Aging is a natural process in which tissue and organ function declines as organisms age. Aging is the inevitable outcome of the organism and is irreversible. The aging process is accompanied by degenerative changes in the morphological structure of multiple organs of the body, leading to an increase in the incidence of chronic diseases such as hypertension, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes year by year. In recent years, natural phytochemicals have attracted widespread attention from the public due to their advantages such as non-toxicity or low toxicity, low cost, and various biological activities. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is a dietary polyphenol extracted from green tea, which has a variety of biological functions including anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and anti-aging activities. The EGCG-mediated anti-aging mechanism has been investigated in many studies with different aging models. This article reviews the research progress on rodents, nematodes, fruit flies, and cell aging models, focusing on summarizing the lifespan extension and physiological changes of rodents, nematodes and fruit flies after EGCG intervention from multiple angles, and exploring potential mechanism by which EGCG delays aging and extends lifespan. This review provides a theoretical reference for the study of the anti-aging mechanism of phytochemicals.

This study aims to investigate the mechanism of Mahuang Lianqiao Chixiaodou Decoction(MHLQ) and its main active components in treating immunoglobin A nephropathy(IgAN). The rat model of IgAN was established by a combination of measures including gavage of bovine serum albumin, subcutaneous injection of carbon tetrachloride, and tail vein injection of lipopolysaccharide. The modeled rats were randomized into model, low-, medium-, and high-dose(1.773, 3.545, and 7.090 g·kg~(-1), respectively) MHLQ, phillyrin(PHI, 0.020 g·kg~(-1)), pseudoephedrine(PSE, 0.020 g·kg~(-1)), and losartan potassium(LP, 9.003 mg·kg~(-1)) groups, and Wistar rats were used as the control. Rats were administrated with corresponding drugs by gavage, and those in the control and model groups received an equal volume of normal saline. All the groups were treated for 4 consecutive weeks. Urine, serum, liver, and kidney samples were collected from rats in each group at the end of drug administration. The 24 h urine protein and renal function were examined, and staining was performed to observe the pathological changes in the renal tissue. The immunofluorescence assay was employed to detect the expression of IgA and complement C3/C3b/C3c in the renal tissue. Electron microscopy was employed to observe the ultrastructure of the renal tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to determine the expression of complement C3 and sublytic C5b-9 in the serum and renal tissue. Western blot was performed to determine the expression levels of hepatic and renal complement C3/C3b/C3c, C5/C5a, C5b-9, and complement factor B(CFB). Immunohistochemistry(IHC) was employed to measure the expression of complement C3 in the renal tissue. The results showed that compared with the control group, the model group had elevated levels of blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine, proliferation of glomerular mesangial cells and extracellular matrix, and glomerular deposition of IgA immune complexes or electron-dense material. In addition, the model group showcased increased serum C3 levels and up-regulated expression of CFB, C3/C3b/C3c, C5/C5a, and C5b-9 in the renal tissue and C3/C3b/C3c and C5b-9 in the hepatic tissue. After treatment with MHLQ and its active components, all of the above indexes were reversed. In conclusion, MHLQ and its active components can improve the renal function and reduce the deposition of immune complexes and pathological damage in the renal tissue of the rat model of IgAN by inhibiting the alternative pathway complement activation.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Glomerulonephritis, IGA/genetics* ; Rats ; Male ; Disease Models, Animal ; Rats, Wistar ; Complement Activation/drug effects* ; Kidney/immunology* ; Humans

