ObjectiveTo characterize the quality differences among different germplasm and introduced varieties of Bupleurum scorzonerifolium roots（BSR）， and explore the underlying molecular mechanisms， providing a basis for high-quality production and quality control. MethodsWild BSR from Yulin（YLW） served as the quality reference， we conducted comparative analysis among YLW， locally domesticated wild germplasm in Yulin（YLC3）， Daqing germplasm introduced and cultivated in Yulin（YLDQC3）， and locally cultivated germplasm in Daqing（DQC3）. A combination of traditional pharmacognostic methods and modern multi-omics analyses was employed， including macroscopic traits（appearance， odor）， microscopic features（proportions of cork， phloem， xylem）， cell wall component contents（hemicellulose， cellulose， lignin）， carbohydrate contents（starch， water-soluble polysaccharides）， marker compound contents（ethanol-soluble extracts， total saponins， liposoluble extracts， and saikosaponins A， B₂， C， D）， metabolomics， and transcriptomics， in order to systematically characterize quality differences and investigate molecular mechanisms among these samples. ResultsMacroscopically， Yulin-produced BSR（YLW， YLC3， YLDQC3） exhibited significantly greater weight， length， and upper and middle diameters than Daqing-produced BSR（DQC3）. Odor-wise， YLW and YLC3 had a a fragrance taste， YLDQC3 had a rancid oil odor， and DQC3 had a sweet and fragrant taste. Microscopically， Yulin germplasm（YLW， YLC3） and Daqing germplasm（YLDQC3， DQC3） shared similar structural features， respectively. However， Yulin germplasm showed significantly higher proportions of cork and phloem， as well as stronger xylem vessel staining intensity compared to Daqing germplasm. Regarding various component contents， Yulin germplasm contained significantly higher levels of ethanol-soluble extracts， total saponins， and saikosaponins A， B₂， C， D， while Daqing germplasm had significantly higher levels of hemicellulose， starch， and liposoluble extracts. After introduction to Yulin， the Daqing germplasm（YLDQC3） showed increased starch， water-soluble polysaccharides and liposoluble extracts contents， decreased cell wall component content， but no significant difference in other component contents. Metabolomics revealed that saponins and terpenes accumulated significantly in Yulin germplasm， while alcohols and aldehydes accumulated predominantly in Daqing germplasm. Transcriptomics indicated similar gene expression patterns within the same germplasm but specificity between different germplasms. Integrative metabolomic-transcriptomic analysis identified 145 potential key genes associated with the saikosaponin biosynthesis pathway， including one acetyl-coenzyme A（CoA） acetyltransferase gene（ACAT）， one 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A synthase gene（HMGS）， two hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA（HMG-CoA） reductase genes（HMG）， one phosphomevalonate kinase gene（PMK）， one 1-deoxy-D-xylose-5-phosphate synthase gene（CLA）， one hydroxymethylbuten-1-aldol synthase gene（HDR）， two farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase genes（FPPS）， one squalene synthase gene（SQS）， one β-amyrin synthase gene（BAS）， 102 cytochrome P450（CYP450） gene family members， and 32 uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase（UGT） gene family members. ConclusionAmong the three cultivated types， YLC3 most closely resembles YLW in appearance， microscopic features， contents of major bioactive constituents， metabolomic and transcriptomic profiles. Yulin germplasm exhibits superior saponin synthesis capability compared to Daqing germplasm， and Yulin region is more suitable for the growth of B. scorzonerifolium. Based on these findings， it is recommended that artificial cultivation in northern Shaanxi and similar regions utilize the local Yulin germplasm source cultivated for at least three years.

Objective To study the relationship between platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio(PLR)and the prognosis of actue respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS).Methods A total of 182 patients with ARDS admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College from January 2015 to September 2024 were included,including 98 cases in treatment improvement group and 84 cases in death group.The relevant factors included gender,age,height,body mass,body mass index(BMI),nutritional risk screening scores 2002(NRS2002),diabetes,hypertension,procalcitoinn(PCT),ARDS grading(mild-moderate/severe),acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ(APACHE Ⅱ)scores,PLR and whether to use vasopressor drugs between two groups were recorded and compared.The related factors of ARDS prognosis were evaluated by univariate factor Logistical regression analysis,and the statistical significant variables were analyzed by multivariate factor Logistical regression analysis.Results Univariate Logistic regression analysis showed that height,body mass,gender,hypertension,diabetes,PCT and NRS2002 were not significantly related to the prognosis of patients with ARDS(P＞0.05);Age,BMI,APACHE Ⅱ score,PLR,whether to use vasopressor drugs and ARDS grading are closely related to the prognosis of ARDS patients(P＜0.05).By multivariate factor Logistical regression analysis for closely related factor,PLR(OR=1.113,95％CI:1.047-1.278),APACHE Ⅱ scores(OR=1.279,95％CI:1.110-1.473)and ARDS grading(OR=3.769,95％CI:1.397-10.167)were independent risk factors of ARDS prognosis.Conclusion PLR,APACHE Ⅱ scores and ARDS grading were closely related to the prognosis of ARDS.

