Curcumin (Cur), a natural polyphenolic compound extracted from the rhizomes of plants belonging to the Zingiberaceae and Araceae families, has attracted considerable interest for its remarkable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anticancer activities. Extensive studies have focused on its potential in treating various diseases, including cancers, neurodegenerative diseases, inflammation, and autoimmune disorders. However, its clinical application has been hampered by inherent physicochemical challenges, such as poor aqueous solubility, short half-life, and low bioavailability. To address these challenges, nanodrug delivery systems have been developed to improve the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles of curcumin, thereby enhancing its therapeutic efficacy. This review summarizes the pharmacological activities and underlying mechanisms of curcumin, encompassing its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antiviral, and antibacterial effects. Furthermore, it highlights the significant advancements achieved through the development of curcumin-based nanomedicines. By synthesizing current findings, this review aims to provide insights that may inspire innovative strategies for the future design and broader applications of curcumin nanomedicines.

Objective:To explore the factors influencing the success rate of culturing patient-derived gastric and colorectal cancer organoids.Methods:From Feb 2022 to Oct 2023, 398 tumor tissue specimens from patients who underwent gastric cancer and colorectal cancer resection at the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, were used for organoid culture. The clinicopathological factors affecting the success rate of organoid culture were analyzed.Results:The overall success rate of organoid culture in this group was 75.1% (299/398), with the success rate of gastric cancer organoid culture being 79.8%(154/193) and that of colorectal cancer being 70.7% (145/205). Different clinicopathological T stage ( χ2=4.765, P<0.05),histological type ( χ2=11.248, P<0.05), and tumor regression grade (TRG) grade after neoadjuvant chemotherapy ( χ2=7.797, P<0.05) were related to the success rate of organoid culture . Multivariate analysis showed that the TRG grade was an independent influencing factor( P=0.040). For colorectal cancer, different pathological T stage ( χ2=5.108, P<0.05), histological type ( χ2=11.270, P<0.05), and TRG grade after neoadjuvant chemotherapy ( χ2=6.797, P<0.05) were related to the success rate of organoidculture . Different from gastric cancer, the results of multivariate analysis of colorectal cancer showed that the histological type was an independent influencing factor ( P=0.018). Conclusions:The pathologic T stage, histological type of tumors, and TRG of cancer patients all have a significant impact on the success rate of establishing tumor organoids. Among them, the TRG grade is an independent influencing factor for the culture of gastric cancer organoids, and the histological type is an independent influencing factor for colorectal cancer organoids.

Objective:To establish a quality control method for the standard decoction of Polygoni Avicularis Herba.Methods:Totally 12 batches of decoction pieces from different origins were collected, the standard decoction was prepared and the quality evaluation method was established, the content of index components in the decoction pieces and the standard decoction was determined with HPLC, the index components, solution pH and other parameters were calculated, and the similarity analysis was carried out against the fingerprints.Results:The total content of myricetin in 12 batches of decoction pieces was >0.12%, and the content of myricetin in the standard decoction was >0.03%, which met the standard of the 2020 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The pH value was 5.1-5.5, the transfer rate of myricetin components ranged from 50.0%-106.3%, and the fingerprint study showed that there were 7 common peaks. The similarity analysis results indicated that the standard decoction of 12 batches of decoction pieces of Polygoni Avicularis Herba had good consistency.Conclusion:The preparation process is stable and feasible in line with the traditional decoction preparation method, and can be used for the research and quality evaluation of the standard decoction.

Chemotherapy is an important treatment for tumors， but most patients experience varying degrees of chemotherapy- induced myelosuppression. Four properties theory of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） has unique advantages in improving chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression. The monomers from TCM with different properties and flavors， such as cold-natured （e.g. Scutellaria baicalensis， Rhus chinensis）， cool-natured （e.g. Ligustrum lucidum， Ophiopogon japonicus）， warm-natured （e.g. Panax ginseng， Epimedium brevicornu， Curcuma longa， Angelica sinensis）， hot-natured （e.g. Cinnamomum cassia， Aconitum carmichaeli）， and neutral-natured （e. g. donkey-hide gelatin， Lycium barbarum， Rhodiola rosea， fungi）， can exert anti- myelosuppressive effects by reducing damage to hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells， improving the bone marrow hematopoietic microenvironment， inhibiting the oxidative stress response， regulating signaling pathways， so as to ultimately repaire inflammatory damage and improve hematopoietic function， thereby playing an anti-myelosuppressive role.

