Syringa pinnatifolia, belonging to the family Oleaceae, is a species endemic to China. It is predominantly distributed in the Helan Mountains region of Inner Mongolia and Ningxia of China. The peeled roots, stems, and thick branches have been used as a distinctive Mongolian medicinal material known as "Shan-chen-xiang", which has effects such as suppressing "khii", clearing heat, and relieving pain and is employed for the treatment of cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases and joint pain. Over the past five years, significant increase was achieved in research on chemical constituents and pharmacological effects. There were a total of 130 new constituents reported, covering sesquiterpenoids, lignans, and alkaloids. Its effects of anti-myocardial ischemia, anti-cerebral ischemia/reperfusion, sedation, and analgesia were revealed, and the mechanisms of agarwood formation were also investigated. To better understand its medical value and potential of clinical application, this review updates the research progress in recent five years focusing on the chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of S. pinnatifolia, providing reference for subsequent research on active ingredient and support for its innovative application in modern medicine system.
Medicine, Mongolian Traditional ; Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Animals ; Syringa/chemistry*

OBJECTIVE: To assess the independent and combined effects of air pollutants, meteorological factors, and greenspace exposure on new tuberculosis (TB) cases. METHODS: TB case data from Shanghai (2013-2018) were obtained from the Shanghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Environmental data on air pollutants, meteorological variables, and greenspace exposure were obtained from the National Tibetan Plateau Data Center. We employed a distributed-lag nonlinear model to assess the effects of these environmental factors on TB cases. RESULTS: Increased TB risk was linked to PM _2.5, PM ₁₀, and rainfall, whereas NO ₂, SO ₂, and air pressure were associated with a reduced risk. Specifically, the strongest cumulative effects occurred at various lags: PM _2.5 ( RR = 1.166, 95% CI: 1.026-1.325) at 0-19 weeks; PM ₁₀ ( RR = 1.167, 95% CI: 1.028-1.324) at 0-18 weeks; NO ₂ ( RR = 0.968, 95% CI: 0.938-0.999) at 0-1 weeks; SO ₂ ( RR = 0.945, 95% CI: 0.894-0.999) at 0-2 weeks; air pressure ( RR = 0.604, 95% CI: 0.447-0.816) at 0-8 weeks; and rainfall ( RR = 1.404, 95% CI: 1.076-1.833) at 0-22 weeks. Green space exposure did not significantly impact TB cases. Additionally, low temperatures amplified the effect of PM _2.5 on TB. CONCLUSION Exposure to PM _2.5, PM ₁₀, and rainfall increased the risk of TB, highlighting the need to address air pollutants for the prevention of TB in Shanghai.
China/epidemiology* ; Humans ; Air Pollutants/analysis* ; Tuberculosis/epidemiology* ; Incidence ; Meteorological Concepts ; Particulate Matter/adverse effects* ; Environmental Exposure ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Air Pollution ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVE: Poxviruses are zoonotic pathogens that infect humans, mammals, vertebrates, and arthropods. However, the specific role of ticks in transmission and evolution of these viruses remains unclear. METHODS: Transcriptomic and metatranscriptomic raw data from 329 sampling pools of seven tick species across five continents were mined to assess the diversity and abundance of poxviruses. Chordopoxviral sequences were assembled and subjected to phylogenetic analysis to trace the origins of the unblasted fragments within these sequences. RESULTS: Fifty-eight poxvirus species, representing two subfamilies and 20 genera, were identified, with 212 poxviral sequences assembled. A substantial proportion of AT-rich fragments were detected in the assembled poxviral genomes. These genomic sequences contained fragments originating from rodents, archaea, and arthropods. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that ticks play a significant role in the transmission and evolution of poxviruses. These viruses demonstrate the capacity to modulate virulence and adaptability through horizontal gene transfer, gene recombination, and gene mutations, thereby promoting co-existence and co-evolution with their hosts. This study advances understanding of the ecological dynamics of poxvirus transmission and evolution and highlights the potential role of ticks as vectors and vessels in these processes.
Animals ; Poxviridae/physiology* ; Ticks/virology* ; Phylogeny ; Transcriptome ; Evolution, Molecular ; Poxviridae Infections/virology* ; Genome, Viral

