ObjectiveTo study the changing law of appearance color and physicochemical properties of Angelicae Sinensis Radix Carbonisata（ASRC） during the processing by color space method combined with statistical analysis， so as to provide reference for determining the processing endpoint and evaluating the quality of the decoction pieces. MethodsTaking processing time（4， 8， 12， 16 min） and temperature（180， 200， 220， 240 ℃） as factors， ASRC decoction pieces with different processing degrees were prepared in a completely randomized design. Then， the brightness value（L^*）， red-green value（a^*）， yellow-blue value（b^*）， and total chromaticity value （E^*ab） of the decoction pieces were determined by spectrophotometer， the color difference value（ΔE） was calculated， and the data of colorimetric values were analyzed by discriminant analysis. At the same time， the pH， charcoal adsorption， and contents of tannins， 5-hydroxymethylfurfural（5-HMF）， tryptophan， chlorogenic acid， ferulic acid， senkyunolide I， senkyunolide H and ligustilide of ASRC with different processing degrees were determined by pH meter， ultraviolet and visible spectrophotometry and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography（UPLC）. Principal component analysis（PCA） was used to analyze the data of physicochemical indexes， after determining the processing technology of ASRC， the canonical discriminant function was established to distinguish the decoction pieces with different processing degrees， and leave-one-out cross validation was conducted. Finally， Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore the correlation between various physicochemical indexes and chromaticity values. ResultsWith the prolongation of the processing time， L^*， a^*， b^* and E^*ab all showed a decreasing trend， and the established discriminant model based on color parameters was able to distinguish ASRC with different processing degrees. The pH showed an increasing trend with the prolongation of processing time， and the charcoal adsorption， and the contents of tannins， 5-HMF， and tryptophan all showed an increasing and then decreasing trend. Among them， the charcoal adsorption， contents of tannin and 5-HMF reached their maximum values successively after processing for 8-12 min. While the contents of chlorogenic acid， ferulic acid， senkyunolide I， senkyunolide H and ligustilide decreased with the increase of processing time， with a decrease of 60%-80% at 8 min of processing. Therefore， the optimal processing time should be determined to be 8-12 min. PCA could clearly distinguish ASRC with different processing degrees， while temperature had no significant effect on the processing degree. The 12 batches of process validation results（10 min， 180-240 ℃） showed that except for 3 batches identified as class Ⅱ light charcoal， all other batches were identified as class Ⅲ standard charcoal， and the chromaticity values of each batch of ASRC were within the reference range of class Ⅱ-Ⅲ sample chromaticity values. The correlation analysis showed that the chromaticity values were negatively correlated with pH and charcoal adsorption， and positively correlated with contents of tryptophan， chlorogenic acid， ferulic acid， senkyunolide I， senkyunolide H， and ligustilide. And both pH and charcoal adsorption were negatively correlated with the contents of the above components， but the charcoal adsorption was positively correlated with the content of 5-HMF. ConclusionThe chromaticity values and the contents of various physicochemical indicators of ASRC undergo significant changes with the prolongation of processing time， and there is a general correlation between chromaticity values and various physicochemical indicators. Based on the changes in color and physicochemical indicators， the optimal processing time for ASRC is determined to be 8-12 min. This study reveals the dynamic changes of the relevant indexes in the processing of ASRC， which can provide a reference for the discrimination of the processing degree and the quantitative study of the processing endpoint.

