BACKGROUND:Studies have shown that patients with premature ovarian failure have changes in the structure of intestinal flora and that imbalance of intestinal microbiota may be one of the important mechanisms in the development of premature ovarian failure. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of Liuwei Dihuang Wan on oxidative stress and intestinal microbiota in premature ovarian failure mice induced by cyclophosphamide. METHODS:Forty-five female ICR mice were randomized into three groups:blank group(normal mice),model group(premature ovarian failure mice),and Liuwei Dihuang Wan group.A mouse model of premature ovarian failure was prepared by one-time intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide(120 mg/kg)in the latter two groups.After successful modeling,the Liuwei Dihuang Wan group was intragastrically administered for 28 continuous days,and the other two groups were intragastrically administered with the same amount of normal saline for 28 days.Mouse body mass was recorded weekly and ovarian index was calculated.The development of mouse follicles was observed using hematoxylin-eosin staining.ELISA method was used to detect serum levels of anti-Mullerian hormone,estradiol,follicle stimulating hormone,superoxide dismutase,glutathione peroxidase,and malondialdehyde.Meanwhile,the gut microbiome of all mice was detected through 16S rDNA sequencing. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The mice in the model group had loose hair,decreased vigor and grip strength,almost no increase in body mass,and decreased ovarian index.Whereas,the mouse body mass and ovarian index were increased after treatment with Liuwei Dihuang Wan(P<0.05).The estrous cycle of mice in the model group was disorganized;Liuwei Dihuang Wan could restore the estrous cycle and reduce the number of atretic follicles in mice with premature ovarian failure.The serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone and malondialdehyde in the model group significantly increased(P<0.01),while the levels of estradiol,anti-Mullerian hormone,superoxide dismutase,and glutathione peroxidase significantly decreased(P<0.01).Liuwei Dihuang Wan could significantly decrease the serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone and malondialdehyde(P<0.01),and increase the levels of estradiol,anti-Mullerian hormone,superoxide dismutase,and glutathione peroxidase.According to the 16S rDNA sequencing results,Liuwei Dihuang Wan could regulate the abundance and diversity of intestinal microbiota,and increase the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria.KEGG pathway analysis showed that the intestinal microbiota and metabolic pathways,biosynthesis of secondary metabolites,microbial metabolism in different environments,and biosynthesis of amino acids were regulated by Liuwei Dihuang Wan.To conclude,the changes in the structure of intestinal microbiome may be one of the potential mechanisms of Liuwei Dihuang Wan in treating premature ovarian failure.Liuwei Dihuang Wan can regulate the structure of intestinal microbiome,increase the number of beneficial bacteria,reduce the number of harmful bacteria,and thus improve the balance of intestinal microbiota.This regulatory effect helps to reduce oxidative stress levels and further inhibit ovarian oxidative stress in mice with premature ovarian failure.

