ObjectiveHistorically documented Zhejiang Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma（Baizhu） possesses premium characteristics such as phoenix-like head and crane-like neck， pronounced sweetness， and fragrant aroma. However， its current market circulation is low， and the processed products with Zhejiang-style characteristics are at the risk of being lost. This study aims to preserve the ancient Zhejiang-style processing techniques and evaluate them using modern scientific methods. MethodsMultidimensional intelligent sensory evaluation was used to digitally characterize the "quality-structure" of the external appearance of nine-steamed and nine-processed Baizhu medicinal materials（intermediate processed products） and the "odor-taste" of the internal quality of its decoction pieces（slices）， and the appearance parameters were digitally characterized by colorimeter， texture analyzer， electronic nose and electronic tongue， the chemical composition was analyzed via ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry（UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS）. Then， cluster analysis on the differences in odor between the medicinal materials（intermediate processed products） and decoction pieces（slices） of nine-steamed and nine-processed Baizhu was conducted， as well as the differences in taste between water-soluble and alcohol-soluble extracts of the decoction pieces（slices）， and the correlation analysis of chroma value-alcohol-soluble extract content-component response value. ResultsThe nine-steamed and nine-processed Baizhu had a dark brown to black epidermis， a brownish-yellow to brownish-gray cross-section， a slightly tough texture， a faint odor， and a slightly sweet， bitter and pungent taste. Texture analyzer measurements revealed minimal adhesion and maximum recovery in the middle section of the characteristic processed Baizhu， consistent with the processing endpoint of thorough steaming and cooking. The head section showed the highest internal hardness， elasticity and chewiness， indicating a denser texture in this area. The electronic nose sensor could clearly distinguish the difference between the medicinal materials and its decoction pieces， with a more significant clustering effect at 60 ℃ for 30 minutes compared to ambient temperature headspace for 2 hours， highlighting the significant impact of the baking degree before slicing on the quality. The electronic tongue taste signal map clearly distinguished the differences between water-soluble and alcohol-soluble extracts of nine-steamed and nine-processed Baizhu decoction pieces， and the addition of auxiliary materials during processing could enhance its alcohol-soluble extract content. A total of 82 chemical components were identified in the characteristic processed Baizhu. After processing， the contents of 58 components increased， while 24 components decreased. Correlation analysis revealed significant negative correlations（P<0.01） between ethanol-soluble extract content and colorimetric values of brightness（L^*）， yellow-bule value（b^*）， and total color difference（E^*_ab）. E^*_ab showed marked negative correlations（P<0.05） with the response values of isochlorogenic acid A and C. ConclusionThis study establishes a modern intelligent sensory evaluation model for multidimensional holographic characterization of nine-steamed and nine-processed Baizhu， clarifying the correlation between increased isochlorogenic acid content and the visual color appearance after different steaming cycles， as well as its intrinsic alcohol-soluble extracts. This provides a reference for quality evaluation and processing standards of the Zhejiang-style characteristic processed products.

Objective:To establish a novel method for the early diagnosis of gastric cancer(GC)by screening for the microRNAs within tumor-specific exosomes in peripheral blood.Methods:The gene expression omnibus database was used to download the GSE148334 and GSE130654 datasets of GC exosomes,and differentially expressed RNAs were obtained according to logFC>1 or logFC<-1 and P<0.05.TargetScan and ENCORI databases were used to predict the regulatory relationship between mRNA,miRNA,and ln-cRNA,and Cytoscape software was used to construct a ceRNA network and identify hub genes for validation.A total of 27 patients with early-stage GC,25 healthy controls,and 25 patients with other types of cancer were enrolled,and the ultracentrifugation method was used to isolate exosomes in serum.RT-qPCR was performed for RNA in serum and exosome samples to analyze the expression of hub genes in each group.Results:Three hub genes were identified by the bioinformatics method,namely hsa-miR-105-5p,hsa-miR-219b-3p,and hsa-miR-889-3p,and RT-qPCR showed that the GC group had a significantly higher expression level of hsa-miR-219b-3p in serum and exosome samples than the healthy control group and the other cancer group(serum:4.050±2.697 vs.1.357±0.857/1.934±2.434,P<0.05;exosomes:2.525±1.518 vs.0.774±0.559/1.259±2.127,P<0.05),while there were no significant differences in the expression levels of hsa-miR-889-3p and hsa-miR-105-5p between the GC group and the other two groups(P>0.05).The re-ceiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve showed that hsa-miR-219b-3p in serum-derived exosomes had an area under the ROC curve of 0.896(95%CI=0.800-0.993),which was significantly better than the traditional tumor markers of carcinoembryonic antigen(P=0.015),CA19-9(P=0.021),and CA72-4(P=0.005),and there-fore,exosomal hsa-miR-219b-3p showed a better diagnostic efficacy in GC patients.Conclusion:This study shows that hsa-miR-219b-3p in serum-derived exosomes can be used as a potential marker for the early diagnosis of GC in clinical practice.

