Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative condition characterized by progressive cognitive decline and memory loss. As the incidence of AD continues to rise annually, researchers have shown keen interest in the active components found in natural plants and their neuroprotective effects against AD. Quercetin, a flavonol widely present in fruits and vegetables, has multiple biological effects including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant. Oxidative stress plays a central role in the pathogenesis of AD, and the antioxidant properties of quercetin are essential for its neuroprotective function. Quercetin can modulate multiple signaling pathways related to AD, such as Nrf2-ARE, JNK, p38 MAPK, PON2, PI3K/Akt, and PKC, all of which are closely related to oxidative stress. Furthermore, quercetin is capable of inhibiting the aggregation of β‑amyloid protein (Aβ) and the phosphorylation of tau protein, as well as the activity of β‑secretase 1 and acetylcholinesterase, thus slowing down the progression of the disease.The review also provides insights into the pharmacokinetic properties of quercetin, including its absorption, metabolism, and excretion, as well as its bioavailability challenges and clinical applications. To improve the bioavailability and enhance the targeting of quercetin, the potential of quercetin nanomedicine delivery systems in the treatment of AD is also discussed. In summary, the multifaceted mechanisms of quercetin against AD provide a new perspective for drug development. However, translating these findings into clinical practice requires overcoming current limitations and ongoing research. In this way, its therapeutic potential in the treatment of AD can be fully utilized.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the structural changes of rat thoracic aorta and changes in expression levels of Bmal1 and cyclins in thoracic aorta endothelial cells following heat stress. METHODS: Twenty male SD rats were randomized equally into control group and heat stress group. After exposure to 32 ℃ for 2 weeks in the latter group, the rats were examined for histopathological changes and Bmal1 expression in the thoracic aorta using HE staining and immunohistochemistry. In the cell experiments, cultured rat thoracic aortic endothelial cells (RTAECs) were incubated at 40 ℃ for 12 h with or without prior transfection with a Bmal1-specific small interfering RNA (si-Bmal1) or a negative sequence. In both rat thoracic aorta and RTAECs, the expressions of Bmal1, the cell cycle proteins CDK1, CDK4, CDK6, and cyclin B1, and apoptosis-related proteins Bax and Bcl-2 were detected using Western blotting. TUNEL staining was used to detect cell apoptosis in rat thoracic aorta, and the changes in cell cycle distribution and apoptosis in RTAECs were analyzed with flow cytometry. RESULTS: Compared with the control rats, the rats exposed to heat stress showed significantly increased blood pressures and lowered heart rate with elastic fiber disruption and increased expressions of Bmal1, cyclin B1 and CDK1 in the thoracic aorta (P<0.05). In cultured RTAECs, heat stress caused significant increase of Bmal1, cyclin B1 and CDK1 protein expression levels, which were obviously lowered in cells with prior si-Bmal1 transfection. Bmal1 knockdown also inhibited heat stress-induced increase of apoptosis in RTAECs as evidenced by decreased expression of Bax and increased expression of Bcl-2. CONCLUSIONS Heat stress upregulates Bmal1 expression and causes alterations in expressions of cyclins to trigger apoptosis of rat thoracic aorta endothelial cells, which can be partly alleviated by suppressing Bmal1 expression.
Animals ; ARNTL Transcription Factors/genetics* ; Male ; Aorta, Thoracic/metabolism* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Endothelial Cells/metabolism* ; Apoptosis ; Cells, Cultured ; Heat-Shock Response ; Cyclin B1/metabolism* ; CDC2 Protein Kinase/metabolism* ; Cyclins/metabolism* ; RNA, Small Interfering ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein/metabolism*

Dachengqi Decoction is a classic prescription attacked by Yangming excessive syndromes in clinic, which has the effects of relieving heat, softening and dispersing knots, etc., and is often used in the treatment of gastrointestinal dysfunction caused by various diseases. This article reviewed the recent studies on the chemical compositions and pharmacological effects of Dachengqi Decoction in recent years. On this basis, combined with the "five principles" of TCM quality markers, the quality markers of Dachengqi Decoction were predicted and analyzed. It is suggested that emodin, Rhein, chrysophanol, aloe-emodin, synephrine, hesperidin, naringin, magnolol and magnolol can be used as quality markers of Dachengqi Decoction.

Objective To investigate the effect of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)on the expression of genes related to ovarian steroid synthesis in mice and its underlying mechanism.Methods A transgenic mouse model with tetracycline-reversible regulation of VEGF expression was used,and the genotype of mice was identified by polymerase chain reaction(PCR).Twenty mice were divided into normal VEGF expression group(Dox+,n=10)and VEGF expression inhibition group(Dox-,n=10)by feeding them doxycycline.Western blotting was used to detect the expression of VEGF protein in ovarian tissues.Fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of VEGF,KDR and genes known to play roles in follicle development,such as follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH)and inhibin B(INHBB).HE staining was used to observe changes in ovarian tissue.Total RNA was extracted from mouse ovarian tissues for transcriptome sequencing,and the relevant differential genes were analyzed by FPKM and log2FC values.Results Compared with the Dox+group,the mRNA and protein levels of VEGF in the Dox-group significantly reduced,and the mRNA levels of KDR also significantly decreased(P<0.05).HE staining results showed that compared with the Dox+group,follicular development was impaired and atresia follicles appeared in the Dox-group.Sequencing analysis identified that significant differences in follicular development-related genes and steroid synthesis-related genes between the two groups(P<0.05).Enrichment analysis showed that VEGF in mouse ovaries mainly regulates ovarian steroidogenesis and other pathways.Fluorescence quantitative PCR results demonstrated that compared with the Dox+group,the follicular development-related genes(INHBB and FSHR)in the ovarian tissues of the Dox-group were significantly up-regulated(P<0.05),whereas the key genes of steroid synthesis(StAR,CYP11A1,3β-HSD)were significantly down-regulated(P<0.05).The quantitative results were basically consistent with the sequencing results.Conclusion Mice with inhibited VEGF exhibited ovarian follicular dysplasia,potentially due to the mechanism whereby VEGF inhibition downregulated the expression of genes associated with steroid synthesis,such as FSH and INHBB,thereby obstructing cholesterol metabolism.

