ObjectiveTo characterize the quality differences among different germplasm and introduced varieties of Bupleurum scorzonerifolium roots（BSR）， and explore the underlying molecular mechanisms， providing a basis for high-quality production and quality control. MethodsWild BSR from Yulin（YLW） served as the quality reference， we conducted comparative analysis among YLW， locally domesticated wild germplasm in Yulin（YLC3）， Daqing germplasm introduced and cultivated in Yulin（YLDQC3）， and locally cultivated germplasm in Daqing（DQC3）. A combination of traditional pharmacognostic methods and modern multi-omics analyses was employed， including macroscopic traits（appearance， odor）， microscopic features（proportions of cork， phloem， xylem）， cell wall component contents（hemicellulose， cellulose， lignin）， carbohydrate contents（starch， water-soluble polysaccharides）， marker compound contents（ethanol-soluble extracts， total saponins， liposoluble extracts， and saikosaponins A， B₂， C， D）， metabolomics， and transcriptomics， in order to systematically characterize quality differences and investigate molecular mechanisms among these samples. ResultsMacroscopically， Yulin-produced BSR（YLW， YLC3， YLDQC3） exhibited significantly greater weight， length， and upper and middle diameters than Daqing-produced BSR（DQC3）. Odor-wise， YLW and YLC3 had a a fragrance taste， YLDQC3 had a rancid oil odor， and DQC3 had a sweet and fragrant taste. Microscopically， Yulin germplasm（YLW， YLC3） and Daqing germplasm（YLDQC3， DQC3） shared similar structural features， respectively. However， Yulin germplasm showed significantly higher proportions of cork and phloem， as well as stronger xylem vessel staining intensity compared to Daqing germplasm. Regarding various component contents， Yulin germplasm contained significantly higher levels of ethanol-soluble extracts， total saponins， and saikosaponins A， B₂， C， D， while Daqing germplasm had significantly higher levels of hemicellulose， starch， and liposoluble extracts. After introduction to Yulin， the Daqing germplasm（YLDQC3） showed increased starch， water-soluble polysaccharides and liposoluble extracts contents， decreased cell wall component content， but no significant difference in other component contents. Metabolomics revealed that saponins and terpenes accumulated significantly in Yulin germplasm， while alcohols and aldehydes accumulated predominantly in Daqing germplasm. Transcriptomics indicated similar gene expression patterns within the same germplasm but specificity between different germplasms. Integrative metabolomic-transcriptomic analysis identified 145 potential key genes associated with the saikosaponin biosynthesis pathway， including one acetyl-coenzyme A（CoA） acetyltransferase gene（ACAT）， one 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A synthase gene（HMGS）， two hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA（HMG-CoA） reductase genes（HMG）， one phosphomevalonate kinase gene（PMK）， one 1-deoxy-D-xylose-5-phosphate synthase gene（CLA）， one hydroxymethylbuten-1-aldol synthase gene（HDR）， two farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase genes（FPPS）， one squalene synthase gene（SQS）， one β-amyrin synthase gene（BAS）， 102 cytochrome P450（CYP450） gene family members， and 32 uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase（UGT） gene family members. ConclusionAmong the three cultivated types， YLC3 most closely resembles YLW in appearance， microscopic features， contents of major bioactive constituents， metabolomic and transcriptomic profiles. Yulin germplasm exhibits superior saponin synthesis capability compared to Daqing germplasm， and Yulin region is more suitable for the growth of B. scorzonerifolium. Based on these findings， it is recommended that artificial cultivation in northern Shaanxi and similar regions utilize the local Yulin germplasm source cultivated for at least three years.

