ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate the distribution patterns of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes in patients with chronic hepatitis B （CHB） comorbid with metabolically associated fatty liver disease （MAFLD） and analyze their correlation with clinical characteristics and the progression of liver fibrosis. MethodsA cross-sectional study method was employed， and 506 patients with CHB comorbid with MAFLD who attended the Hepatology Outpatient Department of Public Health Clinical Center of Chengdu from June 2024 to December 2024 were enrolled. General information， traditional Chinese medicine syndromes information， laboratory indicators， and imaging examination results were collected using case report forms （CRF）. Tongue images of patients were acquired using a tongue diagnosis instrument， and tongue feature parameters were extracted using computer image processing technology. Frequency analysis， factor analysis， and cluster analysis， and other methods were used to explore syndrome categories and distribution patterns. Non-parametric tests were used to compare the differences in clinical characteristics among different syndromes. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the correlation between traditional Chinese medicine syndromes and the progression of liver fibrosis. ResultsThe main traditional Chinese medicine syndromes in patients with CHB comorbid with MAFLD were mainly dominated by damp-heat accumulation syndrome， liver stagnation and spleen deficiency syndrome， and phlegm-blood stasis syndrome， with damp-heat accumulation syndrome accounting for the highest proportion （41.89%）. Compared with those without damp-heat accumulation syndrome， patients with damp-heat accumulation syndrome had significantly lower tongue proper H value， tongue coating H value， and tongue coating a^* value （P<0.05）， significantly higher tongue coating b^* value （P<0.05）， significantly increased levels of white blood cell （WBC）， red blood cell （RBC）， hemoglobin （HGB）， and glucose （GLU）， increased CAP values （P<0.05）， a higher proportion of males （P<0.05）， and a younger age （P<0.05）. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses show that age， hepatitis B surface antigen （HBsAg）， diabetes， and damp-heat accumulation syndrome are independent risk factors for liver fibrosis （P<0.05）， and that damp-heat accumulation syndrome is predominantly distributed in liver fibrosis stage F0-F1. ConclusionDamp-heat accumulation syndrome is a typical syndrome in patients with CHB comorbid with MAFLD， which is significantly associated with enhanced inflammatory response， metabolic disorders， and early liver fibrosis， and is a key link in disease progression. Clinical attention and early intervention are needed.

Natural products (NPs) have historically been a fundamental source for drug discovery. Yet the complex nature of NPs presents substantial challenges in pinpointing bioactive constituents, and corresponding targets. In the present study, an innovative natural product virtual screening-interaction-phenotype (NP-VIP) strategy that integrates virtual screening, chemical proteomics, and metabolomics to identify and validate the bioactive targets of NPs. This approach reduces false positive results and enhances the efficiency of target identification. Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM), a herb with recognized therapeutic potential against ischemic stroke (IS), was used to illustrate the workflow. Utilizing virtual screening, chemical proteomics, and metabolomics, potential therapeutic targets for SM in the IS treatment were identified, totaling 29, 100, and 78, respectively. Further analysis via the NP-VIP strategy highlighted five high-confidence targets, including poly [ADP-ribose] polymerase 1 (PARP1), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), amyloid precursor protein (APP), glutamate-ammonia ligase (GLUL), and glutamate decarboxylase 67 (GAD67). These targets were subsequently validated and found to play critical roles in the neuroprotective effects of SM. The study not only underscores the importance of SM in treating IS but also sets a precedent for NP research, proposing a comprehensive approach that could be adapted for broader pharmacological explorations.

