ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism by which the Shenfu Xiongze prescription regulates autophagy in rats with myocardial remodeling through the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase （AMPK）/mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR） signaling pathway. MethodsA rat model of myocardial remodeling induced by isoprenaline （ISO） was established. Rats were divided into the blank group，the model group，the low-，medium-， and high-dose groups of Shenfu Xiongze prescription，and the captopril group， 6 rats in each group. Except for the blank group，the rat model of myocardial remodeling was established in the other groups by intraperitoneal injection of 2.5 mg·kg^-1 ISO for 3 consecutive weeks. At the same time of modeling， the low-，medium-， and high-dose groups of Shenfu Xiongze prescription were administered the corresponding doses of Shenfu Xiongze prescription solution （8.4，16.8，and 33.6 g·kg^-1），and the captopril group was administered captopril solution （25 mg·kg^-1）. As for the blank group and the model group， the same volume of normal saline was given. The treatment was continued for 3 weeks. Echocardiography was used to observe the cardiac structure and function，and the heart weight index was detected. Masson staining and hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining were used to observe the pathological morphology changes of myocardial tissue. The levels of interleukin-6 （IL-6） and B-type natriuretic peptide （BNP） in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The expression of type Ⅰ collagen （Collagen Ⅰ），type Ⅲ collagen （Collagen Ⅲ），and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 （LC3） proteins in myocardial tissue was determined by immunohistochemistry. Autophagy was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The mRNA expression of Collagen Ⅰ，Collagen Ⅲ，α-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA），LC3，yeast Atg6 homolog protein （Beclin-1），AMPK，and mTOR in myocardial tissue was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction （real-time PCR）. The protein expression of Collagen Ⅰ，α-SMA，transforming growth factor-β₁ （TGF-β₁），LC3，Beclin-1，p62， phosphorylation（p）-AMPK，p-mTOR，AMPK，and mTOR was detected by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the normal group，rats in the model group exhibited significantly decreased values of ejection fraction （EF） and left ventricular fractional shortening （FS） （P<0.01）， significantly increased values of left ventricular end-diastolic diameter （LVIDd） and left ventricular end-systolic diameter （LVIDs） （P<0.01）. Additionally， the model group also showed increased degrees of inflammatory infiltration and fibrosis of myocardial tissue， significantly elevated levels of serum IL-6 and BNP （P<0.01）， significantly increased mRNA and protein levels of Collagen Ⅰ，Collagen Ⅲ，α-SMA，and mTOR （P<0.01），and markedly decreased mRNA and protein levels of LC3，Beclin-1，and AMPK （P<0.05，P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the low-，medium-， and high-dose groups of Shenfu Xiongze prescription presented significantly elevated EF and FS values （P<0.01） and lowered LVIDd and LVIDs （P<0.05）. In these groups， the inflammation and fibrosis were alleviated significantly. They also exhibited decreased serum levels of IL-6 and BNP （P<0.01）， significantly reduced protein expression of Collagen Ⅰ， α-SMA， TGF-β₁， p62， and p-mTOR （P<0.01）， significantly decreased mRNA expression of Collagen Ⅰ， Collagen Ⅲ， α-SMA， and mTOR （P<0.01）， and significantly increased mRNA and protein levels of LC3， Beclin-1， and AMPK （P<0.05，P<0.01）. ConclusionThe Shenfu Xiongze prescription can improve the myocardial remodeling induced by ISO in rats by regulating the autophagy level，enhance cardiac function，and reduce inflammatory and fibrotic levels. This effect may be achieved through the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo screen suitable packaging and storage conditions for small packaged Alismatis Rhizoma decoction pieces， laying the foundation for developing standardized storage， maintenance techniques and determining shelf life. MethodsUsing the accelerated stability test method， the small packaged decoction pieces of Alismatis Rhizoma were placed in polyethylene plastic bags， aluminum foil polyethylene composite bags， and cowhide coated paper bags under temperature of （40±2） ℃ and relative humidity of （75±5）% conditions， the quality testing was conducted at the end of the 0^th， 1^st， 2^nd， 3^rd， and 6^th month， respectively. Using long-term stability test method， an orthogonal experiment was designed to investigate storage conditions， packaging materials， and packaging methods. At the end of the 0^th， 1^st， 3^rd， 6^th， 9^th， 12^th， 18^th， and 24^th month， the quality of small packaged Alismatis Rhizoma decoction pieces was tested under different packaging and storage conditions（including 2 packaging methods：vacuum