Background In 2021, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) emerged as the forth leading cause of death in the world. However, the impact of air pollutants on COPD is still inconsistent across current studies. Objective To analyze the relationship between ambient sulfur dioxide (SO₂) exposure and hospital admissions for COPD in Lanzhou, and to examine the modified effects of SO₂ across different genders, age groups, and seasons. Methods A total of 20718 hospital admission records for COPD were collected from Lanzhou between 2016 and 2020, alongside synchronized data on SO₂ concentration and meteorological variables. A generalized additive model integrated with a distributed lag nonlinear model was used to assess the relationship and the lag effects between SO₂ exposure and COPD admissions. Potential confounders, including meteorological factors, day-of-the-week effect, and holidays, were controlled for, with a maximum lag period set at 7 d. Two-pollutant models and sensitivity analyses were conducted to ensure robustness. Results are expressed as relative risks (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). Results During the study period, the average daily number of COPD admissions was 11.34±7.03. The average mass concentration of SO₂ was (23.72±12.35) μg·m⁻³. SO₂ exposure was positively correlated with COPD admissions; specifically, each 10 μg·m⁻³ increase in SO₂ concentration was associated with an RR of 1.440 (95%CI: 1.317, 1.573). Stratified analyses found that at a cumulative lag of 7 d, the RRs were higher among females, individuals aged ≥65 years, and during the cold season. Conversely, no significant increase in COPD admission risk related to SO₂ was observed during the warm season. For every 10 μg·m⁻³ increase in SO₂ concentration, the RR was 1.483 (95%CI: 1.311, 1.678) for females, 1.441 (95%CI: 1.311, 1.583) for those aged > 65 years， and 1.595 (95%CI: 1.313, 1.937) during the cold season. Conclusion Short-term exposure to ambient SO₂ exposure in Lanzhou is associated with an increased risk of COPD admission. The association is more pronounced among females, the elderly (aged> 65 years) and during the cold season.

ObjectiveGastric hemorrhage is one of the most common and life-threatening emergencies of the upper digestive tract. Early identification and continuous monitoring are essential for reducing rebleeding rates and mortality, particularly within the critical early hours after onset. Although endoscopy and radiological imaging can accurately localize bleeding sites, these approaches are invasive, resource-intensive, and unsuitable for continuous bedside monitoring. Electrical impedance tomography (EIT), as a noninvasive and radiation-free functional imaging technique, offers real-time visualization of conductivity distribution and has the potential for detecting intragastric bleeding based on the electrical contrast between blood and surrounding gastric tissues. In this study, a three-dimensional gastric EIT (3D-gEIT) framework is proposed to achieve noninvasive, real-time, and dynamic monitoring of gastric hemorrhage, with emphasis on spatial localization and quantitative volume assessment. MethodsA three-dimensional upper-abdominal simulation model incorporating the stomach, gastric wall, gastric contents, and surrounding tissues was established. Three electrode configurations, namely the dual layer ring, the four layer staggered ring, and the opposed dual plane array, were designed and systematically compared to evaluate their influence on depth sensitivity and spatial resolution. Based on the Tikhonov-Noser hybrid regularization scheme, a region-clustering constraint was introduced to develop the TK-Noser-RCC algorithm. This approach aggregates spatially adjacent elements with similar conductivity variations, thereby enhancing structural continuity and suppressing isolated noise artifacts. To validate the proposed framework, an upper-abdominal physical phantom was constructed using agar to simulate background tissue conductivity. Hemispherical high-conductivity inclusions with volumes ranging from 10 ml to 50 ml were attached to the inner gastric wall to mimic localized bleeding under different gastric filling states. Boundary voltages were acquired under a 120 kHz excitation current and reconstructed using the TK-Noser-RCC algorithm. Furthermore, an in vivo animal experiment was performed using a porcine model with adult-scale abdominal dimensions. A total of 100 ml of autologous blood was injected incrementally into the stomach to simulate progressive gastric hemorrhage, and time-difference EIT reconstruction was conducted at each injection stage to assess the dynamic system response under physiological conditions. ResultsSimulation results demonstrated that the opposed dual-plane electrode array achieved superior depth sensitivity distribution and spatial resolution. For a 40 ml hemorrhage model, the average ICC and SSIM improved by 55.9% and 38.8% compared with the dual-layer ring configuration, and by 64.0% and 39.5% compared with the four-layer staggered configuration. The proposed region-clustering constraint significantly enhanced reconstruction stability. Under added Gaussian noise of 40 dB and 30 dB, ICC values remained approximately 0.85, indicating effective artifact suppression and preservation of boundary integrity. In physical phantom experiments, reconstructed hemorrhage volumes increased approximately linearly with the preset hemispherical volumes, and the reconstructed high-conductivity regions closely matched the actual bleeding locations. Both empty-stomach and full-stomach conditions were evaluated, demonstrating that the opposed dual-plane configuration maintained stable imaging performance across varying gastric contents. In the animal experiment, reconstructed low-impedance regions expanded progressively with increasing injected blood volume. The spatial localization of the hemorrhage remained stable throughout the procedure, and no significant artifacts were observed. Quantitative analysis showed that reconstructed volume and average conductivity variation exhibited an approximately linear growth trend with injected blood volume, confirming the sensitivity of the system to dynamic intragastric conductivity changes. ConclusionThe proposed 3D-gEIT framework enables quantitative reconstruction of gastric hemorrhage volume and spatial distribution with improved depth sensitivity, structural continuity, and noise robustness compared with conventional EIT approaches. By integrating optimized electrode configuration and a region-clustering-constrained reconstruction algorithm, the system provides stable dynamic monitoring under both controlled phantom conditions and in vivo physiological environments. This method offers a noninvasive, real-time, and low-cost imaging strategy for early diagnosis, postoperative monitoring, and bedside surveillance of gastric bleeding.

