Background: Sex-based differences often influence the therapeutic efficacy and safety of medications. Semen Cuscutae is a traditional tonic botanical drug with sex-specific characteristics, traditionally indicated for conditions such as impotence (exclusive to males) and restless fetus (exclusive to pregnant females). However, most existing studies have focused on a single sex. Objective: To evaluate the sex-specific biological effects of Semen Cuscutae in rats and explore its molecular mechanisms, with the aim of uncovering its pharmacological characteristics through a multiomics approach. Methods: A traditional aqueous extract of Semen Cuscutae (SCA) was used as the experimental material. Forty adult Sprague-Dawley rats (equal numbers of males and females) were randomly divided into 4 groups: male control, male SCA treatment (240 mg/kg), female control, and female SCA treatment (240 mg/kg), with 10 rats in each group. The biological effects were comprehensively evaluated using a combination of open field test, biochemical analyses, proteomics, and gut microbiota profiling. Results: As a tonic botanical drug, SCA appeared to directly affect the mental and behavioral state of rats. It significantly altered the time spent by rats in the center area during the open field test, showing a sex-dependent reversal of behaviors. Proteomic analysis of brain tissue identified 624 differentially expressed proteins across the groups, with 10 key differentially expressed proteins related to sex differences, including fibroblast growth factor receptor 3, transcription elongation factor A protein-like 1, 40S ribosomal protein S25, neural cell adhesion molecule, and anion exchange protein 2 (SLC4A2). Enrichment analysis revealed that in male rats, SCA upregulated proteins involved in biological processes such as ribosome function and energy derivation, supporting protein synthesis and enhancing energy supply, showing an overall gain effect. In contrast, in female rats, SCA downregulated proteins associated with processes such as positive regulation of target of rapamycin (TOR) signaling and vesicle transport, suggesting suppression of neuronal signaling and material transport, indicative of a shift toward a more restrained physiological state. Furthermore, SCA reduced gut microbiota diversity in female rats but increased it in males, including the abundance of Akkermansia, which may serve as a crucial mediator. Conclusion: Overall, the biological effects of SCA differ significantly between male and female rats, with evidence suggesting greater health benefits in males. These findings help elucidate the scientific basis of its traditional applications and provide guidance for the precise application of SCA as a functional health food.

Panax ginseng, a perennial herbaceous plant and a representative of the Panax genus, is renowned for its exceptional medicinal value and economic benefits, often referred to as the “King of Herbs.” With the increasing market demand and the limited availability of suitable cultivation land, the issue of continuous cropping obstacles for P. ginseng has become increasingly prominent, directly hindering the sustainable development of the ginseng industry. This article summarizes the concept and hazards of continuous cropping obstacles and, drawing on the latest research, provides an in-depth analysis of the causes and response mechanisms. This work aims to establish a solid foundation for future research into the mechanisms of continuous cropping obstacles in P. ginseng.

Panax ginseng, a perennial herbaceous plant and a representative of the Panax genus, is renowned for its exceptional medicinal value and economic benefits, often referred to as the “King of Herbs.” With the increasing market demand and the limited availability of suitable cultivation land, the issue of continuous cropping obstacles for P. ginseng has become increasingly prominent, directly hindering the sustainable development of the ginseng industry. This article summarizes the concept and hazards of continuous cropping obstacles and, drawing on the latest research, provides an in-depth analysis of the causes and response mechanisms. This work aims to establish a solid foundation for future research into the mechanisms of continuous cropping obstacles in P. ginseng.

Panax ginseng, a perennial herbaceous plant and a representative of the Panax genus, is renowned for its exceptional medicinal value and economic benefits, often referred to as the “King of Herbs.” With the increasing market demand and the limited availability of suitable cultivation land, the issue of continuous cropping obstacles for P. ginseng has become increasingly prominent, directly hindering the sustainable development of the ginseng industry. This article summarizes the concept and hazards of continuous cropping obstacles and, drawing on the latest research, provides an in-depth analysis of the causes and response mechanisms. This work aims to establish a solid foundation for future research into the mechanisms of continuous cropping obstacles in P. ginseng.