ObjectiveTo investigate the expression level of lysophosphatidyllecithin acyltransferase 4 （LPCAT4） in pancreatic cancer and its effect on the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells. MethodsIn this study， the differentially expressed genes of patients with KRAS mutant and wild-type pancreatic cancer were analyzed by online database LinkedOmics. The LPCAT4 expression in pancreatic cancer tissues was analyzed online by the University of Alabama at Birmingham Cancer Data Analysis （UALCAN）， Sangerbox and gene expression profile interaction analysis 2 （GEPIA2）. Kaplan-Meier Plotter database was used to explore the correlation between LPCAT4 and the prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer. The expression of LPCAT4 in human pancreatic cancer cells were detected by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot analysis. LPCAT4 was knocked down in the high-expressing SW1990 cell line and overexpressed in the low-expressing MIA PaCa-2 cell line. The effects of LPCAT4 expression on cell proliferation were assessed using CCK-8 and EdU assays. STRING and GEPIA2 databases were used to obtain LPCAT4 binding and coexpressed genes in tumors， which were then analyzed by GO and KEGG. ResultsAnalysis of the LinkedOmics online database revealed a significant upregulation of LPCAT4 in patients with KRAS mutant pancreatic cancer compared to patients with KRAS wild-type pancreatic cancer. The online analysis of GEPIA2， UALCAN and Sangerbox 3.0 showed that the expression of LPCAT4 was higher in pancreatic cancer than in normal tissues. Analysis of the Kaplan-Meier Plotter database revealed that high LPCAT4 expression was associated with poorer prognosis in pancreatic cancer patients.Western blot and qPCR results showed that expression of LPCAT4 in pancreatic cancer cell lines was significantly higher than in normal pancreatic ductal epithelial cells. Knockdown of LPCAT4 in SW1990 cells inhibited proliferation， while overexpression in MIA PaCa-2 cells promoted proliferation. Enrichment analysis indicated that LPCAT4 was closely related to sulfur metabolism. ConclusionsLPCAT4 is highly expressed in pancreatic cancer and is associated with poor prognosis of patients. It plays a significant regulatory role in the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells， with its expression level closely correlated with cell proliferation capacity. These findings reveal the critical role of LPCAT4 in the malignant progression of pancreatic cancer and provide important evidence for its potential as a therapeutic target.

ObjectiveTo explore the mediating effect of empathy ability on clinicians’ medical narrative competence and humanistic care quality， and to provide data support for the improvement of clinicians’ empathy ability， narrative competence， and humanistic care quality. MethodsEmploying a convenience sampling method， a questionnaire survey was conducted among clinicians in Hebei province using a general data questionnaire， the Chinese Physician Narrative Behavior Scale， the Chinese version of the Jefferson Scale of Empathy， and the Humanistic Care Quality Scale. SPSS 21.0 software was used to analyze the current situation and correlation of clinicians’ medical narrative competence， empathy ability， and humanistic care quality. Amos 26.0 software was utilized to construct the structural equation model， and the Bootstrap method was adopted to test this model. ResultsThe scores of clinicians’ medical narrative competence， empathy ability， and humanistic care quality were （84.436±11.939）， （106.058±18.936）， and （117.652±14.087）， respectively. There were significantly positive correlations between clinicians’ medical narrative competence and humanistic care quality （r = 0.530， P<0.01）， between empathy ability and humanistic care quality （r=0.416， P < 0.01）， as well as between medical narrative competence and empathy ability （r=0.176， P<0.01）. Clinicians’ medical narrative competence had a positive predictive effect on humanistic care quality （β = 0.649， P < 0.001）. The empathy ability of clinicians played a partial mediating role between medical narrative competence and humanistic care quality （β = 0.061， P < 0.001）， with a mediating effect size of 0.068， accounting for 8.59% of the total effect. ConclusionClinicians’ medical narrative ability， empathy ability， and humanistic care quality are all at a moderately high level. Empathy ability plays a partially mediating role between medical narrative ability and humanistic care quality. It is suggested that clinicians’ medical narrative competence should be improved through various ways， thereby improving their humanistic care quality.

