Analyzing the spatial distribution pattern and formation factors of medicinal plant resources can provide a scientific basis for the protection and development of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) resources. This study is based on the survey data of medicinal plant resources in 104 county-level administrative regions of Anhui province in the Fourth National Survey of TCM Resources. The global spatial autocorrelation analysis, trend surface analysis, local spatial autocorrelation analysis, hotspot analysis, and a geodetector were employed to analyze the spatial distribution pattern of medicinal plant richness, and its relationship with natural factors was explored. The results can provide a basis for the formulation of development strategies such as the protection and utilization of TCM resources, as well as offer a scientific foundation for the establishment of regional planning schemes for TCM resources in Anhui province. The results indicated that the richness of medicinal plant resources in Anhui province had significant spatial heterogeneity, exhibiting highly clustered distribution characteristics. Cold spots and hot spots presented clustered distribution patterns, with cold spots mostly located north of the Huaihe River and hot spots south of the Yangtze River. Overall, the distribution of medicinal plant resources in Anhui province showed an overall trend of high in the south and low in the north, which was consistent with the overall geomorphic trend of this province. In addition, natural factors such as altitude, precipitation, and vegetation type played an important role in the diversity and spatial distribution pattern formation of medicinal plant resources. The extraction and analysis of the spatial distribution characteristics of natural factors in cold and hot spot regions discovered that the heterogeneity of eco-environments constituted a fundamental condition for the formation of species diversity.
Plants, Medicinal/classification* ; China ; Spatial Analysis ; Conservation of Natural Resources ; Biodiversity

OBJECTIVES: To explore the mechanism of Shenqi Buzhong (SQBZ) Formula for alleviating mitochondrial dysfunction in a rat model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in light of the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway. METHODS: Fifty male SD rat models of COPD, established by intratracheal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) instillation, exposure to cigarette smoke, and gavage of Senna leaf infusion, were randomized into 5 groups (n=10) for treatment with saline (model group), SQBZ Formula at low, moderate and high doses (3.08, 6.16 and 12.32 g/kg, respectively), or aminophylline (0.024 g/kg) by gavage for 4 weeks, with another 10 untreated rats as the control group. Pulmonary function of the rats were tested, and pathologies and ultrastructural changes of the lung tissues were examined using HE staining and transmission electron microscopy. The levels of SOD, ATP, MDA, and mitochondrial membrane potential in the lungs were detected using WST-1, colorimetric assay, TBA, and JC-1 methods. Flow cytometry was used to analyze ROS level in the lung tissues, and the protein expression levels of P-AMPKα, AMPKα, SIRTI, and PGC-1α were detected using Western blotting. RESULTS: The rat models of COPD showed significantly decreased lung function, severe histopathological injuries of the lungs, decreased pulmonary levels of SOD activity, ATP and mitochondrial membrane potential, increased levels of MDA and ROS, and decreased pulmonary expressions of P-AMPKα, SIRTI, and PGC-1α proteins. All these changes were significantly alleviated by treatment with SQBZ Formula and aminophylline, and the efficacy was comparable between high-dose SQBZ Formula group and aminophylline group. CONCLUSIONS SQBZ Formula ameliorates mitochondrial dysfunction in COPD rats possibly by activating the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway.
Animals ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/drug therapy* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Sirtuin 1/metabolism* ; Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Male ; Rats ; AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; Mitochondria/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Signal Transduction/drug effects*

Objective To investigate the effect of esketamine on postoperative depression in frail elderly patients undergoing thoracoscopic radical resection of lung cancer.Methods A total of 88 frail elderly patients undergoing elective thoracoscopic radical resection of lung cancer were assigned randomly(using a randomization table)and in a double-blind way(blinding applies to both researchers and patients)to an esketamine group(Esk group,n=44)and a normal saline group(NS group,n=44).In the Esk group,0.25 mg/kg esketamine was injected intravenously during anesthesia induction,followed by continuous infusion of esketamine at 0.125 mg/kg per hour until 20 min before the end of surgery.In the NS group,equivalent volumes of normal saline were administered using the same method.The primary outcome was the score for the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression(HAMD-17)on days 7 and 30 after surgery.The secondary outcomes included sleep quality and cognitive function.Sleep quality was assessed using the numerical rating scale(NRS)on days 1,3,and 7 after surgery and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI)on day 30 after surgery.Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination(MMSE)on days 1,3,7,and 30 after surgery.The other indicators included the levels of serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF),5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT),S100β protein,and neuron specific enolase(NSE)at 24 hours(T1),48 hours(T2),and 72 hours(T3)after surgery,as well as perioperative data and postoperative safety outcomes.Results Three patients were excluded from the Esk group and the NS group,respectively,and eventually,41 patients in each group were included in the statistical analysis.There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of age,sex,body mass index,American Society of Anesthesiologists(ASA)classification,comorbidities,educational attainment,and the scores for HAMD-17,PSQI,and MMSE 1 day before surgery(P＞0.05).Concerning the primary outcome,compared with those of the NS group,the HAMD-17 scores of patients in the Esk group were significantly lower at 7 days(median[P25,P75])(7[6,8]vs.7[6,12],P=0.045)and 30 days(6[6,7]vs.7[6,9],P=0.020)after surgery.Concerning the secondary outcomes,compared with those of the NS group,the sleep NRS scores of patients in the Esk group were significantly lower at 1,3,and 7 days after surgery(P＜0.01),and the MMSE scores were significantly higher(P＜0.05).Concerning the other indicators,compared with those of the NS group,the concentrations of serum BDNF and 5-HT in the Esk group were significantly higher(P＜0.05 or 0.01)at T1-T3,while the content of S100β was significantly lower(P＜0.01)at T1-T3;the levels of serum NSE were significantly lower at T1 and T2(P＜0.01);the consumption of propofol,sufentanil,remifentanil,and sevoflurane during surgery in the Esk group was significantly reduced(P＜0.05 or 0.01);the incidence of postoperative nausea/vomiting and hyperalgesia was significantly lower(P＜0.01);the duration of postoperative mechanical ventilation,length-of-stay in postanesthesia care unit(PACU),and postoperative length-of-stay in the hospital were significantly shorter(P＜0.01).Conclusion Esketamine can improve the postoperative depressive state,sleep quality,and cognitive function in frail elderly patients undergoing thoracoscopic radical resection of lung cancer.