Objective:To explore the possible mechanism of cognitive impairment in aged mice induced by sevoflurane and the role of the AMPK/GSK-3β/Nrf2 signaling pathway.Methods:Eighteen 16-month-old SPF male C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to either a control group or a sevoflurane group according to the random number table method( n=9 per group). Mice in the sevoflurane group were exposed to 3% sevoflurane for 2 h every day for three consecutive days.Cognitive function of mice was assessed by novel object recognition test and Morris water maze test.Golgi staining was used to analyze dendritic spine morphology and density in the hippocampus. Mitochondrial ultrastructure was examined by transmission electron microscopy. Oxidative stress in hippocampal tissue was evaluated by reactive oxygen species(ROS) and glutathione(GSH) assay kits. Western blot was performed to measure synaptic plasticity-related proteins and proteins involved in the AMPK/GSK-3β/Nrf2 signaling pathway, while Nrf2 expression was assessed by immunofluorescence. Statistical analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism 7 software with independent-samples t-test or Mann-Whitney U test for between-group comparisons. Results:(1) The novel object recognition test showed that the recognition index in the sevoflurane group was significantly lower than that in the control group ( Z=-3.256, P=0.001).The escape latency in the Morris water maze test was longer ((49.50±10.14) s, (18.62±6.59) s; t=-7.221, P<0.001) and the number of platform crossings was lower ( Z=-2.673, P=0.008) in the sevoflurane group compared with those of the control group. (2) Results from Western blot and Golgi staining showed that the expression levels of hippocampal synapse-related proteins in the sevoflurane group, including PSD95 ((0.38±0.07), (1.00±0.21); t=4.885) and SYN1 ((0.30±0.10), (1.00±0.10); t=8.575), were lower than those in the control group, as well as the number of dendritic spines ((10.3±2.5), (20.0±1.0); t=6.183)(all P<0.05). (3) Transmission electron microscopy showed mitochondrial damage in the hippocampus of the sevoflurane group, and the expression level of ROS ((3.05±0.90), (0.97±0.16); t=-4.555, P=0.004) was significantly higher than that of the control group, while the expression level of GSH ((0.71±0.07), (1.00±0.09); t=5.396, P=0.002) was significantly lower than that of the control group.(4) Western blot and immunofluorescence demonstrated that hippocampal p-AMPK, p-GSK-3β (Ser9), and HO-1 expression levels in the sevoflurane group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t=2.845, 7.087, 4.551, all P<0.05), and Nrf2 fluorescence intensity was also markedly reduced ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The cognitive impairment induced by sevoflurane in aged mice may be caused by mitochondrial damage, oxidative stress response and synaptic damage, which maybe associated with the inhibition of the AMPK/GSK-3β/Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate lipid metabolism gene mutations and pathogenicity of hypertriglyceridemia acute pancreatitis (HTG-AP) patients.Methods:Clinical data of 495 HTG-AP patients admitted from June 2018 to June 2020 in the center for severe acute pancreatitis of Eastern Theater General Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Whole-exome sequencing and mutation verification were performed by next-generation sequencing technology and Sanger sequencing. The pathogenicity of gene mutation was analyzed by population mutation ratio, pathogenicity prediction software, conservation scoring software, protein structure prediction, and in vitro experiments. Results:The mutation ratio of lipid metabolism-related genes, namely LPL, APOA5, LMF1, GPIHBP1, and APOC2, were 14.81%, 55.78%, 43.61%, 1.62%, and 0.61%, respectively. Among them, 44 heterozygous mutations in LPL gene were detected including 36 missense mutations, 5 nonsense mutations and 3 frameshift mutations, which were all rarely carried in single patient. Six HTG-AP patients carried the LPL gene heterozygous mutation c.835C>G (p.Leu279Val). The mean level of serum triglyceride at the onset of HTG-AP was 27.4 mmol/L. All of them had a history of recurrent HTG-AP, and most of them had severe acute pancreatitis. The serum LPL concentration and activity were lower than the normal level. The pathogenicity analysis results suggested that the LPL p.Leu279Val was a rare, highly possible pathogenic and highly conserved gene mutation. The in vitro results showed that the LPL p.Leu279Val could significantly reduce the synthesis and secretion ability of LPL as well as its enzymatic activity. Conclusions:The mutation ratio of lipid metabolism-related genes, including LPL, APOA5, LMF1, GPIHBP1, and APOC2, are relatively high in the HTG-AP patients. The LPL p.Leu279Val is a rare and highly possible pathogenic gene mutation, which may lead to recurrent episodes of HTG-AP.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder(ADHD)is a common behavioral disorder in children and has significant non-specific symptoms.The specific pathogenesis of ADHD remains unclear.Chinese medicine has a unique advantage in treating this disease.The"qi cycle in round"theory is a unique diagnosis and treatment system constructed by Huang Yuanyu,a Qing Dynasty physician,through systematic integration and innovative development of the theoretical framework of traditional Chinese medicine,which is widely used in clinical practice.Based on the"qi cycle in round"theory,the pathogenesis of ADHD in children was discussed,and the abnormal middle qi was proposed as the root cause of the disease,with hyperactivity of the liver,lung depletion,and fire as the key contributing factors.Guided by the"qi cycle in round"theory in the treatment of ADHD in children,the approach focuses on restoring and balancing central qi.It emphasized the understanding of the overall changes in the spleen,stomach,lungs,liver,heart,kidney,and other viscera,along with the movement of qi.Treatment focuses on methods such as lifting clear yang,reducing stomach turbidity,softening the liver and quenching the wind,suppressing the lungs and reducing the inversion,and reducing the fire and returning to the yuan.These interventions aim to promote the smooth circulation of the qi circulation from multiple perspectives,thereby facilitating recovery.

