ObjectiveTo comprehensively identify the O-methyltransferase （OMT） genes in Carthamus tinctorius and explore the key OMTs that can catalyze the methylation of flavonoids， providing a basis for understanding the molecular formation mechanism of the structural diversity of flavonoids in C. tinctorius. MethodsThe hidden Markov model was used to systematically identify the type Ⅰ OMTs from the high-quality genome data of C. tinctorius. A suite of bioinformatics tools was employed to systematically analyze the physicochemical properties， gene structure， conserved motifs， chromosomal localization， gene replication events， and collinearity of the identified genes. The target gene was heterologously expressed through the prokaryotic expression system of E. coli， and the protein function was verified by in vitro enzymatic reactions. ResultsA total of 31 type Ⅰ OMTs were identified. CtFOMT1 was successfully cloned and expressed in a soluble form in Escherichia coli. The recombinant protein was purified via Ni²⁺ affinity chromatography to obtain a high-concentration preparation. In vitro enzymatic assays demonstrated that CtFOMT1 utilized S-adenosylmethionine as the methyl donor to catalyze the methylation of the 4′-OH of naringenin， resulting in the production of isosakuranetin. A similar process occurred with the 4′-OH of luteolin， leading to the formation of diosmetin. Subsequent methylation of the 3′-OH group of diosmetin generated 4′-methylchrysoeriol. ConclusionCtFOMT1 can catalyze the methylation of 4′-/3′-OH in the flavonoid skeleton. It is hypothesized that CtFOMT1 may play a role in the biosynthesis of various 4′-/3′-oxymethyl flavonoids in C. tinctorius.

ObjectiveTo assess the therapeutic effectiveness and safety of the traditional Chinese medicine compound Shenlong decoction in addressing the symptoms of pulmonary deficiency and stasis in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis （IPF）. MethodsSixty eligible patients with lung deficiency and collateral stasis syndrome of IPF were randomly assigned to the observation （30 patients） and control groups （30 patients）. All patients underwent standard Western medical therapy. Additionally，the observation group received Shenlong decoction granules，while the control group received a placebo. Both treatments were packaged in four doses of 10.5 g each，taken twice daily for three months. The indexes of the patients during the treatment cycle were observed，and the main indexes include traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome scores and 6 min walk test （6MWT）. The secondary indexes include pulmonary function test ［actual value/expected value of total lung volume （TLC%），actual value/expected value of vital capacity（FVC%），actual/predicted diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide（DLCO%），actual/predicted forced expiratory volume in one second （FEV₁%），and FEV₁/ forced vital capacity （FVC）］，blood gas analysis ［arterial blood diathesis partial pressure of oxygen （PaO₂），partial pressure of carbon dioxide （PaCO₂），and arterial oxygen saturation （SaO₂）］，serum inflammatory factors ［transforming growth factor-β₁ （TGF-β₁），interleukin-4 （IL-4），interleukin-13 （IL-13），interleukin-12 （IL-12），and gamma-interferon （IFN-γ）］，and quality of survival evaluation ［St George's Respiratory Questionnaire （SGRQ） score］. The patients' clinical manifestations were determined at the end of the treatment， and the occurrence of adverse events was recorded. ResultsA total of 53 patients completed the study，comprising 27 in the control group and 26 in the observation group. Upon completion of the treatment period，the control group achieved a total effective rate of 33.33% （9/27），whereas the observation group demonstrated a total effective rate of 53.85% （14/26），which was statistically superior to the control group （χ²=4.034，P<0.05）. After the treatment，the TCM syndrome scores，6MWT，DLCO%，FEV₁%，PaO₂，PaCO₂，TGF-β₁，IL-4，IL-13，IL-12，and IFN-γ in the two groups were all significantly improved （P<0.01）. Compared with those in the control group after treatment at the same period，the TCM syndrome scores，6MWT，PaO₂，and PaCO₂ were significantly improved in the observation group after 60 days and 90 days of medication （P<0.01）. Three months after the end of medication，the SGRQ score in the observation group showed significant improvement when compared to that in the control group （P<0.05），and no severe adverse events were reported during the follow-up period. ConclusionCompound Shenlong decoction can alleviate clinical symptoms such as shortness of breath and wheezing in patients with lung deficiency and collateral stasis syndrome of IPF，enhance exercise tolerance，improve the quality of life，and have certain potential advantages in improving pulmonary function.

