In this paper， by referring to ancient and modern literature， the textual research of Inulae Flos has been conducted to clarify the name， origin， production area， quality evaluation， harvesting， processing and others， so as to provide reference and basis for the development and utilization of famous classical formulas containing this herb. After textual research， it could be verified that the medicinal use of Inulae Flos was first recorded in Shennong Bencaojing of the Han dynasty. In successive dynasties， Xuanfuhua has been taken as the official name， and it also has other alternative names such as Jinfeicao， Daogeng and Jinqianhua. The period before the Song and Yuan dynasties， the main origin of Inulae Flos was the Asteraceae plant Inula japonica， and from the Ming and Qing dynasties to the present， I. japonica and I. britannica are the primary source. In addition to the dominant basal species， there are also regional species such as I. linariifolia， I. helianthus-aquatili， and I. hupehensis. The earliest recorded production areas in ancient times were Henan， Hubei and other places， and the literature records that it has been distributed throughout the country since modern times. The medicinal part is its flower， the harvesting and processing method recorded in the past dynasties is mainly harvested in the fifth and ninth lunar months， and dried in the sun， and the modern harvesting is mostly harvested in summer and autumn when the flowers bloom， in order to remove impurities， dry in the shade or dry in the sun. In addition， the roots， whole herbs and aerial parts are used as medicinal materials. In ancient times， there were no records about the quality of Inulae Flos， and in modern times， it is generally believed that the quality of complete flower structure， small receptacles， large blooms， yellow petals， long filaments， many fluffs， no fragments， and no branches is better. Ancient processing methods primarily involved cleaning， steaming， and sun-drying， supplemented by techniques such as boiling， roasting， burning， simmering， stir-frying， and honey-processing. Modern processing focuses mainly on cleaning the stems and leaves before use. Regarding the medicinal properties， ancient texts describe it as salty and sweet in taste， slightly warm in nature， and mildly toxic. Modern studies characterize it as bitter， pungent， and salty in taste， with a slightly warm nature. Its therapeutic effects remain consistent across eras， including descending Qi， resolving phlegm， promoting diuresis， and stopping vomiting. Based on the research results， it is recommended that when developing famous classical formulas containing Inulae Flos， either I. japonica or I. britannica should be used as the medicinal source. Processing methods should follow formula requirements， where no processing instructions are specified， the raw products may be used after cleaning.

In this paper， by referring to ancient and modern literature， the textual research of Inulae Flos has been conducted to clarify the name， origin， production area， quality evaluation， harvesting， processing and others， so as to provide reference and basis for the development and utilization of famous classical formulas containing this herb. After textual research， it could be verified that the medicinal use of Inulae Flos was first recorded in Shennong Bencaojing of the Han dynasty. In successive dynasties， Xuanfuhua has been taken as the official name， and it also has other alternative names such as Jinfeicao， Daogeng and Jinqianhua. The period before the Song and Yuan dynasties， the main origin of Inulae Flos was the Asteraceae plant Inula japonica， and from the Ming and Qing dynasties to the present， I. japonica and I. britannica are the primary source. In addition to the dominant basal species， there are also regional species such as I. linariifolia， I. helianthus-aquatili， and I. hupehensis. The earliest recorded production areas in ancient times were Henan， Hubei and other places， and the literature records that it has been distributed throughout the country since modern times. The medicinal part is its flower， the harvesting and processing method recorded in the past dynasties is mainly harvested in the fifth and ninth lunar months， and dried in the sun， and the modern harvesting is mostly harvested in summer and autumn when the flowers bloom， in order to remove impurities， dry in the shade or dry in the sun. In addition， the roots， whole herbs and aerial parts are used as medicinal materials. In ancient times， there were no records about the quality of Inulae Flos， and in modern times， it is generally believed that the quality of complete flower structure， small receptacles， large blooms， yellow petals， long filaments， many fluffs， no fragments， and no branches is better. Ancient processing methods primarily involved cleaning， steaming， and sun-drying， supplemented by techniques such as boiling， roasting， burning， simmering， stir-frying， and honey-processing. Modern processing focuses mainly on cleaning the stems and leaves before use. Regarding the medicinal properties， ancient texts describe it as salty and sweet in taste， slightly warm in nature， and mildly toxic. Modern studies characterize it as bitter， pungent， and salty in taste， with a slightly warm nature. Its therapeutic effects remain consistent across eras， including descending Qi， resolving phlegm， promoting diuresis， and stopping vomiting. Based on the research results， it is recommended that when developing famous classical formulas containing Inulae Flos， either I. japonica or I. britannica should be used as the medicinal source. Processing methods should follow formula requirements， where no processing instructions are specified， the raw products may be used after cleaning.

