Sophorae Flavescentis Radix is one of the commonly used traditional Chinese medicine in China, and a large amount of pharmaceutical residue generated during its processing and production is discarded as waste, which not only wastes resources but also pollutes the environment. Therefore, elucidating the chemical composition of the residue of Sophorae Flavescentis Radix and the differences between the residue and Sophorae Flavescentis Radix itself is of great significance for the comprehensive utilization of the residue. This study, based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) technology combined with multivariate statistical methods, provides a thorough characterization, identification, and differential analysis of the overall components of Sophorae Flavescentis Radix and its residue. Firstly, 61 compounds in Sophorae Flavescentis Radix were rapidly identified based on their precise molecular weight, fragment ions, and compound abundance, using a self-constructed compound database. Among them, 41 compounds were found in the residue, mainly alkaloids and flavonoids. Secondly, through principal component analysis(PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA), 15 key compounds differentiating Sophorae Flavescentis Radix from its residue were identified. These included highly polar alkaloids, such as oxymatrine and oxysophocarpine, which showed significantly reduced content in the residue, and less polar flavonoids, such as kurarinone and kuraridin, which were more abundant in the residue. In summary, this paper clarifies the overall composition, structure, and content differences between Sophorae Flavescentis Radix and its residue, suggesting that the residue of Sophorae Flavescentis Radix can be used as a raw material for the extraction of its high-activity components, with promising potential for development and application in cosmetics and daily care. This research provides a scientific basis for the future comprehensive utilization of Sophorae Flavescentis Radix and its residue.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods* ; Mass Spectrometry/methods* ; Sophora/chemistry* ; Flavonoids/chemistry* ; Alkaloids/chemistry*

Debates persist regarding the efficacy and safety of azvudine, particularly its real-world outcomes. This study involved patients aged ≥60 years who were admitted to 25 hospitals in mainland China with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection between December 1, 2022, and February 28, 2023. Efficacy outcomes were all-cause mortality during hospitalization, the proportion of patients discharged with recovery, time to nucleic acid-negative conversion (T _NANC), time to symptom improvement (T _SI), and time of hospital stay (T _HS). Safety was also assessed. Among the 5884 participants identified, 1999 received azvudine, and 1999 matched controls were included after exclusion and propensity score matching. Azvudine recipients exhibited lower all-cause mortality compared with controls in the overall population (13.3% vs. 17.1%, RR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.67-0.90; P = 0.001) and in the severe subgroup (25.7% vs. 33.7%; RR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.66-0.88; P < 0.001). A higher proportion of patients discharged with recovery, and a shorter T _NANC were associated with azvudine recipients, especially in the severe subgroup. The incidence of adverse events in azvudine recipients was comparable to that in the control group (2.3% vs. 1.7%, P = 0.170). In conclusion, azvudine showed efficacy and safety in older patients hospitalized with COVID-19 during the SARS-CoV-2 omicron wave in China.

Stroke, a major cerebrovascular disease, has high morbidity and mortality. Effective methods to reduce the risk and improve the prognosis are lacking. Currently, uric acid (UA) is associated with the pathological mechanism, prognosis, and therapy of stroke. UA plays pro/anti-oxidative and pro-inflammatory roles in vivo. The specific role of UA in stroke, which may have both neuroprotective and damaging effects, remains unclear. There is a U-shaped association between serum uric acid (SUA) levels and ischemic stroke (IS). UA therapy provides neuroprotection during reperfusion therapy for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Urate-lowering therapy (ULT) plays a protective role in IS with hyperuricemia or gout. SUA levels are associated with the cerebrovascular injury mechanism, risk, and outcomes of hemorrhagic stroke. In this review, we summarize the current research on the role of UA in stroke, providing potential targets for its prediction and treatment.
Humans ; Uric Acid/metabolism* ; Stroke/drug therapy* ; Animals ; Hyperuricemia/drug therapy* ; Ischemic Stroke/blood* ; Biomarkers/blood*

Objective To evaluate the antioxidant function of Chrysanthemum morifolium from different origins and to identify their antioxidant material basis.Methods The HPLC fingerprints of the water extracts of C.morifolium from different origins were established.The antioxidant activities of C.morifolium were assayed by measuring the 2.2-diphenyl-l-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH),hydroxyl radical,ABTS,superoxide anion radical scavenging capacity and ferric ion reducing capacity FRAP.Entropy-weighted TOPSIS was used to calculate the weighting coefficients of the single indexes.Grey relational analysis(GRA)and partial least squares were used for spectrum-effect analysis to identify the antioxidant material basis of C.morifolium.Results A total of 16 common peaks were discovered in the fingerprint of the water extracts of 10 batches of C.morifolium,among which 13 common components were identified.All the C.morifolium samples had good antioxidant capacity,and the results of entropy-weighted TOPSIS analysis showed that the ranking of total antioxidant potency of 10 batches of C.morifolium was follows:S1＞S8＞S3＞S5＞S4＞S10＞S7＞S2＞S9＞S6.The peaks of 1-5,9,10,12,14 were positively correlated with the antioxidant activity and the variable influence on projection(VIP)values were greater than 1.The correlation coefficients of these nine peaks in GRA were all greater than 0.7.Conclusion The entropy-weighted TOPSIS method combined with the spectrum-effect analysis could be used to screen out the antioxidant material basis of C.morifolium and the results provide a basis for establishing quality assessment system for C.morifolium based on Quality-markers thus improving the quality control level.