ObjectiveTo assess the therapeutic effectiveness and safety of the traditional Chinese medicine compound Shenlong decoction in addressing the symptoms of pulmonary deficiency and stasis in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis （IPF）. MethodsSixty eligible patients with lung deficiency and collateral stasis syndrome of IPF were randomly assigned to the observation （30 patients） and control groups （30 patients）. All patients underwent standard Western medical therapy. Additionally，the observation group received Shenlong decoction granules，while the control group received a placebo. Both treatments were packaged in four doses of 10.5 g each，taken twice daily for three months. The indexes of the patients during the treatment cycle were observed，and the main indexes include traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome scores and 6 min walk test （6MWT）. The secondary indexes include pulmonary function test ［actual value/expected value of total lung volume （TLC%），actual value/expected value of vital capacity（FVC%），actual/predicted diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide（DLCO%），actual/predicted forced expiratory volume in one second （FEV₁%），and FEV₁/ forced vital capacity （FVC）］，blood gas analysis ［arterial blood diathesis partial pressure of oxygen （PaO₂），partial pressure of carbon dioxide （PaCO₂），and arterial oxygen saturation （SaO₂）］，serum inflammatory factors ［transforming growth factor-β₁ （TGF-β₁），interleukin-4 （IL-4），interleukin-13 （IL-13），interleukin-12 （IL-12），and gamma-interferon （IFN-γ）］，and quality of survival evaluation ［St George's Respiratory Questionnaire （SGRQ） score］. The patients' clinical manifestations were determined at the end of the treatment， and the occurrence of adverse events was recorded. ResultsA total of 53 patients completed the study，comprising 27 in the control group and 26 in the observation group. Upon completion of the treatment period，the control group achieved a total effective rate of 33.33% （9/27），whereas the observation group demonstrated a total effective rate of 53.85% （14/26），which was statistically superior to the control group （χ²=4.034，P<0.05）. After the treatment，the TCM syndrome scores，6MWT，DLCO%，FEV₁%，PaO₂，PaCO₂，TGF-β₁，IL-4，IL-13，IL-12，and IFN-γ in the two groups were all significantly improved （P<0.01）. Compared with those in the control group after treatment at the same period，the TCM syndrome scores，6MWT，PaO₂，and PaCO₂ were significantly improved in the observation group after 60 days and 90 days of medication （P<0.01）. Three months after the end of medication，the SGRQ score in the observation group showed significant improvement when compared to that in the control group （P<0.05），and no severe adverse events were reported during the follow-up period. ConclusionCompound Shenlong decoction can alleviate clinical symptoms such as shortness of breath and wheezing in patients with lung deficiency and collateral stasis syndrome of IPF，enhance exercise tolerance，improve the quality of life，and have certain potential advantages in improving pulmonary function.

Objective:To analyze the risk factors for atrial high-rate episodes (AHRE) following cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and construct a predictive model for the occurrence of AHRE.Methods:This was a case-control study. Patients who received CRT treatment for heart failure in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Military Medical University from January 2017 to December 2020 were selected and divided into AHRE group and non-AHRE group according to whether AHRE occurred during the follow-up period. Baseline clinical data were collected. Patients were followed up regularly after CRT or cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D) implantation until August 31, 2022. Logistic regression model was used to analyze the factors influencing the occurrence of AHRE in patients with heart failure treated with CRT, and a nomogram prediction model was established. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the nomogram model, and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test was used to evaluate the consistency of the prediction model.Results:A total of 198 patients, aged (62±8) years, 138 (69.7%) males, were enrolled, of whom 52 (26.3%) patients developed AHRE (AHRE group) and 146 (73.7%) had no AHRE (non-AHRE group) during the follow-up period. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age, coronary heart disease, C-reactive protein, left atrial volume, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were independent influencing factors of heart failure patients developing AHRE after CRT surgery (all P<0.05). A nomogram prediction model was constructed by combining 5 indicators: age, coronary heart disease, C-reactive protein, left atrial volume, and LVEF. In this model, a score of 4 was assigned for age ≥65 years, 4 for coronary heart disease, 4 for C-reactive protein ≥10 ng/ml, 20 for left atrial volume ≥35 ml, and 5 for LVEF ≤30%. The total score was obtained by accumulating the scores of each indicator, and the probability of heart failure patients developing AHRE after CRT surgery was predicted based on the total score. The area under the curve of the nomogram prediction model constructed in this study for predicting AHRE in heart failure patients after CRT surgery was 0.830 (95% CI: 0.795-0.866). The incidence of AHRE predicted by the model was basically consistent with the actual incidence of AHRE. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test indicated a good calibration of the model ( χ2=6.32, P=0.612). Conclusions:Age, coronary heart disease, C-reactive protein, left atrial volume, and LVEF are all independent risk factors for AHRE after CRT treatment. The nomogram prediction model based on the above factors can effectively predict the risk of AHRE in patients with heart failure after CRT, and the ROC curve and consistency test both show good prediction efficiency and consistency.