Objective: To explore the independent and interactive effects of school green space exposure and outdoor activity duration on screening myopia among primary and secondary school students, so as to provide theoretical support for the prevention and control of screening myopia in children and adolescents. Methods: From September to November 2023, 117 487 primary and secondary school students from 497 schools were selected using a cluster random sampling method, covering 98 counties (cities, districts) in Jiangsu Province. Data on the students screening myopia status and associated health influencing factors were collected and analyzed. School green space exposure was quantified using the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), which was extracted with ArcGIS Pro software; meanwhile, information on students outdoor activity duration was gathered through self reported questionnaires. Multivariate Logistic regression was applied to assess the independent and interactive effects of green space exposure and outdoor activity duration on screening myopia among primary and secondary school students. Results: Univariate analysis showed that there were statistically significant differences in screening myopia detection rates among primary and secondary school students of different genders, NDVI groups, every outdoor activity duration, monitoring points, school stages, parents educational level, and whether they lived on campus or had parents with screening myopia ( χ 2=88.91-1 950.08, all P <0.05); as the school age and sedentary time increased, the detection rate of screening myopia in primary and secondary school students also increased ( χ 2 trend =8 410.15, 2 028.91, both P <0.05). Independent effects showed that compared to the low NDVI group, the medium and high NDVI groups had lower risks of screening myopia ( OR =0.93, 0.95, both P <0.05). Compared to those with outdoor activity duration<2 h/d, students with outdoor activity duration≥2 h/d had a lower risk of screening myopia ( OR =0.96, P <0.05). When stratified by school level, compared to the low NDVI group, the medium NDVI group had lower risks of screening myopia in primary and junior high schools (primary school: OR =0.91; junior high school: OR =0.88, both P <0.05). Compared to those with outdoor activity duration<2 h/d, junior high school students with outdoor activity duration≥2 h/d had a lower risk of screening myopia ( OR = 0.90, P <0.05). When stratified by monitoring site, urban primary and secondary school students in the medium and high NDVI groups and those with outdoor activity duration≥2 h/d had lower risks of screening myopia ( OR =0.92, 0.92, 0.93, all P <0.05). Interactive effects showed that when medium or high NDVI was combined with outdoor activity duration≥2 h/d, the risks of screening myopia among primary and secondary school students were lower (medium NDVI×≥2 h/d: OR =0.89; high NDVI×≥ 2 h/d : OR =0.89, both P <0.05), and the combined effect was superior to that of a single factor. Conclusion Green space exposure and outdoor activity duration have negative correlations with screening myopia among primary and secondary students, and the combined effect is better than that of a single factor.

Objective: To explore the value of body measurement indicators in screening for metabolic syndrome (MS), so as to provide the basis for early detection and prevention of MS. Methods: The individuals who were 18 years old or above and underwent physical examinations at a tertiary hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region were selected using the convenience sampling method. Demographic information, lifestyle, waist circumference (WC) and blood biochemical indicators were collected through questionnaire surveys, physical examinations and laboratory tests. The associations of WC, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), body roundness index (BRI), abdominal volume index (AVI), lipid accumulation product (LAP) and visceral adiposity index (VAI) with MS were analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model. The screening values of these body measurement indicators for MS were assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results: A total of 37 921 individuals were recruited, including 20 666 males (54.50%) and 17 255 females (45.50%), and had a median age of 41.00 (interquartile range, 20.00) years. There were 7 988 cases of MS, with a detection rate of 21.06%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that WC, WHR, LAP and VAI were statistically associated with MS (all P<0.05), and the risk of MS increased with the levels of these indicators (all Ptrend<0.05), after adjusting for confounding factors (gender, age, lifestyle, etc.). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of LAP for screening MS was the highest among single indicators, at 0.930 (95%CI: 0.927-0.933), and the optimal cut-off value was 43.13, Youden's index was 0.720, the sensitivity was 88.01%, and the specificity was 84.04%. The combined indicators of WC×VAI for screening MS had the highest AUC, which was 0.937 (95%CI: 0.935-0.939), and the optimal cut-off value was 0.17, Youden's index was 0.730, the sensitivity was 91.88%, and the specificity was 81.07%. The DeLong test showed that the AUC of WC×VAI for screening MS was higher than that of WC, WHR, LAP and VAI, respectively (all P<0.05). Conclusion The value of combining WC and VAI for screening MS is higher than other body measurement indicators.

