ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which the Zishen Huoxue prescription （ZSHXP） ameliorates cognitive dysfunction in rats with vascular dementia （VD） induced by the bilateral common carotid artery ligation （2-VO model rats） through regulating the glucose-regulated protein 78 （GRP78）/protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase （PERK）/activating transcription factor 4 （ATF4） signaling pathway. MethodsA VD rat model was established via the 2-VO method. A total of 72 male Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly divided into six groups： Sham group， Model group， donepezil hydrochloride group （0.45 mg·kg^-1）， and ZSHXP groups at low （8.90 g·kg^-1）， medium （17.80 g·kg^-1）， and high （35.60 g·kg^-1） doses，with 12 rats in each group. The Morris Water Maze test was utilized to assess spatial learning and memory abilities of rats， and the Novel Object Recognition test was used to evaluate cognitive performance. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） and Nissl staining were applied to observe the histological and morphological changes in hippocampal tissues. Transmission electron microscopy （TEM） was used to observe the morphological changes of endoplasmic reticulum in rat hippocampal neurons. Immunofluorescence staining was adopted to detect the colocalization of neuronal nuclei antigen （NeuN） with GRP78 and βⅢ Tubulin with gasdermin D （GSDMD） in hippocampal neurons. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress （ERS）-related proteins including GRP78， PERK， ATF4， phosphorylated protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase （p-PERK）， C/EBP homologous protein （CHOP）， NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）， Caspase-1 and GSDMD. ResultsCompared with the sham operation group， the model group showed a significantly prolonged escape latency （P<0.01）， a significant decrease in the number of platform crossings and the residence time in the target quadrant （P<0.01）， and a markedly reduced recognition index （P<0.01）. Histological observations revealed that the hippocampal neurons in the model group were disorderly arranged with reduced quantity， deformed and shrunken cell bodies， and pyknotic and hyperchromatic nuclei. The number of Nissl bodies decreased significantly. The number of endoplasmic reticula reduced obviously， accompanied by abnormal dilation and swelling， and the loss of normal folding structure. The fluorescence colocalization of NeuN with GRP78 and βⅢ Tubulin with GSDMD in the hippocampus was significantly increased in the model group. The protein expression levels of GRP78， p-PERK/PERK， ATF4， CHOP， NLRP3， GSDMD and Caspase-1 in the model group were significantly elevated （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the donepezil hydrochloride group and the ZSHXP medium- and high-dose groups had a significantly shortened escape latency （P<0.01） and an increased number of platform crossings （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The residence time in the target quadrant was increased in the donepezil hydrochloride group and all ZSHXP groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）， with a significantly improved recognition index （P<0.01）. In the donepezil hydrochloride group and all ZSHXP groups， the number of hippocampal neurons increased with a more compact arrangement and reduced nuclear hyperchromasia. The number of Nissl bodies increased with morphological structures tending to be normal. In the ZSHXP high-dose group， the number of endoplasmic reticula increased and the folding structure was restored. The fluorescence colocalization of NeuN with GRP78 and βⅢ Tubulin with GSDMD in the hippocampus was significantly weakened in the treatment groups. In the donepezil hydrochloride group， the protein expressions of GRP78， ATF4 and CHOP were increased （P<0.01）， while the expression of p-PERK/PERK was decreased （P<0.05）. In the ZSHXP low-dose group， the expressions of GRP78， p-PERK/PERK and CHOP were elevated （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The ZSHXP medium- and high-dose groups showed a significant decrease in the protein expressions of p-PERK/PERK， ATF4 and CHOP （P<0.01）， and the high-dose group had a markedly reduced GRP78 protein expression （P<0.01）. In the donepezil hydrochloride group， the Caspase-1 protein expression was increased （P<0.01） and the NLRP3 protein expression was decreased （P<0.01）. In the ZSHXP low-dose group， the GSDMD expression was elevated （P<0.01） while the NLRP3 protein expression was reduced （P<0.01）. After treatment with medium and high doses of ZSHXP， the protein expression levels of NLRP3， GSDMD and Caspase-1 were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. ConclusionThe ameliorative effect of ZSHXP on cognitive function in 2-VO model rats may be associated with its regulation of the GRP78/PERK/ATF4 signaling pathway， which ameliorates ERS and inhibits neuronal pyroptosis.