This study established the HPLC fingerprints, characteristic chromatograms, and a multi-component content determination method for Bidens bipinnata and B. biternata. The chemical pattern recognition analysis was then employed to clarify the characteristic indexes of quality differences between the two original plants of Bidentis Herba, providing a reference for establishing the quality standards of Bidentis Herba. HPLC was launched on an Agilent Poroshell 120 EC-C_(18) chromatographic column(4.6 mm×250 mm, 4 μm) by gradient elution with a mobile phase of 0.1% aqueous phosphoric acid-acetonitrile at a flow rate of 0.7 mL·min~(-1), detection wavelength of 270 nm, column temperature of 25 ℃, and an injection volume of 5 μL. The similarity between the fingerprints of 18 batches of Bidentis Herba samples and the common pattern(R) ranged from 0.572 to 0.933. A total of 23 chromatographic peaks were calibrated. Through comparison with the reference substances, six components(neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, isochlorogenic acid A, isochlorogenic acid B, rutin, and hyperoside) were identified and subjected to quantitative analysis. The characteristic fingerprints of B. bipinnata and B. biternata were calibrated with 20 and 17 characteristic peaks, respectively. Among them, peaks 8, 9, 22, and 23 were the characteristic peaks of B. bipinnata, and peak 7 was the characteristic peak of B. biternata, which can be used to distinguish the two original plants of Bidentis Herba. The relative standard deviation of the content of the above-mentioned six components ranged from 36% to 123%. The cluster analysis, principal component analysis, and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) classified the 18 batches of Bidentis Herba samples into two categories. Additionally, through the analysis of variable importance in projection(VIP) under OPLS-DA, three characteristic indexes, rutin, isochlorogenic acid A, and isochlorogenic acid B, were identified. The analytical method established in this study can comprehensively evaluate the consistency of Bidentis Herba samples derived from different original plants, specifically identify the differential components between them, and effectively distinguish the two original plants of Bidentis Herba, providing a basis for the differentiation between different original plants and the quality control of Bidentis Herba.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Quality Control ; Bidens/chemistry*

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between the polygenic risks for various psychiatric disorders and clinical and neuropsychological characteristics in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). METHODS: Using a cross-sectional design, 285 children with ADHD and 107 healthy controls were assessed using the Child Behavior Checklist, the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function for parents, the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fourth Edition, and the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery. Blood samples were collected for genetic data. Polygenic risk scores (PRSs) for various psychiatric disorders were calculated using the PRSice-2 software. RESULTS: Compared with the healthy controls, the children with ADHD displayed significantly higher PRSs for ADHD, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (P<0.05). In terms of daily-life executive function, ADHD-related PRS was significantly correlated with the working memory factor; panic disorder-related PRS was significantly correlated with the initiation factor; bipolar disorder-related PRS was significantly correlated with the shift factor; schizophrenia-related PRS was significantly correlated with the inhibition, emotional control, initiation, working memory, planning, organization, and monitoring factors (P<0.05). The PRS related to anxiety disorders was negatively correlated with total IQ and processing speed index (P<0.05). The PRS related to obsessive-compulsive disorder was negatively correlated with the processing speed index and positively correlated with the stop-signal reaction time index of the stop-signal task (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS PRSs for various psychiatric disorders are closely correlated with the behavioral and cognitive characteristics in children with ADHD, which provides more insights into the heterogeneity of ADHD.
Humans ; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity/genetics* ; Child ; Male ; Female ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Neuropsychological Tests ; Multifactorial Inheritance ; Adolescent ; Mental Disorders/etiology* ; Executive Function ; Genetic Risk Score

