Background: The genus Atractylodes, native to East Asia, encompasses several species that serve as sources for the widely used traditional Chinese medicines Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma and Atractylodis Rhizoma. However, the international trade arouses concern regarding potential confusion and misidentification of Atractylodes species. Objective: A comprehensive understanding of the chemical diversity is crucial for ensuring the quality and exploring the potential variations in medicinal efficacy of Atractylodes. Methods: The GC-MS/MS-based metabolomics and multivariate statistical analysis identified 589 differentially accumulated metabolites across 5 Atractylodes species. Results: A total of 150 metabolites were predicted as potential chemical markers for species differentiation and quality assessment of Atractylodes. According to the metabolic profiles, the species of Atractylodes can be roughly classified into three categories: A. lancea and A. coreana with the volatile oil components being mainly atractylodin and β-eudesmol; A. macrocephala with the biomarker being atractylon; and A. japonica and A. carlinoides lying between the two categories above. Conclusions: Metabolomic results indicated that the metabolic profiles of A. carlinoides and A. macrocephala were similar and distinct from those of the other three species. Sesquiterpenoids were the main chemical components in the rhizome of A. carlinoides, which indicated the potential medicinal value of this plant.

Background: The genus Atractylodes, native to East Asia, encompasses several species that serve as sources for the widely used traditional Chinese medicines Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma and Atractylodis Rhizoma. However, the international trade arouses concern regarding potential confusion and misidentification of Atractylodes species. Objective: A comprehensive understanding of the chemical diversity is crucial for ensuring the quality and exploring the potential variations in medicinal efficacy of Atractylodes. Methods: The GC-MS/MS-based metabolomics and multivariate statistical analysis identified 589 differentially accumulated metabolites across 5 Atractylodes species. Results: A total of 150 metabolites were predicted as potential chemical markers for species differentiation and quality assessment of Atractylodes. According to the metabolic profiles, the species of Atractylodes can be roughly classified into three categories: A. lancea and A. coreana with the volatile oil components being mainly atractylodin and β-eudesmol; A. macrocephala with the biomarker being atractylon; and A. japonica and A. carlinoides lying between the two categories above. Conclusions: Metabolomic results indicated that the metabolic profiles of A. carlinoides and A. macrocephala were similar and distinct from those of the other three species. Sesquiterpenoids were the main chemical components in the rhizome of A. carlinoides, which indicated the potential medicinal value of this plant.

Background: The genus Atractylodes, native to East Asia, encompasses several species that serve as sources for the widely used traditional Chinese medicines Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma and Atractylodis Rhizoma. However, the international trade arouses concern regarding potential confusion and misidentification of Atractylodes species. Objective: A comprehensive understanding of the chemical diversity is crucial for ensuring the quality and exploring the potential variations in medicinal efficacy of Atractylodes. Methods: The GC-MS/MS-based metabolomics and multivariate statistical analysis identified 589 differentially accumulated metabolites across 5 Atractylodes species. Results: A total of 150 metabolites were predicted as potential chemical markers for species differentiation and quality assessment of Atractylodes. According to the metabolic profiles, the species of Atractylodes can be roughly classified into three categories: A. lancea and A. coreana with the volatile oil components being mainly atractylodin and β-eudesmol; A. macrocephala with the biomarker being atractylon; and A. japonica and A. carlinoides lying between the two categories above. Conclusions: Metabolomic results indicated that the metabolic profiles of A. carlinoides and A. macrocephala were similar and distinct from those of the other three species. Sesquiterpenoids were the main chemical components in the rhizome of A. carlinoides, which indicated the potential medicinal value of this plant.

Objective·To explore the effects and potential mechanisms of emodin on Alzheimer's disease(AD).Methods·Wild-type C57BL/6J mice and 3×Tg-AD mice were divided into 6 groups:Control group(C57BL/6J mice),AD group(3×Tg-AD mice),Emodin 25 mg/kg group(3×Tg-AD mice+Emodin 25 mg/kg),Emodin 50 mg/kg group(3×Tg-AD mice+Emodin 50 mg/kg),Emodin 100 mg/kg group(3×Tg-AD mice+Emodin 100 mg/kg)and Donepezil group(3×Tg-AD mice+Donepezil 3 mg/kg).The Morris water maze test was used to evaluate the learning and memory abilities of mice.The expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP),glucose-regulated protein 78kDa(GRP78),and inositol-requiring enzyme 1α(IRE1α)was detected by immunohistochemistry.The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-1β(IL-1β),and IL-6 in brain tissue were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Western blotting was used to detect the expression of NF-κB p65,p-NF-κB p65,p38,and p-p38 proteins.Results·Compared with the control group,mice in the AD group showed impaired cognition,increased GFAP expression,elevated levels of TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6,and increased expression of GRP78 and IRE1α,along with enhanced phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 and p38.Compared with the AD group,emodin improved cognitive impairment of AD mice,inhibited astrocyte overactivation and neuroinflammation,and decreased the expression of GRP78,IRE1α,phosphorylated NF-κB p65,and phosphorylated p38 in brain tissue.Conclusion·Emodin can effectively improve cognitive impairment in AD mice,which may be related to the inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated neuroinflammation in astrocytes.

