OBJECTIVE To establish a content determination method for multiple components in Sophora flavescens from different origins and to evaluate its quality by combining with chemometrics. METHODS Thirteen batches （No. K1-K13） of S. flavescens from different origins were selected as test samples. A high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem triple quadrupole mass spectrometry （HPLC-MS/MS） method was established to determine the contents of 12 components， including matrine， oxymatrine， betaine， cytisine， N-methylcytisine， sophoridine， genistein， sophoricoside， sophorone， formononetin， sophorolone Ⅰ and norkurarinone in S. flavescens. Chromatographic separation was performed on a Shim-pack GIST-HP C18 column with a mobile phase consisting of methanol （A） and water containing 0.1% formic acid （B）， using gradient elution at a flow rate of 0.25 mL/min， column temperature of 35 ℃， and an injection volume of 3 μL. Mass spectrometry was conducted using an electrospray ionization source with positive and negative ion scanning. Data were collected in segments using the multiple reaction monitoring mode. Technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution （TOPSIS） and grey relational analysis （GRA）methods were employed to compare and comprehensively evaluate the 13 batches of S. flavescens from different origins. RESULTS The methodological validation for the content determination met the relevant regulatory requirements. The contents of the 12 components were 490.66-1 231.00， 11 088.10- 18 021.50， 7.91-25.38， 903.97-1 713.64， 336.08-1 485.54，1 065.33-2 075.50， 27.52-71.80， 109.36-517.83， 6 034.55-10 632.73， 21.26-145.35， 814.84-1 911.32， 1 040.87-3 446.37 μg/g）， respectively. TOPSIS results showed that the top 7 samples in Euclidean distance ranking were K6， K12， K11， K3， K5， K10， K13. The GRA results showed that the top 7 samples in the relative correlation ranking were K12， K11， K10， K6， K13， K5， K3. CONCLUSIONS The established HPLC-MS/MS method is rapid， accurate， highly sensitive， stable and reliable. Combined with chemometrics methods， it can be used for the quality control and evaluation of S. flavescens. The comprehensive quality of samples K3， K5， K6（ from Hebei）， K10（ from Sichuan）， K11-K13（ from Shanxi）， etc. is relatively superior.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality based on the 10-year population-based multicenter prospective study. METHODS: A general population-based multicenter prospective study was conducted at four sites in rural China between 2013 and 2023. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to assess the association between BMI and mortality. Stratified analyses were performed based on the individual characteristics of the participants. RESULTS: Overall, 19,107 participants with a sum of 163,095 person-years were included and 1,910 participants died. The underweight (< 18.5 kg/m ²) presented an increase in all-cause mortality (adjusted hazards ratio [ aHR] = 2.00, 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 1.66-2.41), while overweight (≥ 24.0 to < 28.0 kg/m ²) and obesity (≥ 28.0 kg/m ²) presented a decrease with an aHR of 0.61 (95% CI: 0.52-0.73) and 0.51 (95% CI: 0.37-0.70), respectively. Overweight ( aHR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.67-0.86) and mild obesity ( aHR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.59-0.87) had a positive impact on mortality in people older than 60 years. All-cause mortality decreased rapidly until reaching a BMI of 25.7 kg/m ² ( aHR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.98) and increased slightly above that value, indicating a U-shaped association. The beneficial impact of being overweight on mortality was robust in most subgroups and sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION This study provides additional evidence that overweight and mild obesity may be inversely related to the risk of death in individuals older than 60 years. Therefore, it is essential to consider age differences when formulating health and weight management strategies.
