Diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hyperuricemia have emerged as global chronic metabolic disorders posing significant public health challenges. Edible medicinal plants demonstrate multitarget regulatory effects and favorable safety profiles in the management of chronic metabolic diseases, owing to their bioactive compounds and nutritional synergy. Radix Astragali (RA), a traditional Chinese medicine with medicine–food homology, has a long history of application in China. Based on a review of relevant literature, this article discusses the historical background, modern research, therapeutic functions, and mechanisms of RA in the treatment of chronic metabolic diseases. Modern studies have shown that RA contains a variety of bioactive components and demonstrates efficacy in managing diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hyperuricemia. Its mechanisms of action involve modulation of the insulin signaling pathway, regulation of lipid metabolism-related enzyme activity, promotion of uric acid excretion, and other processes. Notably, RA exhibits certain common therapeutic effects across hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and hyperuricemia. Through modulation of the gut microbiota and inhibition of inflammatory pathways, RA exerts synergistic, multitarget effects that improve metabolic disorders associated with chronic metabolic diseases.

Objective To evaluate the association between self-reported neighborhood walkability environments and mortality in China.Methods The Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology study in China(PURE-China)recruited 47 931 participants aged 35-70 from 12 provinces in China between 2005 and 2009.Neighborhood environmental indicators were collected using the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale(NEWS)questionnaire,with higher scores indicating better walkable environments.The primary outcomes were all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality,using Cox fragile model to evaluate the association between community walkability and outcomes,as well as exploring mediating pathways.Results Of 35 490 participants included in this study,60%were female,with a mean(SD)age of 51.5(9.6)years.The median follow-up was 11.7 years.This study found an association between higher community walkability score and reduced risk of all-cause mortality,with the total score(HR=0.85;95%CI,0.80-0.89),land-use mix(HR=0.84;95%CI,0.79-0.88),and crime safety(HR=0.84;95%CI,0.80-0.89)showing the most significant associations.NEWS can affect long-term adverse outcomes through lifestyle.Conclusions In the Chinese population,favorable community walkability is associated with lower all-cause mortality risk,which may support policymakers to take actions to mitigate the adverse effects of poor community en-vironments on health.

Objective:To investigate the effects and its related mechanism of placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells(PMSCs)on the lipopolysaccharides(LPS)damaged astrocytes.Methods:Primary astrocytes were isolated from the cerebral cortex of neonatal rats.The expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP)was identified using immu-nofluorescence staining to evaluate the purity of the primary astrocytes.PMSCs were cocultured with LPS-treated astro-cytes.The expression levels of factors related to inflammation including interleukin-1β(IL-1β),inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-6(IL-6),arginase-1(Arg-1),S100 calcium-bind-ing protein A10(S100A10),and TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway-related proteins such as transforming growth factor beta 1(TGF-β1),transforming growth factor beta type I receptor(TβRⅠ),transforming growth factor beta type II re-ceptor(TβRⅡ),phospho-Smad2 and phospho-Smad3(p-Smad2,p-Smad3)in astrocytes from each group were detec-ted using real time RT-PCR or Western blot techniques.Results:Astrocytes at the third passage exhibited an 80%pos-itivity rate for GFAP.After treated with 10 μg/ml LPS,the astrocytes expression levels of pro-inflammatory factors IL-1β,iNOS,IL-6,and TNF-α were significantly increased(P<0.05),while their expression levels of the anti-inflam-matory factors of Arg-1 and S100A10 were significantly decreased(P<0.05).Meanwhile,their expression levels of TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway related proteins of TGF-β1,TβRⅠ,TβRⅡ,p-Smad2 and Smad3 were increased(P<0.05).After the LPS damaged astrocytes were cocultured with PMSCs,their expression levels of pro-inflammatory factors IL-1β,iNOS,IL-6,and TNF-α were significantly decreased(P<0.05),while their expression levels of the anti-inflammatory factors of Arg-1 and S100A10 were significantly increased(P<0.05).Also,their expression levels of TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway related proteins of TGF-β1,TβRⅠ,TβRⅡ,p-Smad2,and Smad3 were decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion:PMSCs may inhibit the activation of A1 astrocytes through the TGF-β/Smad signaling path-way,by which reducing the astrocytic activation.

