Diabetes,a metabolic disease stemming from impaired or defective insulin secretion,ranks among the most severe chronic illnesses globally.While several approved drugs exist for its treatment,they often come with multiple side effects.Therefore,there is a pressing need for safe and effective anti-diabetic medications.Traditional Chinese medicine has recognized Lycium barbarum(LB;goji berry)plant,commonly known as"wolfberry fruit"in China,for over 2,000 years.Natural compounds derived from LB show promise in reducing diabetes levels.Although research on the impact of LB on diabetes is still limited,our review aims to explore the potential of LB in reducing the risk of diabetes and examine the underlying mechanisms involved.LB can modulate diabetes through various pathways,such as inhibitingα-amylase and α-glucosidase activities,promoting β-cell proliferation,stimulating insulin secretion,inhibiting glucagon secretion,improving insulin resistance and glucose tolerance,and enhancing anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.Additionally,LB improves gut flora and immunomodulation,further aiding diabetes management.These findings highlight the potential clinical utility of LB in managing diabetes and its complications within the framework of evidence-based modern medicine.

Diabetes, a metabolic disease stemming from impaired or defective insulin secretion, ranks among the most severe chronic illnesses globally. While several approved drugs exist for its treatment, they often come with multiple side effects. Therefore, there is a pressing need for safe and effective anti-diabetic medications. Traditional Chinese medicine has recognized Lycium barbarum (LB; goji berry) plant, commonly known as "wolfberry fruit" in China, for over 2,000 years. Natural compounds derived from LB show promise in reducing diabetes levels. Although research on the impact of LB on diabetes is still limited, our review aims to explore the potential of LB in reducing the risk of diabetes and examine the underlying mechanisms involved. LB can modulate diabetes through various pathways, such as inhibiting α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities, promoting β-cell proliferation, stimulating insulin secretion, inhibiting glucagon secretion, improving insulin resistance and glucose tolerance, and enhancing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Additionally, LB improves gut flora and immunomodulation, further aiding diabetes management. These findings highlight the potential clinical utility of LB in managing diabetes and its complications within the framework of evidence-based modern medicine.

Objective To analyze the risk factors and effective predictive indicators for postpartum hemor-rhage(PPH)in pregnant women with severe pre-eclampsia(sPE)in singleton pregnancies.The findings will serve as a valuable reference for the clinical prevention and management of PPH in these patients.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 932 pregnant women with sPE at two tertiary hospitals in Guangzhou from January 1,2016,to December 31,2022.Among these,95 cases were complicated by PPH.A comparative analysis was performed between the sPE group and the sPE with PPH group.Results(1)The incidence of assisted reproductive technology,intrapartum blood loss,placental abruption,elevated D-dimer levels,increased monocyte counts,and higher SIRI levels were significantly higher in the PPH group,whereas platelet counts were significantly lower(P<0.05).(2)The results indicated that intrapartum blood loss,D-dimer levels,and platelet counts were inde-pendently associated with PPH in pregnant women with sPE.(3)The area under the curve(AUC)for intrapartum blood loss,D-dimer,and platelet counts were 0.805,0.717,and 0.571,respectively.The optimal cutoff value for D-dimer was determined to be 2.295 μg/mL.The combined AUC for intrapartum blood loss and D-dimer was 0.859.(4)Intrapartum blood loss values were significantly higher in the PPH group for both vaginal delivery and cesarean section(P<0.001).The corresponding optimal cutoff values were 285 mL and 375 mL,respectively.Conclusions Intrapartum haemorrhage,D-dimer levels,and platelet count were identified as independent risk factors for PPH in pregnant women with sPE.Specifically,pregnant women with sPE who experienced blood loss exceeding 285 mL during vaginal delivery or 375 mL during caesarean section,along with a D-dimer level greater than 2.295 μg/mL,demonstrated an increased likelihood of developing PPH.Therefore,it is crucial to enhance clinical monitoring of these relevant indicators in high-risk populations.

