ObjectiveTo screen suitable packaging and storage conditions for small packaged Alismatis Rhizoma decoction pieces， laying the foundation for developing standardized storage， maintenance techniques and determining shelf life. MethodsUsing the accelerated stability test method， the small packaged decoction pieces of Alismatis Rhizoma were placed in polyethylene plastic bags， aluminum foil polyethylene composite bags， and cowhide coated paper bags under temperature of （40±2） ℃ and relative humidity of （75±5）% conditions， the quality testing was conducted at the end of the 0^th， 1^st， 2^nd， 3^rd， and 6^th month， respectively. Using long-term stability test method， an orthogonal experiment was designed to investigate storage conditions， packaging materials， and packaging methods. At the end of the 0^th， 1^st， 3^rd， 6^th， 9^th， 12^th， 18^th， and 24^th month， the quality of small packaged Alismatis Rhizoma decoction pieces was tested under different packaging and storage conditions（including 2 packaging methods：vacuum packaging and sealed packaging， 3 storage conditions：room temperature， cool， and modified atmosphere， 3 packaging materials：cowhide coated paper bag， aluminum foil polyethylene composite bag， and polyethylene plastic bag）. Then， the G1-entropy weight method combined with orthogonal experiment was used to analyze the quality changes of the decoction pieces under different packaging and storage conditions to identify optimal packaging and storage conditions. The quality testing indicators for Alismatis Rhizoma decoction pieces were expanded beyond those specified in the 2020 edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China. In addition to the existing indicators（characteristics， moisture content， extractives， and the total content of 23-acetyl alisol B and 23-acetyl alisol C）， new indicators including color value， water activity， total triterpenoid content， and alisol B content have been added. ResultsThe accelerated stability test results indicated that the quality of small packaged Alismatis Rhizoma decoction pieces was more stable when packaged in aluminum foil-polyethylene composite materials compared to cowhide-coated paper bags and polyethylene plastic bags. Analysis of the long-term stability test results using the G1-entropy weight method combined with orthogonal experiment revealed that storage conditions had the greatest impact on both raw and salt-processed products， followed by packaging materials， while the packaging method had the least influence. For both types of small packaged Alismatis Rhizoma decoction pieces， modified atmosphere storage demonstrated superior efficacy compared to cool storage or room temperature storage. Storage in aluminum foil-polyethylene composite bags was superior to polyethylene plastic bags or cowhide-coated paper bags. However， the stability of sealed raw products was better than vacuum-packed ones， whereas vacuum-packed salt-processed products exhibited greater stability than their sealed counterparts. ConclusionBased on the results of the quality changes of small packaged Alismatis Rhizoma decoction pieces under different storage conditions， it is recommended that the suitable storage packaging conditions for small packaged raw products are sealed packaging with aluminum foil polyethylene composite bags and controlled atmosphere storage， and the suitable storage and packaging conditions for small packaged salt-processed products are vacuum packaging with aluminum foil polyethylene composite bags and controlled atmosphere storage.

Atherosclerosis is a chronic vascular disease caused by lipid deposition in the inner wall of blood vessels.Ferroptosis is a non-apoptotic form of cell death characterized by iron dependence and lipid reactive oxygen accumulation.Recent studies have shown that ferroptosis is closely related to the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis.This article explained the correlation between ferroptosis and atherosclerosis from the aspects of foam cell formation,endothelial cell death,vascular smooth muscle proliferation and calcification,and believed that ferroptosis runs through its pathological process.By combing the current research status of the mechanism of Chinese materia medica regulating ferroptosis to treat atherosclerosis,it can be seen that TCM monomers and compounds can reduce endothelial cell dysfunction and inflammatory response,slow down oxidative stress levels,and reduce the accumulation of oxidized lipids under the intima of arterial blood vessels by regulating ferroptosis p53,Nrf2 signaling pathway,amino acid metabolism,lipid metabolism,etc.,so that the blood vessels reach homeostasis,which can provide a reference for the exploration of clinical treatment strategies for atherosclerosis.

