Minimally conscious state （MCS） is at the edge between closed and open consciousness， but it still belongs to the category of "wind-strike block" syndrome. The basic pathogenesis of MCS is the obstruction of pathogenic qi， orifices closed and spirit hidden， with pathological factors including phlegm， fire， and blood stasis. Wind movement and water retention may also be present， and often leading to deficiency syndrome due to the exhaustion of qi， blood， yin， and yang at later stages. Treatment chooses Shexiang （Moschus） as the chief medicinal， emphasizing combination of medicinals and urgency of medication administration； the key therapeutic method is to open the orifices， with focuses on expelling pathogens and reinforcing healthy qi. For patients with severe phlegm or fire， use Xiaochengqi Decoction （小承气汤） to open the lower orifices， discharge heat and unblock the bowels， combined with Shexiang （Moschus） and Niuhuang （Bovis Calculus） to open the upper orifices， awaken the spirit and guide qi. For patients with turbid phlegm as the predominant， temporarily replace Shexiang （Moschus） with Baizhi （Angelicae dahuricae radix）， using Ditan Decoction （涤痰汤） to eliminate phlegm to open the orifices， when turbid phlegm gradually subsided， Shexiang （Moschus） could be added. For patients with blood stasis as the predominant， Tongqiao Huoxue Decoction （通窍活血汤） will be used to activate blood and open orifice， if the blood circulates， the endogenous wind will be calmed， the water will be induced， the orifices will open and the consciousness will restore. For patients with closed orifices and body deficiency， the treatment should open the orifices and reinforce healthy qi， and consider the root and branch simultaneously； qi deficiency syndrome can be addressed with Buyang Huanwu Decoction （补阳还五汤） to boost qi and reinforce healthy qi； yin deficiency syndrome can be treated with Shaoyao Gancao Decoction （芍药甘草汤） combined with Fengsui Pill （封髓丹） to nourish yin， soften sinews， and secure kidney essence； yang deficiency can be managed by using Dihuang Yinzi Decoction （地黄饮子） to enrich yin， supplement yang， and open the orifices.

Objective To evaluate the anticoagulation efficacy of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) and vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in patients with high-risk atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Methods A computer-based search was conducted on PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, CNKI, SinoMed, and VIP databases to identify studies on the application of NOACs and VKAs in high-risk AF patients after TAVI. The search period was from database inception to January 2023. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk assessment tool and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 software. Results A total of 7 studies involving 24 592 patients were included. The meta-analysis results showed that compared to patients using VKAs, those treated with NOACs had a significantly lower risk of all-cause mortality [RR=0.74, 95%CI (0.58, 0.94), P=0.01]. Subgroup analysis indicated that when the follow-up period was less than 1 year, there was no significant difference in all-cause mortality between the NOAC and VKA groups [RR=0.57, 95%CI (0.17, 1.88), P=0.35]; however, when the follow-up period was ≥1 year, the VKA group had a higher all-cause mortality rate than the NOAC group, with a statistically significant difference [RR=0.73, 95%CI (0.57, 0.95), P=0.02]. No significant differences were found between the two groups regarding early stroke [RR=0.50, 95%CI (0.19, 1.28), P=0.15], stroke during follow-up [RR=1.04, 95%CI (0.88, 1.22), P=0.64], bleeding [RR=0.94, 95%CI (0.73, 1.21), P=0.61], major or life-threatening bleeding [RR=0.80, 95%CI (0.49, 1.31), P=0.38], or acute kidney injury [RR=0.51, 95%CI (0.16, 1.59), P=0.24]. Conclusion Compared to VKAs, the use of NOACs in patients with high-risk AF undergoing TAVI may reduce the risk of all-cause mortality, especially during long-term anticoagulation therapy, potentially offering greater benefits. However, further evidence from randomized controlled trials is needed to confirm these findings.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been widely used in the treatment of various autoimmune and inflammation-related diseases due to their potent immunomodulatory properties. Several studies have demonstrated that MSC-mediated immunomodulation is complex and bidirectional, with the in vivo microenvironment influencing the direction of this modulation. Indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), an immunosuppressive factor, has been identified as a key "switch" in the immunomodulatory role of MSCs. In this review, we explore how IDO functions as a critical regulator of MSC immunoregulatory plasticity. We delve into the mechanisms by which changes in IDO expression affect the function of various immune cells, summarize relevant research and clinical advances regarding the role of IDO expression in MSC-based therapies for various diseases, and discuss potential therapeutic strategies that target IDO to enhance the stability of MSC therapeutic effects. This provides a theoretical foundation for optimizing MSCs as safer and more effective clinical therapeutic agents.