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

Tricellulin, a key tricellular tight junction (TJ) protein, is essential for maintaining the barrier integrity of acinar epithelia against macromolecular passage in salivary glands. This study aims to explore the role and regulatory mechanism of tricellulin in the development of salivary gland hypofunction in Sjögren's syndrome (SS). Employing a multifaceted approach involving patient biopsies, non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice as a SS model, salivary gland acinar cell-specific tricellulin conditional knockout (Tric^CKO) mice, and IFN-γ-stimulated salivary gland epithelial cells, we investigated the role of tricellulin in SS-related hyposalivation. Our data revealed diminished levels of tricellulin in salivary glands of SS patients. Similarly, NOD mice displayed a reduction in tricellulin expression from the onset of the disease, concomitant with hyposecretion and an increase in salivary albumin content. Consistent with these findings, Tric^CKO mice exhibited both hyposecretion and leakage of macromolecular tracers when compared to control animals. Mechanistically, the JAK/STAT1/miR-145 axis was identified as mediating the IFN-γ-induced downregulation of tricellulin. Treatment with AT1001, a TJ sealer, ameliorated epithelial barrier dysfunction, restored tricellulin expression, and consequently alleviated hyposalivation in NOD mice. Importantly, treatment with miR-145 antagomir to specifically recover the expression of tricellulin in NOD mice significantly alleviated hyposalivation and macromolecular leakage. Collectively, we identified that tricellulin deficiency in salivary glands contributed to hyposalivation in SS. Our findings highlight tricellulin as a potential therapeutic target for hyposecretion, particularly in the context of reinforcing epithelial barrier function through preventing leakage of macromolecules in salivary glands.
Sjogren's Syndrome/complications* ; Animals ; Xerostomia/etiology* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred NOD ; MARVEL Domain Containing 2 Protein/metabolism* ; Humans ; Mice, Knockout ; Disease Models, Animal ; Interferon-gamma ; Salivary Glands/metabolism* ; Tight Junctions/metabolism* ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Female

OBJECTIVE: To reveal the effects and potential mechanisms by which synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) influences the distribution of amyloid precursor protein (APP) in the trans-Golgi network (TGN), endolysosomal system, and cell membranes and to reveal the effects of SV2A on APP amyloid degradation. METHODS: Colocalization analysis of APP with specific tagged proteins in the TGN, ensolysosomal system, and cell membrane was performed to explore the effects of SV2A on the intracellular transport of APP. APP, β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) expressions, and APP cleavage products levels were investigated to observe the effects of SV2A on APP amyloidogenic processing. RESULTS: APP localization was reduced in the TGN, early endosomes, late endosomes, and lysosomes, whereas it was increased in the recycling endosomes and cell membrane of SV2A-overexpressed neurons. Moreover, Arl5b (ADP-ribosylation factor 5b), a protein responsible for transporting APP from the TGN to early endosomes, was upregulated by SV2A. SV2A overexpression also decreased APP transport from the cell membrane to early endosomes by downregulating APP endocytosis. In addition, products of APP amyloid degradation, including sAPPβ, Aβ _1-42, and Aβ _1-40, were decreased in SV2A-overexpressed cells. CONCLUSION These results demonstrated that SV2A promotes APP transport from the TGN to early endosomes by upregulating Arl5b and promoting APP transport from early endosomes to recycling endosomes-cell membrane pathway, which slows APP amyloid degradation.
Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor/genetics* ; Membrane Glycoproteins/genetics* ; Animals ; Protein Transport ; Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics* ; Humans ; Mice ; Endosomes/metabolism* ; trans-Golgi Network/metabolism*

Objective To explore the experience of social isolation among caregivers of stroke patients,and to provide corresponding references for the development of targeted intervention strategies.Methods A descriptive qualitative study was used to select 14 caregivers of hospitalized stroke patients attending the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery of a tertiary-level hospital in Kunming City from September to November 2023 through purposive sampling method,and the data were analyzed using traditional content analysis.Results A total of 3 themes and 10 sub-themes were extracted,including characterization of social alienation(accumulation of negative emotions,limited social contact,dissolution of self-identity),drivers of social alienation(limitations of disease perception,multiple role conflicts,lack of support resources,constraints of caregiving responsibilities),and coping needs for social alienation(craving for informational support,appeal for emotional support,and expectation of policy support).Conclusion Caregivers of stroke patients are socially alienated due to limited social contact,multiple role conflicts,and lack of support resources,etc.Healthcare professionals should conduct regular assessments,provide targeted education and training,and strengthen multidimensional support in order to help them reintegrate into society and improve the overall quality of life of stroke families.