Objective To investigate the differences and influencing factors of chronic heart failure(CHF)with qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome and with other TCM syndrome types.Methods Totally 354 CHF patients from Dongzhimen Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine were enrolled from January 2019 to December 2023,including 242 cases of qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome,52 cases of qi and yin deficiency and blood stasis syndrome,and 60 cases of yang qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome.The general demographic sociological characteristics of patients with each syndrome type,the New York Heart Association cardiac function classification(NYHA classification),and the heart failure classification were collected.The cardiac function-related indexes and laboratory examination indicators were detected.The Minnesota Heart Failure Patients'Life Questionnaire(MLHFQ)was used to evaluate the quality of life of the patients in three areas:physical,emotional and other three domains.The differences of the above factors among patients with different syndrome types were compared,and a disordered multi-categorical logistics regression model of TCM syndrome types was constructed to analyze the association between the above factors and qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome.Traditional Chinese Medicine Inheritance Calculation Platform 3.0 was used to analyze the frequency,property,taste and meridian tropism of prescription drugs.Results The proportion of patients with NYHAⅡ qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome was higher than that of the group with qi and yin deficiency and blood stasis syndrome(P<0.05);the left ventricular ejection fraction in patients with yang qi deficiency and blood stasis pattern was significantly lower than that in patients with qi deficiency and blood stasis pattern(P<0.05);and the scores of the body domain,other domain and the total score of the MLHFQ questionnaire in patients with qi deficiency and blood stasis pattern were lower than those of the other two syndrome types(P<0.05);the serum neutrophils(NE%),C-reactive protein(CRP)and interleukin-6(IL-6)in the qi and yin deficiency and blood stasis syndrome were higher than those in the group with qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome(P<0.05).Multivariate Logistics regression analysis showed that arrhythmia,CRP and IL-6 were independent influencing factors for CHF with qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome(P<0.05).Totally 284 prescriptions were included,involving 190 kinds of Chinese materia medica.The top 10 were Astragali Radix,Ophiopogonis Radix,Lonicerae Japonicae Flos,Pseudostellariae Radix,Hordei Fructus Germinatus,Galli Gigerii Endothelium Corneumm,Puerariae Lobatue Radix,Scrophulariae Radix,Ziziphi Spinosae Semen and Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium.Conclusion Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome is a relatively stable stage of CHF,with cardiac function mainly distributed in grade Ⅱ,Ⅲ,with a relatively high proportion of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction,fewer other underlying diseases,lower inflammatory indicators,and relatively good quality of life.Combined arrhythmia,CRP and IL-6 indicators can be used as an auxiliary basis for syndrome differentiation of qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome.

AIM To investigate the effects of Modified Baitouweng Decoction and Lizhong Decoction on mouse ulcerative colitis(UC).METHODS The mouse model of UC was established by 3％dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)induction.The C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the blank group,the model group,the low,medium and high dose Modified Baitouweng Decoction and Lizhong Decoction groups(3,6,12 g/kg),and sulfasalazine group(300 mg/kg),for 7 days gavage of the appropriate drugs,with 10 mice in each group.The mice had their disease activity index(DAI)and colonic mucosal damage index(CMDI)calculated;their colonic length and unit colonic weight measured;their histopathologic changes of colon observed by HE;their colonic ROS,MDA levels and GSH-Px,SOD activities detected by superoxide anion fluorescent probes and kits;their colonic levels of TNF-α,IL-6 and IL-1β detected by ELISA;their colonic LC3 expression detected by immunofluorescence method;and their colonic AMPK,mTOR and p70S6K protein expressions detected by Western blot method.RESULTS Compared with the blank group,the model group displayed significantly higher DAI score,CMDI score,unit colon weight,pathology score,ROS and MDA content,TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-1β levels,and mTOR and p70S6K protein expression(P＜0.01);and significantly lower colon length,GSH-Px and SOD activity,LC3 level,and phosphorylated AMPK protein expression(P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the groups intervened with Modified Baitouweng Decoction and Lizhong Decoction or sulfasalazine shared decreased DAI score,CMDI score,unit colon mass,pathology score,ROS,MDA,TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β levels,mTOR,p70S6K protein expressions(P＜0.01);and significantly improved symptomsin terms of the elevated colonic length,GSH-Px,SOD activities,LC3 level,AMPK protein expression(P＜0.01).CONCLUSION Modified Baitouweng Decoction and Lizhong Decoction may attenuate inflammatory response and oxidative damage in UC mouse models via AMPK/mTOR/p70S6K signaling pathway.

Banxia Xiexin Decoction has the effect of harmonizing the spleen and stomach,and regulating cold and heat.It is mainly used for the treatment of epigastric fullness of mixed cold and heat in the heart,and has certain advantages in relieving symptoms,reducing recurrence rates,and ensuring safety.This article reviewed the clinical application of Banxia Xiexin Decoction from the perspectives of digestive system diseases,neurological diseases,gastrointestinal tumors,respiratory system diseases,endocrine diseases,dermatological diseases,gynecological diseases,and other diseases.It also summarized the mechanism of Banxia Xiexin Decoction from the aspects of protection of gastrointestinal mucosa,anti-inflammatory and bactericidal effects,immune regulation,regulation of neurotransmitters,anti-tumor effects,blood glucose lowering,and improvement of insulin resistance,providing reference for the in-depth research and application of Banxia Xiexin Decoction.