Objective To analyze the main epidemiological characteristics of fungal infection in this hospital in the past 7 years,and to provide reference for clinical treatment and prevention and control strategies of fun-gal infection.Methods The fungal data and clinical data of related patients isolated from clinical samples in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from early January 2018 to the end of May 2024 were selected,and the main epidemiological characteristics of fungal infection in this hospital were identified and described through multi-angle statistical analysis.Results A total of 4 479 patients with filamentous fungal infection were en-rolled.The proportion of male patients[57.5％(2 576/4 479)]was higher than that of female patients[42.5％(1 903/4 143)],mainly distributed in internal medicine,Intensive Care Unit(ICU)and emergency de-partment,among which internal medicine accounted for the highest proportion[50.0％(2 241/4 479)].About 90.0％of the specimens were from the lower respiratory tract,in addition to specimens from skin and soft tis-sue,tissue,ear and blood culture.In terms of seasonal distribution,there are more patients in winter.The fun-gi were mainly composed of Aspergillus,Mucor,Cerdosporium,Fusarium and Penicillium,among which As-pergillus was the most abundant,accounting for 74.6％of the total.Aspergillus fumigatus was the most a-bundant Aspergillus,accounting for 42.5％of the total Aspergillus(1 418/3 340).Among the related infec-tions caused by mold,Aspergillus was the most common in the lower respiratory tract,accounting for 76.8％.Among them,Aspergillus fumigatus accounted for the highest proportion(33.6％).98.6％of the molds infected the ear were Aspergillus,of which Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus terreus were the most common.Skin infections are mainly caused by Sporothrix schenckii,Trichophyton rubrum,Microsporum ca-nis.The results of in vitro drug sensitivity test showed that the four common Aspergillus isolated in this hos-pital were sensitive to voriconazole,and amphotericin B had better antifungal activity against Mucorales in vitro.Conclusion Based on the main epidemiological characteristics of fungal infections in this hospital,it is recommended that special attention be paid to the admission of patients in the respiratory department during the peak infection period in autumn and winter.In the treatment of fungal infections in different regions and on different body parts,attention should be paid to the differences in the distribution of bacterial species.

Uveal melanoma (UM) is a common type of adult ocular malignancy, and its metastasis potential and prognosis are closely related to tumor stage, histopathological features and genetic molecular markers. Currently, eyeball-preserving radiation therapy, including adhesive radiotherapy and proton beam radiotherapy, has become the preferred method for UM treatment. Despite this, overall survival is low, with about 50% of patients eventually developing distant metastases. Recently, remarkable progress has been made in the field of treatment for metastatic uveal melanoma, especially in the development of new technologies and new drugs. These advances reduce the risk of tumor metastasis and spread while improving the cure rate for patients. Tibenfox is a major breakthrough in the treatment of UM. Through these explorations, it is hoped that in the future, early diagnosis of the disease can guide prognosis assessment and implement personalized treatment strategies aimed at protecting patient vision, controlling tumor metastasis, and improving survival.

Objective To observe the value of T2 mapping for quantitatively evaluating the changes of junctional zone and outer myometrium caused by endometrial fibrosis.Methods A total of 73 infertility patients with endometrial fibrosis confirmed by hysteroscopy(disease group)and 33 healthy women of childbearing age(control group)were prospectively enrolled,and MR examinations were performed at the late proliferative phase of endometrium.The thickness and T2 value of junctional zone,T2 value of outer myometrium on anterior,posterior and fundus wall of midsagittal corpus uteri were measured,and the mean value of the above measurements on the three walls were calculated.Receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed,the areas under the curves(AUC)were calculated to explore the efficacy of those with significant difference among the mean thickness and the mean T2 value of junctional zone,the mean T2 value of outer myometrium and their combination for evaluating endometrial fibrosis.Results The thickness and T2 value of anterior wall,posterior wall,fundus wall and the mean junctional zone in disease group were all significantly higher than those in control group(all P＜0.001).No significant difference of T2 value of anterior wall,posterior wall,fundus wall nor the mean outer myometrium was found between groups(all P＞0.05).The mean thickness and the mean T2 value of junctional zone and their combination could be used to effectively evaluate endometrial fibrosis,with AUC of 0.839,0.822 and 0.922,respectively,and their combination had the best performance(both P＜0.01).Conclusion T2 mapping could be used to quantitatively evaluate the injury of junctional zone caused by endometrial fibrosis.

