ObjectiveAbnormal lipids in neurons can cause the accumulation of α-synuclein（α-syn）. This study aimed to explore the mechanism of Acanthopanacis Senticosi Radix et Rhizoma seu Caulis extract （ASH） in treating Parkinson's disease （PD） mice using lipidomics combined with network pharmacology. MethodsMice were divided into the blank group， model group and ASH （45.5 mg·kg^-1） group. Motor ability was evaluated by pole climbing time and autonomous activity count； The oxidative stress indicators were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Lipid biomarkers in brain tissues were screened and identified by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry （UPLC-MS/MS）， and metabolic pathway analysis was conducted. The key targets of ASH for PD treatment were explored using network pharmacology. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） database was used for pathway enrichment analysis， and the "compound-reaction-enzyme-gene" network was constructed using the MetScape plugin. The protein expression levels of glutathione S-transferase P1 （GSTP1）， glutathione S-transferase Mu 2 （GSTM2）， prostaglandin peroxide synthase 1 （PTGS1）， prostaglandin peroxide synthase 2 （PTGS2）， and prostaglandin E synthase （PTGES） were validated by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the model group showed significantly prolonged pole climbing time and reduced autonomous activity count （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the ASH group demonstrated significantly faster pole climbing and increased autonomous activity count （P<0.01）. The model group exhibited significantly decreased superoxide dismutase （SOD） and glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px） levels， and increased malondialdehyde （MDA） level in brain tissues compared with the blank group （P<0.01）. The ASH group showed increased SOD and GSH-Px levels and decreased MDA level compared with the model group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Lipidomics analysis identified 10 differential metabolites and 8 differential metabolic pathways. Network pharmacological analysis revealed 213 intersection targets between ASH components and PD， with KEGG enrichment involving the sphingolipid signaling pathway， lipid arteriosclerosis， phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B（PI3K/Akt） signaling pathway， mitogen-activated protein kinase（MAPK） signaling pathway， and hypoxia inducible factor-1（HIF-1） signaling pathway. Integrated lipidomics and network pharmacology analysis highlighted the central role of the arachidonic acid metabolic pathway. The Western blot results showed that ASH effectively up-regulated GSTP1， GSTM2， and PTGS1 protein expression， and down-regulated PTGS2 and PTGES protein expression. ConclusionASH can ameliorate behavioral deficits， exert antioxidant effects， regulate lipid differential metabolites and the arachidonic acid metabolic pathway， thereby exerting therapeutic effects in PD model mice.

Objective To investigate the species of sandflies and the prevalence of Leishmania infections in sandflies from selected areas of northern and northwestern China, so as to provide insights into identification of leishmaniasis vectors and assessment of epidemiological trends of leishmaniasis in China. Methods Sandfly samples were collected from Mentougou District of Beijing Municipality, Xiangning County in Linfen City of Shanxi Province, Ejin Banner in Alxa League of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and Payzawat County of Karamay District of Karamay City, Gaochang District of Turpan City in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from July 2023 to July 2024. Approximately 100 intact female sandfly samples were randomly selected from each site and the species of sandflies was identified according to morphological characteristics and molecular assays. Female sandflies originating from the same habitat were grouped into pools of 10 individuals. Leishmania infection was detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay targeting the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS-1) gene, and the prevalence of Leishmania infection was calculated in sandflies from different sampling sites using the minimum infection rate (MIR) method. In addition, positive amplicons were sequenced and subjected to phylogenetic analysis. Results A total of 6 155 sandflies were collected from different environments at sampling sites across the six aforementioned regions from July 2023 to July 2024. Phlebotomus chinensis (96.00%) was the dominant sandfly species in Mentougou District, Beijing Municipality, with a small proportion of Ph. sergenti (4.00%), and only Ph. chinensis