Objective: To investigate the value of the Chinese visceral adiposity index (CVAI) in predicting hypertension risk, so as to provide a tool for the early assessment of hypertension risk. Methods: Health examination individuals aged ≥18 years were selected from four medical institutes in Jinhua City, Zhejiang Province in 2022. Data on basic information, lifestyle, disease history, body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, and blood biochemical indicators were collected through questionnaire surveys and physical examinations. CVAI was calculated to assess levels of visceral fat accumulation, divided by quartiles into Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4 groups. The relationship between CVAI and hypertension was analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model, and their dose-response relationship was examined using a restricted cubic spline model. The value of CVAI in predicting hypertension risk was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results: A total of 23 791 individuals were enrolled, with a median age of 68.00 (interquartile range, 14.00) years. Among them, 10 178 (42.78%) were males and 13 613 (57.22%) were females. The median CVAI was 111.40 (interquartile range, 48.23). Hypertension was identified in 15 563 cases, with a prevalence of 65.42%. After adjusting for lifestyle, disease history, and blood biochemical indicators, the multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that hypertension risk in the CVAI Q2, Q3, and Q4 groups were 2.012 (95%CI: 1.865-2.170), 3.059 (95%CI: 2.826-3.311), and 5.099 (95%CI: 4.672-5.565) times that of the Q1 group, respectively. The restricted cubic spline model revealed a non-linear relationship between CVAI and hypertension risk (Pnon linearity<0.05). Hypertension risk increased more rapidly when the CVAI was ≥81.03. The area under the ROC curve for CVAI in predicting hypertension risk was 0.691, with an optimal cutoff value of 106.01, which falls within the Q2 group. Conclusions There was a nonlinear dose-response relationship between CVAI and hypertension. CVAI can predict the risk of hypertension, and 106.01 can serve as an early warning threshold for risk screening.

This article systematically analyzes the historical evolution of the name， origin， quality evaluation， harvesting， processing and other aspects of Picrorhizae Rhizoma by referring to the medical books， prescription books， and other documents of the past dynasties， combined with relevant modern research materials， in order to provide a basis for the development and utilization of famous classical formulas containing this medicinal herb. The research results indicate that Picrorhizae Rhizoma was first recorded in New Revised Materia Medica from the Tang dynasty. Throughout history， Huhuanglian has been used as its official name， and there are also aliases such as Gehu Luze， Jiahuanglian and Hulian. The main source of past dynasties is the the rhizomes of Picrorhiza kurrooa and P. scrophulariiflora. In ancient times， Picrorhizae Rhizoma was mainly imported by foreign traders via Guangzhou and other regions， and also produced in China， mainly in Xizang. In ancient times， it was harvested and dried in early August of the lunar calendar， while in modern times， it is mostly harvested from July to September， with the best quality being those with thick and crispy rhizomes without impurities， and bitter taste. Throughout history， Picrorhizae Rhizoma was collected， washed， sliced， and dried before being used as a raw material for medicine， it has a bitter and cold taste， mainly used to treat bone steaming， hot flashes， infantile chancre fever， and dysentery. There is no significant difference in taste and efficacy between ancient and modern times. Based on the research results， it is recommended that the rhizomes of P. scrophulariiflora in the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia， or the rhizomes of P. kurrooa， can be used in famous classical formulas containing this medicinal herb， which can be processed according to the processing requirements marked by the original formula. For those without clear processing requirements， the dried raw products are used as medicine.

This article systematically analyzes the historical evolution of the name， origin， medicinal parts， processing and other aspects of Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix（EPR） by referring to the herbal medicine， medical books， prescription books and other documents of the past dynasties， combined with the relevant modern research materials， so as to provide a basis for the development and utilization of famous classical formulas containing this herbal medicine. According to research， EPR was first recorded in the Shennong Bencaojing in the name of Daji， and it is the correct name of the herbal medicine in all dynasties， there are also other aliases such as Qiongju， Hongya Daji， and Xiamaxian. The dried roots of Euphorbia pekinensis from Euphorbiaceae was the mainstream of the past dynasties. Before the Ming dynasty， the above ground parts of E. pekinensis were used as Zeqi in herbal works. However， since LI Shizhen in the Ming dynasty proposed that the origin of Zeqi should be E. helioscopia， the aerial part of EPR is no longer used as medicine. Since modern times， the roots of Knoxia valerianoides has been used as EPR， and has become the mainstream of commodities， which should be corrected. Throughout history， it has been recorded that the main producing areas were Jiangsu， Anhui， Zhejiang， Shanxi and other regions， while modern botanical survey have shown that EPR is a widespread species distributed throughout the country. In ancient times， the harvesting time of EPR was mostly the twelfth lunar month， while in modern time， it is more common to harvest in autumn and winter. The main processing methods of EPR in ancient times were vinegar processing， wine processing， and stir frying， while in modern times， it is uniformly vinegar processing. In the medicinal properties and clinical aspects， the records are basically consistent throughout history， mainly characterized by bitter taste， cold and toxic nature. Its main efficacy is expelling water retention and reducing swelling. Based on the textual research， it is suggested to choose the dried roots of E. pekinensis when famous classical formulas containing EPR， processing method can be based on the original specified prescription requirements， if the processing method is not clear， it is recommended to use vinegar-processed products as medicine.

