Hygroscopicity research has long been a key focus and hot topic in Chinese materia medica（CMM）. Elucidating hygroscopic mechanisms plays a vital role in formulation design， process optimization， and storage condition selection. Hygroscopic models serve as essential tools for characterizing CMM hygroscopic mechanisms， with various types available. The double exponential model is a kinetic mathematical model constructed based on the law of conservation of energy and Fick's first law of diffusion， tailored to the physical properties of CMM extracts. In recent years， this model has been extensively applied to simulate the dynamic moisture absorption behavior of CMM extracts and solid dosage forms under varying humidity conditions. It has revealed the correlation between moisture absorption kinetic parameters and material properties， offering a new perspective for characterizing the moisture uptake behavior of CMM. This paper systematically reviews the application progress of this model in the field of CMM， analyzes its advantages， disadvantages， and challenges in this domain， and explores its potential application trends in other fields. It aims to provide references for elucidating the moisture absorption mechanisms of CMM and researching moisture-proofing technologies， while also offering insights for its broader application in food and polymer materials.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanisms of Runmu Dihuang decoction （RMDHD） in treating perimenopausal dry eye with liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome based on the silent information regulator 3 （SIRT3）/hypoxia-inducible factor-1α （HIF-1α）/nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） signaling pathway. MethodsSixty female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups （n=10 per group）： Sham operation group， model group， sodium hyaluronate eye drop group， and low-， medium-， and high-dose RMDHD groups （5.625， 11.25， 22.50 g·kg^-1）. Except for the sham operation group， all rats underwent bilateral ovariectomy and were administered 0.1% benzalkonium chloride eye drops combined with long-term chronic irritation to establish a perimenopausal dry eye model with liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome. Drug administration began in the 11th week after modeling and continued for 21 days. General conditions， screen-grip test scores， tear secretion volume， tear film breakup time （TFBUT）， and corneal fluorescein staining were recorded. Serum levels of reactive oxygen species （ROS）， follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH）， estradiol （E₂）， and progesterone （PROG） were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Pathological changes in the lacrimal glands， corneas， and uteri were observed using hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Protein expression levels of SIRT3， HIF-1α， phosphorylated NF-κB p65 （p-NF-κB p65）， and total NF-κB p65 in the lacrimal glands were detected by Western blot. The expression of inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β （IL-1β） and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in the lacrimal glands was assessed by immunohistochemistry （IHC）. ResultsAfter model establishment， no significant differences were observed among the groups except the sham operation group. Compared with the sham operation group， the other groups exhibited slowed movement， dull responses， increased irritability， reduced body weight， elevated rectal temperature， decreased screen-grip test scores， reduced tear secretion， and significantly shortened TFBUT （P<0.05）. After treatment， compared with the model group， the sodium hyaluronate eye drop group and all RMDHD groups showed improved general conditions， significantly increased tear secretion （P<0.05）， prolonged TFBUT （P<0.05）， and elevated screen-grip test scores （P<0.05）. Serum ROS and FSH levels were significantly decreased， while E₂ and PROG levels were significantly increased （P<0.05）. Pathological damage to the cornea， lacrimal glands， and uterus was ameliorated. In addition， protein expression levels of SIRT3 and HIF-1α in the lacrimal glands were significantly upregulated （P<0.05）， whereas the expression of p-NF-κB p65， IL-1β， and TNF-α was significantly downregulated （P<0.05）. ConclusionRMDHD increases tear secretion and TFBUT， improves lacrimal gland and corneal injury， and alleviates dry eye symptoms in a perimenopausal dry eye rat model with liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome. The underlying mechanism may be related to regulation of the SIRT3/HIF-1α/NF-κB signaling pathway， inhibition of oxidative stress and inflammatory responses， and reduction of ocular surface tissue damage.