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of measured cardiac power output(CPO)of echocardiography for the prognosis of elderly patients with acute heart failure(AHF)in the vulnerable period of heart failure.Methods:A total of 120 elderly patients with AHF who admitted to the Third Hospital Affiliated to Shanxi Medical University from January 2021 to January 2024 were selected,and they were divided into the major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE)group(18 cases)and the non-MACE group(102 cases)according to whether occurred MACE in the vulnerable period within 3 months after discharge.The baseline data of the two groups of patients were compared.Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of occurring MACE in the vulnerable period of patients,and the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to analyze the predictive value of CPO for MACE in the vulnerable period of heart failure in elderly patients with AHF.Results:In the baseline data of patients,the total cholesterol,25-hydroxyvitamin D[25(OH)D],reserve CPO,resting CPO,and peak CPO in the MACE group were all lower than those in the non-MACE group,and the differences were statistically significant(t=5.987,2.236,2.921,2.390,4.569,P<0.05).The levels of brain natriuretic peptide(BNP)and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP)in the MACE group were higher than those in the non-MACE group,and the differences were statistically significant(t=22.074,23.368,P<0.05).The results of Logistic regression analysis showed that the total cholesterol,25(OH)D,reserve CPO,resting CPO,and peak CPO were all influencing factors for the occurrence of MACE during the vulnerable period of heart failure in patients(OR=0.064,0.942,0.015,0.035,0.041,P<0.05).ROC curve analysis showed that the efficacy of resting CPO and reserve CPO of the cardiac function indicators in predicting MACE of patients were slightly lower than that of peak CPO.The AUC,sensitivity and specificity of peak CPO in predicting MACE of patients were 0.752,92.2%and 55.6%,respectively.Conclusion:The lower peak CPO value of cardiac function indicator of echocardiography is independent risk factor for MACE during the vulnerable period of heart failure in elderly patients with AHF.Measuring CPO can identify potential poor prognosis populations in advance.

Objective:To examine frailty in residents aged over 50 in the Chengdu community, investigate the risk factors linked to frailty, and analyze the impact of exercise habits on frailty.Methods:This retrospective study utilized a stratified whole-sample method to select Chengdu residents aged over 50 from 6 communities.Relevant information was collected through face-to-face interactions using a self-developed frailty questionnaire between May 2022 and May 2023.Exercise habits were defined as engaging in physical activity more than three times a week for at least 30 minutes per session, consistently maintained for a minimum of five years prior to the survey.The frailty index(FI)was established based on the multiple-deficit cumulative model.Respondents were classified into categories of no frailty(FI<0.1), mild frailty(0.1 ≤ FI<0.2), and moderate-severe frailty(FI≥0.2).Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to investigate the factors influencing frailty and to compare the prevalence and progression of frailty among individuals with and without exercise habits across different age groups.Results:A total of 999 participants, comprising 483(48.3%)males and 516(51.7%)females, were enrolled in the study.The average age of the participants was 65.70±9.61 years.Among them, 346(34.6%)were classified as having mild frailty, while 107(10.7%)had moderate-severe frailty.Univariate analysis revealed that age, gender, marital status, education, smoking, alcohol consumption, and exercise habits were potential factors influencing frailty( P<0.05).Multifactorial logistic regression models indicated that individuals aged 70-79 and 80-85 were predictors of mild and moderate-severe frailty, respectively.Being female was identified as an independent risk factor for both mild frailty( OR: 1.196; 95% CI: 1.262-3.073)and moderate-severe frailty( OR: 2.721; 95% CI: 1.282-5.774).Additionally, not engaging in regular exercise was associated with an increased risk of mild frailty( OR: 1.588; 95% CI: 1.149-2.193)and moderate-severe frailty( OR: 3.186; 95% CI: 1.819-5.583).Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in frailty distribution and frailty index changes between individuals with and without exercise habits over the age of 60( P<0.05). Conclusions:Age and gender were found to be closely associated with frailty, with the impact of exercise habits on frailty becoming more pronounced after the age of 60.Encouraging middle-aged and older individuals to adopt regular exercise routines can play a significant role in promoting healthy aging in China.