Objective To analyze the risk factors and effective predictive indicators for postpartum hemor-rhage(PPH)in pregnant women with severe pre-eclampsia(sPE)in singleton pregnancies.The findings will serve as a valuable reference for the clinical prevention and management of PPH in these patients.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 932 pregnant women with sPE at two tertiary hospitals in Guangzhou from January 1,2016,to December 31,2022.Among these,95 cases were complicated by PPH.A comparative analysis was performed between the sPE group and the sPE with PPH group.Results(1)The incidence of assisted reproductive technology,intrapartum blood loss,placental abruption,elevated D-dimer levels,increased monocyte counts,and higher SIRI levels were significantly higher in the PPH group,whereas platelet counts were significantly lower(P<0.05).(2)The results indicated that intrapartum blood loss,D-dimer levels,and platelet counts were inde-pendently associated with PPH in pregnant women with sPE.(3)The area under the curve(AUC)for intrapartum blood loss,D-dimer,and platelet counts were 0.805,0.717,and 0.571,respectively.The optimal cutoff value for D-dimer was determined to be 2.295 μg/mL.The combined AUC for intrapartum blood loss and D-dimer was 0.859.(4)Intrapartum blood loss values were significantly higher in the PPH group for both vaginal delivery and cesarean section(P<0.001).The corresponding optimal cutoff values were 285 mL and 375 mL,respectively.Conclusions Intrapartum haemorrhage,D-dimer levels,and platelet count were identified as independent risk factors for PPH in pregnant women with sPE.Specifically,pregnant women with sPE who experienced blood loss exceeding 285 mL during vaginal delivery or 375 mL during caesarean section,along with a D-dimer level greater than 2.295 μg/mL,demonstrated an increased likelihood of developing PPH.Therefore,it is crucial to enhance clinical monitoring of these relevant indicators in high-risk populations.

Objective:To study the regional distribution, temporal trend, and health inequity of burn incidence in the world from 1990 to 2019.Methods:The data related to burns worldwide from 1990 to 2019 were collected from the database of Global Burden of Disease (GBD). Based on the number of burn cases and age-standardized incidence rates, the incidence of burn was observed by age, region, socio-demographic index (SDI) area (divided into 5 categories of SDI areas: high, medium-high, medium, medium-low and low, the higher the area, the higher the degree of social development) and country, all of which were expressed as estimated values. Joinpoint regression analysis of the age-standardized incidence of burns from 1990 to 2019 was performed using Joinpoint 4.8.0.1 software to observe the average annual percentage change (AAPC). Rstudio software was used to analyze the Spearman correlation between the age-standardized incidence of burns and SDI from 1990 to 2019. The global inequities of burn incidence were evaluated using the slope index and concentration index from the health equity assessment toolkit, where the slope index reflected the absolute difference in burn incidence between countries with the lowest and highest SDI, and the concentration index indicated the degree to which burn incidence was concentrated in countries with low or high SDI.Results:From 1990 to 2019, the number of global burncases increased from 8 378 121.71 to 8 955 227.68, with an increase of 6.89%. However, the age-standardized incidence rate of burns showed an overall downward trend, from 149.86/100 000 in 1990 to 117.51/100 000 in 2019, with an AAPC of -0.80%. The incidence of burns in the population aged 10-19 years ranked the first in all age groups during the 30 years. Among the six regions of the world, the number of burn cases and the age-standardized incidence rate of burn in the Americas were the highest in 2019, but these two indexes were lower than those in 1999. In 2019, the number of burn patients in medium SDI areas was the highest, and the number of burn patients in low SDI areas was the lowest. The age-standardized incidence of burns was the highest in high SDI areas, and the lowest in medium-low SDI areas. From 1990 to 2019, the number of patients in high and medium-high SDI areas decreased, and the number of patients in other SDI areas increased. Compared with 1990, the age-standardized incidence rates of burns decreased in all SDI regions in 2019, with the greatest decline seen in high SDI and medium-high SDI regions. Cuba had the highest standardized incidence of burns, while Pakistan had the lowest. Spearman correlation analysis showed that from 1990 to 2019, the age-standardized incidence rates of burns in 204 countries and regions were positively correlated with SDI (all P<0.05), and the correlation coefficient decreased from 0.49 in 1990 to 0.37 in 2019. The health inequality slope index decreased from 212.90/100 000 in 1990 to 59.12/100 000 in 2019, and the concentration index decreased from 21.77% in 1990 to 8.38% in 2019. Conclusion:From 1990 to 2019, the global burn incidence rates are disproportionately concentrated in countries and regions with better development status. A significant reduction in the global burn incidence has been accompanied by a significant reduction in these inequities.

