Objective To elucidate the molecular mechanism of sirtuin-3 (SIRT3) in regulating mitochondrial biogenesis in human renal tubular epithelial cells. Methods Cells were stimulated with different concentrations of H₂O₂ and divided into four groups: control (NC), 50 μmol/L H₂O₂, 110 μmol/L H₂O₂ and 150 μmol/L H₂O₂. SIRT3 protein expression was then measured. SIRT3 was knocked down with siRNA, and cells were further assigned to five groups: control (NC), negative-control siRNA (NCsi), SIRT3-siRNA (siSIRT3), NCsi+H₂O₂, and siSIRT3+H₂O₂. After 24 h, cellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and mitochondrial superoxide anion (O₂•⁻) levels were determined, together with mitochondrial expression of SIRT3, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF1), mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM), superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), acetylated-SOD2 and adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase α1 (AMPKα1). Results The 110 and 150 μmol/L H₂O₂ decreased SIRT3 protein (both P<0.05). ATP and mitochondrial O₂•⁻ did not differ between NC and NCsi groups (both P>0.05). Compared to the NCsi group, the siSIRT3 group exhibited elevated O₂•⁻ level, decreased SIRT3 protein and increased expression levels of SOD2 and acetylated SOD2 protein (all P<0.05). Compared to the NCsi group, the NCsi+H₂O₂ group exhibited decreased cellular ATP levels, elevated mitochondrial O₂•⁻ levels, and reduced protein expression levels of SIRT3, SOD2, TFAM, AMPKα1, PGC-1α and NRF1 (all P<0.05). Compared with the siSIRT3 group, the siSIRT3+H₂O₂ group showed a decrease in cellular ATP levels, an increase in mitochondrial O₂•⁻ levels, a decrease in SIRT3, SOD2, TFAM, AMPKα1, PGC-1α and NRF1 protein expression levels and a decrease in acetylated SOD2 protein expression levels (all P<0.05). Compared with the NCsi+H₂O₂ group, the siSIRT3+H₂O₂ group showed a decrease in cellular ATP levels, an increase in mitochondrial O₂•⁻ levels, a decrease in SIRT3, AMPKα1, PGC-1α and NRF1, TFAM protein expression levels, and an increase in SOD2 and acetylated SOD2 protein expression levels (all P<0.05). Conclusions SIRT3 promotes mitochondrial biogenesis in tubular epithelial cells via the AMPK/PGC-1α/NRF1/TFAM axis, representing a key mechanism through which SIRT3 ameliorates oxidative stress-induced mitochondrial dysfunction.

Objective To explore enteral nutrition support and analyze its influencing factors in elderly patients with ischemic stroke. Methods A total of 328 patients with ischemic stroke in General Hospital of Western Theater Command were enrolled for nutritional screening between July 2020 and February 2024. Corresponding nutritional support plans were selected to investigate the compliance of patients with enteral nutrition support. Patients were divided into a standard group (n=140) and a non-standard group (n=97) based on whether their calorie intake met the standard. The effects of different clinical characteristics on enteral nutrition support were explored, and logistic analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors of non-standard enteral nutrition support. Results In the 328 patients with ischemic stroke, proportions of total parenteral nutrition support, total enteral nutrition support, and parenteral/enteral nutrition support were 25.30%, 27.74% and 46.95%, respectively. The proportions of vomiting or regurgitation, gastric residual volume >100 mL, mechanical ventilation and use of antibiotics >2 in the non-standard group were higher than those in the standard group (P<0.05). Logistic analysis showed that the above clinical characteristics were risk factors influencing patients with enteral nutrition support and parenteral/enteral nutrition support. Conclusion Vomiting or regurgitation , gastric residual volume, mechanical ventilation, and amount of antibiotics used are important influencing factors of enteral nutrition support in patients. Clinicians should pay attention to the above clinical characteristics.

ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy of Xingpi capsules （XPC） in treating diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome （IBS-D） with spleen deficiency and elucidate its potential molecular mechanisms. MethodsA rat model of IBS-D with spleen deficiency was established by administering senna leaf in combination with restrained stress and swimming fatigue for 14 d. Ten specific pathogen free （SPF）-grade healthy rats were used as the normal control group. After successful modeling， SPF-grade rats were randomly divided into a model group， a pinaverium bromide group （1.5 mg·kg^-1）， and low- and high-dose XPC groups （0.135 and 0.54 g·kg^-1）， with 10 rats in each group. Rats in the normal control group and the model group were given distilled water by gavage， while the remaining groups were administered corresponding drug solutions by gavage once a day for 14 consecutive days. The rat body weights and fecal condition were observed every day， and the Bristol score was recorded. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to determine the levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT） in serum and colon tissue. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the microvilli and tight junctions in the colon. The integrity of the colonic barrier， intestinal motility， and expression of related pathway proteins were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， immunohistochemistry， and Western blot. ResultsCompared with those in the normal control group， rats in the model group showed a significantly decreased body weight and increased diarrhea rate， diarrhea grade， and Bristol score （P<0.01）. HE staining revealed incomplete colonic mucosa in the model group， with evident congestion and edema observed. Electron microscopy results indicated decreased density and integrity of the colonic barrier， shedding and disappearance of microvilli， and significant widening of tight junctions. The expression levels of colonic tight junction proteins Occludin and Claudin-5 were downregulated （P<0.01）， and the levels of 5-HT in serum and colon tissue were elevated （P<0.01）. The small intestine propulsion rate significantly increased （P<0.01）， and the expression of contractile proteins Ras homolog family member A （RhoA） and Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase 2 （ROCK2） in colon and phosphorylation of myosin light chain （MLC₂₀） were upregulated （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the treatment groups showed alleviated diarrhea， diarrhea-associated symptoms， and pathological manifestations of colon tissue to varying degrees. Specifically， high-dose XPC exhibited effectively relieved diarrhea， promoted recovery of colonic mucosal structure， significantly reduced congestion and edema， upregulated expression of Occludin and Claudin-5 （P<0.01）， decreased levels of 5-HT in serum and colon tissue （P<0.05，P<0.01）， significantly slowed small intestine propulsion rate （P<0.01）， and significantly downregulated expression of contractile proteins RhoA and ROCK2 in colon and phosphorylation of MLC₂₀ （P<0.05，P<0.01）. ConclusionXPC effectively alleviates symptoms of spleen deficiency and diarrhea and regulates the secretion of brain-gut peptide. The characteristics of XPC are mainly manifested in alleviating IBS-D with spleen deficiency from the aspects of protecting intestinal mucosa and inhibiting smooth muscle contraction， and the mechanism is closely related to the regulation of the 5-HT-RhoA/ROCK2 pathway expression.

ObjectiveTo investigate the regulatory effect of icariin （ICA） on transforming growth factor-β₁ （TGF-β₁）/Smad pathway in bone microvascular endothelial cells （BMECs） and the effect on autophagy in BMECs. MethodsBMECs were isolated and cultured， and the cell types were identified by immunofluorescence. Cells were divided into the control group， model group （0.1 g·L^-1 methyl prednisolone）， ICA group （0.1 g·L^-1 methyl prednisolone +1×10^-5 mol·L^-1 ICA）， and TGF-β inhibitor group （0.1 g·L^-1 methyl prednisolone +1×10^-5 mol·L^-1 ICA +1×10^-5 mol·L^-1 LY2157299）. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructure and autophagosome number of BMECs. Autophagy double-standard adenovirus was used to monitor the confocal autophagy flow generation of each cell. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot were used to detect the gene and protein expression of autophagy in the TGF-β₁/ Smad pathway. ResultsAfter cell separation culture， platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule （CD31） and von willebrand factor （vWF） immunofluorescence identified BMECs. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the cell membrane was damaged， and the nucleus was pyknotic and broken in the model group. Compared with the model group， the ICA group had complete cell membranes， clear structures， with autophagy-lysosome sparsely distributed. The confocal photo showed that BMECs had autophagosomes and autophagy-lysosomes， and the autophagy expression of the ICA group was similar to that of the blank group. Compared with the blank group， in the model group and the LY2157299 group， autophagosomes and autophagy-lysosomes were barely seen in the autophagy flow. Compared with the blank group， the mRNA and protein expressions of autophagy effector protein 1 （Beclin1） and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B （LC3B） in the model group were significantly decreased （P<0.01）， and those of ubiquitin-binding protein （p62） were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The mRNA expression of TGF-β₁， Smad homolog 2 （Smad2）， and Smad homolog 3 （Smad3） decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The protein expressions of TGF-β₁， p-Smad2， and p-Smad3 were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with those of the model group， the mRNA and protein expression of Beclin1 and LC3B in BMECs of the ICA group increased （P<0.01）， and those of p62 significantly reduced （P<0.01）. The mRNA expression of TGF-β₁， Smad2， and Smad3 increased significantly （P<0.01）. The protein expression of TGF-β₁， p-Smad2， and p-Smad3 increased significantly （P<0.01）. Compared with those in the model group， the mRNA and protein expressions of Beclin1， LC3B， and p62 in the inhibitor group were not statistically significant. The expression of key genes and proteins of the TGF-β₁ pathway in the inhibitor group was not statistically significant. ConclusionICA can promote glucocorticoid-induced autophagy expression of BMECs， and its mechanism may be related to activating the TGF-β₁/Smad signaling pathway.

Steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head （SONFH） is a severe musculoskeletal disorder often induced by the prolonged or excessive use of glucocorticoids. Characterized by ischemia of bone cells， necrosis， and trabecular fractures， SONFH is accompanied by pain， femoral head collapse， and joint dysfunction， which can lead to disability in severe cases. The pathogenesis of SONFH involves hormone-induced osteoblast apoptosis， bone microvascular endothelial cell （BMEC） apoptosis， oxidative stress， and inflammatory responses. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B （PI3K/Akt） signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in the development of the disease. Modulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway can promote Akt phosphorylation， thereby stimulating the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and osteoblasts， promoting angiogenesis in BMECs， and inhibiting osteoclastogenesis. The research on the treatment of SONFH with traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） has gained increasing attention. Recent studies have shown that TCM monomers and compounds have potential therapeutic effect on SONFH by intervening in the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. These studies not only provide a scientific basis for the application of TCM in the treatment of SONFH but also offer new ideas for the development of new therapeutic strategies. This review summarized the progress in Chinese and international research on the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in SONFH over the past five years. It involved the composition and transmission mechanisms of the signaling pathway， as well as its regulatory effects on osteoblasts， mesenchymal stem cells， osteoclasts， BMECs， and other cells. Additionally， the review explored the TCM understanding of SONFH and the application of TCM monomers and compounds in the intervention of the PI3K/Akt pathway. By systematically analyzing and organizing these research findings， this article aimed to provide references and point out directions for the clinical prevention and treatment of SONFH and promote further development of TCM in this field. With in-depth research on the PI3K/Akt pathway and the modern application of TCM， it is expected to bring safer and more effective treatment options for patients with SONFH.

Linxian County in Henan Province, Northern China is known as the region with the highest incidence and mortality rate of esophageal cancer worldwide. Since 1959, the Henan medical team has conducted field work on esophageal cancer prevention and treatment in Linxian. Through three generations of effort exerted by oncologists over 65 years of research on esophageal cancer prevention and treatment in Linxian, the incidence rate of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in this area has dropped by nearly 50%, and the 5-year survival rate has increased to 40%, reaching the international leading level. This article aims to summarize the history, present opportunities and new challenges, and explore the experience of esophageal cancer prevention and treatment in Linxian (referred to as the “Linxian experience”), providing reference and guidance to cancer prevention and treatment research in China.

Objective To investigatethe relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms and clinicopathological characteristics, p53 expression, and survival of Chinese patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma. Methods A total of 3882 patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma, 970 matched patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and 970 matched patients with gastric cardia adenocarcinoma were included to compare the incidence of GERD symptoms. Patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma were divided into two groups according to the presence and absence of GERD symptoms. The differences in clinicopathological characteristics and p53 expression between the two groups were compared by chi-square test, and the differences in survival between the two groups were compared by landmark analysis. Results The incidence of GERD symptoms increased successively in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, esophageal adenocarcinoma, and gastric cardia adenocarcinoma. In patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma, the proportions of male, less than 65 years old, lower thoracic tumors, tumors without squamous cell carcinoma, poorly differentiation, early tumors (stage 0-I), and p53-positive tumors in the group with GERD symptoms were higher than those in the group without GERD symptoms; moreover, the long-term survival (≥15 years) was better. Conclusion GERD symptom is an important clinical sign of esophageal adenocarcinoma. It is closely related to specific clinicopathological characteristics, p53 overexpression, and good long-term prognosis.

Objective: To explore the association between mental health status and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among sexual minority college students, so as to provide a scientific basis for mental health education and health promotion in universities. Methods: From January to February 2024, convenience and cluster sampling methods were used to select 1 792 college students from 11 colleges in Guangxi. A self reporting method was applied to identify 476 sexual minority individuals. The Symptom Check-List 90 (SCL-90) and the Simplified Chinese Adverse Childhood Experiences International Questionnaire (SC-ACE-IQ) were employed to assess mental health and ACEs. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the associations. Results: The detection rates of all psychological issues among sexual minority college students in Guangxi were significantly higher than those of non sexual minority college students ( χ 2=56.01-91.39, all P <0.01). Except for physical neglect, bullying, and community violence, sexual minority students exhibited higher reporting rates of other ACEs types compared to nonsexual minority students ( χ 2= 4.52-13.34, all P <0.05). The total ACEs score for college students was 1.00 (1.00, 2.00), while the SCL-90 total score was 96.00 (113.00, 160.00). Spearman correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between ACEs total scores and SCL-90 total scores ( r=0.29, P <0.05). Additionally, all ACEs subscales, including emotional neglect, physical neglect, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, parental loss, domestic violence, and community violence were positively correlated with corresponding SCL-90 subscale scores ( r =0.05-0.22, all P <0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that family violence increased the risk of mental health issues for sexual minority students ( OR=1.61, 95%CI =1.26-2.09); emotional neglect ( OR= 1.05 , 95%CI =1.00-1.10), physical neglect ( OR=1.20, 95%CI =1.06-1.35), sexual abuse ( OR=1.49, 95%CI =1.15-1.93) increased mental health risks for non sexual minority students (all P <0.05). The cumulative effects of ACEs were all statistically significant in the total sample and both subgroups (all P <0.05). Conclusion Mental health status among sexual minority college students in Guangxi is associated with ACEs, and their well being requires active attention

With Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma-Gypsum Fibrosum drug pair as the research object, supramolecular chemistry of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) was used to study differences between the compatibility of herbal medicine Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma with mineral medicine Gypsum Fibrosum and its main component CaSO_4·2H_2O, so as to preliminarily discuss the scientific connotation of compatibility of Gypsum Fibrosum in clinical application. A Malvern particle sizer, a scanning electron microscope(SEM), and a conductivity meter were used to observe and determine the physical properties such as microscopic morphology, particle size, and conductivity of Gypsum Fibrosum, CaSO_4·2H_2O, and water decoctions of them with Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma. An inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer(ICP-OES) was employed to detect the inorganic metal elements in Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma-Gypsum Fibrosum and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma-CaSO_4·2H_2O. Isothermal titration calorimetry(ITC) was conducted to quantify the interactions of Gypsum Fibrosum and CaSO_4·2H_2O with Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma. A Fourier transform infrared spectrometer(FTIR) was used to analyze the characteristic absorption peak change of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma-Gypsum Fibrosum and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma-CaSO_4·2H_2O. X-ray diffraction(XRD) was performed to determine the crystal structure and phase composition of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma-Gypsum Fibrosum and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma-CaSO_4·2H_2O. Further, glycyrrhizic acid(GA) was substituted for Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma to co-decoct with Gypsum Fibrosum, CaSO_4·2H_2O, and freeze-dried powder of their respective water decoctions. The results of XRD were used for verification analysis. The results showed that although CaSO_4·2H_2O is the main component of Gypsum Fibrosum, there were significant differences between their decoctions and between the decoctions of them with Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma. Specifically,(1) Both CaSO_4·2H_2O and Gypsum Fibrosum were amorphous fibrous. However, the particle size and conductivity were significantly different between the decoctions of CaSO_4·2H_2O and Gypsum Fibrosum alone.(2) Under SEM, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma-CaSO_4·2H_2O was a hybrid system with various morphologies, while Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma-Gypsum Fibrosum presented uniform nanoparticles.(3) The particle sizes and conductivities of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma-CaSO_4·2H_2O and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma-Gypsum Fibrosum were significantly different and did not follow the same tendency as those of the decoctions of CaSO_4·2H_2O and Gypsum Fibrosum alone.(4) Compared with Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma-CaSO_4·2H_2O, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma-Gypsum Fibrosum had stronger molecular binding ability and functional group structure change.(5) The crystal form was largely different between the freeze-dried powder of CaSO_4·2H_2O decoction and Gypsum Fibrosum decoction, and their crystal forms were also significantly different from those of the freeze-dried powder of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma-CaSO_4·2H_2O and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma-Gypsum Fibrosum decoctions. The reason for the series of differences is that Gypsum Fibrosum is richer in trace elements than CaSO_4·2H_2O. The XRD results of GA-Gypsum Fibrosum and GA-CaSO_4·2H_2O decoctions further prove the importance of trace elements in Gypsum Fibrosum for supramolecule formation. This research preliminarily reveals the influence of compatibility of Gypsum Fibrosum or CaSO_4·2H_2O on decoction phase state, material form, and crystal form, providing a basis for the rational clinical application of Gypsum Fibrosum.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Calcium Sulfate/chemistry* ; Glycyrrhiza/chemistry* ; Crystallization ; Particle Size ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Rhizome/chemistry*