Sarcopenia is a systemic skeletal muscle disease characterized by the gradual decline of muscle mass，strength，and function，and its occurrence and development are related to multiple factors，involving several signaling pathways. Among them，the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B（PI3K/Akt） signaling pathway，as a key pathway regulating cellular growth，survival，and metabolism，plays an important role in the formation and development of sarcopenia. Its abnormal activation or deactivation may lead to an imbalance in muscle protein metabolism，resulting in muscle atrophy and reduction. Modern medicine is still in the exploratory stage of treatment for sarcopenia. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM），with its multi-pathway and multi-target characteristics，has shown increasing advantages in the prevention and treatment of sarcopenia. In recent years，various monomers， extracts，and compound formulas of TCM have been proven to effectively prevent and treat sarcopenia by promoting muscle cell protein synthesis，reducing protein degradation，inhibiting cell apoptosis and inflammatory response，and improving mitochondrial function. This paper reviewed the improvement effects of TCM on sarcopenia based on the PI3K/Akt pathway and explored its specific action mechanisms， aiming to provide new insights for the treatment of sarcopenia with TCM.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Simiaowan on intestinal barrier function and adenosine triphosphate （ATP） binding cassette transporter G2 （ABCG2） expression in hyperuricemic （HUA） rats， and elucidate its therapeutic mechanisms. MethodsForty male Sprague Dawley （SD） rats were randomized into a normal group， a model group， low-dose （282.6 mg·kg^-1） and high-dose （565.2 mg·kg^-1） Simiaowan groups， and a Benzbromarone （4.7 mg·kg^-1） group. The HUA model was established via intraperitoneal injection of potassium oxonate （ip） combined with oral gavage of hypoxanthine （ig） for 14 days. Following modeling， treatments were administered for 14 days. Samples were collected and weighed 4 h after final dosing. Blood uric acid and hepatic function were analyzed. Histopathological changes were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， and Chiu's scoring was conducted. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） quantified tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， lipopolysaccharide （LPS）， diamine oxidase （DAO）， and D-lactic acid （D-LA） levels. Real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）， Western blot， and immunohistochemistry assessed the expression of Claudin-1， Occludin， occludens-1 （ZO-1）， and ABCG2 mRNAs and proteins. 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing characterized ileal microbiota. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group exhibited epithelial shedding in the ileal villus， structural disruption， infiltration of extensive inflammatory cells， and significantly elevated Chiu's scores （P<0.01）. The DAO， TNF-α， IL-6， IL-1β， LPS， and D-LA levels in the ileum were markedly increased （P<0.01）， while mRNA and protein expressions of Claudin 1， Occludin， ZO-1， and ABCG2， as well as positive staining area and proportion， were significantly reduced （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the Simiaowan groups at all doses showed improved epithelial damage in the ileal villus， significantly lowered Chiu's scores （P<0.01）， significantly reduced DAO， TNF-α， IL-6， IL-1β， LPS， and D-LA levels in the ileum （P<0.01）， and upregulated mRNA and protein expressions of Claudin 1， Occludin， ZO-1， and ABCG2， as well as positive staining area and proportion （P<0.01）. The 16S rDNA results showed that in the model group， the α-diversity index of the ileal microbiota was increased， and species diversity and richness were enhanced， with microbiota dysfunction observed. The community structure of the gut microbiota was significantly different from that of the normal microbiota. The abundance of probiotics was decreased， and the abundance of pathogenic bacteria was increased， with butyrate-producing bacteria showing a low abundance. In contrast， Simiaowan at all doses reduced species diversity and richness， regulated microbiota dysfunction， and promoted the shift of the structure of the gut microbiota community towards a normal one. This increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria， decreased the abundance of harmful bacteria， and restored the abundance of butyrate-producing bacteria. ConclusionSimiaowan enhances ileal uric acid excretion and further alleviates HUA by modulating the gut microbiota composition to improve the intestinal barrier and upregulate the expression of the urate transporter ABCG2 in HUA rats.

