ObjectiveTo analyze the processing mechanism underlying the enhanced effect of invigorating spleen and stopping diarrhea of soil-fried Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma（AMR） by analyzing the changes of microstructure， chemical composition and anti-ulcerative colitis（UC） activity before and after soil stir-frying. MethodsThe microstructure and elemental composition of AMR before and after soil stir-frying were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy（SEM-EDS）， to investigate the differences in microstructure and the underlying causes. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry（UPLC-Q-TOF-MS） coupled with UNIFI 1.9.2 natural product analysis platform were used to analyze and identify the chemical constituents in raw and soil-fried products， and multivariate statistical methods including principal component analysis（PCA） and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis（OPLS-DA） were used to explore the differences and sources of chemical constituents between them. A dextran sulfate sodium（DSS）-induced UC mouse model was established. The method of disease activity index（DAI） was used to evaluate the severity of intestinal inflammation. Hematoxylin-eosin（HE） staining was used to observe the pathological changes of colon tissue， enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA） was used to detect the levels of inflammatory factors， Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction（Real-time PCR） and Western blot were used to analyze the expressions of key genes and proteins involved in the intestinal mucosal barrier. The 16S rRNA sequencing was used to evaluate the diversity of intestinal flora， headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry（HS-GC-MS） was used to explore the levels of short-chain fatty acids（SCFAs） in feces. Base on the above findings， this paper investigated the effects of raw and soil-fried AMR on the biological， chemical， mechanical and immune barriers of model animals， and the differences in pharmacological effects and underlying mechanisms from the perspective of regulating the intestinal mucosal barrier in UC mice. ResultsSEM observation revealed numerous hearth soil particles on the surface of soil-fried AMR， accompanied by bubble-like bulges. At the same time， there were many cracks and folds on the surface of the hearth soil. EDS analysis revealed that the contents of Si， Al， Mg and Ca in soil-fried AMR were significantly higher than those of raw products， and these elements constituted the primary components of hearth soil. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS combined with database comparison was used to identify the chemical constituents of raw and soil-fried AMR. In positive ion mode， a total of 132 components were identified， primarily comprising three categories of terpenoids， polyphenols and amino acids. In negative ion mode， a total of 40 components were identified， primarily polyphenolic and glycoside compounds. Among them， the contents of sesquiterpenes and polyphenolic acids were changed significantly before and after processing. Soil-fried AMR could reduce the DAI score of UC mice， alleviate the shortening of colon length， reduce the levels of pro-inflammatory factors such as interleukin（IL）-17， IL-18， γ-interferon（IFN-γ） and tumor necrosis factor（TNF）-α in serum， increase the levels of anti-inflammatory factors such as secretory immunoglobulin A（sIgA）， IL-10， IL-4 and transforming growth factor-β（TGF-β） in serum， increase the expressions of key genes and proteins of intestinal mucosal barrier such as tight junction protein-1（ZO-1）， Occludin， Claudin-1 and mucin 2（MUC2） in colonic mucosa， and improve the disorders of intestinal flora diversity and the levels of SCFAs（P<0.05， P<0.01）. The raw and stir-fried products of AMR also exhibited the aforementioned effects， but they were weaker than the soil-fried products. Additionally， the auxiliary material hearth soil also had a certain pharmacodynamic effect. ConclusionSoil-fried AMR can enhance the protective effect on intestinal mucosal barrier in UC mice. These changes or heating-induced alterations in the microscopic structure and chemical composition of AMR may be attributed to the dual effects of adsorption of hearth soil.

