ObjectiveBased on traditional quality evaluation of Gardeniae Fructus（GF） recorded in historical materia medica， this study systematically compared the quality differences between wild and cultivated GF from morphological characteristics， microscopic features， and contents of primary and secondary metabolites. MethodsVernier calipers and analytical balances were used to measure the length， diameter and individual fruit weight of wild and cultivated GF， and the aspect ratio was calculated. A colorimeter was used to determine the chromaticity value of wild and cultivated GF， and the paraffin sections of them were prepared by safranin-fast green staining and examined under an optical microscope to observe their microstructure. Subsequently， the contents of water-soluble and alcohol-soluble extracts of wild and cultivated GF were detected by hot immersion method under the general rule 2201 in volume Ⅳ of the 2020 edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China， the starch content was measured by anthrone colorimetric method， the content of total polysaccharides was determined by phenol-sulfuric acid colorimetric method， the sucrose content was determined by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with evaporative light scattering detection（HPLC-ELSD）， and the contents of representative components in them were measured by ultra-performance liquid chromatography（UPLC）. Finally， correlation analysis was conducted between quality traits and phenotypic traits， combined with multivariate statistical analysis methods such as principal component analysis（PCA） and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis（OPLS-DA）， key differential components between wild and cultivated GF were screened. ResultsIn terms of traits， the wild GF fruits were smaller， exhibiting reddish yellow or brownish red hues with significant variation between batches. While the cultivated GF fruits are larger， displaying deeper orange-red or brownish red. The diameter and individual fruit weight of cultivated GF were significantly greater than those of wild GF， while the blue-yellow value（b^*） of wild GF was significantly higher than that of cultivated GF. In the microstructure， the mesocarp of wild GF contained numerous scattered calcium oxalate cluster crystals， while the endocarp contained stone cell class round， polygonal or tangential prolongation， undeveloped seeds were visible within the fruit. In contrast， the mesocarp of cultivated GF contained few calcium oxalate cluster crystals， or some batches exhibited extremely numerous cluster crystals. The stone cells in the endocarp were predominantly round-like， with the innermost layer arranged in a grid pattern. Seeds were basically mature， and only a few immature seeds existed in some batches. Regarding primary metabolite content， wild GF exhibited significantly higher total polysaccharide level than cultivated GF（P<0.01）. In category-specific component content， wild GF exhibited significantly higher levels of total flavonoids and total polyphenols compared to cultivated GF（P<0.01）. Analysis of 12 secondary metabolites revealed that wild GF exhibited significantly higher levels of Shanzhiside， deacetyl asperulosidic acid methyl ester， gardenoside and chlorogenic acid compared to cultivated GF（P<0.01）. Conversely， the contents of genipin 1-gentiobioside， geniposide and genipin were significantly lower in wild GF（P<0.01）. ConclusionThere are significant differences between wild and cultivated GF in terms of traits， microstructure， and contents of primary and secondary metabolites. At present， the quality evaluation system of cultivated GF remains incomplete， and this study provides a reference for guiding the production of high-quality GF medicinal materials.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome （ARDS） is believed to primarily result from a disorder of the qi movement， with qi dysfunction occurring first， followed by changes in fluids and blood. The disease is located in the lungs， with its root in qi and pathological changes in fluids and blood， aligning with the theory of "qi loses its regulatory function， fluids and blood follow the same path". Accordingly， ARDS is divided into three stages， the early stage with qi congestion， counterflow， fluids and blood obstruction， severe stage with qi collapse， yang depletion， fluids and blood out of control）， and recovery stage with qi consumption and fluids damage， residual pathogen retention. For the corresponding treatments， in the early stage， the focus is on diffusing the lung qi， opening the block， dissol-ving phlegm， and eliminating fluid retention， using Tingli Dazao Xiefei Decoction （葶苈大枣泻肺汤） and Xuanbai Chengqi Decoction （宣白承气汤） / Shegan Mahuang Decoction （射干麻黄汤） with modifications. In the severe stage， the priority is to reinforce qi， stabilize collapse， and promote diuresis and blood circulation， with modified Zhenwu Decoction （真武汤） and Shenge Powder （参蛤散）. During recovery stage， the emphasis shifts to replenishing qi and body fluids while clearing residual pathogens， with Shashen Maidong Decoction （沙参麦冬汤） and Bufei Decoction （补肺汤）. At the same time， from the perspective of "qi loses its regulatory function， fluids and blood follow the same path"， the mechanism of prone position ventilation （PPV） is explored. It is believed that the effect of "qi reaching the blood" via PPV by restoring the qi movement and unblocking qi， blood and water retention， which offers insights for the diagnosis and treatment of ARDS with integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine.