Humans ; Body Mass Index ; China/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Rural Population/statistics & numerical data* ; Aged ; Follow-Up Studies ; Adult ; Mortality ; Cause of Death ; Obesity/mortality* ; Overweight/mortality*

Objective:To evaluate the diagnostic performance of radiomics model based on contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS) in predicting pathological complete response(pCR) after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy(nCRT) in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer(LARC).Methods:One hundred and six patients with LARC who underwent total mesorectal excision after nCRT between April 2018 and April 2023 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University were retrospectively included, the patients were randomly divided into a training set of 63(14 pCR patients) and a validation set of 43(12 pCR patients) in a 6∶4 ratios. Radiomics features were extracted from the tumors′ region of interest of CEUS images based on PyRadiomics. Intra-class correlation coefficient(ICC), Mann-Whitney U test, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO) algorithms were used to reduce features dimension. Finally, 7 radiomics features relevanted to pCR were selected to construct an ultrasomics model using elastic network regression, based on the R language. A combined model was constructed by jointing clinical feature. The performance of the models was assessed with the area under the ROC curve(AUC). Results:The AUC of the ultrasomics model and the combined model was 0.695(95% CI=0.532-0.859) and 0.726(95% CI=0.584-0.868) respectively in the training set. The AUC of the ultrasomics model and the combined model was 0.763(95% CI=0.625-0.902) and 0.790(95% CI=0.653-0.928) respectively in the validation set. Both univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses showed that CA199( P<0.05) and ultrasomics score( P<0.001) could be an independent predictor of pCR after nCRT in patients with LARC. Conclusions:The CEUS-based radiomics scores has certain predictive value for whether LARC patients achieve pCR after nCRT, and may provide a non-invasive imaging biomarker for predicting LARC patients achieve pCR after nCRT.

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α)is a nuclear transcription factor.Under high glucose and hypoxia conditions,the expression of HIF-1α is elevated,result in the increased expression of its downstream target genes VEGF,HO-1 and BNIP3,which affect angiogenesis,extra cellular matrix deposition,iron metabolism,and mito-phagy,participating in the occurrence and development of diabetic kidney disease(DKD).In addition,HIF-1α promotes inflammation and renal fibrosis by affecting the production of cytokines in DKD.

ObjectiveThis study aims to examine the effect of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma-Coptidis Rhizoma on reducing insulin resistance in db/db mice by regulating the adenylate activated protein kinase （AMPK）/UNC-51-like kinase 1 （ULK1）/key molecule of autophagy， benzyl chloride 1 （Beclin1） pathway and elucidate the underlying mechanism. MethodSixty 6-week-old male db/db mice were studied. They were randomly divided into the model group， metformin group （0.26 g·kg^-1）， and low-， middle-， and high-dose groups （2.25， 4.5， 9 g·kg^-1） of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma-Coptidis Rhizoma. A blank group of db/m mice of the same age was set， with 12 mice in each group. After eight weeks of continuous intragastric administration， the blank group and model group received distilled water intragastrically once a day. The survival status of the mice was observed， and fasting blood glucose （FBG） was measured using a Roche blood glucose device. Fasting serum insulin （FINS） was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay， and the insulin resistance index （HOMA-IR） was calculated. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was performed to observe the pathological changes in the liver of the mice. The protein expression levels of AMPK， Beclin1， autophagy associated protein 5 （Atg5）， and p62 in liver tissue were determined by using Western blot. The protein expression levels of autophagy associated protein 1 light chain 3B （LC3B） and ULK1 in liver tissue were determined using immunofluorescence. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR （Real-time PCR） was used to measure mRNA expression levels of AMPK， Beclin1， Atg5， ULK1， and p62. ResultCompared with the blank group， the model group exhibited a significant increase in body mass （P<0.01）. Additionally， the levels of FBG， FINS， and HOMA-IR significantly changed （P<0.01）. The structure of liver cells was disordered. The protein expression levels of AMPK， Beclin1， and Atg5 in liver tissue were significantly decreased （P<0.01）， while the expression level of p62 protein was significantly increased （P<0.01）. The expression levels of mRNA and proteins were consistent. Compared with the model group， the body mass of the metformin group and high and medium-dose groups of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma-Coptidis Rhizoma was significantly decreased （P<0.05）. FBG， FINS， and HOMA-IR were significantly decreased （P<0.05，P<0.01）. After treatment， the liver structure damage in each group was alleviated to varying degrees. The protein expressions of AMPK， Beclin1， Atg5， LC3B， and ULK1 were increased （P<0.05，P<0.01）， while the protein expression of p62 was decreased （P<0.01）. The expression levels of mRNA and proteins were generally consistent. ConclusionThe combination of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma-Coptidis Rhizoma can effectively improve liver insulin resistance， regulate the AMPK autophagy signaling pathway， alleviate insulin resistance in db/db mice， and effectively prevent the occurrence and development of type 2 diabetes.

