The American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Cardiology (ACC), in collaboration with multiple professional organizations, jointly released the "Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults" in August 2025. Based on the latest evidence-based medical findings from February 2015 to January 2025, the guideline proposes an individualized treatment strategy grounded in total cardiovascular disease risk stratification, incorporates the novel PREVENT risk assessment model, lowers the medication initiation threshold and control targets for high-risk populations, and provides specific management recommendations for special populations. This article provides an interpretation of these updates and conducts a comparative analysis with the current status of hypertension prevention and treatment in China as well as Chinese guidelines, aiming to offer reference for hypertension control practices in China.

The American Heart Association (AHA) officially released the "2025 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics: A Report of US and Global Data From the American Heart Association" on January 27, 2025. This report systematically compiles the latest statistics on major cardiovascular diseases worldwide, while simultaneously integrating relevant outcome indicators, including quality of care, procedures, and economic costs, and updating the global prevalence patterns and evolving trends of diverse risk factors impacting cardiovascular health, providing essential guidance for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Synthesizing insights from this pivotal report and other relevant studies, this article highlights key findings concerning the global prevalence and mortality of heart diseases, associated risk factors, and emerging diagnostic and therapeutic technologies.

This study primarily investigates the effect of Liuwei Dihuang Pills on the activation and proliferation of female germline stem cells(FGSCs) in the ovaries and cortex of mice with premature ovarian failure(POF), and how it improves ovarian function. ICR mice were randomly divided into the control group, model group, Liuwei Dihuang Pills group, Liuwei Dihuang Pills double-dose group, and estradiol valerate group. A mouse model of POF was established by intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide. After successful modeling, the mice were treated with Liuwei Dihuang Pills or estradiol valerate for 28 days. Vaginal smears were prepared to observe the estrous cycle and body weight. After the last administration, mice were sacrificed and sampled. Serum levels of estradiol(E_2), follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH), luteinizing hormone(LH), and anti-Müllerian hormone(AMH) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe ovarian morphology and to count follicles at all stages to evaluate ovarian function. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of mouse vasa homolog(MVH), a marker of ovarian FGSCs. Immunofluorescence staining, using co-labeling of MVH and proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA), was used to detect the expression and localization of specific markers of FGSCs. Western blot was employed to assess the protein expression of MVH, octamer-binding transcription factor 4(Oct4), and PCNA in the ovaries. The results showed that compared with the control group, the model group exhibited disordered estrous cycles, decreased ovarian index, increased atretic follicles, and a reduced number of follicles at all stages. FSH and LH levels were significantly elevated, while AMH and E_2 levels were significantly reduced, indicating the success of the model. After treatment with Liuwei Dihuang Pills or estradiol valerate, hormone levels improved, the number of atretic follicles decreased, and the number of follicles at all stages increased. MVH marker protein and PCNA proliferative protein expression in ovarian tissue also increased. These results suggest that Liuwei Dihuang Pills regulate estrous cycles and hormone disorders in POF mice, promote the proliferation of FGSCs, improve follicular development in POF mice, and enhance ovarian function.
Animals ; Female ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Mice ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Ovary/cytology* ; Primary Ovarian Insufficiency/genetics* ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone/metabolism* ; Humans ; Anti-Mullerian Hormone/blood* ; Antineoplastic Agents/adverse effects* ; Luteinizing Hormone/metabolism* ; Cyclophosphamide/adverse effects*