Objective:To summarize the characteristics of hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA) in very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm infants and evaluate the efficacy and safety of transcatheter PDA closure (TCPC).Methods:This was a retrospective study including five VLBW preterm infants who were diagnosed with hsPDA by echocardiography at Women and Children's Hospital, Qingdao University from January to December 2024 and underwent transcatheter closure after pharmacological therapy failure. Follow-up assessments were conducted at 6 months after operation to evaluate PDA closure status, survival outcomes, and the occurrence of complications. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to summarize the demographic characteristics and clinical data.Results:The cohort comprised three males and two females. The median gestational age was 28 (24-29) weeks, and the median birth weight was 1 000 (670-1 220) g. The median age and birth weight at surgery were 25 (13-36) d and 1 200 (810-1 400) g, respectively. The PDA diameter was 3.8 (2.3-4.1) mm. PDA closure was successfully achieved in all five infants using the Amplatzer Piccolo? occlude, with no major procedure-related complications. All patients were weaned from mechanical ventilation and discharged. At 6-month follow-up, all five infants survived with no residual shunt, left pulmonary artery stenosis, or aortic coarctation on echocardiography.Conclusions:TCPC is feasible and safe for VLBW preterm infants when pharmacological therapy is ineffective or contraindicated. Larger cohorts and extended follow-up are needed to assess long-term outcomes and potential complications.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of dual-layer spectral CT(DLCT)virtual non-contrast(VNC)imaging combined with iodine maps in differentiating early post-endovascular therapy(EVT)intracranial hemorrhage from contrast extravasation.Methods Retrospective analysis of 97 patients who underwent DLCT immediately after EVT was conducted.Taking 24-hour follow-up CT/MRI as the gold standard,patients were divided into hemorrhage and non-hemorrhage groups,and their clinical data were compared.VNC CT values and iodine concentration(IC)were measured.Spearman's rank correlation was used to analyze the relationship between VNC CT and IC values,and ROC curve analysis using R software to evaluate the diagnostic performance of VNC,iodine maps,and their combination.Results Among 97 patients,51(52.6%)showed no intracranial hyperdense lesions,while 46(47.4%)with abnormal densities were analyzed.Using 24-hour postoperative CT/MRI as reference stan-dard,among the 46 patients ultimately included in the analysis,38 cases(82.6%)were non-hemorrhagic and 8 cases(17.4%)hemorrhagic.No significant differences existed in age,sex,or treatment methods(all P>0.05).VNC CT values and IC showed significantly negative correlation(r=-0.537,P<0.01).ROC analysis revealed AUCs of 0.917(95%CI:0.786～0.999)for VNC,0.878(95%CI:0.719～0.999)for IC,and 0.919(95%CI:0.812～0.999)for the combination of the two(P<0.05 for combined vs.individual methods).Optimal thresholds were 53.6 HU for VNC and 0.605 mg/ml for IC.Based on the final analysis of 46 enrolled patients,the sensitivity of VNC,iodine map,and their combination in differentiating early cerebral hemorrhage from contrast extravasation was 88.9%,94.3%,and 91.4%,respectively;the specificity 94.3%,77.8%,and 88.9%,respectively;and the accuracy 90.9%,90.9%,and 93.2%,respectively.Conclusion The DLCT VNC-iodine map combination significantly im-proves differentiation between post-EVT hemorrhage and contrast extravasation,and it is recommended for routine clinical application.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of dual-layer spectral CT(DLCT)virtual non-contrast(VNC)imaging combined with iodine maps in differentiating early post-endovascular therapy(EVT)intracranial hemorrhage from contrast extravasation.Methods Retrospective analysis of 97 patients who underwent DLCT immediately after EVT was conducted.Taking 24-hour follow-up CT/MRI as the gold standard,patients were divided into hemorrhage and non-hemorrhage groups,and their clinical data were compared.VNC CT values and iodine concentration(IC)were measured.Spearman's rank correlation was used to analyze the relationship between VNC CT and IC values,and ROC curve analysis using R software to evaluate the diagnostic performance of VNC,iodine maps,and their combination.Results Among 97 patients,51(52.6%)showed no intracranial hyperdense lesions,while 46(47.4%)with abnormal densities were analyzed.Using 24-hour postoperative CT/MRI as reference stan-dard,among the 46 patients ultimately included in the analysis,38 cases(82.6%)were non-hemorrhagic and 8 cases(17.4%)hemorrhagic.No significant differences existed in age,sex,or treatment methods(all P>0.05).VNC CT values and IC showed significantly negative correlation(r=-0.537,P<0.01).ROC analysis revealed AUCs of 0.917(95%CI:0.786～0.999)for VNC,0.878(95%CI:0.719～0.999)for IC,and 0.919(95%CI:0.812～0.999)for the combination of the two(P<0.05 for combined vs.individual methods).Optimal thresholds were 53.6 HU for VNC and 0.605 mg/ml for IC.Based on the final analysis of 46 enrolled patients,the sensitivity of VNC,iodine map,and their combination in differentiating early cerebral hemorrhage from contrast extravasation was 88.9%,94.3%,and 91.4%,respectively;the specificity 94.3%,77.8%,and 88.9%,respectively;and the accuracy 90.9%,90.9%,and 93.2%,respectively.Conclusion The DLCT VNC-iodine map combination significantly im-proves differentiation between post-EVT hemorrhage and contrast extravasation,and it is recommended for routine clinical application.