Objective To track and evaluate the implementation and application of the occupational health standard Radiation shielding requirements for radiotherapy room—Part 4: Radiotherapy room of ²⁵²Cf neutron afterloading (GBZ/T 201.4-2015) by radiation health technical service agencies, medical institutions, health supervision agencies, and radiotherapy facility design units, and to provide a scientific basis for the further revision and implementation of this standard. Methods Following the Guideline for health standards tracking evaluation (WS/T 536-2017) and the project implementation plan, relevant practitioners were randomly selected for a questionnaire survey. The survey primarily focused on their awareness, standard training, application, and revision suggestions of GBZ/T 201.4-2015. The results were summarized and analyzed. Results A total of 168 evaluation questionnaires were collected from relevant practitioners in 28 provinces. Only 31.6% of the respondents reported being “well familiar” or “ familiar” with the standard, 27.4% of the respondents believed that the standard was widely used, and 45.2% of the respondents believed that the standard could meet the needs of their work. Only 14.9% of the respondents had received relevant training on the standard, more than half of the respondents had not applied the standard within the past 10 years, and 45.2% of the respondents believed that the standard "needs to be revised". Conclusion Due to the small number of californium-252 neutron afterloading radiotherapy devices in operation on the market, the overall awareness of the standard is low, suggesting that relevant authorities need to strengthen training and publicity of the standard, and that certain sections of the standard need to be revised or merged.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity, sedentary behavior (SB), and sleep duration are associated with brain health. Effects of those on developing Parkinson's disease (PD) are poorly investigated. This study aimed to examine the independent and joint associations of physical activity, SB, sleep with PD risk. METHODS: We analyzed data on 401,697 participants from the UK Biobank cohort, which was enrolled in 2006-2010. Physical activities were measured based on a questionnaire. Sleep and SB time were defined through self-reported total number of hours. Models fitted with restricted cubic spline were conducted to test for linear and non-linear shapes of each association. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate the association of three modifiable behaviors. RESULTS: Our analytic sample included 401,697 participants with 3030 identified cases of PD (mean age, 63 years; 62.9% male). PD risk was 18% lower in the high total physical activity group (95% CI, 0.75-0.90), 22% lower in the high leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) group (95% CI, 0.71-0.86) compared with the low level and 14% higher in the high sleep duration group (95% CI, 1.05-1.24) compared to moderate group. Total SB time was irrelevant with PD risk, while high TV viewing showed a 12% increase of PD risk compared to the low group (95% CI, 1.02-1.22). Low computer use (0 h/day) was associated with a 14% higher risk compared to 1 h/day use (95% CI, 1.04-1.26). Those associations were independent. A combination of 7 h/day sleep, moderate-to-high computer use, and moderate-to-vigorous intensity of LTPA showed lowest PD risk (HR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.57-0.85). CONCLUSIONS Physical activity, SB, and sleep were associated with PD risks separately. Our findings emphasize the possibility for changing these three daily activities concurrently to lower the risk of PD. These findings may promote an active lifestyle for PD prevention.
