ObjectiveTo explore the efficacy and mechanisms of Sini San in the treatment of depression and liver injury based on gut microbiota. MethodsThirty-two male Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly divided into a normal group， model group （M）， Sini San group （MS， 2.5 g·kg^-1）， and fluoxetine group （MF， 2 mg·kg^-1）. Except for the normal group， rats in the other three groups were subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress （CUMS）. After 8 weeks， the open-field test and sucrose preference test were conducted. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect serum corticosterone （CORT）， adrenocorticotropic hormone （ACTH）， corticotropin-releasing factor （CRF）， lipopolysaccharide （LPS）， Zonulin， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， γ-aminobutyric acid （GABA） levels in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex， and brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF） levels in the hippocampus. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect hippocampal BDNF mRNA expression. Serum alanine aminotransferase （ALT） and aspartate aminotransferase （AST） levels were measured using the ultraviolet lactate dehydrogenase method. The ultrastructure of the intestinal epithelium was observed by electron microscopy， and gut microbiota in rat feces were analyzed using 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the sucrose preference of rats in the model group was significantly reduced （P0.01）， whereas it was significantly increased in the Sini San group compared with the model group （P0.05）. Compared with the normal group， hippocampal GABA protein levels and BDNF mRNA expression in the model group were significantly decreased （P0.05）， and compared with the model group， both were significantly increased in the Sini San group （P0.05， P0.01）. Compared with the normal group， serum LPS and Zonulin levels in the model group were significantly increased （P0.05， P0.01）， and compared with the model group， Zonulin levels in the Sini San group were significantly decreased （P0.05）. No obvious changes were observed in the ultrastructure of the jejunal mucosa among groups. Compared with the normal group， widened and blurred tight junctions， sparse and shortened microvilli， and mitochondrial swelling with cristae disruption in epithelial cells were observed in the ileal and colonic mucosa of the model group， which were markedly improved in the Sini San and fluoxetine groups. The results of 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing showed that Sini San improved CUMS-induced dysbiosis of Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria. Correlation analysis indicated that Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria were significantly correlated with depression-related indicators， liver function， and intestinal mucosal permeability. ConclusionSini San exerts antidepressant and hepatoprotective effects by improving Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria and inhibiting the increase in intestinal mucosal permeability in CUMS rats.

ObjectiveTo explore the efficacy and mechanisms of Sini San in the treatment of depression and liver injury based on gut microbiota. MethodsThirty-two male Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly divided into a normal group， model group （M）， Sini San group （MS， 2.5 g·kg^-1）， and fluoxetine group （MF， 2 mg·kg^-1）. Except for the normal group， rats in the other three groups were subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress （CUMS）. After 8 weeks， the open-field test and sucrose preference test were conducted. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect serum corticosterone （CORT）， adrenocorticotropic hormone （ACTH）， corticotropin-releasing factor （CRF）， lipopolysaccharide （LPS）， Zonulin， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， γ-aminobutyric acid （GABA） levels in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex， and brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF） levels in the hippocampus. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect hippocampal BDNF mRNA expression. Serum alanine aminotransferase （ALT） and aspartate aminotransferase （AST） levels were measured using the ultraviolet lactate dehydrogenase method. The ultrastructure of the intestinal epithelium was observed by electron microscopy， and gut microbiota in rat feces were analyzed using 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the sucrose preference of rats in the model group was significantly reduced （P<0.01）， whereas it was significantly increased in the Sini San group compared with the model group （P<0.05）. Compared with the normal group， hippocampal GABA protein levels and BDNF mRNA expression in the model group were significantly decreased （P<0.05）， and compared with the model group， both were significantly increased in the Sini San group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the normal group， serum LPS and Zonulin levels in the model group were significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and compared with the model group， Zonulin levels in the Sini San group were significantly decreased （P<0.05）. No obvious changes were observed in the ultrastructure of the jejunal mucosa among groups. Compared with the normal group， widened and blurred tight junctions， sparse and shortened microvilli， and mitochondrial swelling with cristae disruption in epithelial cells were observed in the ileal and colonic mucosa of the model group， which were markedly improved in the Sini San and fluoxetine groups. The results of 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing showed that Sini San improved CUMS-induced dysbiosis of Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria. Correlation analysis indicated that Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria were significantly correlated with depression-related indicators， liver function， and intestinal mucosal permeability. ConclusionSini San exerts antidepressant and hepatoprotective effects by improving Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria and inhibiting the increase in intestinal mucosal permeability in CUMS rats.