Objective To explore the mechanism of Shenqi Buzhong(SQBZ)Formula for alleviating mitochondrial dysfunction in a rat model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)in light of the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway.Methods Fifty male SD rat models of COPD,established by intratracheal lipopolysaccharide(LPS)instillation,exposure to cigarette smoke,and gavage of Senna leaf infusion,were randomized into 5 groups(n=10)for treatment with saline(model group),SQBZ Formula at low,moderate and high doses(3.08,6.16 and 12.32 g/kg,respectively),or aminophylline(0.024 g/kg)by gavage for 4 weeks,with another 10 untreated rats as the control group.Pulmonary function of the rats were tested,and pathologies and ultrastructural changes of the lung tissues were examined using HE staining and transmission electron microscopy.The levels of SOD,ATP,MDA,and mitochondrial membrane potential in the lungs were detected using WST-1,colorimetric assay,TBA,and JC-1 methods.Flow cytometry was used to analyze ROS level in the lung tissues,and the protein expression levels of P-AMPKα,AMPKα,SIRTI,and PGC-1α were detected using Western blotting.Results The rat models of COPD showed significantly decreased lung function,severe histopathological injuries of the lungs,decreased pulmonary levels of SOD activity,ATP and mitochondrial membrane potential,increased levels of MDA and ROS,and decreased pulmonary expressions of P-AMPKα,SIRTI,and PGC-1α proteins.All these changes were significantly alleviated by treatment with SQBZ Formula and aminophylline,and the efficacy was comparable between high-dose SQBZ Formula group and aminophylline group.Conclusion SQBZ Formula ameliorates mitochondrial dysfunction in COPD rats possibly by activating the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway.

Objective:To construct a key item checklist for the Mini-HTA report specification,providing scientific guidance for drafting each section of Mini-HTA research reports,enhancing their standardization,scientific rigor,and completeness,thereby improving the efficiency and quality of health decision-making.Methods:Based on preliminary literature review and qualitative systematic review,a pool of problem items for the Mini-HTA report specification was formed.Delphi questionnaires were distributed,and the Delphi technique was employed through two rounds of expert consultation to optimize and select key items.Results:Through two rounds of Delphi expert consultation,the initial Mini-HTA report specification item checklist was screened,integrated,and supplemented.A finalized key item checklist was constructed,comprising 8 first-level items(Title,Abstract,Introduction,Methods,Results,Discussion,Conclusion,and Other Relevant Information)and 48 second-level items.Conclusion:The constructed key item checklist for the Mini-HTA report specification provides scientific guidance for drafting Mini-HTA research reports.It helps enhance the standardization and transparency of the assessment process and the reliability of results,thereby optimizing the efficiency and quality of health decision-making.

Objective:To observe the efficacy and safety of polatuzumab vedotin(pola)combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of relapsed and refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(R/R DLBCL).Methods:A total of 23 patients with R/R DLBCL treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University and its Liangzhu Branch from April 2023 to March 2024 were retrospectively collected.All patients were treated with pola combined with chemotherapy regimens such as BR,R-GDP,R-CHOP,or other regimens.Results:All 23 patients were evaluable for efficacy,with 10 achieving complete response(CR),7 partial response(PR),3 stable disease(SD),and 3 progressive disease(PD).The most common adverse events included myelosuppression,fever,and pulmonary infection.No severe adverse events resulted in drug withdrawal.Conclusion:Pola combined with chemotherapy demonstrates promising efficacy and a favorable safety profile in the treatment of R/R DLBCL.