was found in Xiangning County, Linfen City, Shanxi Province. Ph. wui was the only sandfly species detected in Ejin Banner, Alxa League, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and Payzawat County, Kashgar City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and Ph. caucasicus (97.70%) was the dominant sandfly species in Karamay District, Karamay City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, with a small proportion of Ph. wui (2.30%), while Ph. alexandri was the only species in Gaochang District, Turpan City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. A total of 40, 60, 34, 18, 18, and 22 pools of sandfly samples were tested from Mentougou District in Beijing Municipality, Xiangning County in Linfen City of Shanxi Province, Ejin Banner in Alxa League of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Payzawat County in Kashgar City, Karamay District in Karamay City, and Gaochang District in Turpan City of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, respectively. L. infantum was detected in Ph. chinensis samples from Mentougou District in Beijing Municipality, and Xiangning County of Linfen City in Shanxi Province, with MIR of 0.25% to 1.00%, and L. donovani was detected in Ph. wui from Ejin Banner in Alxa League of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and Payzawat County in Kashgar City of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, with MIR of 0.56% to 0.88%; however, no Leishmania infection was detected in Ph. caucasicus from Karamay District in Karamay City or Ph. alexandri from Gaochang District in Turpan City of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the Leishmania ITS-1 gene sequences obtained from Mentougou District in Beijing Municipality and Xiangning County in Linfen City of Shanxi Province were clustered into the same clade with the reference sequences of L. infantum ITS-1 gene, while the Leishmania ITS-1 gene sequences obtained from Ejin Banner in Alxa League of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and Payzawat County in Kashgar City of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region were clustered into the same clade with the reference sequences of L. donovani ITS-1 gene. Conclusions There are variations in sandfly species in selected areas of northern and northwestern China, and variations in the species of Leishmania infecting sandflies. Improved surveillance of sandfly vectors and targeted control strategies with adaptations to geographical features and leishmaniasis vectors are recommended.

Ulcerative colitis （UC） is a chronic， non-specific intestinal inflammatory disease. Its pathogenesis is complex， involving interactions among genetic， immune， and environmental factors， and remains incompletely elucidated. Mitochondrial damage can trigger the abnormal release of mitochondrial damage-associated molecular patterns （mtDAMPs）， activating inflammatory pathways and thereby exacerbating the inflammatory response in UC. Mitophagy， a core mitochondrial quality control mechanism， can clear damaged mitochondria and effectively reduce the abnormal release of mtDAMPs and the accumulation of harmful substances， thereby mitigating inflammatory damage resulting from mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitophagy plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the intestinal epithelial barrier function and in the prevention and intervention of UC. Notably， the function of the spleen governing transportation and transformation in traditional Chinese medicine shares similarities with the role of mitochondria in energy transformation and substance metabolism. Furthermore， the pathological state of the spleen failing in transportation and transformation may be related to mitochondrial dysfunction， while the pathogenic characteristics of "endogenous turbid pathogen" align with the inflammatory cascade responses triggered by abnormal release of mtDAMPs. Based on this theoretical correlation， this paper aims to explore the correlation between the traditional Chinese medicine theory of "spleen dysfunction in essence distribution leading to endogenous turbid pathogens" and mitophagy. Using the correlation as an entry point， the potential role of mitophagy in the pathogenesis of UC was elucidated. Additionally， by considering the epidemiological characteristics of UC in the Southwest region of China， a new thinking for the treatment of UC from the perspective of turbid pathogens was proposed based on the "fortifying the spleen and resolving turbidity" method to provide theoretical support and research enlightenment for further exploring the prevention and treatment of UC with traditional Chinese medicine.