BACKGROUND:Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a destructive cardiopulmonary disease for which there is no cure.An association between plasma proteins and pulmonary arterial hypertension has been suggested,but the causal relationship has not been specifically elucidated.OBJECTIVE:To elucidate the causal relationship between plasma proteome and pulmonary arterial hypertension using a two-sample Mendelian randomization method,thereby searching for potential therapeutic targets for pulmonary arterial hypertension.METHODS:Plasma Protein Gene-Wide Association Analysis Statistics for 4 907 Aptamer Measurements in 35 559 Icelanders from the Icelandic Database;Genome-wide association analysis statistics for pulmonary arterial hypertension were obtained from the Finn Gen database,version R9,including 234 cases and 265 626 controls.Analyses were performed using Mendelian randomization and Bayesian co-localization analysis,the findings were examined using sensitivity analyses,and protein-protein interaction network maps were constructed to explore the causal relationship between plasma proteins and pulmonary arterial hypertension.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The results of inverse variance weighting,maximum likelihood and Wald ratio methods showed 19 proteins causally associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension(P＜0.05).Among them,10 plasma proteins,including Beta-1,3-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase manic fringe(odds ratio[OR]=0.12,95％confidence interval[CI]0.02-0.61,P=0.01)and interferon alpha/beta receptor 1(OR=0.45,95％CI 0.24-0.84,P=0.012),might be associated with a reduced risk of pulmonary arterial hypertension.In contrast,nine plasma proteins,such as glucoside xylosyltransferase 1(OR=3.48,95％CI 1.51-8.00,P=0.003)and plasminogen(OR=42.78,95％CI 2.49-734.31,P=0.01),might be associated with an increased risk of pulmonary arterial hypertension.After the false discovery rate was corrected,19 proteins remained significantly associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension.(2)Multiple sensitivity analyses such as the MR-Egger intercept test and leave-one-out method showed no horizontal multiplicity or heterogeneity in the results of the study,indicating the stability of the study's results.(3)Bayesian co-localization analysis showed that six plasma proteins,including plasminogen(PPH4=1.0)and glucoside xylosyltransferase 1(PPH4=0.94),had PPH4＞0.8,suggesting that plasma proteins and the genome-wide association study of pulmonary arterial hypertension had similar causal variance in terms of genetic association.(4)By constructing a protein-protein interaction network map,plasminogen,Annexin A1,fibrinogen gamma chain and matrix metalloproteinase 7 were found to be core proteins.(5)The article used Mendelian randomization analysis to reveal a potential causal association between 4 907 plasma proteins and pulmonary arterial hypertension,suggesting that plasma proteins may be potential therapeutic targets for pulmonary arterial hypertension.The core proteins identified in the study also provide a theoretical basis for further in-depth study of the pathophysiological mechanisms of pulmonary arterial hypertension.Secondly,analyses using the large-scale international databases of Iceland and FinnGen provide new research directions and treatment ideas for pulmonary arterial hypertension in specific populations and environments,as well as ideas and methods that can be used to prevent and treat pulmonary arterial hypertension in China.

BACKGROUND:Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a destructive cardiopulmonary disease for which there is no cure.An association between plasma proteins and pulmonary arterial hypertension has been suggested,but the causal relationship has not been specifically elucidated.OBJECTIVE:To elucidate the causal relationship between plasma proteome and pulmonary arterial hypertension using a two-sample Mendelian randomization method,thereby searching for potential therapeutic targets for pulmonary arterial hypertension.METHODS:Plasma Protein Gene-Wide Association Analysis Statistics for 4 907 Aptamer Measurements in 35 559 Icelanders from the Icelandic Database;Genome-wide association analysis statistics for pulmonary arterial hypertension were obtained from the Finn Gen database,version R9,including 234 cases and 265 626 controls.Analyses were performed using Mendelian randomization and Bayesian co-localization analysis,the findings were examined using sensitivity analyses,and protein-protein interaction network maps were constructed to explore the causal relationship between plasma proteins and pulmonary arterial hypertension.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The results of inverse variance weighting,maximum likelihood and Wald ratio methods showed 19 proteins causally associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension(P＜0.05).Among them,10 plasma proteins,including Beta-1,3-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase manic fringe(odds ratio[OR]=0.12,95％confidence interval[CI]0.02-0.61,P=0.01)and interferon alpha/beta receptor 1(OR=0.45,95％CI 0.24-0.84,P=0.012),might be associated with a reduced risk of pulmonary arterial hypertension.In contrast,nine plasma proteins,such as glucoside xylosyltransferase 1(OR=3.48,95％CI 1.51-8.00,P=0.003)and plasminogen(OR=42.78,95％CI 2.49-734.31,P=0.01),might be associated with an increased risk of pulmonary arterial hypertension.After the false discovery rate was corrected,19 proteins remained significantly associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension.(2)Multiple sensitivity analyses such as the MR-Egger intercept test and leave-one-out method showed no horizontal multiplicity or heterogeneity in the results of the study,indicating the stability of the study's results.(3)Bayesian co-localization analysis showed that six plasma proteins,including plasminogen(PPH4=1.0)and glucoside xylosyltransferase 1(PPH4=0.94),had PPH4＞0.8,suggesting that plasma proteins and the genome-wide association study of pulmonary arterial hypertension had similar causal variance in terms of genetic association.(4)By constructing a protein-protein interaction network map,plasminogen,Annexin A1,fibrinogen gamma chain and matrix metalloproteinase 7 were found to be core proteins.(5)The article used Mendelian randomization analysis to reveal a potential causal association between 4 907 plasma proteins and pulmonary arterial hypertension,suggesting that plasma proteins may be potential therapeutic targets for pulmonary arterial hypertension.The core proteins identified in the study also provide a theoretical basis for further in-depth study of the pathophysiological mechanisms of pulmonary arterial hypertension.Secondly,analyses using the large-scale international databases of Iceland and FinnGen provide new research directions and treatment ideas for pulmonary arterial hypertension in specific populations and environments,as well as ideas and methods that can be used to prevent and treat pulmonary arterial hypertension in China.