Objective To assess the accuracy of pN staging prediction in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) using ultrasound radiomics and deep neural networks (DNN). Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 375 patients with pathologically confirmed PTC, comprising 261 cases in the training set and 114 in the test set. Staging was categorized as pN0 (no cervical lymph node metastasis), pN1a (central neck lymph node metastasis), and pN1b (lateral neck lymph node metastasis). An ultrasound physician manually segmented the regions of interest (ROIs) for PTC, extracting 1899 radiomic features. Dimensionality reduction was performed using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression. A DNN model for predicting PTC pN staging was developed using the H2O deep learning platform, trained on the training set, and validated on the test set to assess the accuracy of the optimal model. Results A total of 153 patients were in the pN0 stage, 131 patients in the pN1a stage, and 91 patients in the pN1b stage. LASSO regression selected 15 radiomic features for each PTC. The optimal DNN model, constructed using these 15 features, achieved accuracies of 85.82% on the training set and 81.57% on the test set. Conclusion Ultrasound radiomics of PTC demonstrates high accuracy in predicting pN staging and shows potential for automating N staging in patients.

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and risk factors of common viruses in children with respiratory tract infection in Yangling District, and to provide scientific basis for clinical formulation of effective prevention and control strategies. Methods The study subjects were 502 children with respiratory tract infection in Yangling Demonstration Zone Hospital from February 2022 to February 2024. 10 kinds of common respiratory infection viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza virus, human rhinovirus, influenza B virus, influenza A virus, human adenovirus, enterovirus, coronavirus, human metapneumovirus and human Boca virus were detected by multiple real-time fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (PCR). According to the results of viral nucleic acid detection, 502 children were divided into positive detection group and negative detection group. Univariate and logistic multivariate regression analyses were adopted to analyze the risk factors of respiratory virus infection in children. Results Among the 502 children with respiratory tract infection, 112 cases were positive for viral nucleic acid detection, with a positive rate of 22.31%. Among the 95 cases were with single virus infection with a positive rate of 18.92%, mainly respiratory syncytial virus and parainfluenza virus, and 17 cases were with mixed virus infection, with the positive rate of 3.39%, mainly respiratory syncytial virus+parainfluenza virus mixed infection. After logistic multivariate analysis, it was found that age≤1 year old, onset in autumn and winter, monthly family income≤5000 yuan, concomitant congenital heart disease, maternal atopic disease history, maternal gestational diabetes mellitus, malnutrition and anemia were independent risk factors for respiratory virus infection in children (P<0.05). Conclusion Respiratory virus infection in acute hospitalized children in Yangling District is mainly a single virus, and is affected by many factors such as age of children, onset season, family monthly income and so on. Clinically, it is necessary to actively screen the above indicators of children and take active preventive measures to reduce viral infection.

The paper introduces the diagnostic and therapeutic ideas and clinical experience of Professor LIU Zhibin in treatment with acupuncture for Parkinson's disease with mild cognitive impairment. Professor LIU believes that the basic pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease with mild cognitive impairment refers to the deficiency of liver and kidney, and the loss of mind control. Therefore, the treatment focuses on nourishing the liver and kidney, regulating the governor vessel, opening the brain orifice, and regulating the mind. The point prescription is composed of Tongdu Tiaoshen zhen (the points for promoting the circulating of the governor vessel and regulating the mind, i.e. four-mind needles [Extra], Shenting [GV24], bilateral Benshen [GB13] and Fengfu [GV16]), xiusanzhen (three-olfaction needles, including bilateral Yingxiang [LI20] and Yintang [GV24⁺]) and zhichan bazhen (eight anti-tremble needles, i.e. Baihui [GV20], Lianquan [CV23], and Hegu [LI4], Waiguan [TE5], Taichong [LR3], Zusanli [ST36], Sanyinjiao [SP6] and Taixi [KI3] on the affected side). Besides, the prescription is modified according to the syndrome, and the special technique of bone-touching needling is combined to enhance the therapeutic effect.
Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Parkinson Disease/psychology* ; Cognitive Dysfunction/complications* ; Male ; Acupuncture Points ; Female ; Aged ; Middle Aged