ObjectiveTo analyze the characteristics of 150 patients with spinal cord injury complicated with spasticity. MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted on 150 patients with spinal cord injury accompanied by spasticity from September, 2019 to December, 2024. Their age, gender, cause of injury, injury site, severity of injury, spasticity severity and other indicators were recorded. The relationships between different characteristics were analyzed, and a correlation analysis of disease duration, spasticity grade, injury level, injury severity and age were conducted. ResultsThere was no significant difference in age distribution between patients with tetraplegia and paraplegia (Z = 0.806, P = 0.420). The proportions of trauma (χ² = 3.982, P = 0.046) and tetraplegia (χ² = 10.559, P = 0.010) were higher in males than in females. Trauma was the main cause of injury in both tetraplegia and paraplegia patients; the proportion of tetraplegia was higher than paraplegia in trauma patients, while paraplegia was higher than tetraplegia in non-trauma patients (χ² = 11.885, P < 0.001). Patients with tetraplegia was dominated by incomplete injury, whereas patients with paraplegia was dominated by complete injury (χ² = 10.885, P = 0.012). Grade A injury was predominant in trauma patients (P = 0.003). Spasticity grade showed a very weak positive correlation with disease duration (r = 0.175, P = 0.032) and age (r = 0.168, P = 0.040). Injury severity showed a very weak positive correlation with age (r = 0.183, P = 0.025). ConclusionCharacteristics of patients with spinal cord injury complicated with spasticity is different with gender, cause of injury, injury level, injury severity.

AIM: To evaluate the surgical outcomes and changes in the ocular surface microenvironment following radiofrequency minimally invasive treatment for conjunctivochalasis-induced epiphora.METHODS: Patients with epiphora primarily caused by conjunctivochalasis were enrolled. All patients had conjunctivochalasis of ≥grade II, and their symptoms showed no significant improvement after previous pharmacological treatment. All patients underwent radiofrequency minimally invasive correction of conjunctivochalasis, supplemented with artificial tears, anti-inflammatory therapy, and ocular surface repair treatment postoperatively. At 8 wk post-surgery, the ocular surface disease index(OSDI), eye redness, tear secretion, non-invasive tear break-up time, lipid layer thickness, tear ferning test, and conjunctival impression cytology were assessed to compare treatment efficacy and observe changes in the ocular surface microenvironment.RESULTS: A total of 43 cases(43 eyes)of conjunctivochalasis and with a main complaint of epiphora were included, including 23 males and 20 males, with a mean age of 64.69±3.36 years. The total effective rate of surgery was 91% at 8 wk postoperatively. Compared with preoperative values, the OSDI scores significantly decreased and the non-invasive tear break-up time was prolonged at 8 wk post-surgery(all P<0.05). No statistically significant differences were observed in lipid layer thickness or tear secretion at 8 wk postoperatively(all P>0.05). The normal rate of chloramphenicol taste test increased from 21% preoperatively to 63% postoperatively; the normal rate of eye redness increased from 40% to 70%; normal rate of tear ferning grading improved from 30% to 63%; and normal conjunctival impression cytology grading increased from 21% to 74%.CONCLUSION: Radiofrequency minimally invasive treatment is effective for conjunctivochalasis and is straightforward to perform. Patients with conjunctivochalasis often present with other ocular surface issues beyond conjunctivochalasis itself, such as insufficient tear secretion, reduced lipid layer thickness, and other dry eye-related problems. Therefore, a comprehensive approach emphasizing tear dynamics should be adopted during treatment.