This study aims to explore the mechanism through which Yishen Jiangtang Decoction(YSJTD) regulates endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS)-mediated NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3(NLRP3) inflammasome to improve diabetic nephropathy(DN) in db/db mice. Thirty db/db mice were randomly divided into the model group, YSJTD group, ERS inhibitor 4-phenylbutyric acid(4-PBA) group, with 10 mice in each group. Additionally, 10 db/m mice were selected as the control group. The YSJTD group was orally administered YSJTD at a dose of 0.01 mL·g~(-1), the 4-PBA group was orally administered 4-PBA at a dose of 0.5 mg·g~(-1), and the control and model groups were given an equal volume of carboxylmethyl cellulose sodium. The treatments were administered once daily for 8 weeks. Food intake, water consumption, and body weight were recorded every 2 weeks. After the intervention, fasting blood glucose(FBG), glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1c), urine microalbumin(U-mALB), 24-hour urine volume, serum creatinine(Scr), and blood urea nitrogen(BUN) were measured. Inflammatory markers interleukin-1β(IL-1β) and interleukin-18(IL-18) were detected using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Renal pathology was assessed through hematoxylin-eosin(HE), periodic acid-Schiff(PAS), and Masson staining, and transmission electron microscopy(TEM). Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of glucose-regulated protein 78(GRP78), C/EBP homologous protein(CHOP), NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing CARD(ASC), cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase(caspase-1), and gasdermin D(GSDMD) in kidney tissues. The results showed that compared to the control group, the model group exhibited poor general condition, increased weight and food and water intake, and significantly higher levels of FBG, HbA1c, U-mALB, kidney index, 24-hour urine volume, IL-1β, and IL-18. Compared to the model group, the YSJTD and 4-PBA groups showed improved general condition, increased body weight, decreased food intake, and lower levels of FBG, U-mALB, kidney index, 24-hour urine volume, and IL-1β. Specifically, the YSJTD group showed a significant reduction in IL-18 levels compared to the model group, while the 4-PBA group exhibited decreased water intake and HbA1c levels compared to the model group. Although there was a decreasing trend in water intake and HbA1c in the YSJTD group, the differences were not statistically significant. No significant differences were observed in BUN, Scr, and kidney weight among the groups. Renal pathology revealed that the model group exhibited more severe renal damage compared to the control group. Kidney sections from the model group showed diffuse mesangial proliferation in the glomeruli, tubular edema, tubular dilation, significant inflammatory cell infiltration in the interstitium, and increased glycogen staining and blue collagen deposition in the basement membrane. In contrast, the YSJTD and 4-PBA groups showed varying degrees of improvement in renal damage, glycogen staining, and collagen deposition, with the YSJTD group showing more significant improvements. TEM analysis indicated that the model group had extensive cytoplasmic edema, homogeneous thickening of the basement membrane, fewer foot processes, and widening of fused foot processes. In the YSJTD and 4-PBA groups, cytoplasmic swelling of renal tissues was reduced, the basement membrane remained intact and uniform, and foot process fusion improved.Western blot results indicated that compared to the control group, the model group showed upregulation of GRP78, CHOP, GSDMD, NLRP3, ASC, and caspase-1 expression. In contrast, both the YSJTD and 4-PBA groups showed downregulation of these markers compared to the model group. These findings suggest that YSJTD exerts a protective effect against DN by alleviating NLRP3 inflammasome activation through the inhibition of ERS, thereby improving the inflammatory response in db/db DN mice.
Animals ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress/drug effects* ; Diabetic Nephropathies/metabolism* ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Mice ; Inflammasomes/drug effects* ; Male ; Kidney/pathology* ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Chaperone BiP ; Humans ; Interleukin-18/genetics* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the chain mediating role of family care and emotional management in the relationship between social support and anxiety among rural primary school students. METHODS: A questionnaire survey was conducted among students in grades 4 to 6 from four counties in Hunan Province. Data were collected using the Social Support Rating Scale, Family Care Index Scale, Emotional Intelligence Scale, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder -7. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors of anxiety symptoms. Mediation analysis was conducted to assess the chain mediating effects of family care and emotional management between social support and anxiety. RESULTS: A total of 4 141 questionnaires were distributed, with 3 874 valid responses (effective response rate: 93.55%). The prevalence rate of anxiety symptoms among these students was 9.32% (95%CI: 8.40%-10.23%). Significant differences were observed in the prevalence rates of anxiety symptoms among groups with different levels of social support, family functioning, and emotional management ability (P<0.05). The total indirect effect of social support on anxiety symptoms via family care and emotional management was significant (β=-0.137, 95%CI: -0.167 to -0.109), and the direct effect of social support on anxiety symptoms remained significant (P<0.05). Family care and emotional management served as significant chain mediators in the relationship between social support and anxiety symptoms (β=-0.025,95%CI:-0.032 to -0.018), accounting for 14.5% of the total effect. CONCLUSIONS Social support can directly affect anxiety symptoms among rural primary school students and can also indirectly influence anxiety symptoms through the chain mediating effects of family care and emotional management. These findings provide scientific evidence for the prevention of anxiety in primary school students from multiple perspectives.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Social Support ; Anxiety/etiology* ; Child ; Students/psychology* ; Emotions ; Logistic Models