This study investigated the effects and underlying mechanisms of vanillic acid(VA) against cardiac fibrosis(CF) induced by isoproterenol(ISO) in mice. Male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into control group, VA group(100 mg·kg~(-1), ig), ISO group(10 mg·kg~(-1), sc), ISO + VA group(10 mg·kg~(-1), sc + 100 mg·kg~(-1), ig), ISO + dynamin-related protein 1(Drp1) inhibitor(Mdivi-1) group(10 mg·kg~(-1), sc + 50 mg·kg~(-1), ip), and ISO + VA + Mdivi-1 group(10 mg·kg~(-1), sc + 100 mg·kg~(-1), ig + 50 mg·kg~(-1), ip). The treatment groups received the corresponding medications once daily for 14 consecutive days. On the day after the last administration, cardiac functions were evaluated, and serum and cardiac tissue samples were collected. These samples were analyzed for serum aspartate aminotransferase(AST), lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), creatine kinase-MB(CK-MB), cardiac troponin I(cTnI), reactive oxygen species(ROS), interleukin(IL)-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-18, and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) levels, as well as cardiac tissue catalase(CAT), glutathione(GSH), malondialdehyde(MDA), myeloperoxidase(MPO), superoxide dismutase(SOD), total antioxidant capacity(T-AOC) activities, and cytochrome C levels in mitochondria and cytoplasm. Hematoxylin-eosin, Masson, uranium acetate and lead citrate staining were used to observe morphological and mitochondrial ultrastructural changes in the cardiac tissues, and myocardial injury area and collagen volume fraction were calculated. Flow cytometry was applied to detect the relative content and M1/M2 polarization of cardiac macrophages. The mRNA expression levels of macrophage polarization markers [CD86, CD206, arginase 1(Arg-1), inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS)], CF markers [type Ⅰ collagen(Coll Ⅰ), Coll Ⅲ, α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)], and cytokines(IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-18, TNF-α) in cardiac tissues were determined by quantitative real-time PCR. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of Coll Ⅰ, Coll Ⅲ, α-SMA, Drp1, p-Drp1, voltage-dependent anion channel(VDAC), hexokinase 1(HK1), NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein(ASC), caspase-1, cleaved-caspase-1, gasdermin D(GSDMD), cleaved N-terminal gasdermin D(GSDMD-N), IL-1β, IL-18, B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2), B-cell lymphoma-xl(Bcl-xl), Bcl-2-associated death promoter(Bad), Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax), apoptotic protease activating factor-1(Apaf-1), pro-caspase-3, cleaved-caspase-3, pro-caspase-9, cleaved-caspase-9, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1(PARP-1), and cleaved-PARP-1 in cardiac tissues. The results showed that VA significantly improved cardiac function in mice with CF, reduced myocardial injury area and cardiac index, and decreased serum levels of AST, CK-MB, cTnI, LDH, ROS, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, and TNF-α. VA also lowered MDA and MPO levels, mRNA expressions of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, and TNF-α, and mRNA and protein expressions of Coll Ⅰ, Coll Ⅲ, and α-SMA in cardiac tissues, and increased serum levels of IL-4 and IL-10, cardiac tissue levels of CAT, GSH, SOD, and T-AOC, and mRNA expressions of IL-4 and IL-10. Additionally, VA ameliorated cardiac pathological damage, inhibited myocardial cell apoptosis, inflammatory infiltration, and collagen fiber deposition, reduced collagen volume fraction, and alleviated mitochondrial damage. VA decreased the ratio of F4/80~+CD86~+ M1 cells and the mRNA expressions of CD86 and iNOS in cardiac tissue, and increased the ratio of F4/80~+CD206~+ M2 cells and the mRNA expressions of CD206 and Arg-1. VA also reduced protein expressions of p-Drp1, VDAC, NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, cleaved-caspase-1, GSDMD, GSDMD-N, IL-1β, IL-18, Bad, Bax, Apaf-1, cleaved-caspase-3, cleaved-caspase-9, cleaved-PARP-1, and cytoplasmic cytochrome C, and increased the expressions of HK1, Bcl-2, Bcl-xl, pro-caspase-3, pro-caspase-9 proteins, as well as the Bcl-2/Bax and Bcl-xl/Bad ratios and mitochondrial cytochrome C content. These results indicate that VA has a significant ameliorative effect on ISO-induced CF in mice, alleviates ISO-induced oxidative damage and inflammatory response, and its mechanism may be closely related to the inhibition of Drp1/HK1/NLRP3 and mitochondrial apoptosis signaling pathways, suppression of myocardial cell inflammatory infiltration and collagen fiber deposition, reduction of collagen volume fraction and CollⅠ, Coll Ⅲ, and α-SMA expressions, thus mitigating CF.
Animals ; Isoproterenol/adverse effects* ; Male ; Mice ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Vanillic Acid/administration & dosage* ; Dynamins/genetics* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Fibrosis/genetics* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Mitochondria/metabolism* ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/genetics* ; Myocardium/metabolism* ; Humans

