Ischemic stroke （IS） represents a major global health challenge with complex pathological mechanisms. Although modern therapies such as intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular thrombectomy have advanced， their application remains constrained by narrow therapeutic time windows， hemorrhagic risks， and uneven distribution of medical resources. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） demonstrates unique value in the prevention and treatment of IS， owing to its multi-component， multi-target， and holistic regulatory characteristics. This review summarized the molecular mechanisms by which active ingredients and compound formulations of TCM exert therapeutic effects against IS through the regulation of inflammatory responses， oxidative stress， excitatory toxicity， apoptosis， and autophagy. Studies have indicated that components such as curcumin， baicalin， and astragaloside Ⅳ inhibit microglial activation and the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain （NOD）-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3） inflammasome to attenuate neuroinflammation， activate the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2（Nrf2）/heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1） pathway to alleviate oxidative stress， modulate glutamate receptor function to counteract excitatory toxicity， and regulate the B-cell lymphoma 2（Bcl-2）/Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax）， cysteine aspartate-specific protease （Caspase）， and phosphatidylinositol 3 kinases （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt） signaling pathways to suppress neuronal apoptosis. Recent research has further revealed that TCM can modulate ferroptosis by targeting key proteins glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4） and acyl-coenzyme A synthetase long-chain family member 4 （ACSL4） to maintain iron homeostasis， intervene in the "microbiota-gut-brain axis" to ameliorate dysbiosis and reduce neuroinflammation， utilize exosomes for brain-targeted drug delivery， and influence neural repair processes through epigenetic regulation. Furthermore， the review discussed the integrated mechanisms of compound formulations， such as Buyang Huanwu Decoction， in improving cerebral microcirculation and promoting neurovascular remodeling via multi-component synergy. It also analyzed the strategy and advantages of integrating TCM with Western medicine for IS treatment， providing a novel theoretical foundation and research directions for future investigations and clinical translation of TCM in IS management.

ObjectiveGastrodia elata has evolved ecological types with shortened rhizome internodes and diversified flower and fruit coloration in response to different altitudes. Studying the genetic mechanisms of different ecotype germplasm is significant for guiding variety breeding in different cultivation areas. MethodsThe bHLH gene family was identified based on the whole-genome datasets of G. elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca. Subsequently， the gene family members were subject to analysis， including gene structure， chromosomal localization， cis-acting elements， gene synteny， and phylogeny. Combined with transcriptome data and quantitative Real-time PCR， the expression patterns of bHLH genes in the stems of the different G. elata ecotype germplasm were analyzed. Finally， correlation analysis was conducted between gene expression patterns and color to obtain the key bHLH genes regulating the color formation of stem. ResultsA total of 63 bHLH genes were identified in both G elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca， unevenly distributed across 17 chromosomes and clustered into 16 subfamilies， with significant expansion in some family members. Obvious inversions of bHLH genes on the same chromosome and interchromosomal translocations were detected in the two ecotype germplasm. Among these genes， 12 bHLH genes （such as bHLH62-3 and bHLH74） were associated with the bright yellow color of G elata f. elata stem， while 9 bHLH genes （such as PIL13， UNE12， and bHLH130） were correlated with the red color of G. elata f. glauca stem. Compared to G. elata f. glauca， the bHLH48 expression level was significantly higher in flowers and scale leaves of G elata f. elata， and the bHLH62-3 expression level was significantly higher in all organs of G elata f. elata. ConclusionsFunctional pathway divergence of the bHLH family members has occurred across different chromosomes in G elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca. Through synergism or antagonism with other genes， 21 bHLH genes participate in the coloration metabolic pathway regulation of stems， flowers， and fruits. Specifically， bHLH62-3 is involved in regulating stem color differentiation in the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway of G. elata， thus relevant to the color formation of stem. Additionally， GebHLH48 positively regulates flowering-related pathways to promote the early-flowering phenotype of G. elata f. elata. These findings have laid the foundation for analyzing the genetic regulatory mechanisms underlying the color formation of the G. elata stem.