Objective:To investigate the survival outcomes and prognostic factors in patients undergoing radical resection for pancreatic body and tail cancer.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted on 992 patients who underwent radical resection for pancreatic body and tail cancer at the Pancreatic Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2016 to June 2024. In this study, 577 (58.2%) were male and 415 (41.8%) were female,with an age of (65±9) years (range: 26 to 86 years). Follow-up continued until June 2024. Survival rates were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method,and prognostic factors were identified using univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models.Results:Among 992 patients,open surgery was the predominant approach (89.1%, 884/992), and radical antegrade modular pancreatosplenectomy (RAMPS) was performed in 317 patients (32.0%). Combined organ resection,venous resection,and arterial resection were performed in 23.5%, 9.3%,and 11.2% of patients,respectively. The rates of R0, R1-1 mm, and R1-direct resections were 49.8% (494/992),41.5% (412/992), and 8.7% (86/992),respectively. Stage ⅡB was the most common TNM stage (32.2%,319/992). A total of 801 patients (80.8%) received adjuvant chemotherapy. The median follow-up period was 32.0(8.8) months(range:3.2 to 105.3 months),during which 508 patients (51.2%) died. The overall median survival (OS) was 26.4 months,with 1-,3-, and 5-year survival rates of 79.0%,40.0%, and 29.0%, respectively. In the recent five years (from 2020 to 2024), the median OS improved significantly to 34.1 months compared to 20.0 months from 2016 to 2019 ( P<0.01). Histological subtype analysis showed that the median OS time was 26.7 months for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC, n=855),58.9 months for invasive intraductal papillary mucinous carcinoma (IPMC, n=32),and 15.7 months for adenosquamous carcinoma of pancreas (ASCP, n=73) ( P=0.001). Among PDAC patients, adjuvant chemotherapy significantly improved survival (29.1 months vs. 14.4 months, P<0.01);in IPMC patients, adjuvant chemotherapy also extended survival (65.7 months vs. 58.9 months, P=0.047). Although ASCP patients receiving chemotherapy had a longer median OS time than those without (18.8 months vs. 8.9 months),the difference was not statistically significant ( P=0.151). Multivariate Cox regression analysis in PDAC patients indicated that adjuvant chemotherapy, R0 resection, T stage,N stage,and tumor differentiation were independent prognostic factors ( P<0.01). The median OS time by TNM stage was:not reached for stage ⅠA, 51.6 months for ⅠB, 25.5 months for ⅡA, 23.7 months for ⅡB, 23.0 months for Ⅲ, and 14.4 months for Ⅳ. The median OS time for R0,R1-1 mm,and R1-direct resections was 34.1,24.7,and 15.7 months,respectively ( P<0.01). Conclusion:Adjuvant chemotherapy,R0 resection,tumor stage,and differentiation are independent prognostic factors for pancreatic body and tail cancer.

