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.

Objective: To investigate factors influencing perioperative blood transfusion in patients with scarred uterus during pregnancy undergoing cesarean section, construct and validate a transfusion risk prediction model, and provide evidence for preoperative assessment and blood management. Methods: Clinical data of 405 patients undergoing cesarean section for scarred uterus during pregnancy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from January 2020 to December 2024 were retrospectively collected. The dataset was randomly divided into a training set (n=284) and a validation set (n=121) at a 7∶3 ratio. Within the training set, Firth-penalized logistic regression was employed for multivariate analysis to identify independent factors influencing perioperative blood transfusion and construct a predictive model. Model performance was evaluated in the validation set. Results: Multivariate Firth regression analysis showed that severe placenta previa (OR=75.566, 95%CI: 8.603-9979.174) and placenta accreta (OR=4.591, 95%CI: 1.120-19.416) were independent risk factors for perioperative blood transfusion, while preoperative red blood cell count (OR=0.189, 95%CI: 0.083-0.405) and fibrinogen levels (OR=0.588, 95%CI: 0.395-0.855) were protective factors. The predictive model constructed based on these four variables demonstrated good discriminatory performance, with areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves of 0.803 (95%CI: 0.740-0.867) and 0.753 (95%CI: 0.644-0.862) in the training and validation sets, respectively. Conclusion: For patients with scarred uterus during pregnancy undergoing cesarean section, severe placenta previa and placenta accreta significantly increase the risk of transfusion, while higher preoperative red blood cell count and fibrinogen levels exert a protective effect. The predictive model established in this study facilitates the identification of patients requiring transfusion, thereby enabling preoperative blood preparation and optimized blood management.

Human milk is universally recognized as the optimal and most natural source of nutrition for newborns, offering benefits that extend far beyond basic energy and macronutrient provision. Among its complex constituents, human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) represent the third most abundant solid component, surpassed only by lactose and lipids. HMOs are distinguished by their exceptionally high structural diversity—over 200 distinct structures have been identified to date. This structural complexity underlies the extensive biological functions HMOs perform within the infant’s body. HMOs play a pivotal role in promoting healthy growth, development, and overall well-being in infants and young children, functioning as indispensable bioactive molecules. Their key physiological activities include: immunomodulation and allergy prevention by promoting immune tolerance and reducing the risk of allergic diseases; potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects that protect vulnerable infant tissues; support for brain development and cognitive enhancement through multiple mechanisms; anti-pathogenic properties, acting as soluble receptor analogs or “decoy” molecules to competitively block viral, bacterial, and other pathogen adhesion, thereby preventing colonization and infection in the gastrointestinal tract; and functioning as blood group substances. At the translational and application level, HMO research is actively driving cross-disciplinary innovation. Building on a deep understanding of their immunological and neurodevelopmental benefits, certain structurally defined HMOs have been successfully incorporated into infant formula. These HMO-supplemented formulas have received regulatory approval and are now commercially available worldwide, providing a nutritional alternative that more closely resembles human milk for infants who are not exclusively breastfed. This represents a significant step toward narrowing the compositional gap between formula and breast milk. Simultaneously, research into the symbiotic relationship between HMOs and the gut microbiota—particularly their role as selective prebiotic substrates promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria—has catalyzed the development of novel functional foods, dietary supplements, and microbiome-targeted therapies. These include advanced synbiotic formulations that combine specific probiotic strains with HMOs to synergistically optimize gut health and function. Furthermore, the intrinsic qualities of HMOs—including their natural origin, safety profile, biocompatibility, and proven antioxidant properties—have attracted growing interest in the emerging field of high-performance cosmetics. They are increasingly being explored as innovative functional ingredients in skincare products aimed at reducing oxidative stress and supporting skin health. This review aims to systematically synthesize recent advancements in HMO research, offering a comprehensive analysis centered on their complex composition and structural diversity; the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying their diverse biological functions; their translational potential across sectors such as nutrition, medicine, and consumer care (including cosmetics); and the major challenges that persist in the field. It critically examines both foundational discoveries and recent breakthroughs. By integrating these interconnected themes, the review provides a holistic and up-to-date perspective on the scientific landscape of HMOs, highlighting their essential role in early-life nutrition and their expanding relevance across health and wellness applications. It also outlines promising directions for future research, with the goal of advancing evidence-based innovation in infant health and beyond.