ObjectiveBased on the traditional quality evaluation methods summarized in previous dynasties， this paper systematically contrasted the quality differences between wild Polygalae Radix（WPR） and cultivated Polygalae Radix（CPR） from the aspects of character， microscope and chemical composition by modern scientific and technological means， providing a basis for high-quality production and quality control. MethodsCPR and local WPR in Yulin city， Shaanxi province from 1 to 6 years were collected， and a systematic comparative analysis was conducted using traditional pharmacognosy research methods combined with modern multi-omics analysis techniques， including character traits（length， weight， diameter）， cross-sectional microscopic features（proportions of cork， phloem， xylem， etc）， cell wall component content（hemicellulose， cellulose， lignin）， extracts content（water-soluble extract and alcohol-soluble extract）， carbohydrate content（starch， water-soluble polysaccharides）， contents of total flavonoids， total saponins and specific marker compounds（3，6′-disinapoyl sucrose， polygalaxanthone Ⅲ， tenuifoliside A， tenuifoliside C， sibiricose A₅ and A₆） and other indexes. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry（UPLC-Q-TOF-MS） was employed to conduct comparative analysis of secondary metabolites in WPR and CPR， and multivariate statistical analysis such as principal component analysis（PCA） and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis（OPLS-DA） were combined to screen the key differential components of them. ResultsIn terms of appearance， there were significant differences between WPR and CPR. The characteristics of WPR conformed to the "thick wrinkles on the epidermis" recorded in ancient books， featuring a wrinkled surface and grayish-brown appearance. However， CPR had a finer texture and a yellowish white appearance， with weight， length， and diameter increasing with longer cultivation periods. In terms of microscopy， WPR exhibited a thick cork layer with fissures in the phloem， whereas CPR had a thinner cork layer with uniformly arranged cork cells. Younger PR specimens showed numerous phloem fissures in cross-sections， while older specimens display progressively denser arrangements of phloem parenchyma cells. In terms of the contents of various major components， the contents of water-soluble extract， starch and total saponins in WPR were inversely proportional to the root diameter， while the contents of water-soluble extract， water-soluble polysaccharides and total saponins in CPR decreased with the increase of planting years. The content of xanthones in WPR was significantly higher than that of CPR， while the contents of other major components showed no significant change pattern. Among the six indicator components， the average content of sibiricose A₅ in WPR was significantly higher than that of CPR， followed by slightly higher content of tenuifoliside A. In CPR， the relative content of 3，6′-disinapoyl sucrose and tenuifoliside A was the highest. The former showed an increase in volatility with increasing cultivation years， while the latter showed a decrease in volatility. The results of differential compound analysis based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS showed that there were significant differences in metabolites between WPR and CPR samples. Among them， the seven compounds with the largest differences among WPR samples of different thicknesses were polygalasaponins， and for CPR with different planting years， the main differential compounds were oligosaccharide esters. ConclusionThere are differences between WPR and CPR in character， microscopic structure and chemical composition， and some components are inversely proportional with the increase of diameter and cultivation duration due to the distribution characteristics. However， the longer the cultivation years of PR， the closer it is to the "thick wrinkles on the epidermis" of WPR， which has been respected by generations. It is suggested that this traditional character combined with modern component contents should be used as the index of artificial cultivation and quality control of PR.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of ultrasound-guided acupuncture at myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) on treating post-stroke foot drop. METHODS: Sixty patients with post-stroke foot drop were randomly assigned to an observation group 1 (20 cases, 1 case dropped out), an observation group 2 (20 cases, 2 casses dropped out), and a control group (20 cases). The control group received conventional acupuncture at Yanglingquan (GB34), Jiexi (ST41), Taichong (LR3), Zusanli (ST36), Xuanzhong (GB39), and Qiuxu (GB40) on the affected side, once daily. In addition to the treatment of the control group , the observation group 1 received acupuncture at the tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius MTrPs, once every other day, while the observation group 2 received ultrasound-guided acupuncture at the tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius MTrPs, once every other day. All groups were treated for two weeks. Three-dimensional gait analysis was performed using an infrared motion capture system, and the Holden walking scale was used to evaluate walking ability before and after treatment in the three groups. RESULTS: Compared before treatment, the patients in the observation groups 1 and 2 showed increased walking speed (P<0.05, P<0.01), and improved Holden walking scale grades (P<0.05, P<0.01) after treatment; the patients in the observation group 2 also showed increased ankle dorsiflexion angles (P<0.05). The walking speeds of the observation groups 1 and 2 were faster than those of the control group after treatment (P<0.05), the Holden walking scale grade in the observation group 2 was superior to that in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION The ultrasound-guided acupuncture at MTrPs could effectively improve gait function in post-stroke foot drop patients.
Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Stroke/physiopathology* ; Aged ; Trigger Points/physiopathology* ; Gait ; Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Ultrasonography ; Treatment Outcome ; Gait Disorders, Neurologic/etiology*

Objective To assess the technical levels of computed tomography (CT) quality control testing capabilities among radiological health technology service institutions in Hubei Province, China. Methods Ten radiological health technology service institutions in Hubei Province were organized to participate in an inter-institutional capability comparison of selected indicators in CT quality control testing with reference to the Specification for testing of quality control in X-ray computed tomography (WS 519—2019). The robust Z-score method was employed to evaluate the results of the capability comparison data from the ten institutions. Results Six institutions achieved a "satisfactory" rating in all assessed indicators, with a satisfaction rate of 60%. Indicators rated as "unsatisfactory" or "questionable" included "positioning light accuracy", "uniformity", "noise", and "high-contrast resolution". Conclusion The CT quality control testing capabilities of some radiological health technology service institutions in Hubei Province require further enhancement. Improved training and education for testing personnel are recommended.

