ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of salt processing of Psoraleae Fructus （PF） through modern analytical techniques and biotechnology， focusing on its effects related to hepatotoxicity and anti-osteoporosis activity. MethodsThe zebrafish model was utilized to evaluate the impact of PF and salt-processed Psoraleae Fructus （SPF） on the hepatotoxicity （using 134.17 ， 178.89， 268.34 mg·L^-1 as low， medium， and high dose groups of PF， 135.04， 180.06， 270.08 mg·L^-1 as low， medium， and high dose groups of SPF， respectively） and anti-osteoporotic activity （using 33.54 ， 67.08 and 134.17 mg·L^-1 as low， medium， and high dose groups of PF， 33.76， 67.52， 135.04 mg·L^-1 as low， medium， and high dose groups of SPF， respectively）， which was using alizarin red skull staining of zebrafish as an indicator of different batches of PF. The specific dosage of a batch of PF was taken as an example. Then ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight-mass spectrometry（UPLC-Q-TOF-MS） analysis was employed to identify the chemical composition of PF before and after salt processing， and PCA， OPLS-DA， and independent sample t-test were used to elucidating the compositional changes associated with the effects of salt processing on hepatotoxicity and anti-osteoporosis activity. ResultsUnder specific conditions， PF induced notable hepatotoxicity in zebrafish while simultaneously demonstrating protective effect against prednisolone-induced osteoporosis. In comparison to PF， SPF showed alleviated hepatotoxicity while retaining significant anti-osteoporosis activity. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS analysis revealed that after salt processing， the overall chemical composition of PF showed a downward trend， with 69 components showing a decrease in content， represented by psoralen， and 13 components showing an increase， represented by 4′-O-methyl psoralen B. Further multivariate statistical analysis revealed 11 key differential components before and after salt processing of PF， including psoralen and bakuchiol. ConclusionSalt processing effectively diminishes hepatotoxicity without impairing therapeutic efficacy against osteoporosis of PF， which may be related to the compositional changes before and after salt processing of PF and provides key evidence to reveal the scientific significance of salt processing of PF.

Background/Aims: Liver transplantation (LT) following total hepatectomy is a life-saving treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The HCC recurrence after LT hinders the effectiveness of the procedure. The objective of this study is to develop a pre-operative risk stratification model based on a liquid biopsy. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive multi-omics study of 260 HCC patients from three centers, including clinical data, low-coverage whole-genome sequencing of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from plasma, as well as whole-exome, single-nucleus RNA, and spatial transcriptomics from matched tumor and non-tumor tissues. Results: We identified cfDNA-derived copy number alteration (CNA) signatures associated with post-transplant recurrence. By integrating cfDNA-derived CNA profiles with single-cell transcriptomic data, we traced recurrence-associated cfDNA to a distinct subpopulation of malignant cells within the primary tumor. These cells were embedded in a pro-metastatic microenvironment of specialized endothelial subtypes and cancer-associated fibroblasts. Notably, most recurrence-associated lesions were detectable in cfDNA prior to liver transplantation (LT). Building on these insights, we developed the ZJU Criteria based on CNA fragments and tumor markers, a pre-LT risk prediction tool that integrates conventional clinical factors with cfDNA-derived CNA signatures, and validated it using internal and independent external cohorts. Conclusion Our findings suggest that post-transplant recurrence commonly originates from advanced subclones that emerge late during tumor evolution. The ZJU Criteria provides an accurate, non-invasive strategy that significantly improves pre-LT risk stratification and clinical decision-making for patients with HCC.

With the deepening of population aging， the number of disabled and semi-disabled elderly individuals continues to increase， and the ethical care issues of mental health services for the disabled elderly are becoming increasingly prominent. When examining ethical issues， the concept of the “holistic view of traditional Chinese medicine” from ancient Chinese traditional culture was explored. While applying theories from the holistic view of traditional Chinese medicine， such as “the unity of form and spirit” and “the integration of form and spirit，” emphasis should be placed on the organic integration of psychology and physiology. The mental health status of the disabled elderly can be comprehensively improved by addressing both internal and external environmental factors. In response to the current situation of mental health services for the disabled elderly， ethical care should be provided for the mental health services of the disabled elderly， focusing on the value of subjectivity， difference， and continuity in ethical care， thereby improving the mental health status of the disabled elderly.