Emerging evidence suggests that dysbiosis of the gut microbiota is associated with the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD), a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder. The microbiota-gut-brain axis plays a crucial role in the development and progression of PD, and numerous studies have demonstrated the potential therapeutic benefits of modulations in the intestinal microbiota. This review provides insights into the characterization of the gut microbiota in patients with PD and highlights associations with clinical symptoms and underlying mechanisms. The discussion underscores the increased influence of the gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of PD. While the relationship is not fully elucidated, existing research demonstrates a strong correlation between changes in the composition of gut microbiota and disease development, and further investigation is warranted to explain the specific underlying mechanisms.
Humans ; Parkinson Disease/microbiology* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/physiology* ; Dysbiosis/microbiology*

OBJECTIVE: The results of limited studies on the relationship between environmental pollution and dementia have been contradictory. We analyzed the combined effects of PM _2.5 and smoking on the prevalence of dementia and cognitive impairment in an elderly community-dwelling Chinese population. METHODS: We assessed 24,117 individuals along with the annual average PM _2.5 concentrations from 2012 to 2016. Dementia was confirmed in the baseline survey at a qualified clinical facility, and newly suspected dementia was assessed in 2017, after excluding cases of suspected dementia in 2015. National census data were used to weight the sample data to reflect the entire population in China, with multiple logistic regression performed to analyze the combined effects of PM _2.5 and smoking frequency on dementia and cognitive impairment. RESULTS: Individuals exposed to the highest PM _2.5 concentration and smoked daily were at higher risk of dementia than those in the lowest PM _2.5 concentration group ( OR, 1.603; 95% CI [1.626-1.635], P < 0.0001) and in the nonsmoking group ( OR, 1.248; 95% CI [1.244-1.252]; P < 0.0001). Moderate PM _2.5 exposure and occasional smoking together increased the short-term risk of cognitive impairment. High-level PM _2.5 exposure and smoking were associated with an increased risk of dementia, so more efforts are needed to reduce this risk through environmental protection and antismoking campaigns. CONCLUSION High-level PM _2.5 exposure and smoking were associated with an increased risk of dementia. Lowering the ambient PM _2.5, and smoking cessation are recommended to promote health.
Humans ; Dementia/etiology* ; Male ; Aged ; Female ; Cognitive Dysfunction/etiology* ; China/epidemiology* ; Particulate Matter/analysis* ; Smoking/epidemiology* ; Air Pollutants/analysis* ; Aged, 80 and over ; Environmental Exposure/adverse effects* ; Prevalence ; Middle Aged

Sesquiterpenes are natural terpenes containing 15 carbon atoms. They are widely used in the perfume, pharmaceutical, and biofuel industries due to their remarkable biological activities. The traditional production of sesquiterpenes relies on chemical synthesis or plant extraction, which has the disadvantages of low yields and waste of resources. The construction of microbial cell factories for the efficient synthesis of sesquiterpenes by means of synthetic biology provides a new option. In recent years, with the development of metabolic engineering and synthetic biology, the heterologous synthesis of a variety of sesquiterpenes has been successfully achieved by metabolic engineering of the oleaginous yeast, Yarrowia lipolytica. In this paper, we review the research progress in the heterologous synthesis of different sesquiterpenes by Y. lipolytica, discuss the synthetic biology strategies commonly used in this field, and make an outlook on the research directions and engineering approaches to further enhance the sesquiterpene yield in this host. This paper provides a reference for strategies such as synergistic optimization of synthetic biology and metabolic engineering, enhanced precursors, and opens up new directions for the application of synthetic biology in green chemistry and sustainable production.
Yarrowia/genetics* ; Sesquiterpenes/metabolism* ; Metabolic Engineering/methods* ; Synthetic Biology/methods*

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of ultrasound in chronic appendicitis. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the ultrasound imaging features of the appendixes in 68 patients with chronic appendicitis (chronic appendicitis group) confirmed by pathological results at the Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University from January 2023 to December 2024,as well as 85 healthy volunteers (normal appendix group) of different ages with no history of abdominal pain during the same period.Multivariate Logistic regression was employed to investigate the sensitivity and specificity of different variables in diagnosing chronic appendicitis. Results The chronic appendicitis group had higher appendix diameter (Z=-8.47,P<0.001),unilateral wall thickness (Z=-7.16,P<0.001),and submucosal thickness (Z=-9.73,P<0.001) than the normal appendix group.Appendix diameter (OR=3.11,95%CI=1.37-7.02,P=0.006) and submucosal thickness (OR=5 492.73,95%CI=89.53-336 984.13,P<0.001) were identified as independent factors for diagnosing chronic appendicitis,while gender,age,unilateral wall thickness,and intraluminal conditions had no significant impact on the diagnosis of chronic appendicitis (all P>0.05).When appendix diameter combined with submucosal thickness was used as a joint diagnostic indicator,the model demonstrated the best performance,with the sensitivity of 92.65%,the specificity of 97.65%,and the accuracy increasing to 95.42%. Conclusion The combined use of appendix diameter and submucosal thickness can significantly improve the accuracy,specificity,and reliability of ultrasound in diagnosing chronic appendicitis.
Humans ; Appendicitis/diagnostic imaging* ; Ultrasonography ; Retrospective Studies ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Chronic Disease ; Middle Aged ; Appendix/diagnostic imaging* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Young Adult ; Logistic Models ; Adolescent