Objective:To understand the current status of medicinal plant consumption in Chinese elderly people; To explore associated influencing factors.Methods:Data were obtained from the 2018 cross-sectional survey of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Study (CLHLS) of (CLHLS-HF). Individuals aged 65 and above from 23 provinces (autonomous region, municipalities), who had completed the medicinal plant consumption response survey along with other parameters such as physical measurements, were selected as the study subjects. The χ2 analysis and multiple Logistic regression were used to analyse the medicinal plant consumption among the elderly and its influencing factors. Results:A total of 15 442 people were included. Among them, 9 750 were aged 80 and above, and 2 825 were aged 100 and above. 16.3% of Chinese elderly people reported occasional or frequent consumption of medicinal plants, with a higher proportion among males compared to females, urban residents compared to rural residents, and younger age groups compared to elderly groups ( P<0.001 or P<0.05). Among the 23 provinces (autonomous region, municipalities) surveyed nationwide, the proportion of elderly people who occasionally or frequently consume medicinal plants was over 25.0% in 10 regions. Guangdong, Shanghai, and Zhejiang ranked the top three, with percentages of 40.5% (380/939), 36.1% (229/634), and 28.6% (163/569), respectively. Multiple Logistic regression analysis revealed that factors influencing the level of medicinal plant consumption among the elderly included being a centenarian [ OR (95% CI)=1.361 (1.098,1.688), P=0.005], male [ OR (95% CI)=1.194 (1.051,1.358), P=0.005], Han nationality [ OR (95% CI)=1.374 (1.160,1.627), P=0.005], urban residence [ OR (95% CI)=1.917 (1.697,2.167), P=0.005], middle school education or higher education [ OR (95% CI)=2.061 (1.764,2.408), P<0.001], and elementary school [ OR (95% CI)=1.375 (1.183,1.598), P<0.001], current alcohol consumption [ OR (95% CI)=1.208 (1.029,1.418), P=0.021], current exercise [ OR (95% CI)=1.490 (1.325,1.675), P<0.001], regular fruit intake [ OR (95% CI)=1.213 (1.060,1.388), P=0.005], regular [ OR (95% CI)=4.149 (3.563,4.830), P<0.001] or occasional vitamin intake [ OR (95% CI)=5.593 (4.926,6.350), P<0.001], regular [ OR (95% CI)=2.296 (2.007, 2.628), P<0.001]or occasional tea consumption [ OR (95% CI)=3.030 (2.589, 3.545), P<0.001], and comorbidities (≥2) [ OR (95% CI)=1.343 (1.179,1.529), P<0.001], all positively correlated with occasional or frequent medicinal plant consumption among the elderly. Obesity [ OR (95% CI)=0.697 (0.548,0.888), P=0.003] and smoking [ OR (95% CI)=0.746 (0.627,0.887), P=0.001], on the other hand, showed a negative correlation with occasional or frequent medicinal plant consumption. Conclusion:The proportion of Chinese elderly people reporting occasional or frequent medicinal plant consumption is relatively high. However, it remains unclear whether this is based on the unique background of TCM culture or reflects the urgent demand for daily health maintenance among the elderly. Further efforts should be made to strengthen continuous observation, monitoring, and analysis of health outcomes in this population, exploring the potential benefits and risks.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture combined with low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in the treatment of heart and liver fire hyperactivity syndrome in children with tic disorder; To explore its effects on the levels of serum neurotransmitters in children.Methods:A randomized controlled trial study was conducted. A total of 86 children with heart and liver fire hyperactivity syndrome of tic disorder in our hospital from March 2022 to March 2024 were selected as the observation objects and divided into 2 groups using the random number table method, with 43 cases in each group. The control group was treated with rTMS, while the observation group was treated with combined acupuncture on the basis of the control group. Both groups were treated continuously for 8 weeks. The TCM syndrome scores were conducted before and after the treatment respectively. The Yale Comprehensive Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS) was used to evaluate the severity of clinical symptoms, and the levels of serum γ -aminobutyric acid (γ-GABA), dopamine (DA), and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) were detected by ELISA. The adverse reactions during the treatment period were recorded and the clinical efficacy was evaluated.Results:The total effective rate was 90.70% (39/43) in the observation group and 72.09% (31/43) in the control group, with statistical significance ( χ2=4.91, P=0.027). After treatment, the scores of convulsion and peristalsis, flushed face and ears, irritability and anger, and red tongue with yellow coating in the observation group were lower than those in the control group ( t values were 3.80, 2.94, 3.26, and 4.22 respectively, P<0.01), and the scores of vocal tics, motor tics and the total score were lower than those in the control group (t values were 7.97, 5.23, and 6.44 respectively, P<0.01). After treatment, the level of γ-GABA in the observation group [(9.72±2.04) μg/L vs. (8.13±1.87) μg/L, t=3.77] was higher than that of the control group ( P<0.01), and DA [(8.98±1.94) μg/L vs. (12.10±2.27) μg/L, t=6.85], levels of 5-HT [(15.20±3.87) μg/L vs. (19.93±3.97) μg/L, t=5.59] were lower than those in the control group ( P<0.01). During the treatment period, the incidence of adverse reactions was 11.63% (5/43) in the observation group and 9.30% (4/43) in the control group, without statistical significance ( χ2=0.12, P=0.725). Conclusion:Acupuncture combined with rTMS can alleviate the tic symptoms of children of tic disorder with heart and liver fire hyperactivity syndrome, improve the neurotransmitter levels and main TCM syndromes of the children, enhance the clinical efficacy and have good treatment safety.