OBJECTIVE: Cassiae Semen (CS, Juemingzi in Chinese) is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine with a variety of pharmacological effects. This study aimed to investigate the potential therapeutic effects and molecular mechanisms of anthraquinones of CS (AQS) for adiposity. METHODS: The chemical components of the AQS were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Network pharmacology analysis was used to predict potential anti-obesity targets of action for AQS. We constructed high fat with high sugar water diet-induced obese mice and observed their body weight and whole-body lipid metabolism to evaluate the efficacy of AQS in promoting lipid metabolism. Subsequently, the epidermal temperature at the brown adipose tissue (BAT) before and after cold stimulation was observed and the expression of lipid metabolism-related genes in the liver and BAT tissues was detected to clarify the mechanism of action of AQS. RESULTS: Network pharmacology analysis showed that AQS was involved in the regulation of liver and adipose tissue function under obesity. Pathological and biochemical results showed that AQS reduced lipid accumulation in the liver and adipose tissue induced by an unhealthy diet. With the increase of cold tolerance, the volume and weight of BAT were increased by AQS, suggesting that it regulated the body heat production dominated by BAT. After AQS treatment, the levels of genes related to uncoupling protein1 (UCP1)-mediated adaptive thermogenesis in BAT tissues and lipid metabolism in the liver were also increased, which further proved that AQS activated BAT function to promote lipid metabolism in the whole body. CONCLUSION This study revealed the pharmacological effects of AQS, thereby providing a scientific basis for regulating BAT thermogenesis and liver lipid metabolism to alleviate obesity and providing clues for further exploring the application of natural active ingredients in the treatment of metabolism-related diseases.

Depressed mood and sleep problems are prevalent among elderly people and tend to form a vicious cycle that seriously affects their quality of life and physical health. However， most of the existing studies rely on cross-sectional design， limiting the ability to clarify their predictive relationship and causal direction. ObjectiveTo explore the longitudinal association between nighttime sleep duration and depressed mood among the elderly in China over a 10-year period， providing scientific evidence for developing sleep-related interventions and depression prevention strategies tailored to the elderly. MethodsBased on nationally representative data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study （CHARLS） between 2011 and 2020， a sample of 5 954 elderly peolpe who had completed the baseline survey and at least one follow-up survey in 2011 was selected. Depressed mood was assessed using the 10-item Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale （CESD-10）. Basic information including nighttime sleep duration， was collected through a self-designed questionnaire. Cross-lagged path analysis （CLPA） model was employed to analyze the bidirectional relationship between nighttime sleep duration and depressed mood among the ederly. ResultsThe nighttime sleep duration in elderly people showed a negative correlation with CESD-10 scores at both baseline and the last follow-up （r=-0.299， -0.247， P<0.01）. The results of the CLPA model showed that the baseline CESD-10 scores negatively predicted nighttime sleep duration at the last follow-up （β=-0.100， P<0.01）， while baseline nighttime sleep duration also predicted CESD-10 scores at the last follow-up （β=-0.041， P<0.01）. ConclusionDepressed mood in elderly people exhibits a longitudinal association with nighttime sleep duration， demonstrating a bidirectional negative predictive relationship between the two factors.

As technology advances, current evidence supports the use of devices for valvular heart disease interventions, including transcatheter aortic valve implantation, transcatheter mitral or tricuspid valve repair, and transcatheter mitral valve implantation. These procedures require antithrombotic therapy to prevent thromboembolic events during the perioperative period, and these therapies are associated with an increased risk of bleeding complications. To date, there are challenges and controversies regarding how to balance the risk of thrombosis and bleeding in these patients, and therefore the optimal antithrombotic regimen remains unclear. In this review, we summarize the current evidence for antithrombotic therapy after transcatheter intervention in patients with valvular heart disease and highlight the importance of an individualized approach in targeting these patients.