ObjectiveGastrodia elata has evolved ecological types with shortened rhizome internodes and diversified flower and fruit coloration in response to different altitudes. Studying the genetic mechanisms of different ecotype germplasm is significant for guiding variety breeding in different cultivation areas. MethodsThe bHLH gene family was identified based on the whole-genome datasets of G. elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca. Subsequently， the gene family members were subject to analysis， including gene structure， chromosomal localization， cis-acting elements， gene synteny， and phylogeny. Combined with transcriptome data and quantitative Real-time PCR， the expression patterns of bHLH genes in the stems of the different G. elata ecotype germplasm were analyzed. Finally， correlation analysis was conducted between gene expression patterns and color to obtain the key bHLH genes regulating the color formation of stem. ResultsA total of 63 bHLH genes were identified in both G elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca， unevenly distributed across 17 chromosomes and clustered into 16 subfamilies， with significant expansion in some family members. Obvious inversions of bHLH genes on the same chromosome and interchromosomal translocations were detected in the two ecotype germplasm. Among these genes， 12 bHLH genes （such as bHLH62-3 and bHLH74） were associated with the bright yellow color of G elata f. elata stem， while 9 bHLH genes （such as PIL13， UNE12， and bHLH130） were correlated with the red color of G. elata f. glauca stem. Compared to G. elata f. glauca， the bHLH48 expression level was significantly higher in flowers and scale leaves of G elata f. elata， and the bHLH62-3 expression level was significantly higher in all organs of G elata f. elata. ConclusionsFunctional pathway divergence of the bHLH family members has occurred across different chromosomes in G elata f. elata and G. elata f. glauca. Through synergism or antagonism with other genes， 21 bHLH genes participate in the coloration metabolic pathway regulation of stems， flowers， and fruits. Specifically， bHLH62-3 is involved in regulating stem color differentiation in the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway of G. elata， thus relevant to the color formation of stem. Additionally， GebHLH48 positively regulates flowering-related pathways to promote the early-flowering phenotype of G. elata f. elata. These findings have laid the foundation for analyzing the genetic regulatory mechanisms underlying the color formation of the G. elata stem.

Background Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common chronic urinary disease in middle-aged and older men, yet the impact of long-term exposure to atmospheric particulate matter (PM) on its pathogenesis remains unclear. Objective To investigate the association between PM exposure and the risk of incident BPH in middle-aged and older men. Methods Based on four waves of follow-up data (2011–2018) from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), 4766 participants were enrolled. Robust Poisson regression models were employed to assess the association between exposure to PM (PM₁, PM_2.5, and PM₁₀) and the risk of incident BPH. Relative risks (RR) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated. Dose-response relationships were fitted using restricted cubic splines (RCS). Subgroup analyses were performed to explore potential effect modifications, and multiple imputation was used to handle missing data. Results Over a mean follow-up of 6 years, 914 incident BPH cases were identified among the4766 participants (cumulative incidence: 19.18%). After adjusting for confounders, each 10 μg·m⁻³ increase in PM₁, PM_2.5, and PM₁₀ concentrations was associated with a 13.1% (RR=1.131, 95%CI: 1.063, 1.203), 8.5% (RR=1.085, 95%CI: 1.050, 1.122), and 5.1% (RR=1.051, 95%CI: 1.034, 1.069) increased risk of BPH, respectively. RCS analysis showed that no nonlinear relationship was found between PM₁ and PM_2.5 and the risk of BPH (P>0.05); however, a nonlinear association was observed for PM₁₀ (P=0.03), with the risk increment slowing beyond 100 μg·m⁻³. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of these findings. Conclusion Long-term exposure to ambient particulate matter may be associated with an increased risk of incident BPH in middle-aged and older men.