ObjectiveTo analyze the processing mechanism underlying the enhanced effect of invigorating spleen and stopping diarrhea of soil-fried Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma（AMR） by analyzing the changes of microstructure， chemical composition and anti-ulcerative colitis（UC） activity before and after soil stir-frying. MethodsThe microstructure and elemental composition of AMR before and after soil stir-frying were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy（SEM-EDS）， to investigate the differences in microstructure and the underlying causes. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry（UPLC-Q-TOF-MS） coupled with UNIFI 1.9.2 natural product analysis platform were used to analyze and identify the chemical constituents in raw and soil-fried products， and multivariate statistical methods including principal component analysis（PCA） and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis（OPLS-DA） were used to explore the differences and sources of chemical constituents between them. A dextran sulfate sodium（DSS）-induced UC mouse model was established. The method of disease activity index（DAI） was used to evaluate the severity of intestinal inflammation. Hematoxylin-eosin（HE） staining was used to observe the pathological changes of colon tissue， enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA） was used to detect the levels of inflammatory factors， Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction（Real-time PCR） and Western blot were used to analyze the expressions of key genes and proteins involved in the intestinal mucosal barrier. The 16S rRNA sequencing was used to evaluate the diversity of intestinal flora， headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry（HS-GC-MS） was used to explore the levels of short-chain fatty acids（SCFAs） in feces. Base on the above findings， this paper investigated the effects of raw and soil-fried AMR on the biological， chemical， mechanical and immune barriers of model animals， and the differences in pharmacological effects and underlying mechanisms from the perspective of regulating the intestinal mucosal barrier in UC mice. ResultsSEM observation revealed numerous hearth soil particles on the surface of soil-fried AMR， accompanied by bubble-like bulges. At the same time， there were many cracks and folds on the surface of the hearth soil. EDS analysis revealed that the contents of Si， Al， Mg and Ca in soil-fried AMR were significantly higher than those of raw products， and these elements constituted the primary components of hearth soil. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS combined with database comparison was used to identify the chemical constituents of raw and soil-fried AMR. In positive ion mode， a total of 132 components were identified， primarily comprising three categories of terpenoids， polyphenols and amino acids. In negative ion mode， a total of 40 components were identified， primarily polyphenolic and glycoside compounds. Among them， the contents of sesquiterpenes and polyphenolic acids were changed significantly before and after processing. Soil-fried AMR could reduce the DAI score of UC mice， alleviate the shortening of colon length， reduce the levels of pro-inflammatory factors such as interleukin（IL）-17， IL-18， γ-interferon（IFN-γ） and tumor necrosis factor（TNF）-α in serum， increase the levels of anti-inflammatory factors such as secretory immunoglobulin A（sIgA）， IL-10， IL-4 and transforming growth factor-β（TGF-β） in serum， increase the expressions of key genes and proteins of intestinal mucosal barrier such as tight junction protein-1（ZO-1）， Occludin， Claudin-1 and mucin 2（MUC2） in colonic mucosa， and improve the disorders of intestinal flora diversity and the levels of SCFAs（P<0.05， P<0.01）. The raw and stir-fried products of AMR also exhibited the aforementioned effects， but they were weaker than the soil-fried products. Additionally， the auxiliary material hearth soil also had a certain pharmacodynamic effect. ConclusionSoil-fried AMR can enhance the protective effect on intestinal mucosal barrier in UC mice. These changes or heating-induced alterations in the microscopic structure and chemical composition of AMR may be attributed to the dual effects of adsorption of hearth soil.

Objective To explore the adjuvant treatment options for elderly patients or those with low cardiopulmonary function who cannot tolerate lobectomy for peripheral solid pathological stage ⅠA (pⅠA) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of patients with peripheral solid pⅠA stage NSCLC treated with lobectomy and compromised sublobar resection (CSR) in the Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, from 2018 to 2019. The incidence of postoperative complications and independent predictors of postoperative recurrence were analyzed. Patients in the CSR group were divided into a targeted therapy group, a chemotherapy group, and an observation group based on postoperative treatment measures. The 3-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) rate and 5-year overall survival (OS) rate of the three subgroups before and after propensity score matching (PSM) were compared. Results A total of 586 patients were included, including 288 (49.15%) males and 298 (50.85%) females, with a median age of 64.00 years. There were 335 patients of lobectomy and 251 patients of CSR. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications between the lobectomy group and CSR group [RR=0.987, 95%CI (0.898, 1.085), P=0.789]. Multivariate analysis showed that gender, tumor location, and size were independent risk factors for recurrence after CSR. After PSM, 17 patients were enrolled in each of the three subgroups of CSR. Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed that there was no statistically significant difference in the 3-year RFS rate (P=0.115) and 5-year OS rate (P=0.101) between the targeted therapy group and chemotherapy group after PSM. The 3-year RFS rate and 5-year OS of the targeted group were significantly better than those of the observation group (P=0.041, P=0.009). Compared with lobectomy, there was no statistically significant difference in the 3-year RFS rate (P=0.069) and 5-year OS rate (P=0.540) in the targeted therapy group, while the chemotherapy group and observation group were significantly inferior to the lobectomy group (P<0.05). Conclusion CSR for treating stage pⅠA peripheral solid NSCLC in patients with advanced age or poor cardiopulmonary function does not increase the incidence of postoperative complications. Gender, tumor location, and size are independent risk factors for postoperative recurrence. In terms of 3-year RFS rate and 5-year OS rate, adjuvant targeted therapy after CSR is not only superior to observation but also not inferior to lobectomy.