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of gemcitabine and cisplatin (GP) regimen in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitor sintilimab as neoadjuvant therapy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) patients and the feasibility of the following selective bladder sparing surgery. Materials and Methods: Patients with histopathologically confirmed urothelial carcinoma without distant metastases (T2-4a, N ≤ 1, M0, American Joint Committee of Cancer 8th) and with adequate organ function will be enrolled. The therapeutic regimen was sintilimab 200 mg once on day 8, gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m2 and cisplatin 35 mg/m2 once on days 1 and 8, every 21 days for four cycles. The primary endpoint was pathologic complete response (pCR, pT0N0) rate. The secondary end points were ypT < 2 rate, R0 resection rate, event-free survival, and safety. Results: From May 4, 2020, to May 20, 2023, 55 patients were enrolled. Forty-six patients were evaluated for efficacy. Among the 42 patients who underwent surgery, 16 patients (38.0%) achieved pCR. Thirty-three patients (78.6%) achieved pT < 2. With a median follow-up of 15.7 months, the 1-year event-free survival was 91.3%. Notwithstanding the poor pathological baseline characteristic of a high T3-T4a proportion (39.1%), a promising bladder preservation (including 22 patients transurethral resection of bladder tumor, 5 patients partial cystectomy, and 4 surveillances) rate was achieved (67.4%). The most common grade ≥ 3 treatment-related adverse events was neutropenia (n=15, 27.3%), which was related to chemotherapy. There were no grade 3 immune-related adverse events. Conclusion Neoadjuvant GP plus sintilimab is a promising regimen for MIBC patients, with relatively high pT < 2 rate and triggering the emerging roles for the multi-disciplinary team decision-making for bladder sparing surgery.

Objective To gain insights into the biological characteristics of different populations of Culex tritaeniorhynchus within and around the Yellow Sea wetland from the perspective of the occurrence of resistance, we investigated the levels of resistance to deltamethrin and kdr gene mutation in the wetland and its peripheral areas. Methods Specimens were collected from Cx. tritaeniorhynchus populations at two monitoring sites in the Rare Bird National Nature Reserve and Tiaozi Ni Wetland Scenic Area, and also from two populations in Yancheng City and the Liuhe District of Nanjing, and the resistance of these mosquitoes to deltamethrin was determined using the CDC biotest bottle method. For each concentration of deltamethrin assessed, a random subset of exposed specimens was selected for amplification of the kdr gene fragment, followed by Sanger sequencing to identify and analyze resistance-associated mutations. Results The LC50 levels of deltamethrin among mosquitoes from the four populations in Luhe, Yancheng, the Rare Bird National Nature Reserve and the Tiaozi Ni Wetland Scenic Area were 2.048 5, 7.798 2, 3.473 3, and 17.695 5 mg/mL, respectively, with corresponding concentrations of deltamethrin ranging from 0.005 to 5.000,0.050 to 50.000,0.050 to 25.000 and 0.050 to 50.000 mg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, the ranges of the KT50 values were 11.76-107.43, 67.05-216.30,29.77-107.43 and 28.40-329.51 min; the 1-h knockdown rates were 34.58%-99.15%, 9.52%-43.80%, 55.09%-73.01%, and 10.09%-68.07%; and the 24-h mortality rates were 12.15%-67.52%,9.52%-79.56%,13.17%-82.21%, and 11.01%-78.99%, respectively. With respect to kdr gene mutation, we assayed a total of 63,70,59, and 57 mosquitoes for the four populations, for which we detected L1014F mutation frequencies of 14.29%, 35.00%, 20.34%, and 31.58%, respectively, with a majority of these mutations being heterozygous for resistance. In addition, five adult mosquitoes were identified has having synonymous mutations at site 1011[i. e. , AAT(asparagine)mutation to AAC(asparagine)]. Conclusions Our findings revealed the clear resistance of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus to deltamethrin in the Yancheng region of the Yellow Sea wetland, and the resistance phenotype and kdr frequency of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus in the wetland environment were comparable to those of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus in the wetland environment, thereby indicating that the resistance of different populations of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus was homogeneous under the pressure of different insecticide selection within and around the wetland. However, the underlying mechanisms need to be further studied.