The zebrafish model has attracted much attention due to its strong reproductive ability, short research cycle, and ease of maintenance. It has always been an important vertebrate model system, often used to carry out human disease research. Its motor behavior features have the advantages of being simpler, more intuitive, and quantifiable. In recent years, it has received widespread attention in the study of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)for the treatment of sleep disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, fatigue, epilepsy, and other diseases. This paper reviews the characteristics of zebrafish motor behavior and its applications in the pharmacodynamic verification and mechanism research of TCM extracts, active ingredients, and TCM compounds, as well as in active ingredient screening and safety evaluation. The paper also analyzes its advantages and disadvantages, with the aim of improving the breadth and depth of zebrafish and its motor behavior applications in the field of TCM research.
Zebrafish/physiology* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical/methods* ; Animals ; Sleep Wake Disorders/physiopathology* ; Epilepsy/physiopathology* ; Neurodegenerative Diseases/physiopathology* ; Fatigue/physiopathology* ; Behavior, Animal/physiology* ; Motor Activity/physiology*

To elucidate the mechanism by which steaming affects the quality of Curcuma kwangsiensis root tubers, methods such as LSCM, RVA, dual-wavelength spectrophotometry, LF-NMR, and LC-MS were employed to qualitatively and quantitatively detect changes in starch gelatinization characteristics, water distribution, and material composition of C. kwangsiensis root tubers under different steaming durations. Based on multivariate statistical analysis, the correlation between differences in gelatinization parameters, water distribution, and terpenoid material composition was investigated. The results indicate that steaming affects both starch gelatinization and water distribution in C. kwangsiensis. During the steaming process, transformations occur between amylose and amylopectin, as well as between semi-bound water and free water. After 60 min of steaming, starch gelatinization and water distribution reached an equilibrium state. The content of amylopectin, the amylose-to-amylopectin ratio, and parameters such as gelatinization temperature, viscosity, breakdown value, and setback value were significantly correlated(P≤0.05). Additionally, the amylose-to-amylopectin ratio was significantly correlated with total free water and total water content(P≤0.05). Steaming induced differences in the material composition of C. kwangsiensis root tubers. Clustering of primary metabolites in the OPLS-DA model was distinct, while secondary metabolites were classified into 9 clusters using the K-means clustering algorithm. Differential terpenoid metabolites such as(-)-α-curcumene were significantly correlated with zerumbone, retinal, and all-trans-retinoic acid(P<0.05). Curcumenol was significantly correlated with isoalantolactone and ursolic acid(P<0.05), while all-trans-retinoic acid was significantly correlated with both zerumbone and retinal(P<0.05). Alpha-tocotrienol exhibited a significant correlation with retinal and all-trans-retinoic acid(P<0.05). Amylose was extremely significantly correlated with(-)-α-curcumene, curcumenol, zerumbone, retinal, all-trans-retinoic acid, and α-tocotrienol(P<0.05). Amylopectin was significantly correlated with zerumbone(P<0.05) and extremely significantly correlated with(-)-α-curcumene, curcumenol, zerumbone, retinal, all-trans-retinoic acid, and 9-cis-retinoic acid(P<0.01). The results provide scientific evidence for elucidating the mechanism of quality formation of steamed C. kwangsiensis root tubers as a medicinal material.
Curcuma/chemistry* ; Starch/chemistry* ; Multivariate Analysis ; Water/chemistry* ; Terpenes/analysis* ; Plant Roots/chemistry* ; Plant Tubers/chemistry* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*

OBJECTIVES: To report the development, validation, and findings of the Multi-dimensional Attention Rating Scale (MARS), a self-report tool crafted to evaluate six-dimension attention levels. METHODS: The MARS was developed based on Classical Test Theory (CTT). Totally 202 highly educated healthy adult participants were recruited for reliability and validity tests. Reliability was measured using Cronbach's alpha and test-retest reliability. Structural validity was explored using principal component analysis. Criterion validity was analyzed by correlating MARS scores with the Toronto Hospital Alertness Test (THAT), the Attentional Control Scale (ACS), and the Attention Network Test (ANT). RESULTS: The MARS comprises 12 items spanning six distinct dimensions of attention: focused attention, sustained attention, shifting attention, selective attention, divided attention, and response inhibition.As assessed by six experts, the content validation index (CVI) was 0.95, the Cronbach's alpha for the MARS was 0.78, and the test-retest reliability was 0.81. Four factors were identified (cumulative variance contribution rate 68.79%). The total score of MARS was correlated positively with THAT (r = 0.60, P < 0.01) and ACS (r = 0.78, P < 0.01) and negatively with ANT's reaction time for alerting (r = -0.31, P = 0.049). CONCLUSIONS The MARS can reliably and validly assess six-dimension attention levels in real-world settings and is expected to be a new tool for assessing multi-dimensional attention impairments in different mental disorders.
Humans ; Adult ; Male ; Attention/physiology* ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Reproducibility of Results ; Young Adult ; Psychometrics