BACKGROUND:The micro/nanostructured gradient biomimetic surface of implant materials can simulate the structure of the extracellular environment in human bone tissue,thereby achieving perfect bone integration function.However,further research is needed on the mechanisms by which the surface microstructure of bone implant materials regulates cell function and promotes osteogenesis. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the effect of titanium sheet microstructure surface on osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts. METHODS:(1)At a constant voltage of 5 V or 20 V,nanotube arrays of different diameters were prepared on the surface of titanium sheets by acid etching and anodic oxidation techniques,and were recorded as group R5 and group R20,respectively.The surface morphology,roughness,and hydrophilicity of pure titanium sheet(without acid etching or anodizing treatment)were measured in group R5 and group R20.(2)MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts of logarithmic growth stage were inoculated on the surface of pure titanium sheets,R5 group and R20 group respectively.After 24 hours of osteogenic induction culture,the expression of mechanical sensitive channel protein 1 was analyzed by RT-PCR and immunofluorescence staining.Osteoblast inducible base with or without the mechanosensitive channel protein 1 activator Yada1 was added,and alkaline phosphatase staining was performed after 7 days of culture.Alizarin red staining was performed after 14 days of culture. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The surface of pure titanium sheets was smooth under scanning electron microscope.Relatively uniform and orderly nanotube arrays with average diameters of about 30 nm and 100 nm were observed on the surface of titanium sheets of groups R5 and R20,respectively.The results of scanning electron microscope were further verified by atomic force microscopy.The surface roughness of titanium sheet of group R5 was higher than that of pure titanium(P<0.05),and the water contact angle was lower than that of pure titanium(P<0.05).The surface roughness of titanium sheet in group R20 was higher than that in group R5(P<0.05),and the water contact angle was lower than that in group R5(P<0.05).(2)RT-PCR and immunofluorescence staining showed that the expression of mechanosensitive channel protein 1 in group R5 was higher than that in pure titanium group(P<0.05),and the expression of mechanosensitive channel protein 1 in group R20 was higher than that in group R5(P<0.05).Under the osteogenic induction,compared with the condition without Yada1,there were no significant changes in the activity of alkaline phosphatase and the deposition of calcified nodules in pure titanium group after Yada1 addition,while the activity of alkaline phosphatase and the deposition of calcified nodules in groups R5 and R20 after Yada1 addition were significantly increased(P<0.05).With or without Yada1,the alkaline phosphatase activity and calcified nodule deposition in group R5 were higher than those in pure titanium group(P<0.05),and the alkaline phosphatase activity and calcified nodule deposition in group R20 were higher than those in group R5(P<0.05).(3)The results show that the surface microstructure of titanium sheet can promote the osteogenic differentiation of osteoblast MC3T3-E1 by activating mechanosensitive channel protein 1.

Recent studies have shown that shorter periods of ejaculatory abstinence may enhance certain sperm parameters, but the molecular mechanisms underlying these improvements are still unclear. This study explored whether reduced abstinence periods could improve semen quality, particularly for use in assisted reproductive technologies (ART). We analyzed semen samples from men with normal sperm counts ( n = 101) and those with low sperm motility or concentration ( n = 53) after 3-7 days of abstinence and then after 1-3 h of abstinence, obtained from the Reproductive & Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya (Changsha, China). Physiological and biochemical sperm parameters were evaluated, and the dynamics of transfer RNA (tRNA)-derived fragments (tRFs) were analyzed using deep RNA sequencing in five consecutive samples from men with normal sperm counts. Our results revealed significant improvement in sperm motility and a decrease in the DNA fragmentation index after the 1- to 3-h abstinence period. Additionally, we identified 245 differentially expressed tRFs, and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway was the most enriched. Further investigations showed significant changes in tRF-Lys-TTT and its target gene mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 2 ( MAP2K2 ), which indicates a role of tRFs in improving sperm function. These findings provide new insights into how shorter abstinence periods influence sperm quality and suggest that tRFs may serve as biomarkers for male fertility. This research highlights the potential for optimizing ART protocols and improving reproductive outcomes through molecular approaches that target sperm function.
Male ; Humans ; Spermatozoa/metabolism* ; RNA, Transfer/genetics* ; Sperm Motility/genetics* ; Adult ; Semen Analysis ; Sexual Abstinence/physiology* ; Sperm Count ; DNA Fragmentation