Objective:To explore the possible mechanism of cognitive impairment in aged mice induced by sevoflurane and the role of the AMPK/GSK-3β/Nrf2 signaling pathway.Methods:Eighteen 16-month-old SPF male C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to either a control group or a sevoflurane group according to the random number table method( n=9 per group). Mice in the sevoflurane group were exposed to 3% sevoflurane for 2 h every day for three consecutive days.Cognitive function of mice was assessed by novel object recognition test and Morris water maze test.Golgi staining was used to analyze dendritic spine morphology and density in the hippocampus. Mitochondrial ultrastructure was examined by transmission electron microscopy. Oxidative stress in hippocampal tissue was evaluated by reactive oxygen species(ROS) and glutathione(GSH) assay kits. Western blot was performed to measure synaptic plasticity-related proteins and proteins involved in the AMPK/GSK-3β/Nrf2 signaling pathway, while Nrf2 expression was assessed by immunofluorescence. Statistical analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism 7 software with independent-samples t-test or Mann-Whitney U test for between-group comparisons. Results:(1) The novel object recognition test showed that the recognition index in the sevoflurane group was significantly lower than that in the control group ( Z=-3.256, P=0.001).The escape latency in the Morris water maze test was longer ((49.50±10.14) s, (18.62±6.59) s; t=-7.221, P<0.001) and the number of platform crossings was lower ( Z=-2.673, P=0.008) in the sevoflurane group compared with those of the control group. (2) Results from Western blot and Golgi staining showed that the expression levels of hippocampal synapse-related proteins in the sevoflurane group, including PSD95 ((0.38±0.07), (1.00±0.21); t=4.885) and SYN1 ((0.30±0.10), (1.00±0.10); t=8.575), were lower than those in the control group, as well as the number of dendritic spines ((10.3±2.5), (20.0±1.0); t=6.183)(all P<0.05). (3) Transmission electron microscopy showed mitochondrial damage in the hippocampus of the sevoflurane group, and the expression level of ROS ((3.05±0.90), (0.97±0.16); t=-4.555, P=0.004) was significantly higher than that of the control group, while the expression level of GSH ((0.71±0.07), (1.00±0.09); t=5.396, P=0.002) was significantly lower than that of the control group.(4) Western blot and immunofluorescence demonstrated that hippocampal p-AMPK, p-GSK-3β (Ser9), and HO-1 expression levels in the sevoflurane group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t=2.845, 7.087, 4.551, all P<0.05), and Nrf2 fluorescence intensity was also markedly reduced ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The cognitive impairment induced by sevoflurane in aged mice may be caused by mitochondrial damage, oxidative stress response and synaptic damage, which maybe associated with the inhibition of the AMPK/GSK-3β/Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the effects and mechanism of Dahuang Lingxian Prescription on bile duct reaction of cholestatic liver fibrosis rats caused by bile duct ligation.Methods A total of 40 SD rats were randomly divided into blank group,model group,ursodeoxycholic acid group and Dahuang Lingxian Prescription group,with 10 rats in each group.Except for the blank group,the remaining groups of rats underwent bile duct ligation surgery to establish a cholestatic liver fibrosis model.After surgery,the ursodeoxycholic acid group was given ursodeoxycholic acid solution by gavage,Dahuang Lingxian Prescription group was given Dahuang Lingxian Prescription solution by gavage,and the blank group and model group were given equal volume of normal saline by gavage,once a day for 3 consecutive weeks.The activities of serum AST,ALT,ALP,GGT and the contents of TBIL,TBA were tetected,the morphology of liver tissue was observed by HE staining,and the liver fibrosis was observed by Masson staining,immunohistochromic staining and Western blot were used to detect the expressions of CK19,CK7,EpCAM and SOX9 proteins.Results Compared with the blank group,the liver surface of the model group rats was rough,with a harder texture and obvious graininess,HE staining showed damage to the liver lobule structure,forming pseudo lobules,a large number of bile duct hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration,and a significant increase