Objective:The study aimed to analyze the risk variables influencing the prognosis of patients with sepsis-associated delirium (SAD) in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and build a prediction nomogram.Methods:This was a retrospective cohort study that includes patients with SAD in the Medical Information Mart for Intensive CareⅢ database (MIMIC-Ⅲ) database as training cohort, and patients who were hospitalized in the First Hospital of Jiaxing from January 2021 to September 2022 as validation cohort. Inclusion criteria: (1) age≥18 years old; (2) being admitted to the ICU for the first time; (3) the length of ICU stay≥24 h; (4) consistent with the diagnosis of sepsis; (5) the diagnosis of delirium was identified by CAM-ICU questionnaire. The general information, vital signs, past medical history and laboratory examination results of the patients were collected, and the outcome was 28-day mortality. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify independent influencing factors and the nomogram was constructed. The validity of the prediction model was determined using multiple indicators, including calibration curve, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), decision curve analysis (DCA), and Hosmer-Lemeshow test.Results:A total of 250 patients were included in the training cohort and 154 patients were in the validation cohort. The multiple logistic regression demonstrated that age ( OR=1.057, 95% CI: 1.030-1.084, P<0.001), respiratory frequency ( OR=1.117, 95% CI: 1.037-1.202, P=0.003), lactic acid ( OR=1.137, 95% CI:1.011-1.279, P=0,032), hemoglobin ( OR=0.983, 95% CI: 0.970-0.997, P=0.020), SOFA score ( OR=1.184, 95% CI: 1.070-1.309, P=0.001) were independent risk factors associated with the 28-day mortality of patients with SAD. The AUC of the nomogram created by the five factors above was 0.773 (95% CI: 0.705-0.841), and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed that the model was a good fit ( P=0.875). The DCA curve indicates that the model has potential net benefit. The AUC was 0.864 (95% CI: 0.799-0.928) in the validation cohort, and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed that the model was a good fit ( P=0.488). The DCA curve indicates that the model of the validation cohort had potential net benefit. Conclusion:The prediction model based on age, respiratory frequency, lactate, hemoglobin, and SOFA scores shows valuable capability of predicting the prognosis of patients with SAD, which could help clinicians identify risk factors at first time and make earlier intervention.

Objective To explore the intrinsic connectivity alterations of brain-wide functional networks in patient with trigeminal neuralgia(TN)via combining resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging(rs-fMRI)and graph theory methods.Methods A total of 41 patients with TN(TN group)and 41 healthy controls(HC)(HC group)were recruited,and differences in network topologyat-tributes and correlations with clinical variables were analyzed between the two groups.Results Both groups met the σ standard.The global efficiency(Eg)of TN group was lower than that of HC group(P＜0.05),whereas the λ of TN group was higher than that of HC group(P＜0.05).The node efficiency(Ne)of bilateral rectus gyrus and bilateral pallidum of TN group were significantly higher than those of HC group,while the Ne of left supraparietal gyrus,left angular gyrus,left post-central gyrus,bilateral marginal supraparietal gyrus,and left caudate nucleus of TN group were significantly lower than those of HC group(P＜0.05).The local efficiency(Eloc)of the TN group was negatively correlated with the visual analogue scale(VAS)score(P＜0.05),the clustering coefficient(Cp)of the TN group was negatively correlated with the short-form McGill pain questionnaire(SF-MPQ)sensory score(P＜0.05),and the Ne of right rectus gyrus of the TN group was positively correlated with the disease duration(P＜0.05).Conclusion The TN group retain σ,but the overall information transfer efficiency of the brain is reduced and functional integration is diminished.Several brain regions in the TN group has abnormal Ne,which provide an objective basis for altered brain functional networks in TN.

