Aromatherapy refers to the method of using the aromatic components of plants in appropriate forms to act on the entire body or a specific area to prevent and treat diseases. Essential oils used in aromatherapy are hydrophobic liquids containing volatile aromatic molecules， such as limonene， linalool， linalool acetate， geraniol， and citronellol. These chemicals have been extensively studied and shown to have a variety of functions， including reducing anxiety， relieving depression， promoting sleep， and providing pain relief. Terpenoids are a class of organic molecules with relatively low lipid solubility. After being inhaled， they can pass through the nasal mucosa for transfer or penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream upon local application. Some of these substances also have the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier， thereby exerting effects on the central nervous system. Currently， the academic community generally agrees that products such as essential oils and aromatherapy from aromatic plants have certain health benefits. However， the process of extracting a single component from it and successfully developing it into a drug still faces many challenges. Its safety and efficacy still need to be further verified through more rigorous and systematic experiments. This article systematically elaborated on the efficacy of aromatic substances， including plant extracts and natural small molecule compounds， in antibacterial and antiviral fields and the regulation of nervous system activity. As a result， a deeper understanding of aromatherapy was achieved. At the same time， the potential of these aromatic substances for drug development was thoroughly explored， providing important references and insights for possible future drug research and application.

Purpose: Explore the causal relationship between the gut microbiota and erectile dysfunction (ED) at phylum, class, order, family, and genus levels, and identify specific pathogenic bacteria that may be associated with the onset and progression of ED. Materials and Methods: The genetic variation data of 196 human gut microbiota incorporated in our study came from the human gut microbiome Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) dataset released by the MiBioGen Consortium. The GWAS statistics for ED were extracted from one study by Bovijn et al., which included 223,805 participants of European ancestry, of whom 6,175 were diagnosed with ED. Subsequently, Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was carried out to explore whether a causal relationship exists between the gut microbiota and ED. Additionally, bidirectional MR analysis was performed to examine the directionality of the causal relationship. Results: Through MR analysis, we found that family Lachnospiraceae (odds ratio [OR]: 1.27, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05–1.52, p=0.01) and its subclass genus LachnospiraceaeNC2004 group (OR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.01–1.37, p=0.04) are associated with a higher risk of ED. In addition, genus Oscillibacter (OR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.02–1.35, p=0.03), genus Senegalimassilia (OR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.06–1.64, p=0.01) and genus Tyzzerella3 (OR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.02–1.27, p=0.02) also increase the risk of ED. In contrast, the inverse variance weighted estimate of genus RuminococcaceaeUCG013 (OR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.61–0.96, p=0.02) suggests that it has a protective effect against the occurrence of ED. Conclusions This study preliminarily identified 6 bacterial taxa that may have a causal relationship with ED, including family Lachnospiraceae, genus Lachnospiraceae NC2004 group, Oscillibacter, Senegalimassilia, Tyzzerella 3 and Ruminococcaceae UCG013. These identified important bacterial taxa may serve as candidates for microbiome intervention in future ED clinical trials.

Purpose: Explore the causal relationship between the gut microbiota and erectile dysfunction (ED) at phylum, class, order, family, and genus levels, and identify specific pathogenic bacteria that may be associated with the onset and progression of ED. Materials and Methods: The genetic variation data of 196 human gut microbiota incorporated in our study came from the human gut microbiome Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) dataset released by the MiBioGen Consortium. The GWAS statistics for ED were extracted from one study by Bovijn et al., which included 223,805 participants of European ancestry, of whom 6,175 were diagnosed with ED. Subsequently, Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was carried out to explore whether a causal relationship exists between the gut microbiota and ED. Additionally, bidirectional MR analysis was performed to examine the directionality of the causal relationship. Results: Through MR analysis, we found that family Lachnospiraceae (odds ratio [OR]: 1.27, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05–1.52, p=0.01) and its subclass genus LachnospiraceaeNC2004 group (OR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.01–1.37, p=0.04) are associated with a higher risk of ED. In addition, genus Oscillibacter (OR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.02–1.35, p=0.03), genus Senegalimassilia (OR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.06–1.64, p=0.01) and genus Tyzzerella3 (OR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.02–1.27, p=0.02) also increase the risk of ED. In contrast, the inverse variance weighted estimate of genus RuminococcaceaeUCG013 (OR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.61–0.96, p=0.02) suggests that it has a protective effect against the occurrence of ED. Conclusions This study preliminarily identified 6 bacterial taxa that may have a causal relationship with ED, including family Lachnospiraceae, genus Lachnospiraceae NC2004 group, Oscillibacter, Senegalimassilia, Tyzzerella 3 and Ruminococcaceae UCG013. These identified important bacterial taxa may serve as candidates for microbiome intervention in future ED clinical trials.

