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.

Purpose: In this study, the neural communication patterns between hypothalamic structures and cortical areas in girls diagnosed with central precocious puberty (CPP) were explored. Endocrine profiles were incorporated to clarify the pathophysiological interactions between cerebral networks and hormonal regulation. The hypothalamus was designated as the key focus area for connectivity analysis. Methods: Fifty-seven girls (37 CPP, 20 non-CPP) were recruited from the Pediatric Development Clinic at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University. The collected data included demographic information, gonadotropin-releasing hormone stimulation tests, and magnetic resonance imaging scans. Hypothalamic functional connectivity (FC) was analyzed using predefined region of interest coordinates, and correlations between hormone levels and FC values were assessed. Results: Compared to the non-CPP group, the CPP group exhibited elevated baseline follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), baseline luteinizing hormone (LH), peak FSH, peak LH, and peak LH/FSH ratios. Patients with CPP exhibited enhanced neural synchronization linking the right lateral hypothalamic effector zone to the right superior frontal gyrus (displaying a borderline significant correlation with peak LH concentrations), concurrent with diminished functional coupling of the right lateral hypothalamic efferent to the right fusiform/supramarginal gyri. The left lateral hypothalamic projections demonstrated amplified connectivity with the right cuneus. No FC differences were observed in the medial hypothalamus. Conclusion Abnormal lateral hypothalamus FC patterns were identified in CPP girls and were particularly linked to peak LH levels. The findings offer novel insights into the neuroendocrine mechanisms underlying CPP.

Background: Visceral white adipose tissue (vWAT) inflammation is a critical pathology of obesity-caused heart damage and is closely associated with adipocyte endoplasmic reticulum (ER) dysfunction. Serine (or cysteine) peptidase inhibitor, clade A, member 3C (Serpina3c) has been identified as an adipokine with anti-vWAT inflammatory effects. However, it remains unclear whether Serpina3c deficiency promotion of vWAT inflammation involves adipocyte ER dysfunction and whether it further contributes to heart damage in obesity. Methods: Wild type and Serpina3c knockout (Serpina3c–/–) mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks. An adeno-associated virus (AAV) was injected locally into epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT) of Serpina3c–/– mice to induce eWAT-adipocyte- specific overexpression of Serpina3c (AAV-Serpina3c) or knockdown of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (AAV-shHIF1α). In vitro experiments were performed in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Results: Serpina3c–/– mice exhibited more severe eWAT, serum and heart inflammation after HFD feeding. Consistently, these adverse phenotypes were mitigated in AAV-Serpina3c and AAV-shHIF1α mice. Mechanistically, ER oxidoreductase 1α (Ero1α) and protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) family members PDIA3 and PDIA4 were found to be target genes of HIF1α. In the obese mice, Serpina3c deficiency caused adipocyte more hypertrophy, and activated HIF1α-Ero1α/PDI mediated ER overoxidation and ER stress in eWAT. Subsequently, this led to increased adipocyte apoptosis and chemokine production and decreased adiponectin expression, which promoted macrophage infiltration and M1 polarization in eWAT, thus exacerbating eWAT inflammation and ultimately facilitating serum and distal heart inflammation. Conclusion These findings indicate that Serpina3c is a significant regulator of adipocyte ER redox homeostasis, thus highlighting Serpina3c as a potential therapeutic target for obesity-related eWAT inflammation and heart damage.