Objective:To investigate the effects and its related mechanism of placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells(PMSCs)on the lipopolysaccharides(LPS)damaged astrocytes.Methods:Primary astrocytes were isolated from the cerebral cortex of neonatal rats.The expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP)was identified using immu-nofluorescence staining to evaluate the purity of the primary astrocytes.PMSCs were cocultured with LPS-treated astro-cytes.The expression levels of factors related to inflammation including interleukin-1β(IL-1β),inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-6(IL-6),arginase-1(Arg-1),S100 calcium-bind-ing protein A10(S100A10),and TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway-related proteins such as transforming growth factor beta 1(TGF-β1),transforming growth factor beta type I receptor(TβRⅠ),transforming growth factor beta type II re-ceptor(TβRⅡ),phospho-Smad2 and phospho-Smad3(p-Smad2,p-Smad3)in astrocytes from each group were detec-ted using real time RT-PCR or Western blot techniques.Results:Astrocytes at the third passage exhibited an 80%pos-itivity rate for GFAP.After treated with 10 μg/ml LPS,the astrocytes expression levels of pro-inflammatory factors IL-1β,iNOS,IL-6,and TNF-α were significantly increased(P<0.05),while their expression levels of the anti-inflam-matory factors of Arg-1 and S100A10 were significantly decreased(P<0.05).Meanwhile,their expression levels of TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway related proteins of TGF-β1,TβRⅠ,TβRⅡ,p-Smad2 and Smad3 were increased(P<0.05).After the LPS damaged astrocytes were cocultured with PMSCs,their expression levels of pro-inflammatory factors IL-1β,iNOS,IL-6,and TNF-α were significantly decreased(P<0.05),while their expression levels of the anti-inflammatory factors of Arg-1 and S100A10 were significantly increased(P<0.05).Also,their expression levels of TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway related proteins of TGF-β1,TβRⅠ,TβRⅡ,p-Smad2,and Smad3 were decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion:PMSCs may inhibit the activation of A1 astrocytes through the TGF-β/Smad signaling path-way,by which reducing the astrocytic activation.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of salidroside (Sal) on bone loss in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome(OSAS) rats by regulating the osteoprotegerin(OPG)/receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand(RANKL) pathway. METHODS Rats were randomly divided into(12 rats/group) control group,OSAS group,Sal-L,Sal-M,and Sal-H groups(17.5,35,70 mg/kg). Except for the control group,all other groups were used to replicate the OSAS rat model through hypoxia and reoxygenation cycles. Bone density meters,three-point bending experiments,and Micro CT were applied to measure the bone density,biomechanics,and microstructural changes of the femur in rats. ELISA method was applied to detect serum levels of osteocalcin(BGP),alkaline phosphatase(ALP),and cross-linked carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type Ⅰ collagen(CTX-I). RT-PCR was applied to detect OPG and RANKL mRNA levels in the femur. Western blotting was applied to detect the expression of OPG/RANKL pathway proteins in the femur. RESULTS Compared with the control group,the bone density,maximum intensity,maximum load,trabecular bone volume fraction(Tb.BV/TV),trabecular number(Tb.N),trabecular thickness(Tb.Th),BGP,ALP,OPG mRNA and protein expression,OPG/RANKL ratio of rats in the OSAS group were decreased,the mRNA and protein expression of CTX-I and RANKL were increased(P<0.05). Compared with the OSAS group,the bone density,maximum intensity,maximum load,Tb.BV/TV,Tb.N,Tb.Th,BGP,ALP,OPG mRNA and protein expression,OPG/RANKL ratio of rats in the Sal-L,Sal-M,and Sal-H groups were increased sequentially,the mRNA and protein expression of CTX-I and RANKL were decreased sequentially,the above changes were most great in the Sal-H group(P<0.05). CONCLUSION Salidroside promotes bone formation and inhibits bone resorption by increasing OPG expression and decreasing RANKL expression,thereby reducing bone loss in OSAS rats.

