ObjectiveTo identify and quantify the excellent shape and high quality indicators of Sarcandrae Herba and establish an evaluation method for Sarcandrae Herba based on appearance traits and active components according to the theory of excellent shape， high quality， and superior effect of authentic medicinal materials. MethodsSarcandrae Herba samples from various producing areas were systematically collected. Through classical herbal textual research and modern literature analysis， colorimetric values of leaves and stems were selected as shape indicators. According to compound preparation data and literature reports， total flavonoids， total phenolic acids， and coumarins were selected as component indicators. Cluster analysis and correlation analysis were performed to identify core objective indicators and their threshold ranges for the excellent shape and high quality of Sarcandrae Herba. ResultsGreener Sarcandrae Herba exhibited higher levels of phenolic acids， total flavonoids， and coumarins. Core quantitative indicators characterizing the excellent shape and high quality of Sarcandrae Herba were Leaf a^* value<0.99， stem a^* value<4， phenolic acid content≥2.49%， total flavonoid content≥5.32%， and coumarin content≥1.98%. By calculating the compliance rate of each batch against this indicator system， the quality stability of different batches can be quantitatively evaluated. ConclusionThis study validates the traditional empirical principle that greener stems and leaves indicate high quality. It establishes a quality evaluation method for Sarcandrae Herba based on the correlation between color and bioactive components， providing a scientific basis for the quality control and grading of this herbal medicine.

Background and Aims:Surgical treatment is a cornerstone of breast cancer management;however,the physical trauma and psychological burden associated with surgery may adversely affect patients'quality of life(QoL).Based on data from a prospective cohort,this study was conducted to evaluate changes in postoperative QoL among breast cancer patients and to identify mediating factors influencing QoL,thereby providing evidence for perioperative rehabilitation strategies.Methods:Female breast cancer patients who underwent local surgical treatment at Suining Central Hospital between June 2024 and January 2025 were enrolled.The Constant-Murley Shoulder Score,EORTC QLQ-C30,and QLQ-BR23 questionnaires were used pre-and postoperatively to assess shoulder joint function,and QoL.Paired t-tests were used to analyze changes in scores before and after surgery.A mediation model was applied to explore the indirect pathways through which surgery impacts QoL.Additionally,subgroup analyses were conducted to compare QoL changes across different surgical modalities.Results:A total of 148 patients were included,with median age of 54(46-60)years old Postoperative psychological health significantly improved,while shoulder function and overall QoL scores markedly declined(all P<0.001).According to QLQ-C30,functional domains such as physical and role functioning worsened,while symptom burden increased.The QLQ-BR23 revealed significantly higher scores for breast and upper limb symptoms postoperatively(both P<0.001).Subgroup analyses showed that patients undergoing axillary lymph node dissection experienced greater declines in shoulder function and QoL compared to those receiving sentinel lymph node biopsy(both P<0.05).QoL deterioration was comparable between mastectomy and breast-conserving surgery,although the former was associated with more prominent pain and breast symptoms.Mediation analysis indicated that shoulder function,breast symptoms,and physical functioning served as mediators in the impact of surgery on QoL,while better psychological health exerted a protective effect.Conclusion:Surgical treatment significantly affects postoperative QoL in breast cancer patients,with local functional impairment and symptom exacerbation serving as key mediators.Different surgical approaches have varying impacts on QoL.Enhancing postoperative shoulder rehabilitation,symptom management,and psychological support may improve patients'QoL.

Background and Aims:Surgical treatment is a cornerstone of breast cancer management;however,the physical trauma and psychological burden associated with surgery may adversely affect patients'quality of life(QoL).Based on data from a prospective cohort,this study was conducted to evaluate changes in postoperative QoL among breast cancer patients and to identify mediating factors influencing QoL,thereby providing evidence for perioperative rehabilitation strategies.Methods:Female breast cancer patients who underwent local surgical treatment at Suining Central Hospital between June 2024 and January 2025 were enrolled.The Constant-Murley Shoulder Score,EORTC QLQ-C30,and QLQ-BR23 questionnaires were used pre-and postoperatively to assess shoulder joint function,and QoL.Paired t-tests were used to analyze changes in scores before and after surgery.A mediation model was applied to explore the indirect pathways through which surgery impacts QoL.Additionally,subgroup analyses were conducted to compare QoL changes across different surgical modalities.Results:A total of 148 patients were included,with median age of 54(46-60)years old Postoperative psychological health significantly improved,while shoulder function and overall QoL scores markedly declined(all P<0.001).According to QLQ-C30,functional domains such as physical and role functioning worsened,while symptom burden increased.The QLQ-BR23 revealed significantly higher scores for breast and upper limb symptoms postoperatively(both P<0.001).Subgroup analyses showed that patients undergoing axillary lymph node dissection experienced greater declines in shoulder function and QoL compared to those receiving sentinel lymph node biopsy(both P<0.05).QoL deterioration was comparable between mastectomy and breast-conserving surgery,although the former was associated with more prominent pain and breast symptoms.Mediation analysis indicated that shoulder function,breast symptoms,and physical functioning served as mediators in the impact of surgery on QoL,while better psychological health exerted a protective effect.Conclusion:Surgical treatment significantly affects postoperative QoL in breast cancer patients,with local functional impairment and symptom exacerbation serving as key mediators.Different surgical approaches have varying impacts on QoL.Enhancing postoperative shoulder rehabilitation,symptom management,and psychological support may improve patients'QoL.