Background Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common chronic urinary disease in middle-aged and older men, yet the impact of long-term exposure to atmospheric particulate matter (PM) on its pathogenesis remains unclear. Objective To investigate the association between PM exposure and the risk of incident BPH in middle-aged and older men. Methods Based on four waves of follow-up data (2011–2018) from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), 4766 participants were enrolled. Robust Poisson regression models were employed to assess the association between exposure to PM (PM₁, PM_2.5, and PM₁₀) and the risk of incident BPH. Relative risks (RR) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated. Dose-response relationships were fitted using restricted cubic splines (RCS). Subgroup analyses were performed to explore potential effect modifications, and multiple imputation was used to handle missing data. Results Over a mean follow-up of 6 years, 914 incident BPH cases were identified among the4766 participants (cumulative incidence: 19.18%). After adjusting for confounders, each 10 μg·m⁻³ increase in PM₁, PM_2.5, and PM₁₀ concentrations was associated with a 13.1% (RR=1.131, 95%CI: 1.063, 1.203), 8.5% (RR=1.085, 95%CI: 1.050, 1.122), and 5.1% (RR=1.051, 95%CI: 1.034, 1.069) increased risk of BPH, respectively. RCS analysis showed that no nonlinear relationship was found between PM₁ and PM_2.5 and the risk of BPH (P>0.05); however, a nonlinear association was observed for PM₁₀ (P=0.03), with the risk increment slowing beyond 100 μg·m⁻³. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of these findings. Conclusion Long-term exposure to ambient particulate matter may be associated with an increased risk of incident BPH in middle-aged and older men.

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a metabolic disorder posing significant risks to maternal and infant health, with a lack of effective early screening markers. Therefore, identifying early screening biomarkers for GDM with higher sensitivity and specificity is urgently needed. Methods: High-throughput sequencing was employed to screen for key circular RNAs (circRNAs), which were then evaluated using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between clinical characteristics, circRNA expression, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. The diagnostic accuracy of circRNAs for early and mid-pregnancy GDM was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves. Pearson correlation analysis was utilized to explore the relationship between circRNA levels and oral glucose tolerance test results. A predictive model for early GDM was established using logistic regression. Results: Significant alterations in circRNA expression profiles were detected in GDM patients, with hsa_circ_0031560 and hsa_ circ_0000793 notably upregulated during the first and second trimesters. These circRNAs were associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and effectively differentiated GDM patients, with second trimester cohorts achieving an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.836. In first trimester cohorts, these circRNAs identified potential GDM patients with AUCs of 0.832 and 0.765, respectively. The early GDM prediction model achieved an AUC of 0.904, validated in two independent cohorts. Conclusion Hsa_circ_0031560, hsa_circ_0000793, and the developed model serve as biomarkers for early prediction or midterm diagnosis of GDM, offering clinical tools for early GDM screening.