Purpose: Explore the causal relationship between the gut microbiota and erectile dysfunction (ED) at phylum, class, order, family, and genus levels, and identify specific pathogenic bacteria that may be associated with the onset and progression of ED. Materials and Methods: The genetic variation data of 196 human gut microbiota incorporated in our study came from the human gut microbiome Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) dataset released by the MiBioGen Consortium. The GWAS statistics for ED were extracted from one study by Bovijn et al., which included 223,805 participants of European ancestry, of whom 6,175 were diagnosed with ED. Subsequently, Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was carried out to explore whether a causal relationship exists between the gut microbiota and ED. Additionally, bidirectional MR analysis was performed to examine the directionality of the causal relationship. Results: Through MR analysis, we found that family Lachnospiraceae (odds ratio [OR]: 1.27, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05–1.52, p=0.01) and its subclass genus LachnospiraceaeNC2004 group (OR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.01–1.37, p=0.04) are associated with a higher risk of ED. In addition, genus Oscillibacter (OR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.02–1.35, p=0.03), genus Senegalimassilia (OR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.06–1.64, p=0.01) and genus Tyzzerella3 (OR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.02–1.27, p=0.02) also increase the risk of ED. In contrast, the inverse variance weighted estimate of genus RuminococcaceaeUCG013 (OR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.61–0.96, p=0.02) suggests that it has a protective effect against the occurrence of ED. Conclusions This study preliminarily identified 6 bacterial taxa that may have a causal relationship with ED, including family Lachnospiraceae, genus Lachnospiraceae NC2004 group, Oscillibacter, Senegalimassilia, Tyzzerella 3 and Ruminococcaceae UCG013. These identified important bacterial taxa may serve as candidates for microbiome intervention in future ED clinical trials.

Purpose: Explore the causal relationship between the gut microbiota and erectile dysfunction (ED) at phylum, class, order, family, and genus levels, and identify specific pathogenic bacteria that may be associated with the onset and progression of ED. Materials and Methods: The genetic variation data of 196 human gut microbiota incorporated in our study came from the human gut microbiome Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) dataset released by the MiBioGen Consortium. The GWAS statistics for ED were extracted from one study by Bovijn et al., which included 223,805 participants of European ancestry, of whom 6,175 were diagnosed with ED. Subsequently, Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was carried out to explore whether a causal relationship exists between the gut microbiota and ED. Additionally, bidirectional MR analysis was performed to examine the directionality of the causal relationship. Results: Through MR analysis, we found that family Lachnospiraceae (odds ratio [OR]: 1.27, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05–1.52, p=0.01) and its subclass genus LachnospiraceaeNC2004 group (OR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.01–1.37, p=0.04) are associated with a higher risk of ED. In addition, genus Oscillibacter (OR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.02–1.35, p=0.03), genus Senegalimassilia (OR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.06–1.64, p=0.01) and genus Tyzzerella3 (OR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.02–1.27, p=0.02) also increase the risk of ED. In contrast, the inverse variance weighted estimate of genus RuminococcaceaeUCG013 (OR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.61–0.96, p=0.02) suggests that it has a protective effect against the occurrence of ED. Conclusions This study preliminarily identified 6 bacterial taxa that may have a causal relationship with ED, including family Lachnospiraceae, genus Lachnospiraceae NC2004 group, Oscillibacter, Senegalimassilia, Tyzzerella 3 and Ruminococcaceae UCG013. These identified important bacterial taxa may serve as candidates for microbiome intervention in future ED clinical trials.