The xylitol dehydrogenase(XDH)is a crucial enzyme involved in the xylose utilization in pentose-catabolizing yeasts and fungi.In addition to producing xylulose,XDH can also be employed to develop a biosensor for monitoring xylitol concentration.In this study,the gene encoding the thermophilic fungus Talaromyces emersonii XDH(TeXDH)was heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3)at 16 ℃ in the soluble form.Recombinant TeXDH with high purity was purified by using a Ni-NTA affinity column.Size-exclusion chromatography and SDS-PAGE analysis demonstrated that the puri-fied recombinant TeXDH exists as a native trimer with a molecular mass of approximately 116 kD,and is composed of three identical subunits,each with a molecular weight of around 39 kD.The TeXDH strictly preferred NAD+as a coenzyme to NADP+.The optimal temperature and pH of the TeXDH were 40 ℃and 10.0,respectively.After EDTA treatment,the enzyme activity of TeXDH decreased to 43.26％of the initial enzyme activity,while the divalent metal ions Mg2+or Ca2+could recover the enzyme activity of TeXDH,reaching 103.32％and 110.69％of the initial enzyme activity,respectively,making them the optimal divalent metal ion cofactors for TeXDH enzyme.However,the divalent metal ions of Mn2+,Ni2+,Cu2+,Zn2+,Co2+,and Cd2+significantly inhibited the activity of TeXDH.ICP-MS and molecular doc-king studies revealed that 1 mol/L of TeXDH bound 2 mol/L Zn2+ions and 1 mol/L Mg2+ion.Further-more,TeXDH exhibited a high specificity for xylitol,laying the foundation for the development of future xylitol biosensors.

Objective To explore the associations among smoking behavior,cognitive function,and personality traits in first-episode male patients with schizophrenia,thereby providing theoretical underpinnings for individualized treatment strategies in clinical settings.Methods A total of 140 first-episode male inpatients with schizophrenia admitted to the hospital from January 2022 to December 2023 were recruited.According to their smoking behavior,they were categorized into a smoking group(n=80)and a non-smoking group(n=60).Moreover,healthy controls were recruited and classified into a healthy smoking group(n=62)and a healthy non-smoking group(n=67)based on their smoking status.The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale(PANSS)was employed to evaluate psychiatric symptoms in the schizophrenia groups.Nicotine dependence was measured using the Fagerstr?m Test for Nicotine Dependence(FTND)in the two smoking groups.Cognitive function and personality traits were assessed in all participants using the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status(RBANS)and the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire(EPQ),respectively.Results Regarding cognitive function,the smoking group among schizophrenia patients demonstrated significantly higher scores than the non-smoking group in immediate memory,attention,and delayed memory(all P<0.05).Among schizophrenia patients,FTND scores were moderately negatively correlated with attention and delayed memory(r=-0.552 and-0.657 respectively;both P<0.001).Concerning personality traits,smokers had significantly higher scores in neuroticism and psychoticism compared to non-smokers(both P<0.001).Both patient groups had significantly lower lie scale scores when contrasted with healthy controls(P<0.01),while the healthy smoking group showed significantly higher extraversion scores than the other groups.Conclusions The smoking behavior of male patients during their first episode of schizophrenia exhibits specific characteristics in relation to cognitive performance and personality traits.Smokers demonstrate relatively superior performance in cognitive domains including attention,immediate memory,and delayed memory.However,higher degrees of nicotine dependence are associated with poorer cognitive function,especially in the aspects of attention and delayed memory.Regarding personality,smoking patients display elevated levels of neuroticism and psychoticism.These findings indicate that smoking behavior may be closely associated with cognitive functioning and personality traits,thus meriting clinical attention in the management of schizophrenia.