OBJECTIVE To study the relationship between serum CC type chemotactic factor 2(CCL2),CC type chemotactic factor 18(CCL18) and clinicopathological parameters and prognosis of patients with glottic carcinoma. METHODS A total of 168 glottic carcinoma patients admitted to Handan Central Hospital and Hebei Engineering University Affiliated Hospital from August 2015 to December 2018 were selected as the research subjects. The receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve was used to determine the optimal cut-off points for serum CCL2 and CCL18. Based on this,patients were divided into CCL2 high expression group and low expression group,CCL18 high expression group and low expression group. The relationship between levels of serum CCL2 and CCL18 and clinical pathological parameters of glottic carcinoma patients was analyzed. Kaplan-Meier curve and Log Rank x2 test were used to analyze the 5-year disease-free survival rate of serum CCL2 high/low expression group and CCL18 high/low expression group. Cox regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors of glottic carcinoma prognosis,and the relationship between serum CCL2,CCL18 expression and tumor recurrence/metastasis was analyzed. RESULTS The optimal cut-off points for CCL2 and CCL18 calculated based on the ROC curve were 100.81 and 218.99 pg/ml,respectively. Compared with the low expression groups of CCL2 and CCL18,the high expression groups of CCL2 and CCL18 showed a significant increase in the proportion of T3-T4a,N1-N3 stages,and tumor low differentiation(P<0.05). Of the 168 glottic carcinoma patients,there were 160 patients followed up for 5 years and 8 patients lost for follow-up. There were 67 patients experienced recurrence or metastasis,and 39 patients died due to recurrence or metastasis. The tumor recurrence or metastasis rate was 41.88％(67/160),and the disease-free survival rate was 58.13％(93/160). Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed that the 5-year disease-free survival rate of the high expression group of serum CCL2 and CCL18 was significantly lower than that of the low expression group of serum CCL2 and CCL18(P<0.05). Cox regression analysis showed that elevated T staging,cervical lymph node recurrence,elevated N staging,local recurrence,high expression of CCL2 and CCL18 were risk factors for poor prognosis in glottic carcinoma(P<0.05). For analysis the relationship between serum CCL2 and CCL18 expression and tumor recurrence or metastasis,it was found that when both CCL2 and CCL18 were highly expressed,the recurrence or metastasis rate was significantly higher than when both CCL2 and CCL18 were lowly expressed,CCL2 was lowly expressed and CCL18 was highly expressed,and CCL2 was highly expressed and CCL18 was lowly expressed,and the differences were statistically significant(x2=10.450,P=0.015). CONCLUSION The high expression of serum CCL2 and CCL18 in patients with glottic carcinoma is significantly correlated with T stage,N stage,tumor low differentiation,and poor prognosis.

Objective:To assess the value of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) burden in predicting prognosis in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion (LVO) after endovascular therapy (EVT).Methods:The study was a cross-sectional study. A total of 242 patients with AIS due to anterior circulation LVO received EVT in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from February 2018 to September 2022. The clinical and imaging data of all patients were analyzed retrospectively. On follow-up MRI within 7 days after EVT, CSVD features [white matter hyperintensity (WMH), lacune, perivascular space, cerebral microbleed, cerebral atrophy] and CSVD burden score (0-5) was evaluated. Modified Rankin scale (mRS) score at 90 days after EVT was assessed. Patients were categorized into a mild burden group (0-1 points) and a moderate-severe burden group (2-5 points) based on CSVD burden score. Meanwhile, patients were categorized into a good prognosis group (0-2 points) and a bad prognosis group (3-6 points) based on mRS score at 90 days after EVT. Mann-Whitney U test and χ2 test were used to compare the difference of clinical and imaging indexes between the 2 groups, and variables with P<0.1 in the univariate analysis were included in the multifactorial logistic regression to screen for independent factors to predict the prognosis. Results:There were 169 patients in the good prognosis group and 73 patients in the bad prognosis group out of 242 patients. Compared with the good prognosis group, age, incidence of hyperlipidemia, baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores, incidence of hemorrhagic conversion, CSVD burden scores, incidence of periventricular WMH scores of 3 and/or deep WMH scores≥2, and incidence of moderate-severe cerebral atrophy of patients in the bad prognosis group were higher, and the incidence of complete recanalization was lower (all P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed hyperlipemia ( OR=8.438, 95% CI 1.691-42.119, P=0.009), baseline NIHSS score ( OR=1.103, 95% CI 1.047-1.162, P<0.001), complete recanalization ( OR=0.131, 95% CI 0.038-0.454, P=0.001) and hemorrhage transformation ( OR=1.952, 95% CI 1.031-3.697, P=0.040) were independent factors for the prognosis of EVT in patients with LVO AIS. There were 157 cases in the mild burden group and 85 cases in the moderate-severe burden group. The 90-day mRS score was higher in the moderate-severe burden group compared with the mild burden group ( Z=-2.24, P=0.025). Conclusion:CSVD burden has some clinical implications in predicting the prognosis of EVT in patients with anterior circulation LVO AIS.