OBJECTIVES: To assess the preliminary efficacy and safety of a dose-intensified C5VD regimen (cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, vincristine, and doxorubicin) in children with locally advanced hepatoblastoma. METHODS: This prospective study enrolled 24 children with newly diagnosed, locally advanced hepatoblastoma who received the dose-intensified C5VD regimen at Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, and Shanghai Children's Hospital between January 2020 and December 2023. Clinical characteristics, treatment outcomes, and chemotherapy-related toxicities were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 24 patients, 13 were male and 11 were female, with a median age at diagnosis of 18.7 months (range: 3.5-79.4 months). All patients achieved complete macroscopic resection of hepatic lesions without liver transplantation. Serum alpha-fetoprotein levels decreased significantly after two chemotherapy cycles. During a median follow-up of 38.4 months (range: 15.8-50.7 months), all patients maintained continuous complete remission, with 3-year event-free survival and overall survival rates of 100%. Across 144 chemotherapy cycles, the incidence rates of grade 3-4 neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and infections were 97%, 77%, and 71%, respectively; no treatment-related deaths occurred. Notably, 5 patients (21%) developed Brock grade ≥3 hearing loss, of whom 1 required a hearing aid. CONCLUSIONS The dose-intensified C5VD regimen demonstrates significant efficacy with an overall favorable safety profile in the treatment of newly diagnosed, locally advanced pediatric hepatoblastoma. Grade 3-4 myelosuppression and infection are the predominant toxicities. However, high‑dose cisplatin-induced ototoxicity remains a concern, highlighting the need for improved otoprotective strategies.
Humans ; Hepatoblastoma/pathology* ; Male ; Female ; Infant ; Liver Neoplasms/pathology* ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use* ; Child, Preschool ; Prospective Studies ; Doxorubicin/adverse effects* ; Child ; Cisplatin/adverse effects* ; Vincristine/adverse effects* ; Fluorouracil/adverse effects*

Objective To investigate how maternal MTR gene polymorphisms and their interactions with periconceptional folic acid supplementation are associated with the incidence of ventricular septal defects(VSD)in offspring.Methods A case-control study was conducted,recruiting 426 mothers of infants with VSD under one year old and 740 mothers of age-matched healthy infants.A questionnaire survey collected data on maternal exposures,and blood samples were analyzed for genetic polymorphisms.Multivariable logistic regression analysis and inverse probability of treatment weighting were used to analyze the associations between genetic loci and VSD.Crossover analysis and logistic regression were utilized to examine the additive and multiplicative interactions between the loci and folic acid intake.Results The CT and TT genotypes of the maternal MTR gene at rs6668344 increased the susceptibility of offspring to VSD(P<0.05).The GC and CC genotypes at rs3768139,AG and GG at rs1050993,AT and TT at rs4659743,GG at rs3768142,and GT and TT at rs3820571 were associated with a decreased risk of VSD(P<0.05).The variations at rs6668344 demonstrated an antagonistic multiplicative interaction with folic acid supplementation in relation to VSD(P<0.05).Conclusions Maternal MTR gene polymorphisms significantly correlate with the incidence of VSD in offspring.Mothers with variations at rs6668344 can decrease the susceptibility to VSD in their offspring by supplementing with folic acid during the periconceptional period,suggesting the importance of periconceptional folic acid supplementation in genetically at-risk populations to prevent VSD in offspring.

Objective To explore the psychosocial factors affecting the recurrence of the patients with myasthenia gravis (MG).Methods The retrospective analysis was adopted.One hundred and sixty-one pa-tients with MG treated in the neurosurgery department of this hospital from January 2019 to January 2021 were selected as the research subjects.The psychosocial data of the patients were collected.The correlation be-tween the gender,age of onset,history of underlying diseases,body mass index (BMI),education level,occu-pational nature,per capita monthly family income,living environment,payment method of medical expenses and mental state with the disease recurrence was analyzed.Results Among 161 patients,111 cases developed the recurrence (included in the recurrence group) and 50 cases (included into the stable group).There were statistically significant differences in the age,gender and mental status between the two groups (P<0.05),but there were no statistically significant differences in the history of underlying diseases,BMI,education lev-el,occupational nature,per capita monthly household income,living environment and payment method of med-ical expenses between the two groups (P>0.05).The multivariate logistic regression analysis results showed that the age of onset (OR=0.304,95％CI:0.146-0.634) and anxiety combined with depression (OR=2.706,95％CI:1.090-6.719) were the influencing factors of the recurrence in the patients with MG (P<0.05).Conclusion It is necessary to pay special attention to MG patients with young onset age,anxiety and depression status,which are prone to relapse.