This study was aimed at investigating the immunoregulatory function of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Rv3641c gene in modulating host type Ⅰ interferon responses.The shuttle plasmid pMV261 was used to construct Rv3641c overexpression recombinant Mycobacterium smegmatis,and the biological characteristics of the recombinant bacteria were analyzed to explore the effect of Rv3641c on the growth curve,colony morphology and stress resistance of Mycobacterium.Subsequently,RAW264.7 cells were infected with Rv3641c overexpressing Mycobacterium smegmatis,and the transcriptional expression of genes related to the inhibition of type I inter-feron pathway was determined by RT-PCR.The expression level of IFN-βprotein was determined by ELISA,and the intracellular sur-vival level was determined.As a result,the recombinant rMS::pMV261-Rv3641c was successfully constructed.The results of biologi-cal characteristics analysis showed that Rv3641c did not affect the growth of mycobacteria,but significantly changed the colony mor-phology of mycobacteria and improved its resistance to H2O2.The results of recombinant bacteria infection experiments showed that Rv3641c significantly down-regulated the transcription levels of IFN-α,IFN-βand downstream ISGs genes CXCL10,IFIT2 and IL-1β in host cells,and Rv3641c significantly down-regulated the transcription levels of IFN-α,IFN-βand downstream ISGs genes CXCL10,IFIT2 and IL-1βin host cells.The results of intracellular colonization experiments showed that the intracellular mycobacte-ria in the overexpression recombinant bacteria infection group were significantly higher than those in the empty vector group,indicat-ing that Rv3641c could promote the intracellular surviv al of mycobacteria.In summary,the Rv3641c gene of M.tuberculosis can inhibit the host type I interferon response and promote the intracellular survival of M.tuberculosis,which provides a new idea for further explor-ing the immune escape function of M.tuberculosis and the discovery of new targets for anti-tuberculosis drugs.

Objective:To investigate the short-term pulmonary function outcomes in children with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) following surgery and analyze the influencing factors of poor outcomes.Methods:This study retrospectively enrolled 81 children who had undergone surgery for CDH and were discharged after recovery at the Department of Neonatal Surgery, Children's Hospital of Capital Institute of Pediatrics from January 2020 to June 2023. All children had pulmonary function tests before discharge, 6 months to 2 year after discharge. Changes in the pulmonary function parameters at different time points were compared. Based on the results of the final pulmonary function test after discharge, these patients were categorized into a favorable outcome group (32 cases) with normal pulmonary function and an unfavorable outcome group (49 cases) with pulmonary dysfunction. Clinical data of the two groups were compared using two independent samples t-test, rank-sum test, Chi-square test, or Fisher's exact test. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the factors influencing pulmonary function outcomes. Results:A total of 81 cured and discharged CDH children were included in this study, comprising 34 males (42.0%) and 47 females (58.0%). The first two pulmonary function tests were performed at a mean postnatal age of (30.1±14.1) d (14-75 d) and (8.3±1.3) months (4 months and 14 d to 12 months), respectively. Pre-discharge pulmonary function tests revealed that 13 cases (16.0%) had nearly normal pulmonary function, while 68 cases (84.0%) showed pulmonary function abnormalities with seven cases of restrictive ventilatory dysfunction, 56 cases of obstructive ventilatory dysfunction, and five cases of mixed ventilatory dysfunction. In the children with abnormal pulmonary function before discharge, their second pulmonary function tests showed that some parameters including tidal volume [(7.49±1.35) ml/kg vs. (8.02±2.21) ml/kg], the ratio of time to peak tidal expiratory flow and expiratory time [(23.21±4.95)% vs. (26.50±5.48)%], the ratio of volume to peak expiratory flow and expiratory volume [(26.41±5.79)% vs. (27.55±5.20)%], respiratory system compliance per kg body weight during single occlusion [(0.93±0.22) ml/(cmH 2O·kg) vs. (0.96±0.25) ml/(cmH 2O·kg), 1 cmH 2O=0.098 kPa], functional residual capacity [(52.18±17.83) ml vs. (126.39±26.73) ml], and respiratory system resistance in single occlusion condition [(0.06±0.02) cmH 2O/(ml·s) vs. (0.05±0.01) cmH 2O/(ml·s)] improved after discharge ( t values were－2.41,－6.14,－7.68,－2.26,－18.94, and 4.87, all P<0.05). Eight children with obstructive ventilatory dysfunction were followed up for two years after surgery, of which three had normal lung function and five still showed mild to moderate obstructive ventilatory dysfunction. Logistic regression analysis indicated that liver herniation, severe pulmonary hypertension (PH), low observed-to-expected lung-to-head ratio (o/e LHR), grade C/D diaphragmatic defect, and prolonged invasive ventilation were risk factors for poor pulmonary outcomes [ OR(95% CI) were 5.655(1.410-22.676), 5.610 (1.589-19.804),4.183 (1.234-14.180) and 1.195(1.074- 1.329), all P<0.05]. Conclusions:Although lung function parameters of CDH patients show certain improvement after surgery, many children still have mild to moderate obstructive ventilatory dysfunction, requiring long-term follow-up. Prenatal and postnatal indicators such as liver herniation, severe PH, and low o/e LHR can predict the pulmonary outcomes of children with CDH.