BACKGROUND:Trunk pressure biofeedback is considered a reliable indicator for assessing core muscle strength.It not only reflects the status of an individual's trunk strength but also has a close relationship with the function of respiratory muscles. OBJECTIVE:To explore the correlation between trunk pressure biofeedback and diaphragmatic function in young adults. METHODS:A total of 80 young adults from Shangrao Normal University,China were enrolled,including 34 males and 46 females,with an average age of(19.83±1.45)years.Diaphragmatic thickness and mobility were measured using a bedside musculoskeletal ultrasound system.Maximum inspiratory pressure was determined using a portable pulmonary function tester.Lumbar and abdominal pressures in prone and supine positions were assessed using a pressure biofeedback device.The degree of correlation between trunk pressure biofeedback and diaphragmatic function was determined using Pearson or Spearman correlation coefficients.A multivariate linear regression analysis was used to determine predictive models for diaphragmatic function. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Grouped by sex,age,height,body mass,trunk pressure biofeedback values,diaphragm thickness during quiet inspiration and expiration,diaphragmatic thickening ratio during quiet breathing,diaphragmatic thickness during deep inspiration and expiration,diaphragmatic thickening ratio during deep breathing,diaphragmatic mobility during deep inspiration,and maximum inspiratory pressure were higher in the male group than the female group(all P<0.05).Grouped by physical activity level,trunk pressure biofeedback values and maximum inspiratory pressure were lower in the sedentary group than in the exercise group(both P<0.05).Both anterior and posterior trunk pressure biofeedback were significantly correlated with diaphragmatic thickness during quiet inspiration and expiration,diaphragmatic thickening ratio during quiet breathing,diaphragmatic thickness during deep inspiration and expiration,diaphragmatic thickening ratio during deep breathing,diaphragmatic mobility during deep inspiration,and maximum inspiratory pressure(all P<0.01).Anterior trunk pressure biofeedback entered the predictive model for diaphragmatic thickness during quiet inspiration(F=27.228,P<0.001),during deep inspiration(F=38.615,P<0.001),and along with age for diaphragmatic mobility during deep inspiration(F=15.408,P<0.001).Anterior trunk pressure biofeedback,body mass,and age entered the predictive model for maximum inspiratory pressure(F=22.314,P<0.001).To conclude,there is a strong correlation between trunk pressure biofeedback and diaphragmatic thickness,diaphragmatic mobility,and maximum inspiratory pressure.The rapid and simple measurement of trunk pressure biofeedback can serve as a method for screening the diaphragmatic function in healthy young adults.

BACKGROUND:Acupotomy is an effective method for the clinical treatment of osteoarthritis,with affirmed clinical outcomes,but the specific mechanisms remain unclear OBJECTIVE:To investigate the role of acupotomy in modulating chondrocyte autophagy to promote chondrocyte homeostasis in osteoarthritis. METHODS:Twenty-eight New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into control group,osteoarthritis group,acupotomy group,and hyaluronic acid group,with seven rabbits in each group.The knee osteoarthritis rabbit model was prepared using the Videman method in the latter three groups.After modeling,the control group and osteoarthritis group received no interventions.The acupotomy group received acupotomy treatment 15 minutes per time,once a week,while the hyaluronic acid group received intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid once a week,with a continuous treatment duration of 5 weeks.The day after the final intervention,knee joint macrostructure was observed using DR imaging,chondrocyte ultrastructure was examined through transmission electron microscopy,apoptosis of chondrocytes was assessed using Tunel staining,and western blot analysis was used to detect the expression of proteins related to the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The DR imaging results revealed that the osteoarthritis group exhibited narrowed knee joint spaces and the formation of periarticular osteophytes,while the hyaluronic acid group and acupotomy group showed widened knee joint spaces with a reduction in periarticular osteophytes.Transmission electron microscopy results demonstrated a decreased number of autophagosomes in chondrocytes in the osteoarthritis group,along with nuclear shrinkage,nuclear membrane rupture,incomplete organelle morphology,and a clear tendency towards cell death.In contrast,both the hyaluronic acid group and acupotomy group exhibited a significant increase in autophagosomes,intact nuclear membranes,and a well-preserved cellular state.Tunel staining results indicated a considerable decrease in the number of apoptotic cells in the hyaluronic acid group and acupotomy group compared with the osteoarthritis group.Western blot results revealed that,compared with the control group,the expression levels of Beclin1,Cath D,and LC3II/LC3I were significantly decreased in the osteoarthritis group(P<0.05),while the expression levels of p-Akt/Akt and p-mTOR/mTOR were significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with the osteoarthritis group,the expression levels of Beclin1,Cath D,and LC3II/LC3I were significantly increased in both the hyaluronic acid group and acupotomy group(P<0.05),while the expression levels of p-Akt/Akt and p-mTOR/mTOR were significantly decreased(P<0.05).To conclude,acupotomy intervention can modulate the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway to enhance the autophagic level in chondrocytes,thereby maintaining chondrocyte homeostasis.This ultimately leads to a slowdown in cartilage degeneration.