In this study, RAW264.7 cells were employed to investigate the effects of honey-processed Astragalus on their energy metabolism and polarization, and explore the scientific connotation of the enhanced efficacy of honey-processed Astragalus on invigorating spleen-stomach and replenishing Qi. The medicated sera were prepared by intragastric administration of rats with water extracts of crude and honey-processed Astragalus, and the composition changes of medicated sera of crude and honey-processed Astragalus were analyzed by using LC-MS technology. The cell survival rates were detected and the concentrations of medicated sera were screened through CCK-8 assay. The differences of cell phagocytic rates, ATP energy metabolism, and NO secretion between crude and honey-processed Astragalus were evaluated by using neutral red phagocytosis assay, ATP detection kit, and NO detection kit. The effects of crude and honey-processed Astragalus on TNF-α secretion of RAW264.7 cells were detected by employing ELISA kit. The effects of crude and honey-processed Astragalus on polarization of RAW264.7 cells were evaluated by utilizing flow cytometry. The differential metabolites related to glycolysis in cell lysates and culture media were screened by using LC-MS technology. The experiment was approved by the experimental animal ethics committee from Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine (No. AWE202407352). The results showed that the contents of betaine, amino acids, and ononin in the prepared medicated sera of rats treated by intragastric administration with water extracts of honey-processed Astragalus increased compared to those in crude one. The results of CCK-8 experiment showed that there were no cytotoxic effects on RAW264.7 cells in the medicated sera of crude and honey-processd Astragalus at different concentration. The phagocytic index and ATP yield both increased to varying degrees after administration of the medicated sera to cells. The secretion of NO in normal and inflammatory cells increased and decreased respectively, and the effect of honey-processed Astragalus was better than that of crude one. The results of ELISA kit showed that the medicated sera of both crude and honey-processed Astragalus could promote the secretion of TNF-α in a concentration-dependent manner, and the promoting effect of honey-processed Astragalus was stronger than that of crude one. The results of flow cytometry showed that the medicated sera of both crude and honey-processed Astragalus could promote M1-type polarization and inhibit M2-type polarization of RAW264.7 cells, and the effect of honey-processed Astragalus was better than that of crude one. Compared to crude Astragalus, the metabolites related to glycolysis in the cell lysates and culture media of the medicated sera of honey-processed Astragalus were generally on the rise, indicating that the effect on promoting glycolysis of honey-processed Astragalus was better than that of crude one. In summary, honey-processed Astragalus can promote the polarization and energy metabolism of RAW264.7 cells, and participate in positive immune regulation, which is correlated with its enhanced effect of invigorating spleen-stomach and replenishing Qi.

Eight compounds were isolated and purified from the ethyl acetate part of 70% acetone extract of Rehmannia glutinosa by various chromatographic techniques such as silica gel, MCI gel CHP-20, ODS, Toyopearl HW-40C, combined with TLC and semi-preparative HPLC. Their structures were elucidated by modern spectroscopy techniques (NMR, MS, UV, IR), and identified as neomartynoside A (1), osmanthuside B₆ (2), martynoside (3), isomartynoside (4), (E)-p-hydroxycinnamic acid (5), caffeic acid (6), ferulic acid (7), and methyl caffeate (8). Compound 1 is a new phenylethanol glycoside, which was identified as neomartynoside A. Compound 2 was isolated from Rehmannia glutinosa for the first time. In addition, compounds 2, 6 and 7 significantly increased relative glucose consumption, showing potential hypoglycemic activity.

AIM To investigate the effects of rice wine type and wine processing method on chemical constituents and anti-coagulation effect of Angelicae sinensis Radix.METHODS Wine-washed products and wine-stir-fried products were prepared by different types and ages of rice wine,respectively,after which HPLC was adopted in the content determination of tryptophan,chlorogenic acid,vanillic acid,phthalic acid,ferulic acid,senkyunolide I,senkyunolide H,coniferyl ferulate and ligustilide,and PT,APTT,TT were detected in rabbit plasma.RESULTS Phenolic acids and volatile constituents demonstrated lower contents in the wine-stir-fried products than those in the raw product(P＜0.05),while those in the wine-washed products displayed no obvious changes(except for senkyunolide I)(P＞0.05).The contents of volatile constituents in the wine-washed products were higher than those in the wine-stir-fried products(P＜0.05).After being processed with dry rice wine,various constituents exhibited increased contents as compared with those after being processed with sweet rice wine(P＜0.05).Compared with the raw product,prolonged PT,APTT and TT were observable in the processed products prepared by 3-year semi-dry rice wine(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION The optimal rice wine type is determined to be 3-year semi-dry.Wine-washed Angelicae sinensis Radix shows high contents of ferulic acid and volatile constituents,whose activating blood and resolving stasis effect may be stronger.