Objective:To summarize the characteristics of hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA) in very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm infants and evaluate the efficacy and safety of transcatheter PDA closure (TCPC).Methods:This was a retrospective study including five VLBW preterm infants who were diagnosed with hsPDA by echocardiography at Women and Children's Hospital, Qingdao University from January to December 2024 and underwent transcatheter closure after pharmacological therapy failure. Follow-up assessments were conducted at 6 months after operation to evaluate PDA closure status, survival outcomes, and the occurrence of complications. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to summarize the demographic characteristics and clinical data.Results:The cohort comprised three males and two females. The median gestational age was 28 (24-29) weeks, and the median birth weight was 1 000 (670-1 220) g. The median age and birth weight at surgery were 25 (13-36) d and 1 200 (810-1 400) g, respectively. The PDA diameter was 3.8 (2.3-4.1) mm. PDA closure was successfully achieved in all five infants using the Amplatzer Piccolo? occlude, with no major procedure-related complications. All patients were weaned from mechanical ventilation and discharged. At 6-month follow-up, all five infants survived with no residual shunt, left pulmonary artery stenosis, or aortic coarctation on echocardiography.Conclusions:TCPC is feasible and safe for VLBW preterm infants when pharmacological therapy is ineffective or contraindicated. Larger cohorts and extended follow-up are needed to assess long-term outcomes and potential complications.