Objective: To explore the relative importance of different food attributes and levels in food decision making of school aged children, and to understand their meal preferences, so as to provide the evidence for formulating precise intervention strategies for dietary behaviours of school aged children. Methods: From May to June 2024, a total of 854 children aged 11 to 15 years old were selected from 2 middle schools (each school in urban and rural areas) in both Hubei Province and Anhui Province by stratified cluster random sampling method to conduct a D-optimal discrete choice experiment. The mixed Logit model was used to analyze children s preference for meal attributes and different levels, and to calculate the relative importance (RI) of attributes and willingness to pay (WTP) in meal choices. Results: The included five food attributes had statistical significance on meal choice of school aged children ( P <0.05). The relative importance of food attributes affecting the meal choices of school aged children in descending order were dining mode ( RI =31.26%), food varieties ( RI =30.56%), cooking method( RI =23.84%), taste( RI =8.06%) and price ( RI =6.27%). Among them, school aged children preferred home cooked meals ( β =0.74) (WTP=86.3 yuan),varied foods(grain/tubers+vegetables+fish, meat, eggs and beans) ( β =0.61) (WTP=71.9 yuan), fried/roasted cooking ( β =0.51) and spicy taste ( β =0.33).Price was negatively correlated with meal choices( β =-0.01) ( P <0.05). Based on residential area and body mass index (BMI), the stratified analysis showed that dining mode was highest in the relative importance for rural children with overweight and obese children ( RI =31.28%,34.17%), both of whom preferred home cooked meals ( β =0.76, 0.91), and meals containing fish, meat, eggs and beans with grain/tubers or grain/tubers and vegetables in terms of food choice (area: β =0.53, 0.53 ; BMI: β =0.55, 0.56) ( P <0.05). Conclusions School aged children have different preferences for different attributes of meals. The quality of school meals should be improved,the cost of buying healthy meals should be reduced,targeted family health education should be carried out,and healthy cooking methods should be advocated.

Objective To compare the long-term survival of elderly patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) treated with surgical versus non-surgical treatment. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of elderly patients aged ≥70 years with ESCC who underwent esophagectomy or radiotherapy/chemotherapy at Sichuan Cancer Hospital from January 2009 to September 2017. Patients were divided into a surgical group (S group) and a non-surgical group (NS group) according to the treatment method. The propensity score matching method was used to match the two groups of patients at a ratio of 1∶1, and the survival of the two groups before and after matching was analyzed. Results A total of 726 elderly patients with ESCC were included, including 552 males and 174 females, with 651 patients aged ≥70-80 years and 75 patients aged ≥80-90 years. There were 515 patients in the S group and 211 patients in the NS group. The median follow-up time was 60.8 months, and the median overall survival of the S group was 41.9 months [95%CI (35.2, 48.5)], while that of the NS group was only 24.0 months [95%CI (19.8, 28.3)]. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates of the S group were 84%, 54%, and 40%, respectively, while those of the NS group were 72%, 40%, and 30%, respectively [HR=0.689, 95%CI (0.559, 0.849), P<0.001]. After matching, 138 patients were included in each group, and there was no statistical difference in the overall survival between the two groups [HR=0.871, 95%CI (0.649, 1.167), P=0.352]. Conclusion Compared with conservative treatment, there is no significant difference in the long-term survival of elderly patients aged ≥70 years who undergo esophagectomy for ESCC. Neoadjuvant therapy combined with surgery is still an important choice to potentially improve the survival of elderly patients with ESCC.