Purpose: Explore the causal relationship between the gut microbiota and erectile dysfunction (ED) at phylum, class, order, family, and genus levels, and identify specific pathogenic bacteria that may be associated with the onset and progression of ED. Materials and Methods: The genetic variation data of 196 human gut microbiota incorporated in our study came from the human gut microbiome Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) dataset released by the MiBioGen Consortium. The GWAS statistics for ED were extracted from one study by Bovijn et al., which included 223,805 participants of European ancestry, of whom 6,175 were diagnosed with ED. Subsequently, Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was carried out to explore whether a causal relationship exists between the gut microbiota and ED. Additionally, bidirectional MR analysis was performed to examine the directionality of the causal relationship. Results: Through MR analysis, we found that family Lachnospiraceae (odds ratio [OR]: 1.27, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05–1.52, p=0.01) and its subclass genus LachnospiraceaeNC2004 group (OR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.01–1.37, p=0.04) are associated with a higher risk of ED. In addition, genus Oscillibacter (OR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.02–1.35, p=0.03), genus Senegalimassilia (OR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.06–1.64, p=0.01) and genus Tyzzerella3 (OR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.02–1.27, p=0.02) also increase the risk of ED. In contrast, the inverse variance weighted estimate of genus RuminococcaceaeUCG013 (OR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.61–0.96, p=0.02) suggests that it has a protective effect against the occurrence of ED. Conclusions This study preliminarily identified 6 bacterial taxa that may have a causal relationship with ED, including family Lachnospiraceae, genus Lachnospiraceae NC2004 group, Oscillibacter, Senegalimassilia, Tyzzerella 3 and Ruminococcaceae UCG013. These identified important bacterial taxa may serve as candidates for microbiome intervention in future ED clinical trials.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Akt2 inhibitor on macrophage polarization in the periapical tissue in a rat model of periapical inflammation. METHODS: Rat models of periapical inflammation were established in 28 normal SD rats by opening the pulp cavity of the mandibular first molars, followed by injection of normal saline and Akt2 inhibitor into the left and right medullary cavities, respectively. Four rats without any treatment served as the healthy control group. At 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after modeling, 7 rat models and 1 control rat were randomly selected for observation of inflammatory infiltration in the periapical tissues by X-ray and HE staining. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression and localization of Akt2, macrophages and the inflammatory mediators. RT-PCR was performed to detect the mRNA expressions of Akt2, CD86, CD163, inflammatory mediators, miR-155-5p and C/EBPβ to analyze the changes in macrophage polarization. RESULTS: X-ray and HE staining showed that periapical inflammation was the most obvious at 21 days after modeling in the rats. Immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR showed that compared with those in the control rats, the expressions of Akt2, CD86, CD163, miR-155-5p, C/EBPβ, and IL-10 increased significantly in the rat models at 21 days (P < 0.05). Compared with saline treatment, treatment with the Akt2 inhibitor significantly decreased the expression levels of Akt2, CD86, miR-155-5p and IL-6 and the ratio of CD86⁺M1/CD163⁺M2 macrophages (P < 0.05) and increased the expression levels of CD163, C/EBPβ and IL-10 in the rat models (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Inhibition of Akt2 can delay the progression of periapical inflammation in rats and promote M2 macrophage polarization in the periapical inflammatory microenvironment possibly by reducing miR-155-5p expression and activating the expression of C/EBPβ in the Akt signaling pathway.
Rats ; Animals ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; Interleukin-10 ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Macrophages/metabolism* ; Inflammation/metabolism*

Objective: Based on physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) variables on weekdays and weekends, the study aims to cluster the physical activities inside and outside kindergartens and to explore the cluster characteristics of different children using physical fitness indicators, so as to provide new strategies and methods for early childhood education and health. Methods: From March to June 2019, 291 children aged 3-6 years from 6 kindergartens in Nanchang were recruited by a stratified cluster random sampling method. The ActiGraph GT3X-BT triaxial accelerometer was used to measure and analyze the PA and SB levels inside and outside the kindergarten. A twostep clustering algorithm model was employed for cluster analysis. Physical fitness were measured and evaluated according to the "National Physical Fitness Measurement Standard Manual (Preschool Section)". Differences in physical fitness among different clusters of children were compared, and the cluster characteristics of different children were analyzed. Results: The clustering algorithm model indicated that based on six indicators, including PA and SB inside the kindergarten on weekdays, and PA and SB outside the kindergarten on both weekdays and weekends, children could be divided into three categories:active inside (high PA, low SB inside), active outside (high PA outside), and inactive (low PA, high SB both inside and outside). The average silhouette coefficient of the model was 0.3, indicating good clustering results. Both the active inside and active outside children showed significantly higher PA inside on weekdays, PA outside on weekdays and weekends, daily low intensity physical activity (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) than the inactive children ( F=157.91, 80.79 , 95.86, 95.52, 124.74, P <0.05). After adjusting for gender and age, the physical fitness scores of both active outside ( 19.03 ±0.47) and active inside (19.11±0.40) were significantly higher than those of the inactive children (17.94±0.31). Additionally, active inside children (3.91±0.14) also showed significantly better performance in continuous double-leg jumps, compared to inactive children (3.45±0.11) ( P <0.05). Conclusion Children active inside and those active outside perform well in PA. Future research should focus on the proportion of structured and unstructured PA time to enhance the overall physical fitness of children.