Public exposure to radon has attracted increasing public concern. The newly issued "Standards for indoor air quality (GB/T 18883-2022)" has revised the radiological parameters of radon. This study analyzed and discussed the relevant technical contents about the derivation of radon limit, including the distribution level for indoor radon, exposure pathway, health effects, and the process for establishing the standard limits. Specific implementation and evaluation suggestions are also proposed.
Humans ; Radon/analysis* ; Air Pollution, Indoor ; China ; Housing

Public exposure to radon has attracted increasing public concern. The newly issued "Standards for indoor air quality (GB/T 18883-2022)" has revised the radiological parameters of radon. This study analyzed and discussed the relevant technical contents about the derivation of radon limit, including the distribution level for indoor radon, exposure pathway, health effects, and the process for establishing the standard limits. Specific implementation and evaluation suggestions are also proposed.
Humans ; Radon/analysis* ; Air Pollution, Indoor ; China ; Housing

In the clinical practice of rheumatic immune diseases in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM），it`s still unclear about the dominant diseases and breakthrough points. It`s urgent missions to formulate TCM diagnosis and treatment guidelines widely recognized and integrated by traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine. In order to clarify the dominant diseases and breakthrough points in rheumatism，China association of Chinese medicine initiated a research group covering experts in the field of rheumatism of traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine. Based on questionnaire survey and on-site discussion，experts had reached the following consensus. Evidence-based medicine research using modern medical methods and scientific methods should be carried out to provide objective clinical evidences. "Four mutuality" were put forward as the basis for the work of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine，that is the mutual communication using the exchangeable context，the mutual explanation using common theories，the mutual certification using common standards，and the mutual integration using common means. Key works should focus on solving refractory rheumatism in the future. In terms of dominant diseases and breakthrough points，this paper introduces 21 breakthrough points in 6 dominant diseases，including rheumatoid arthritis，ankylosing spondylitis，Sjogren's syndrome，hyperuricemia and gout，systemic lupus erythematosus and fibromyalgia syndrome. Advice on this discussion can provide valuable references for developing the treatment scheme of rheumatism with TCM and integrated Chinese and Western medicine and clinical practice and scientific research.

Objective:To discuss clinical effect of addition and subtraction therapy of Ditantang combined with Taohong Siwutang to cerebral infarction and syndrome of phlegm and blood stasis blocking collaterals during early recovery， and to study protection to brain nerve. Method:One hundred and fifty-two patients were randomly divided into control group （76 cases） and observation group （76 cases） by random number table， 71 patients in control group completed the therapy （5 patients were falling off， missing visit or eliminated）， and 70 patients in observation group completed the therapy. Both groups' patients got comprehensive rehabilitation measures. Patients in control group got Zhongfeng Huichun pills， 1.5 g/time， 3 times/day. Patients in observation group got addition and subtraction therapy of Ditantang combined with Taohong Siwutang in the morning and at night， 1 dose/day. The treatment was continued for 12 weeks. Before and after treatment， scores of degree of neurological deficit， Barthel （BI） index， Fugl-Meyer scale （FMA）， modified Rankin scale （MRS） and syndrome of phlegm and blood stasis blocking collaterals were graded. And levels of malondialdehyde （MDA）， glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px）， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， advanced oxidation protein products （AOPP）， vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）， brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF） and neuron specific enolase （NSE）. And cerebral hemodynamics were detected， and peak flow velocity （VS）， vascular resistance index （RI）， pulsatility index （PI） and cerebrovascular reserve function （CVR） were recorded. Safety was evaluated. Result:After the 6^th week and 12^th week of treatment， scores of degree of neurological deficit， BI， FMA， MRS， syndrome of phlegm and blood stasis blocking collaterals， AOPP， MDA， NSE， RI and PI were lower than those in control group （P<0.01）， levels of SOD， GSH-Px， BDNF， VEGF， Vs and CVR were higher than those in control group （P<0.01）. The clinical effect was better than which in control group （Z=2.109， P<0.05）. Besides， there was no adverse reaction caused by Ditantang combined with Taohong Siwutang. Conclusion:Ditantang combined with Taohong Siwutang can ameliarate the hemodynamics， reduce the lipid peroxidation damage， regulate the neurovascular repair factor， so it can promote the repair of nerve tissue and function， clinically reduce the degree of nerve function defect， improve the ability of daily life and exercise when it used to cerebral infarction and syndrome of phlegm and blood stasis blocking collaterals during early recovery， and it is good for clinical effect and safe using.