Inappropriate polypharmacy is common in older patients with co-morbidities, and prescription streamlining can help to ensure the safety of medications for older patients with co-morbidities.In 2023, The Alliance of European Geriatrics Societies(AEGS)summarized the literature on medication review and prescription streamlining to propose 33 recommendations for optimizing polypharmacy and prescription streamlining in older patients with co-morbidities.The strategy suggests incorporating prescription streamlining into the daily practice of geriatricians and clinical pharmacists, and provides recommendations about education and training of clinical staff, development of disease guidelines, policy support, and clinical trial research in older adults aiming to improve the management of polypharmacy.This article explains the key elements of this strategy to provide reference for high-quality healthcare for elderly patients with co-morbid in China.

Objective:To investigate the co-occurrence patterns of psychosocial and behavioral problems among children and to identify associated influencing factors.Methods:A multicenter cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2023. A cluster random sample of 19 176 children aged 6-16 years was recruited from middle-income areas across 10 provincial capitals and municipalities in China. Psychological and behavioral problems, including anxiety, compulsive behavior, social withdrawal, depression, somatic complaints, social problems, schizoid, delinquent behaviors, hyperactivity, sexual issues, and aggression, were assessed using the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist parent version. Co-occurrence was defined as ≥2 concurrent problems. Children were divided into 4 groups by gender and age: boys aged 6-11 years, girls aged 6-11 years, boys aged 12-16 years, and girls aged 12-16 years. Those children who had psychosocial and behavioral problems were further categorized into the single-problem group, and the co-occurrence group based on assessment results. High-frequency co-occurrence phenotypes of children′s psychosocial and behavioral problems were identified. Demographic factors, such as parental employment, education, as well as psychosocial factors like parent-child relationship, screen time and outdoor activity, were investigated. χ 2 test was used to analyze differences between groups. Multivariate Logistic regression modeling was conducted to identify potential factors. Results:Among 14 711 children (7 501 boys, 7 210 girls) who provided effective questionnaires, the detection rates of single problem in the boys aged 6-11 years, girls aged 6-11 years, boys aged 12-16 years, and girls aged 12-16 years groups were 4.9% (171/3 461), 6.2% (193/3 120), 3.9% (158/4 040), and 5.1% (208/4 090), respectively; the detection rates of co-occurrence were 7.6% (262/3 461), 7.7% (241/3 120), 4.9% (199/4 040), and 5.7% (234/4 090), respectively. The overall detection rates of co-occurrence was higher than that of single problem ( χ2=25.47, P<0.001). Among children with co-occurrence, there were varied manifestations: in the boys aged 6-11 years group, the detection rates of social withdrawal (69.8% (183/262)), schizoid-like behavior (68.3% (179/262)), and compulsive behavior (67.6% (177/262)) were relatively high; in the girls aged 6-11 years group, the detection rates of schizoid-compulsive behavior (69.3% (167/241)), delinquent behavior (65.6% (158/241)), and hyperactivity (58.9% (142/241)) were relatively high; in the boys aged 12-16 years group, the detection rates of hyperactivity (78.9% (157/199)), compulsive behavior (67.3% (134/199)), and immature behavior (57.3% (114/199)) were relatively high; in the girls aged 12-16 years group, the detection rates of schizoid-like behavior (89.7% (210/234)), immature behavior (59.0% (138/234)), and cruelty (57.7% (135/234)) were relatively high. Maternal bachelor′s degree or higher ( OR=0.78, 95% CI 0.61-0.99, P=0.038) served as co-occurrence protective factors, whereas having 1 or more siblings, increased parent-child conflict and decreased parent-child interaction time ( OR=1.24, 1.41, 1.36; 95% CI 1.02-1.52, 1.15-1.73, 1.02-1.82, all P<0.05) were co-occurrence risk factors. Conclusions:Children exhibit strong co-occurrence tendencies in psychosocial and behavioral problems. Compulsive and schizoid traits are the predominant co-occurring phenotypes for childhood and girls respectively. ?Familial environment plays a critical role, necessitating ?multidimensional clinical assessments and ?family-centered interventions.