BACKGROUND:Studies have shown that patients with premature ovarian failure have changes in the structure of intestinal flora and that imbalance of intestinal microbiota may be one of the important mechanisms in the development of premature ovarian failure. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of Liuwei Dihuang Wan on oxidative stress and intestinal microbiota in premature ovarian failure mice induced by cyclophosphamide. METHODS:Forty-five female ICR mice were randomized into three groups:blank group(normal mice),model group(premature ovarian failure mice),and Liuwei Dihuang Wan group.A mouse model of premature ovarian failure was prepared by one-time intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide(120 mg/kg)in the latter two groups.After successful modeling,the Liuwei Dihuang Wan group was intragastrically administered for 28 continuous days,and the other two groups were intragastrically administered with the same amount of normal saline for 28 days.Mouse body mass was recorded weekly and ovarian index was calculated.The development of mouse follicles was observed using hematoxylin-eosin staining.ELISA method was used to detect serum levels of anti-Mullerian hormone,estradiol,follicle stimulating hormone,superoxide dismutase,glutathione peroxidase,and malondialdehyde.Meanwhile,the gut microbiome of all mice was detected through 16S rDNA sequencing. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The mice in the model group had loose hair,decreased vigor and grip strength,almost no increase in body mass,and decreased ovarian index.Whereas,the mouse body mass and ovarian index were increased after treatment with Liuwei Dihuang Wan(P<0.05).The estrous cycle of mice in the model group was disorganized;Liuwei Dihuang Wan could restore the estrous cycle and reduce the number of atretic follicles in mice with premature ovarian failure.The serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone and malondialdehyde in the model group significantly increased(P<0.01),while the levels of estradiol,anti-Mullerian hormone,superoxide dismutase,and glutathione peroxidase significantly decreased(P<0.01).Liuwei Dihuang Wan could significantly decrease the serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone and malondialdehyde(P<0.01),and increase the levels of estradiol,anti-Mullerian hormone,superoxide dismutase,and glutathione peroxidase.According to the 16S rDNA sequencing results,Liuwei Dihuang Wan could regulate the abundance and diversity of intestinal microbiota,and increase the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria.KEGG pathway analysis showed that the intestinal microbiota and metabolic pathways,biosynthesis of secondary metabolites,microbial metabolism in different environments,and biosynthesis of amino acids were regulated by Liuwei Dihuang Wan.To conclude,the changes in the structure of intestinal microbiome may be one of the potential mechanisms of Liuwei Dihuang Wan in treating premature ovarian failure.Liuwei Dihuang Wan can regulate the structure of intestinal microbiome,increase the number of beneficial bacteria,reduce the number of harmful bacteria,and thus improve the balance of intestinal microbiota.This regulatory effect helps to reduce oxidative stress levels and further inhibit ovarian oxidative stress in mice with premature ovarian failure.