Purpose: Interviews play a crucial role in the medical school selection process, although little is known about interviewers’ non-verbal observable communications (NoVOC) during the interviews. This study investigates how interviewers perceive NoVOC exhibited by interviewees in two medical schools, one in Taiwan and the other in Australia. The study also explores potential cross-cultural differences in these perceptions. Methods: A 26-item questionnaire was developed using a Delphi-like method to identify NoVOC. Interviewers from the University of New South Wales, Australia, and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taiwan (n=47 and N=78, respectively) rated these NoVOC between 2018 and 2021. Factor analyses identified and validated underlying factors. Measurement invariance across countries and genders was examined. Results: A total of 125 interviewers completed the questionnaire, including 78 from Taiwan and 47 from Australia. Using exploratory factor analysis, 14 items yielded reliable three factors “charming,” “disengaged,” and “anxious” (Cronbach’s α=0.853, 0.714, and 0.628, respectively). The measurement invariance analysis indicated that the factor models were invariant across genders but significantly different between the two countries. Further analysis revealed inconsistencies in interpreting the “anxious” factor between Taiwan and Australia. Conclusion The three distinct factors revealed in this study provide valuable insights into the NoVOC that interviewers perceive and evaluate during the interview process. The findings highlight the importance of considering non-verbal communication in selecting medical students and emphasize the need for training and awareness among interviewers. Understanding the impact of non-verbal behaviors can improve selection processes to mitigate bias and enhance the fairness and reliability of medical student selection.

Purpose: Interviews play a crucial role in the medical school selection process, although little is known about interviewers’ non-verbal observable communications (NoVOC) during the interviews. This study investigates how interviewers perceive NoVOC exhibited by interviewees in two medical schools, one in Taiwan and the other in Australia. The study also explores potential cross-cultural differences in these perceptions. Methods: A 26-item questionnaire was developed using a Delphi-like method to identify NoVOC. Interviewers from the University of New South Wales, Australia, and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taiwan (n=47 and N=78, respectively) rated these NoVOC between 2018 and 2021. Factor analyses identified and validated underlying factors. Measurement invariance across countries and genders was examined. Results: A total of 125 interviewers completed the questionnaire, including 78 from Taiwan and 47 from Australia. Using exploratory factor analysis, 14 items yielded reliable three factors “charming,” “disengaged,” and “anxious” (Cronbach’s α=0.853, 0.714, and 0.628, respectively). The measurement invariance analysis indicated that the factor models were invariant across genders but significantly different between the two countries. Further analysis revealed inconsistencies in interpreting the “anxious” factor between Taiwan and Australia. Conclusion The three distinct factors revealed in this study provide valuable insights into the NoVOC that interviewers perceive and evaluate during the interview process. The findings highlight the importance of considering non-verbal communication in selecting medical students and emphasize the need for training and awareness among interviewers. Understanding the impact of non-verbal behaviors can improve selection processes to mitigate bias and enhance the fairness and reliability of medical student selection.