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the underlying causes and clinical manifestations in infants undergoing colonoscopy, and to analyze changes in disease spectrum. METHODS: Clinical data from 180 infants who underwent a total of 184 colonoscopies at the Department of Gastroenterology, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University from January 2015 to December 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were grouped by age: ≤6 months (n=41) and >6-12 months (n=139); and by examination period: 2015-2019 (n=83) and 2020-2024 (n=97). Primary causes for performing colonoscopy, final diagnoses, and disease spectrum evolution were assessed. RESULTS: Among 184 colonoscopies, the leading causes prompting examination were hematochezia (37.8%, 68/180), diarrhea (36.7%, 66/180), and co-occurring hematochezia and diarrhea (21.1%, 38/180). Causes for performing colonoscopy differed significantly by age group (P<0.05). Colonic polyps were only detected in the >6-12 months group (P<0.05). Compared to the 2015-2019 group, the 2020-2024 group had fewer food allergy-related gastrointestinal diseases (P<0.05) but more colitis (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Colonoscopy is essential for diagnosing infantile digestive disorders, with disease spectra varying by age and time period.
Humans ; Infant ; Colonoscopy ; Male ; Female ; Retrospective Studies ; Infant, Newborn ; Diarrhea/etiology* ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/etiology*

Mitochondria, functioning not only as the central hub of cellular energy metabolism but also as semi-autonomous organelles, orchestrate cellular fate decisions through their endogenous mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), which encodes core components of the electron transport chain. Emerging research has identified microRNAs localized within mitochondria, termed mitochondria-located microRNAs (mitomiRs). Recent studies have revealed that mitomiRs are transcribed from nuclear DNA (nDNA), processed and matured in the cytoplasm, and subsequently transported into mitochondria. mitomiRs regulate mtDNA through diverse mechanisms, including modulation of mtDNA expression at the translational level and direct binding to mtDNA to influence transcription. Aberrant expression of mitomiRs leads to mitochondrial dysfunction and contributes to the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases. Restoring mitomiR expression to physiological levels using mitomiRs mimics or inhibitors has been shown to improve mitochondrial function and alleviate related diseases. Consequently, the regulatory mechanisms of mitomiRs have become a major focus in mitochondrial research. Given that mitomiRs are located in mitochondria, targeted delivery strategies designed for mtDNA can be adapted for the delivery of mitomiRs mimics or inhibitors. However, numerous intracellular and extracellular barriers remain, highlighting the need for more precise and efficient delivery systems in the future. The regulation of mtDNA expression mediated by mitomiRs not only expands our understanding of miRNA functions in post-transcriptional gene regulation but also provides promising molecular targets for the treatment of mitochondrial-related diseases. This review systematically summarizes recent research progress on mitomiRs in regulating mtDNA expression and discusses the underlying mechanisms of mitomiRs-mtDNA interactions. Additionally, it provides new perspectives on precision therapeutic strategies, with a particular emphasis on mitomiRs-based regulation of mitochondrial function in mitochondrial-related diseases.

BACKGROUND:Studies have shown that gut microbiota may affect the progression of rheumatoid arthritis.However,the causal relationship between the two is unknown.Mendelian randomization analysis of the two using published Genome Wide Association Study(GWAS)data can explore the causal relationship between gut microbiota and rheumatoid arthritis,helping to develop targeted microbial therapies and provide methods and strategies for the prevention and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.OBJECTIVE:To explore the potential causal relationship between gut microbiota and rheumatoid arthritis using two-sample two-way Mendelian randomization method.METHODS:Gut microbiota GWAS data from the MiBio-Gen consortium and rheumatoid arthritis GWAS data from the IEU Open GWAS database(a large gene-phenotype association database developed at the MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit(IEU)at the University of Bristol,UK)were used.Inverse variance weighting was used as the main analysis method,and MR-Egger regression method,weighted median method,weighted model and simple model method were used as supplements to study the causal relationship between gut microbiota and rheumatoid arthritis.Heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran's Q test,horizontal pleiotropy was assessed using MR-PRESSO and MR-Egger intercept tests,robustness of results was tested using leave-one method,and reverse Mendelian randomization analysis was used to assess the presence or absence of reverse causality.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)There was a causal relationship between five kinds of enteric bacteria and rheumatoid arthritis.Ruminococcus gauvreauii group(β=0.262,odds ratio[OR]=1.300,P=0.013)and Butyricimonas(β=0.001,OR=1.001,P=0.014)increased the risk of rheumatoid arthritis,while Anaerostipes(β=-0.225,OR=0.798,P=0.025),Lachnospiraceae-UCG010(β=-0.177,OR=0.838,P=0.026)and Oxalobacter(β=-0.171,OR=0.843,P=0.001)reduced the risk of rheumatoid arthritis.Sensitivity analyses showed no significant heterogeneity or horizontal pleiotropy(all P＞0.05),and leave-one-out testing confirmed the robustness of the results,while the addition of the remaining four methods other than the inverse variance weighting method further validated the reliability and stability of the results.(2)Reverse Mendelian randomization analysis did not find a causal association between rheumatoid arthritis and the five kinds of enteric bacteria identified by Mendelian randomization analysis.These findings indicate that Ruminococcus gauvreauii group and Butyricimonas may be the risk factors of rheumatoid arthritis,while Anaerostipes,Lachnospiraceae-UCG010 and Oxalobacter may be the protective factors of rheumatoid arthritis.Gut microbiota may play an important role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis,and provide new biomarkers for the prevention and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.In addition,for the field of biomedical research in China,we can learn from international experience and gradually establish and improve a multi-center large-scale genetic database,so as to deeply explore the relationship between gut microbiota and disease risk,and promote the development of precision medicine and personalized treatment in China.

This study was aimed at developing an in vitro fluorescent substrate assay for the activity of leucyl aminopeptid-ase(LAP)from Echinococcus multilocularis and comparing it with the chemical chromogenic substrate enzyme activity assay.Through the establishment of reaction conditions for the fluorescent substrate-based in vitro enzyme activity assay,we com-pared the differences between the fluorescent substrate L-Leucine-7-amido-4-methylocoumarin(Leu-AMC)and the chemical chromogenic substrate L-Leucine-4-nitroanilide(Leu-pNA)through molecular docking,inhibition rates,and precision measures.Molecular docking revealed that the fluorescent substrate Leu-AMC had higher affinity for the protein than the chemical chromogenic substrate Leu-pNA.Through analysis of the effects of varying reaction conditions on fluorescence intensi-ty,we optimized the fluorescent substrate enzyme activity assay to demonstrate favorable performance at a reaction temperature of 37℃,a pH of 9.0,a protein concentration of 800 nmol/L,and a reaction duration of 60 minutes.Leu-AMC exhibited significant and distinct responses at a 5 μmol/L substrate concentration,under varying substrate conditions.The fluo-rescent substrate assay demonstrated more significant intergroup differences than the chemical chromogenic substrate assay when various inhibitors were added.This study established a fluorescence-based enzyme activity assay for leucyl aminopeptidase from Echinococcus multilocularis by using Leu-AMC as the substrate;this method demonstrated a more significant intergroup difference and sensitivity than the chemical chromogenic substrate assay.

The electrocatalytic nitrate reduction reaction(NO3RR)presents a sustainable pathway for large-scale ammonia production,yet it faces significant challenges due to proton supply limitations caused by the high energy barrier for water dissociation,which slows ammonia(NH3)generation.Herein,a palladium(Pd)-modified copper-cobalt(CuCo)hollow fiber penetration electrode that enabled H2 injection through its hollow structures,thereby enhancing proton availability for NO3RR was developed.The active Pd component efficiently dissociated H2,facilitating active hydrogen(*H)spillover and speeding up the cascade NO3RR process on Cu and Co sites.As a result,a half-cell energy efficiency of 39.53%and an NH3 Faradaic efficiency(FE)of 97.11%±1.17%at-0.1 V(vs RHE)were achieved,comparable to state-of-the-art systems.Importantly,the H2-assisted approach prevented the oxidation of active Cu and Co phases,demonstrating exceptional stability with less than 5.6%decay in current density(267 mA/cm2)and retention of NH3 FE at 94.8%after over 70 h of electrolysis.These findings offered valuable insights into proton supply pathways and design of NO3RR electrodes.

