ObjectiveThis study aims to elucidate the potential mechanism of Zuojinwan in improving liver fibrosis through hepatic tissue metabolomics analysis. MethodsTwenty-four mice were randomly allocated into normal group， model group ， positive drug group （silymarin， 100 mg·kg^-1）， and Zuojinwan group （Zuojinwan solution， 2.5 g·kg^-1）， with per group six mice. Liver fibrosis model was induced via intraperitoneal injection of olive oil solution with 10% carbon tetrachloride （CCl₄） （0.5 μL·g^-1， three times weekly for 8 weeks） in all groups except the normal group. During the final 4 weeks， the silymarin group received silymarin （100 mg·kg^-1） by gavage thrice weekly， while the Zuojinwan group was administered Zuojinwan solution （2.5 g·kg^-1） under the same regimen. After the last administration， the levels of liver fibrosis indicators and liver injury markers in serum were detected. The pathological morphological changes of the liver tissues were observed. The levels of liver fibrosis markers α-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA） and Collagen Ⅰ（ColⅠ） were detected. Metabolomics was analyzed on mice's liver tissues. The mice's serum was collected for metabolomics analysis. ResultsCompared with the model group， Zuojinwan significantly improved indicators related to liver fibrosis and liver injury. Compared with the normal group， the model group showed significantly elevated levels of fibrosis markers such as laminin （LN）， hyaluronic acid （HA）， procollagen typeⅢ （PC-Ⅲ）， and type Ⅳ Collagen （Ⅳ-C）， while liver injury indicators such as alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， aspartate aminotransferase （AST）， alkaline phosphatase （ALP）， lactate dehydrogenase （LDH）， and total bilirubin （TBIL）， exhibited a marked upward trend （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the silymarin group showed a significant decrease in the aforementioned indicators （P<0.05）. Notably， compared with the model group， the Zuojinwan group exhibited a significant reduction in all these indicators （P<0.05）， with efficacy comparable to that of the silymarin group. Zuojinwan reduced mRNA and protein levels of α-SMA and ColⅠ in the liver tissue. Metabolomics results revealed that compared with the model group， Zuojiinwan significantly reduced levels of glucose metabolism-related metabolites such as D-fructose 1，6-bisphosphate （FBP）， nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate （NADPH）， sodium beta-D-fructose 6-phosphate （F6P）， dihydroxyacetone phosphate （DHAP）， fumaric acid， and D-glucose 6-phosphate （G6P） （P<0.05）. Serum enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect glucose metabolism indicators and further validate the regulatory effect of Zuojinwan on glucose metabolism. ConclusionThese results suggest that Zuojinwan may improve liver fibrosis by regulating the dysregulated levels of glucose metabolism during the progression of liver fibrosis.

Over the past two decades, genome-wide association study(GWAS) has identified numerous genetic variants and loci associated with heritable diseases. With the gradual maturation and saturation of GWAS methodologies, transcriptome-wide association study(TWAS) offers a novel perspective by linkinggenetic phenotypes to gene expression levels. By integrating TWAS with other multi-omics analyses, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of heritable diseases. This article provides an overview of recent groundbreaking and representative TWAS methods and tools, analyzes their strengths and limitations, and discusses future trends in TWAS development.

Lirispirolides A-L (1-12), twelve novel sesquiterpene-monoterpene heterodimers featuring distinctive carbon skeletons, were isolated from the branches and leaves of Chinese tulip tree [Liriodendron chinense (L. chinense)], a rare medicinal and ornamental plant endemic to China. The structural elucidation was accomplished through comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, quantum-chemical calculations, and X-ray crystallography. These heterodimers exhibit a characteristic 2-oxaspiro[4.5]decan-1-one structural motif, biosynthetically formed through intermolecular [4 + 2]-cycloaddition between a germacrane-type sesquiterpene and an ocimene-type monoterpene. The majority of the isolated compounds demonstrated significant anti-neuroinflammatory effects in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced BV-2 microglial cells by reducing the production of pro-inflammatory mediators, specifically tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and nitric oxide (NO). Further investigation revealed that the lirispirolides' inhibition of NO release correlated with decreased messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS).
Sesquiterpenes/isolation & purification* ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/isolation & purification* ; Animals ; Mice ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics* ; Nitric Oxide/immunology* ; Microglia/immunology* ; Molecular Structure ; Liriodendron/chemistry* ; Monoterpenes/isolation & purification* ; Plants, Medicinal/chemistry* ; Cell Line ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/immunology* ; Plant Extracts/pharmacology* ; China