In recent years, with the development of metabolic reprogramming research, people have changed their understanding of the biological effects of immune cells. Under the stimulation of inflammatory response, immune cells re-regulate their metabolism and bioenergetics, provide energy and substrates for cell survival, and initiate immune effect functions. Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, as an important component of the innate immune system, has been shown to sense metabolites such as uric acid and cholesterol crystals, and can be inhibited by metabolites such as ketones. It is also regulated by mitochondrial reactive oxygen species and glycolytic components (such as hexokinase). Recent studies have shown that a variety of metabolic pathways converge as effective regulators of NLRP3 inflammasome. The paper reviews the metabolic regulatory pathways and specificity of NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and its role in renal diseases.

Neoadjuvant therapy has become the first choice for locally advanced esophageal carcinoma. Patients with post-neoadjuvant positive lymph node staging (ypN+) have poor prognosis, and there is no effective adjuvant therapy. Programmed death protein-1 (PD-1) antibody can obtain better clinical efficacy in the treatment of advanced esophageal cancer. The authors designed a multicenter, prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial of Toripalimab (PD-1 antibody) adjuvant therapy on esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients with ypN+ after the treatment of neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with surgical resection, in order to provide clinical practices for the adjuvant treatment of ypN+ patients.

Objective To investigate the expression and mechanism of microRNA-148b (miRNA-148b) in high glucose-induced renal tubular injury.Method HK-2 cells cultured in vitro were divided into normal glucose group,mannitol hypertonic control group and high glucose group.After 48 hours of culture,the expression of miRNA-148b was detected by real-time quantitative PCR.2',7'-Dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) was used for detecting production of ROS and observed under fluorescence microscope for analysis;The expression of AMPKot1,Bcl-2,NOX2,NOX4,activated caspase3 (cleaved-caspase3) were detected by Western blotting.Results Compared with the normal glucose group,the expression of miRNA-148b was up-regulated in HK-2 cells in high glucose group and hypertonic group (P ＜ 0.01),and the production of ROS increased (P ＜ 0.01).The expression of NOX2 and NOX4 was increased,AMPKα1 and Bcl-2 decreased,and cleaved caspase-3 was increased (all P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions HG up-regulated miRNA-148b expression and down-regulated its target gene AMPKα1 which promotes the expression of NOX2 and NOX4 in HK-2 cells.MiRNA-148b promotes apoptosis of HK-2 cells via increasing production of ROS and enhancing cleaved-caspase3 for Bcl-2 insufficiency.The tubular toxicity of high glucose is partly due to osmotic pressure.MiRNA-148b may be involved in the pathological injury of diabetic nephropathy and is expected to become a new therapeutic target for diabetic nephropathy.

Objective To investigate whether advanced glycation end products (AGEs) can induce the expression of Ros,JC-1 and its apoptosis-related proteins in glomerular mesangial cells under high glucose environment,induce apoptosis and injury of glomerular mesangial cells.Methods Rat glomerular mesangial cell line HBZY-1 was cultured in vitro.The cells were cultured with different concentrations of AGEs for 0,12,24 and 48 hours respectively.MTT assay was used to observe the cell proliferation ability.After the optimal time and concentration of AGEs were selected,the caspase enzyme inhibitor Z-VAD-fmk and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) were cultured and the apoptosis rate was detected by cell death detection apoptosis ELISA plus and Annexin V-FITC/PI kit.JC-1 staining was used to detect the changes of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP).Cell ROX deep red flow cytometry was used to detect the total ROS level.The expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2,pro-apoptotic protein BAX,caspase-9,caspase-3 and poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP)-activated fragments was detected by Western blotting.Results AGEs could decrease the activity of glomerular mesangial cells in a time and concentration-dependent manner,and induce cell death.The percentage of apoptotic cells in glomerular mesangial cells was significantly increased after treatment with 250 mg/L AGEs for 24 h (P ＜ 0.01),and Z-VAD-fmk could significantly alleviate AGEs-induced glomerular mesangial cell apoptosis (P ＜ 0.01).Compared with the control group,AGEs increased the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species and decreased MMP in a time-dependent manner,and the two time points that AGEs significantly caused the change were 1 h and 2 h (all P ＜ 0.01).AGEs also reduced the expression of antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 and increased the expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bax,cleaved caspase-9,cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved PARP (all P ＜ 0.01).Compared with AGEs group,NAC could significantly stabilize MMP (P ＜ 0.01),increase Bcl-2 expression (P ＜ 0.01),and decrease the expression of BAX,cleaved caspase-9,cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved PARP (all P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion AGEs induce mitochondrial pathway apoptosis in glomerular mesangial cells by increasing intracellular ROS level and destroying MMP.