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which the Zishen Huoxue prescription （ZSHXP） ameliorates cognitive dysfunction in rats with vascular dementia （VD） induced by the bilateral common carotid artery ligation （2-VO model rats） through regulating the glucose-regulated protein 78 （GRP78）/protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase （PERK）/activating transcription factor 4 （ATF4） signaling pathway. MethodsA VD rat model was established via the 2-VO method. A total of 72 male Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly divided into six groups： Sham group， Model group， donepezil hydrochloride group （0.45 mg·kg^-1）， and ZSHXP groups at low （8.90 g·kg^-1）， medium （17.80 g·kg^-1）， and high （35.60 g·kg^-1） doses，with 12 rats in each group. The Morris Water Maze test was utilized to assess spatial learning and memory abilities of rats， and the Novel Object Recognition test was used to evaluate cognitive performance. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） and Nissl staining were applied to observe the histological and morphological changes in hippocampal tissues. Transmission electron microscopy （TEM） was used to observe the morphological changes of endoplasmic reticulum in rat hippocampal neurons. Immunofluorescence staining was adopted to detect the colocalization of neuronal nuclei antigen （NeuN） with GRP78 and βⅢ Tubulin with gasdermin D （GSDMD） in hippocampal neurons. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress （ERS）-related proteins including GRP78， PERK， ATF4， phosphorylated protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase （p-PERK）， C/EBP homologous protein （CHOP）， NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）， Caspase-1 and GSDMD. ResultsCompared with the sham operation group， the model group showed a significantly prolonged escape latency （P<0.01）， a significant decrease in the number of platform crossings and the residence time in the target quadrant （P<0.01）， and a markedly reduced recognition index （P<0.01）. Histological observations revealed that the hippocampal neurons in the model group were disorderly arranged with reduced quantity， deformed and shrunken cell bodies， and pyknotic and hyperchromatic nuclei. The number of Nissl bodies decreased significantly. The number of endoplasmic reticula reduced obviously， accompanied by abnormal dilation and swelling， and the loss of normal folding structure. The fluorescence colocalization of NeuN with GRP78 and βⅢ Tubulin with GSDMD in the hippocampus was significantly increased in the model group. The protein expression levels of GRP78， p-PERK/PERK， ATF4， CHOP， NLRP3， GSDMD and Caspase-1 in the model group were significantly elevated （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the donepezil hydrochloride group and the ZSHXP medium- and high-dose groups had a significantly shortened escape latency （P<0.01） and an increased number of platform crossings （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The residence time in the target quadrant was increased in the donepezil hydrochloride group and all ZSHXP groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）， with a significantly improved recognition index （P<0.01）. In the donepezil hydrochloride group and all ZSHXP groups， the number of hippocampal neurons increased with a more compact arrangement and reduced nuclear hyperchromasia. The number of Nissl bodies increased with morphological structures tending to be normal. In the ZSHXP high-dose group， the number of endoplasmic reticula increased and the folding structure was restored. The fluorescence colocalization of NeuN with GRP78 and βⅢ Tubulin with GSDMD in the hippocampus was significantly weakened in the treatment groups. In the donepezil hydrochloride group， the protein expressions of GRP78， ATF4 and CHOP were increased （P<0.01）， while the expression of p-PERK/PERK was decreased （P<0.05）. In the ZSHXP low-dose group， the expressions of GRP78， p-PERK/PERK and CHOP were elevated （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The ZSHXP medium- and high-dose groups showed a significant decrease in the protein expressions of p-PERK/PERK， ATF4 and CHOP （P<0.01）， and the high-dose group had a markedly reduced GRP78 protein expression （P<0.01）. In the donepezil hydrochloride group， the Caspase-1 protein expression was increased （P<0.01） and the NLRP3 protein expression was decreased （P<0.01）. In the ZSHXP low-dose group， the GSDMD expression was elevated （P<0.01） while the NLRP3 protein expression was reduced （P<0.01）. After treatment with medium and high doses of ZSHXP， the protein expression levels of NLRP3， GSDMD and Caspase-1 were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. ConclusionThe ameliorative effect of ZSHXP on cognitive function in 2-VO model rats may be associated with its regulation of the GRP78/PERK/ATF4 signaling pathway， which ameliorates ERS and inhibits neuronal pyroptosis.