Objective To understand the willingness to engage in the combine medical care with old-age care institutions of medical students in vocational colleges and analyze their influencing factors.Methods By convenient sampling method,1 266 medical students from 3 vocational colleges in Hunan Province were select-ed as the research objects,and their occupational cognition and occupational willingness were investigated and analyzed.Through objective sampling,20 medical students who were not willing to work in medical institu-tions were selected for semi-structured interviews.Results 62.1%of medical students intend to work in med-ical institutions after graduation;The results of multi-factor analysis showed that the experience of caring for the elderly,understanding of the nursing institution,participating in the volunteer service of the nursing insti-tution,and cognition score of the combination of medical care and nursing were the influencing factors of med-ical students'career intention(P＜0.05).The qualitative interview found that professional identity,job abili-ty,salary,social security and promotion were the main influencing factors.Conclusion Medical students in medical nursing institutions do not have strong willingness,so they should improve their professional cogni-tion of old-age service,enhance their professional identity and post competency,fully implement salary,social security and professional title promotion,attract more medical students to engage in the combined service in-dustry,and promote the combined development of medical care.

This study aimed to comprehensively examine the association of gallstones, cholecystectomy, and cancer risk. Multivariable logistic regressions were performed to estimate the observational associations of gallstones and cholecystectomy with cancer risk, using data from a nationwide cohort involving 239 799 participants. General and gender-specific two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was further conducted to assess the causalities of the observed associations. Observationally, a history of gallstones without cholecystectomy was associated with a high risk of stomach cancer (adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=2.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.50-4.28), liver and bile duct cancer (aOR=2.46, 95% CI 1.17-5.16), kidney cancer (aOR=2.04, 95% CI 1.05-3.94), and bladder cancer (aOR=2.23, 95% CI 1.01-5.13) in the general population, as well as cervical cancer (aOR=1.69, 95% CI 1.12-2.56) in women. Moreover, cholecystectomy was associated with high odds of stomach cancer (aOR=2.41, 95% CI 1.29-4.49), colorectal cancer (aOR=1.83, 95% CI 1.18-2.85), and cancer of liver and bile duct (aOR=2.58, 95% CI 1.11-6.02). MR analysis only supported the causal effect of gallstones on stomach, liver and bile duct, kidney, and bladder cancer. This study added evidence to the causal effect of gallstones on stomach, liver and bile duct, kidney, and bladder cancer, highlighting the importance of cancer screening in individuals with gallstones.
Humans ; Mendelian Randomization Analysis ; Gallstones/complications* ; Female ; Male ; Cholecystectomy/statistics & numerical data* ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Aged ; Adult ; Neoplasms/etiology* ; Stomach Neoplasms/epidemiology*

This study investigates the pharmacokinetics and metabolic characteristics of three marine-derived piericidins as potential drug leads for kidney disease: piericidin A (PA) and its two glycosides (GPAs), glucopiericidin A (GPA) and 13-hydroxyglucopiericidin A (13-OH-GPA). The research aims to facilitate lead selection and optimization for developing a viable preclinical candidate. Rapid absorption of PA and GPAs in mice was observed, characterized by short half-lives and low bioavailability. Glycosides and hydroxyl groups significantly enhanced the absorption rate (13-OH-GPA > GPA > PA). PA and GPAs exhibited metabolic instability in liver microsomes due to Cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) and uridine diphosphoglucuronosyl transferases (UGTs). Glucuronidation emerged as the primary metabolic pathway, with UGT1A7, UGT1A8, UGT1A9, and UGT1A10 demonstrating high elimination rates (30%-70%) for PA and GPAs. This rapid glucuronidation may contribute to the low bioavailability of GPAs. Despite its low bioavailability (2.69%), 13-OH-GPA showed higher kidney distribution (19.8%) compared to PA (10.0%) and GPA (7.3%), suggesting enhanced biological efficacy in kidney diseases. Modifying the C-13 hydroxyl group appears to be a promising approach to improve bioavailability. In conclusion, this study provides valuable metabolic insights for the development and optimization of marine-derived piericidins as potential drug leads for kidney disease.