BACKGROUND:The traditional method for treating infected bone defects is thorough debridement,filling with antibiotic-impregnated bone cement,and then autologous bone transplantation.However,there are problems such as insufficient antibiotic concentration and drug resistance,and limited bone mass.Therefore,it is of great clinical significance to seek dual-functional biomaterials that can locally release antibiotics at the site of infection and promote bone repair.OBJECTIVE:To design an injectable hydrogel composed of hyaluronic acid and oxidized dextran as a local delivery system for vancomycin to treat infection and promote bone regeneration.METHODS:(1)Vancomycin-loaded hyaluronic acid/oxidized dextran hydrogels were prepared to characterize the morphology,mechanical properties,and in vitro drug release of the hydrogels.(2)Hyaluronic acid/oxidized dextran hydrogels and vancomycin-loaded hyaluronic acid/oxidized dextran hydrogels were co-cultured with rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.Cell activity and proliferation were detected by live-dead staining and CCK-8 assay.After osteogenic induction,alkaline phosphatase staining,alizarin red staining,RUNX2 immunofluorescence staining,and RT-qPCR detection(osteocalcin and bone morphogenetic protein 2 mRNA expression)were performed to evaluate the osteogenic differentiation of rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.(3)The above two hydrogels were co-cultured with Escherichia coli(or Staphylococcus aureus)to detect the antibacterial ability of the hydrogels.(4)Thirty rabbits were selected to establish a 1.5 cm infected bone defect model in the middle of the left radius.Two weeks after modeling,they were randomly divided into three intervention groups:the blank group(n=10)did not receive any treatment;the control group(n=10)was injected with hyaluronic acid/oxidized dextran hydrogel at the bone defect site;the experimental group(n=10)was injected with vancomycin-loaded hyaluronic acid/oxidized dextran hydrogel at the bone defect site.12 weeks after injection,the samples were collected for Micro-CT scanning,tissue morphology observation,RT-qPCR detection(tumor necrosis factor α,interleukin 6 mRNA expression),and immunohistochemical staining.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Vancomycin-loaded hyaluronic acid/oxidized dextran hydrogel had a good porous structure with a pore size between 100-300 μm,and had good mechanical properties and in vitro drug sustained release performance.(2)Live-dead staining and CCK-8 assay results confirmed that vancomycin-loaded hyaluronic acid/oxidized dextran hydrogel had good biocompatibility.Alkaline phosphatase staining,alizarin red staining,RUNX2 immunofluorescence staining,and RT-qPCR test results showed that both hydrogels could promote osteogenic differentiation of rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.(3)Compared with hyaluronic acid/oxidized dextran hydrogel,vancomycin-loaded hyaluronic acid/oxidized dextran hydrogel could significantly inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.(4)Micro-CT scanning results showed that the bone volume fraction and bone density of new bone in the bone defect area of the experimental group were higher than those of the blank group and the control group(P＜0.05).The bone tissue morphology observation results showed that the experimental group had better repair effect of bone defects compared with the blank group and control group.The expression of tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 6 mRNA in the bone defect site in the experimental group was lower than that in the blank group and control group(P＜0.05).Immunohistochemical staining showed that the protein expressions of osteocalcin and RUNX2 at the site of bone defects in the experimental group and control group were higher than those in the blank group(P＜0.05).These findings indicate that vancomycin-loaded hyaluronic acid/oxidized dextran hydrogel can effectively promote bone regeneration under infection.

Objective:To investigate the effect of short-term intensive insulin pump therapy on blood glucose control and renal function in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD).Methods:The clinical data of 360 T2DM patients with DKD in Shanxi Bethune Hospital from January 2022 to October 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. These patients were divided into an observation group ( n=192; treated with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion) and a control group ( n=168; treated with conventional hypoglycemic therapy) according to the different treatment modalities; subsequently, 103 pairs of patients entered final analysis by using the propensity score matching method. The differences in glycemic control and improvement of renal function were compared between these two groups. Results:Before the treatment, the blood glucose-, blood glucose fluctuation-, and kidney function-related indicators showed no significant differences between these two groups (all P>0.05). After the treatment, fasting blood glucose, two-hour postprandial blood glucose, and average blood glucose significantly decreased in both groups and were significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group (all P<0.05). In addition, the amplitude of postprandial blood glucose fluctuation, standard deviation of intraday multi-point blood glucose, and difference between the maximum and minimum intraday blood glucose values significantly declined after treatment and were also significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group (all P<0.05). The observation group had a significantly higher total glycemic control rate and a significantly lowr incidence of hypoglycemia (both P<0.05). Finally, the 24-hour urine protein level, serum creatinine level, and urine albumin/creatinine ratio of the observation group significantly dropped after the treatment, and these results were significantly lower than those in the observation group (all P<0.05). Conclusions:Intensive insulin pump therapy benefits T2DM patients with DKD by improving glycemic control and enhancing renal function.