AIM: To understand the visual acuity and spectacle usage among primary and secondary school students in Xi'an city, providing scientific evidence for making myopia prevention and control efforts.METHODS:Vision screening and spectacles usage survey was conducted on 38 226 students in 119 primary and secondary schools from 16 counties and districts in Xi'an city, and uncorrected visual acuity, refractive power, glasses wearing rate, full correction rate were statistically analyzed.RESULTS:The myopia rate among primary and secondary school students in Xi'an city is 61.53%, showing an increasing trend as the grade level goes up(χ2trend=5332.203, P<0.01). Among them, the proportion of mild myopia decreases with the increase of grade level, while the proportion of moderate and high myopia shows an upward trend with the increase of grade level(χ2trend=2671.562, P<0.01). The glasses wearing rate among myopic students is 51.69%, showing an upward trend as the grade level goes up(χ2trend=1486.941, P<0.01). The spectacle prescription rate for female students is higher than that for male students(χ2=23.659, P<0.01), and the rate in urban areas is higher than that in suburban counties(χ2=102.241, P<0.01). The full correction rate among students wearing glasses is 67.08%, and the rate for students wearing glasses in urban areas is higher than that in suburban counties(χ2=4.980, P<0.05). Among myopic students, 63.66% had undergone visual acuity checks more than or equal to twice in the past year, with vocational high school students having the lowest frequency of twice vision screenings, accounting for 58.06%. There is a negative correlation between myopic students residing in suburban counties and their glasses wearing rate, while a higher grade level and increased frequency of annual vision checks are positively correlated with the glasses wearing rate among myopic students(all P<0.01).CONCLUSION:The situation of students' myopia prevention and control is severe in Xi'an city, with low rates of spectacles usage, full correction, and frequency of visual checks. Special attention needs to be paid to the vision correction status of students in suburban counties, primary schools, and vocational high schools.

Objective To explore the protective effect and possible mechanism of Periplaneta americana powder on rats with spinal cord injury.Methods Forty-eight male SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation,saline,Periplaneta americana powder,and Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)inhibitor groups.Except for the sham operation group,a rat spinal cord hemi-transection injury model was established in the other three groups.The sham operation group received no treatment after the operation,saline and drug groups were subjected to intragastric administration of equal volumes of normal saline and Periplaneta americana powder(630 mg/kg),respectively,and the TLR4 inhibitor group was administered an intraperitoneal injection of TLR4 inhibitor(3 mg/kg).On days 1,3,7,and 14 after the operation,the motor function of rat hind limbs was evaluated by the Basso,Beattie,and Bresnahan(BBB)score.Histopathological changes of the spinal cord were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining.Changes in the number of neurons were observed by immunohistochemistry.The levels of inflammatory factors IL-1,IL-6,IL-10,and TNF-α were measured by ELISA,and expression of TLR4,myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88),and NF-κB p65 was detected by Western Blot.Results Compared with the sham operation group,the BBB score and number of neurons in the saline group were significantly decreased,while the degree of pathological damage,and IL-1,IL-6,TNF-α,TLR4,MyD88,and NF-κB p65 levels were significantly increased(P＜0.05).Compared with the saline group,periplaneta americana powder and TLR4 inhibitor groups showed an increase in BBB scores and the number of neurons,and decreases in the degree of pathological damage and IL-1,IL-6,TNF-α,TLR4,MyD88,and NF-κB p65 levels(P＜0.05).Compared with the TLR4 inhibitor group,the periplaneta americana powder group had better increases in the BBB score,number of neurons and decreases in the degree of pathological damage and expression of IL-1 and TNF-α.Conclusions Periplaneta americana powder reduces the production of inflammatory factors after spinal cord injury by inhibiting the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway,protects nerves,and promotes motor recovery.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)is a chronic metabolic disease that can lead to the damage of multiple tissues and organs throughout the body.Stimulator of interferon genes(STING)is an endoplasmic reticulum membrane protein that acts as an indirect cytoplasmic DNA sensor.The activation of the STING signaling pathway may be involved in T2DM and its microvascular complications through various mechanisms.This article reviews the research progress in the mechanism of STING in T2DM and its microvascular complications.

The formation of collaterals is a characteristic feature in the pathogenesis of chronic total occlusion of the coronary arteries.Myocardial viability distal to the lesion maintained by collaterals is critical in facilitating subsequent myocardial revascularization.Comprehensive research on the pathological and pathophysiological processes of the collaterals will help to understand the morphological and functional evaluation methods of the collaterals,which will lead to the timely diagnosis and effective treatment of chronic total occlusion.In this article,we intend to review research advances on collaterals in chronic total occlusion,focusing on the pathophysiological mechanisms,the methods of morphological and functional evaluation,as well as the clinical implication.