One of the basic questions in the aging field is whether there is a fundamental difference between the aging of lower invertebrates and mammals. A major difference between the lower invertebrates and mammals is the abundancy of noncoding RNAs, most of which are not conserved. We have previously identified a noncoding RNA Terc-53 that is derived from the RNA component of telomerase Terc. To study its physiological functions, we generated two transgenic mouse models overexpressing the RNA in wild-type and early-aging Terc-/- backgrounds. Terc-53 mice showed age-related cognition decline and shortened life span, even though no developmental defects or physiological abnormality at an early age was observed, indicating its involvement in normal aging of mammals. Subsequent mechanistic study identified hyaluronan-mediated motility receptor (Hmmr) as the main effector of Terc-53. Terc-53 mediates the degradation of Hmmr, leading to an increase of inflammation in the affected tissues, accelerating organismal aging. adeno-associated virus delivered supplementation of Hmmr in the hippocampus reversed the cognition decline in Terc-53 transgenic mice. Neither Terc-53 nor Hmmr has homologs in C. elegans. Neither do arthropods express hyaluronan. These findings demonstrate the complexity of aging in mammals and open new paths for exploring noncoding RNA and Hmmr as means of treating age-related physical debilities and improving healthspan.
Animals ; Mice ; RNA, Untranslated/metabolism* ; Aging/genetics* ; Mice, Transgenic ; Telomerase/metabolism* ; RNA/genetics* ; Hippocampus/metabolism* ; Humans ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

Objective To explore the correlation between serum inflammatory indicators and short-term prognosis in patients with single-segment lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion(LDH)treated by transforaminal endoscopic discectomy(TELD).Methods From January 2015 to June 2022,137 patients with single-segment LDH received TELD treatment.The levels of serum inflammatory factors such as C-reactive protein(CRP),white blood cell count(WBC),erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),and procalcitonin(PCT)of the patients before the operation and 3 days after the operation,as well as surgical data such as anesthesia methods,operation time,and blood loss were collected.The time for patients to resume work was collected,and the pain relief and functional recovery of the patients were evaluated by using the Visual Analogue Scale(VAS)and the Oswestry Disability Index(ODI).Pearson or Spearman rank correlation analysis was used to explore the correlations between demographic characteristics,inflammatory indicators,surgical data and short-term prognosis.Results The average time for patients to return to work was(3.55±2.13)months.There were statistically significant differences in the pain and functional scores at each time point compared with those at the previous time point(P＜0.05).The CRP,WBC and PCT of the patients after the operation were significantly increased compared with those before the operation,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).The levels of CRP and PCT in patients 3 days after surgery were significantly positively correlated with VAS 6 months after surgery.The duration of symptoms and the CRP level 3 days after surgery were significantly positively correlated with ODI 6 months after surgery.BMI was significantly positively correlated with the time to return to work(P＜0.05).Conclusion There is a certain correlation between the levels of serum inflammatory indicators in patients with single-segment LDH treated with TELD and the short-term prognosis.The increase of CRP and PCT 3 days after the operation may affect the rehabilitation process of the patients.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between the expression of hepatoma-derived growth factor (HDGF) and the prognosis of patients with oral cancer.Methods:Clinical data of 96 patients with oral cancer admitted to Nanjing Tongren Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University from March 2019 to January 2023 were retrospectively analyzed, and biopsy cancer tissue specimens and adjacent tissues >3 cm from the tumor margin of oral cancer patients were collected. The expression of HDGF in cancer tissues and adjacent tissues was compared, and the influence of HDGF expression on prognosis of patients was analyzed. The patients were followed up for 36 months to compare the survival rate of patients with HDGF-negative and HDGF-positive oral cancer during follow-up.Results:The positive expression rate of HDGF in oral cancer tissues [75.00%(72/96)] was higher than that in adjacent tissues [11.46%(11/96)] ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the