Objective:To develop and validate a machine learning (ML) noninvasive model based on routine laboratory parameters to preoperatively predict the microvascular invasion (MVI) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:A total of 629 HCC patients who underwent hepatectomy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University between January 2019 and December 2023 were retrospectively enrolled in this study and were divided chronologically into a training set ( n=464) and internal validation set ( n=165). A cohort with 190 HCC patients from Fujian Provincial Hospital were used as an external validation set. Preoperatively demographic features, tumor size and routine laboratory data were collected. All patients were divided into MVI-positive or MVI-negative group. The Boruta algorithm and LASSO regression algorithm were used to screen out related features in the training set. Eight different ML algorithms including multivariate logistic regression, decision tree (DT), random forest (RF), extreme gradient boosting (XGboost), k-nearest neighbor (KNN), support vector machine (SVM), light gradient boosting machine (LGBM) and Naive Bayes were used to construct the prediction models. The predictive performances of these models on training and internal validation sets were evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve with the area under the curve (AUC). The ML model with the highest AUC values was defined as the optimal model and its performance was further validated in the external validation set. The calibration curve showed that the probability value curve was close to the actual occurrence probability curve, and the DCA showed that it could be applied within the threshold probability range of 0.3-0.8 to obtain net benefits. Results:After screening, eight parameters including α-fetoprotein (AFP), protein induced by vitamin K absence Ⅱ (PIVKA-Ⅱ), tumor size, eosinophil count, neutrophil count, creatinine, ApoA1 and total bilirubin were finally selected for the construction of the preoperative prediction model for MVI in HCC. Among all the tested eight ML algorithms, XGboost obtained the optimal performance with an AUC of 0.820 in training set, an AUC of 0.803 in internal testing set and an AUC of 0.758 in external testing set. Further stratified analysis showed that the AUC for preoperatively predicting MVI by XGboost was 0.817 for HCC patients with positive hepatitis B surface antigen, 0.779 for male patients and 0.790 for elder patients. The calibration curves showed good agreement between observed and predicted values and the decision curve analysis curve showed relatively higher net benefits.Conclusions:We successfully established and verified a novel XGboost model based on eight routine laboratory parameters with relatively high and reliable predictive accuracy to preoperatively predict MVI in HCC.

Objective:To develop and validate a machine learning (ML) noninvasive model based on routine laboratory parameters to preoperatively predict the microvascular invasion (MVI) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:A total of 629 HCC patients who underwent hepatectomy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University between January 2019 and December 2023 were retrospectively enrolled in this study and were divided chronologically into a training set ( n=464) and internal validation set ( n=165). A cohort with 190 HCC patients from Fujian Provincial Hospital were used as an external validation set. Preoperatively demographic features, tumor size and routine laboratory data were collected. All patients were divided into MVI-positive or MVI-negative group. The Boruta algorithm and LASSO regression algorithm were used to screen out related features in the training set. Eight different ML algorithms including multivariate logistic regression, decision tree (DT), random forest (RF), extreme gradient boosting (XGboost), k-nearest neighbor (KNN), support vector machine (SVM), light gradient boosting machine (LGBM) and Naive Bayes were used to construct the prediction models. The predictive performances of these models on training and internal validation sets were evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve with the area under the curve (AUC). The ML model with the highest AUC values was defined as the optimal model and its performance was further validated in the external validation set. The calibration curve showed that the probability value curve was close to the actual occurrence probability curve, and the DCA showed that it could be applied within the threshold probability range of 0.3-0.8 to obtain net benefits. Results:After screening, eight parameters including α-fetoprotein (AFP), protein induced by vitamin K absence Ⅱ (PIVKA-Ⅱ), tumor size, eosinophil count, neutrophil count, creatinine, ApoA1 and total bilirubin were finally selected for the construction of the preoperative prediction model for MVI in HCC. Among all the tested eight ML algorithms, XGboost obtained the optimal performance with an AUC of 0.820 in training set, an AUC of 0.803 in internal testing set and an AUC of 0.758 in external testing set. Further stratified analysis showed that the AUC for preoperatively predicting MVI by XGboost was 0.817 for HCC patients with positive hepatitis B surface antigen, 0.779 for male patients and 0.790 for elder patients. The calibration curves showed good agreement between observed and predicted values and the decision curve analysis curve showed relatively higher net benefits.Conclusions:We successfully established and verified a novel XGboost model based on eight routine laboratory parameters with relatively high and reliable predictive accuracy to preoperatively predict MVI in HCC.