packaging and sealed packaging， 3 storage conditions：room temperature， cool， and modified atmosphere， 3 packaging materials：cowhide coated paper bag， aluminum foil polyethylene composite bag， and polyethylene plastic bag）. Then， the G1-entropy weight method combined with orthogonal experiment was used to analyze the quality changes of the decoction pieces under different packaging and storage conditions to identify optimal packaging and storage conditions. The quality testing indicators for Alismatis Rhizoma decoction pieces were expanded beyond those specified in the 2020 edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China. In addition to the existing indicators（characteristics， moisture content， extractives， and the total content of 23-acetyl alisol B and 23-acetyl alisol C）， new indicators including color value， water activity， total triterpenoid content， and alisol B content have been added. ResultsThe accelerated stability test results indicated that the quality of small packaged Alismatis Rhizoma decoction pieces was more stable when packaged in aluminum foil-polyethylene composite materials compared to cowhide-coated paper bags and polyethylene plastic bags. Analysis of the long-term stability test results using the G1-entropy weight method combined with orthogonal experiment revealed that storage conditions had the greatest impact on both raw and salt-processed products， followed by packaging materials， while the packaging method had the least influence. For both types of small packaged Alismatis Rhizoma decoction pieces， modified atmosphere storage demonstrated superior efficacy compared to cool storage or room temperature storage. Storage in aluminum foil-polyethylene composite bags was superior to polyethylene plastic bags or cowhide-coated paper bags. However， the stability of sealed raw products was better than vacuum-packed ones， whereas vacuum-packed salt-processed products exhibited greater stability than their sealed counterparts. ConclusionBased on the results of the quality changes of small packaged Alismatis Rhizoma decoction pieces under different storage conditions， it is recommended that the suitable storage packaging conditions for small packaged raw products are sealed packaging with aluminum foil polyethylene composite bags and controlled atmosphere storage， and the suitable storage and packaging conditions for small packaged salt-processed products are vacuum packaging with aluminum foil polyethylene composite bags and controlled atmosphere storage.

ObjectiveTo explore the changes in color， odor and chemical components during wine-processing of Chuanxiong Rhizoma（CR）， identify differential markers， and provide a basis for standardizing the process and establishing quality standards. MethodsFifteen batches of CR samples from 4 producing areas were collected. Colorimeter and electronic nose were used to detect the color changes and odor components of CR before and after wine-processing. Multivariate statistical methods including partial least squares-discriminant analysis（PLS-DA）， principal component analysis（PCA）， discriminant factor analysis（DFA） and Fisher discriminant analysis were applied to identify wine-processed CR at different processing stages and establish discriminant models， and differential components were screened out based on variable importance in the projection（VIP） value1. Then， high performance liquid chromatography（HPLC） was employed to detect the content changes of four components（ferulic acid， senkyunolide I， senkyunolide A and ligustilide） during the processing stages. ResultsThe differences of wine-processed CR at various stages were primarily reflected in color parameters L^*（brightness value）， a^*（red-green value） and b^*（yellow-blue value）. Based on chromaticity differences， the color reference ranges were established for moderately processed CR， including L^* of 46.75-48.24， a^* of 5.37-6.07 and b^* of 20.32-21.70. In odor analysis， DFA revealed significant differences among processing stages， and 11 odor markers were identified， with four differential markers（4-hydroxy-3-butylphthalide， isopropyl butyrate， L-limonene and 1-methoxyhexane） based on VIP values. HPLC results showed that there was no significant difference of the four components except for ligustilide in wine-processed CR at different stages. ConclusionThis study achieved rapid identification of wine-processed CR with different processing degrees by electronic sensory technology and differential component content detection， with discrimination accuracy rates of 92.4% and 93.272% for color and odor， respectively. This paper also established the reference ranges of main colorimetric parameters for wine-processed CR at different stages， and four differential components were screened out， providing a basis for standardizing the processing of wine-processed CR and establishing quality standards for this decoction pieces.