Humans ; Parkinson Disease/physiopathology* ; Male ; Sedentary Behavior ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Exercise/physiology* ; Prospective Studies ; Sleep/physiology* ; Aged ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND: Neuroticism has been associated with numerous health outcomes. However, most research has focused on a single specific disorder and has produced controversial results, particularly regarding mortality risk. Here, we aimed to examine the association of neuroticism with morbidity and mortality and to elucidate how neuroticism affects trajectories from a healthy state, to one or more neuroticism-related disorders, and subsequent mortality risk. METHODS: We included 483,916 participants from the UK Biobank at baseline (2006-2010). Neuroticism was measured using the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire. Three clusters were constructed, including worry, depressed affect, and sensitivity to environmental stress and adversity (SESA). Cox proportional hazards regression and multistate models were used. Linear regression was used to examine the association between neuroticism and immune parameters and neuroimaging measures. RESULTS: High neuroticism was associated with 37 non-overlapping diseases, including increased risk of infectious, cardiometabolic, neuropsychiatric, digestive, and respiratory diseases, and decreased risk of cancer. After adjustment for sociodemographic variables, physical measures, healthy behaviors, and baseline diagnoses, moderate-to-high neuroticism was associated with a decreased risk of all-cause mortality. In multistate models, high neuroticism was associated with an increased risk of transitions from a healthy state to a first neuroticism-related disease (hazard ratio [HR] [95% confidence interval (CI)] = 1.09 [1.05-1.13], P  <0.001) and subsequent transitions to multimorbidity (1.08 [1.02-1.14], P  = 0.005), but was associated with a decreased risk of transitions from multimorbidity to death (0.90 [0.84-0.97], P for trend = 0.006). The leading neuroticism cluster showing a detrimental role in the health-illness transition was depressed affect, which correlated with higher amygdala volume and lower insula volume. The protective effect of neuroticism against mortality was mainly contributed by the SESA cluster, which, unlike the other two clusters, did not affect the balance between innate and adaptive immunity. CONCLUSION This study provides new insights into the differential role of neuroticism in health outcomes and into new perspectives for establishing mortality prevention programs for patients with multimorbidity.
Humans ; Neuroticism/physiology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Adult ; Risk Factors

This study aims to explore whether Naoxintong Capsules improve multiple cerebral infarctions and myocardial injury via promoting angiogenesis, thereby exerting a simultaneous treatment effect on both the brain and heart. Male SD rats were randomly divided into six groups: sham-operated group, model group, high-dose, medium-dose, and low-dose groups of Naoxintong Capsules(440, 220, and 110 mg·kg~(-1)), and nimodipine group(10.8 mg·kg~(-1)). Rat models of multiple cerebral infarctions were established by injecting autologous thrombus, and samples were collected and tested seven days after modeling. Evaluations included multiple cerebral infarction model assessments, neurological function scores, grip strength tests, and rotarod tests, so as to evaluate neuromotor functions. Morphological structures of brain and heart tissue were observed using hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, Nissl staining, and Masson staining. Network pharmacology was employed to screen the mechanisms of Naoxintong Capsules in improving multiple cerebral infarctions and myocardial injury. Neuronal and myocardial cell ultrastructures were observed using transmission electron microscopy. Apoptosis rate in brain neuronal cells was detected by TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL) staining, and reactive oxygen species(ROS) levels in myocardial cells were measured. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression of platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1(CD31), antigen identified by monoclonal antibody Ki67(Ki67), hematopoietic progenitor cell antigen CD34(CD34), and hypoxia inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α) in brain and myocardial tissue. Western blot, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR) were used to detect the expression of HIF-1α, vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2(VEGFR2), sarcoma(Src), basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF), angiopoietin-1(Ang-1), and TEK receptor tyrosine kinase(Tie-2). Compared with the model group, the medium-dose group of Naoxintong Capsules showed significantly lower neurological function scores, increased grip strength, and prolonged time on the rotarod. Pathological damage in brain and heart tissue was reduced, with increased and more orderly arranged mitochondria in neurons and cardiomyocytes. Apoptosis in brain neuronal cells was decreased, and ROS levels in cardiomyocytes were reduced. The microvascular density and endothelial cells of new blood vessels in brain and heart tissue increased, with increased overlapping regions of CD31 and Ki67 expression. The relative protein and mRNA expression levels of HIF-1α, VEGF, VEGFR2, Src, Ang-1, Tie-2, and bFGF were elevated in brain tissue and myocardial tissue. Naoxintong Capsules may improve multiple cerebral infarctions and myocardial injury by mediating HIF-1α/VEGF expression to promote angiogenesis.