This consensus was developed by the Orthodontic Society of the Chinese Stomatological Association to provide a systematic, scientific, and practical guideline for informed consent in orthodontic care. Orthodontic treatment is typically lengthy, highly individualized, and involves multiple factors such as growth and development, occlusal function, and facial esthetics. Rapid technological advances and diverse risk profiles make the traditional reliance on orthodontist experience or institutional templates insufficient to ensure patients′ full understanding and autonomous decision-making. To address this, the expert panel conducted extensive reviews of domestic and international guidelines, analyzed representative dispute cases, and performed multicenter patient-clinician surveys. Using a multi-round Delphi method, the group established a standardized informed consent framework covering the initial consultation, treatment, and retention phases. The consensus emphasizes that informed consent is not only a fundamental legal and ethical requirement but also a key step in building trust, improving patient compliance, and enhancing treatment satisfaction. Orthodontists should clearly and comprehensively explain treatment plans, potential risks, uncertainties, and associated costs, while respecting the autonomy of patients or guardians, and maintain continuous communication and dynamic evaluation throughout the treatment process. The release of this consensus provides unified and authoritative guidance for clinical orthodontics, helping to standardize informed consent, enhance its transparency, safeguard patient rights, reduce medical risks, and promote high-quality, sustainable development of orthodontic practice.

Objective To establish an expert consensus on in-hospital transfer safety management for patients undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation,providing guidance for clinical medical teams to conduct standardized transfers,reduce transfer risks,and ensure patient safety.Methods Through systematic searching,screening,evaluation,and summary of evidence related to in-hospital transfer safety management for patients on invasive mechanical ventilation,we extracted recommendations to form a preliminary draft of the expert consensus.From July to October 2024,totally 2 rounds of expert consultations,and 2 rounds of expert reviews were conducted,and the content was refined and finalized based on expert feedback.Results The final consensus encompasses 9 aspects,including transfer assessment and decision-making,pre-transfer preparation of medical staff,pre-transfer patient preparation,pre-transfer equipment preparation,pre-transfer medication preparation,monitoring and intervention during transfer,emergency events and management,transfer handover and documentation,and post-transfer management.Conclusion This consensus demonstrates strong practicality and operability,offering professional guidance for enhancing the safety of in-hospital transfers for patients on invasive mechanical ventilation.

Objective:To evaluate the performance of the neural network model in segmenting gout tophus in the first metatarsophalangeal（MTP1）joint ultrasound images.Methods:A total of 1 218 tophus images from 381 patients who underwent MTP1 ultrasound examinations in the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University between May 2023 and December 2024 were prospectively collected. The images were divided into training，validation，and test sets in a ratio of 7∶2∶1. Multiple neural network models were trained to automatically identify and segment tophus in the images，with physician-annotated tophus regions serving as the reference standard. Model performance was evaluated in the test set，and the impact of tophus characteristics（e.g.，echogenicity，size，and presence of bone erosion）on segmentation efficacy was analyzed.Results:In the test set，CMUNeXt demonstrated superior tophus segmentation performance versus Unet，Unet++，TransUnet，and CMU-Net，achieving an accuracy of 99.1%，precision of 79.1%，recall of 84.6%，intersection over union of 68.8%，and Dice similarity coefficient of 80.2%. Logistic regression identified tophus echogenicity，size，and bone erosion as independent efficacy factors OR（95% CI）=7.275（1.598-33.129），21.303（4.282-105.985），13.520（3.617-50.530），0.076（0.007-0.823）（all P<0.05）. Hypoechoic tophus demonstrated significantly superior segmentation performance compared to mixed-echoic and isoechoic tophus（all P<0.05），and lesions with larger maximum diameters（>10 mm）were segmented more effectively than smaller tophus（ P<0.05）. Conclusions:The CMUNeXt model enables accurate identification and segmentation of tophus in MTP1 ultrasound images，particularly excelling for larger and hypoechoic lesions. This approach holds significant promise for AI-assisted diagnosis of MTP1 gouty arthritis.