Occupational noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is an irreversible sensorineural hearing loss that severely endangers workers’ health, making early screening crucial. This article reviewed the research progress on early screening methods for occupational NIHL, introduced the testing mechanisms of three core screening methods—tympanometry, otoacoustic emissions, and extended high-frequency audiometry —and summarized their clinical application advantages and limitations. It is proposed that multimodal combined detection (e.g., the combination of tympanometry, otoacoustic emissions, and extended high-frequency audiometry) can significantly improve the accuracy and comprehensiveness of early screening. Meanwhile, future studies with prospective cohort design are encouraged to verify the long-term monitoring value of each method and to strengthen the joint development of screening technologies with cutting-edge approaches such as machine learning, in order to further improve screening efficiency and provide stronger protection for workers’ hearing health.

Objective: To investigate the protective effects of the combined concentrated liquid extract of Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi root (P. lobata, Ge Gen) and Hovenia dulcis Thunb. (H. dulcis, Zhi Ju Zi) against ethanol-induced liver damage in vitro, using a human hepatoma cell line G2 (HepG2) cell model. Methods: HepG2 cells were cultured in medium containing 4% ethanol to establish a model of alcoholic liver damage. The cells were then treated with the combined extract obtained via cryogenic extraction. Biochemical assays and Western blot analyses were performed to assess the levels of oxidative stress markers, antioxidant enzymes, and inflammatory cytokines. In addition, activation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) pathway was examined to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the effects of the extract. Results: Treatment with the extract contributed to a significant reduction in the release of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species in the ethanol-treated HepG2 cells; promoted the elevated expression of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione, indicating enhanced antioxidant defenses; and showed strong free radical-scavenging activity against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radicals. In addition, by activating the PI3K/AKT pathway, treatment promoted increases in the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 and its downstream targets, subsequently inhibiting apoptosis. Moreover. inflammatory responses were mitigated, as indicated by reductions in the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6, and we detected reduction in the levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, thereby indicating hepatoprotective effects. Conclusion The combined P. lobata root and H. dulcis extract was established to have notable antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, effectively alleviating ethanol-induced liver damage in vitro. These findings highlight the potential applicability of this extract as a candidate for treating alcoholic liver disease.

Advanced atherosclerosis is the major global cause of death, as featured by the aggregation of apoptotic cells (ACs) in necrotic cores. The defective efferocytosis and dysfunctional cholesterol efflux of macrophages are the main reasons for forming necrotic cores in advanced atherosclerosis. In this study, we constructed self-assembled procyanidins (PC) NPs for loading pitavastatin (Pita). The designed HA@PC@Pita NPs with hyaluronic acid (HA) modification combined the advantages of efferocytosis restoration of Pita and cholesterol efflux enhancement of PC. In vitro assay indicated that HA@PC@Pita NPs could induce M1/M2 repolarization and upregulate ERK5/Mertk expression to restore efferocytosis of macrophages. Simultaneously, HA@PC@Pita NPs notably promoted cholesterol efflux by promoting macrophage lipophagy, a selective autophagy of lipid droplets. In vivo study showed that HA@PC@Pita NPs cleared necrotic core and enhanced plaque stability in the ApoE ^-/- mice model with advanced atherosclerosis. Taken together, this study demonstrated the potential of HA@PC@Pita NPs for the treatment of advanced atherosclerosis.

Theory and technology of Medical Immunology are widely used in scientific research.Our teaching and research group uses experimental teaching of Medical Immunology as a platform to carry out practice of scientific research project-based experi-mental system among"5+3"integration students.By completing a mini-project research including experimental design-experimental operation-research article writing,students cultivated scientific research thinking and exercised scientific research practice ability,and generally reported that the course is very difficult,but after completing it,it is very rewarding.