Objective:To investigate the improvement of radiation-induced cognitive dysfunction and its preliminary mechanism by Ilex pubescens var.kwangsiensis.Methods:SPF grade male Kunming mice were randomly divided into control group(Control),Ilex pubescens var.kwangsiensis(IP),radiation group(Rad)and radiation+Ilex pubescens var.kwangsiensiss group(Rad+IP),with 10 mice in each group.Morris water maze test and dark avoidance test were used to detect the changes in cognitive function of mice before and after drug intervention.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining and electron microscopy were used to observe the changes of brain histopathology and ultrastructure in the hip-pocampus of mice.The expressions of nuclear factor E2-associated factor 2(Nrf2),heme oxygenase 1(HO-1),man-ganese superoxide dismutase(MnSOD),B-cell lymphoma/leukemia-2(Bcl-2)and Bcl-2 associated X protein(Bax)were detected by immunohistochemical assay.Results:The expressions of MnSOD and Bcl-2 in hippocampal tissue of mice in Rad group were significantly decreased,the expressions of Nrf2,Bax and HO-1 were significantly increased,and the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 was also significantly increased.After intervention,he expressions of MnSOD,Nrf2 and HO-1 were significantly increased,and the apoptosis rate was significantly decreased.Conclusion:Ilex pu-bescens var.kwangsiensis improved cognitive dysfunction in mice after radiation,and the mechanism may be related to Nrf2 activation and regulation of HO-1 transcription and expression,reducing oxidative stress damage.

Objective To analyze the effect of low-dose methylprednone sodium succinate combined with erythromycin in the treatment of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection with elevated lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)in children.Methods Children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia(MPP)complicated with elevated LDH were divided into control group and treatment group by random number table method.The control group was given erythromycin treatment,and the treatment group was given low-dose methylprednisolone sodium succinate combined with erythromycin treatment.Clinical efficacy and clinical symptom disappearance time were recorded in both groups.Pulmonary X-ray signs,immune function[T cell subsets(CD4+,CD8+,CD4+/CD8+)],immunoglobulin(Ig)A,IgM and serum LDH were compared between the two groups before and after treatment,and the adverse drug reactions of treatment were observed.Results There were 51 cases in control group and 51 cases in treatment group.The total effective rate in treatment group was 96.00％,which was significantly higher than 81.63％in control group(P＜0.05).The fever abatement times in treatment group and control group were(4.22±0.87)and(5.46±0.98)d;cough disappearance times were(6.31±0.98)and(7.49±1.10)d;disappearance times of pulmonary rales were(7.36±1.14)and(8.61±1.23)d,all with significant difference(all P＜0.05).After treatment,the patchy infiltrating shadow sign rates in treatment group and control group were 2.00％and 16.33％;the bronchial wall thickening sign rates were 4.00％and 18.37％,all with significant difference(all P＜0.05).After treatment,IgA levels in treatment group and control group were(0.55±0.11)and(0.68±0.12)g·L-1;IgM levels were(0.90±0.19)and(1.18±0.21)g·L-1;LDH levels were(229.45±10.30)and(240.18±11.17)U·L-1,all with significant difference(all P＜0.05).The total incidence of adverse drug reactions in treatment group and control group were 6.00％and 4.08％respectively,without significant difference(P＞0.05).Conclusion Erythromycin combined with low-dose methylprednone in systemic treatment of children with MPP and elevated LDH has a significant efficacy,and it can promote the reductions of inflammation and immune disorders and accelerate the disease outcomes,and it is safe and reliable.

【Objective】 To compare the risk of generalization in patients with ocular myasthenia gravis (OMG) receiving or not receiving immunosuppressive treatment. 【Methods】 The data of patients with OMG registered in Tangdu Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University from January 1, 2015 to May 1, 2019 were reviewed; the patients were divided into treatment group and control group according to whether they had received immunosuppressive treatment. The multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model analysis was used to compare the risk of generalization between the two groups of patients within 2 years of onset. Sensitivity analysis was used to evaluate the duration of immunosuppressive treatment and the risk of generalization under different immunotherapy regimens. By using stratified analysis, the consistency of the main results across different levels of subgroup factors was evaluated. 【Results】 A total of 702 OMG patients were collected. Of them 367 patients (52.3%) were included in the treatment group, with an average onset age of (50.54±15.1) years, and 159 (43.3%) being female. Another 335 patients (47.7%) were included in the control group, with an average age of (49.1±14.6) years, and 159 ones (47.5%) were female. A total of 28 cases (7.7%) in the treatment group and 106 cases (31.6%) in the control group developed generalization during the observation period. After multivariate-adjusted Cox model analysis, patients who had received immunosuppressive treatment had a significantly lower risk of generalization compared with the control group (HR=0.24; 95% CI: 0.15-0.37; P<0.001). Sensitivity analysis found that the longer the duration of immunosuppression, the lower the risk of generalization (HR=0.88; 95% CI: 0.85-0.91; P<0.001). Stratified analysis showed that immunosuppressive therapy reduced the risk of generalization in different subgroups of patients. 【Conclusion】 Early immunosuppressive treatment can significantly reduce the risk of generalization in patients with OMG.