Objective To observe the effect of Kaixin Powder on neuroinflammation in APP/PS1 mice by regulating WDFY1/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway;To explore its mechanism of intervening in Alzheimer disease(AD).Methods APP/PS1 transgenic mice were randomly divided into model group,donepezil hydrochloride group(0.66 mg/kg),and Kaixin Powder low-,medium-and high-dosage groups(1.625,3.25,6.5 g/kg),C57BL/6J mice were set as blank control group,with 8 mice in each group,and corresponding drug intervention was given to medicaction group for 24 weeks.Morris water maze,Y maze and novel object recognition experiments were conducted to assess the cognitive function and learning and memory abilities of mice,immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the deposition of β-amyloid protein(Aβ)in hippocampus,the morphology and Nissl bodies of hippocampal CA1 neurons were observed using HE staining and Nissl staining,ELISA was used to detect the serum contents of interleukin(IL)-6,IL-17,IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of calcium-binding adapter molecule 1(Iba1),glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP),WDFY1,Toll like receptor 4(TLR4),Toll like receptor associated molecule(TRAM),TIR domain adapter protein(TRIF),NF-κB p65 and p-NF-κB p65 in hippocampal tissue,RT-qPCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of WDFY1,TLR4,TRAM,TRIF and NF-κB p65 in hippocampal tissue.Results Compared with the blank control group,the model group had significantly prolonged escape latency,reduced platform crossings,decreased autonomous reaction alternation rate and relative recognition index(P<0.05,P<0.01),with increased deposition of Aβ in hippocampal tissue(P<0.01),damaged morphological structure of neurons,reduced number of neurons and Nissl bodies,the serum contents of IL-6,IL-17,IL-1β and TNF-α significantly increased,the expression of Iba1,GFAP,WDFY1,TLR4,TRAM,TRIF,p-NF-κB p65 protein and WDFY1,TLR4,TRAM,TRIF mRNA in hippocampal tissue significantly increased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,Kaixin Powder groups and donepezil hydrochloride group had significantly shortened escape latency and increased platform crossings,autonomous reaction alternation rate and relative recognition index(P<0.05,P<0.01),hippocampal Aβ deposition reduced in Kaixin Powder medium-,high-dosage groups and donepezil hydrochloride group,the morphological structure of neurons recovered,the number of neurons and Nissl bodies increased,the serum contents of IL-6,IL-17,IL-1β and TNF-α significantly decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01),and the protein expression of Iba1,GFAP,WDFY1,TLR4,TRAM,TRIF,p-NF-κB p65 and the mRNA expressions of WDFY1,TLR4,TRAM and TRIF in hippocampal tissue significantly decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion Kaixin Powder can improve cognitive function and learning and memory abilities in AD model mice,alleviate hippocampal neuron damage and Aβ deposition,inhibit the activation of microglia and astrocytes,and thereby reduce serum inflammatory cytokine release.Its mechanism may be related to regulating the WDFY1/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway to inhibit neuroinflammation.

