Acute lung injury(ALI) is a critical clinical condition primarily characterized by refractory hypoxemia and infiltration of inflammatory cells in lung tissue, which can progress into a more severe form known as acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS). Immune cells and inflammatory cytokines play important roles in the progression of the disease. Due to its unclear pathogenesis and the lack of effective clinical treatments, ALI is associated with a high mortality rate and severely affects patients' quality of life, making the search for effective therapeutic agents particularly urgent. Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, the dried root of the perennial herb Panax ginseng from the Araliaceae family, contains active ingredients such as saponins and polysaccharides, which possess various pharmacological effects including anti-tumor activity, immune regulation, and metabolic modulation. In recent years, studies have shown that ginsenosides exhibit notable effects in reducing inflammation, ameliorating epithelial and endothelial cell injury, and providing anticoagulant action, indicating their comprehensive role in alleviating lung injury. This review summarizes the pathogenesis of ALI and the molecular mechanisms through which ginsenosides act at different stages of ALI development. The aim is to provide a scientific reference for the development of ginsenoside-based drugs targeting ALI, as well as a theoretical basis for the clinical application of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma in the treatment of ALI.
Ginsenosides/pharmacology* ; Humans ; Acute Lung Injury/immunology* ; Animals ; Panax/chemistry* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal

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*

Lithocarpus litseifolius is rich in the chalcones phloridzin and trilobatin, the biosynthesis pathways of which have not been fully demonstrated. Chalcone synthase(CHS) is the first key rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of flavonoids in plants. To explore the functions of CHS gene family in chalcone synthesis of L. litseifolius, this study screened out two CHS genes(LlCHS1 and LlCHS2) from the transcriptome data of this plant, and then bioinformatics analysis and functional characterization were performed for the two genes. The bioinformatics analysis showed that LlCHS1 and LlCHS2 were acidic hydrophilic stable proteins with no transmembrane domain, composed of 395 and 390 amino acid residues, respectively. Both of them contained the characteristic amino acid sequence "WGVLFGFGPGL" and highly conserved active sites(Cys-164, Phe-215, His-303, and Asn-336) of the CHS family. The phylogenetic tree showed that LlCHS1 shared the same clade with similar genes in Aquilaria sinensis, and LlCHS2 was closely related to similar genes in Malus domestica. Under exogenous addition of phloretic acid, co-expression of LlCHS1 or LlCHS2 with Aa4CL from Aromatoleum aromaticum in Escherichia coli catalyzed the production of phloretin from phloretic acid. This study laid a theoretical foundation for revealing the functions of CHS in plants and provided new enzymatic modules for producing phloretin by synthetic biology.
Acyltransferases/chemistry* ; Phylogeny ; Plant Proteins/chemistry* ; Cloning, Molecular ; Amino Acid Sequence

Munchausen syndrome by proxy（MSBP）in children refers to the caregivers who enforce unnecessary medication-seeking on children by falsifying symptoms or inducing disease（exacerbation），resulting in different degrees of physical or mental damage.And it may lead to adverse psychosocial consequences of the victims in adulthood，and even become the new "MSBP caregivers".First reported in 1977，MSBP in children has attracted widespread attention in European and American countries，and gradually attracted attention worldwide.However，Chinese pediatricians have insufficient knowledge of the disease at present，and there are just a few relevant literature reports in China.This article reviews the clinical features and progress on diagnosis and treatment of MSBP in children.

This study was aimed at exploring the infections and viral genetic characteristics in rodents from coastal cities in Fujian Province.Intestinal tissue samples were obtained from rodents in Ningde,Fuzhou,Quanzhou,and Zhangzhou city.The adenovirus DNA polymerase(DPOL)gene was analyzed by nested PCR,and the large(L)segment gene of arenavirus was as-sessed with RT-PCR.Homology and genetic characteristics were analyzed in bioinformatics software.A total of 152 rodents were captured and showed a murine adenovirus infection rate of 4.61％.The murine adenovirus infection rate was 5.26％in wild rodents and 4.21％in domestic rodents.Murine adenoviruses were detected in four rodent species:Rattus sladeni,Rattus nor-vegicus,Rattus tanezumi,and Rattus losea.This was the first time that murine adenovirus has been detected in Rattus slade-ni.Analysis of relevant factors revealed no significant differences in murine adenovirus infection rates by rodent species,sex,age,and habitat.Sequence analysis indicated that the adenoviruses infecting rodents in coastal cities of Fujian were Murine ade-novirus 2 and Murine adenovirus 3.A significant difference was observed in the sequences of murine adenoviruses with respect to those in other regions,with nucleic acid sequence identity ranging from 72.25％to 91.01％.No arenavirus was detected in any rodent specimens.Adenovirus infections were found in rodents in coastal cities of Fujian Province,but no arenavirus infec-tions were found.This study provides useful information to support further research on murine adenovirus and arenavirus in Fujian Province.