Animals ; Male ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Cerebral Infarction/genetics* ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/genetics* ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/genetics* ; Capsules ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Humans ; Brain/metabolism* ; Myocardium/metabolism* ; Apoptosis/drug effects*

This study employs ultra-performance liquid chromatography(UPLC) to analyze the differences in alkaloid content of Commelina communis from various geographical origins, exploring its feasibility as a quality evaluation indicator. A total of 57 batches of C. communis samples from 23 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities in China were selected. The MicroPulite HSS T3(2.1 mm×50 mm, 1.8 μm)column was used with a mobile phase of acetonitrile-0.2% phosphoric acid aqueous solution(20∶80), detection wavelength at 254 nm, and a flow rate of 0.3 mL·min~(-1) to measure the content of 1-deoxynojirimycin(DNJ) and deoxymannojirimycin(DMJ). The MicroPulite XP tC_(18)(2.1 mm×100 mm, 1.7 μm)column was employed with a mobile phase of acetonitrile-0.2% phosphoric acid aqueous solution(4∶96), detection wavelength at 254 nm, and a flow rate of 0.4 mL·min~(-1) to measure the content of norharmine(NHM) and harmanme(HM). Chemometric methods were applied to study the relationships and differences among the 57 batches of C. communis. Significant differences in alkaloid content were observed among C. communis from different regions, with the average total content decreasing in the order of North China, Northeast China, Northwest China, East China, Southwest China, Central China, and South China. Cluster analysis(CA) and principal component analysis(PCA) further revealed the quality differences of C. communis from various origins, and partial least squares discriminant analysis(PLS-DA) identified DNJ as a marker compound to distinguish the quality differences between different geographical sources of C. communis. It is recommended that the content limit of DNJ be set at no less than 0.055 9%, providing a reference for the quality evaluation and clinical application of C. communis medicinal materials.
Alkaloids/analysis* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; China ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Chemometrics/methods* ; Quality Control

The antidepressant activity and molecular mechanisms of Yueju Wan volatile oil were investigated. The Yueju Wan volatile oil was extracted by using supercritical CO_2. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS) combined with network pharmacology identified 28 chemical constituents in Yueju Wan volatile oil, primarily terpenes and lactones. A total of 123 overlapping targets were associated with depression, including core targets of interleukin-1β(IL-1β), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3), and caspase-3(CASP3). These targets were mainly involved in the prolactin, advanced glycation end products/receptor(AGE/RAGE), and phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/Akt) signaling pathways. A reserpine-induced depression mouse model was established to evaluate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of Yueju Wan volatile oil. The effects of Yueju Wan volatile oil on depression-like behavior in mice were evaluated by analyzing body mass, body temperature index, tail suspension immobility time, forced swimming immobility time, and sucrose preference. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining revealed neuronal protection of Yueju Wan volatile oil in the brain of mice. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) and Western blot were employed to detect the protein expression of AGEs, IL-1β, phosphorylated PI3K(p-PI3K), Akt, phosphorylated Akt(p-Akt), nuclear factor κB(NF-κB), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF). Behavioral evaluation showed that Yueju Wan volatile oil could effectively control the decline of body mass and body temperature of depressed mice, reduce tail suspension and swimming immobility time, and enhance their preference for sucrose. Histopathological examination showed that Yueju Wan volatile oil could alleviate the neuronal damage in CA1 and dentate gyrus(DG) of the hippocampus of mice. ELISA and Western blot results showed that Yueju Wan volatile oil could significantly increase the protein expression levels of PI3K, Akt, and BDNF and significantly decrease the protein expression levels of AGEs, IL-1β, p-PI3K, p-Akt, and NF-κB in the hippocampus of mice. Furthermore, the p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt ratios were significantly decreased at medium and high doses. These findings suggest that the aromatherapy of Yueju Wan volatile oil can significantly improve reserpine-induced depression-like behavior in mice, which may be related to reducing the expression of neuronal membrane protein AGEs, reducing the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and Akt, inhibiting NF-κB entry into the nucleus, and alleviating the release of pro-inflammatory factors and nerve injury.
Animals ; Antidepressive Agents/chemistry* ; Mice ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/immunology* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/immunology* ; Oils, Volatile/chemistry* ; Male ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Depression/metabolism* ; Glycation End Products, Advanced/immunology* ; Humans

Geniposidic acid(GA), a natural iridoid, exists in the roots, stems, leaves, flowers, bark, fruits, and seeds of medicinal plants of Rubiaceae, Eucommiaceae, and Plantaginaceae. Modern pharmacological studies have revealed that GA has multiple pharmacological activities, including organ-protective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, anti-osteoporosis, anti-neurodegenerative, and anti-cardiovascular effects. GA can enhance cell/organism defenses by upregulating key anti-inflammatory and antioxidant cytokines, while downregulating key node proteins in pro-inflammatory signaling pathways such as AhR and TLR4/MyD88, thereby exerting pharmacological effects such as organ protection. Pharmacokinetic investigations have suggested that after oral administration, GA can be distributed in multiple organs(kidney, liver, heart, spleen, lung, etc.). In addition, the pharmacokinetic behavior of GA could be significantly altered under disease conditions, as demonstrated by a marked increase in systematic exposure. This article comprehensively summarizes the reported pharmacological activities and mechanisms and systematically analyzes the pharmacokinetic characteristics and key parameters of GA, with the aim of providing a theoretical basis and scientific reference for the precise clinical application of GA-related Chinese patent medicines, as well as for the investigation and development of innovative drugs based on GA.
Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Animals ; Iridoid Glucosides/chemistry* ; Plants, Medicinal/chemistry* ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology*