Parkinson's disease （PD） is a neurological degenerative disease with a high clinical incidence， unclear etiology， and incurability. The main pathological features of PD are the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the midbrain substantia nigra and the formation of Lewy bodies. At present， the anti-parkinsonism drugs used in clinical practice have problems， such as decreasing efficacy and severe toxic side effects in the late stage of the disease. Mitochondrial autophagy is a self-regulation mode in which cells automatically remove damaged and aging mitochondria to maintain mitochondrial homeostasis. It is generally believed that the degree of mitochondrial autophagy is weakened in PD state， and this process mainly progresses through the ubiquitin-dependent pathway， non-ubiquitin-dependent pathway， and α-Synuclein-mediated mitochondrial autophagy pathway. Abnormal accumulation of damaged mitochondria will cause further damage to nerve cells and accelerate PD process. Therefore， restoring the mitochondrial autophagy balance， reducing the excessive accumulation of abnormal mitochondria， and reducing the damage of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra are particularly important for the treatment of PD. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） has definite effect in the clinical prevention and treatment of PD， and studies have been carried out targeting the intervention of mitochondrial autophagy. A large number of studies have confirmed that single herbs and compound prescriptions of TCM can relieve nerve function defects and delay degenerative changes of nerve cells by restoring the balance of mitochondrial autophagy， thus playing a role in the treatment of PD. This paper systematically summarized the regulatory mechanisms of mitochondrial autophagy in the pathogenesis of PD and the influences of active ingredients from single herbs and compound prescriptions of TCM on mitochondrial autophagy. Furthermore， this paper explored the pathogenesis of PD and the basis of the therapeutic role of TCM through the intervention of mitochondrial autophagy， providing references for promoting the application of TCM in the prevention and treatment of PD.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the neuroprotective effects of electroacupuncture (EA) preconditioning against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) mediated by gut microbiota modulation, Nrf2/HO-1 pathway activation, and ferroptosis suppression. METHODS: Adult male SD rats were divided into sham operation group, CIRI model group, and EA preconditioning group. In the latter two groups, rat models of CIRI were established by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), and in EA preconditioning group, EA was applied at Baihui (DU20) and Zusanli (ST36) for 3 days before modeling. Neurological deficits, cerebral infarction, and hippocampal pathology of the rats were evaluated using behavioral tests, TTC staining, and Nissl and HE staining, and the oxidative stress markers (MDA, ROS, and SOD), apoptosis/ferroptosis-related proteins (Bax, Bcl-2, GPX4, and SLC7A11), and changes in gut microbiota were analyzed. RESULTS: EA preconditioning significantly reduced neurological deficits, decreased infarct volume, promoted hippocampal neuronal survival, and improved structural integrity of the hippocampal neurons in MCAO rats. EA preconditioning also significantly lowered MDA and ROS and increased SOD levels, upregulated Bcl-2, GPX4, and SLC7A11 expressions, and downregulated Bax expression in the hippocampal tissue of the rats, causing also activation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling and improvement of gut microbiota composition. CONCLUSIONS EA preconditioning alleviates CIRI in rats by suppressing ferroptosis and apoptosis, enhancing antioxidant defenses via activating Nrf2/HO-1 signaling, and regulating the gut-brain axis.
Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; Reperfusion Injury/therapy* ; Ferroptosis ; Male ; Rats ; Brain Ischemia ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing)/metabolism* ; Brain/metabolism* ; Oxidative Stress ; Heme Oxygenase-1/metabolism* ; Apoptosis

Objective To investigate effect of cassava RS3 resistant starch(Ce-RS3)on serum homocysteine(Hcy)level in patients with atherosclerotic cerebral infarction(ACI)during the recovery period.Methods A total of 55 patients with ACI at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from October 2023 to October 2024 were selected as subjects.They were devieded into observation group(n=28)and control group(n=27)using a random number table.The control group received atorvastatin calcium,phospholipids,and aspirin,while the observation group received atorvastatin calcium,phospholipids,aspirin,and Ce-RS3.After 12 weeks of treatment,homocysteine(Hcy)levels,carotid plaque diameter,National Institutes of Health stroke scale(NIHSS)scores,Barthel index(BI)scores,and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores were compared between two groups.Results After treatment,the serum Hcy levels decreased and carotid plaque size reduced in both groups,with the NIHSS scores and TCM syndrome scores also decreased,and observation group was lower than control group(P＜0.05).After treatment,the BI score increased,with observation group higher than control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion The use of Ce-RS3 in the recovery phase of patients with ACI can effectively improve neurological function and enhance treatment efficacy.

Objective:To establish an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) method for the rapid determination of total bromine in whole blood, and to provide technical support for the monitoring of bromine exposure in occupational populations.Methods:In September 2023, 0.25 ml of whole blood sample was added with 0.25% tetramethylammonium hydroxide solution to a volume of 5.0 ml, ultrasonicated and homogenized, and then quantified by ICP-MS with rhodium solution as the online internal standard solution.Results:The linear relationship of bromine in blood was good within the range of 0~10.00 mg/L, with a correlation coefficient ( r) >0.999. The limit of detection of the method was 0.07 mg/L, and the quantification limit was 0.22 mg/L. The recoveries of the total bromine in whole blood were in the range of 95.5%-102.9%, and the relative standard deviations (RSDs) were in the range of 3.1%-4.7% ( n=7) . Conclusion:An ICP-MS method was established for the rapid determination of total bromine in whole blood, which is accurate, simple, rapid, highly automated, and can be used for the determination of total bromine in whole blood of occupationally exposed people.

Objective To investigate effect of cassava RS3 resistant starch(Ce-RS3)on serum homocysteine(Hcy)level in patients with atherosclerotic cerebral infarction(ACI)during the recovery period.Methods A total of 55 patients with ACI at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from October 2023 to October 2024 were selected as subjects.They were devieded into observation group(n=28)and control group(n=27)using a random number table.The control group received atorvastatin calcium,phospholipids,and aspirin,while the observation group received atorvastatin calcium,phospholipids,aspirin,and Ce-RS3.After 12 weeks of treatment,homocysteine(Hcy)levels,carotid plaque diameter,National Institutes of Health stroke scale(NIHSS)scores,Barthel index(BI)scores,and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores were compared between two groups.Results After treatment,the serum Hcy levels decreased and carotid plaque size reduced in both groups,with the NIHSS scores and TCM syndrome scores also decreased,and observation group was lower than control group(P＜0.05).After treatment,the BI score increased,with observation group higher than control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion The use of Ce-RS3 in the recovery phase of patients with ACI can effectively improve neurological function and enhance treatment efficacy.

Objective:To establish an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) method for the rapid determination of total bromine in whole blood, and to provide technical support for the monitoring of bromine exposure in occupational populations.Methods:In September 2023, 0.25 ml of whole blood sample was added with 0.25% tetramethylammonium hydroxide solution to a volume of 5.0 ml, ultrasonicated and homogenized, and then quantified by ICP-MS with rhodium solution as the online internal standard solution.Results:The linear relationship of bromine in blood was good within the range of 0~10.00 mg/L, with a correlation coefficient ( r) >0.999. The limit of detection of the method was 0.07 mg/L, and the quantification limit was 0.22 mg/L. The recoveries of the total bromine in whole blood were in the range of 95.5%-102.9%, and the relative standard deviations (RSDs) were in the range of 3.1%-4.7% ( n=7) . Conclusion:An ICP-MS method was established for the rapid determination of total bromine in whole blood, which is accurate, simple, rapid, highly automated, and can be used for the determination of total bromine in whole blood of occupationally exposed people.

Objective To explore the effect of Jinhoujian spray on postoperative sore throat (POST) after implantation of streamlined liner of pharyngeal airway (SLIPA) in general anesthesia. Methods A total of 100 patients undergoing lower limb fracture surgery with laryngeal mask general anesthesia in Xuchang Central Hospital, Henan University of Science and Technology from January 1, 2024, to May 31, 2024 were randomly divided into Jinhoujian spray group (Jinhoujian group) and lidocaine aerosol group (lidocaine group), with 50 cases in each group. Jinhoujian spray and lidocaine aerosol were applied to both sides of the laryngeal mask sealing cover, and after intravenous induction of general anesthesia, the same anesthesiologist inserted the laryngeal mask using a blind probing standard method. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were compared between the two groups at different time points: before laryngeal mask insertion (T₀), immediately after insertion (T₁), 3 minutes after insertion (T₂), 5 minutes after insertion (T₃), 10 minutes after insertion (T₄), immediately after mask removal (T₅), 3 minutes after removal (T₆), and 5 minutes after removal (T₇). The incidences of stress responses (coughing, airway spasm, agitation, nausea and vomiting) and adverse reactions (tongue numbness, arytenoid joint dislocation, dysphagia, restricted protective reflexes, and pharyngeal arch injury) after laryngeal mask removal were compared between the two groups. The numeric rating scale (NRS) at 0.5 h, and NRS, hoarseness, and extubation reaction at 24 h after mask removal were compared between the two groups. Results There were no statistically significant differences in baseline data and MAP and HR values at each time point (T_0-7) between the two groups. Compared with the lidocaine group, the patients in Jinhoujian group had a lower incidence of nausea and vomiting after laryngeal mask removal (P＝0.021). There was no statistically significant difference in the numeric rating scale (NRS) score 0.5 h after laryngeal mask removal between the two groups. Compared to the lidocaine group, the patients in Jinhoujian group had significantly lower scores of NRS (P＝0.027), Prince-Henry (P＝0.002), and oral mucositis (P＝0.026) 24 h after laryngeal mask removal . Conclusions Jinhoujian spray can effectively reduce incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting, alleviate POST and oral mucositis 24 h after laryngeal mask removal, improving patient comfort after lower limb fracture surgery.