Objective:To construct a key item checklist for the Mini-HTA report specification,providing scientific guidance for drafting each section of Mini-HTA research reports,enhancing their standardization,scientific rigor,and completeness,thereby improving the efficiency and quality of health decision-making.Methods:Based on preliminary literature review and qualitative systematic review,a pool of problem items for the Mini-HTA report specification was formed.Delphi questionnaires were distributed,and the Delphi technique was employed through two rounds of expert consultation to optimize and select key items.Results:Through two rounds of Delphi expert consultation,the initial Mini-HTA report specification item checklist was screened,integrated,and supplemented.A finalized key item checklist was constructed,comprising 8 first-level items(Title,Abstract,Introduction,Methods,Results,Discussion,Conclusion,and Other Relevant Information)and 48 second-level items.Conclusion:The constructed key item checklist for the Mini-HTA report specification provides scientific guidance for drafting Mini-HTA research reports.It helps enhance the standardization and transparency of the assessment process and the reliability of results,thereby optimizing the efficiency and quality of health decision-making.

Objective:To observe the efficacy and safety of polatuzumab vedotin(pola)combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of relapsed and refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(R/R DLBCL).Methods:A total of 23 patients with R/R DLBCL treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University and its Liangzhu Branch from April 2023 to March 2024 were retrospectively collected.All patients were treated with pola combined with chemotherapy regimens such as BR,R-GDP,R-CHOP,or other regimens.Results:All 23 patients were evaluable for efficacy,with 10 achieving complete response(CR),7 partial response(PR),3 stable disease(SD),and 3 progressive disease(PD).The most common adverse events included myelosuppression,fever,and pulmonary infection.No severe adverse events resulted in drug withdrawal.Conclusion:Pola combined with chemotherapy demonstrates promising efficacy and a favorable safety profile in the treatment of R/R DLBCL.

Lithocarpus litseifolius is rich in the chalcones phloridzin and trilobatin, the biosynthesis pathways of which have not been fully demonstrated. Chalcone synthase(CHS) is the first key rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of flavonoids in plants. To explore the functions of CHS gene family in chalcone synthesis of L. litseifolius, this study screened out two CHS genes(LlCHS1 and LlCHS2) from the transcriptome data of this plant, and then bioinformatics analysis and functional characterization were performed for the two genes. The bioinformatics analysis showed that LlCHS1 and LlCHS2 were acidic hydrophilic stable proteins with no transmembrane domain, composed of 395 and 390 amino acid residues, respectively. Both of them contained the characteristic amino acid sequence "WGVLFGFGPGL" and highly conserved active sites(Cys-164, Phe-215, His-303, and Asn-336) of the CHS family. The phylogenetic tree showed that LlCHS1 shared the same clade with similar genes in Aquilaria sinensis, and LlCHS2 was closely related to similar genes in Malus domestica. Under exogenous addition of phloretic acid, co-expression of LlCHS1 or LlCHS2 with Aa4CL from Aromatoleum aromaticum in Escherichia coli catalyzed the production of phloretin from phloretic acid. This study laid a theoretical foundation for revealing the functions of CHS in plants and provided new enzymatic modules for producing phloretin by synthetic biology.
Acyltransferases/chemistry* ; Phylogeny ; Plant Proteins/chemistry* ; Cloning, Molecular ; Amino Acid Sequence

Objective:To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of the novel prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted PET imaging agent 18F-AlF-P16-093 in combination with multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) for prostate cancer (PCa), and to explore its application in guiding transperineal puncture biopsy. Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical and pathological data of 36 patients diagnosed as PCa (age: 68-76 years) who underwent 18F-AlF-P16-093 PET/CT and mpMRI examinations at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University from August 2023 to March 2024. The entire prostate was divided into 12 regions based on biopsy localization. Imaging evaluations were performed using PET/CT and mpMRI at the lesion level, with biopsy pathology as the gold standard. The correlations between mpMRI scores, PET/CT scores and pathological diagnosis results were evaluated by Phi coefficient analysis. Diagnostic efficacy was assessed by ROC curve analysis. Logistic regression was used to determine the impact of bleeding on image interpretation. Results:18F-AlF-P16-093 PET/CT showed a moderate positive correlation with pathological diagnosis result ( Phi=0.415, P<0.001), which was superior to mpMRI ( Phi=0.338, P<0.001). The diagnostic efficacy of PET single-modality model was superior to mpMRI in all indicators. The combination of 18F-AlF-P16-093 PET/CT with mpMRI significantly improved diagnostic specificity and positive predictive value, with the diagnostic specificity of the PET+ T 2 weighted imaging (WI)+ diffusion WI (DWI) and PET+ T 2WI+ DWI+ apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) combinations exceeding 90%, and the positive predictive value exceeding 80%. Bleeding did not significantly affect the diagnosis of PCa by mpMRI and PET/CT (odds ratio ( OR): 0.463-0.785, all P>0.05). Conclusion:18F-AlF-P16-093 PET/CT is superior to mpMRI in the detection and diagnostic efficacy of PCa lesions, and the combination of 18F-AlF-P16-093 PET with mpMRI can further improve diagnostic specificity and positive predictive value, which is of guiding significance for targeted prostate biopsy.