Objective: To investigate the correlation between color parameters (L^*, a^*, b^*, Eab^*) and the contents of reducing sugars, total polysaccharides, total oligosaccharides, as well as four saccharides (fructose, glucose, sucrose, and kestose) during the nine cycles of steaming and sun-drying processing of Polygonatum kingianum, and to preliminarily explore the optimal processing duration.
Methods: The color changes were objectively evaluated using a colorimeter. The anthrone-sulfuric acid method was employed to determine total polysaccharides and oligosaccharides. The 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid (DNS) colorimetric method was used to measure total reducing sugar content. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with charged aerosol detection (HPLC-CAD) was applied for quantitative analysis of fructose, glucose, sucrose, and kestose. Multivariate statistical analysis was conducted to assess samples from different processing stages.
Results: Significant variations in color and component contents were observed across processing stages. The herbal pieces progressively darkened with increased processing cycles: brightness (L^*) and total color difference (Eab^*) initially decreased then stabilized, while a^* (red-green) and b^* (yellow-blue) values first increased then declined. Total polysaccharides and oligosaccharides showed overall decreasing trends, whereas reducing sugars initially increased before stabilizing. Fructose and glucose levels rose continuously, while sucrose and kestose decreased progressively, becoming undetectable after five cycles.
Conclusion: The chromatic alteration and saccharide composition of P. kingianum showed significant correlation with processing duration. Both total color difference (Eab^*) and reducing sugar content stabilized after four processing cycles (12 hours), suggesting that four cycles of steaming and sun-drying may represent the optimal processing duration.

ObjectiveHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents 90% of all primary liver cancers. The main risk factors associated with HCC include viral hepatitis (B and/or C), alcohol abuse, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), which progressively advance to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and ultimately evolve into HCC. Surgical resection represents the most effective treatment for HCC, while recent advances in immunotherapy, including immune checkpoint inhibitors and adoptive cell therapies, have provided improved treatment prospects for patients with unresectable HCC. However, the complex metabolic heterogeneity of HCC limits the therapeutic efficacy. Metabolic intermediates acyl-CoA not only provide energy and substrates for numerous biochemical reactions but also serve as donors for protein lysine acylation, a major class of post-translational modification (PTM). Therefore, a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying protein lysine acylation and hepatocarcinogenesis is urgently needed. MethodsThe levels of protein lysine acylation and silence information regulator 5 (SIRT5) expression levels in clinical HCC samples were analyzed by Western blot. Quantitative malonylome and succinylome of HCC samples were analyzed by antibody-based affinity enrichment coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. The proliferation of HCC cells was analyzed with Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assays, the apoptosis was quantified by Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide (PI) staining coupled with flow cytometry, and the ability of cells to migrate was assayed by Transwell assays. The enzymatic activity of glutathione S-transferase Mu 1 (GSTM1) was quantified. Transgenic mice with hepatic overexpression of SIRT5 were constructed using CRISPR-Cas9, and primary hepatocarcinogenesis was induced by administration of diethylnitrosamine. ResultsWestern blot analysis indicated that the expression level of SIRT5 was elevated in clinical samples from HCC patients, and the levels of lysine malonylation, glutarylation, and succinylation were significantly reduced in HCC tissues. Knockout of SIRT5 in MHCC-97H and MHCC-97L hepatoma cells suppressed cell proliferation, and increased the percentage of apoptotic cells significantly. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses of the differentially malonylome and succinylome of HCC samples revealed significant enrichment in two major classes of biological processes: core energy metabolism (e.g., glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, tricarboxylic acid metabolic process, fatty acid beta oxidation) and detoxification and oxidative stress response (e.g., response to toxic substance, chemical carcinogenesis, reactive oxygen species (ROS)). SIRT5 removes malonylation from lysine residues in GSTM1 and restores its detoxification activity, which is crucial for the survival of hepatocytes under stressed conditions. More importantly, in vivo experiment indicated that hepatic-specific overexpression of SIRT5 in mice accelerated diethylnitrosamine-induced liver fibrosis and hepatocarcinogenesis, indicating the critical role of SIRT5 in HCC progression. ConclusionThis study highlights the previously unrecognized SIRT5-GSTM1 axis as a key regulator in hepatocarcinogenesis, and suggests a potential target for the treatment of patients with HCC.