ObjectiveTo analyze the differences in color， odor and volatile components of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium（CRP） before and after being stir-fried with Halloysitum Rubrum， and to explore the material basis of enhancing the effect of strengthening spleen after processing and the scientific connotation of decoction pieces processed with Halloysitum Rubrum as the auxiliary material. MethodsThe volatile components of the samples before and after processing were identified and relatively quantified by headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry（HS-GC-MS）， and the volatile components were analyzed by principal component analysis（PCA） and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis（OPLS-DA）. According to the principle of variable importance in the projection（VIP） value>1.5， volatile differential components before and after processing were screened. And combined with intelligent sensory technologies such as colorimeter and electronic nose， the chroma and odor information of CRP before and after being stir-fried with Halloysitum Rubrum were identified. Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore the correlation between volatile differential components and chroma values. ResultsA total of 112 volatile components were identified from CRP and CRP stir-fried with Halloysitum Rubrum， of which 84 were from CRP and 97 were from CRP stir-fried with Halloysitum Rubrum. And 7 differential components were selected， including α-pinene， β-myrcene， linalool， sabinene， ocimene isomer mixture， A-ocimene， and δ-elemene. After being processed with Halloysitum Rubrum， the brightness value（L^*）， yellow-blue value（b^*） and total chromatic value（E^*_ab） of CRP were decreased（P<0.01）， and red-green value（a^*） was increased（P<0.01）， the response values of S4， S5， S10 and S13 sensors were significantly increased（P<0.05）， and the response values of S3 and S8 sensors were significantly decreased（P<0.05）. Correlation analysis showed that α-pinene and β-myrcene were negatively correlated with L^* and E^*_ab， but positively correlated with a^*. Sabinene was positively correlated with L^* and E^*_ab. Linalool was positively correlated with L^* and E^*_ab， and negatively correlated with a^*. The ocimene isomer mixture was positively correlated with the L^*. ConclusionAfter being processed with Halloysitum Rubrum， the appearance color， odor and volatile components of CRP change significantly， and α-pinene， β-myrcene， sabinene， linalool and A-ocimene are the characteristic volatile components before and after processing， which can provide references for the quality evaluation and clinical application of CRP and its processed products.

ObjectiveTo analyze the differences in color， odor and volatile components of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium（CRP） before and after being stir-fried with Halloysitum Rubrum， and to explore the material basis of enhancing the effect of strengthening spleen after processing and the scientific connotation of decoction pieces processed with Halloysitum Rubrum as the auxiliary material. MethodsThe volatile components of the samples before and after processing were identified and relatively quantified by headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry（HS-GC-MS）， and the volatile components were analyzed by principal component analysis（PCA） and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis（OPLS-DA）. According to the principle of variable importance in the projection（VIP） value>1.5， volatile differential components before and after processing were screened. And combined with intelligent sensory technologies such as colorimeter and electronic nose， the chroma and odor information of CRP before and after being stir-fried with Halloysitum Rubrum were identified. Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore the correlation between volatile differential components and chroma values. ResultsA total of 112 volatile components were identified from CRP and CRP stir-fried with Halloysitum Rubrum， of which 84 were from CRP and 97 were from CRP stir-fried with Halloysitum Rubrum. And 7 differential components were selected， including α-pinene， β-myrcene， linalool， sabinene， ocimene isomer mixture， A-ocimene， and δ-elemene. After being processed with Halloysitum Rubrum， the brightness value（L^*）， yellow-blue value（b^*） and total chromatic value（E^*_ab） of CRP were decreased（P<0.01）， and red-green value（a^*） was increased（P<0.01）， the response values of S4， S5， S10 and S13 sensors were significantly increased（P<0.05）， and the response values of S3 and S8 sensors were significantly decreased（P<0.05）. Correlation analysis showed that α-pinene and β-myrcene were negatively correlated with L^* and E^*_ab， but positively correlated with a^*. Sabinene was positively correlated with L^* and E^*_ab. Linalool was positively correlated with L^* and E^*_ab， and negatively correlated with a^*. The ocimene isomer mixture was positively correlated with the L^*. ConclusionAfter being processed with Halloysitum Rubrum， the appearance color， odor and volatile components of CRP change significantly， and α-pinene， β-myrcene， sabinene， linalool and A-ocimene are the characteristic volatile components before and after processing， which can provide references for the quality evaluation and clinical application of CRP and its processed products.