Objective:To evaluate the potential causal relationship between tinnitus and the risk of Alzheimer's disease(AD)onset using the two-sample Mendelian randomization(MR)method and to clarify its mechanism of action,so as to provide new ideas for early warning of AD.Methods:Genome-wide association study(GWAS)database was used to search the keywords"tinnitus"and"Alzheimer"to obtain the related datasets of exposure factor tinnitus and outcome AD;the tinnitus datasets included ukb-d-4803_11,ukb-d-4803_12,ukb-d-4803_13,ukb-b-14254 and ukb-a-384;the AD datasets included ieu-b-5067,ieu-b-2,ieu-a-297,ebi-a-GCST90027158 and ebi-a-GCST002245.The single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)closely and independently associated with tinnitus were screened as instrumental variables(IVs),and the SNPs associated with AD were used as outcomes.Inverse variance weighted(IVW)method was used to conduct MR analysis to evaluate its odds ratio(OR)value,95%confidence interval(CI)and P value;P<0.05 indicated significant causal relationship.Sensitivity detection used Cochran's Q test to detect the heterogeneity of IVs to evaluate its Q value,df value and P value;when IVW method P>0.05,it indicated no significant heterogeneity;MR-Egger intercept was used to detect horizontal pleiotropy;when the intercept was 0 or close to 0 and P>0.05,it indicated no significant horizontal pleiotropy;meanwhile,leave-one-out method was used for sensitivity analysis.Finally,visualization results were performed using forest plot,scatter plot,funnel plot and leave-one-out plot.Results:A total of 286 SNPs were screened as IVs.All instrumental variables satisfied F>10,suggesting no weak instrumental variable;after screening by PhenoScanner web tool,all SNPs were unrelated to confounding factors.When the tinnitus and AD datasets were ukb-d-4803 and ebi-a-GCST90027158 respectively,there was a significant positive correlation between tinnitus and the risk of AD onset(IVW:OR=1.842,95%CI:1.065-3.188,P=0.029);Cochran's Q test suggested no significant heterogeneity of IVs(Q=9.788,df=10.000,P=0.459);MR-Egger intercept indicated no horizontal pleiotropy(Egger intercept=-0.006,P=0.147);leave-one-out method showed stable results,and no SNP with significant influence on the results was detected.Conclusion:There is a positive causal relationship between tinnitus and the risk of AD onset.Neuroinflammation accompanied by persistent microglial activation to varying degrees may be the common pathogenesis of tinnitus and AD;in addition,depression may also act as an upstream factor to hyperactivate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal(HPA)axis,leading to the progression of relationship between tinnitus and AD.

Objective To systematically integrate the best evidence on pulmonary rehabilitation nursing for patients with tracheostomy after stroke(TAS),so as to provide evidence-based basis for clinical practice.Methods Following evidence-based medicine principles,we conducted a systematic search of literatures related to pulmonary rehabilitation nursing for patients with TAS in databases including UpToDate,BMJ Best Practice,PubMed,China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI),Wanfang Database,VIP Database,and China Biology Medicine(CBM).Literature types included guidelines,expert consensus,systematic reviews,meta-analyses,evidence summaries,and original studies,with the search period spanning from the inception of the database to Jan.2025.Two researchers independently assessed the quality of the included literatures using standardized tools such as Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation-Ⅱ and Joanna Briggs Institute tools,followed by grading and synthesizing evidences meeting the criteria.Results A total of 20 articles were included,including 6 guidelines,5 expert consensuses,4 meta-analyses,3 clinical decision-making papers,1 systematic review,and 1 randomized controlled trial.A total of 32 recommendations were formed,covering 6 dimensions:airway management(8 items),comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation training(8 items),basic treatment(5 items),safety management(4 items),extubation nursing(3 items)and prevention of complications during the peri-extubation period(4 items).The evidence grades ranged from grade A(strong recommendation)to grade B(recommendation).Conclusion This study systematically synthesizes core elements of pulmonary rehabilitation nursing for patients with TAS through evidence-based methodology.The established multidimensional evidence framework provides scientific guidance for improving respiratory function,reducing complications,and optimizing extubation decisions.Clinicians are advised to adapt these recommendations to local contexts for practical implementation.