Background Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important pathogen for both human bloodstream infections and mastitis in cows. However, little attention has been paid to the cross-host transmission of MRSA from cows to high-risk groups in China. Objective To determine the MRSA colonization rates among dairy cows and dairy farm workers in Xinjiang, identify the antibiotic resistance profiles and molecular characteristics of the isolates, and provide scientific evidence for the formulation of targeted infection control strategies. Method A cross-sectional survey combined with laboratory pathogen analysis was conducted. From June to August 2024, large-scale dairy farms in Xinjiang region were selected as study sites. Nasal swabs (n=96) and skin swabs (n=39) were collected from workers, and bovine nasal swab samples (n=109) were collected simultaneously. All samples were subjected to MRSA isolation, cultivation, and identification, followed by antibiotic susceptibility testing to characterize resistance phenotypes. Staphylococcus aureus protein A (Spa) typing was performed to determine strain genotypes and elucidate MRSA colonization rates and molecular epidemiological patterns. Results A total of 35 MRSA strains was successfully isolated from 244 samples. The MRSA colonization rates among dairy farm workers and dairy cows were 20.83% (20/96) and 12.84% (14/109), respectively, with an overall isolation rate of 14.34% (35/244). Among the workers, the nasal colonization rate was 16.67% (16/96), and the skin colonization rate was 12.82% (5/39). One worker exhibited MRSA colonization at multiple body sites. All MRSA strains were resistant to cefoxitin (100%, 35/35). The resistance rates to erythromycin and clindamycin were 42.86% (15/35) and 34.29% (12/35), respectively. Thirteen strains showed a multidrug-resistant phenotype, whereas all strains were susceptible to vancomycin. The MRSA isolates exhibited high genetic diversity, with 13 Spa types identified, among which t441 was the most prevalent (8 strains). Both t441 and t034 types were detected in samples from both the dairy cows and their handlers. These two Spa types also carried and stably inherited specific resistance combinations, including erythromycin–clindamycin–cefoxitin and ciprofloxacin–erythromycin–clindamycin–gentamicin–cefoxitin–tetracycline, and a statistically significant association was also observed between the two resistance profiles and the bacterial types (P < 0.001). In addition, one novel Spa type strain was identified. Conclusion MRSA colonization rates among dairy cows and dairy farm workers in Xinjiang are relatively high, with evidence of multi-site colonization. The isolates exhibit high levels of multidrug resistance and genetic diversity, indicating a potential risk of cross-host transmission.

Chronic heart failure （CHF） is a complex clinical syndrome that the cardiac output is not enough to meet the metabolic needs of the body， or depends on the increase of filling pressure to compensate. Its high morbidity and mortality pose a serious threat to human health， necessitating attention and active intervention. At present， western medicine treatment of CHF is mainly based on diuretics， intravenous vasodilators， intravenous positive inotropic drugs， etc.， which， however， have problems such as long medication cycles， serious side effects， and limited applicable population. Recent studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicine can act in a multi-pathway， multi-component， and multi-target manner， showing unique advantages in the prevention and treatment of CHF. Buyang Huanwutang has the effects of tonifying Qi， activating blood， and dredging collaterals. Clinical and mechanism studies have confirmed that this prescription is effective in treating CHF and its syndromes. The clinical studies can be classified into two categories. Studies of the first category use simple modern medical diagnostic criteria as the inclusion criteria for CHF patients， which can improve the scientificity and objectivity. Studies of the second category uses modern medicine combined with traditional Chinese medicine disease diagnostic criteria for the screening of CHF patients， which helps to improve the accuracy of efficacy evaluation. However， there are problems such as the lack of unified research standards and the insufficiency of mechanism research. In addition， the available studies remain to be classified or summarized. This study systematically sorted out the clinical and mechanism studies of Buyang Huanwutang in the treatment of CHF in recent years to review the research status. In clinical treatment， Buyang Huanwutang can be used alone， or modified， or combined with other prescriptions or Western medicine. The mechanism studies predict that Buyang Huanwutang can ameliorate CHF by regulating the calcium balance， protecting the mitochondrial structure and function， and regulating intestinal flora. This review aims to provide a theoretical basis and practical guidance for the clinical application and optimization and subsequent in-depth study of Buyang Huanwutang in the treatment of CHF.