Objective:To investigate the survival outcomes and prognostic factors in patients undergoing radical resection for pancreatic body and tail cancer.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted on 992 patients who underwent radical resection for pancreatic body and tail cancer at the Pancreatic Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2016 to June 2024. In this study, 577 (58.2%) were male and 415 (41.8%) were female,with an age of (65±9) years (range: 26 to 86 years). Follow-up continued until June 2024. Survival rates were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method,and prognostic factors were identified using univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models.Results:Among 992 patients,open surgery was the predominant approach (89.1%, 884/992), and radical antegrade modular pancreatosplenectomy (RAMPS) was performed in 317 patients (32.0%). Combined organ resection,venous resection,and arterial resection were performed in 23.5%, 9.3%,and 11.2% of patients,respectively. The rates of R0, R1-1 mm, and R1-direct resections were 49.8% (494/992),41.5% (412/992), and 8.7% (86/992),respectively. Stage ⅡB was the most common TNM stage (32.2%,319/992). A total of 801 patients (80.8%) received adjuvant chemotherapy. The median follow-up period was 32.0(8.8) months(range:3.2 to 105.3 months),during which 508 patients (51.2%) died. The overall median survival (OS) was 26.4 months,with 1-,3-, and 5-year survival rates of 79.0%,40.0%, and 29.0%, respectively. In the recent five years (from 2020 to 2024), the median OS improved significantly to 34.1 months compared to 20.0 months from 2016 to 2019 ( P<0.01). Histological subtype analysis showed that the median OS time was 26.7 months for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC, n=855),58.9 months for invasive intraductal papillary mucinous carcinoma (IPMC, n=32),and 15.7 months for adenosquamous carcinoma of pancreas (ASCP, n=73) ( P=0.001). Among PDAC patients, adjuvant chemotherapy significantly improved survival (29.1 months vs. 14.4 months, P<0.01);in IPMC patients, adjuvant chemotherapy also extended survival (65.7 months vs. 58.9 months, P=0.047). Although ASCP patients receiving chemotherapy had a longer median OS time than those without (18.8 months vs. 8.9 months),the difference was not statistically significant ( P=0.151). Multivariate Cox regression analysis in PDAC patients indicated that adjuvant chemotherapy, R0 resection, T stage,N stage,and tumor differentiation were independent prognostic factors ( P<0.01). The median OS time by TNM stage was:not reached for stage ⅠA, 51.6 months for ⅠB, 25.5 months for ⅡA, 23.7 months for ⅡB, 23.0 months for Ⅲ, and 14.4 months for Ⅳ. The median OS time for R0,R1-1 mm,and R1-direct resections was 34.1,24.7,and 15.7 months,respectively ( P<0.01). Conclusion:Adjuvant chemotherapy,R0 resection,tumor stage,and differentiation are independent prognostic factors for pancreatic body and tail cancer.

Objective: To analyze the disease burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and changes in its risk factors among residents in Zhejiang Province from 1990 to 2021, so as to identify key priorities for COPD prevention and control. Methods: Data on COPD mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) for residents in Zhejiang Province from 1990 to 2021 were collected from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 database. Standardized mortality and standardized DALY rate were calculated using the GBD 2021 world population standard structure. Premature mortality was computed via the life table method. The average annual percent change (AAPC) was applied to analyze trends in COPD mortality, DALY rate, and premature mortality. Changes in deaths of COPD risk factors were evaluated using population attributable fraction (PAF). Results: From 1990 to 2021, the standardized COPD mortality in Zhejiang Province decreased from 272.40/100 000 to 70.56/100 000 (AAPC=-4.395%), and the standardized DALY rate declined from 4 167.37/100 000 to 1 071.89/100 000 (AAPC=-4.396%). Similar downward trends were observed in both males (AAPC=-3.933%, -4.173%) and females (AAPC=-4.785%, -4.480%), all P<0.05. Crude mortality and DALY rates increased with age, and the crude mortality and DALY rates of various age groups in Zhejiang Province showed decreasing trends from 1990 to 2021 (all P<0.05). The premature mortality declined from 4.37% to 0.60% from 1990 to 2021 (AAPC=- 6.206%), with consistent trends across males and females (AAPC=- 6.144%, - 6.379%, all P<0.05). From 1990 to 2021, particulate matter pollution showed the largest reduction in PAF (- 56.76%), while ambient ozone pollution had the largest increase (103.07%) in Zhejiang Province. By 2021, smoking became the leading risk factor for deaths of COPD (PAF=43.32%). Conclusions The standardized mortality, standardized DALY rate, and premature mortality for COPD show consistent declining trends in Zhejiang Province from 1990 to 2021. However, risk factors such as smoking and ambient ozone pollution require intensified focus to further reduce disease burden of COPD.