Background The concentrations of disinfection by-products (DBPs) are varied by different water sources, disinfectants, or treatment processes in Wuxi, and the associated health risks are also different. Objective To understand the levels of trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetamides (HAcAms) in drinking water in Wuxi, and their variations by water sources, seasons, disinfectants or treatment processes, aiming to provide technical support for ensuring the safety of drinking water. Methods In dry period (December 2019) and wet period (July 2020), the finished water and tap water (from the beginning, middle, and end of the drinking water distribution network) from 12 centralized water treatment plants in Wuxi were collected to detect the concentrations of THMs and HAcAms in water samples. A purge and trap-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method was applied to detect trichloromethane (TCM), bromodichloromethane (BDCM), dibromochloromethane (DBCM), and tribromomethane (TBM), and a solid-phase extraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method to detect dichloroacetamide (DCAcAm), trichloroacetamide (TCAcAm), bromochloroacetamide (BCAcAm), dibromoacetamide (DBAcAm), bromodichloroacetamide (BDCAcAm), dibromochloroacetamide (DBCAcAm), and tribromoacetamide (TBAcAm). Analyses and comparisons were made on the concentrations of THMs and HAcAms in drinking water by water sources (the Yangtze River/the Taihu Lake/reservoir), wet/dry seasons, disinfection methods (liquid chlorine/sodium hypochlorite), and treatment processes (conventional treatment/conventional+advanced treatment). Results A total of 96 drinking water samples were collected in Wuxi. THMs were positive in all the water samples (100%), with concentration ranging from 1.027 to 40.225 μg·L⁻¹ and the M (P₂₅, P₇₅) concentration being 24.782 (17.784, 30.932) μg·L⁻¹. None of the 4 THMs exceeded the standard limit of the Standards for drinking water quality (GB 5749-2022 ), and the order of the 4 THMs concentrations from high to low was TCM > BDCM > DBCM > TBM. Five of the 7 HAcAms were detected, the total concentration ranged from 0.137 to 3.288 μg·L⁻¹, and the M (P₂₅, P₇₅) was 0.808 (0.482, 1.704) μg·L⁻¹. The DCAcAm concentration was the highest (2.448 μg·L⁻¹), followed by BCAcAm, while TCAcAm and DBCAcAm were not detected. The M (P₂₅, P₇₅) of the total concentration of THMs in the drinking water from the Taihu Lake was 33.353 (26.649, 36.217) μg·L⁻¹, that of the Yangtze River was 27.448 (24.312, 31.393) μg·L⁻¹, and both were higher than the level of the reservoir [16.359 (2.305, 21.553) μg·L⁻¹] (P<0.05), while the M (P₂₅, P₇₅) of the total concentration of HAcAms in the drinking water from the Taihu Lake was 0.616 (0.363, 0.718) μg·L⁻¹, which was lower than those of the Yangtze River [0.967 (0.355, 2.283) μg·L⁻¹] and the reservoir [1.071 (0.686, 1.828) μg·L⁻¹] (P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the total concentrations of THMs and HAcAms between wet season and dry season, or between different disinfection methods (P>0.05). The M (P₂₅, P₇₅) concentrations of THMs and HAcAms in drinking water after advanced treatment process involving ozone, activated carbon, and membrane were 20.565 (3.316, 27.185) μg·L⁻¹ and 0.623 (0.452, 1.286) μg·L⁻¹ respectively, and were lower than the corresponding values after conventional treatment process, 28.740 (23.431, 35.085) μg·L⁻¹ and 0.934 (0.490, 2.116) μg·L⁻¹ respectively (P＜0.05). Conclusion The concentrations of THMs and HAcAms in drinking water in Wuxi are generally at a low level. The levels of controlled THMs meet the requirements of national standards, and the levels of uncontrolled HAcAms as new DBPs are up to μg·L⁻¹. The concentrations of the two kinds of DBPs in drinking water vary by water sources. The concentrations of THMs and HAcAms produced by the advanced treatment process are lower than that by the conventional treatment process.

Objective To observe the effects of Yiqi Jiedu Compound on TCM syndrome score and immune regulation of Th17/Treg cells in peripheral blood of patients with myasthenia gravis.Methods 63 patients with myasthenia gravis were randomly divided into the control group(n=31)and the treatment group(n=32).The control group was given the basic treatment of pyridostigmine bromide and glucocorticoid and so on,and the treatment group was given Yiqi Jiedu Compound based on the control group.The two groups were treated for 12 weeks.Clinical efficacy was observed,TCM syndrome scores were statistically analyzed,and the expression levels were detected,which Th17/Treg cells,Foxp3/RORγ t gene and IL-6 and IL-17 cytokines in peripheral blood of patients in both groups before and after treatment.Results After 12 weeks of treatment,compared with the control group,the TCM syndrome score of patients in the treatment group was significantly decreased(P<0.05),and the expression of Foxp3 and Treg genes in peripheral blood was promoted(P<0.05),and the expression of Th17 and Treg cells and IL-6 and IL-17 cytokines in peripheral blood was decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion Yiqi Jiedu Compound may regulate the immune balance of Th17/Treg cells by affecting the differentiation of Th17 and Treg cells in peripheral blood and the expression levels of transcription factors RORγ t and Foxp3 genes and related cytokines,thus achieving the effect of myasthenia gravis treatment.