AIM: To investigate the changes of microRNA-34a(miR-34a)and microRNA-29b(miR-29b)levels in lens epithelial cells of age-related cataracts(ARC)patients and their clinical significance.METHODS: A total of 65 ARC patients(study group)and 53 cases of clear lens anterior capsulorhexis(control group)who visited our hospital from February 2023 to February 2024 were gathered. Pearson was applied to test the correlation between miR-34a and miR-29b. Multifactor Logistic regression was applied to determine the factors affecting the occurrence of ARC.RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the expression levels of miR-34a and miR-29b in lens epithelial cells of the research group showed a significant decrease trend(all P<0.05). There was a positive correlation between miR-34a and miR-29b in the lens epithelial cells of ARC patients(r=0.472, P<0.05). MiR-34a and miR-29b were influence factors for ARC(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION: The levels of miR-34a and miR-29b in lens epithelial cells of ARC patients are significantly reduced, which is associated with the occurrence of ARC.

Objective Using female mice to investigate the reparative effects of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells on radiation-induced ovarian injury. Methods Mice were randomly divided into three groups: a blank control group, a radiation model group, and a cell therapy group. Mice in the radiation model group and the cell therapy group received a single whole-body irradiation of 5 Gy X-rays. Within 2 hours post-irradiation, mice in the cell therapy group underwent ovarian transplantation of UC-MSCs. On days 1, 7, and 14 post-irradiation, body weight was measured, ovarian index was calculated, histopathological changes in ovarian tissue were examined, serum levels of reproductive hormones (follicle-stimulating hormone, anti-Müllerian hormone, and estradiol) were determined, and the colonization of implanted UC-MSCs in the mice was observed. Results On days 1, 7, and 14 post-irradiation, both the cell therapy group and the radiation model group showed decreased body weight compared to the blank control group (P < 0.05). On day 1 post-irradiation compared to day 1 pre-irradiation within the same group, the radiation model group exhibited a greater decrease in body weight than the cell therapy group (P < 0.05). On days 1, 7, and 14 post-irradiation, the ovarian index decreased in both the radiation model group and the cell therapy group compared to the blank control group (P < 0.05). On days 7 and 14 post-irradiation, the ovarian index in the cell therapy group was significantly higher than that in the radiation model group (P < 0.05). Ovarian tissue in the radiation model group exhibited atrophy and a reduction in the number of follicles at all stages. In contrast, follicles in the cell therapy group were large and abundant. On days 1, 7, and 14 post-irradiation, serum follicle-stimulating hormone levels in the cell therapy group were lower than those in the radiation model group, while anti-Müllerian hormone and estradiol levels were higher than those in the radiation model group (P < 0.01). In vivo fluorescence imaging demonstrated that UC-MSCs successfully colonized the ovarian tissue on days 1, 7, and 14 after transplantation. Conclusion UC-MSCs exert a repair effect on radiation-induced ovarian injury in mice.

AIM: To observe the efficacy of intravitreal Conbercept injection(IVC)in diabetic neovascular glaucoma(NVG).METHODS:Retrospective study. Totally 57 patients(57 eyes)with NVG(stage II)secondary to proliferative diabetic retinopathy(PDR)treated in our hospital were collceted from January 2019 to December 2022. Among them, 30 patients(30 eyes)were treated by IVC and panretinal photocoagulation(PRP)in the observation group, and 27 patients(27 eyes)were treated by PRP in the control group. The best corrected visual acuity(BCVA, LogMAR), intraocular pressure, neovascularization of the iridocorneal angle(NVA), central macular thinkness(CMT)changes and disease progression were analyzed with a follow-up of 2 years.RESULTS: There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups(P>0.05). At the last follow-up, the BCVA in the observation group was better than the control group(P<0.05). The intraocular pressure, CMT and progression of NVA in the observation group were less than the control group(all P<0.05). The patients with NVG developed from stage II to stage III in the observation group was less than the control group(P<0.05). In the observation group, the BCVA improved compared with preoperative at 6 mo(P<0.05). In the control group, the BCVA decreased compared with preoperative after 24 mo(P<0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that NVG progression and intraocular pressure were factors affecting BCVA(LogMAR)changes(β=0.511, 0.014; t=4.461, 2.092; P<0.01, 0.041, respectively). In the observation group, the IOP decreased at 1, 6 and 12 mo compared with preoperative(all P<0.05), while there were no significant differences at 18 and 24 mo compared with preoperative(all P>0.05). In the control group, the intraocular pressure decreased at 6 mo compared with preoperative(P<0.05), while there were no significant differences at 1, 12, 18 and 24 mo compared with preoperative(all P>0.05). There were no significant difference about the types of glaucoma drugs between the observation group and the control group(all P>0.05). There were no infectious endophthalmitis and other complications observed in both groups.CONCLUSION: IVC combined with PRP demonstrates superior efficacy over PRP monotherapy in treating NVG(stage II)secondary to PDR. IVC combined with PRP showed better outcomes in controlling iris neovascularization, slowing visual impairment progression, reducing intraocular pressure, and delaying disease advancement.