Objective To use mendelian randomization(MR)study to explore the causal relationship between cholelithiasis,cholecystectomy,and gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD).Methods Based on large-scale genome-wide association studies(GW AS),genetic variants closely associated with cholelithiasis and cholecystectomy were selected as instrumental variables.Mendelian randomization pleiotropy residual sum and outlier(MR-PRESSO)was used to eliminate outliers.Inverse variance weighting(IVW)was used as the main analysis method and MR-Egger,Weighted median,Simple mode and Weighted mode were used as supplementary analysis methods for causal effect evaluation.Meanwhile,Cochran's Q was used for heterogeneity test.The MR Egger intercept test was used to analyze the level of horizontal pleiotropy,and the leave-one-out method was used to ensure the robustness of the results.Results Inverse variance weighted results showed that cholelithiasis(odds ratio:1.05,95％confidence interval:1.03-1.07,P＜0.01)and cholecystectomy(odds ratio:2.56,95％confidence interval:1.76-3.73,P＜0.01)were significantly associated with an increased risk of GERD.Cochran's Q test showed that there was heterogeneity in the genetic variants of cholelithiasis(P＜0.05),but no significant heterogeneity in the genetic variants of cholecystectomy(P＞0.05).MR-Egger intercept analysis did not detect potential horizontal pleiotropy(P＞0.05),and the leave-one-out analyses showed that the results were robust.Conclusion Genetically predicted cholelithiasis and cholecystectomy are causally associated with GERD,suggesting that the prevention of GERD should be strengthened in patients with cholelithiasis and after cholecystectomy.

This study was aimed at exploring the infections and viral genetic characteristics in rodents from coastal cities in Fujian Province.Intestinal tissue samples were obtained from rodents in Ningde,Fuzhou,Quanzhou,and Zhangzhou city.The adenovirus DNA polymerase(DPOL)gene was analyzed by nested PCR,and the large(L)segment gene of arenavirus was as-sessed with RT-PCR.Homology and genetic characteristics were analyzed in bioinformatics software.A total of 152 rodents were captured and showed a murine adenovirus infection rate of 4.61％.The murine adenovirus infection rate was 5.26％in wild rodents and 4.21％in domestic rodents.Murine adenoviruses were detected in four rodent species:Rattus sladeni,Rattus nor-vegicus,Rattus tanezumi,and Rattus losea.This was the first time that murine adenovirus has been detected in Rattus slade-ni.Analysis of relevant factors revealed no significant differences in murine adenovirus infection rates by rodent species,sex,age,and habitat.Sequence analysis indicated that the adenoviruses infecting rodents in coastal cities of Fujian were Murine ade-novirus 2 and Murine adenovirus 3.A significant difference was observed in the sequences of murine adenoviruses with respect to those in other regions,with nucleic acid sequence identity ranging from 72.25％to 91.01％.No arenavirus was detected in any rodent specimens.Adenovirus infections were found in rodents in coastal cities of Fujian Province,but no arenavirus infec-tions were found.This study provides useful information to support further research on murine adenovirus and arenavirus in Fujian Province.