Background Prenatal exposure to chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonic acid (Cl-PFESA, commercially known as F-53B) during pregnancy has been associated with fetal growth restriction and adverse birth outcomes. These effects may be mediated by structural and functional impairments of the placenta, potentially resulting from disrupted placental angiogenesis. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Objective To explore the impact of prenatal F-53B exposure on fetal development, placental pathology, and the expression of genes involved in angiogenesis by establishing an F-53B exposure animal model. Methods A total of 48 sexually mature female SD rats aged 8 weeks were selected, along with 24 proven male breeders. The rats were acclimatized for one week before mating. Pregnant rats were assigned to four groups: control (0 mg·kg⁻¹), low-dose (0.1 mg·kg⁻¹), medium-dose (1 mg·kg⁻¹), and high-dose (5 mg·kg⁻¹). Half of the pregnant rats in each group were administered the test substance by oral gavage once daily from gestational day (GD) 5.5 to GD17.5. The fetuses and placentas were dissected and weighed, and placental efficiency was calculated as the ratio of fetal weight to placental weight, reflecting the placenta’s capacity to supply nutrients to the fetus. Placental histopathological alterations were assessed after hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was conducted to assess the mRNA expression levels of angiogenesis-related genes, including hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and its receptor (VEGFR2), as well as downstream genes in the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway. To evaluate the potential impact of prenatal F-53B exposure on birth outcomes, including birth weight and gestational age, the remaining half of the pregnant rats in each group were continuously exposed to the test substance until delivery. Results F-53B exposure significantly reduced fetal weight across all exposure groups (P<0.05) and markedly increased the incidence of intrauterine growth restriction (P<0.01). Although placental weights did not differ significantly among groups, placental efficiency was significantly decreased in the high-dose group (P<0.05). The histological analysis after HE staining revealed disorganized trophoblast cell structure and a significant reduction in labyrinthine blood sinus area in the medium- and high-dose groups. The qPCR analysis showed that HIF-1α expression was significantly upregulated in the low-dose group (P<0.001), while VEGFA (P<0.01), PI3K (P<0.001), and AKT (P<0.05) expression levels were significantly downregulated in the medium- and high-dose groups. Conclusion Maternal exposure to F-53B during pregnancy may impair placental angiogenesis via VEGFA and its downstream PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, leading to placental pathological damage and increasing the risk of intrauterine growth restriction and reduced birth weight in fetuses.

BACKGROUND: Lung adenocarcinoma is an important pathohistologic subtype of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Invasive non-mucinous pulmonary adenocarcinomas (INMA) tend to have a poor prognosis due to their significant heterogeneity and diverse histologic components. Establishing a histologic grading system for INMA is crucial for evaluating its malignancy. In 2021, the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) proposed that a new histological grading system could better stratify the prognosis of INMA patients. The aim of this study was to establish a visualized nomogram model to predict INMA IASLC grading preoperatively by means of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT), fractal dimension (FD), clinical features and conventional CT parameters. METHODS: A total of 112 patients with INMA who underwent preoperative DECT were retrospectively enrolled from March 2021 to January 2025. Patients were categorized into low-intermediate grade and high grade groups based on IASLC grading. The clinical characteristics and conventional CT parameters, including baseline features, biochemical markers, and serum tumor markers, were collected. DECT-derived parameters, including iodine concentration (IC), effective atomic number (eff-Z), and normalized IC (NIC), were collected and determined as NIC ratio (NICr) and fractal dimension (FD). Univariate analysis was employed to compare differences in conventional characteristics and DECT parameters between the two groups. Variables demonstrating statistical significance were subsequently incorporated into a multivariate Logistic regression analysis. A nomogram model integrating clinical data, conventional CT parameters, and DECT parameters was developed to identify independent predictors for IASLC grading of INMA. The discriminatory performance of the model was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis identified smoking history [odds ratio (OR)=2.848, P=0.041], lobulation sign (OR=2.163, P=0.004), air bronchogram (OR=7.833, P=0.005), eff-Z in arterial phase (OR=4.266, P<0.001), and IC in arterial phase (OR=1.290, P=0.012) as independent and significant predictors for IASLC grading of INMA. The nomogram model constructed based on these indicators demonstrated optimal predictive performance, achieving an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.804 (95%CI: 0.725-0.883), with specificity and sensitivity of 85.3% and 65.7%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The nomogram model based on clinical features, imaging features and spectral CT parameters have a large potential for application in the preoperative noninvasive assessment of INMA IASLC grading.
Humans ; Nomograms ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods* ; Lung Neoplasms/pathology* ; Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Adenocarcinoma of Lung/pathology* ; Neoplasm Grading ; Adult