The paper introduces Professor LIU Zhibin's clinical experience in treatment of Parkinson's disease with constipation by the combined therapy of acupuncture and tuina. Professor LIU believes that constipation in Parkinson's disease involves pathological changes in sanjiao (triple energizers) system, i.e. upper, middle, and lower jiao, and proposes Tiaoshen Tongfu (regulating the mind and fu organs) acupuncture and Chang'an Liu's tuina manipulation are used to treat Parkinson's disease with constipation based on the "sanjiao theory". In acupuncture, the scalp points of the anterior hairline micro-acupuncture system (Touxue, Shangjiao, Zhongjiao and Xiajiao) are selected, complemented by Baihui (GV20), Hegu (LI4), Taichong (LR3), Quchi (LI11), Tianshu (ST25), Dachangshu (BL25), Shangjuxu (ST37) and Zhigou (TE6). In tuina manipulation, one finger pushing, rolling and pressing are adopted.
Humans ; Constipation/physiopathology* ; Parkinson Disease/physiopathology* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Acupuncture Points ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged

Objective To study the relationship between platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio(PLR)and the prognosis of actue respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS).Methods A total of 182 patients with ARDS admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College from January 2015 to September 2024 were included,including 98 cases in treatment improvement group and 84 cases in death group.The relevant factors included gender,age,height,body mass,body mass index(BMI),nutritional risk screening scores 2002(NRS2002),diabetes,hypertension,procalcitoinn(PCT),ARDS grading(mild-moderate/severe),acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ(APACHE Ⅱ)scores,PLR and whether to use vasopressor drugs between two groups were recorded and compared.The related factors of ARDS prognosis were evaluated by univariate factor Logistical regression analysis,and the statistical significant variables were analyzed by multivariate factor Logistical regression analysis.Results Univariate Logistic regression analysis showed that height,body mass,gender,hypertension,diabetes,PCT and NRS2002 were not significantly related to the prognosis of patients with ARDS(P＞0.05);Age,BMI,APACHE Ⅱ score,PLR,whether to use vasopressor drugs and ARDS grading are closely related to the prognosis of ARDS patients(P＜0.05).By multivariate factor Logistical regression analysis for closely related factor,PLR(OR=1.113,95％CI:1.047-1.278),APACHE Ⅱ scores(OR=1.279,95％CI:1.110-1.473)and ARDS grading(OR=3.769,95％CI:1.397-10.167)were independent risk factors of ARDS prognosis.Conclusion PLR,APACHE Ⅱ scores and ARDS grading were closely related to the prognosis of ARDS.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Shexiang Tongxin Dropping Pill (STDP) in treating stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome by exercise duration and metabolic equivalents. METHODS: This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial enrolled stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome from 22 hospitals. They were randomized 1:1 to STDP (35 mg/pill, 6 pills per day) or placebo for 56 days. The primary outcome was the exercise duration and metabolic equivalents (METs) assessed by the standard Bruce exercise treadmill test after 56 days of treatment. The secondary outcomes included the total angina symptom score, Chinese medicine (CM) symptom scores, Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) scores, changes in ST-T on electrocardiogram and adverse events (AEs). RESULTS: This trial enrolled 309 patients, including 155 and 154 in the STDP and placebo groups, respectively. STDP significantly prolonged exercise duration with an increase of 51.0 s, compared to a decrease of 12.0 s with placebo (change rate: -11.1% vs. 3.2%, P<0.01). The increase in METs was significantly greater in the STDP group than in the placebo group (change: -0.4 vs. 0.0, change rate: -5.0% vs. 0.0%, P<0.01). The improvement of total angina symptom scores (25.0% vs. 0.0%), CM symptom scores (38.7% vs. 11.8%), reduction of nitroglycerin consumption (100.0% vs. 11.3%), and all domains of SAQ, were significantly greater with STDP than placebo (all P<0.01). The changes in Q-T intervals at 28 and 56 days from baseline were similar between the two groups (both P>0.05). Twenty-five participants (16.3%) with STDP and 16 (10.5%) with placebo experienced AEs (P=0.131), with no serious AEs observed. CONCLUSION STDP could improve exercise tolerance in patients with stable angina and phlegm-heat and blood stasis syndrome, with a favorable safety profile. (Registration No. ChiCTR-IPR-15006020).
Humans ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Angina, Stable/physiopathology* ; Aged ; Syndrome ; Treatment Outcome ; Placebos ; Tablets