Autoimmune hepatitis （AIH） is an inflammatory disease caused by immune dysfunction， and its pathogenic mechanism remains unclear. In recent years， a large number of studies have shown that iron homeostasis imbalance and ferroptosis are closely associated with the pathogenesis and progression of AIH. This article reviews the pathological mechanism and impact of iron overload and ferroptosis in AIH， in order to provide new insights and theoretical bases for research on the mechanism and clinical treatment of AIH.

ObjectiveTo investigate the potential mechanism of Liangxue Tuizi Formula （凉血退紫方， LXTZF） in treating Henoch-Schönlein Purpura （HSP） by examining its regulatory effect on neutrophil extracellular trap （NETs） dysregulation via the rapidly accelerated fibrosarcoma kinase （RAF）/mitogen-activated protein kinase （MEK）/extracellular signal-regulated kinase （ERK） signaling pathway. MethodsSeventy Wistar rats were randomly allocated into a blank control group （n=14） and a modeling group （n=56）. Rats in the modelling group underwent an eight-week modelling period to establish HSP rat models with blood-heat syndrome via modified ovalbumin （OVA） induction method combined with oral administration of heat-property Chinese herbal medicine. Fifty successfully modeled rats were subsequently randomly divided into five groups （n=10 per group）， model group， compound glycyrrhizin group， LXTZF group， RAF inhibitor group， and LXTZF + RAF agonist group. Additionally， 10 rats were selected from the original blank control group for the final experiment. From the 11th week of modelling， rats in the blank control group and the model group received 1 ml/（100 g·d） ultrapure water via oral administration， in addition to 0.5 ml/（kg·d） 0.9% sodium chloride solution via intraperitoneal injection. The LXTZF group and the compound glycyrrhizin group received 7.5 g/（kg·d） LXTZF granule suspension via gavage， 13.5 mg/（kg·d） compound glycyrrhizin suspension via gavage， respectively. The RAF inhibitor group received 1 mg/（kg·d） GW5074 suspension via intraperitoneal injection and ultrapure water via oral administration； the LXTZF + RAF agonist group received 7.5 g/（kg·d） LXTZF granule suspension via gavage and 1 mg/（kg·d） paclitaxel suspension via intraperitoneal injection. All administrations were performed once daily for 4 weeks. After intervention， skin tissue histopathology was examined by hematoxylin and eosin （H&E） staining， immunoglobulin A （IgA） deposition was assessed via immunofluorescence， serum levels of neutrophil elastase （NE）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 （VCAM-1） were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）， serum myeloperoxidase （MPO） level was determined by a colorimetric assay； the mRNA expression levels of RAF， MEK， and ERK in skin tissue were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （RT-qPCR）； and the protein expression of RAF， MEK， ERK， as well as phosphorylated MEK （p-MEK） and phosphorylated ERK （p-ERK）， were analyzed by Western Blot. ResultsSkin tissue in the blank control group rats remained normal， whereas the model group exhibited neutrophil infiltration and haemorrhage with red blood cell rupture. In all drug intervention groups， neutrophil infiltration and haemorrhagic exudation reduced markedly， with LXTZF group demonstrating the most pronounced improvement. Compared with the blank control group， rats in the model group exhibited enhanced IgA fluorescence intensity in skin tissue， elevated serum levels of NE， MPO， TNF-α and VCAM-1， increased mRNA expression of RAF， MEK， ERK1 and ERK2， as well as heightened RAF protein levels and p-MEK/MEK and p-ERK/ERK ratios （P＜0.05）. Compared with the model group， the drug intervention groups exhibited reduced IgA fluorescence intensity in skin tissue， along with decreased serum levels of NE， MPO， TNF-α， and VCAM-1 （P＜0.05）. In LXTZF group and RAF inhibition groups， reduced mRNA expression of RAF， MEK， ERK1， and ERK2 was observed in rat skin tissue， alongside decreased RAF protein levels and reduced p-MEK/MEK and p-ERK/ERK ratios （P＜0.05）. Compared with LXTZF + RAF agonist group， the compound glycyrrhizin group， LXTZF group， and RAF inhibitior group exhibited reduced IgA fluorescence intensity in skin tissue， decreased serum NE， MPO， TNF-α， and VCAM-1 levels， and decreased MEK mRNA expression and p-MEK/MEK ratio （P＜0.05）. ConclusionThe potential mechanism by which LXTZF treats Henoch-Schönlein purpura with blood heat syndrome may involve blocking the RAF/MEK/ERK signaling pathway in skin tissue， and suppressing excessive formation of NETs， thereby reducing IgA deposition in dermal microvessels and attenuating systemic inflammatory responses.