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Yiqi Tongluo Decoction in the intervention of early traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes after ischemic cerebrovascular disease (ICVD) intervention. Methods: From October 2020 to July 2023, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted to include 60 patients with qi deficiency, blood stasis, and phlegm obstruction syndrome after ICVD interventional therapy. They were assigned to the Yiqi Tongluo Decoction treatment group (30 cases) and the TCM placebo routine treatment control group (30 cases) according to the randomized block design. Both groups received routine standardized treatment of Western medicine, including dual antiplatelet, lipid regulation, and control of risk factors for cerebrovascular disease. The treatment group was treated with Yiqi Tongluo Decoction based on the control group. The course of treatment was 60 days and follow-up was carried out 2 and 6 months after the operation. The improvement of qi deficiency syndrome, blood stasis syndrome, phlegm syndrome score and TCM syndrome score, modified Rankin score (mRS), Barthel index (BI) score, Fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) level, incidence of transient ischemic attack (TIA) and ischemic stroke (IS) and incidence of adverse reactions, Head and neck CT angiography (CTA) or digital subtraction angiography (DSA) examination were collected. The clinical efficacy of the patients 2 months after the operation was taken as the main outcome index to preliminarily evaluate the early and long-term efficacy of Yiqi Tongluo Decoction after the ICVD intervention. The early and long-term clinical efficacy and safety of Western medicine standardized treatment combined with TCM Yiqi Tongluo Decoction on patients with qi deficiency, blood stasis and phlegm obstruction syndrome after ICVD intervention were evaluated. The safety of Yiqi Tongluo Decoction in the treatment of patients after ICVD intervention with white blood cell (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen (FIB), plasminogen time (PT), recurrence of cerebral ischaemia and restenosis in patients at 2 and 6 months after treatment were evaluated. Results: Compared to the control group, the TCM syndrome scores for qi deficiency, blood stasis and phlegm syndrome in the treatment group reduced significantly, the clinical efficacy improved significantly, the mRS score and FABP4 were reduced, and the BI score was increased. Adverse events such as cerebral ischaemia were fewer in the treatment group than in the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant; levels of CRP, WBC and PT were reduced, and levels of FIB were reduced at 6 months post-treatment, all P<0.01, and images were intuitively compared. The treatment group was superior to the control group. Conclusion Yiqi Tongluo Decoction combined with Western medicine standard treatment can improve the early clinical efficacy of ICVD patients with qi deficiency, blood stasis and phlegm obstruction syndrome after interventional surgery, improve neurological impairment and daily living ability, reduce the state of qi deficiency syndrome, blood stasis syndrome and phlegm syndrome after interventional surgery, and improve the clinical efficacy of TCM. At the same time, it can reduce the level of FABP4, the target of atherosclerosis and restenosis after interventional surgery, reduce the level of inflammation after interventional surgery in patients with ICVD, regulate coagulation function, and reduce the incidence of long-term recurrence of cerebral ischemia after interventional surgery, with good safety.

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a metabolic disorder posing significant risks to maternal and infant health, with a lack of effective early screening markers. Therefore, identifying early screening biomarkers for GDM with higher sensitivity and specificity is urgently needed. Methods: High-throughput sequencing was employed to screen for key circular RNAs (circRNAs), which were then evaluated using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between clinical characteristics, circRNA expression, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. The diagnostic accuracy of circRNAs for early and mid-pregnancy GDM was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves. Pearson correlation analysis was utilized to explore the relationship between circRNA levels and oral glucose tolerance test results. A predictive model for early GDM was established using logistic regression. Results: Significant alterations in circRNA expression profiles were detected in GDM patients, with hsa_circ_0031560 and hsa_ circ_0000793 notably upregulated during the first and second trimesters. These circRNAs were associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and effectively differentiated GDM patients, with second trimester cohorts achieving an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.836. In first trimester cohorts, these circRNAs identified potential GDM patients with AUCs of 0.832 and 0.765, respectively. The early GDM prediction model achieved an AUC of 0.904, validated in two independent cohorts. Conclusion Hsa_circ_0031560, hsa_circ_0000793, and the developed model serve as biomarkers for early prediction or midterm diagnosis of GDM, offering clinical tools for early GDM screening.

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a metabolic disorder posing significant risks to maternal and infant health, with a lack of effective early screening markers. Therefore, identifying early screening biomarkers for GDM with higher sensitivity and specificity is urgently needed. Methods: High-throughput sequencing was employed to screen for key circular RNAs (circRNAs), which were then evaluated using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between clinical characteristics, circRNA expression, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. The diagnostic accuracy of circRNAs for early and mid-pregnancy GDM was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves. Pearson correlation analysis was utilized to explore the relationship between circRNA levels and oral glucose tolerance test results. A predictive model for early GDM was established using logistic regression. Results: Significant alterations in circRNA expression profiles were detected in GDM patients, with hsa_circ_0031560 and hsa_ circ_0000793 notably upregulated during the first and second trimesters. These circRNAs were associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and effectively differentiated GDM patients, with second trimester cohorts achieving an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.836. In first trimester cohorts, these circRNAs identified potential GDM patients with AUCs of 0.832 and 0.765, respectively. The early GDM prediction model achieved an AUC of 0.904, validated in two independent cohorts. Conclusion Hsa_circ_0031560, hsa_circ_0000793, and the developed model serve as biomarkers for early prediction or midterm diagnosis of GDM, offering clinical tools for early GDM screening.