Animals ; Male ; Mice ; Aquatic Organisms/chemistry* ; Biological Availability ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System/metabolism* ; Glucuronosyltransferase/metabolism* ; Microsomes, Liver/metabolism* ; Molecular Structure ; Biological Products/pharmacokinetics* ; Pyridines/pharmacokinetics*

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of fospropofol disodium(FP)in the induction and maintenance of general anesthesia in the adult patients graded Ⅰ or Ⅱ by the American Society of Anesthesiologists(ASA)undergoing elective surgery,and to provide the theoretical basis for application of EP in the induction and maintenance of general anesthesia.Methods:Adult patients of ASA grade Ⅰ or Ⅱ undergoing elective surgery were selected with a total of 100 patients recruited sequentially according to the time of visit,and they were randomly divided into FP group(50 cases)and propofol group(50 cases).All patients were prepared preoperatively,and received a slow injection of midazolam(2 to 3 mg)and sufentanil(0.3 μg·kg-1),followed by induction of anaesthesia 1 to 2 min later.The patients in FP group were given FP(10.0-12.5 mg·kg-1)intravenously,and the patients in propofol group were given propofol(1.5-2.0 mg·kg-1)intravenously.After the Modified Obserational Assessment Alertness/Sedation(MOAA/S)score dropped to 1,muscle relaxant was administrated and the induction was completed.During the maintenance of anaesthesia,the patients in FP group received a continuous intravenous infusion of FP at a rate of 12.5-15.0 mg·kg-1·h-1,and the patients in propofol group received a continuous infusion of propofol at a starting rate of 6 mg·kg-1·h-1.The patients in two groups additionally received remifentanil(0.1-0.4 μg·kg-1·min-1)for co-analgesia,and the rate of administration was adjusted according to the patient's status.Systolic blood pressure(SBP),diastolic blood pressure(DBP),mean arterial pressure(MAP),heart rate(HR)and bispectral index(BIS)values of the patients in two groups were recorded at different time points:before induction(T1),immediately after tracheal intubation(T2),5 min after induction(T3),10 min after induction(T4),20 min after induction(T5),30 min after induction(T6),40 min after induction(T7)and at the end of the procedure(T8).The time to onset of sedation/anaesthesia(MOAA/S≤1),the time to eye opening,and the time to awakening(MOAA/S=5)of the patients in two groups were recorded.The lowest intraoperative SBP and BIS values and the time required of the patients in two groups were observed.The incidence of adverse reactions related to agitation,choking,nausea,vomiting and cardiovascular system or respiratory system were compared between two groups.Results:There were no statistically differences in the general informations and the duration of surgery of patients between two groups(P＞0.05).The induction time of the patients in FP group(2.39 min)was significantly longer than that in propofol group(0.70 min)(P＜0.05).In the recovery period of general anesthesia,the eye opening time and recovery time of the patients in FP group were significantly longer than those in propofol group(P＜0.05).There were no significant differences in MAP of the patients between two groups at different time points(P＞0.05).The HR at T4,T5,T6,and T7 time points of the patients in FP group were lower than those in propofol group(P＜0.05).The lowest value of BIS of the patients in FP group was significantly smaller than that in propofol group,and the time taken to reach the lowest value of BIS in FP group was significantly longer than that in propofol group(P＜0.05).The time taken to reach the lowest value of SBP of the patients in FP group was longer than that in propofol group(P＜0.05).However,the lowest value of SBP of the patients and the incidence of adverse reations of the patients in two groups showed no statistical differences(P＞0.05).Conclusion:Compared with propofol,FP injection is safe and effective in the induction and maintenance of general anesthesia in adult patients with ASA class Ⅰ or Ⅱ undergoing elective surgery,with a low incidence of adverse reactions,which is a new anesthesia option.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the role of DTX2 in regulating biological behaviors of oxaliplatin-resistant colorectal cancer cells (CRC/OXA cells). METHODS: CCK8 assay was used to determine the inhibition rate of oxaliplatin-treated CRC cells. A CRC/OXA cell line was constructed, in which DTX2 expression level was detected. The cells were transfected with a DTX2-shRNA plasmid or co-transfected with DTX2-shRNA and pcDNA-Notch2, and the changes in cell proliferation, migration and invasion ability were evaluated using plate cloning assay, scratch assay and Transwell invasion assay. The expression levels of Notch2, NICD and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) proteins of the transfected cells were detected with Western blotting. In a nude mouse model bearing SW620/OXA cell xenografts, the effects of DTX2 knockdown and Notch2 overexpression in the implanted cells on tumor growth and protein expressions were tested. RESULTS: The IC₅₀ of oxaliplatin was 6.00 μmol/L in SW620 cells and 8.00 μmol/L in LoVo cells. CRC/OXA cells showed a significantly increased expression of DTX2. DTX2 knockdown in CRC/OXA cells significantly inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and these effects were reversed by co-transfection of the cells with pcDNA-Notch2. DTX2 knockdown significantly reduced the expression levels of Notch2, NICD and vimentin proteins and increased E-cadherin expression in CRC/OXA cells, and co-transfection with pcDNA-Notch2 potently attenuated the changes in these proteins. In the tumor-bearing mice, DTX2 overexpression obviously promoted the growth of SW620/OXA cell xenograft, enhanced the protein expressions of Notch2, NICD and vimentin, and lowered the expression of E-cadherin. CONCLUSIONS High expression of DTX2 promotes proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT of CRC/OXA cells through the Notch2 signaling pathway, suggesting the potential of DTX2 as a target to improve the efficacy of oxaliplatin.
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Humans ; Cell Proliferation ; Oxaliplatin ; Colorectal Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Animals ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Receptor, Notch2/metabolism* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Mice, Nude ; Cell Movement ; Organoplatinum Compounds/pharmacology* ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Mice