Objective To compare the differences of baseline characteristics of patients with myelodysplastic syndrome(MDS)who achieved platelet(PLT)response after arsenic-containing TCM compounds combined with Western medicine treatment.Methods Totally 72 MDS patients were selected from 12 outpatient departments and wards,such as Xiyuan Hospital,China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences,Dongfang Hospital,Beijing University of Chinese Medicine from October 2021 to October 2024.Among them,45 patients received arsenic-containing TCM compounds combined with Western medicine treatment,27 patients received Western medicine treatment.The blood routine[white blood cell(WBC)count,hemoglobin,PLT,neutrophil count],TCM syndrome scores,safety indicators,and adverse events were observed before and after three courses of treatment.The efficacy of all patients was evaluated,and the baseline characteristics of patients who achieved PLT response in the arsenic-containing TCM compounds group and the Western medicine treatment group were compared.Results Comparing the differences of baseline characteristics of the two groups,it was found that the patients who achieved PLT response in the arsenic-containing TCM compounds group were compared with those in the Western medicine treatment group:Age<60 years old(P=0.038),longer disease duration(P=0.012),lower WBC(P=0.017),lower reticulocyte percentage(P=0.037),lower blood urea nitrogen(P=0.046),lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(P=0.014),and lower N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide(P=0.034),abnormal electrocardiogram(P=0.013),high blasts(P=0.009),grade 0 reticular fiber staining(P<0.01),normal chromosome karyotype(P<0.01),gene mutation(P<0.01)and high TCM syndrome scores(P=0.013)were found.Conclusion Arsenic-containing TCM compounds consisting of Qinghuang Powder and Bushen Jianpi Decoction combined with Western medicine is used to treat MDS.Patients with age<60 years old,long disease duration,low WBC count,low reticulocyte percentage,low blood urea nitrogen,low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol,low N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide,abnormal electrocardiogram,high blasts,grade 0 reticular fiber staining,normal chromosome karyotype,gene mutation and high TCM syndrome score are more likely to obtain PLT response.