Objective:To study the regional distribution, temporal trend, and health inequity of burn incidence in the world from 1990 to 2019.Methods:The data related to burns worldwide from 1990 to 2019 were collected from the database of Global Burden of Disease (GBD). Based on the number of burn cases and age-standardized incidence rates, the incidence of burn was observed by age, region, socio-demographic index (SDI) area (divided into 5 categories of SDI areas: high, medium-high, medium, medium-low and low, the higher the area, the higher the degree of social development) and country, all of which were expressed as estimated values. Joinpoint regression analysis of the age-standardized incidence of burns from 1990 to 2019 was performed using Joinpoint 4.8.0.1 software to observe the average annual percentage change (AAPC). Rstudio software was used to analyze the Spearman correlation between the age-standardized incidence of burns and SDI from 1990 to 2019. The global inequities of burn incidence were evaluated using the slope index and concentration index from the health equity assessment toolkit, where the slope index reflected the absolute difference in burn incidence between countries with the lowest and highest SDI, and the concentration index indicated the degree to which burn incidence was concentrated in countries with low or high SDI.Results:From 1990 to 2019, the number of global burncases increased from 8 378 121.71 to 8 955 227.68, with an increase of 6.89%. However, the age-standardized incidence rate of burns showed an overall downward trend, from 149.86/100 000 in 1990 to 117.51/100 000 in 2019, with an AAPC of -0.80%. The incidence of burns in the population aged 10-19 years ranked the first in all age groups during the 30 years. Among the six regions of the world, the number of burn cases and the age-standardized incidence rate of burn in the Americas were the highest in 2019, but these two indexes were lower than those in 1999. In 2019, the number of burn patients in medium SDI areas was the highest, and the number of burn patients in low SDI areas was the lowest. The age-standardized incidence of burns was the highest in high SDI areas, and the lowest in medium-low SDI areas. From 1990 to 2019, the number of patients in high and medium-high SDI areas decreased, and the number of patients in other SDI areas increased. Compared with 1990, the age-standardized incidence rates of burns decreased in all SDI regions in 2019, with the greatest decline seen in high SDI and medium-high SDI regions. Cuba had the highest standardized incidence of burns, while Pakistan had the lowest. Spearman correlation analysis showed that from 1990 to 2019, the age-standardized incidence rates of burns in 204 countries and regions were positively correlated with SDI (all P<0.05), and the correlation coefficient decreased from 0.49 in 1990 to 0.37 in 2019. The health inequality slope index decreased from 212.90/100 000 in 1990 to 59.12/100 000 in 2019, and the concentration index decreased from 21.77% in 1990 to 8.38% in 2019. Conclusion:From 1990 to 2019, the global burn incidence rates are disproportionately concentrated in countries and regions with better development status. A significant reduction in the global burn incidence has been accompanied by a significant reduction in these inequities.

Hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）， an insidious malignant tumor with high incidence and lethality， poses a major threat to physical and mental health of human beings. The pathological mechanism needs to be further studied. Surgery， radiotherapy， chemotherapy， and targeted drugs are effective but induce many adverse reactions. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） has unique advantages and abundant clinical experience in the treatment of HCC. There has been an explosion of research on the pathways， targets， and mechanism of TCM against HCC from the perspective of molecular biology. According to previous research， Chinese medicinals or compound Chinese medicine prescriptions， directly or indirectly prevent the occurrence and progression of HCC through multiple pathways and targets， which is closely related to the pathophysiological processes such as cell proliferation， metastasis， apoptosis， autophagy， inflammatory response， and immune response. This paper summarizes and analyzes research on the action pathways and mechanisms of Chinese medicine against HCC. Specifically， isoliquiritigenin， dendrobium candidum and Yexiazhu compound Ⅱ regulate phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B （PI3K/Akt） signaling pathway to inhibit the growth， proliferation and metastasis of tumor cells. Toad venom and dioscorea zingiberensis induce and enhance HCC autophagy by modulating mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR） signaling pathway. Myricetin， asparagus， and Biejiajian Wan regulate mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK） signaling pathway to promote HCC cell cycle arrest， inhibit angiogenesis， and induce apoptosis. Polygonum odoratum， tetragonum， and plantainoside modulate nuclear factor-kappa B （NF-κB） to inhibit inflammatory response and HCC metastasis and reduce drug resistance. Quercetin and erigeron breviscapus control the Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （JAK2/STAT3） signaling pathway to suppress epithelial-mesenchymal transition （EMT） and remodel cytoskeleton. This paper is expected to lay a theoretical basis for the in-depth research on and clinical application of Chinese medicine in the treatment of HCC.

Objective:To investigate the role and mechanism of microRNA-499 (miR-499) regulating α-myosin heavy chain (α-MHC) and β-myosin heavy chain (β-MHC) gene axis in septic myocardial dysfunction (SMD) and its significance.Methods:Sixty healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into phosphate buffered saline (PBS) control group (PBS group), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced SMD model group (LPS group), miR-499 agonist pretreatment group (agomir+LPS group), and miR-499 inhibitor pretreatment group (antagomir+LPS group) by random number table, with 15 rats in each group. SMD rat model was reproduced by intraperitoneal injection of LPS 10 mg/kg. The PBS group was intraperitoneally injected with the same amount of PBS. The two pretreatment groups were injected with agomir 30 mg/kg or antagomir 80 mg/kg through the caudal vein for 3 days, once a day. PBS group and LPS group were not pretreated. Echocardiography was detected 5 hours after LPS injection, and relevant indexes were recorded. The expression of miR-499 in plasma and myocardial tissue was detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Western blotting was used to detect the protein expressions of α-MHC and β-MHC in myocardial tissue. Plasma N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), a marker of heart failure, was measured by electrochemiluminescence.Results:Compared with the PBS group, the rats in LPS group were depressed. Additionally, LPS down-regulated the level of miR-499 in plasma and myocardial tissue, decreased α-MHC expression in myocardial tissue and up-regulated the expression of β-MHC. Echocardiography showed that left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricle fractional shortening (LVFS), cardiac output (CO), stroke volume (SV) and heart rate (HR) decreased by 49.1%, 59.2%, 48.8%, 39.4% and 15.9%, respectively, and the level of plasma NT-proBNP increased significantly in LPS group, indicating that LPS could induce cardiac dysfunction in rats. Compared with the LPS group, after pretreatment with agomir to overexpress the miR-499, LVEF and LVFS were significantly increased [LVEF: 0.662±0.020 vs. 0.323±0.024, LVFS: (36.16±1.43)% vs. (20.20±1.32)%, both P < 0.01], which suggested that the cardiac function of rats was improved in agomir+LPS group. At the same time, pretreatment with agomir significantly down-regulated the β-MHC protein expression (β-MHC/GAPDH: 0.74±0.04 vs. 2.97±0.34, P < 0.01), significantly up-regulated α-MHC protein expression (α-MHC/GAPDH: 1.59±0.05 vs. 0.74±0.14, P < 0.01), and significantly decreased the plasma NT-proBNP level (ng/L: 114.49±6.85 vs. 334.13±4.36, P < 0.01). After pretreatment with antagomir to inhibit the expression of miR-499, echocardiography showed that LVEF and LVFS were significantly lower than those in the LPS group [LVEF: 0.297±0.021 vs. 0.323±0.024, LVFS: (19.38±1.52)% vs. (21.20±1.32)%, both P < 0.01], which suggested that the cardiac function of rats was significantly inhibited. At the same time, pretreatment with antagomir significantly down-regulated α-MHC protein expression in myocardial tissue (α-MHC/GAPDH: 0.63±0.03 vs. 0.74±0.14, P < 0.01), significantly up-regulated β-MHC protein expression (β-MHC/GAPDH: 3.03±0.47 vs. 2.97±0.34, P < 0.01), and significantly increased the level of plasma NT-proBNP (ng/L: 373.91±4.23 vs. 334.13±4.36, P < 0.05). Conclusions:miR-499 could regulate the expression of α-MHC and β-MHC which improved cardiac dysfunction caused by sepsis. Targeted regulation of miR-499 expression may be an effective way to treat SMD.