BACKGROUND:Patients with Alzheimer's disease have severe brain energy disorders.In recent years,brain energy rescue strategies based on ketone body intervention have attracted more and more attention in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.OBJECTIVE:To investigate whether β-hydroxybutyric acid can improve energy dysfunction by improving mitochondrial bioenergy function in HT22 cells of mouse hippocampal neurons induced by amyloid-β protein 1-42 (Aβ1-42).METHODS:HT22 cells were divided into four groups:Control,β-hydroxybutyric acid,Aβ1-42,Aβ1-42+β-hydroxybutyric acid.Related detection kits were respectively used to detect HT22 cell survival rate,adenosine triphosphate level,α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase activity,Na+K+-ATPase activity,mitochondrial membrane potential,and reactive oxygen species levels.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the control group,the survival rate,adenosine triphosphate level,α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase activity,Na+K+-ATPase activity,and mitochondrial membrane potential of HT22 cells were significantly decreased (P<0.05),and the level of reactive oxygen species was significantly increased (P<0.05) in the Aβ1-42 group.Compared with the Aβ1-42 group,the survival rate,adenosine triphosphate level,α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase activity,Na+K+-ATPase activity,and mitochondrial membrane potential of HT22 cells were significantly increased (P<0.05),and the reactive oxygen species level was significantly decreased (P<0.05) in the Aβ1-42+β-hydroxybutyric acid group.These results showed that β-hydroxybutyric acid improved mitochondrial bioenergetic function and ultimately improved Aβ1-42-induced energy impairment and survival rate in HT22 cells.

Objective To explore the independent risk factors for long-term adverse prognosis after percutaneous renal artery angioplasty in patients with transplant renal artery stenosis(TRAS).Methods We retrospectively collected medical records and surgery details of TRAS patients who underwent renal artery angioplasty at the Department of Peripheral Vascular Diseases,The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University,from January 2017 to June 2021.All patients were followed up for 3 years post-operation.Multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to find the independent predictive factors for long-term adverse prognosis after renal artery angioplasty in the TRAS patients.Results A total of 45 TRAS patients who underwent percutaneous renal artery angioplasty were included in this study.During the five-year follow-up period,10 patients(22.2％)experienced long-term adverse events.These consisted of 3 patients(6.7％)who died from any cause,1 patient(2.2％)who developed transplant renal artery dissection,6 patients(13.3％)who had restenosis of the transplant renal artery,and 1 patient(2.2％)who lost the transplant kidney and received dialysis again.Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that male gender(HR=4.915,95％CI:1.036-23.328,P=0.045)and balloon angioplasty alone(HR=8.594,95％CI:2.191-33.710,P=0.002)were independent risk factors for long-term adverse prognosis after renal artery angioplasty in TRAS patients.Conclusion Male gender and balloon angioplasty alone are independent risk factors for long-term adverse prognosis after renal artery angioplasty in TRAS patients.

Objective To explore the predictive value of ultra-sound(US)combined with multi-sequence MRI in a clinical-deep learning radiomics nomogram(DLRN)for the short-term efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NAC)in patients with triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC).Methods A total of 122 TNBC patients from five hospitals were retrospectively analyzed,and divided into training group(72 cases)and validation group(50 cases).The clinical and pathological data,NAC regimens,and imaging data were collected.The lesions and its surrounding 10-unit voxels from US and MRI images were retained as the region of interest(ROI).Pyradiomics software and a ResNet152 convolutional neural network(CNN)framework were used to extract radiomics and deep learning features to construct a clinical-DLRN with outcome dimension fusion.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve and calibration curve were plotted,and five-fold cross-validation decision curve were used to verify the model's clinical effec-tiveness.Results The clinical-DLRN constructed by US combined with multi-sequence MRI showed that area under the curve(AUC)was 0.967[95％confidence interval(CI)0.782-0.967]and accuracy(ACC)was 0.900,respectively.The five-fold cross-validation decision curve showed good generalization,with the highest clinical net benefit between risk thresholds of 0.72 and 0.96.Conclusion The clinical-DLRN integrating US and multi-sequence MRI has the best efficacy in predicting the short-term efficacy of NAC in TNBC patients,which offering potential guidance for personalized TNBC treatment.

Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness of a patient-family-centered visiting model in improving caregivers'beliefs and attitudes toward visiting patients with mental disorders.Methods:A total of 140 caregivers of inpatients diagnosed with mental disorders according to the ICD-10 were randomly assigned to an intervention group(n=71)and a control group(n=69).The intervention group participated a patient-family-centered visiting model for 4 weeks,while the control group followed routine visitation.Caregivers' beliefs and attitudes were assessed using the Beliefs and Attitudes toward Visitation in ICU Questionnaire(BAVIQ)was used to assess the improvement in caregivers' beliefs and attitudes before the intervention and at the end of the 1st,2nd,3rd,and 4th weeks after the intervention.Results:Repeated measures ANOVA showed that the belief score and attitude score of the BAVIQ questionnaire in the intervention group were significantly higher than those in the control group(Ps＜0.05)across time points.Chi-square test further confirmed that the improvement in the intervention group were significantly bet-ter than in the control group(Ps＜0.05).Conclusion:The patient-family-centered visiting model is more effective than routine visiting model in improving the caregivers' visiting beliefs and attitudes in mental health settings.