Objective To compare the differences of baseline characteristics of patients with myelodysplastic syndrome(MDS)who achieved platelet(PLT)response after arsenic-containing TCM compounds combined with Western medicine treatment.Methods Totally 72 MDS patients were selected from 12 outpatient departments and wards,such as Xiyuan Hospital,China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences,Dongfang Hospital,Beijing University of Chinese Medicine from October 2021 to October 2024.Among them,45 patients received arsenic-containing TCM compounds combined with Western medicine treatment,27 patients received Western medicine treatment.The blood routine[white blood cell(WBC)count,hemoglobin,PLT,neutrophil count],TCM syndrome scores,safety indicators,and adverse events were observed before and after three courses of treatment.The efficacy of all patients was evaluated,and the baseline characteristics of patients who achieved PLT response in the arsenic-containing TCM compounds group and the Western medicine treatment group were compared.Results Comparing the differences of baseline characteristics of the two groups,it was found that the patients who achieved PLT response in the arsenic-containing TCM compounds group were compared with those in the Western medicine treatment group:Age<60 years old(P=0.038),longer disease duration(P=0.012),lower WBC(P=0.017),lower reticulocyte percentage(P=0.037),lower blood urea nitrogen(P=0.046),lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(P=0.014),and lower N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide(P=0.034),abnormal electrocardiogram(P=0.013),high blasts(P=0.009),grade 0 reticular fiber staining(P<0.01),normal chromosome karyotype(P<0.01),gene mutation(P<0.01)and high TCM syndrome scores(P=0.013)were found.Conclusion Arsenic-containing TCM compounds consisting of Qinghuang Powder and Bushen Jianpi Decoction combined with Western medicine is used to treat MDS.Patients with age<60 years old,long disease duration,low WBC count,low reticulocyte percentage,low blood urea nitrogen,low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol,low N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide,abnormal electrocardiogram,high blasts,grade 0 reticular fiber staining,normal chromosome karyotype,gene mutation and high TCM syndrome score are more likely to obtain PLT response.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of TCF3-PBX1 fusion gene-positive childhood B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL).Methods:The clinical data of 1 287 newly diagnosed children with B-ALL who were admitted to five hospital in Fujian province (Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Zhangzhou Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Nanping First Hospital of Fujian Province) from April 2011 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the results of TCF3-PBX1 fusion gene testing, all the patients were divided into TCF3-PBX1-positive group and TCF3-PBX1-negative group. The clinical characteristics, early treatment response [minimal residual disease (MRD) at middle stage and end of induction chemotherapy] and long-term efficacy [overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS)] of the patients in both groups were compared. Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis. The prognostic factors of TCF3-PBX1-positive B-ALL were analyzed by using Cox proportional hazards model. Among 83 children with TCF3-PBX1-positive B-ALL, the treatment regimens, risk stratification and efficacy evaluation of 62 cases were performed by using Chinese Children's Leukemia Group (CCLG)-ALL 2008 regimen and 21 cases were performed by using Chinese Children's Cancer Group (CCCG)-ALL 2015 regimen, and the efficacy and incidence of serious adverse events (SAE) between the two groups compared.Results:Among 1 287 B-ALL patients, 83 patients (6.4%) were TCF3-PBX1-positive. The proportion of patients with initial white blood cell count (WBC)≥50×10 9/L in the TCF3-PBX1-positive group was higher than that in the TCF3-PBX1-negative group, while the proportions of patients with MRD ≥1% on induction chemotherapy day 15 or day 19, and MRD ≥0.01% on induction chemotherapy day 33 or day 46 in the TCF3-PBX1-positive group were lower than those in the TCF3-PBX1-negative group (all P < 0.05). Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that MRD ≥1% on induction chemotherapy day 15 or day 19 and TCF3-PBX1 ≥0.01% on induction chemotherapy day 33 or day 46 were risk factors for OS and EFS (all P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that MRD ≥1% on induction chemotherapy day 15 or day 19 was an independent risk factor for OS ( HR = 10.589, 95% CI 1.903-58.933, P = 0.007) and EFS ( HR = 10.218, 95% CI 2.429-42.980, P = 0.002). TCF3-PBX1≥0.01% on induction chemotherapy day 33 or day 46 was an independent risk factor for EFS ( HR = 6.058, 95% CI 1.463-25.087, P = 0.013) but not for OS ( HR = 3.550, 95% CI 0.736-17.121, P = 0.115). The 10-year EFS and OS rates of the TCF3-PBX1-positive group were 84.6% (95% CI 76.9%-93.1%) and 89.1% (95% CI 82.1%-96.6%), and the differences between the two groups were not statistically significant (both P > 0.05). Among 80 children who received standardized treatment, compared with children who were treated with CCLG-ALL 2008 regimen, the incidence of infection-related SAE was lower in children who were treated with CCCG-ALL 2015 regimen [0 (0/21) vs. 20.3% (12/59), χ2 = 5.22, P = 0.022], but there were no statistical differences in treatment-related mortality, relapse rate, EFS and OS between the two groups (all P > 0.05). Conclusions:Children with TCF3-PBX1-positive B-ALL have a good prognosis, and MRD≥1% at middle stage of induction chemotherapy and TCF3-PBX1≥0.01% at the end of induction chemotherapy may be influencing factors for poor prognosis. CCCG-ALL 2015 regimen can reduce infection-related SAE while achieving good efficacy.

Objective To evaluate the changes in the expression of Talin1 and F-actin during ser-um-induced proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells ( PASMCs) of rats with hepatopulmonary syndrome ( HPS) . Methods Twenty healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 220-250 g, were used for producing HPS by chronic ligation of the common bile duct. Blood samples from the abdominal aorta were collected to prepare serum. Primarily cultured PASMCs obtained from rats were seed in 6- or 96-well plates and divided into 2 groups using a random number table method: control group ( group C) and HPS group ( group HPS) , with 24 wells in each group ( for 6-well plates) or with 30 wells in each group ( for 96-well plates) . In C and HPS groups, normal rat serum or HPS rat serum were added, respectively, with the final concentration of 5％. At 24, 48 and 72 h of incubation, the expression of Talin1, F-actin and G-actin was determined by Western blot, the F-actin∕G-actin ratio was calculated, and the proliferation of PASMCs was measured by 3H-TdR incorporation and CCK-8 assays. Results Compared with group C, the proliferation of PASMCs was significantly enhanced, the expression of Talin1 was up-regulated, and the F-actin∕G-actin ratio was increased in group HPS ( P<0. 05) . The proliferation of PASMCs was gradually en-hanced, the expression of Talin1 was gradually up-regulated, and the F-actin∕G-actin ratio was gradually increased with the prolonged incubation time in group HPS (P<0. 05). Conclusion The mechanism by which the HPS rat serum induces proliferation of PASMCs may be related to up-regulating the expression of Talin1 and F-actin.