Objective:To evaluate the effective dose, efficacy and safety of remimazolam for induction of general anesthesia in super-elderly patients.Methods:Trial Ⅰ American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅰ-Ⅲ patients of either sex, aged ≥80 yr, with body mass index of 18-25 kg/m 2, undergoing elective surgery with general anesthesia in the Zhejiang Provincial People′s Hospital from January to March 2022, were selected. Remimazolam 0.12 mg/kg or propofol 0.8 mg/kg was intravenously injected in the first patient, and the dose of remimazolam or propofol in the next patient was determined by using the modified Dixon′s up-and-down method. The difference between the two successive doses was 0.01 mg/kg for remimazolam and 0.05 mg/kg for propofol. A positive response was defined as achieving an anesthesia depth (BIS value ≤ 65) within 5 min of administration. If the response was positive, the next patient received a lower dose, or conversely if negative, a higher dose was given in the next patient. The 50% effective dose (ED 50) and 90% effective dose (ED 90) of remifentanil and propofol and their 95% confidence intervals ( CIs) were calculated by Probit method. Trial Ⅱ One hundred and forty-six American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅰ-Ⅲ elderly patients of either sex, aged ≥80 yr, with a body mass index of 18-25 mg/kg, scheduled for elective surgery with general anesthesia from April to October 2023 in Zhejiang Provincial People′s Hospital, were selected and divided into 2 groups ( n=73 each) by using a random number table method: remimazolam group (R group) and propofol group (P group). R group was induced with intravenous remimazolam ED 90 and P group was induced with intravenous propofol ED 90, and the injection time was both 30 s. If the BIS value was still greater than 65 at 5 min after administration, remimazolam 0.05 mg/kg was intravenously added each time in R group and propofol 0.5 mg/kg was intravenously added each time in P group until the patient′s BIS value ≤65. The success of anesthesia induction, time for successful induction of anesthesia and rescue sedation were recorded. The occurrence of intraoperative injection pain, hypertension, hypotension, bradycardia, hypoxemia, intraoperative awareness and postoperative delirium, nausea and vomiting was also recorded. Results:Trial Ⅰ The ED 50 (95% CI) of remimazolam was 0.148 (0.139-0.157) mg/kg, and the ED 90 (95% CI) was 0.160 (0.153-0.202) mg/kg; the ED 50 (95% CI) of propofol was 0.824 (0.726-0.983) mg/kg, and the ED 90 (95% CI) was 0.916 (0.860-2.472) mg/kg. Trial Ⅱ Compared with group P, the time for successful induction of anesthesia was significantly prolonged, the incidence of intraoperative injection pain and hypotension was decreased ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the success rate of anesthesia induction, rate of rescue sedation, intraoperative hypertension, bradycardia, hypoxemia, postoperative delirium, and nausea and vomiting in group R ( P>0.05). Conclusions:The ED 50 and ED 90 of remimazolam for induction of general anesthesia are 0.148 and 0.160 mg/kg, respectively, in super-elderly patients. Compared to propofol, remimazolam has a slightly longer onset time, but it is safer when used for induction of general anesthesia in super-elderly patients.

Objective To investigate the clinical effect of Mudan Granules combined with pentoxifylline in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with early renal disease and analyze its impact on the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway. Methods A total of 164 patients with T2DM and early renal disease admitted to the Second People's Hospital of Hunan Province between May 2022 and October 2023 were enrolled and randomly divided into observation group(n=82) and control group (n=82) using a random number table in a 1-to-1 ratio. The control group received pentoxifylline treatment, while the observation group received Mudan granules combined with pentoxifylline. The clinical effects and changes in renal function indicators[serum creatinine (SCr), urea nitrogen, urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR)], TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway indicators (TLR4, MyD88, NF-κB mRNA), and inflammation and oxidative stress indicators [C-reactive protein (CRP), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1)] before and after treatment were compared between the two groups. Results The total effective rate in the observation group was 97.56%, which was higher than 89.02% in the control group (P<0.05). At 6 and 12 weeks after treatment, the levels of SCr, urea nitrogen, and UACR in both groups decreased compared with those before treatment, and the levels of these indicators in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). At 6 and 12 weeks after treatment, the levels of TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB mRNA in both groups decreased compared with those before treatment, and the levels of these indicators in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). At 6 and 12 weeks after treatment, the levels of GSH-PX and TAC in both groups increased, while the levels of CRP, MDA, and TGF-β1 decreased compared with those before treatment. The levels of GSH-PX and TAC in the observation group were higher than those in the control group, while the levels of CRP and MDA were lower (P<0.05). Conclusion Mudan Granules combined with pentoxifylline in the treatment of T2DM with early renal disease can improve renal function to a certain extent, regulate the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway, and reduce inflammation and oxidative stress responses, which is beneficial for disease control.