Purpose: Interviews play a crucial role in the medical school selection process, although little is known about interviewers’ non-verbal observable communications (NoVOC) during the interviews. This study investigates how interviewers perceive NoVOC exhibited by interviewees in two medical schools, one in Taiwan and the other in Australia. The study also explores potential cross-cultural differences in these perceptions. Methods: A 26-item questionnaire was developed using a Delphi-like method to identify NoVOC. Interviewers from the University of New South Wales, Australia, and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taiwan (n=47 and N=78, respectively) rated these NoVOC between 2018 and 2021. Factor analyses identified and validated underlying factors. Measurement invariance across countries and genders was examined. Results: A total of 125 interviewers completed the questionnaire, including 78 from Taiwan and 47 from Australia. Using exploratory factor analysis, 14 items yielded reliable three factors “charming,” “disengaged,” and “anxious” (Cronbach’s α=0.853, 0.714, and 0.628, respectively). The measurement invariance analysis indicated that the factor models were invariant across genders but significantly different between the two countries. Further analysis revealed inconsistencies in interpreting the “anxious” factor between Taiwan and Australia. Conclusion The three distinct factors revealed in this study provide valuable insights into the NoVOC that interviewers perceive and evaluate during the interview process. The findings highlight the importance of considering non-verbal communication in selecting medical students and emphasize the need for training and awareness among interviewers. Understanding the impact of non-verbal behaviors can improve selection processes to mitigate bias and enhance the fairness and reliability of medical student selection.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the improvement effects and mechanism of Xiangsha yiwei tang on gastric mucosal injury in rats with chronic atrophic gastritis （CAG）. METHODS Rats were randomly assigned into normal control group， model group， Xiangsha yiwei tang low-， medium- and high-dose groups （6， 12， 18 g/kg， calculated by crude drug）， and high-dose group of Xiangsha yiwei tang+740 Y-P [Xiangsha yiwei tang 18 g/kg+transforming growth factor β1/phosphatidyl inositol 3 kinase/ protein kinase B（TGF-β1/PI3K/Akt） pathway activator group 740 Y-P 10 mg/kg]， with 18 rats in each group. Rats in each group were administered the corresponding drugs via oral gavage or injection， once daily， for 4 consecutive weeks. Gastric mucosal blood flow， the levels of serum gastrointestinal hormones [including motilin （MTL）， gastrin （GAS）， and pepsinogen （PP）]， as well as inflammatory cytokines [including tumor necrosis factor- α （TNF- α）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， IL-6] in rats were measured. Pathological damage to gastric mucosal tissue was observed in rats； the apoptotic rate of gastric mucosal cells was detected. The expressions of TGF-β1/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway-related proteins and apoptosis-related proteins [including B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2） and Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax）] in the gastric mucosal tissues of rats were assessed. RESULTS Compared with normal control group， model group had abnormal gastric mucosal tissue structure， with shedding of gastric mucosal epithelial cells， and prominent infiltration of inflammatory cells. Gastric mucosal blood flow， the serum levels of MTL， GAS， PP， and Bcl-2 protein expression were lowered significantly， while serum levels of TNF-α， IL-1β and IL-6， apoptosis rate， protein expressions of Bax and TGF-β1， the phosphorylations of PI3K and Akt were increased significantly （P＜0.05）. Compared with model group， Xiangsha yiwei decoction groups exhibited attenuated histopathological injuries in gastric mucosal tissues， reduced inflammatory cell infiltration， and significant improvements in the aforementioned quantitative parameters （P＜0.05）. Compared with high-dose group of Xiangsha yiwei tang， high-dose group of Xiangsha yiwei decoction combined with 740 Y-P exhibited significantly aggravated histopathological injuries in gastric mucosal tissues， and the aforementioned quantitative parameters were markedly reversed （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Xiangsha yiwei tang can alleviate gastric mucosal damage in CAG rats， and its mechanism of action is related to the inhibition of TGF-β1/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Based on commonly used acupoints in the clinical acupuncture treatment of functional dyspepsia （FD）， this study systematically analyzes the therapeutic differences and synergistic effects between local and distal point selection. It also examines the suitability of primary acupoint selection for different FD subtypes， postprandial distress syndrome （PDS） and epigastric pain syndrome （EPS）. The findings suggest that a combination of local and distal acupoints may be more appropriate as primary points for PDS， whereas local acupoints alone may be more suitable for EPS. Additionally， the study explores the impact of various factors， such as stimulation techniques， needling order， intensity or stimulation parameters， and depth， on the efficacy of acupuncture. It concludes that the intrinsic properties of acupoints are the primary determinants of therapeutic direction. Other factors mainly influence the magnitude rather than the direction of the effect. Future research may further investigate how different acupoint combinations， local versus distal， affect the treatment outcomes of FD subtypes， providing new insights for clinical acupuncture prescriptions.