Objective To evaluate the effect of autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) on phenotype transformation and proliferation of rat pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs).Methods Cultured PASMCs were treated with different concentrations of 3-MA (low-dose group,2.0 mmol/L;middle-dose group,4.0 mmol/L;high-dose group,8.0 mmol/L;control group,0 mmol/L).The protein expression of LC3 Ⅱ,OPN and Vimentin was detected by Western blotting.Cell proliferation was detected by MTT assay.Results The autophagy of PASMCs was decreased with the increase of the concentration of 3-MA.Compared with the control group,significantly down-regulated protein expression of LC3 Ⅱ,OPN and Vimentin was observed in 3-MA-treated cells,with significantly lower proliferation activity.Conclusion The autophagy inhibitor 3-MA significantly down-regulated the expression of LC3 Ⅱ,OPN and Vimentin in PASMCs,with inhibiting the proliferation of PASMCs.

Objective To evaluate the effects of the serum of patients with obstructive jaundice on myogenic differentiation of human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVECs). Methods Hu?man PMVECs were isolated and then subcultured. The cultured PMVECs were incubated with the serum of patients with obstructive jaundice or with the serum of healthy volunteers. At 24, 48 and 72 h of incubation (T1?3), the inverted microscope was used to observe the morphology of primary PMVECs. The expression of muscular proteins ( alpha?smooth muscle actin [α?SMA ] , smooth muscle?mysion heavy chain [ SM?MHC] , capolnin) in PMVECs was detected using Western blot analysis. Results The expression of cal?ponin andα?SMA was negative, and a few SM?MHC proteins were expressed when PMVECs were incubated with the serum of healthy volunteers; the expression of calponin, α?SMA and SM?MHC was positive when PMVECs were incubated with the serum of patients with obstructive jaundice. Compared with the serum of healthy volunteers, the expression of SM?MHC was significantly up?regulated when PMVECs were incubated with the serum of patients with obstructive jaundice (P<0.05). The expression of calponin, α?SMA and SM?MHC was significantly up?regulated at T2,3 compared with that at T1 , and at T3 compared with that at T2 when PMVECs were incubated with the serum of patients with obstructive jaundice ( P<0.05) . Conclusion The serum of patients with obstructive jaundice promotes myogenic differentiation of human PMVECs, which is probably one of the mechanisms underlying intrapulmonary microvascular dilatation.

Objective To evaluate the effect of 15-deoxy-△12,14-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2) on endotoxin-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in rats.Methods Forty healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 3-5 months, weighing 220-250 g, were randomly divided into 4 groups (n =10 each) using a random number table: control group (group C), 15d-PGJ2 group, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group, and LPS +15d-PGJ2 group.In group 15d-PGJ2, 15d-PGJ20.3 mg/kg was injected via the tail vein, while the equal volume of normal saline was given in group C.In LPS and LPS+15d-PGJ2 groups, ALI was produced with LPS 6 mg/kg injected through the tail vein, and then the equal volume of normal saline and 15d-PGJ2 0.3 mg/kg were injected, respectively.At 4 h after LPS injection, blood samples were drawn from the abdominal aorta for blood gas analysis, and arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO2) was recorded.The rats were then sacrificed, lungs were removed for microscopic examination, and for determination of wet/dry lung weight ratio (W/D ratio), TNF-α, IL-8 and cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-1 (CINC-1) contents (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) , and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65 and IκB-α expression (by Western blot).Results Compared with group C, no significant change was found in PaO2, W/D ratio, contents of TNF-α, IL-8 and CINC-1, and expression of NF-κB p65 and IκB-α in group 15d-PGJ2 (P＞0.05), and PaO2 was significantly decreased, W/D ratio and contents of TNF-α,IL-8 and CINC-1 were increased, the expression of NF-κB p65 was up-regulated, and the expression of IκB-α was down-regulated in LPS and LPS+ 15d-PGJ2 groups (P＜0.05).Compared with group LPS,PaO2 was significantly increased, W/D ratio and contents of TNF-α, IL-8 and CINC-1 were decreased, the expression of NF-κB p65 was down-regulated, and the expression of IκB-α was up-regulated (P＜0.05),and the pathological changes were attenuated in group LPS+ 15d-PGJ2.Conclusion 15d-PGJ2 can mitigate endotoxin-induced ALI in rats.