positive expression rate of HDGF in oral cancer patients with different sex, age, body mass index (BMI), smoking and drinking conditions ( P>0.05). The positive expression rate of HDGF in oral cancer tissues of patients with tumor length ≥3 cm, clinical stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ, lymph node metastasis, low differentiation, and vascular invasion was higher than that of patients with tumor length <3 cm, clinical stageⅠ-Ⅱ, no lymph node metastasis, medium/high differentiation, and no vascular invasion (all P<0.05). Cox regression analysis showed that tumor length, periodontitis or pulpitis, smoking, clinical stage, lymph node metastasis, histological type and positive expression of HDGF were independent influencing factors for overall survival of patients with oral cancer (all P<0.05). By the end of follow-up, the overall survival rate of patients with positive expression of HDGF was 70.77%(46/65), and that of patients with negative expression of HDGF was 95.45%(21/22). The survival rate of patients with negative expression of HDGF was higher than that of patients with positive expression ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The expression of HDGF in oral cancer tissues is abnormally high, which is closely related to clinicopathological features and prognosis.

Objective: To investigate the vector control and prevention capability construction in county-level disease prevention and control institutions (CDCs) of Chongqing Municipality, so as to provide insights into the enhancement of vector control and prevention capability. Methods: Data on the establishment of vector control and prevention departments, staffing, laboratory construction, and self-evaluation of performance capability of 39 county-level CDCs in Chongqing Municipality were collected through questionnaire surveys in 2020 and 2023. The capability and changes of vector control and prevention in these CDCs were analyzed using descriptive methods. Results: Compare to 2020, the proportion of specialized vector control and prevention departments in county-level CDCs of Chongqing Municipality in 2023 increased from 10.26% to 17.95%. The number of staff engaged in vector control and prevention increased from 147 to 178. The proportions of full-time staff, permanent staff, and staff with relevant majors increased from 8.84%, 87.76% and 58.50% to 14.61%, 90.45% and 60.67%, respectively. The average laboratory areas increased from 14.49 m2 to 49.32 m2. The coverage rates of the laboratories for classification, identification and specimen storage and the laboratories for resistance determination increased from 20.51% to 61.54% and 43.59%. The coverage rates of the laboratories for the efficacy test of hygienic insecticides, the laboratories for the efficacy test of rodenticides in rooms, and the laboratories for etiology increased from 0 to 15.38%, 15.38% and 20.51%, respectively (all P<0.05). All county-level CDCs had the capabilities of population survey and density monitoring. The proportions of those with the capabilities of organizing prevention and control training, evaluating the effectiveness of vector control and prevention, and detecting pathogens carried by vectors increased from 46.15%, 30.77% and 0 to 69.23%, 53.85% and 38.46%, respectively (all P<0.05). Conclusions The set up of professional departments for vector control and prevention, the number of staff, the laboratory coverage rate, and the proportion of those with the performance capabilty in county-level CDCs in Chongqing Municipality were improved. However, it is necessary to strengthen the construction of the professional teams for vector control and prevention, and fully realize the laboratory function.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on improving motor function and regulating microglial activation based on Notch receptor 1 (Notch1)/Hes family bHLH transcription factor 1 (Hes1) pathway in mice with Parkinson's disease (PD). METHODS: Thirty-six male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into a control group, a model group and an EA group, 12 mice in each group. PD model was established by intraperitoneal injection of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) for 7 consecutive days in the model group and the EA group. From the 1st day of modeling, EA was applied at "Baihui" (GV20) and bilateral "Shenshu" (BL23) in the EA group, with continuous wave, in frequency of 2 Hz and current of 2 mA, 15 min a time, once a day for 14 days continuously. The behavioral performance was evaluated by gait test, pole climbing test and hanging test, the number of positive cells of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and the co-expression positive cells of Notch1/ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba-1) in the substantia nigra of midbrain was assessed by immunofluorescence, the protein expression of TH, α-synuclein (α-syn), Notch1, Hes1, Iba-1, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), Arginase-1 (ARG1), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 was detected by Western blot, the mRNA expression of Notch1 and Hes1 was detected by real-time PCR. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, in the model group, the stride frequency was accelerated (P<0.001) and the stride length was shortened (P<0.001) for the four limbs, the pole climbing test time was prolonged (P<0.01) and the grip level was reduced (P<0.01); in the substantia nigra of midbrain, the number of positive cells of TH was decreased (P<0.001), the number of co-expression positive cells of Notch1/Iba-1 was increased (P<0.001), the protein expression of α-syn, Notch1, Hes1, Iba-1, iNOS, TNF-α, IL-1βand IL-6 was increased (P<0.01, P<0.05, P<0.001), the protein expression of TH, ARG1 and IL-10 was decreased (P<0.01, P<0.001), the mRNA expression of Notch1 and Hes1 was increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, in the EA group, the stride frequency was decelerated (P<0.001) and the stride length was increased (P<0.05, P<0.01, P<0.001) for the four limbs, the pole climbing test time was shortened (P<0.05) and the grip level was increased (P<0.05); in the substantia nigra of midbrain, the number of positive cells of TH was increased (P<0.01), the number of co-expression positive cells of Notch1/Iba-1 was decreased (P<0.001), the protein expression of α-syn, Notch1, Hes1, Iba-1, iNOS, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β was decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), the protein expression of TH, ARG1 and IL-10 was increased (P<0.05, P<0.001, P<0.01), the mRNA expression of Notch1 and Hes1 was decreased (P<0.05). CONCLUSION EA can improve the behavioral performance and protect the dopaminergic neurons in PD mice, its mechanism may relate to the inhibition of Notch1/Hes1-mediated neuroinflammation, thus inhibiting the microglial activation.
Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Microglia/metabolism* ; Male ; Receptor, Notch1/metabolism* ; Parkinson Disease/physiopathology* ; Transcription Factor HES-1/metabolism* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Humans ; Signal Transduction

Objective:To analyze the association between inflammation-related dietary patterns and the risk for cognitive impairment in older adults aged ≥65 years in longevity areas in China by using reduced rank regression (RRR) analysis.Methods:This study used cross-sectional data from the 2021 Healthy Aging and Biomarkers Cohort Study, including the information about study participants' demographic characteristics, lifestyles, daily life activities, and disease histories. Dietary intake was obtained by using a simplified food frequency questionnaire. Cognitive impairment was evaluated based on the Mini-Mental State Examination Scale combined with years of education. Fasting venous blood samples were collected to detect inflammatory markers, especially high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR). RRR analysis was used to obtain inflammation-related dietary patterns using hs-CRP and PLR as response variables. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between dietary pattern score and the risk for cognitive impairment. Restricted cubic spline was used to explore the dose response relationship, and mediation analysis was used to quantify the mediating effects of hs-CRP and PLR.Results:Two dietary patterns were identified with RRR. The primary pattern was characterized by higher intakes of flour, red meat, and dairy products, and lower intake of fresh vegetables, explaining 6.84% of the variance in food intake and 0.50% of the variance in inflammatory markers. Compared with the T1 group, the T3 group had significantly higher risk for cognitive impairment ( OR=1.242, 95% CI: 1.034-1.491). Each one standard deviation increase in the dietary pattern score was associated with an 8.7% increase in the risk for cognitive impairment ( OR=1.087, 95% CI: 1.008-1.172), with a significant linear trend (overall-model P<0.001, non-linear P=0.295). Mediation analysis indicated that hs-CRP mediated 6.2% of the association between the dietary pattern and the risk for cognitive impairment. Conclusion:The inflammation- related dietary pattern characterized by higher consumption of flour, red meat, and dairy products and lower consumption of fresh vegetables is associated with an increased risk for cognitive impairment in older adults, and hs-CRP partially mediates this association.