Objective:To analyze and evaluate the current situation of falls in the frail elderly population, and to provide a reliable basis for formulating measures for fall prevention.Methods:CNKI, VIP Database, Wanfang Database, China Biomedical Database, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Sinomed were searched, and cross-sectional studies on falls in the frail elderly population were searched, and the search time limit was established until June 30, 2023. Two review authors independently screened studies, extracted data, assessed the risk of bias of included studies, and Meta-analyses were performed using Stata 16.0 software and RevMan5.4.Results:A total of 12 cross-sectional studies with a total sample size of 4 597 cases were included. Meta-analysis showed that the incidence of falls in the frail elderly population was 39.9% (1 834/4 597). The results of subgroup analysis showed that there was significant difference in the female, age, chronic pain, body mass index, live alone ( P<0.05). The incidence of falls in male and female was 25.9%(640/2 471) and 40.7%(1 005/2 471), respectively. The incidence of falls in the aged 60-69, 70-79 and over 80 years old was 25.7%(470/1 831), 30.6% (560/1 831) and 46.8%(857/1 831), respectively. The incidence of falls in body mass index < 18.5, 18.5-24.0, >24.0 kg/m 2 was 12.29%(63/512), 9.58%(49/512) and 19.89%(101/512), respectively. The incidence of falls in with or without chronic pain was 33.55%(181/541) and 16.03%(87/541), respectively. The incidence of falls in living alone and not living alone was 32.3%(524/1 624) and 16.9%(274/1 624), respectively. Conclusions:The incidence of falls in the frail elderly population is at a relatively high level. Women, older adults, overweight, have chronic pain and live alone have a higher incidence of falls.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanisms of Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BYHWD) modulating the gut microbiome and trimethylamine oxide (TAMO) to exert cardioprotective effects. METHODS: Ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery was performed in rats to induce heart failure (HF). Except for the sham-operation group (n=10), 36 operation-induced models were randomized into 3 groups using a random number table (n=12 in each group): the model group, the BYHWD group (15.02 g/kg BYHWD), and the positive group (4.99 g/kg metoprolol succinate). After 4-week treatment (once daily by gavage), echocardiography was applied to evaluate the cardiac function and the Tei index (the ratio of ventricular isovolumic contraction time (IVCT) and isovolumic diastolic time (IVRT) to ejection time (ET)) was calculated; hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was observed to characterize the pathology of the myocardium and small intestinal villi. D-lactic acid was detected by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Expressions of occludin, claudin-1, and zonula occludens (ZO-1) were detected by Western blot. 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (16S rRNA) sequencing was used to explore the changes in the intestinal flora. TMAO was detected via liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). RESULTS: In the echocardiography, the Tei index was considerably lower in the positive and BYHWD groups compared with the model group (P<0.05). Besides, BYHWD improved the pathology of myocardium and small intestine of HF rats and lowered the D-lactic acid content in the serum, when compared with the model group (P<0.05). BYHWD also improved the expression of occludin and claudin-1 (P<0.05); in the gut microbiota analysis, BYHWD slowed down modifications in the structure distribution of gut microbiota and regulated the diversity of intestinal flora in HF rats. The content of TMAO in the serum was significantly lowered by BYWHT compared with the model group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION BYHWD may delay progression of HF by enhancing the intestinal barrier structure, and regulating intestinal flora and TAMO.
Rats ; Animals ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Claudin-1 ; Occludin ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Heart Failure