Objective To use mendelian randomization(MR)study to explore the causal relationship between cholelithiasis,cholecystectomy,and gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD).Methods Based on large-scale genome-wide association studies(GW AS),genetic variants closely associated with cholelithiasis and cholecystectomy were selected as instrumental variables.Mendelian randomization pleiotropy residual sum and outlier(MR-PRESSO)was used to eliminate outliers.Inverse variance weighting(IVW)was used as the main analysis method and MR-Egger,Weighted median,Simple mode and Weighted mode were used as supplementary analysis methods for causal effect evaluation.Meanwhile,Cochran's Q was used for heterogeneity test.The MR Egger intercept test was used to analyze the level of horizontal pleiotropy,and the leave-one-out method was used to ensure the robustness of the results.Results Inverse variance weighted results showed that cholelithiasis(odds ratio:1.05,95％confidence interval:1.03-1.07,P＜0.01)and cholecystectomy(odds ratio:2.56,95％confidence interval:1.76-3.73,P＜0.01)were significantly associated with an increased risk of GERD.Cochran's Q test showed that there was heterogeneity in the genetic variants of cholelithiasis(P＜0.05),but no significant heterogeneity in the genetic variants of cholecystectomy(P＞0.05).MR-Egger intercept analysis did not detect potential horizontal pleiotropy(P＞0.05),and the leave-one-out analyses showed that the results were robust.Conclusion Genetically predicted cholelithiasis and cholecystectomy are causally associated with GERD,suggesting that the prevention of GERD should be strengthened in patients with cholelithiasis and after cholecystectomy.

This study aims to investigate the neuroprotective effect of tetramethylpyrazine on mice after spinal cord injury and its mechanism. Seventy-five female C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 5 groups, namely, a sham operation group, a model group, a tetramethylpyrazine low-dose group(25 mg·kg~(-1)), a tetramethylpyrazine medium-dose group(50 mg·kg~(-1)), and a tetramethylpyrazine high-dose group(100 mg·kg~(-1)), with 15 mice in each group. Modified Rivlin method was used to establish the mouse model of acute spinal cord injury. After 14 d of tetramethylpyrazine intervention, the motor function of hind limbs of mice was evaluated by basso mouse scale(BMS) and inclined plate test. The levels of inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-6(IL-6), and interleukin-1β(IL-1β) in the spinal cord homogenate were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe the histology of the spinal cord, and Nissl's staining was used to observe the changes in the number of neurons. Western blot and immunofluorescence method were used to detect the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP) and C3 protein. Tetramethylpyrazine significantly improved the motor function of the hind limbs of mice after spinal cord injury, and the BMS score and inclined plate test score of the tetramethylpyrazine high-dose group were significantly higher than those of the model group(P<0.01). The levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in spinal cord homogenate of the tetramethylpyrazine high-dose group were significantly decreased(P<0.01). After tetramethylpyrazine treatment, the spinal cord morphology recovered, the number of Nissl bodies increased obviously with regular shape, and the loss of neurons decreased. As compared with the model group, the expression of GFAP and C3 protein was significantly decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01) in tetramethylpyrazine high-dose group. In conclusion, tetramethylpyrazine can promote the improvement of motor function and play a neuroprotective role in mice after spinal cord injury, and its mechanism may be related to inhibiting inflammatory response and improving the hyperplasia of glial scar.
Rats ; Mice ; Female ; Animals ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacology* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Interleukin-6 ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Spinal Cord Injuries/genetics* ; Spinal Cord/metabolism*

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the value of CCKBR^fl/fl villin-Cre mice as a mouse model of salt-sensitive hypertension (SSH). METHODS: In the first part, 2-month-old CCKBR^fl/fl villin-Cre mice (CKO) and control CCKBR^fl/fl mice (WT) were fed with normal diet (0.4% NaCl) or high salt diet (4% NaCl), separately for 6 weeks. In the rescue study, one week of hydrochlorothiazide or saline injection were treated with the CKO mice fed high salt diet. The blood pressure, biochemical indexes, and the expression of small intestinal sodium transporters (NHE3, NKCC1, eNaC) was detected. The organ injury markers (MMP2/MMP9) and the histopathological changes of kidneys were observed, whereas the changes of duodenal sodium absorption were detected by small intestinal perfusion in vivo. RESULTS: The CCKBR^fl/fl villin-Cre mice with high salt intake exhibited high blood pressure, increased duodenal sodium absorption and urinary sodium excretion, and with renal injury. The protein expression of NHE3, NKCC1 and eNaC were also significant increase in the intestine of CKO-HS mice. Treatment with hydrochlorothiazide remarkably attenuated the elevated blood pressure by high salt absorption in the CCKBR^fl/fl villin-Cre mice, but no significant histopathological changes were observed. CONCLUSIONS These results support a crucial role of intestinal Cckbr deficiency on SSH development and the diuretic antihypertension effect in CCKBR^fl/fl villin-Cre mice. The CCKBR^fl/fl villin-Cre mice with the high salt intake may serve as a stable model of salt-sensitive hypertensive induced by sodium overloading.