Background Coal workers' pneumoconiosis is a serious occupational disease in China. Exhaled volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can serve as the "breath fingerprint" of internal pathological processes, which provides a theoretical basis for exhaled VOCs to be used as potential non-invasive biomarkers for early diagnosis of coal workers' pneumoconiosis. Objective To screen out the characteristic VOCs and important characteristic VOCs of exhaled air in patients with coal workers' pneumoconiosis, and to explore the potential of these VOCs as biomarkers for early non-invasive diagnosis of the disease. Methods In this study, 27 VOCs in the exhaled breath of 22 patients with stage I coal workers' pneumoconiosis, 77 workers exposed to dust, and 92 healthy controls were quantitatively detected by thermal desorption gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS). Substances with P<0.05 in univariate analysis and variable importance projection (VIP) >1 in supervised orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) model were selected as the characteristic VOCs for early diagnosis of coal workers' pneumoconiosis. Age was included in the LASSO regression model as a covariate to screen out important characteristic VOCs, and the diagnostic performance was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Spearman correlation was further used to explore the correlation between important characteristic VOCs and clinical lung function indicators. Results Through univariate analysis and OPLS-DA modeling, 8 VOCs were selected, including 2-methylpentane, 3-methylpentane, n-hexane, methylcyclopentane, n-heptane, methylcyclohexane, 4-methyl-2-pentanone, and 2-hexanone, in exhaled breath of patients with coal workers' pneumoconiosis. The concentrations of 4 VOCs, including 3-methylpentane, n-hexane, 4-methyl-2-pentanone, and 2-hexanone, showed a decreasing trend with the increase of dust exposure years. By LASSO regression, the important characteristic VOCs of the coal workers' pneumoconiosis group and the dust exposure group were n-hexane, methylcyclohexane and 4-methyl-2-pentanone, and the important characteristic VOCs of the coal workers' pneumoconiosis group and the healthy group were 2-methyl-pentane and 4-methyl-2-pentanone. The ROC analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of n-hexane, methylcyclohexane, and 4-methyl-2-pentanone were 0.969, 0.909, and 0.956, respectively, and the AUC of combined diagnosis was 0.988 and its Youden index was 0.961, suggesting that these results can serve as a valuable reference for further research on early diagnosis. The Correlation analysis found that there was a positive correlation between n-hexane and lung function indicators in the important characteristic VOCs, indicating that it could indirectly reflect the obstruction of lung function ventilation, further proving that important characteristic VOCs have the potential to monitor lung function decline. Conclusion Three important characteristic VOCs selected in this study have the potential to be used as non-invasive biomarkers for early diagnosis and disease monitoring of coal workers' pneumoconiosis, and are worthy of further study and verification.

Laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy (LSC) has been a safe and viable alternative to conversion to laparotomy in cases of severe cholecystitis. The objective of this study is to determine the utility of intraoperative choledochoscopy in LSC for the exploration of the gallbladder, cyst duct, and subsequent stone clearance of the cystic duct in cases of severe cholecystitis. A total of 72 patients diagnosed with severe cholecystitis received choledochoscopy-assisted laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy (CALSC). A choledochoscopy was performed to explore the gallbladder cavity and/or cystic duct, and to extract stones using a range of techniques. The clinical records, including the operative records and outcomes, were subjected to analysis. No LSC was converted to open surgery, and no bile duct or vascular injuries were sustained. All stones within the cystic duct were removed by a combination of techniques, including high-frequency needle knife electrotomy, basket, and electrohydraulic lithotripsy. A follow-up examination revealed the absence of residual bile duct stones, with the exception of one common bile duct stone, which was extracted via endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. In certain special cases, CALSC may prove to be an efficacious treatment for the management of severe cholecystitis. This technique allows for optimal comprehension of the situation within the gallbladder cavity and cystic duct, facilitating the removal of stones from the cystic duct and reducing the residue of the non-functional gallbladder remnant.

Post-stroke depression(PSD),a common stroke complication characterized by depressed mood and diminished interest,severely affects patients'recovery and quality of life.Microglial abnormal activation and polarization play key roles in PSD pathogenesis,closely associated with neuroinflammation and imbalance in neu-rotransmitter metabolism.In contrast,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)demonstrates unique multi-target and multi-level mechanisms:regulating microglial function,ameliorating post-stroke neuroinflammatory environments,and promoting neuroplasticity,thereby potentially alleviating PSD symptoms.This review summarizes TCM's effects on microglial activation/polarization states and its therapeutic advances in PSD,providing novel perspectives and strategies for clinical management.