Objective To detect the serum microRNA-148b-3p level in patients with diabetes mellitus and diabetic nephropathy,and to analyze its correlation with clinical and pathological indexes.Methods The research crowd was divided into three groups (1) diabetic nephropathy group:biopsy with diabetic nephropathy (n=25,14 males,11 females);(2) type 2 diabetes mellitus group:type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with normal urinary microalbumin/urinary creatinine value (n=10,4 males,6 females);(3) normal control group:healthy subjects (n=9,3 males and 6 females).Clinical indicators included gender,age,24-hour urine protein,systolic blood pressure (SBP),diastolic blood pressure (DBP),serum creatinine (Scr),urea (Urea),cystatin-C (Cys-C),blood albumin (ALB),urine microalbumin (UMA),triacylglycerol (TG),total cholesterol (TC),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C),serum uric acid (UA),fasting blood glucose (FBG),glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c),urine microalbuminuria / urinary creatinine (UACR),and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) calculated by CKD-EPI formula.Real-time quantitative PCR was applied to verify the expression of microRNA-148b-3p in serum samples of the research crowds.The relationships between microRNA-148b-3p level and clinical features was also analyzed.Results The levels of serum microRNA-148b-3p in diabetic nephropathy group and in type 2 diabetes mellitus group were 1.82 times and 1.73 times of that in normal control group (P ＜ 0.05,respectively).The level of serum microRNA-148b-3p was significantly correlated with HDL-C (r=-0.374,P=0.013),UMA (r=0.426,P=0.004),FBG (r=0.330,P=0.046) and TG (r=0.423,P=0.005).Multiple linear regression analysis showed that UMA level was independently associated with serum microRNA-148b-3p level (β=0.338,P=0.044).The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) of serum microRNA-148b-3p in diagnosing type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetic nephropathy was 0.835 and 0.665,respectively.Conclusions The level of serum microRNA-148b-3p of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus or diabetic nephropathy significantly increases.The level of UMA is independently associated with serum microRNA-148b-3p level.Serum microRNA-148b-3p is expected to be a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy.

Objective To investigate the expression vibration of microRNA-503(miR-503) and its effect on target gene Bcl-2,caspase enzyme activity and apoptosis of human renal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) induced by high glucose,and to clarify the pathogenesis of renal tubular injury induced by high glucose.Methods HK-2 cells were cultured in normal glucose group (NG),mannitol hypertonic control group (MA),and high glucose group (HG).The morphology of apoptotic cells was observed using inverted microscope.The expression of miR-503 was determined using realtime quantitative PCR.The apoptosis rate of HK-2 cells was detected by Annexin V-FITC double dye using flow cytometry instrument.The expression of Bcl-2 and cleaved caspase-9 were detected by Western blotting.Results In the high glucose and mannitol groups HK-2 cell,an obviously increased apoptotic rate was observed under inverted microscope compared with normal glucose group (P ＜ 0.05).MA and HG up-regulated miR-503 expression (P ＜ 0.01),down-regulated anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 expression (P ＜ 0.05) and up-regulated cleaved caspase-9 (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The expression of miR-503 increases in HK-2 cells cultured by high glucose and mannitol.MiR-503 promotes apoptosis of HK-2 cells via activating mitochondrial apoptotic pathways and enhancing cleaved caspase-9 for Bcl-2 insufficiency.The tubular toxicity of high glucose is partly due to osmotic pressure.The miR-503 may be involved in diabetic tubular injury and may be a new therapeutic target of DN.

Objective To observe the expression of microRNA-148b (miR-148b) induced by high glucose in rat mesangial cells,and to explore its effect on its target gene AMP-activated protein kinase α1 (AMPKα1) and extracellular matrix excretion.Methods Rat mesangial cells were divided ino 3 groups:normal glucose (NG,5.5 mmol/L glucose) group,hypertonic (MA,5.5 mmol/L glucose+19.5 mmol/L mannitol) group and high-glucose (HG,25.0 mmol/L glucose) group.MiR-148b expression was detected by real time PCR.Then miR-148b inhibitor was transfected to rat mesangial cells.Their protein expressions of AMPKα1,glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78),C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP),fibronectin (FN) and collagen Ⅳ were detected by Western blotting.The expression of AMPKα1 mRNA was detected by real time PCR.The expression of collagen Ⅳ was also detected by immunofluorescence.Results Compared with NG group,HG group showed up-regulated miR-148bexpression,down-regulated AMPKαl mRNA and protein expressions,and up-regulated CHOP,GRP78,collagen Ⅳ and FN expressions (all P ＜ 0.05).HG-induced mesangial cells with miR-148binhibitor had up-regulated AMPKα1 mRNA and protein expressions,and down-regulated CHOP,GRP78,collagen Ⅳ,FN expressions as compared with HG-induced cells without miR-148b inhibitor (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions HG can up-regulate miR-148b expression and down-regulate AMPKα1 expression in rat mesangial cells,then activate endoplasmic reticulum stress to induce extracellular matrix excretion.MiR-148b inhibitor up-regulates AMPKα1 expression,inhibits endoplasmic reticulum stress and reduces extracellular matrix excretion.