Objective To explore the function of electroacupuncture(EA)on body mass,fasting blood glucose,heat pain threshold,and transient receptor potential vanilloid 4(TRPV4)in the dorsal root ganglia(DRG)of rats with diabetic neuropathic pain(DNP).Methods A DNP rat model was formed by intraperitoneally injecting the animals with STZ.From days 15 to 21,bilateral Zusanli and Kunlun points of the DNP rat model were treated with electroacupuncture once daily for 30 min.We then measured their body mass,fasting blood glucose,and heat pain threshold.The co-expression of TRPV4 and NeuN in the rat L4～L6 DRG was detected by immunofluorescence.The effects of the TRPV4 agonist GSK1016790A on body mass,fasting blood glucose,and the heat pain threshold of DNP rats treated with electroacupuncture were detected.Results After the 7th day,body mass was significantly decreased(P<0.01)and fasting glucose was significantly increased(P<0.01)in the model group compared with the normal group.After the 21st day,compared with the model group,heat pain threshold of the model+electroacupuncture group was significantly higher(P<0.01);the results of co-expression of TRPV4 and NeuN immunofluorescence on rat L4～L6 DRG showed that:the expression of positive cells in the model group was significantly higher(P<0.01)than that in the normal group,the co-expression of TRPV4 and NeuN positive cells in L4～L6 DRG of rats in the model+electroacupuncture group was significantly lower(P<0.01)than that in the model group.The TRPV4 agonist GSK1016790A can reverse the downregulation of thermal pain threshold induced by electroacupuncture in DNP rats(P<0.01).Conclusion Electroacupuncture alleviated the DNP induced by STZ,and its mechanism may involve the inhibition of TRPV4 protein expression in the DRG.

Objective:To explore the impact of the interaction between alcohol consumption and overweight/obesity on the risk of hypertension.Methods:It was a cross-sectional study, and convenient sampling was used to enroll physical examination participants aged 18-60 years from the Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University and Luzhou People′s Hospital from June to November in 2020. All the participants were given questionnaire survey, physical examination and biochemical tests. A total of 5 000 questionnaires were distributed in the study, and 4 878 questionnaires were collected, of which 4 397 (90.14%) were valid. According to the diagnostic criteria for hypertension, the study participants were divided into hypertension group (1 128 cases) and non-hypertension group (3 269 cases), and t-test and chi-square test were used to compare the differences in gender, age, and other data between the two groups; and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the association of alcohol consumption, overweight/obesity with the risk of hypertension and the interaction between alcohol consumption and overweight/obesity on the risk of hypertension, and relative excess risk of interaction, attributable proportion of interaction and the synergy index were used to evaluate the impact of the interaction between alcohol consumption and overweight/obesity on the risk of hypertension. Results:Among the 4 397 individuals included in the analysis, 3 116 were male and 1 281 were female, with a mean age of (42.42±8.83) years. The detection rate of hypertension was 25.7% (1 128/4 397). The risk of hypertension in overweight/obese individuals was 2.566 times ( OR=2.566, 95% CI: 2.167-3.038) higher than that of non-overweight/obese individuals, and the risk of hypertension in alcohol consumption individuals was 1.486 times ( OR=1.486, 95% CI: 1.250-1.766) higher than that of non-drinkers. The risk of hypertension in drinking+non-overweight/obesity group, non-drinking+overweight/obesity group, and drinking+overweight/obesity group was 1.468 times ( OR=1.468, 95% CI: 1.112-1.936), 2.538 times ( OR=2.538, 95% CI: 1.968-3.272), and 3.796 times ( OR=3.796, 95% CI: 2.963-4.863) higher than that of non-drinking+non-overweight/obesity group, respectively (all P<0.05). Alcohol consumption and overweight/obesity had an additive interaction effect on the risk of hypertension, and the relative excess risk of interaction, attributable proportion of interaction and the synergy index was 0.791 (95% CI: 0.158-1.424), 0.208 (95% CI: 0.049-0.368), 1.394 (95% CI: 1.030-1.888), respectively. There was no significant multiplicative interaction between alcohol consumption and overweight/obesity on the risk of hypertension ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Alcohol consumption and overweight/obesity are both associated higher risk of hypertension. In addition, there is an additive interaction between alcohol consumption and overweight/obesity on the risk of hypertension.