Objective:To explore the factors influencing the success rate of culturing patient-derived gastric and colorectal cancer organoids.Methods:From Feb 2022 to Oct 2023, 398 tumor tissue specimens from patients who underwent gastric cancer and colorectal cancer resection at the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, were used for organoid culture. The clinicopathological factors affecting the success rate of organoid culture were analyzed.Results:The overall success rate of organoid culture in this group was 75.1% (299/398), with the success rate of gastric cancer organoid culture being 79.8%(154/193) and that of colorectal cancer being 70.7% (145/205). Different clinicopathological T stage ( χ2=4.765, P<0.05),histological type ( χ2=11.248, P<0.05), and tumor regression grade (TRG) grade after neoadjuvant chemotherapy ( χ2=7.797, P<0.05) were related to the success rate of organoid culture . Multivariate analysis showed that the TRG grade was an independent influencing factor( P=0.040). For colorectal cancer, different pathological T stage ( χ2=5.108, P<0.05), histological type ( χ2=11.270, P<0.05), and TRG grade after neoadjuvant chemotherapy ( χ2=6.797, P<0.05) were related to the success rate of organoidculture . Different from gastric cancer, the results of multivariate analysis of colorectal cancer showed that the histological type was an independent influencing factor ( P=0.018). Conclusions:The pathologic T stage, histological type of tumors, and TRG of cancer patients all have a significant impact on the success rate of establishing tumor organoids. Among them, the TRG grade is an independent influencing factor for the culture of gastric cancer organoids, and the histological type is an independent influencing factor for colorectal cancer organoids.

Objective : To investigate the expression and biological function of circular RNA(circRNA) hsa＿circ＿0002938 in gastric cancer. Methods : 45 pairs of tumor tissues and para-cancerous tissues from gastric cancer patients who underwent tumor reduction surgery at the hospital were collected. Human gastric cancer cells SGC-7901, BGC-823, HGC-27, MGC-803 and immortalized gastric mucosal epithelial cells GES-1 were routinely cultured. RT-qPCR was utilized to detect the expression of hsa＿circ＿0002938 in gastric cancer tissues and cells. Chi-square test was used to analyze its association with the clinicopathological characteristics of patients, and the Kaplan-Meier method was employed to assess the relationship between hsa＿circ＿0002938 expression levels and patient prognosis. The effects of hsa＿circ＿0002938 on the proliferation, migration and invasion abilities of gastric cancer cells were detected by CCK-8, scratch wound healing and Transwell assays. Bioinformatics was used to predict the miRNA and its downstream target genes that hsa＿circ＿0002938 might bind to. The competitive endogenous RNA regulatory network was constructed and the functions of the target genes were enriched. Results : The expression of hsa＿circ＿0002938 in gastric cancer tissues and cells was much higher than that in para-cancerous tissues and GES-1 cells(P<0.05). By contrast, patients in the high hsa＿circ＿0002938 expression group had significantly shorter 2-year progression-free survival than that in the low expression group after surgery(P<0.01). Moreover, knocking down the expression of hsa＿circ＿0002938 reduced the proliferative, migratory, and invasive abilities of gastric cancer cells(P<0.05). Bioinformatics predictive analysis showed that hsa＿circ＿0002938 could bind to hsa-miR-342-3p and hsa-miR-503-5p. The downstream target genes of miRNA were involved in several cancer-related pathways, like mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK), hippo and Wnt signaling pathway. Conclusion Hsa＿circ＿0002938, which is highly expressed in gastric cancer tissues and cells, is closely associated with poor patient prognosis. Knockdown of hsa＿circ＿0002938 inhibits the proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities of gastric cancer cells. The study reveals the potential role of hsa＿circ＿0002938 in the progression of gastric cancer, offering new insights into its prevention and treatment.

Based on the theory of ti （character， 体） and yong （function， 用） in mental illness， ZHAO Yonghou's clinical experience in staged differentiation and treatment of schizophrenia is summarized. According to the theory， the core disease location of schizophrenia is in the brain， which is closely related to the organs， qi， and blood. It is proposed to interpret the pathogenesis of schizophrenia from the perspective of “zang-fu organs-qi and blood-brain and spirit”， that is， dysfunction of the zang-fu organs， disharmony of qi and blood， and malnourishment of the brain ti lead to dysfunction of the spirit ti and yong. In clinical practice， treatment of schizophrenia can be divided into four stages， for which the method of treating ti and yong simultaneously is suggested. In the prodromal stage， Liuwei Dihuang Decoction combined with Sini San （六味地黄汤合四逆散） with modifications is used to nourish the kidney and boost marrow， soothe the liver and rectify the spleen. For acute exacerbation with binding of phlegm and heat syndrome， Zhaoshi Yikuang Decoction （赵氏抑狂汤） with modifications is used to clear heat and dispel phlegm， awaken the brain and calm the mind. For phlegm-heat damaging yin pattern， Mengshi Guntan Pill combined with Zengye Decoction （礞石滚痰丸合增液汤） with modifications is used to clear heat and dispel phlegm， enrich yin and calm the mind. For the chronic treatment stage， Yudian Decoction （愈癫汤） with modifications is used to disperse phlegm and dissolve stasis， move qi and awaken the mind. For the rehabilitation and regulation stage， Shenan Pill （神安丸） with modifications is used to boost qi and nourish yin， and tranquilize the mind.