Methods: A total of 45 patients diagnosed with de novo thoracic or lumbar SEA who underwent posterior-only surgical decompression between 2005 and 2014, with a minimum postoperative follow-up of 2 years, were included. Patients were stratified based on the presence or absence of postoperative residual ND, and neurological function was assessed immediately after surgery and at the final followup using the Frankel grading system. SITE scores, along with clinical and radiological data associated with residual ND, were collected. Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed to identify significant predictors. Results: Patients with residual ND had significantly lower SITE scores than those without residual ND (4.3±1.3 vs. 7±1.8, p<0.0001). Multivariate analysis identified the SITE score as an independent predictor (odds ratio, 2.70; p=0.012). ROC analysis showed that a SITE score ≤6 predicted residual ND with 73.3% sensitivity and 100% specificity, with an area under the curve of 0.877 (p<0.001). Other significant predictors included cauda equina syndrome and a shorter symptom-to-surgery interval, both of which were associated with a higher risk of residual ND. Conclusions The SITE score is a reliable and independent predictor of residual ND after surgery for SEA. SITE scores <6 indicate a significantly higher risk of postoperative ND.

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 This study reports on the obligatory parasitism of water mites Arrenurus sp. on Anopheles messeae at the Manzhouli Port, Inner Mongolia, China. Methods Duing July 2024, a survey on the mosquito diversity was conducted at the Manzhouli Port. Captured mosquitoes and their ectoparasites were identified to species level. Results A total of 1840 adult mosquitoes were collected, representing species from three genera: Culex(Cx. modestus, Cx. pipiens pallens), Aedes(Ae. dorsalis, Ae. flavidorsalis, Ae. flavescens), and Anopheles (An. messeae). Among all the mosqutioes specimens,3 out of 150 captured An. messeae were found to carry ectoparasitic mites, with number of 2,4,27 mites separately. Morphological and molecular identification reached the same result as water mites(Hydrachnidiae, Hydracrina). COI gene sequence showed 94% similarity with the closest species Arrenurus truncatellus. Conlusions Literature review suggests water mites are host-specific parasitism of mosquito species and herein with the first record of Arrenurus sp. parasiting on An. Messeae in the most high-latitude region globally.

ObjectiveTo explore the effects of different dosage forms of Kaixinsan （KXS） on the morphology and function of mitochondria in rat models of Alzheimer's disease （AD） and potential mechanisms of action. MethodsMale SD rats were randomly assigned to a sham group， model group， treatment groups receiving KXS decoction， powders， and granules （3.08 g·kg^-1）， as well as donepezil group （0.51×10^-3 g·kg^-1）， with 10 rats in each group. AD model was created using intracerebroventricular injection of streptozocin （STZ）. After 30 days of administration， behavioral assessments were conducted， and mitochondrial morphology was observed using transmission electron microscopy. Mitochondrial respiratory chain complex content was measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Changes in mitochondrial membrane potential were measured via JC-1 staining， and superoxide dismutase （SOD） activity and reactive oxygen species （ROS） levels were measured via biochemical assays. The mRNA expression of adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase （AMPK）， peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α （PGC-1α）， and silent information regulator 3 （SIRT3） was detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）， and Western blot was used to examine the protein expression levels of optic atrophy protein1 （OPA1）， mitochondrial fission protein 1 （FIS1）， AMPK， p-AMPK， PGC-1α， and SIRT3. ResultsCompared with the sham group， rats in the model group had significantly lower recognition index， spontaneous alternation rate， escape latency， number of platform crossings， time spent in the target quadrant， and percentage of distance traveled in the target quadrant distance （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Significant mitochondrial damage was observed in the hippocampal tissue， with a marked decrease in mitochondrial respiratory chain complex content （P<0.01） and reduced mitochondrial membrane potential （P<0.05）. Additionally， the SOD activity was reduced， while ROS levels were elevated （P<0.01）. The mRNA expression of PGC-1α and SIRT3 was significantly downregulated （P<0.01）， along with decreased protein expression levels of OPA1， p-AMPK/AMPK， PGC-1α， and SIRT3， whereas FIS1 protein expression was significantly upregulated （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， rats in KXS-treated groups （various dosage forms） showed significant improvement in behavioral indexes （P<0.05， P<0.01）， reduced hippocampal mitochondrial damage， and more organized mitochondrial cristae. Mitochondrial respiratory chain complex content was significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and mitochondrial membrane potentials were elevated （P<0.05）. SOD activity was elevated， and ROS levels were significantly reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Furthermore， the mRNA expression of PGC-1α and SIRT3 was upregulated， with increased protein levels of OPA1， p-AMPK/AMPK， PGC-1α， and SIRT3， while FIS1 protein expression levels were significantly reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Across the KXS-treated groups， the granule group showed a higher spontaneous alternation rate than the decoction and powder groups （P<0.05）. ConclusionKXS decoction， powders， and granules can improve the learning and memory ability of rats， with granules being the most effective. The mechanism of action may involve activation of the AMPK/PGC-1α/SIRT3 signaling pathway， improvement of the mitochondrial function， and subsequent amelioration of the brain energy metabolism disorders.

ObjectiveTo explore the effects of different dosage forms of Kaixinsan （KXS） on the morphology and function of mitochondria in rat models of Alzheimer's disease （AD） and potential mechanisms of action. MethodsMale SD rats were randomly assigned to a sham group， model group， treatment groups receiving KXS decoction， powders， and granules （3.08 g·kg^-1）， as well as donepezil group （0.51×10^-3 g·kg^-1）， with 10 rats in each group. AD model was created using intracerebroventricular injection of streptozocin （STZ）. After 30 days of administration， behavioral assessments were conducted， and mitochondrial morphology was observed using transmission electron microscopy. Mitochondrial respiratory chain complex content was measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Changes in mitochondrial membrane potential were measured via JC-1 staining， and superoxide dismutase （SOD） activity and reactive oxygen species （ROS） levels were measured via biochemical assays. The mRNA expression of adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase （AMPK）， peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α （PGC-1α）， and silent information regulator 3 （SIRT3） was detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）， and Western blot was used to examine the protein expression levels of optic atrophy protein1 （OPA1）， mitochondrial fission protein 1 （FIS1）， AMPK， p-AMPK， PGC-1α， and SIRT3. ResultsCompared with the sham group， rats in the model group had significantly lower recognition index， spontaneous alternation rate， escape latency， number of platform crossings， time spent in the target quadrant， and percentage of distance traveled in the target quadrant distance （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Significant mitochondrial damage was observed in the hippocampal tissue， with a marked decrease in mitochondrial respiratory chain complex content （P<0.01） and reduced mitochondrial membrane potential （P<0.05）. Additionally， the SOD activity was reduced， while ROS levels were elevated （P<0.01）. The mRNA expression of PGC-1α and SIRT3 was significantly downregulated （P<0.01）， along with decreased protein expression levels of OPA1， p-AMPK/AMPK， PGC-1α， and SIRT3， whereas FIS1 protein expression was significantly upregulated （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， rats in KXS-treated groups （various dosage forms） showed significant improvement in behavioral indexes （P<0.05， P<0.01）， reduced hippocampal mitochondrial damage， and more organized mitochondrial cristae. Mitochondrial respiratory chain complex content was significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and mitochondrial membrane potentials were elevated （P<0.05）. SOD activity was elevated， and ROS levels were significantly reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Furthermore， the mRNA expression of PGC-1α and SIRT3 was upregulated， with increased protein levels of OPA1， p-AMPK/AMPK， PGC-1α， and SIRT3， while FIS1 protein expression levels were significantly reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Across the KXS-treated groups， the granule group showed a higher spontaneous alternation rate than the decoction and powder groups （P<0.05）. ConclusionKXS decoction， powders， and granules can improve the learning and memory ability of rats， with granules being the most effective. The mechanism of action may involve activation of the AMPK/PGC-1α/SIRT3 signaling pathway， improvement of the mitochondrial function， and subsequent amelioration of the brain energy metabolism disorders.