Objective:To investigate the reference intervals of serum uric acid levels in normal-weight children and analyze the factors influencing these levels.Methods:In this cross-sectional study, clinical data were collected from 7 910 normal-weight children, aged 1 month to 15 years, who underwent health check-ups at the Children′s Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine between August 2013 and August 2023. Data included sex, age, pubertal signs, blood pressure, and serum uric acid levels. The participants were categorized into 4 age groups: 1-<12 months, 1-<6 years, 6-<11 years, and 11-<16 years, and were further analyzed by sex. The P5 and P95 percentiles of uric acid values were defined as the lower and upper limits of the reference interval, respectively. Correlation analysis and partial correlation analysis were used to assess the relationship between uric acid and other variables such as age, body mass index Z value, and Tanner stage. Multivariate linear regression was used to compare uric acid levels across gender and age groups, respectively. Results:Among the 7 910 children, the distribution across age groups was as follows: 562 (317 boys) in 1-<12 months, 4 120 (2 366 boys) in 1-<6 years, 2 357 (1 432 boys) in 6-<11 years, and 871 (536 boys) in 11-<16 years, the uric acid levels in boys were significantly higher than those in girls ( P<0.05). Uric acid levels exhibited a positive correlation with age ( r=0.47 , 0.20, both P<0.001), and a weak positive correlation with BMI Z-scores(both r=0.11, P<0.001). Among participants aged 6-<11 years and 11-<16 years, uric acid levels in boys were positively correlated with Tanner stage ( r=0.10, 0.27, both P<0.05), but no significant correlation was observed in girls (all P>0.05). The uric acid levels were significantly higher in boys than in girls in the 1-<12 months, 1-<6 years and 11-<16 years age groups (all P<0.05), but no significant gender difference was found in the 6-<11 years groups ( P>0.05). Uric acid levels exhibited statistically significant variations among age groups ( P<0.001). The reference intervals of uric acid values were as follows in 1-<12 months age group, 157-335 μmol/L for boys and 160-315 μmol/L for girls; in 1-<6 years age group, 180-359 μmol/L for boys and 180-355 μmol/L for girls; in 6-<11 years group, 190-375 μmol/L; in 11-<16 years age group, 237-480 μmol/L for boys and 218-410 μmol/L for girls. Conclusions:Reference intervals for uric acid varying significantly across different pediatric age groups. Sex, and pubertal development status are closely related to uric acid levels.

Objective To explore the behavioral patterns and hippocampal neurogenesis of CHD8+mice,and to provide behavioral and morphological basis for improving autism like behavior and neurogenesis.Methods Genotype of wild type(WT)and CHD8+/-mice was identified.Weight measurement was conducted on both male and female mice of the WT and CHD8+/-strains.Subsequently,a battery of behavioral tests was administered,which included three-chamber test,self-grooming test,nesting test,Y-maze spontaneous alternation test,food burial test,open-field test and light-dark transition test.Afterwards,the mice were administered 2％pentobarbital sodium(2 ml/kg)to induce anesthesia.Their brains were frozen with 4％paraformaldehyde,removed for photography and analysis to identify any alterations in brain size.Western blotting and immunofluorescent labeling were used to detect changes in the process of hippocampus neurogenesis.Results Western blotting analysis demonstrated a decrease in the amounts of chromodomain helicase DNA binding protein 8(CHD8)protein in both male and female mice with CHD8+genotype,as compared to WT mice.There were no notable disparities in body weight between male and female WT and CHD8+mice,as well as in brain size.The three-chamber social behavior test revealed that both male and female CHD8+/-mice had social deficiencies(P＜0.05).During the open field test,there was no significant difference in the total distance moved by male and female WT and CHD8+/-mice.However,the amount of time spent in the central region was considerably lower in CHD8+/-mice compared to the WT mice(P＜0.01).Furthermore,the light-dark transition test revealed that both male and female CHD8+/-mice spent considerably less time investigating the white box compared to the WT mice(P＜0.05).Nevertheless,there were no notable alterations found in self-grooming,nesting,spontaneous alternation of Y-maze,and food burial experiments.In addition,Western blotting result demonstrated a significant drop in doublecortin(DCX)expression(P＜0.001),and immunofluorescent staining revealed a notable reduction in the number of DCX+cells(P＜0.01)in the hippocampus of CHD8+/-mice.Conclusion CHD8+/-mice exhibit social disorders and anxiety-like behaviors,with a decrease in the number of newly generated neurons in the hippocampus and neurogenesis disorders.