Background Animal farming may affect the structure and diversity of gut microbiota of farm workers, but it needs more studies to provide solid evidence. Objective To analyze the diversity characteristics of gut microbiota in dairy farm workers, dairy cows, and the control population (non-animal contact occupational group), and to assess the impact of dairy farming on the gut microbiota of workers. Methods The 16S rRNA full-length amplicon sequencing technology was used to sequence 60 fecal samples from dairy farm workers, 89 from dairy cows, and 50 from the general population. The gut microbiota structure characteristics, including operational taxonomic units (OTUs), alpha diversity, beta diversity, and the composition of species at the phylum, family, and genus levels were analyzed. The differences in gut microbiota among the three groups of samples were compared to explore the impact of occupational exposure on the gut microbiota structure of dairy farm workers. Results A total of 50478 OTUs were identified in the gut microbiota of farm workers, dairy cows, and the general population, with 23613, 42723, and 16592 OTUs, respectively. The number of shared OTUs between the dairy cows and the general population was 12674 (27.17%), between the general population and the farm workers was 10099 (33.54%), and between the dairy cows and the farm workers was 17690 (36.36%). Compared with the general population, the farm workers and dairy cows showed more shared gut microbiota (P<0.01). The abundance of Firmicutes in the gut of the farm workers was higher than that of the general population (P<0.01), while Actinobacteriota and Proteobacteria were the opposite (P<0.01). The alpha diversity of gut microbiota in the farm workers was different from that of the general population. The ACE index of the farm workers was slightly lower than that of the general population and much lower than that of dairy cows (P<0.05), while their Shannon index was higher than that of the general population but lower than that of dairy cows (P<0.01). The linear discriminant analysis effect size (LefSe) showed that the abundances of Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae in the gut microbiota of the farm workers were significantly higher than those of the general population, while Streptococcaceae, Lactobacillaceae, Bifidobacteriaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, and Erysipelatoclostridiaceae were lower than those of the general population. Conclusion The dairy farm workers shares a certain proportion of common bacterial communities with dairy cows. Dairy farming operations can affect the structure and diversity of the gut microbiota of workers by increasing the abundances of Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae, while decreasing the abundances of Streptococcaceae, Lactobacillaceae, Bifidobacteriaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, and Erysipelatoclostridiaceae. The study results provide reference data for further exploring the cross-host transmission of pathogens related to occupational exposure in dairy farming.

ObjectiveTo systematically investigate the identification characteristics of medicinal amber， elucidate its microscopic features， crystal structural properties， and elemental composition， and thereby provide a scientific foundation for quality control and authenticity verification. MethodsThirty-nine batches of amber samples were collected and analyzed through integrated techniques including morphological analysis， microscopic identification， powder X-ray diffraction （XRD）， Raman spectroscopy， Fourier-transform infrared （FTIR） spectroscopy， and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry （ICP-MS） to evaluate their morphological attributes， phase composition， molecular vibrational modes， and trace element profiles. Among them， the XRD experiment used Cu Kα radiation （λ=1.540 6 Å）， with a scanning angle range of 10° to 70° （2θ） and a step size of 0.02°， the Raman spectroscopy experiment employed a 785 nm laser， with a spectral measurement range of 3 400 to 50 cm^-1， a laser power of 300 mW， a laser intensity of 30%， and a scanning time of 100 to 1 000 ms， the infrared spectroscopy experiment used a carbon-sulfur lamp， with a scanning range of 4 000 to 500 cm^-1， a resolution of 4 cm^-1， and 3 scans， the ICP-MS experiment utilized frequency power of 1.2 kW， a double-pass cyclonic spray chamber， a sample introduction system flow rate of 0.7-1.0 L·min^-1， and an auxiliary gas flow of 0.2 L·min^-1. ResultsUnder orthogonal polarized light microscopy， medicinal amber exhibited an isotropic homogeneous structure， with partial samples containing inorganic impurities such as AsS and SiO₂. FTIR spectra revealed characteristic absorption peaks at 2 932-2 939 cm^-1 （C-H stretching vibrations）， 1 705-1 728 cm^-1 （C=O stretching vibrations）， and 880-887 cm^-1 （C=C deformation vibrations）， confirming the oxidative polymerization of terpenoid resin. Raman spectroscopy further identified distinctive peaks at 2 925 cm^-1， 2 870 cm^-1 （saturated C-H stretching）， and 1 648 cm^-1 （C=C stretching）， consistent with the structural features of oxidized-polymerized resin. ICP-MS analysis demonstrated that S， Al， Si， Fe， Na， and Ca were the predominant trace elements in medicinal amber. ConclusionThis study comprehensively evaluated medicinal amber's morphological attributes， phase composition， molecular vibrational modes， and trace elements through multimodal analytical techniques. The findings establish data support for establishing quality standards for medicinal amber and distinguishing it from synthetic resin imitations.