Objective:To investigate the effects of thioredoxin reductase 1 (TXNRD1) on ferroptosis and immune function of dendritic cells (DCs) in septic mice, and to provide a basis for improving the immunosuppression in sepsis caused by wound infection.Methods:This study was an experimental research. Sixty male C57BL/6J mice aged 6-8 weeks were subjected to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) to establish sepsis models. Ten mice were selected at 0 (immediately), 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after CLP surgery, respectively, according to the random number table method. Mouse splenic DCs were isolated using CD11c-positive magnetic beads. The protein expressions of TXNRD1, and anti-ferroptosis proteins solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) in the cells were detected by Western blotting, the reduced glutathione (GSH) content in the cells was measured by colorimetric assay, the lipid peroxidation level was assessed via live-cell imaging technology, and the levels of major histocompatibility complex class Ⅱ subtype I-A/I-E and leukocyte differentiation antigens CD80 and CD86 were detected by flow cytometry. Another 100 male C57BL/6J mice aged 6-8 weeks were divided into corn oil+sham injury group, corn oil+CLP group, inhibitor+sham injury group, and inhibitor+CLP group according to the random number table method, with 25 mice in each group. Mice in the two inhibitor groups were intraperitoneally injected with TXNRD1 inhibitor auranofin, while mice in the two corn oil groups were intraperitoneally injected with corn oil. One hour later, mice in the two CLP groups underwent CLP surgery to establish sepsis models, while mice in the two sham injury groups underwent sham surgery. Twenty mice from each group were selected to observe survival within 7 d post-surgery, and the survival rate was calculated. At 24 h post-surgery, mouse splenic DCs from the remaining 5 mice in each group were collected for corresponding assays as above.Results:Compared with those at 0 h after CLP surgery, the protein expressions of TXNRD1, GPX4, and SLC7A11 in mouse cells at 24 h after CLP surgery and the protein expression of TXNRD1 in mouse cells at 48 h after CLP surgery were significantly decreased ( P<0.05), the GSH content in mouse cells was significantly decreased at 24 and 48 h after CLP surgery ( P<0.05). The lipid peroxidation level in mouse cells was low at 0, 6, and 12 h after CLP surgery, slightly lower than that at 72 h after CLP surgery; the lipid peroxidation levels in mouse cells at 24 and 48 h after CLP surgery were significantly higher than those at 0, 6, 12, and 72 h after CLP surgery. Compared with those at 0 h after CLP surgery, the levels of I-A/I-E and CD80 in mouse cells at 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after CLP surgery and the levels of CD86 in mouse cells at 12, 24, and 48 h after CLP surgery were significantly increased ( P<0.05). At 24 h post-surgery, the protein expressions of TXNRD1, SLC7A11, and GPX4 in mouse cells in corn oil+CLP group were significantly lower than those in corn oil+sham injury group ( P<0.05), while the protein expressions of TXNRD1, SLC7A11, and GPX4 in mouse cells in inhibitor+CLP group were significantly lower than those in corn oil+CLP group and inhibitor+sham injury group ( P<0.05). At 24 h post-surgery, the content of GSH in mouse cells in corn oil+CLP group was (239±32) μg/mg, which was significantly lower than (366±59) μg/mg in corn oil +sham injury group ( P<0.05); the content of GSH in mouse cells in inhibitor+CLP group was (134±19) μg/mg, which was significantly lower than (355±31) μg/mg in inhibitor+sham injury group and that in corn oil+CLP group (with both P values <0.05). At 24 h post-surgery, the lipid peroxidation level of mouse cells in inhibitor+CLP group was significantly higher than that in the other three groups ( P<0.05). At 24 h post-surgery, the levels of I-A/I-E, CD80, and CD86 in mouse cells in corn oil+CLP group were significantly higher than those in corn oil+sham injury group ( P<0.05), while the levels of I-A/I-E and CD80 in mouse cells in inhibitor+CLP group were significantly higher than those in inhibitor+sham injury group ( P<0.05) but significantly lower than those in corn oil+CLP group ( P<0.05); the level of CD86 in mouse cells in inhibitor+sham injury group was significantly higher than that in corn oil+sham injury group ( P<0.05). Within 7 d post-surgery, the survival rate of mice in inhibitor+CLP group was significantly lower than that in inhibitor+sham injury group and corn oil+CLP group (with χ2 values of 31.19 and 3.91, respectively, both P values <0.05). Conclusions:In septic mice, the expression of TXNRD1 in DCs is reduced, cell ferroptosis is enhanced, and immune function is weakened. The inhibition of TXNRD1 in DCs will exacerbate cell ferroptosis and immune function suppression, and is closely related to the poor prognosis of sepsis.