Chronic liver diseases are a group of diseases in which the liver is subjected to a variety of injuries over a long period of time， resulting in irreversible pathological changes that last longer than 6 months. Emodin （EMO） is a natural anthraquinone derivative derived from Rheum officinale， and its pharmacological effect has been extensively studied， exhibiting a variety of biological properties and involving multiple signaling molecules and pathways. Western medicine or surgical treatment is currently the main treatment regimen for chronic liver diseases， and the advance in treatment is limited by various reasons such as side effects and high costs. Due to its natural origin and efficacy， EMO has unique advantages in the treatment of chronic liver diseases and has now become a research hotspot. This article summarizes the therapeutic effect of EMO on chronic liver diseases and its mechanism， in order to provide a certain scientific basis for the traditional Chinese medicine treatment of chronic liver diseases and the development of drugs in clinical practice.

ObjectiveTo prepare a recombinant PETase with a dual-catalytic-triad and to evaluate its efficiency in the biodegradation of polyethylene terephthalate （PET）. MethodsBased on the crystal structure of wild-type PETase， point mutations （T88H/L117D） were introduced via site-directed mutagenesis. The recombinant protein was prepared using prokaryotic expression and chromatography purification techniques. The enzymatic hydrolysis of the mutant PETase was assessed by relatively quantifying the products mono （2-hydroxyethyl） terephthalate （MHET） and terephthalic acid （TPA）. ResultsBoth wild-type and mutant PETases accumulated as inclusion bodies， accounting for approximately 20% of the total bacterial protein. After solubilization in urea， the proteins were eluted at 300 mmol/L imidazole during affinity chromatography purification， with concentrations of 1.824 and 1.833 mg/mL and purities of 83.11% and 84.32%， respectively. Subsequent anion-exchange chromatography yielded highly pure enzymes in the 200 mmol/L NaCl fraction： 2.776 mg/mL （96.86% purity） for the wild type and 1.967 mg/mL （95.13% purity） for the mutant. Following refolding， the final concentrations were 0.484 mg/mL for the wild type and 0.991 mg/mL for the mutant. Hydrolysis assays revealed that the mutant released MHET and TPA at （237.67±17.00）% and （197.33±12.01）% of the wild-type levels， respectively. ConclusionThe T88H/L117D dual-catalytic-triad PETase is successfully prepared and it significantly enhanced PET-degrading activity， thus， it′s a promising biocatalyst for PET bioremediation.

Objective: To compare the effects of eccentric cycling (ECC), concentric cycling (CON), and standard care (CTL) on cardiopulmonary capacity, respiratory health, and quality of life (QoL) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods: Thirty-one CKD patients were divided into the CTL, CON, and ECC groups. The CON and ECC groups participated in 8-week, 24-session cycling programs. Outcomes were assessed through cardiopulmonary exercise tests, respiratory function tests, and the 36-Item Short Form Survey Instrument questionnaire. Results: The ECC group achieved significant improvements in maximal oxygen uptake, while the CTL group showed a decline. For oxygen uptake efficiency slope, significant changes were observed only in the ECC group, with a group-by-time interaction effect compared to CTL. Furthermore, the ECC group demonstrated the most significant increase in diaphragm movement and a significant increase in diaphragm thickness, with comparisons indicating that ECC outperformed both CTL and CON. Regarding QoL, the ECC group exhibited significantly greater improvements in Physical Component Summary and Mental Component Summary, with statistically significant differences compared with the CTL and CON groups. Conclusion ECC is a low-effort, high-benefit exercise modality that significantly enhances cardiopulmonary fitness, respiratory function, and QoL in patients with CKD.

To report two cases of psychiatric symptoms associated with zonisamide, an antiepileptic drug, and raise clinical awareness of this potential adverse effect. Two male patients with epilepsy treated with zonisamide were retrospectively analyzed. Case 1 (25 years old) developed acute emotional and behavioral abnormalities (e.g., insomnia, aggression, incoherent speech) after switching from sodium valproate to zonisamide (200 mg/day). Case 2 (48 years old) had long-term zonisamide use (≥5 years) with persistent treatment-resistant psychotic symptoms (e.g., delusions, command hallucinations). Clinical courses, medication adjustments, and symptom responses were documented. In Case 1, psychiatric symptoms resolved after discontinuing zonisamide and switching to sodium valproate, with improved mood stability and reduced impulsivity. In Case 2, despite escalating antipsychotic medications (risperidone, clozapine), psychotic symptoms persisted, likely due to ongoing zonisamide use. Both cases highlighted zonisamide’s potential to exacerbate or induce psychiatric manifestations, possibly via mechanisms involving sodium/calcium channel inhibition and neurotransmitter dysregulation (e.g., dopamine, serotonin). Zonisamide can cause or worsen psychiatric symptoms, particularly in vulnerable individuals. Clinicians should monitor for mental health changes during zonisamide treatment and consider drug discontinuation or substitution with alternative antiepileptics (e.g., sodium valproate) if psychiatric adverse effects emerge. Awareness of this association is crucial to avoid misdiagnosis and optimize epilepsy management.