Objective: To assess the effect of transarterial embolization (TAE) for adhesive capsulitis (AC) by evaluating clinical outcomes and changes in inflammation using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Materials and Methods: Patients who had undergone TAE between August 2020 and August 2023 for AC refractory to conservative treatments without any invasive procedures for more than 3 months, and had undergone baseline and 3-month post-AC follow-up contrast-enhanced MRI evaluations, were included. A suspension mixture of 500 mg imipenem/cilastatin in 10 mL of iodinated contrast agent was used for TAE. MRI results were analyzed to assess periarticular capsule/ligament inflammation. Clinical assessments included pain scores using the numeric rating scale (NRS) and functional scores using the quick disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (Quick DASH) questionnaire. Results: Twenty-five patients (female:male, 14:11; age, 54.9 ± 7.1 years) were included. Significant reductions in average NRS pain scores as well as improvements in Quick DASH scores and range of motion, including anterior flexion and abduction, were observed at 1, 3, and 6 months after TAE (all P < 0.001). MRI analyses revealed that TAE significantly decreased the grades of axillary recess capsule enhancement, rotator interval (RI) capsule T2 signal intensity, and RI capsule enhancement (all P ≤ 0.004). Conclusion TAE may be an effective and safe therapeutic approach for AC refractory to conservative treatments, alleviating pain and supporting functional recovery. The observed MRI findings suggest that the effectiveness of TAE for AC may be attributed to the reduction of inflammation and the elimination of angiogenesis.

Objective: To assess the effect of transarterial embolization (TAE) for adhesive capsulitis (AC) by evaluating clinical outcomes and changes in inflammation using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Materials and Methods: Patients who had undergone TAE between August 2020 and August 2023 for AC refractory to conservative treatments without any invasive procedures for more than 3 months, and had undergone baseline and 3-month post-AC follow-up contrast-enhanced MRI evaluations, were included. A suspension mixture of 500 mg imipenem/cilastatin in 10 mL of iodinated contrast agent was used for TAE. MRI results were analyzed to assess periarticular capsule/ligament inflammation. Clinical assessments included pain scores using the numeric rating scale (NRS) and functional scores using the quick disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (Quick DASH) questionnaire. Results: Twenty-five patients (female:male, 14:11; age, 54.9 ± 7.1 years) were included. Significant reductions in average NRS pain scores as well as improvements in Quick DASH scores and range of motion, including anterior flexion and abduction, were observed at 1, 3, and 6 months after TAE (all P < 0.001). MRI analyses revealed that TAE significantly decreased the grades of axillary recess capsule enhancement, rotator interval (RI) capsule T2 signal intensity, and RI capsule enhancement (all P ≤ 0.004). Conclusion TAE may be an effective and safe therapeutic approach for AC refractory to conservative treatments, alleviating pain and supporting functional recovery. The observed MRI findings suggest that the effectiveness of TAE for AC may be attributed to the reduction of inflammation and the elimination of angiogenesis.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a central neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive cognitive decline and memory impairment in clinical. Currently, there are no effective treatments for AD. In recent years, a variety of therapeutic approaches from different perspectives have been explored to treat AD. Although the drug therapies targeted at the clearance of amyloid β-protein (Aβ) had made a breakthrough in clinical trials, there were associated with adverse events. Neuroinflammation plays a crucial role in the onset and progression of AD. Continuous neuroinflammatory was considered to be the third major pathological feature of AD, which could promote the formation of extracellular amyloid plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. At the same time, these toxic substances could accelerate the development of neuroinflammation, form a vicious cycle, and exacerbate disease progression. Reducing neuroinflammation could break the feedback loop pattern between neuroinflammation, Aβ plaque deposition and Tau tangles, which might be an effective therapeutic strategy for treating AD. Traditional Chinese herbs such as Polygonum multiflorum and Curcuma were utilized in the treatment of AD due to their ability to mitigate neuroinflammation. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and indomethacin had been shown to reduce the level of inflammasomes in the body, and taking these drugs was associated with a low incidence of AD. Biosynthetic nanomaterials loaded with oxytocin were demonstrated to have the capability to anti-inflammatory and penetrate the blood-brain barrier effectively, and they played an anti-inflammatory role via sustained-releasing oxytocin in the brain. Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells could reduce neuroinflammation and inhibit the activation of microglia. The secretion of mesenchymal stem cells could not only improve neuroinflammation, but also exert a multi-target comprehensive therapeutic effect, making it potentially more suitable for the treatment of AD. Enhancing the level of TREM2 in microglial cells using gene editing technologies, or application of TREM2 antibodies such as Ab-T1, hT2AB could improve microglial cell function and reduce the level of neuroinflammation, which might be a potential treatment for AD. Probiotic therapy, fecal flora transplantation, antibiotic therapy, and dietary intervention could reshape the composition of the gut microbiota and alleviate neuroinflammation through the gut-brain axis. However, the drugs of sodium oligomannose remain controversial. Both exercise intervention and electromagnetic intervention had the potential to attenuate neuroinflammation, thereby delaying AD process. This article focuses on the role of drug therapy, gene therapy, stem cell therapy, gut microbiota therapy, exercise intervention, and brain stimulation in improving neuroinflammation in recent years, aiming to provide a novel insight for the treatment of AD by intervening neuroinflammation in the future.