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of acupuncture at Hegu (LI4), Taichong (LR3) and Sanyinjiao (SP6) on pain, anxiety, intrapartum blood loss, labor stage, and neonatal outcomes in primiparas. METHODS: One hundred primiparas were randomly divided into an acupuncture group (50 cases, 1 case was eliminated) and a control group (50 cases). The conventional obstetrical nursing was given in the control group. On the basis of the intervention in the control group, acupuncture was applied at bilateral Hegu (LI4), Taichong (LR3) and Sanyinjiao (SP6) in the acupuncture group. The delivery mode and labor stage, the scores of visual analogue scale (VAS) for uterine contraction pain and Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA) before and after acupuncture, the intrapartum/postpartum blood loss and massive hemorrhage, as well as the neonatal Apgar score after 1, 5, and 10 min of birth, were compared in the two groups. RESULTS: The cesarean section rate was 4.1% (2/49) in the acupuncture group, which was superior to 10.0% (5/50) in the control group (P<0.05). In the acupuncture group, the time of latent phase of 2-cm cervical dilation, active phase, first and second stages of labor, and total labor stage was shorter than that in the control group (P<0.001), the intrapartum blood loss and massive hemorrhage rate were lower than those in the control group (P<0.001, P<0.05). After acupuncture, the VAS and HAMA scores were decreased compared with those before acupuncture in the acupuncture group (P<0.001), the VAS and HAMA scores were increased compared with those before acupuncture in the control group (P<0.001). In the acupuncture group, the VAS and HAMA scores after acupuncture were lower than those in the control group (P<0.001), the changes of the VAS and HAMA scores before and after acupuncture were larger than those in the control group (P<0.001). There were no statistical differences in neonatal Apgar scores between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION Acupuncture at Hegu (LI4), Taichong (LR3) and Sanyinjiao (SP6) can effectively alleviate the pain and anxiety, shorten the labor stage, reduce the intrapartum blood loss and incidence rate of massive hemorrhage, and promote spontaneous delivery, thereby enhancing maternal comfort and safety in primiparas.
Humans ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Young Adult ; Labor, Obstetric ; Parity

BACKGROUND: T cell dysfunction, which includes exhaustion, anergy, and senescence, is a distinct T cell differentiation state that occurs after antigen exposure. Although T cell dysfunction has been a cornerstone of cancer immunotherapy, its potential in transplant research, while not yet as extensively explored, is attracting growing interest. Interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) has been shown to play a pivotal role in inducing T cell dysfunction. METHODS: A novel ultra-low-dose combination of Trametinib and Rapamycin, targeting IRF4 inhibition, was employed to investigate T cell proliferation, apoptosis, cytokine secretion, expression of T-cell dysfunction-associated molecules, effects of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathways, and allograft survival in both in vitro and BALB/c to C57BL/6 mouse cardiac transplantation models. RESULTS: In vitro , blockade of IRF4 in T cells effectively inhibited T cell proliferation, increased apoptosis, and significantly upregulated the expression of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), Helios, CD160, and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen (CTLA-4), markers of T cell dysfunction. Furthermore, it suppressed the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-17. Combining ultra-low-dose Trametinib (0.1 mg·kg -1 ·day -1 ) and Rapamycin (0.1 mg·kg -1 ·day -1 ) demonstrably extended graft survival, with 4 out of 5 mice exceeding 100 days post-transplantation. Moreover, analysis of grafts at day 7 confirmed sustained IFN regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) inhibition, enhanced PD-1 expression, and suppressed IFN-γ secretion, reinforcing the in vivo efficacy of this IRF4-targeting approach. The combination of Trametinib and Rapamycin synergistically inhibited the MAPK and mTOR signaling network, leading to a more pronounced suppression of IRF4 expression. CONCLUSIONS Targeting IRF4, a key regulator of T cell dysfunction, presents a promising avenue for inducing transplant immune tolerance. In this study, we demonstrate that a novel ultra-low-dose combination of Trametinib and Rapamycin synergistically suppresses the MAPK and mTOR signaling network, leading to profound IRF4 inhibition, promoting allograft acceptance, and offering a potential new therapeutic strategy for improved transplant outcomes. However, further research is necessary to elucidate the underlying pharmacological mechanisms and facilitate translation to clinical practice.