ObjectiveThis study aims to enhance of the farnesyl pyrophosphate（FPP） pool in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by heterologously expressing different farnesyl diphosphate synthases（FPSs） from various plants， thereby increasing the production of terpenoid compounds by the engineered yeast. MethodsRNA from mixed samples of roots， stems， and leaves of seven plants including Arabidopsis thaliana， Rosa rugosa， Artemisia annua， Centella asiatica， Humulus lupulus， Medicago sativa， and Panax ginseng was extracted by column chromatography and reverse transcribed into the first strand of complementary DNA（cDNA）， and based on the transcriptome data of the seven species of plants， sequence-specific primers were designed for CaFPS， RrFPS， MsFPS， HiFPS， PgFPS， AtFPS， and AaFPS， the full-length of the genes was cloned， and the genes were analyzed for bioinformatics in order to construct a pESC yeast shuttle vector. These seven plant-derived FPSs were further heterologously expressed in the previous constructed β-elemene-producing yeast， and the yield of β-elemene was indicated for their catalytic acivities. ResultsThe coding sequences of CaFPS， RrFPS， MsFPS， HiFPS， PgFPS， AtFPS， and AaFPS were all of 1 021 bp in length and encoding 301 amino acids， all of which were similarly related to the endogenous FPS-encoding gene（ERG20） in S. cerevisiae. After heterologous expression， RrFPS was identified as the most effective in catalyzing the synthesis of FPP from isopentenyl pyrophosphate（IPP） and dimethylallyl pyrophosphate（DMAPP）. Compared to the control strains， the RrFPS overexpressed yeast strains YB-1-Rr and YB-3-Rr increased the production of β-elemene by 231.25% and 189.3%， respectively. ConclusionBy comparing the functions of FPS-encoding genes from seven different plant sources， it is determined that the protein encoded by the RrFPS from R. rugosa has the best catalytic ability， which can provide key genetic elements for the construction of engineered yeast strain constructs with high terpenoid production.

Objective:This study aimed to analyze cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation and its influencing factors in patients with B-lymphocyte malignancy who received chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy.Methods:This study retrospectively reviewed patients with B-lymphocyte malignancy who received CAR-T cell therapy in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2021 to December 2023. The data of patients who underwent CMV-DNA detection and/or pathogen metagenomic sequencing twice or more within 100 days after CAR-T cell therapy were analyzed. The clinical characteristics of the CMV reactivation and non-activation groups were compared. The factors related to CMV reactivation were analyzed with the Chi-square test and nonparametric rank sum test, and the risk factors were examined with Logistic regression.Results:This study included 86 patients, among whom 18 (20.9%) had CMV reactivation, and the median time of reactivation was 20 (1-95) days. All of the 18 patients had CMV viremia, and no CMV disease was observed. Seven patients turned to the latent state after continuing acyclovir antiviral therapy, and 11 patients returned to the latent state after upgrading the antiviral therapy to first-line drugs, including ganciclovir and foscarnet sodium. Six or more courses of anti-tumor treatment before CAR-T cell therapy, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation within 2 years before CAR-T cell therapy, non-remission before treatment, and the use of high-dose glucocorticoids and/or tocilizumab were related to CMV reactivation, among which allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation within 2 years pre-treatment and the use of high-dose glucocorticoids and/or tocilizumab treatment were independent risk factors for CMV reactivation.Conclusion:Patients with B-lymphocyte malignancy who received CAR-T cell therapy have the risk of CMV reactivation, especially for those who received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation within 2 years pre-treatment and those who received high-dose glucocorticoids and/or tocilizumab treatment.