Objective:To investigate the differences in prognosis between different surgical approaches in elderly patients with advanced ovarian cancer.Methods:Based on the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database, a cohort of elderly patients with advanced ovarian cancer from 2000 to 2020 was established. Through propensity score matching, 2 094 patients were selected from those who underwent two different surgical approaches to form a matched cohort (SEER database cohort), including 1 039 patients who received cytoreductive surgery and 1 055 patients who underwent local resection. Meanwhile, 148 elderly patients with advanced ovarian cancer who were treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University from January 2012 to January 2024 were selected (hospital cohort), among whom 85 underwent cytoreductive surgery and 63 underwent local resection. The prognostic differences among patients who underwent cytoreductive surgery and local resection in two cohorts and stratified by the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging were evaluated, respectively. The relationship between the causes of death and surgical approaches in elderly patients with advanced ovarian cancer was analyzed.Results:In the SEER database cohort, the median overall survival (OS) for patients who underwent cytoreductive surgery and local resection was 37 and 40 months, respectively, with 5-year OS rates of 31.47% and 33.74%, with no statistically significant difference ( χ2=0.78, P=0.378). After stratification by FIGO staging, the median OS for patients with stage ⅢB-ⅢC who underwent cytoreductive surgery ( n=998) and local resection ( n=962) was 38 and 40 months, respectively, with no statistically significant difference ( χ2=0.20, P=0.659). For patients with stage Ⅳ, the median OS for those who underwent cytoreductive surgery ( n=41) and local resection ( n=93) was 17 and 36 months, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( χ2=9.37, P=0.002). Among 2 094 elderly patients with advanced ovarian cancer, 1 581 had clearly identified causes of death. In patients who underwent cytoreductive surgery, the proportions of deaths due to ovarian cancer and non-ovarian cancer were 94.52% (742/785) and 5.48% (43/785), respectively. In patients who underwent local resection, the proportions of deaths due to ovarian cancer and non-ovarian cancer were 91.46% (728/796) and 8.54% (68/796), respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in the distribution of causes of death between the two surgical approaches ( χ2=5.69, P=0.017). In the hospital cohort, the median OS for patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery and local resection was 39 and 51 months, respectively, with 5-year OS rates of 22.85% and 23.81%, with a statistically significant difference ( χ2=6.71, P=0.010). After stratification by FIGO staging, the median OS for patients with stage ⅢB-ⅢC undergoing cytoreductive surgery ( n=29) and local resection ( n=26) was 50 and 51 months, respectively, with no statistically significant difference ( χ2=0.15, P=0.699) ; for patients with stage Ⅳ undergoing cytoreductive surgery ( n=56) and local resection ( n=37), the median OS was 35 and 47 months, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( χ2=6.55, P=0.011) . Conclusions:The survival outcomes of local resection in elderly patients with advanced ovarian cancer are not inferior to those of cytoreductive surgery. For FIGO stage Ⅳ patients, the survival period following local resection is superior to that of cytoreductive surgery.

Objective To investigate the correlation between changes in physiological indicators and altitude,age,and sex among ethnic Tibetan college students living in Xizang on long-term basis upon their first ever visit to a low-altitude region,thereby providing health guidance for long-term residents of high-altitude regions when they visit low-altitude environments for the first time.Methods A cluster random sampling method was used to select 170 healthy first-year college students of Tibetan ethnicity(85 males and 85 females),from Xizang Minzu University.The participants did not have any respiratory,circulatory,or nervous system diseases,nor any family history of such conditions.Based on their responses to questionnaires and the monitoring data of their physiological indicators,an analysis was conducted to assess the incidence and duration of deacclimatization symptoms among these Tibetan college students during the first month after their arrival at a low-altitude region.In addition,the R programming language and the SPSS software were used to analyze the correlation between changes in blood pressure,heart rate,and body weight and the participants'age,sex,and the altitude of their long-term residence in Xizang before and after their arrival at a low-altitude region.Results Statistical analysis revealed that Tibetan college students experienced deacclimatization symptoms within the first week of their first ever visit to a low-altitude region,primarily characterized by dizziness,fatigue,and drowsiness.The incidence was 41.9％among female students and 22.5％among male students.Furthermore,after arriving at low-altitude region,the participants experience an initial decrease followed by a recovery in both blood pressure and heart rate.They gained an average of 1.5 kg in body mass compared with their initial measurements upon arrival in a low-altitude region.Significant differences in blood pressure,heart rate,and body mass were observed among Tibetan students of different sexes and altitudes of their long-term residence in Xizang after their arrival in a low-altitude region.Conclusion After arriving at a low-altitude region,Tibetan college students exhibit marked changes in physiological indicators,showing strong correlations between systolic blood pressure,body mass,etc.,and sex,altitude,and other parameters.