Animals ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Interferon Regulatory Factors/metabolism* ; Heart Transplantation/methods* ; T-Lymphocytes/immunology* ; Sirolimus/therapeutic use* ; Pyridones/therapeutic use* ; Graft Survival/drug effects* ; Pyrimidinones/therapeutic use* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Male ; Signal Transduction/drug effects*

Ecological cultivation is an important way for the sustainable production of traditional Chinese medicine in the context of the carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals. Facility cultivation and simulative habitat cultivation modes have been developed and applied to develop the endangered Dendrobium huoshanense on the basis of protection. However, the differences in the greenhouse gas emissions and global warming potential of these cultivation modes remain unexplored, which limits the accurate assessment of carbon-friendly ecological cultivation modes of D. huoshanense. Greenhouse gas emission flux monitoring based on the static chamber method provides an effective way to solve this problem. Therefore, this study conducted a field experiment in the facility cultivation and simulative habitat cultivation modes at a D. huoshanense cultivation base in Dabie Mountains, Anhui Province. From April 2023 to March 2024, samples of greenhouse gases were collected every month, and the concentrations of CO_2, CH_4, and N_2O of the samples were then detected by gas chromatography. The greenhouse gas emission fluxes, cumulative emissions, and global warming potential were further calculated, and the following results were obtained.(1)The two cultivation modes of D. huoshanense showed significant differences in greenhouse gas emission fluxes, especially the CO_2 emission flux, with a pattern of facility cultivation>simulative habitat cultivation [(35.60±11.70)mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1) vs(2.10±4.59)mg·m~(-2)·h~(-1)].(2) The annual cumulative CO_2 emission flux in the case of facility cultivation was significantly higher than that of simulative habitat cultivation[(3 077.00±842.00)kg·hm~(-2) vs(221.00±332.00)kg·hm~(-2)], while no significant difference was found in annual cumulative CH_4 and N_2O emission fluxes.(3) The facility cultivation mode had a significantly higher global warming potential than the simulative habitat cultivation mode [(3 053.00±847.00)kg·hm~(-2) vs(196.00±362.00)kg·hm~(-2)]. Overall, the simulative habitat cultivation of D. huoshanense has obvious carbon-friendly characteristics compared with facility cultivation, which is in line with the concept of ecological cultivation of medicinal plants. This study is of great reference significance for the implementation and promotion of the ecological cultivation mode of D. huoshanense under carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals.
Dendrobium/chemistry* ; Greenhouse Gases/metabolism* ; Carbon/analysis* ; Ecosystem ; Carbon Dioxide/metabolism* ; China ; Global Warming

To improve the quality evaluation system of Hibisci Mutabilis Folium, this study established high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) fingerprints of Hibisci Mutabilis Folium and evaluated the quality differences of medicinal materials from different places of production by chemometrics. Furthermore, a content measurement method of differential components was established based on quantitative analysis of multi-components by single-marker(QAMS). The fingerprints of 17 batches of Hibisci Mutabilis Folium from different places of production were constructed, with a total of 19 common peaks marked and seven components confirmed. The similarity between the sample fingerprints and the reference fingerprints ranged from 0.890 to 0.974. By utilizing principal component analysis(PCA), hierarchical cluster analysis(HCA), and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA), the chemical patterns of fingerprints were identified. Five components that could be used to evaluate the quality differences of Hibisci Mutabilis Folium were screened, namely peak 6(quercetin 3-O-β-robinobioside), peak 7(rutin), peak 9(kaempferol-3-O-β-robinobioside), peak 10(kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside), and peak 14(tiliroside). The relative correction factors of isoquercitrin, kaempferol-3-O-β-robinobioside, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, kaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucoside, and tiliroside were measured with rutin as the internal reference. The QAMS method was established for the content measurement of six flavonoids, and the results showed there was no significant difference compared to the results obtained by an external standard method. In summary, the HPLC fingerprints and QAMS method established in the study, demonstrating stability and accuracy, can provide a reference for the overall quality evaluation of Hibisci Mutabilis Folium.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Quality Control ; Principal Component Analysis