Despite therapy with potent antiviral agents, chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients remain at high risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). While metabolites have been rediscovered as active drivers of biological processes including carcinogenesis, the specific metabolites modulating HCC risk in CHB patients are largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that baseline plasma from CHB patients who later developed HCC during follow-up exhibits growth-promoting properties in a case-control design nested within a large-scale, prospective cohort. Metabolomics analysis reveals a reduction in long-chain acylcarnitines (LCACs) in the baseline plasma of patients with HCC development. LCACs preferentially inhibit the proliferation of HCC cells in vitro at a physiological concentration and prevent the occurrence of HCC in vivo without hepatorenal toxicity. Uptake and metabolism of circulating LCACs increase the intracellular level of acetyl coenzyme A, which upregulates histone H3 Lys14 acetylation at the promoter region of KLF6 gene and thereby activates KLF6/p21 pathway. Indeed, blocking LCAC metabolism attenuates the difference in KLF6/p21 expression induced by baseline plasma of HCC/non-HCC patients. The deficiency of circulating LCACs represents a driver of HCC in CHB patients with viral control. These insights provide a promising direction for developing therapeutic strategies to reduce HCC risk further in the antiviral era.

OBJECTIVE: Several epidemiological observational studies have related particulate matter (PM) exposure to Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but many confounding factors make it difficult to draw causal links from observational studies. The objective of this study was to explore the causal association between PM _2.5 exposure, its absorbance, and IBD. METHODS: We assessed the association of PM _2.5 and PM _2.5 absorbance with the two primary forms of IBD (Crohn's disease [CD] and ulcerative colitis [UC]) using Mendelian randomization (MR) to explore the causal relationship. We conducted two-sample MR analyses with aggregated data from the UK Biobank genome-wide association study. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms linked with PM _2.5 concentrations or their absorbance were used as instrumental variables (IVs). We used inverse variance weighting (IVW) as the primary analytical approach and four other standard methods as supplementary analyses for quality control. RESULTS: The results of MR demonstrated that PM _2.5 had an adverse influence on UC risk (odds ratio [ OR] = 1.010; 95% confidence interval [ CI] = 1.001-1.019, P = 0.020). Meanwhile, the results of IVW showed that PM _2.5 absorbance was also causally associated with UC ( OR = 1.012; 95% CI = 1.004-1.019, P = 0.002). We observed no causal relationship between PM _2.5, PM _2.5 absorbance, and CD. The results of sensitivity analysis indicated the absence of heterogeneity or pleiotropy, ensuring the reliability of MR results. CONCLUSION Based on two-sample MR analyses, there are potential positive causal relationships between PM _2.5, PM _2.5 absorbance, and UC.
Humans ; Mendelian Randomization Analysis ; Particulate Matter/analysis* ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/genetics* ; Air Pollutants/analysis* ; Crohn Disease/genetics* ; Colitis, Ulcerative/genetics* ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Risk Factors ; Environmental Exposure

Objective:To explore the medication law of national TCM master Lu Fang in the treatment of primary trigeminal neuralgia (PTN) based on data mining.Methods:With the prescription of the outpatient patients of Harbin Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Professor Lu Fang from September 2014 to September 2022 as the data source, the frequency, property and taste, and meridian tropism of the prescribed drugs were analyzed using Excel 2022 software. R 4.2.1 was used for mining analysis on Chinese materia medica, including correlation, relevance, and clustering,and the medication law in the treatment of PTN was discussed.Results:A total of 300 prescriptions were analyzed, involving 177 kinds of Chinese materia medica, with a frequency of 3 120 times, and 34 kinds of of high-frequency Chinese materia medica. The high frequently Chinese materia medica included Chuanxiong Rhizoma, Angelicae Dahuricae Radix, Puerariae Lobatae Radix, Ligustici Rhizoma et Radix, and Viticis Fructus. The main properties were warm, slightly cold, and neutral, while the main tastes were pungent, bitter, and sweet. The meridian tropism analysis ranked the liver, lung, spleen, and stomach meridians in descending order. Analysis yielded 21 strong association rules, and the association analysis formed a core prescription group based on Chuanxiong Rhizoma, Angelicae Dahuricae Radix, and Ligustici Rhizoma et Radix. The analysis obtained 5 types of clustering combinations.Conclusion:Professor Lu Fang's the medication law to treat primary trigeminal neuralgia is mainly dispelling wind and alleviating pain, which is often combined with the methods, such as searching and dredging collaterals, clearing and dispelling the stagnated heat, calming the liver and subduing yang, soothing the liver and invigorating the spleen.