Objective:To investigate alterations in brain functional connectivity (FC) in schizophrenia (SZ) model rats treated with Yudian decoction by using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).Methods:At 17th day of gestation in healthy SPF grade SD rats, a single intraperitoneal injection of methylazoxymethanol (MAM) (25 mg/kg) was used to induce abnormalities in monoamine neurotransmitters in pregnant female rats, thereby to establish a model of neural development abnormalities in the offspring. Four weeks old male offspring were selected as SZ model rats.Thirty SZ model rats were divided into model group, experimental group, and positive control group according to the body mass matching method, with 10 rats in each group. Additionally, 10 male offspring born to healthy female rats were selected as the blank control group.At 6 weeks of age, the rats in experimental group and positive control group were administered with Yudian decoction (1.54 g/kg) and risperidone (0.24 mg/kg) by gavage, respectively. The rats in blank control group and positive control group were administered with distilled water (6.7 mL/kg) by gavage.All the above interventions were conducted once a day for 14 consecutive days.The fMRI data were acquired from all samples using a 3.0 T MRI scanner. The bilateral hippocampus, bilateral prefrontal cortex, and bilateral striatum were designated as region of interest (ROI). FC comparisons between each pair of ROIs and whole-brain FC were conducted using two-sample t-test. Results:(1) Compared to the control group, the model group demonstrated enhanced whole-brain FC at the left cerebellar granular cell level (SIGMA: x=-2, y=-107, z=48) (cluster size=43, P<0.05, FWE adjusted under cluster-level). The experimental group exhibited increased whole-brain FC at the left cerebellar molecular layer (SIGMA: x=-5, y=-152, z=36) compared to the model group (cluster size=48, P<0.05, FWE adjusted under cluster-level). (2) Using the bilateral hippocampus as ROI, the positive control group exhibited enhanced FC at the deep layer of the superior colliculus (SIGMA: x=13, y=-77, z=27) compared to the model group (cluster size=88, P<0.05, FWE adjusted under cluster-level). The blank control group displayed decreased FC at the right granular insular cortex (SIGMA: x=43, y=19, z=9) compared to the model group (cluster size=125, P<0.05, FWE adjusted under cluster-level). Utilizing the bilateral prefrontal cortex as ROI, the experimental group showed reduced FC at the left cerebellar molecular layer (SIGMA: x=-14, y=-128, z=48) compared to the blank control group (cluster size=68, P<0.05 FWE adjusted under cluster-level). Conclusion:Schizophrenia is associated with abnormal whole-brain functional connectivity, notably characterized by enhanced functional connectivity in the hippocampal region.Yudian decoction demonstrates the capability to inhibit activity in the prefrontal cortex.