Objective To investigate the effect of lifestyle on cognitive decline in rural people aged 40 years and older in Xi'an.Methods This was a prospective cohort study.People aged 40 years and older in two villages in Huyi District were selected as the study population.They completed the baseline survey from October 2014 to March 2015 as well as two follow-up visits in 2016 and 2018,respectively.A comprehensive score of lifestyle was calculated based on factors including smoking,drinking,exercise,and diet collected at the baseline.The Mini-Mental State Examination(MMSE)was used to evaluate global cognitive function at both baseline and follow-up;a≥4-point decrease in MMSE score from the baseline was defined as marked cognitive decline.Multivariable Logistic regression,propensity score correction,and propensity score matching were used to investigate the relationship between lifestyle and cognitive decline.Results A total of 1 348 participants were ultimately enrolled and 56(4.2％)of them met the criteria for marked cognitive decline(△MMSE≥4-points).Among them,386(28.6％)people had smoking history,184(13.6％)were drinkers,214(15.9％)lacked physical activity,and 400(29.7％)ate a diet high in oil and salt.Generally,304(22.6％)met the definition of the unhealthy lifestyle(comprehensive score＜6),which means more than one of the four subscales was unhealthy or more than two were relatively unhealthy.Multivariable Logistic regression analysis showed that unhealthy lifestyle was positively associated with marked cognitive decline(OR=2.838,95％CI:1.302-5.525,P=0.005).Propensity-score adjusted model yielded very similar results(OR=2.786,95％CI:1.371-5.661,P=0.005).Propensity score matching was performed to further balance the differences in covariates between the two groups.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis conducted in the matched population revealed that the risk of marked cognitive decline was still higher in those with unhealthy lifestyle(OR=3.994,95％CI:1.582-12.176,P=0.006).Conclusion Unhealthy lifestyle is associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline in cognitively normal people aged 40 years and older.

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of the population receiving assisted reproductive technology (ART) therapy and the health status of their offspring in Shanghai from 2011 to 2020.Methods:Based on the birth cohort of the entire population in Shanghai, the proportion and trend changes of ART offspring in the birth cohort were analyzed. The characteristics of ART and naturally conceived populations, including household registration, education level, maternal age, and reproductive history, were examined. Additionally, the health status between ART offspring and naturally conceived offspring were compared.Results:From 2011 to 2020, a total of 70 729 ART offspring were born in Shanghai, accounting for 3.69% of the total births. In 2020, this proportion reached 7.79%. The ART conception rate for primiparous women was higher than that for multiparous women, with both showing upward trends and reaching 9.87% and 2.36%, respectively, in 2020. The ART conception rate was higher in women with higher education levels and local household registration than in those with lower education levels and non-local household registration. The incidence rates of preterm birth and low birth weight in ART singleton offspring were 7.76% and 4.82%, respectively, higher than the 4.69% and 2.87% in naturally conceived offspring, but no increasing trend was observed in naturally conceived offspring. Among twin and multiple newborns, the incidence rates of preterm birth and low birth weight were 56.98% and 46.82% for ART, lower than the 58.51% and 51.32% for natural conception.Conclusions:The difference in social and demographic characteristics was obvious in population receiving ART, suggesting that the differed demand of some people for ART therapy, and it is necessary to strengthen the construction of public health services and further expand the coverage and accessibility of ART services. With technological advancements, the rates of preterm birth and low birth weight remain relatively stable, and even decrease in twin and multiple newborns.