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 1 (PTPN1) gene polymorphism and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).Methods:In this case-control study, 4 835 pregnant women who delivered from March, 2012 to July, 2014 in the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University were consecutively enrolled. Among them, 789 cases were diagnosed with GDM. A simple random sampling method was used to select 334 pregnant women with GDM as the case group, and 334 healthy pregnant women matched by maternal age, gestation time and residence were set as control. The DNA genotyping was performed in the subjects, and those with genotyping deletions10% were excluded; and finally, 322 and 317 subjects were included in case and control group, respectively. Under the codominant, dominant, recessive, and allelic genetic models, the unconditional logistic regression model was used to check the relationship between 13 candidate single nucleotide polymorphism (snp) loci in PTPN1 gene and the risk of GDM. The Haploview was used to analyze the relationship between haplotypes and risk of GDM, and multiple comparisons were adjusted with the false discovery rate (FDR) method.Results:The age of the 639 pregnant women analyzed in this study was (30.28±4.32) years. The proportions of pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI)≥24.0 kg/m 2 and having a family history of diabetes were significantly higher in the GDM group compared to those in the control group (29.19% vs 16.72% and 13.04% vs 6.31%, respectively, both P0.05). The rs6096644 locus was positively associated with increased risk of GDM in co-dominant (GG vs AA, OR=2.76, 95% CI: 1.18-6.44) and recessive (GG vs AA+AG, OR=2.78, 95% CI: 1.20-6.46) genetic models (all q0.2). The rs6096655 locus was positively associated with increased risk of GDM in codominant (AA vs GG, OR=5.90, 95% CI: 1.27-27.36) and recessive (AA vs GG+GA, OR=5.50, 95% CI: 1.19-25.38) and alleles (A vs G, OR=1.51, 95% CI: 1.09-2.08) genetic models (all q0.2). The rs6013317 locus was associated with an increased risk of GDM in the allele (A vs G, OR=1.74, 95% CI: 1.15-2.63) genetic model (all q0.2). The GAGG haplotype and GGAG haplotype in haplotype block 1 (rs4811262, rs6096646, rs6096655, rs6013317), and the GGGA haplotype in haplotype block 2 (rs6068018, rs6123105, rs6013324, rs2869621) of the PTPN1 gene were all positively associated with an increased risk of GDM (all P0.05). Conclusion:PTPN1 gene polymorphisms may associated with risk of GDM, moreover, complex haplotype structures within the gene influence the risk of GDM.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang (BZYQT) combined with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) on lower limb deep vein thrombosis (DVT) after fracture fixation in aged rabbits.Methods:Thirty-two elderly New Zealand rabbits of either sex, aged 36 months, weighing 3.5-4.0 kg, were divided into 4 groups ( n=8 each) using the random number table method: control group (C group), fracture fixation group (F group), low molecular weight heparin group (L group) and BZYQT combined with LMWH group (BL group). A model of fixation surgery for right femoral shaft fracture was established in anesthetized rabbits in F, L and BL groups. Starting from postoperative day 1, BL group received BZYQT at 3.6 ml/kg via gavage, F and L groups received normal saline at 3.6 ml/kg via gavage, L and BL groups received subcutaneous injection of LMWH at 200 IU/kg, and all the administrations were performed daily at 08: 00 for 7 consecutive days. On postoperative day 7, ultrasound examination was performed to assess lower limb DVT. Blood samples were collected from the marginal ear vein for determination of the serum concentrations of cortisol (COR), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Femoral vein specimens were obtained under anesthesia for microscopic examination of the pathological changes of the femoral vein lumen and endothelial tissues (by HE staining) and of the morphology of vascular endothelial cells (by the transmission electron microscopy). Results:Compared with C group, the concentrations of serum COR, TNF-α, IL-6 and ET-1 were significantly increased in F, L and BL groups, and the incidence of lower limb DVT within 7 days after surgery was significantly increased in F and L groups ( P<0.05). Compared with F group, the incidence of lower limb DVT within 7 days after surgery was significantly decreased in L and BL groups, and the concentrations of serum COR, TNF-α, IL-6 and ET-1 were significantly decreased ( P<0.05), and the pathological damage was significantly reduced in BL group. Compared with L group, the incidence of lower limb DVT and concentration of IL-6 were significantly decreased ( P<0.05), and pathological damage was significantly alleviated in BL group. Conclusions:BZYQT combined with LMWH can prevent the occurrence of lower limb DVT after fracture fixation in aged rabbits.