ObjectiveTo systematically investigate the identification characteristics of medicinal amber， elucidate its microscopic features， crystal structural properties， and elemental composition， and thereby provide a scientific foundation for quality control and authenticity verification. MethodsThirty-nine batches of amber samples were collected and analyzed through integrated techniques including morphological analysis， microscopic identification， powder X-ray diffraction （XRD）， Raman spectroscopy， Fourier-transform infrared （FTIR） spectroscopy， and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry （ICP-MS） to evaluate their morphological attributes， phase composition， molecular vibrational modes， and trace element profiles. Among them， the XRD experiment used Cu Kα radiation （λ=1.540 6 Å）， with a scanning angle range of 10° to 70° （2θ） and a step size of 0.02°， the Raman spectroscopy experiment employed a 785 nm laser， with a spectral measurement range of 3 400 to 50 cm^-1， a laser power of 300 mW， a laser intensity of 30%， and a scanning time of 100 to 1 000 ms， the infrared spectroscopy experiment used a carbon-sulfur lamp， with a scanning range of 4 000 to 500 cm^-1， a resolution of 4 cm^-1， and 3 scans， the ICP-MS experiment utilized frequency power of 1.2 kW， a double-pass cyclonic spray chamber， a sample introduction system flow rate of 0.7-1.0 L·min^-1， and an auxiliary gas flow of 0.2 L·min^-1. ResultsUnder orthogonal polarized light microscopy， medicinal amber exhibited an isotropic homogeneous structure， with partial samples containing inorganic impurities such as AsS and SiO₂. FTIR spectra revealed characteristic absorption peaks at 2 932-2 939 cm^-1 （C-H stretching vibrations）， 1 705-1 728 cm^-1 （C=O stretching vibrations）， and 880-887 cm^-1 （C=C deformation vibrations）， confirming the oxidative polymerization of terpenoid resin. Raman spectroscopy further identified distinctive peaks at 2 925 cm^-1， 2 870 cm^-1 （saturated C-H stretching）， and 1 648 cm^-1 （C=C stretching）， consistent with the structural features of oxidized-polymerized resin. ICP-MS analysis demonstrated that S， Al， Si， Fe， Na， and Ca were the predominant trace elements in medicinal amber. ConclusionThis study comprehensively evaluated medicinal amber's morphological attributes， phase composition， molecular vibrational modes， and trace elements through multimodal analytical techniques. The findings establish data support for establishing quality standards for medicinal amber and distinguishing it from synthetic resin imitations.

Objective To systematically analyze the medical radiation exposure levels in a district of Ningbo City and to provide a scientific basis for the reasonable and effective control of medical radiation exposure. Methods Based on the radiological diagnosis frequency and dose information system, basic medical radiation exposure data were collected, such as radiation doses received by patients in various X-ray diagnostic examinations, from all 13 public medical institutions in a district of Ningbo City from January 1 to December 31, 2020. The data were analyzed for the percentage and collective effective dose of various diagnostic examinations, the distribution of examinations by sex and age, and the number of patients undergoing two or more examinations and their cumulative doses within multiple time intervals. Results Among medical X-ray diagnostic examinations in the district, the percentages of CT examination and routine photography examination were 50.88% and 47.93%, respectively, and the collective effective dose of CT examination accounted for 97.75%. By age and sex, the frequency of examination was the highest in the age group of 45-54 years, and the frequency of examination in the male was higher than that in the female before age 55. The annual effective dose for two patients exceeded 100 mSv. Conclusion In this study, CT examination accounted for up to 50.88% of all medical X-ray diagnostic examinations, and contributed 97.75% of the collective effective dose, highlighting the need for particular attention to the justification of medical radiation exposure from CT.