in collagen fiber deposition(P<0.01);the activities of serum AST,ALT,ALP,GGT,as well as the contents of TBIL and TBA significantly increased(P<0.01);the positive expressions of CK19,CK7 and EpCAM in liver tissue significantly increased(P<0.01),and the protein expressions of CK19,CK7,EpCAM and SOX9 significantly increased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the appearance and texture of the liver of the rats in the ursodeoxycholic acid group and Dahuang Lingxian Prescription group were relatively softer,the lobular structure was less damaged,the inflammatory cells infiltration was less,the collagen fiber deposition was significantly reduced(P<0.01),the activities of serum AST,ALT,ALP,GGT,and the contents of TBIL and TBA were significantly decreased(P<0.01);the expressions of TBA and TBIL were significantly decreased(P<0.01),the positive expressions of CK19,CK7 and EpCAM significantly decreased(P<0.01),and the protein expression of CK19,CK7,EpCAM and SOX9 significantly decreased(P<0.01).Conclusion Dahuang Lingxian Prescription can inhibit the bile duct reaction associated with liver progenitor cells,decrease the expression of CK19,CK7,EpCAM and SOX9,and thus improve the cholestatic liver fibrosis of rats induced by bile duct ligation.

Objective To analyze the distribution and characteristics of hearing and deafness susceptibility genes in newborns who failed the initial hearing screening,and to explore the association rules for those referred the re-screening.Methods A multicenter retrospective cohort study conducted in 12 339 infants who failed the initial hearing screening in Beijing.Data analysis was conducted on the results of genetic screening for deafness susceptibil-ity genes and the results of the hearing re-screening and diagnosis.The Apriori algorithm was utilized to mine strong association rules related to the failure of the hearing re-screening.Results The detection rate of deafness suscepti-bility gene mutations was 7.14％(881/12 339),withGJB2,SLC26A4,GJB3,and MT-RNR1 being the most fre-quently identified genes.The positive predictive values for initial hearing screening and re-screening referred were 15.93％(1 965/12 339)and 17.87％(226/1 265).Association rule mining revealed that newborns who referred the initial hearing screening in both ears and had twins/multiple births,NICU admission,and deafness gene muta-tion detection had relatively increased risks of 4.47％,9.25％,and 16.72％.Newborns with deafness gene muta-tion detection who referred the initial hearing screening in both ears and female newborns had relatively increased risks of 3.99％and 12.60％who referred the hearing re-screening.Conclusion Newborns who fail the initial hear-ing screening have a relatively high detection rate of deafness susceptibility gene mutations.Those who fail initial bi-lateral hearing screening and have detected deafness gene mutations are at a significantly increased risk of failing the hearing rescreening.

Objective:To carry out a systematic review of the development, introduction or validation of drug literacy assessment tools for adults at home and abroad, and to summarize and analyze the characteristics of the assessment tools.Methods:The research framework of the scoping review was used to systematically search 8 Chinese and English databases, such as China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Biology Medicine disc, PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase. The search period was from database establishment to October 31, 2023. Studies on adult drug literacy assessment tools were screened and included, tool characteristics were extracted and analyzed, and ultimately the extracts were standardized for reporting.Results:A total of 31 articles that met the criteria were included, of which 26 were on the development and validation of assessment tools, three were on the localization and application of assessment tools, and two were on the revision of assessment tools, covering 33 assessment tools.Conclusions:It is needed to recognize the importance of drug literacy assessment, actively explore the diversity of drug literacy assessment tools, clarify the limitations of existing drug literacy assessment tools, further improve the reliability and validity of existing tools, continue to develop and introduce assessment tools suitable for China's national conditions, so as to increase the accuracy of drug literacy assessment.