Objective To understand the mental health status and influencing factors of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis AIS patients,and to provide a more comprehensive reference basis for clinical intervention.Methods A total of 381 patients were enrolled after screening according to the study criteria,and questionnaires were administered to the patients after informed consent was obtained from the patients and their guardians.Results Of the 381 AIS patients,182 patients,or 47.77%,were screened for mental health problems.Multiple linear regression analysis showed that eight factors,namely,the parents'education level,visual acuity,sleep duration,exercise intensity,self-consciousness,whether or not they were an only child,the nature of the school,and the sleeping position,were the main factors influencing the mental health status of the patients with AIS(P<0.05).Conclusion The high detection rate of mental health problems in AIS patients requires more attention in the 5 factors of parents'education,patients'visual acuity,sleep duration,exercise intensity,and self-consciousness,and correction for the corresponding risk factors to reduce the emergence of mental health problems in patients.

Background::As a non-invasive and effective diagnostic method for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), wild-use of breath test (BT) has demonstrated a high comorbidity rate in patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) and SIBO. Patients overlapping with SIBO respond better to rifaximin therapy than those with IBS-D only. Gut microbiota plays a critical role in both of these two diseases. We aimed to determine the microbial difference between IBS-D overlapping with/without SIBO, and to study the underlying mechanism of its sensitivity to rifaximin.Methods::Patients with IBS-D were categorized as BT-negative (IBSN) and BT-positive (IBSP). Healthy volunteers (BT-negative) were enrolled as healthy control. The patients were clinically evaluated before and after rifaximin treatment (0.4 g bid, 4 weeks). Blood, intestine, and stool samples were collected for cytokine assessment and gut microbial analyses.Results::Clinical complaints and microbial abundance were significantly higher in IBSP than in IBSN. In contrast, severe systemic inflammation and more active bacterial invasion function that were associated with enrichment of opportunistic pathogens were seen in IBSN. The symptoms of IBSP patients were relieved in different degrees after therapy, but the symptoms of IBSN rarely changed. We also found that the presence of IBSN-enriched genera ( Enterobacter and Enterococcus) are unaffected by rifaximin therapy. Conclusions::IBS-D patients overlapping with SIBO showed noticeably different fecal microbial composition and function compared with IBS-D only. The better response to rifaximin in those comorbid patients might associate with their different gut microbiota, which suggests that BT is necessary before IBS-D diagnosis and use of rifaximin.Registration::Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1800017911.

Tryptophan (TRP) is an essential amino-acid and the precursor of many signaling molecules. Under the catalysis of indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase, kynurenine pathway can form its metabolites uroquinolinic acid and quinolinic acid, which is the main channel of TRP metabolism.Through different mechanisms in N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor, they participate in nervous modulation, affect cognitive processes and play an important role in many central nervous system diseases development. Kynurenine pathway is different under physiological and pathological conditions. In addition, there are many rate-limiting enzymes in the kynurenine pathway, which can interfere kynurenine pathway. This article reviews the relationship between tryptophan/kynurenine pathway and cognitive dysfunction.

Objective To investigate the effectiveness of the affinity adsorption material developed by our team for the specific removal of exogenous endotoxin in the blood circulation. Methods Fifteen beagle dogs were intravenously injected with endotoxin to establish a dog model of endotoxemia, and then they were randomly divided into the treatment group(n=10)and the control group(n=5). The treatment group received an extracorporeal perfusion to remove the endotoxin using the self-made disposable hemoperfusion device,while the control group using routine perfusion device. The levels of endotoxin, tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α), interleukin 1β(IL-1β), interleukin 6(IL-6)and interleukin 8 (IL-8)in the blood of the dogs were measured at the beginning and 120 min after hemoperfusion for 120 minutes. The vital signs of the dogs were monitored during the hemoperfusion. Results After successful establishment of the endotoxemia model,the level of endotoxin at the beginning of hemoperfusion in the treatment group and control group was 118.63 ± 27.98 EU/mL and 117.16 ± 22.95 EU/mL,respectively. After hemoperfusion for 120 min,it was 0.039 ± 0.01 EU/mL and 131.98 ± 7.01 EU/mL, showing a significant difference(P﹤0.05). The clearance rate of hemoperfusion in the treatment group was 94.07%. At the beginning of hemoperfusion, the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8 in the treatment group were 1.53 ± 0.27 ng/mL,12.82 ± 1.66 ng/mL,54.77 ± 3.98 ng/mL and 0.25 ± 0.32 ng/mL, and the levels in the control group were 1.53 ± 0.06 ng/mL,13.05 ± 0.18 ng/mL,54.58 ± 0.19 ng/mL and 0.28 ± 0.06 ng/mL, respectively. After hemoperfusion for 120 min, the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8 in the treatment group were 0.13 ± 0.06 ng/mL, 0.70 ± 0.36 ng/mL, 1.62 ± 0.80 ng/mL and 0.01 ± 0.00 ng/mL, respectively, and as for the control group,the levels were 2.26 ± 0.15 ng/mL,15.12 ± 0.18 ng/mL,62.54 ± 0.93 ng/mL and 0.73 ± 0.93 ng/mL. There were significant differences between the beginning and after perfusion for 120 min in those two groups(P< 0.05). Conclusions This affinity adsorption material can effectively remove endotoxin and the inflammatory mediators in the blood of experimental dogs,with a clearance rate of 94.07%.