AIM: To compare the visual quality in patients with low-to-moderate myopia after 0.05 D interval spherical lens optometry-guided small-incision lenticule extraction(SMILE)and conventional 0.25 D interval spherical lens optometry-guided SMILE.METHODS: Retrospective study. A total of 400 cases(400 eyes)with low-to-moderate myopia that underwent SMILE in the ophthalmology department of 989th Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force from August 2021 to August 2023 were enrolled and the data from the right eyes were collected for analysis. According to the method of optometry test modality, they were divided into 0.05 D group and 0.25 D group, with 200 eyes in each group. The differences were compared between the two groups of patients in intraoperative corneal ablation thickness, uncorrected distance visual acuity(UDVA), high-order corneal aberrations(HOA), spherical aberrations, vertical coma, horizontal coma and trefoil aberrations before and at 1, 3 and 6 mo after surgery. Additionally, the percentage of eyes with residual spherical equivalent(SE)≤±0.25 D, postoperative visual symptoms and scores on the quality of visual(Qov)were compared between the two groups at 6 mo after surgery.RESULTS: The corneal ablation thickness in the 0.05 D group was 92.78±16.56 μm, which was slightly higher than that in the 0.25 D group(83.24±17.33 μm; P<0.001). The UDVA at each postoperative time point in the 0.05 D group was superior to that in the 0.25 D group(all P<0.001). The HOA, spherical aberration, horizontal coma and vertical coma in the two groups at 1, 3 and 6 mo after operation were higher than those before operation(all P<0.05). The spherical aberration in the 0.05 D group at each time point after surgery were higher than those in the 0.25 D group, and vertical coma were lower than those in the 0.25 D group(all P<0.05). At 6 mo postoperatively, the percentage of eyes with residual SE ≤±0.25 D in the 0.05 D group was 97.5%(195 eyes), which was higher than 87.5%(175 eyes)in the 0.25 D group(P<0.05). The most common adverse visual symptoms after SMILE in both groups were hazy vision and glare. The total Qov score in the 0.05 D group was 0.35(0.24, 0.55), which was lower than [0.62(0.32, 0.89)] in the 0.25 D group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Compared with conventional 0.25 D interval spherical lens optometry-guided SMILE, the 0.05 D interval spherical lens optometry-guided SMILE for the correction of low-to-moderate myopia has better predictability and can achieve better vision and visual quality.

Objective: To analyze the association between dietary diversity and cognitive function among the elderly using group-based trajectory model, so as to provide the basis for formulating dietary intervention strategies to prevent cognitive impairment. Methods: Based on the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) project, demographic information, lifestyle behaviors, psychological well-being, and activities of daily living of elderly individuals aged ≥65 years from 2008 to 2018 were collected. Dietary diversity was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire, with a score of <7 points defined as low dietary diversity. Cognitive function was evaluated using the Chinese version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). A group-based trajectory model was established based on cognitive function scores from 2008 to 2018 to analyze the trajectories of cognitive function change. The association between dietary diversity and cognitive function was analyzed using a multinomial logistic regression model. Results: A total of 1 613 individuals were collected, with a median age was 72.00 (interquartile range, 10.00) years. There were 810 males (50.22%) and 803 females (49.78%). The group-based trajectory model analysis categorized the participants into three groups: the low-level normal group, the high-level normal group, and the slow-then-rapid decline group, comprising 796 (49.35%), 585 (36.27%), and 232 (14.38%) individuals, respectively. Among these groups, the numbers of individuals with low dietary diversity were 497 (62.44%), 311 (53.16%), and 166 (71.55%), respectively, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). Multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for demographic information, lifestyle behaviors, psychological well-being, and activities of daily living, compared with the high-level normal group, low dietary diversity was statistically associated with cognitive function in the slow-then-rapid decline group (OR=1.622, 95%CI: 1.103-2.384). Conclusion Low dietary diversity may increase the risk of cognitive impairment among the elderly.