Objective: The present study evaluated the clinical effects of Invisalign-aided molar distalization in the treatment of mild or moderate crowding in anterior teeth. Methods: Eleven adults with class Ⅱ dental malocclusion and a class Ⅰ skeletal pattern were selected as subjects. The patients’ molar occlusion did not exhibit an end-to-end relationship. Subjects were selected for straight profile, mild or moderate crowding in maxillary teeth and normal or mild crowding in mandibular teeth. Nonextraction and Invisalign-aided molar distalization were planned for treatment. Model measurement and cephalometric analysis were performed before and after treatment. A paired t test was used for the statistical analysis. Results: The crowding and class Ⅱ molar relationship were corrected in all 11 patients. The upper first molars were moved distally by 2.32 mm (t = 3.315, P < 0.01) and were inclined distally by 3.35° (t = 3.959, P < 0.01) on average. The central incisors were protruded by 1.72 ° (t = 3.274, P < 0.01) on average. The buccal movement of the upper first molars was 1.32 mm (t = 2.461, P < 0.05) on average. The above differences were statistically significant. Conclusion Upper molar distalization can be achieved using a class Ⅱ elastic-aided Invisalign technique. The end-to-end molar occlusion can be corrected, and front teeth with mild or moderate crowding can be aligned using our treatment protocol.

[Objective] To investigate associations between the functional polymorphisms of signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4) gene and unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (URSA) and between STAT4 protein expression and the genotypes of rs 10181656 locus.[Methods] PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism was used to genotype rs 1 0181656 locus polymorphism in 332 URSA cases and 260 normal controls,in 86 URSA cases and 77 normal controls of which immunohistochemical technique was used to detect STAT4 protein expression.[Results] The frequencies of rs10181656 C/G were 36.45 ％,46.54％ in genotype C/C,46.99％,45.38％ in genotype C/G and 16.57％,8.08％ in genotype G/G between URSA patients and normal controls.They reached statistical difference (P ＜ 0.05).The carriers of rs 10181656 G allele increased the risk of URSA (OR =1.50,P ＜ 0.05).STAT4 protein expression in decidual tissues:①There was statistical difference in the STAT4 protein expression in decidual tissues between cases and controls (P ＜ 0.05).In URSA patients there was statistical difference in the STAT4 protein expression among genotype CC,CG and GG of rs10181656 locus (P ＜ 0.05).So was in normal controls (P ＜ 0.05).In genotype CC there was no difference in the STAT4 protein expression between cases and controls (P ＞ 0.05).Neither was In genotype CG and GG respectively (P all ＞ 0.05).[Conclusion] Functional polymorphisms of the rs10181656 locus could probably associate with the susceptibility of URSA via STAT4 protein expression increased by genotype G/G in maternal decidual tissue.