Objective:To investigate the feasibility of a new clinical grading scale for assessing the degree of laxity of upper eyelid skin.Methods:From May 2022 to October 2023, the patients who underwent upper eyelid skin laxity plastic surgery in the Department of Plastic Surgery and Burns-Department of Medical Cosmetology, Northern Jiangsu People’s Hospital Affiliated to Yangzhou University, were prospectively enrolled. The degree of upper eyelid skin laxity was graded independently by three plastic surgeons who did not participate in the operation according to the grading scale and using facial photographs of the patients.The clinical grading scale categorizes the degree of skin laxity into 4 grades ranging from 0 to 3 degrees, by analyzing the position of the lower edge of the upper eyelid skin relative to the upper eyelid edge and the pupil, and the higher the grade, the more serious the degree of skin relaxation. If bilateral upper eyelid skin laxity were presented, the grade of the side with more severe laxity was taken as the grade of the upper eyelid skin laxity of the patient. The Kendall coefficient (range -1-1) of the three doctors’ grading result before and after operation was calculated respectively. The closer the value was to 1, the better the consistency of the three doctors, and the better the stability of the grading scale. The degree of upper eyelid skin laxity before and after operation was expressed as M ( Q1, Q3), and the paired Wilcoxon signed rank test was used for comparison. Results:A total of 50 female patients aged 32 to 67 years old (mean 45.3 years) who underwent bilateral upper eyelid skin laxity plastic surgery were enrolled. The Kendall coefficients of the grading result of the upper eyelid skin laxity of 50 patients by three doctors before and after operation were 0.975 and 0.882, respectively ( P<0.01). It suggested high consistency among evaluators for the same patient. 50 patients were graded as 2(1, 2) degree and 0(0, 0) degree preoperatively and postoperatively, respectively, indicating that the degree of upper eyelid skin laxity was significantly improved postoperatively. The result of Wilcoxon signed rank test showed that there were significant differences in preoperative and postoperative grading result of the three doctors ( P<0.01). Conclusion:The grading scale of upper eyelid skin laxity is objective and easy to use. Its evaluation result are stable and repeatable, and it can effectively analyze the changes of the degree of upper eyelid skin relaxation before and after surgery.

Objective To explore the value of inflammatory load index(IBI)in the diagnosis and prognosis of gastric cancer patients.Methods Clinical data of patients who underwent gastric cancer surgery in the Department of General Surgery of the Second Hospital of Lanzhou University from January 2016 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed,and the patients were divided into the high IBI group and the low IBI group based on the optimal cut-off value of IBI.ROC curve was used to determine the optimal cut-off value of IBI,and the survival curve was constructed using the Kaplan-Meier method,and the differences between groups were examined using the Log-rank test.Cox regression analysis was performed to study the prognostic factors of gastric cancer patients.Results The best cut-off value for IBI diagnosis was 8.796,and the best cut-off value for prognosis was 28.75.IBI was related to the clinical case characteristics of gastric cancer patients,such as surgical access,the degree of differentiation,CK7,CK20,LMP-1,and Ki-67(P＜0.05).The results of univariate analysis showed that intraoperative bleeding,preoperative CEA,preoperative CA125,preoperative CA199,IBI,tumor diameter size,margins of incision,vascular invasion,nerve invasion,pT stage and pN stagewere the influencing factors on the prognosis of gastric cancer patients(P＜0.05).The results of multifactorial regression analysis showed that intraoperative bleeding,preoperative CEA,preoperative CA199,IBI,tumor diameter size,pT stage and pN stagewere independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of gastric cancer patients(P＜0.05).The median OS of patients in the high IBI group and low IBI group were 32.9 months and 74.8 months,respectively,with statistically significant differences(P＜0.001).Conclusion IBI is an independent risk factor for poor prognosis of patients with gastric cancer,and it has a good predictive value in diagnosis and prognosis.