Objective:To observe the effect of Guilu Taohong Formula on semen quality in varicocele(VC)models of rats,and to explore its possible mechanism.Methods:Forty-eight male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups(sham group,model group,Guilu Taohong Formula group and L-carnitine group).After the establishment of models,the rats were treated with intra-gastric administration for eight consecutive weeks.The general condition of the rats was observed.After the gavage,the testicular and epididymal indices were calculated.Semen quality was assessed using an automatic semen analyzer.Apoptosis of testicular cells was assessed by TUNEL staining.And the expression levels of B-cell lymphocytoma-2(Bcl-2),Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax)and cys-teine aspartate protease-3(caspase-3)in testicular tissue were detected by Western blot.Results:Compared with the sham group,testicular index,epididymal index,sperm concentration,the percentage of progressive motility of sperm(PR％)and the expression level of Bcl-2 decreased in model group(P＜0.01).An increased apoptosis rate of spermatogenic cells and the expression levels of Bax and caspase-3 proteins were observed in model group as well(P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the testicular index,epidid-ymal index,sperm concentration,PR％and the expression level of Bcl-2 in Guilu Taohong Formula group increased significantly(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).A decreased apoptosis rate of spermatogenic cells and the expression levels of Bax and caspase-3 proteins were de-tected in Guilu Taohong Formula group as well(P＜0.01).Similarly,the L-carnitine group showed increased testicular index,epidid-ymal index,sperm concentration,PR％and the expression level of Bcl-2 protein(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),where showed decreased ap-optosis rate of spermatogenic cells and the expression levels of Bax and caspase-3 proteins compared with model group(P＜0.01,P＜0.05).Conclusion:Guilu Taohong Formula improves semen quality in VC model rats and reduces the apoptosis rate of spermato-genic cells in testicular tissue,which may be related to the promotion of Bcl-2 protein expression and the inhibition of Bax and caspase-3 protein expression levels.

Aim To explore the mechanism of luteolin in alleviating hepatic fibrosis.Methods C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the control group,CCl4 group,silybin group(100 mg·kg-1)and luteo-lin group(100 mg·kg-1).After 10-week modeling and 2-week treatment,the serum levels of aminotrans-ferase and liver histopathology were examined.Hepatic fibrosis and autophagy-related gene expression were as-sessed using immunohistochemistry and immunofluores-cence.Human hepatic stellate cell line(LX2)was cultured and divided into control,TGF-β1(10 mg·L-1),TGF-β1+silybin(40 μmol·L-1),TGF-β1+luteolin(40 μmol·L-1).Fibrotic and autophagy-re-lated markers were analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR,Western blot,immunofluorescence and MDC staining.Results Compared with the CCl4 group,the treatment groups showed significantly improved liver function and reduced hepatic fibrosis,with markedly downregulated COL1A1 and α-SMA expression,and luteolin demonstrated superior efficacy.Compared with TGF-β1 group,luteolin treatment significantly de-creased mRNA levels of COL1A1,ACTA2 and MAP1LC3B,while increasing the mRNA level of SQSTM1,the protein levels of COL1A1 and α-SMA de-creased,p62 was enhanced,the LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ ratio was downregulated,and autophagy was reduced.These effects of luteolin were reversed by autophagy inducer rapamycin.Conclusion Luteolin alleviates liver fi-brosis by decreasing the autophagy of hepatic stellate cells.

Objective We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Shengxuebao Mixture in the treatment of cancer-related anemia(CRA)presenting with syndrome of deficiency of liver and kidney combined with syndrome of deficiency of both qi and blood.Methods A randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled,multicenter clinical trial was conducted.Eligible patients with malignant tumors meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled from 26 hospitals,including Dongzhimen Hospital,Beijing University of Chinese Medicine,Xiaogan Central Hospital,and Yangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine,from June 1,2022,to September 30,2024.Patients were allocated 1:1 to either the experimental group receiving Shengxuebao Mixture or the control group receiving its simulator(placebo)using a block randomization method under double-blind conditions.Both groups received 15 mL orally three times daily for 28 consecutive days.The primary efficacy indicators included the hemoglobin(Hb)improvement rate(RHb)and the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome improvement rate(RTCM)at week 4 of treatment.The secondary efficacy indicators encompassed Hb and red blood cell(RBC)count,Karnofsky Performance Status(KPS)score,TCM syndrome score,individual TCM symptom scores,and changes in each of these indicators compared to the baseline period at weeks 2,4,and 6 of treatment.Safety evaluations were conducted at week 4 of treatment.Results A total of 239 patients were enrolled,with 225 cases included in the Full Analysis Set(FAS)(109 in the experimental group vs.116 control group),163 in the Per Protocol Set(PPS)(77 vs.86),and 225 in the Safety Set(SS)(109 vs.116).Baseline characteristics between groups showed no significant differences.Significant differences were observed between the experimental and control groups in RHb at week 4(FAS:49.51%vs.35.24%,P<0.05;PPS:53.25%vs.36.05%,P<0.05)and RTCM at week 4(FAS:61.54%vs.39.62%,P<0.01;PPS:64.94%vs.40.70%,P<0.01).At weeks 2,4,and 6,the experimental group showed greater improvements in Hb and RBC counts than the control group.Additionally,the TCM syndrome scores were lower in the experimental group than in the control group at these time points.Except for week 2 in PPS,the KPS improvement was better in the experimental group than in the control group(P<0.05).The experimental group also demonstrated a greater reduction in scores for individual TCM symptoms such as spiritlessness and weakness,poor appetite and reduced food intake at weeks 4 and 6 compared to the control group(P<0.05,P<0.01).Furthermore,the reduction in vertigo score was more pronounced in the experimental group at week 6(P<0.01).For the score of pale and lusterless complexion,only in the PPS was the reduction from baseline more significant in the experimental group than in the control group at weeks 4 and 6(P<0.05).No significant differences were observed between the experimental and control groups in the incidence of all adverse events or drug-related adverse reactions.Conclusion Shengxuebao Mixture demonstrates significant efficacy in patients with CRA presenting syndrome of deficiency of liver and kidney combined with syndrome of deficiency of both qi and blood,effectively increasing Hb levels,ameliorating TCM syndromes,alleviating clinical symptoms,and enhancing functional status,with no significant difference in adverse drug reactions compared to the placebo.

Objective:To investigate the protective effect of achyranthes bidentata(AB)on sperm quality in mice with sper-matogenic disorder through the glycolytic metabolic pathway and its action mechanism.Methods:We equally randomized 40 Kun-ming mice into a normal control,a model control,a low-dose AB(3.5 g/kg)and a high-dose AB group(7.0 g/kg),and established the model of spermatogenic disorder in the latter three groups of mice by intraperitoneal injection of doxorubicin(30 mg/kg).Two days after modeling,we collected the testis and kidney tissues and blood samples from the mice for observation of the pathological changes in the testis tissue by HE staining,detection of perm motility with the sperm quality analyzer,examination of the apoptosis of testis cells by flow cytometry,measurement of the levels of testosterone(T),malondialdehyde(MDA),superoxide dismutase(SOD)and cata-lase(CAT)in the serum and testis tissue by ELISA,and determination of expressions of the key enzymes of glycolysis hexokinase Ⅱ(HK2),pyruvate kinase M2(PKM2),platelet phosphofructokinase(PFKP),lactate dehydrogenase A(LDHA)and the meiosis pro-teins REC8 and SCP3 by Western blot,and the mRNA expressions of glycolytic phosphofructokinase 1(PFK1),phosphoglycerate ki-nase 1(PGK1),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin-1 β(IL-1β)by fluorescence quantitative PCR(FQ-PCR).Results:Compared with the model controls,the mice in the AB groups showed significant increases in the testis coefficient,kidney in-dex,sperm concentration,sperm motility,spermatogonia,primary spermatocytes,spermatids,sperm count and the serum T level(P＜0.05 orP＜0.01),but dramatic decreases in the apoptosis of testis cells and percentage of morphologically abnormal sperm(P＜0.01).Achyranthes bidentata also significantly elevated the levels of SOD and CAT,and down-regulated the mRNA expressions of MDA,TNF-α and IL-1β(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),and up-regulated the protein expressions of HK2,PKM2,PFKP,LDHA,REC8 and SCP3,and expressions of the glycolysis key genes Pfk1 and Pgk1(P＜0.05 orP＜0.01).Conclusion:Achyranthes bidentata ameliorates doxorubicin-induced spermatogenic disorder in mice by regulating the glycolytic pathway and reducing oxidative stress and the expressions of inflammatory factors.

Objective:This paper investigates residents'awareness and preference for Traditional Chinese Medicine intelligent diagnostic device(hereinafter referred to as the device),and provides basis and suggestions for further promoting the integrated development of artificial intelligence and traditional Chinese medicine clinical diagnosis.Method:A random sampling survey was conducted,and a Discrete Choice Experiment was designed to conduct an offline survey in Beijing.Use chi square test,count analysis,and conditional Logit model for data analysis.Result:A total of 480 valid questionnaires were collected and surveyed.Most respondents have heard of it(58.96%),a few have used it(31.67%),and most would recommend the device(71.25%).Knowing and using experience will increase the probability of recommendation.Residents attach the highest importance to annual average expenses;More inclined to use devices in the community that can see family data,connect data and hospitals,monitor electrocardiogram,provide comprehensive health reports,and have low annual costs;Willing to pay an additional 572 yuan per year for the comprehensive health report device.Conclusion:There should be more collaboration with hospitals in usage scenarios and cloud data.In addition,manufacturers should enrich output information and service methods of the e.