In the Ukraine crisis since 2022,the Russian army has adopted a wide range of strategies for medical support as required by the battlefield,including adjusting the ways of medical evacuation,increasing the number of medical institutions and personnel,optimizing the mechanism for medical supplies,improving rehabilitation and sanatorium facilities,enhancing military medical education and training,developing new health care equipment and field rescue techniques.This paper analyzes the characteristics and effects of these new strategies implemented by the Russian army.

BACKGROUND: The use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) is a major concern for medication safety as it may entail more harm than potential benefits for older adults. This study aimed to explore the prescribing rate, healthcare utilization, and expenditure of older adults using PIMs in China. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using a national representative database of all medical insurance beneficiaries across China, extracting ambulatory visit records of adults aged 65 years and above between 2015 and 2017. Descriptive analysis was conducted to measure the rate of patients exposed to PIM, prescribing rate of each PIM, average annual outpatient visits per patient, average total medication costs for each visit, average annual cost of PIMs for each patient, and average annual medication costs for each patient. Generalized linear model with logit link function and binomial distribution was used to examine the adjusted associations between PIMs and independent variables. RESULTS: In total, 845,278 (33.2%) participants were identified to be exposed to at least one PIM. Patients aged 75-84 years (38.1%, 969,809/2,545,430) and ≥85 years (37.9%, 964,718/2,545,430) were more likely to be prescribed with PIMs. Beneficiaries of the Urban Employee Basic Medical Insurance (UEBMI) and living in eastern and southern regions were more frequently prescribed with PIMs. Compared with patients without PIM exposure (7.5 visits, drug cost of RMB 1545.0 Yuan), patients with PIM exposure showed higher adjusted average annual number of outpatient visits (10.7 visits, β = 3.228, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.196-3.261) and higher annual drug costs (RMB 2461.8 Yuan, Coef. = 916.864, 95% CI = RMB 906.292-927.436 Yuan). CONCLUSIONS The results showed that the use of PIM among older adults was common in China. This study suggests that the use of PIM could be considered as a clear target, pending multidimensional efforts, to promote rational prescribing for older adults.
Humans ; Aged ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Aged, 80 and over ; Male ; Female ; China ; Inappropriate Prescribing/economics* ; Patient Acceptance of Health Care/statistics & numerical data* ; Potentially Inappropriate Medication List/statistics & numerical data* ; Health Expenditures/statistics & numerical data*

BACKGROUND: Bile acids (BAs) facilitate the progression of gastric intestinal metaplasia (GIM). Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) dysregulation was observed along with the initiation of gastric cancer. However, how lncRNAs function in GIM remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the role and mechanism of lncRNA PVT1 in GIM, and provide a potential therapeutic target for GIM treatment. METHODS: We employed RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to screen dysregulated lncRNAs in gastric epithelial cells after BA treatment. Bioinformatics analysis was conducted to reveal the regulatory mechanism. PVT1 expression was detected in 21 paired biopsies obtained under endoscopy. Overexpressed and knockdown cell models were established to explore gene functions in GIM. Molecular interactions were validated by dual-luciferase reporter assay, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), and chromatin immunoprecipitation (Ch-IP). The levels of relative molecular expression were detected in GIM tissues. RESULTS: We confirmed that lncRNA PVT1 was upregulated in BA-induced GIM model. PVT1 promoted the expression of intestinal markers such as CDX2 , KLF4 , and HNF4α . Bioinformatics analysis revealed that miR-34b-5p was a putative target of PVT1 . miR-34b-5p mimics increased CDX2 , KLF4 , and HNF4α levels. Restoration of miR-34b-5p decreased the pro-metaplastic effect of PVT1 . The interactions between PVT1 , miR-34b-5p, and the downstream target HNF4α were validated. Moreover, HNF4α could transcriptionally activated PVT1 , sustaining the GIM phenotype. Finally, the activation of the PVT1 /miR-34b-5p/ HNF4α loop was detected in GIM tissues. CONCLUSIONS BAs facilitate GIM partially via a PVT1/miR-34b-5p/HNF4α positive feedback loop. PVT1 may become a novel target for blocking the continuous development of GIM and preventing the initiation of gastric cancer in patients with bile reflux.
Humans ; RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolism* ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4/genetics* ; Bile Acids and Salts ; Kruppel-Like Factor 4 ; Metaplasia/metabolism*