Objective:To construct the over-expressed lentivirus vector of PRDM5 gene and establish the Neuro-2a cells stably transfected PRDM5,and to provide the basis evidence for exploring the effect of PRDM5 in pathogenesis of ischemic stroke(IS).Methods:The sequence of PRDM5 was searched and designed based on NCBI.The PRDM5 gene was amplified by PCR and ligated with the lentiviral vector GV492 digested by BamH Ⅰ and Age Ⅰ restriction enzymes to form the GV492-PRDM5 over-expression recombinant plasmid.The positive clones with similar length and size to the target gene fragment were screened by PCR and sent to Shenggong Bioengineering(Shanghai)Co.Ltd.for identification.The correctly-sequenced GV492-control plasmid and GV492-PRDM5 over-expression recombinant plasmid were transfected into the HEK293T cells,respectively.After 48 h of transfection,the lentiviruses were collected by centrifugation,and they were GV492-control lentivirus and GV492-PRDMS over-expression lentivirus;the titers of these two lentiviruses were determined by lentiviral titer assay.The Neuro-2a cells were divided into GV492-control group and GV492-PRDM5 group,and then infected with GV492-control lentivirus and GV492-PRDM5 over-expression lentivirus,respectively,with a lentivirus multiplicity of infection(MOI)of 100.The Neuro-2a cells successfully infected with GV492-control lentivirus and GV492-PRDM5 over-expression lentivirus were screened with puromycin(10 mng-L-1)after 72 h of infection.The growth status and the expression of green fluorescence protein of Neuro-2a cells in GV492-control group and GV492-PRDM5 group were observed by fluorescence microscope.The expression levels of PRDM5 mRNA and PRDM5 protein in the Neuro-2a cells in two groups were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative RCR(RT-qPCR)and Western blotting methods.Results:The PCR results showed that the length of the positive transformant of GV492-PRDM5 recombinant plasmid was about 684 bp,and the gene sequence of GV492-PRDM5 over-expression recombinant plasmid was consistent with the designed and synthesized PRDM5 over-expression sequence.The titers of GV492-control lentivirus and GV492-PRDM5 over-expression lentivirus were both 2.5×108TU·mL-1 The Neuro-2a cells in GV492-control group and GV492-PRDM5 group grew well,and the expressions of green fluorescence protein were found under fluorescence microscope.The RT-qPCR results showed that the expression level of PRDM5 mRNA in the Neuro-2a cells in GV492-PRDM5 group was significantly increased compared with GV492-control group(P＜0.01).The Western blotting results showed that the specific bands appeared in the Neuro-2a cells in GV492-control group and GV492-PRDM5 group with a relative molecular weight of 75 000;compared with GV492-control group,the expression level of PRDM5 protein in the Neuro-2a cells in GV492-PRDM5 group was increased(P＜0.01).Conclusion:The over-expression lentivirus vector of PRDM5 gene is successfully constructed,and the stably transfected GV492-PRDM5-Neuro-2a cells are established.