ObjectiveTo explore the changes in color， odor and chemical components during wine-processing of Chuanxiong Rhizoma（CR）， identify differential markers， and provide a basis for standardizing the process and establishing quality standards. MethodsFifteen batches of CR samples from 4 producing areas were collected. Colorimeter and electronic nose were used to detect the color changes and odor components of CR before and after wine-processing. Multivariate statistical methods including partial least squares-discriminant analysis（PLS-DA）， principal component analysis（PCA）， discriminant factor analysis（DFA） and Fisher discriminant analysis were applied to identify wine-processed CR at different processing stages and establish discriminant models， and differential components were screened out based on variable importance in the projection（VIP） value1. Then， high performance liquid chromatography（HPLC） was employed to detect the content changes of four components（ferulic acid， senkyunolide I， senkyunolide A and ligustilide） during the processing stages. ResultsThe differences of wine-processed CR at various stages were primarily reflected in color parameters L^*（brightness value）， a^*（red-green value） and b^*（yellow-blue value）. Based on chromaticity differences， the color reference ranges were established for moderately processed CR， including L^* of 46.75-48.24， a^* of 5.37-6.07 and b^* of 20.32-21.70. In odor analysis， DFA revealed significant differences among processing stages， and 11 odor markers were identified， with four differential markers（4-hydroxy-3-butylphthalide， isopropyl butyrate， L-limonene and 1-methoxyhexane） based on VIP values. HPLC results showed that there was no significant difference of the four components except for ligustilide in wine-processed CR at different stages. ConclusionThis study achieved rapid identification of wine-processed CR with different processing degrees by electronic sensory technology and differential component content detection， with discrimination accuracy rates of 92.4% and 93.272% for color and odor， respectively. This paper also established the reference ranges of main colorimetric parameters for wine-processed CR at different stages， and four differential components were screened out， providing a basis for standardizing the processing of wine-processed CR and establishing quality standards for this decoction pieces.

ObjectiveThis study aims to identify potential risk factors， establish a nomogram prediction model and propose intervention strategies for iron deficiency anemia （IDA） in late pregnancy. MethodsQuestionnaire surveys and routine blood tests were performed on pregnant women who received regular antenatal check-ups at Yangzhou Maternal and Child Health Hospital from July 2022 to December 2023. Of the 500 cases enrolled， 482 completed the trial and were divided into IDA and non-IDA groups based on the presence of IDA in the third trimester. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were employed to identify risk factors for IDA， while R software was used to construct a nomogram prediction model. ResultsThe incidence of IDA in late pregnancy was 19.92% （96/482）. Univariate analysis revealed significant associations between IDA in late pregnancy and factors such as economic independence， preconception body mass index （BMI）， number of pregnancies， and regular iron supplementation during pregnancy （P<0.05）. Multivariate logistic regression showed that economic independence （P=0.031， OR=0.583） and regular iron supplementation during pregnancy （P<0.001， OR=5.337） were protective factors against IDA. Conversely， a low preconception BMI （P=0.021， OR=2.375） and three or more pregnancies （P=0.015， OR=2.253） emerged as significant risk factors. The receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curve analysis demonstrated that the area under the curve （AUC） for the nomogram predicting IDA was 0.84， with an optimal cutoff value of -1.481， a sensitivity of 81.2% and a specificity of 75.1%. ConclusionsThe incidence of IDA in late pregnancy is quite high. A low preconception BMI and three or more pregnancies are risk factors， while economic independence and regular iron supplementation are protective factors. These insights have enabled the construction of a prediction model， which， in turn， could provide guidance for prediction and treatment of IDA in late pregnancy.

Objective: To understand the prevalence and related factors of depressive symptoms among primary and secondary school students in the in depth monitoring counties of China s Rural Compulsory Education Nutrition Improvement Program, so as to provide a basis for prevention and psychological intervention of depressive symptoms among children and adolescents in rural areas. Methods: In November 2022, a stratified random sampling method was adopted to collect height and weight data, basic personal and family information of 7 949 primary and secondary school students from grade three to grade nine through physical measurements and questionnaires in 56 key monitoring schools implementing the Student Nutrition Improvement Program in 7 in depth monitoring counties (Jalaid Banner in Inner Mongolia, Jinzhai County in Anhui, Mao Xian in Sichuan, Tiandeng County in Guangxi, Mian County in Shaanxi, Zhaozhou County in Heilongjiang and Youxi County in Fujian), and to obtain the information related to their depressive symptoms through the self assessment questionnaire on depression. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze the prevalence of depressive symptoms among primary and secondary school students, as well as their related factors. Results: The detection rate of depressive symptoms among primary and secondary school students in the in depth monitored counties was 23.5%. Logistic regression analysis showed that the probability of detecting depressive symptoms was higher among female students, middle school students, students whose video screen duration per day was >2 h, and students whose parents marital status was divorced or widowed ( OR =1.40, 1.64, 1.60, 1.24), and students whose sleep duration reached the recommended standard, whose parents usually accompanied them daily for time was 60-<120 min and ≥120 min, and students whose mothers literacy level was middle school graduation had lower probability of detecting depressive symptoms ( OR =0.85, 0.84, 0.71, 0.76) ( P < 0.05 ). Conclusion The detection rate of depressive symptoms among students in the in depth monitoring area is high, and targeted interventions need to be developed for students to reduce the risk of mental health problems.