Objective To investigate the effects of Edaravone on cognitive dysfunction and on protein expression of the mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (MAPK/ERK)signaling pathway in elderly patients with acute ischemic stroke. Methods A total of 100 elderly patients with acute ischemic cerebral stroke admitted to our hospital from January 2011 to December 2015 were enrolled in this study.During the corresponding period ,100 healthy individuals receiving regular check-ups were selected as the control group. The effects of Edaravone on cognitive function in elderly patients with acute ischemic cerebral stroke were assessed.Serum proteins related to the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway were assayed. Results Elderly patients with acute ischemic stroke showed obvious cognitive dysfunction ,and scores on memory ,orientation ,attention ,calculation language and recall significantly decreased(P＜0.01)but returned to normal after Edaravone treatment (P＜0.01).Compared with the control group ,serum protein expression of rat sarcoma (Ras) ,rapidly accelerated fibrosarcoma(Raf) ,hypoxia inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α) ,connective tissue growth factor (CTGF),extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase(ERK1),ERK2 ,MAPK/ERK kinase(MEK), interleukin-1(IL-1) ,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) ,vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) , tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) ,nerve growth factor (NGF)and its receptors was significantly downregulated(P＜0.01) ,while expression of leptin and its receptors was upregulated in elderly patients with acute ischemic cerebral stroke ( P ＜ 0.01 ). Expression levels of the above downregulated proteins clearly recovered after Edaravone treatment ( P ＜ 0.01 ). Conclusions Edaravone has favorable effects on cognition dysfunction in elderly patients with acute ischemic cerebral stroke ,which may be related to the regulation of the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE:To systematically review the efficacy and safety of Moxifloxacin(MFX)in the treatment of acute ex-acerbation of chronic bronchitis (AECB),and provide evidence-based reference for Tational use of MFX. METHODS:Retrieved from PubMed,EMBase,Cochrane Library,Medline,CBM,CJFD,VIP and Wanfang Database,the relevant conference proceed-ings and grey literature were also hand-searched,randomized controlled trials(RCT)about MFX(test group)versus other antibiot-ics (control group) in the treatment of AECB were collected. Meta-analysis was performed by using Rev Man 5.2 software with ITT analysis and PP analysis after literature selection,data extraction and quality evaluation. RESULTS:Totally 14 RCTs were in-cluded,involving 6 058 patients. Results of PP analysis showed,the clinical effective rate in test group was similar to that of con-trol group [RR=1.02,95%CI(1.00,1.04),P=0.06],while bacteria clearance rate was significantly higher than control group [RR=1.07,95%CI(1.04,1.11),P<0.001]. Results of ITT analysis showed,the clinical effective rate in test group was significantly high-er than control group [RR=1.03,95%CI(1.00,1.06),P=0.03],while there was no significant difference in the bacteria clearance rate [RR=1.02,95%CI(0.92,1.12),P=0.73] and the incidence of adverse reactions [RR=0.97,95%CI(0.87,1.08),P=0.52] be-tween 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS:The efficacy of MFX is not inferior to other antibiotics in the treatment of AECB,safety is simi-lar to other antibiotics.