Objective::To use fetal heart quantification ( fetal HQ) technology to compare the coarctation of the aorta (CoA) and normal fetal heart structure and systolic function and to assess whether there are abnormalities in the fetal heart structure and systolic function associated with CoA. Methods::This prospective cohort study was conducted from May 2020 to December 2022 and involved 18-40-week-old singleton pregnancies and 30 fetuses diagnosed with CoA using fetal echocardiography at the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University and Peking University First Hospital Ningxia Women’s and Children’s Hospital, China. The control group contained 60 normal fetuses. The following parameters were recorded and analyzed statistically: four-chamber view (4CV) end-diastolic long diameter, 4CV epicardial-contralateral epicardial transverse maximum diameter, 4CV global sphericity index (GSI), left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) 24-segment end-diastolic diameter (EDD), 24-segment sphericity index (SI), LV-fractional area change (LV-FAC), LV-longitudinal strain (LV-LS), RV-fractional area change (RV-FAC), RV-longitudinal strain (RV-LS), and LV and RV 24-segment transverse fractional shortening (FS). Measurement data were compared between the two groups using an independent sample t test, with P < 0.05 indicating statistically significant differences. Moreover, the correlation between gestational age and GSI, LV-FAC, LV-LS, RV-FAC, and RV-LS was assessed. Results::Within and between observer comparisons of the parameters associated with major cardiac function revealed an intragroup correlation coefficient of >0.9, indicating high consistency, and a coefficient of variable of <1 %, indicating low variability. Correlation analysis revealed no obvious correlation between gestational age and GSI, LV-FAC, LV-LS, RV-FAC, and RV-LS. A comparison of the four-chamber morphological structural parameters of the hearts in the two groups revealed that when compared with the control group, the 4CV end-diastolic long diameter was shortened in fetuses in the CoA group and the epicardial-contralateral epicardial transverse maximum diameter was wider, while the GSI was lower ( P < 0.05). A comparison of the LV and RV morphological structure parameters between the two groups revealed that when compared with the control group, the LV’s 24-segment EDD was smaller in the CoA group, the RV’s 24-segment EDD was greater in the control group, the SI of the LV’s segments 16-24 was greater than in the control group, and the SI of the RV’s segments 7-24 was less than in the control group (all P < 0.05). When compared with fetuses in the control group, the LV’s segments 16-24 were greater in the CoA group, whereas the RV’s segment 6-24 was smaller ( P < 0.05). When compared with the control group, LV-FAC, RV-FAC, and LS were lower in the CoA group ( P < 0.05). The FS of the LV segments 1-24 and the FS of the RV segments 1-16 were smaller in the CoA group than in the normal group ( P < 0.05). Conclusion::Fetal HQ, a new simple technique that offers rapid analysis and high repeatability, can quantitatively evaluate structural and systolic function changes in fetuses with CoA.

Objective::To use fetal heart quantification ( fetal HQ) technology to compare the coarctation of the aorta (CoA) and normal fetal heart structure and systolic function and to assess whether there are abnormalities in the fetal heart structure and systolic function associated with CoA. Methods::This prospective cohort study was conducted from May 2020 to December 2022 and involved 18-40-week-old singleton pregnancies and 30 fetuses diagnosed with CoA using fetal echocardiography at the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University and Peking University First Hospital Ningxia Women’s and Children’s Hospital, China. The control group contained 60 normal fetuses. The following parameters were recorded and analyzed statistically: four-chamber view (4CV) end-diastolic long diameter, 4CV epicardial-contralateral epicardial transverse maximum diameter, 4CV global sphericity index (GSI), left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) 24-segment end-diastolic diameter (EDD), 24-segment sphericity index (SI), LV-fractional area change (LV-FAC), LV-longitudinal strain (LV-LS), RV-fractional area change (RV-FAC), RV-longitudinal strain (RV-LS), and LV and RV 24-segment transverse fractional shortening (FS). Measurement data were compared between the two groups using an independent sample t test, with P < 0.05 indicating statistically significant differences. Moreover, the correlation between gestational age and GSI, LV-FAC, LV-LS, RV-FAC, and RV-LS was assessed. Results::Within and between observer comparisons of the parameters associated with major cardiac function revealed an intragroup correlation coefficient of >0.9, indicating high consistency, and a coefficient of variable of <1 %, indicating low variability. Correlation analysis revealed no obvious correlation between gestational age and GSI, LV-FAC, LV-LS, RV-FAC, and RV-LS. A comparison of the four-chamber morphological structural parameters of the hearts in the two groups revealed that when compared with the control group, the 4CV end-diastolic long diameter was shortened in fetuses in the CoA group and the epicardial-contralateral epicardial transverse maximum diameter was wider, while the GSI was lower ( P < 0.05). A comparison of the LV and RV morphological structure parameters between the two groups revealed that when compared with the control group, the LV’s 24-segment EDD was smaller in the CoA group, the RV’s 24-segment EDD was greater in the control group, the SI of the LV’s segments 16-24 was greater than in the control group, and the SI of the RV’s segments 7-24 was less than in the control group (all P < 0.05). When compared with fetuses in the control group, the LV’s segments 16-24 were greater in the CoA group, whereas the RV’s segment 6-24 was smaller ( P < 0.05). When compared with the control group, LV-FAC, RV-FAC, and LS were lower in the CoA group ( P < 0.05). The FS of the LV segments 1-24 and the FS of the RV segments 1-16 were smaller in the CoA group than in the normal group ( P < 0.05). Conclusion::Fetal HQ, a new simple technique that offers rapid analysis and high repeatability, can quantitatively evaluate structural and systolic function changes in fetuses with CoA.