[Objective] To investigate the molecular prevalence and genotype of human parvovirus B19(B19) among blood donors in Lanzhou, and provide data support for monitoring the positive rate of B19 DNA in local blood donors. [Methods] A total of 7 644 blood donor samples collected from January to September 2022 were randomly screened using real-time fluorescent PCR, resulting in 23 samples testing positive for B19 DNA. The characteristics of the B19 DNA reactive donors including gender, age, blood donation recruitment and promotion mode, and donation frequency were analyzed using SPSS 22.0. Additionally, the VP1 gene fragment of B19 DNA reactive samples was sequenced and an evolutionary tree was constructed by the N-J method. [Results] The results showed that the positive rate of B19 DNA in Lanzhou was 0.30%, and the positive population mainly consisted of female individuals aged 18-30 years old who were first-time blood donors; furthermore, genotype 1a was identified as predominant. [Conclusion] The positive rate of B19 DNA is low among blood donors in Lanzhou, with genotype 1a being predominant. It is recommended to periodically monitor the B19 prevalence in blood donors and enhance prevention and control measures, thus improving blood quality and safety.

Purpose: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common male sexual dysfunction. Gut microbiota plays an important role in various diseases. To investigate the effects and mechanisms of intestinal flora dysregulation induced by high-fat diet (HFD) on erectile function. Materials and Methods: Male Sprague–Dawley rats aged 8 weeks were randomly divided into the normal diet (ND) and HFD groups. After 24 weeks, a measurement of erectile function was performed. We performed 16S rRNA sequencing of stool samples. Then, we established fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) rat models by transplanting fecal microbiota from rats of ND group and HFD group to two new groups of rats respectively. After 24 weeks, erectile function of the rats was evaluated and 16S rRNA sequencing was performed, and serum samples were collected for the untargeted metabolomics detection. Results: The erectile function of rats and the species diversity of intestinal microbiota in the HFD group was significantly lower, and the characteristics of the intestinal microbiota community structure were also significantly different between the two groups. The erectile function of rats in the HFD-FMT group was significantly lower than that of rats in the ND-FMT group. The characteristics of the intestinal microbiota community structure were significantly different. In the HFD-FMT group, 27 metabolites were significantly different and they were mainly involved in the several inflammation-related pathways. Conclusions Intestinal microbiota disorders induced by HFD can damage the intestinal barrier of rats, change the serum metabolic profile, induce low-grade inflammation and apoptosis in the corpus cavernosum of the penis, and lead to ED.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Tangning Tongluo tablets in the treatment of nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy （DR）. MethodsFourteen research centers participated in this study， which spanned a time interval from September 2021 to May 2023. A total of 240 patients with nonproliferative DR were included and randomly assigned into an observation group （120 cases） and a control group （120 cases）. The observation group was treated with Tangning Tongluo tablets， and the control group with calcium dobesilate capsules. Both groups were treated for 24 consecutive weeks. The vision， DR progression rate， retinal microhemangioma， hemorrhage area， exudation area， glycosylated hemoglobin （HbA1c） level， and TCM syndrome score were assessed before and after treatment， and the safety was observed. ResultsThe vision changed in both groups after treatment （P<0.05）， and the observation group showed higher best corrected visual acuity （BCVA） than the control group （P<0.05）. The DR progression was slow with similar rates in the two groups. The fundus hemorrhage area and exudation area did not change significantly after treatment in both groups， while the observation group outperformed the control group in reducing the fundus hemorrhage area and exudation area. There was no significant difference in the number of microhemangiomas between the two groups before treatment. After treatment， the number of microhemangiomas decreased in both the observation group （Z=-1.437， P<0.05） and the control group （Z=-2.238， P<0.05）， and it showed no significant difference between the two groups. As the treatment time prolonged， the number of microhemangiomas gradually decreased in both groups. There was no significant difference in the HbA1c level between the two groups before treatment. After treatment， the decline in the HbA1c level showed no significant difference between the two groups. The TCM syndrome score did not have a statistically significant difference between the two groups before treatment. After treatment， neither the TCM syndrome score nor the response rate had significant difference between the two groups. With the extension of the treatment time， both groups showed amelioration of TCM syndrome compared with the baseline. ConclusionTangning Tongluo tablets are safe and effective in the treatment of nonproliferative DR， being capable of improving vision and reducing hemorrhage and exudation in the fundus.