Pain is one of the most prevalent health problems. Current medications for pain are mainly anticonvulsants， tricyclic antidepressants， and opioidergic drugs. However， their therapeutic effectiveness is limited during application， and some even have severe side effects. In recent years， research on natural ingredients from Chinese herbal medicine has been extensively conducted for their analgesic activities. A series of natural ingredients represented by alkaloids， coumarins， flavonoids， and terpenoids have shown great analgesic activity， and further studies on their analgesic mechanism have found that most natural products have multi-target analgesic mechanisms. It can exert analgesic effects by blocking ion channels， regulating related receptors， or inducing anti-inflammatory or antioxidant effects. In addition， many traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） formulas have shown great analgesic ability after clinical application and have multiple complex analgesic mechanisms. The drug cloud （dCloud） theory can better describe the mechanisms， and it can represent the complete therapeutic spectrum of multi-target analgesics from two dimensions， namely the "direct efficacy" that directly inhibits pain signals and the "background efficacy" that targets the root causes of pain. The authors summarized the research progress of natural ingredients with analgesic effects found in Chinese herbal medicine so far， as well as the analgesic efficacy and potential mechanisms of TCM formulas with great analgesic effects in clinical applications， so as to provide a new basis for searching for new analgesic drugs from TCM.

Objective:To evaluate the reliability of cardiac late iodine enhancement dual-energy CT (LIE-DECT) multiparameter post-processing technique for evaluating the presence, location, and extent of cardiac scars in patients with heart failure (HF), using cardiac MR (CMR) late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) as a reference standard.Methods:Thirty-nine HF patients who underwent cardiac LIE-DECT and LGE-CMR examinations in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University from November 2019 to November 2021 were prospectively collected, all enrolled HF patients underwent LIE-DECT post-processing to reconstruct monoenergetic plus (Mono+) map (40 keV), iodine map and Rho/Z map, to evaluate the enhancement degree, location and extent of left ventricular myocardial LIE on the left ventricular short-axis map, respectively, and compared with LGE-CMR. Cohen′s Kappa test was used to assess the intra-and inter-observer consistency of LIE by DECT multiparameter technique and the consistency of LIE presence and location by DECT multiparameter technique and by CMR. The diagnostic efficacy of DECT multiparameter technique in diagnosing myocardial scar was calculated.Results:Of the 39 patients included, 32 patients were detected by CMR with LGE in 147 segments, including 37 subendocardial patterns, 19 transmural patterns, 74 mid-wall patterns, and 17 epicardial patterns. The intra-observer consistency Kappa values of 40 keV Mono+map, iodine map and Rho/Z map were 0.878, 0.930 and 0.835 ( P all<0.001), respectively. The inter-observer consistency Kappa values were 0.838, 0.892 and 0.808 ( P all<0.001), respectively. The LIE of 40 keV Mono+map, iodine map and Rho/Z map were in good agreement with CMR, Kappa values were 0.903, 0.883 and 0.810 ( P all<0.001), respectively. For the per-patient analysis, the accuracies of 40 keV Mono+map, iodine map and Rho/Z map were 92.3% (36/39), 92.3% (36/39) and 82.1% (32/39), respectively. For the segment-based analysis, the accuracies of 40 keV Mono+map, iodine map and Rho/Z map accuracy were 96.1% (492/512), 95.3% (488/512) and 92.6% (474/512), respectively. In Bland-Altman analysis, the consistency bias between scar extent measured by 40 keV Mono+map, iodine map, Rho/Z map and that measured by LGE-CMR were -2.03%, -2.21%, -2.65%, and the 95% limit of agreement were -12.20%-8.14%, -12.69%-8.28% and -14.85%-9.58%, respectively. Conclusion:LIE-DECT multiparameter technique can detect myocardial scar in HF patients well, which is consistent with LGE-CMR.