Purpose: This Phase II trial was objected to evaluate the efficacy and safety of adding fulvestrant to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with estrogen receptor (ER)+/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)– locally advanced breast cancer (LABC). Additionally, the study aimed to investigate the association of 16α-18F-fluoro-17β-fluoroestradiol (18F-FES) positron emission tomography (PET)–computed tomography (CT) and metabolites with efficacy. Materials and Methods: Fulvestrant and EC-T regimen were given to ER+/HER2– LABC patients before surgery. At baseline, patients received 18F-FES PET-CT scan, and plasma samples were taken for liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR). Secondary endpoints included total pathologic complete response (tpCR) and safety. Results: Among the 36 patients enrolled, the ORR was 86.1%, the tpCR rate was 8.3%. The incidence of grade ≥ 3 treatment-emergent adverse events was 22%. The decrease in ER value in sensitive patients was larger than that in non-sensitive patients, as was Ki-67 (p < 0.05). The maximum standardized uptake value, mean standardized uptake values, total lesion ER expression of 18F-FES PET-CT in sensitive patients were significantly higher than those in non-sensitive patients (p < 0.05). Moreover, these parameters were significantly correlated with Miller and Payne grade and the change in ER expression before and after treatment (p < 0.05). Thirteen differential expressed metabolites were identified, which were markedly enriched in 19 metabolic pathways. Conclusion This regimen demonstrated acceptable toxicity and encouraging antitumor efficacy. 18F-FES PET-CT might serve as a tool to predict the effectiveness of this therapy. Altered metabolites or metabolic pathways might be associated with treatment response.

Objective:To evaluate the early efficacy and safety of transnasal endoscopic surgical resection of orbital cavernous hemangioma (OCH) at orbital resection by intranasal technique (ORBIT) stage Ⅲ.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on 20 patients (20 eyes) who underwent nasal endoscopic surgery to remove ORBIT stage Ⅲ OCH at the Third Hospital of Peking University from July 2021 to July 2024. The cohort were included 10 males and 10 females, aged from 25 to 59 years, with a mean follow-up time of (5.10±4.51) months. Preoperative symptoms included visual field defects in 19 patients (95%), decreased visual acuity in 18 patients (90%), exophthalmos in 2 patients (10%), diplopia in 2 patients (10%), headache in 2 patients (10%), ocular pain in 2 patients (10%), and color vision abnormalities in 1 patient (5%). Data on patient demographics, medical history, imaging data, surgical approach, and postoperative outcomes were collected. Pre-and post-surgical outcomes including best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), visual field, proptosis, and intraocular pressure were compared. Surgical approaches included transnasal endoscopic OCH resection (12 cases, 60%) and transnasal endoscopic combined conjunctival approach OCH resection (8 cases, 40%). The results of the postoperative 2-week review were used as the postoperative short-term efficacy data, and those at 3 months were used for postoperative therapeutic efficacy analysis. SPSS 26.0 statistical software was applied for statistical analysis.Results:In 20 patients, all OCH were completely resected, and the BCVA, visual field, and exophthalmos were significantly improved post-operatively. The differences were statistically significant before and after surgery ( t values were 3.169, 5.127, and 3.350, respectively, all P<0.05). There were no serious complications in the short term after surgery. The short-term complications after endoscopic surgery alone were mainly new-onset diplopia in 1 case (1/12), and the short-term complications after combined approach were new-onset diplopia in 5 cases (5/8) and pupil dilation in 2 cases (2/8). All short-term complications recovered within 3 months, and no serious or permanent complications occurred in the long-term follow. Conclusion:The endoscopic transnasal surgery is a safe and effective approach for complete resection of ORBIT stage Ⅲ OCH, with promising early results.

Purpose: This Phase II trial was objected to evaluate the efficacy and safety of adding fulvestrant to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with estrogen receptor (ER)+/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)– locally advanced breast cancer (LABC). Additionally, the study aimed to investigate the association of 16α-18F-fluoro-17β-fluoroestradiol (18F-FES) positron emission tomography (PET)–computed tomography (CT) and metabolites with efficacy. Materials and Methods: Fulvestrant and EC-T regimen were given to ER+/HER2– LABC patients before surgery. At baseline, patients received 18F-FES PET-CT scan, and plasma samples were taken for liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR). Secondary endpoints included total pathologic complete response (tpCR) and safety. Results: Among the 36 patients enrolled, the ORR was 86.1%, the tpCR rate was 8.3%. The incidence of grade ≥ 3 treatment-emergent adverse events was 22%. The decrease in ER value in sensitive patients was larger than that in non-sensitive patients, as was Ki-67 (p < 0.05). The maximum standardized uptake value, mean standardized uptake values, total lesion ER expression of 18F-FES PET-CT in sensitive patients were significantly higher than those in non-sensitive patients (p < 0.05). Moreover, these parameters were significantly correlated with Miller and Payne grade and the change in ER expression before and after treatment (p < 0.05). Thirteen differential expressed metabolites were identified, which were markedly enriched in 19 metabolic pathways. Conclusion This regimen demonstrated acceptable toxicity and encouraging antitumor efficacy. 18F-FES PET-CT might serve as a tool to predict the effectiveness of this therapy. Altered metabolites or metabolic pathways might be associated with treatment response.