Objective: To create a prediction model for stroke risk among middle-aged and elderly populations, so as to provide a basis for early identification of high-risk population for stroke. Methods: From October to December 2023, residents aged ≥45 years in Chongchuan District, Nantong City, Jiangsu Province were selected using a multi-stage stratified random sampling method. The demographic information, life behavior, and chronic disease data were collected through a questionnaire survey. The standardized prevalence of stroke was calculated using data from the seventh National Population Census. The subjects were randomly divided into the training set and the internal validation set according to the ratio of 8∶2. The basic demographic information, life behavior, and chronic diseases of residents aged ≥45 years in Rugao City were collected from July to August 2023 as the external validation set. Predictive factors were selected using multivariable logistic regression model, and a nomogram for stroke among residents aged ≥45 years was established. The prediction effect was evaluated using the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC), calibration curve, and Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit test. Results: A total of 6 290 residents aged ≥45 years were included, including 2 975 males (47.30%) and 3 315 females (52.70%). The average age was (61.90±10.20) years. The prevalence of stroke was 3.80%, and the standardized prevalence was 3.36%. The multivariable logistic regression showed that age, smoking, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia were predictors of stroke risk among residents aged ≥45 years, and the prediction model was ln[p/(1-p)]=-4.619+0.046×age+0.383×smoking+0.887×hypertension+0.678×hyperlipidemia. The AUC values of the training set, internal validation set, and external validation set were 0.748, 0.755, and 0.738, respectively. The consistency indexes were 0.748, 0.755, and 0.738, respectively. The Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit test showed a good fitting effect (P>0.05). Conclusion The prediction model based on age, smoking, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia has good discrimination and calibration, and can be used to predict the risk of stroke among middle-aged and elderly populations aged ≥45 years.

Background: s/Aims: Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare histological subtype of HCC characterized by extremely poor prognosis; however, its molecular characterization has not been elucidated. Methods: In this study, we conducted an integrated multiomics study of whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, spatial transcriptome, and immunohistochemical analyses of 28 paired sarcomatoid tumor components and conventional HCC components from 10 patients with sarcomatoid HCC, in order to identify frequently altered genes, infer the tumor subclonal architectures, track the genomic evolution, and delineate the transcriptional characteristics of sarcomatoid HCCs. Results: Our results showed that the sarcomatoid HCCs had poor prognosis. The sarcomatoid tumor components and the conventional HCC components were derived from common ancestors, mostly accessing similar mutational processes. Clonal phylogenies demonstrated branched tumor evolution during sarcomatoid HCC development and progression. TP53 mutation commonly occurred at tumor initiation, whereas ARID2 mutation often occurred later. Transcriptome analyses revealed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxic phenotype in sarcomatoid tumor components, which were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we identified ARID2 mutations in 70% (7/10) of patients with sarcomatoid HCC but only 1–5% of patients with non-sarcomatoid HCC. Biofunctional investigations revealed that inactivating mutation of ARID2 contributes to HCC growth and metastasis and induces EMT in a hypoxic microenvironment. Conclusions We offer a comprehensive description of the molecular basis for sarcomatoid HCC, and identify genomic alteration (ARID2 mutation) together with the tumor microenvironment (hypoxic microenvironment), that may contribute to the formation of the sarcomatoid tumor component through EMT, leading to sarcomatoid HCC development and progression.