Objective:To explore the effect of esketamine on lung ischemia-reperfusion oxidative stress markers and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing radical surgery for lung cancer.Methods:A prospective randomized-controlled study was conducted. A total of 60 patients undergoing radical lung cancer surgery in Cangzhou People's Hospital from October 2023 to April 2024 were selected as the research objects. The patients were randomly divided into group E (30 cases) and group C (30 cases) according to the envelope drawing method. The patients in group E received an intravenous injection of esketamine at 0.5 mg/kg before skin incision, followed by continuous intravenous infusion until 30 minutes before the end of surgery. The patients in group C was administered an equivalent dose of 0.9% NaCl solution. The lung function, inflammatory factors, oxidative stress markers, and the incidence of complications were compared between the 2 groups at different time intervals [after anesthesia induction (T 1), 60 minutes after single-lung ventilation (T 2), 30 minutes after resuming bilateral lung ventilation (T 3), and 60 minutes after resuming bilateral lung ventilation (T 4)]. Results:The age of patients in both groups was (62±8) years. At T 2, T 3, and T 4, the oxygenation index (OI) of group E [(413±57), (387±52), (364±48) mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa), respectively] was higher than that of group C [(377±52), (359±47), (333±42) mmHg, respectively]. The intrapulmonary shunt rate of group E [(26.9±3.3)%, (24.6±3.1)%, (13.3±2.2)%, respectively] was lower than that of group C[(33.5±4.3)%, (28.4±3.7)%, (16.2±2.7)%, respectively], and the differences were statistically significant ( t = 2.56, 2.16, 2.66, 6.29, 4.34, 4.32, respectively); the differences in the above indictors at T 1 between the 2 groups were not statistically significant (all P > 0.05), and there were statistically significant differences in the above indictors at T 1, T 2, T 3, T 4 between the 2 groups (all P < 0.001). At T 4, the levels of serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, and interleukin-8 in group E [(93±11) ng/ml, (14.9±1.7) pg/ml, (11.4±2.2) pg/ml, respectively] were lower than those in group C [(136±15) ng/ml, (19.9±2.8) pg/ml, (15.6±4.6) pg/ml, respectively], and the differences were statistically significant ( t = 12.89, 8.40, 4.61, all P < 0.001). At T 1, the differences in the levels of inflammatory factors of both groups were not statistically significant (all P > 0.05); and the levels of inflammatory factors at T 4 were lower than those at T 1 of both groups, and the differences were statistically significantly (all P < 0.001). At T 4, the level of superoxide dismutase in group E [(66±6) U/ml] was higher than that in group C [(56±5) U/ml]. The levels of myeloperoxidase, malondialdehyde and catalase in group E [(3.0±0.4) U/g, (4.01±0.26) mmol/ml, (44±5) U/ml, respectively] were lower than those in group C [(5.7±0.7) U/g, (4.91±0.52) mmol/ml, (56±6) U/ml, respectively],and the differences were statistically significant ( t = 6.43, 18.83, 8.48, 8.74, all P < 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences in the levels of oxidative stress indicators between the 2 groups at T 1, while there were statistically significant differences in the levels of oxidative stress indicators between the 2 groups at T 1 and T 4 (all P < 0.001). The incidence of complications in group E [6.7% (2/30)] was lower than that in group C [26.7% (8/30)], and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2 = 4.32, P = 0.038). Conclusions:Esketamine can alleviate lung ischemia-reperfusion injury, improve postoperative oxygenation function, and reduce the incidence of complications.

This article provides an interpretation of the EULAR/PReS recommendations for the diaganosis and management of Still′s disease focusing on the diagnostic criteria, therapeutic targets, and strategies for managing complications in systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) and adult-onset Still′s disease (AOSD). The guidelines introduce, for the first time, the unified nomenclature of "Still′s disease" for both sJIA and AOSD, emphasizing the importance of early recognition and stepwise management. Particular attention is given to the role of IL-1 and IL-6 inhibitors in reducing glucocorticoid use. This article aims to assist clinicians in China in better understanding and applying these guidelines to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of Still′s disease.