinal SOD activity to 849.93±63.71 U/mgprot, a decrease in MDA content to 45.77±0.59 nmol/mgprot, and an increase in the number of RGCs to 76±1 cells/mm2, which is comparable to the control group's data(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Soy isoflavones can reduce retinal oxidative stress in diabetic rats and protect RGCs.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of high-dose ilaprazole combined with amoxicillin for newly diagnosed elderly patients with Helicobacter pylori （Hp） infection， and analyze independent risk factors for failure of Hp infection eradication treatment. METHODS Totally 200 cases of newly diagnosed elderly patients with Hp infection in Xinxiang Central Hospital from August 1， 2021 to December 1， 2024 were selected and randomly divided into control group and study group， with 100 cases in each group. The control group was treated with classic quadruple therapy regimen （Amoxicillin capsules+ Clarithromycin tablets+Bismuth potassium citrate tablets+Ilaprazole enteric-coated tablets）. The study group was treated with high- dose Ilaprazole enteric-coated tablets+Amoxicillin capsules. All patients were administered medication for 2 weeks. Hp eradication rates in the two groups were compared using intention-to-treat （ITT） and per-protocol （PP） analyses. The incidence of adverse reactions in both groups was also recorded. The multiple-factor Logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for failure of Hp infection eradication treatment. RESULTS In ITT and PP analyses， there was no significant difference of Hp eradication rates between the two groups （P＞0.05）. There was no significant difference in incidence of mild to moderate adverse reactions between the two groups （P＞0.05）. BMI ≤18.5 kg/m2， BMI ＞23.9 kg/m2， rural residence， concomitant diabetes and concomitant heart disease were identified as independent risk factors influencing the failure of Hp infection eradication treatment （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS The efficacy and safety of high-dose ilaprazole combined with amoxicillin are comparable to classic quadruple therapy regimen in treating newly diagnosed elderly patients with Hp infection. Independent risk factors influencing the failure of Hp infection eradication treatment include BMI ≤18.5 kg/m2， BMI ＞23.9 kg/m2， rural residence， concomitant diabetes and concomitant heart disease.

In recent years, China has been facing the dual challenges of declining fertility rates and births, with male reproductive health issues, especially the decline in semen quality, identified as a pivotal contributor to this phenomenon. Meanwhile, accumulating evidence indicates that air pollutants, an increasingly severe environmental problem, can damage semen quality not only directly through their biological toxicity but also indirectly by disrupting the composition of microbial communities in the gut and semen, thereby dysregulating immune function, endocrine homeostasis, and oxidative stress responses. The gut microbiota and semen microbiota, as important components of the human microecosystem, play crucial roles in maintaining reproductive health. This article comprehensively reviewed the research progress on the potential effects of air pollutants (particulate matter and gaseous pollutants), gut microbiota, and semen microbiota on semen quality. Specifically, it elucidated the mechanisms of interaction between these factors and explored how they affect male fertility.

Eucommiae Cortex, the dried bark of Eucommia ulmoides( Eucommiaceae), has both medicinal and edible values.Modern research has shown that Eucommiae Cortex contains various components such as flavonoids, lignans, iridoids, phenolic acids,terpenoids, and steroids, which have anti-osteoporosis, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, blood glucose-lowering, and gastrointestinal tract-protecting effects. Eucommiae Cortex has applications in multiple fields such as healthcare, industry, and animal husbandry,demonstrating broad development prospects. This article reviews the chemical constituents, pharmacological effects, and quality control status of Eucommiae Cortex. Furthermore, according to the concept of quality marker(Q-marker), this article predicts the Q-markers of Eucommiae Cortex from traditional medicinal properties, traditional medicinal effects, new medicinal effects, measurability of chemical components, compatibility, harvesting periods, and geographical origins. The components such as pinoresinol diglucoside,chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, quercetin, baicalein, baicalin, olivil, coniferyl ferulate, and kaempferol can be used as Q-markers for Eucommiae Cortex, which provide reference for establishing a systematic quality control system for Eucommiae Cortex.
Eucommiaceae/chemistry* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Quality Control ; Humans ; Animals

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of the single-stage anterior eccentric kyphotic distraction reduction technique (EKD-RT) for treating lower cervical dislocation with locked facet joints, assessing its reduction success rate, neurological improvement, and safety. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 67 patients with lower cervical dislocation and locked facet joints (21 unilateral, 46 bilateral) treated between January 2015 and January 2024. There were 39 males and 28 females, with an average age of 49.5 years (range, 22-75 years). The injured segments included C _{3, 4} in 4 cases, C _{4, 5} in 13 cases, C _{5, 6} in 22 cases, and C _{6, 7} in 28 cases. The interval between injury and admission ranged from 2 hours to 2 days (mean, 5.6 hours). Preoperative Frankel grading included grade A in 9 cases, grade B in 28 cases, grade C in 17 cases, grade D in 11 cases, and grade E in 2 cases. Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score was 7.0±1.4. All patients underwent single-stage anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. Following discectomy at the dislocated level, the EKD-RT was applied to unlock and reduce the locked facet joints, followed by internal fixation. Operation time, blood loss, reduction success rate, and complications were recorded. Interbody fusion status was evaluated using Bridwell criteria. Neurological status was assessed pre- and post-operatively using Frankel grading. Spinal cord function was scored using the 17-point JOA score, and the improvement rate was calculated. RESULTS: Successful reduction of the locked facet joints achieved in all cases. The operation time was 41-85 minutes (range, 63.3 minutes), and intraoperative blood loss was 50-360 mL (range, 125.0 mL). Complications included cerebrospinal fluid leakage in 2 cases; no severe complications such as major vascular injury or recurrent laryngeal nerve injury occurred. All patients were followed up 12-24 months (mean, 17.9 months). At last follow-up, radiological examination confirmed interbody fusion in all patients, with no implant failure or migration. The Frankel grading included grade A in 3 cases, grade B in 9 cases, grade C in 13 cases, grade D in 16 cases, and grade E in 26 cases; the JOA score reached 13.7±2.3; all of which significantly improved compared to preoperative levels ( P<0.05). The improvement rate of JOA score was 66.1%±24.7%. CONCLUSION The EKD-RT is an effective surgical approach for lower cervical dislocation with locked facet joints. It enables safe and efficient reduction of the locked facet joints via a single incision, resulting in significant neurological improvement with a low complication rate.
Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Female ; Cervical Vertebrae/diagnostic imaging* ; Retrospective Studies ; Adult ; Aged ; Zygapophyseal Joint/injuries* ; Joint Dislocations/diagnostic imaging* ; Treatment Outcome ; Spinal Fusion/methods* ; Young Adult ; Kyphosis/surgery*