OBJECTIVE: Myocardial inflammation during myocardial infarction (MI) could be inhibited by regulating arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism. Recent studies demonstrated that Sini Decoction (SND) was identified to be an effective prescription for treating heart failure (HF) caused by MI. But the anti-inflammatory mechanism of SND remained unclear. The work was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory mechanism of SND through the AA metabolism pathway in vitro and in vivo experiments. METHODS: An inflammatory injury model of H9c2 cells was established by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophage-conditioned medium (CM). The MI model was built by the ligation of left anterior descending (LAD) branch of coronary artery in rat. Meanwhile, the rats were divided into five groups: sham group, MI group, MI + Celecoxib group, MI + low-dose SND group (SND-L) and MI + high-dose SND group (SND-H). Cardiac function, histopathological changes and serum cytokines were examined four weeks later. Western blot analysis was conducted to verify the key enzymes levels in the AA metabolic pathway, including phospholipase A2 (PLA2), cyclooxygenases (COXs) and lipoxygenases (LOXs). RESULTS: These in vivo results demonstrated that SND could improve the cardiac function and pathological changes of rats with MI, and regulate the key inflammatory molecules in the AA metabolism pathway, including sPLA2, COX-1, COX-2, 5-LOX and 15-LOX. In vitro, SND could decrease the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α and IL-6 and inhibit cell apoptosis in CM-induced H9c2 cells. Moreover, SND could protect H9c2 cells from the damage of CM by regulating nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signal pathway and the expression of COX-2. CONCLUSION SND may be a drug candidate for anti-inflammatory treatment during MI by regulating the multiple targets in the AA metabolism pathway.

Objective:To investigate the changes in the narrow band imaging (NBI) phenotypes of oropharyngeal, hypopharyngeal, and laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma after neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy, and to explore the clinical value of NBI endoscopy in re-evaluation and follow-up of pharyngeal and laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma after neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy.Methods:Twenty-nine patients diagnosed with locally advanced pharyngeal or laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University from November 2021 to January 2024 and receiving 2 cycles of neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy were selected, including 26 males and 3 females, aged 43-80 years. Regular NBI and white light (WL) endoscopy examinations, as well as imaging examinations such as CT scans, were performed. After the neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy, 36 specimens from suspected lesions of the pharynx or the larynx were obtained through surgical resection. The NBI findings of the pharyngeal or laryngeal lesions and their relationships with corresponding pathological and imaging results were analyzed with kappa test, Pearson correlation analysis, McNemar test, and Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test.Results:After neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy, primary lesions showed pathological complete response (pCR) in 9 cases, partial response (PR) in 19 cases, and progressive disease (PD) in one case. The NBI phenotypes of pharyngeal and laryngeal malignant tumors after treatment showed high consistency (kappa=0.818, P<0.01) and significant correlations ( r=0.852, P<0.01) with their pathological results. WL endoscopic examinations showed inconsistency (kappa=0.239, P=0.12) with their pathological results. NBI endoscopy was more effective in identifying benign lesions after treatment than WL endoscopy ( P=0.031). In cases of both PR and pCR of the primary lesion, there were significant differences in NBI phenotypes before and after neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy (all P<0.05), with phenotypes transitioning to lower malignancy and benign lesions, respectively. Among 19 cases with PR, 16 showed concentric/eccentric regression, and 3 showed multipoint focal regression. NBI endoscopy was more accurate in diagnosing benign or malignant lesions, pCR or PR after treatment compared to CT (all P<0.05). Conclusions:The present NBI microvascular classification of the pharyngeal and laryngeal lesions is still applicable for the diagnosis and evaluation in pharyngeal and laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma after neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy. The changes in NBI phenotypes and ranges can indicate tumor regression, progression, and recurrence. NBI is more accurate in diagnosing pharyngeal and laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma after neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy compared to WL endoscopy and imaging examinations such as CT.