Objective: To understand the current status of psychological sub health among secondary vocational school students and explore its related factors, so as to provide a scientific basis for improving their mental health. Methods: From September to December 2024, a convenience sampling method was used to conduct a questionnaire survey among 5 141 secondary vocational school students from 16 schools across 8 provinces and municipalities (Fujian, Chongqing, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hubei, Jiangxi, Shanghai, Zhejiang). A self designed questionnaire was used to collect data on students demographic characteristics and lifestyle behaviors. The Multidimensional Sub health Questionnaire of Adolescents was adopted to assess psychological sub health status. Multivariate binary Logistic stepwise regression analysis was performed to explore the related factors of psychological sub health among secondary vocational school students. Results: The detection rate of psychological sub health among secondary vocational school students was 11.0%, with detection rates of emotional problems, conduct problems, and social adaptation difficulty being 12.3 %, 12.5%, and 9.5%, respectively. Logistic regression analysis revealed that boys and students whose fathers had an educational level of primary school or below, and junior high school, had relatively lower risks of developing psychological sub health or emotional problems, conduct problems, and social adaptation difficulty ( OR =0.55-0.64, all P <0.05). Conversely, students with urban household registration, those with left behind experience, those with poor self rated family economic status, those from other family structures, those classified as overweight and obesity, and those with sleep disorders, frequent consumption of sugar sweetened beverages, frequent consumption of takeout/delivery food, smoking, alcohol consumption, and low to moderate physical activity levels exhibited significantly higher risks across psychological sub health or emotional problems,conduct problems, and social adaptation difficulty ( OR =1.25-4.79, all P <0.05). Conclusions The psychological sub health condition of secondary vocational school students should not be neglected. Psychological sub health of secondary vocational school students is related to multiple factors such as demographic characteristics and lifestyle behaviors. Multi dimensional intervention measures should be implemented to improve their mental health.

OBJECTIVE To improve the quality standard of Zhuang medicine Yingbupu （Aralia armata）. METHODS A total of 23 batches of Yingbupu （A. armata） were studied. Their macroscopic characteristics and powder microscopic features were observed. TLC was employed for the qualitative identification of oleanolic acid and araloside A. Items such as water content， total ash， acid-insoluble ash， and ethanol-soluble extract were determined according to the methods specified in the 2020 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia （part Ⅳ）. UPLC fingerprint was established for 23 batches of samples by using Similarity Evaluation System for Chromatographic Fingerprints of Traditional Chinese Medicine （2012 edition）， and the contents of oleanolic acid and araloside A were determined. RESULTS The powder microscopic characteristics of the medicinal material were distinctive. Oleanolic acid and araloside A were detected by TLC in all 23 batches. Among the 23 batches of samples， the content ranges of moisture， total ash， acid-insoluble ash， and ethanol-soluble extract were 6.9% to 10.4%， 1.8% to 6.8%， 0.1% to 1.9%， and 2.8% to 8.4%， respectively. Based on the UPLC fingerprint， a total of 15 common peaks were obtained， and 9 of these common peaks were identified. The content ranges of oleanolic acid and araloside A in the 23 batches of samples were 0.86% to 2.69% and 0.16% to 1.10%， respectively. CONCLUSIONS This study has added items such as moisture and total ash content fingerprint， TLC identification. A preliminary quality standard has been established for the medicinal material of Yingbupu （A. armata）， stipulating that the moisture content should not exceed 11.0%， the total ash content should not exceed 5.0%， the acid-insoluble ash content should not exceed 2.5%， the ethanol-soluble extract（No. content should not be less than 4.0%， and the contents of zyyzdxk-2023165） oleanolic acid and araloside A should not be less than 1.00% and 0.45%（ calculated by a dried basis）， respectively.

Objective:To analyze mortality risk factors in patients with severe pneumonia and investigate their varying influences across different time periods.Methods:A total of 134 patients with severe pneumonia admitted to the Emergency Department of Xiang’an Hospital, Xiamen University, between June 2019 and February 2020 were enrolled. All patients were treated in the EICU and followed up for four years. Based on outcomes, they were categorized into a death group ( n=77) and a survival group ( n=57). COX regression analysis was employed to identify mortality risk factors at different time points, while logistic regression analysis was used to assess risk factors influencing mortality during hospitalization, ICU stay, 1-month, and 1-year follow-up periods. Results:Mortality rates were 11.9% ( n=16) during ICU admission, 20.8% ( n=28) during hospitalization, 16.4% ( n=22) within 1 month, and 31.3% ( n=42) within 1 year. By the end of the follow-up, 57.4% ( n=77) of patients had died. Ten mortality risk factors were identified, with the number increasing over time. During ICU admission and hospitalization, significant risk factors included total bilirubin levels, APACHE-II score, invasive ventilation, ARDS, and vasopressor use in the ICU. One-month mortality risk additionally involved bacterial infection. One-year mortality risk further incorporated advanced age and chronic heart failure. By the end of follow-up, acute kidney injury (AKI) during ICU admission also emerged as a contributing factor, while higher body weight was identified as a protective factor. Conclusions:The number of mortality risk factors in severe pneumonia patients increases progressively over time. Early-stage factors during hospitalization and ICU admission exert a stronger impact on short-term mortality, whereas bacterial infection, advanced age, and chronic heart failure become increasingly significant in later stages. These findings highlight the dynamic nature of risk factors and underscore the importance of tailored monitoring and intervention strategies at different disease phases.