BACKGROUND:Clinical studies have found good analgesic effects of silver needle-thermal conduction therapy in patients with myofascial pain syndrome,but the exact mechanism remains unclear. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of silver needle-thermal conduction therapy on silent information regulator homolog 3(SIRT3)changes and mitochondrial ultrastructure in a rat model of myofascial pain syndrome. METHODS:Twenty rats were randomly selected from 26 Sprague-Dawley rats and were subjected to percussion combined with motor fatigue for replicating the rat model of myofascial pain syndrome.Sixteen rats that were successfully modeled were randomly divided into model group and silver needle-thermal conduction therapy group(treatment group),with eight rats in each group.The remaining rats were used as controls(normal group).The treatment group was treated with silver needle-thermal conduction therapy.Mechanical withdrawal threshold and thermal withdrawal latency of rats were measured at 1 day before modeling,1 day after modeling and 14 days after treatment.Electromyographic activities of the right medial femoral muscle were measured at 14 days after treatment.The right medial femoral muscle tissue was taken for hematoxylin-eosin staining to observe the local morphology and for transmission electron microscopy to observe the mitochondrial ultrastructure.Western blot assay was performed to detect SIRT3 expression. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Pain threshold:The mechanical withdrawal threshold and thermal withdrawal latency of the model and treatment groups were significantly decreased compared with those in the normal group and before modeling(P＜0.01).After treatment,the mechanical withdrawal threshold and thermal withdrawal latency of rats were significantly higher in the treatment group compared with the model group(P＜0.01).Electromyography:The rats in the model group showed spontaneous electrical activity in the right medial femur,while the rats in the treatment group showed reduced spontaneous electrical activity,longer time frame(P＜0.01)and lower wave amplitude(P＜0.05)compared with the model group.Hematoxylin-eosin staining:In the normal group,rat muscle fibers arranged closely and regularly.In the model group,the muscle fibers of rats were atrophied,degenerated,and disordered in arrangement.In the treatment group,rat muscle structure disorder improved.Mitochondrial microstructure:Under the transmission electron microscope,mitochondrial structure in the normal group was normal;mitochondrial swelling with broken or disappeared cristae appeared in the model group;mitochondrial swelling in the treatment group was obviously relieved or tended to be normal.SIRT3 expression:SIRT3 expression was significantly downregulated in the model group compared with the normal group,but was significantly upregulated in the treatment group compared with the model group(P＜0.05).To conclude,abnormalities in local muscle mitochondria and downregulation of SIRT3 expression suggest the presence of impaired energy metabolism in the rat model of myofascial pain syndrome.Mitochondrial changes recover and are close to normal after the silver needle-thermal conduction therapy,and the expression of SIRT3 is also upregulated close to the normal group,indicating the silver needle-thermal conduction therapy may play a therapeutic role by promoting mitochondrial repair and improving energy metabolism disorder.

Laboratory animals provide an important experimental resource for life science research,and their uniformity plays a key role in the accuracy and reliability of the experimental result.Genetic quality testing of laboratory animals is thus essential to evaluate the genetic quality of laboratory animals.Progress in modern biotechnology has led to improvements in the method of genetic testing of experimental animals.Single nucleotide polymorphisms,as molecular markers,have been widely used in genetic testing of laboratory animals,and method for their detection in laboratory animals have been updated,in line with biotechnology advances.In this paper,we review current research progress and the application of SNP detection method for genetic quality testing of laboratory animals,and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of various detection method,with a view to providing a reference basis for genetic quality testing of laboratory animals.

Objective:This study aimed to analyze cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation and its influencing factors in patients with B-lymphocyte malignancy who received chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy.Methods:This study retrospectively reviewed patients with B-lymphocyte malignancy who received CAR-T cell therapy in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2021 to December 2023. The data of patients who underwent CMV-DNA detection and/or pathogen metagenomic sequencing twice or more within 100 days after CAR-T cell therapy were analyzed. The clinical characteristics of the CMV reactivation and non-activation groups were compared. The factors related to CMV reactivation were analyzed with the Chi-square test and nonparametric rank sum test, and the risk factors were examined with Logistic regression.Results:This study included 86 patients, among whom 18 (20.9%) had CMV reactivation, and the median time of reactivation was 20 (1-95) days. All of the 18 patients had CMV viremia, and no CMV disease was observed. Seven patients turned to the latent state after continuing acyclovir antiviral therapy, and 11 patients returned to the latent state after upgrading the antiviral therapy to first-line drugs, including ganciclovir and foscarnet sodium. Six or more courses of anti-tumor treatment before CAR-T cell therapy, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation within 2 years before CAR-T cell therapy, non-remission before treatment, and the use of high-dose glucocorticoids and/or tocilizumab were related to CMV reactivation, among which allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation within 2 years pre-treatment and the use of high-dose glucocorticoids and/or tocilizumab treatment were independent risk factors for CMV reactivation.Conclusion:Patients with B-lymphocyte malignancy who received CAR-T cell therapy have the risk of CMV reactivation, especially for those who received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation within 2 years pre-treatment and those who received high-dose glucocorticoids and/or tocilizumab treatment.

Laboratory animals provide an important experimental resource for life science research,and their uniformity plays a key role in the accuracy and reliability of the experimental result.Genetic quality testing of laboratory animals is thus essential to evaluate the genetic quality of laboratory animals.Progress in modern biotechnology has led to improvements in the method of genetic testing of experimental animals.Single nucleotide polymorphisms,as molecular markers,have been widely used in genetic testing of laboratory animals,and method for their detection in laboratory animals have been updated,in line with biotechnology advances.In this paper,we review current research progress and the application of SNP detection method for genetic quality testing of laboratory animals,and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of various detection method,with a view to providing a reference basis for genetic quality testing of laboratory animals.