Objective To investigate the features of autonomic nervous function symptoms in patients with different motor subtypes of Parkinson disease(PD)and the impact of autonomic dysfunction on quality of life in patients with different motor subtypes of PD.Methods Basic information was recorded for all patients enrolled in this study,including the scores of both motor and non-motor symptoms.The patients were divided into different subtypes based on tremor-dominant(TD)and postural instability and gait difficulty(PIGD)scores.Motor and non-motor symptoms,especially autonomic symptoms,were compared between the patients with TD subtype and those with PIGD subtype,and the association between autonomic dysfunction and quality of life was analyzed for patients with different motor subtypes.Results There were 105 patients(57.7%)in the TD group and 63(34.6%)in the PIGD group.There were no significant differences between the TD group and the PIGD group in age,sex,lifestyle,course of disease,levodopa equivalent dose,and disease severity,and there were also no significant differences between the two groups in the scores of anxiety,depression,apathy,cognition,and constipation,the reduction in systolic blood pressure(SBP)in standing and supine positions,and the incidence rate of orthostatic hypotension before and after medication.The PIGD group had a significantly higher total score of autonomic nervous function than the TD group,with a median of 24 and 19,respectively.The median of quality of life score was 66 points in the PIGD group and 46 points in the TD group,suggesting that the PIGD group had a poorer quality of life than the TD group.Quality of life was positively correlated with autonomic nervous function symptoms in the PD patients in both the PIGD group(R2=0.209,P=0.000)and the TD group(R2=0.166,P=0.000).In the TD group,quality of life was correlated with constipation(r=0.313,P=0.002)and the maximum difference in SBP in standing and supine positions before Madopar administration(r=0.252,P=0.009).Conclusion PD patients with PIGD subtype tend to have more severe symptoms of autonomic dysfunction and a lower quality of life than those with TD subtype.PD patients with both TD and PIGD subtypes tend to have a worse quality of life due to severe autonomic dysfunction,and the quality of life of patients with TD subtype is also correlated with constipation and the maximal difference in SBP in standing and supine positions before Madopar administration.

Objective:To assess the clinical features and effectiveness of antiviral therapy in newborns with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) caused by congenital congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection, and to speculate the risk factors for poor hearing outcomes.Methods:A multicenter prospective cohort study wasconducted, enrolling 176 newborns diagnosed with cCMV at four research centers in Zhejiang Province from March 1, 2021, to April 30, 2024. Clinical characteristics at birth were recorded and hearing was followed up. The children were divided into groups based on their condition at birth, specifically into asymptomatic, mild symptom, and moderate to severe symptom groups. Additionally, they were divided into SNHL and normal hearing groups based on the results of air conduction brainstem audiometry at birth. And they were also divided into treatment and untreated groups according to antiviral treatment. Mann Whitney U test, and chi square test were used for inter group comparison to analyze the differences in clinical features between different disease groups, and to analyze the effects of clinical features, antiviral therapy, and other factors on hearing improvement. Logistic regression analysis was employed to identify the risk factors influencing hearing outcomes. Results:Among the cohort of 176 children diagnosed infection with cCMV, 90 cases were male and 86 cases were female. Of these, 79 cases were asymptomatic, 12 cases classified as mild cCMV and 85 cases as moderate to severe cCMV. Fifty cases belonged to SNHL group, with different degrees of severity, including 30 cases of mild, 9 cases of moderate, 5 cases of severe, and 6 cases of extremely severe SNHL. Among the 121 cases in the normal hearing group, 2 cases (1.7%) exhibited late-onset hearing loss despite having normal hearing at birth. Among 81 cases (46.0%) who completed the hearing follow-up, 71 cases (87.7%) had good hearing outcomes and 10 cases (12.3%) had poor hearing outcomes. Among the 81 children, 29 cases (35.8%) had SNHL at birth. During follow-up, the hearing threshold improved in 19 cases (65.5%), remained stable in 7 cases (24.1%) and progressed in 3 cases (10.3%). A total of 26 cases in the treatment group and 55 cases in the untreated group completed the hearing follow-up assessment. The rate of hearing improvement in the treatment group was found to be higher compared to the untreated group (13 cases (50.0%) vs. 6 cases (10.9%), χ2=15.00, P<0.01), with individuals in the treatment group having a 4.58 times greater likelihood of experiencing hearing improvement ( RR=4.58,95% CI 1.96-10.70, P<0.05). However, no statistically significant difference was observed in hearing outcomes between the antiviral treatment group and the untreated group ( RR=0.90, 95% CI 0.57-1.41, P=0.517). Multivariate analysis further confirmed SNHL ( OR=11.58, 95% CI 2.10-63.93, P=0.005) and preterm birth ( OR=4.98, 95% CI 1.06-23.41, P=0.042) as independent risk factors for poor hearing outcomes. Conclusions:SNHL resulting from cCMV infection presents symptoms at birth and can be improved by antiviral therapy. Poor hearing outcomes are associated with SNHL and prematurity.

Objective To investigate the effects of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes(BMSCs-Exo)on the regulation of epithelia-mesenchymal transition(EMT)in human peritoneal mesothelial cells(HPMCs)treated with glucose-based peritoneal dialysis fluid(PDF).Methods BMSCs-Exo were verified by transmission electron microscopy(TEM),nanoparticle tracking analyzer(NTA)and Western blot.Cultured HPMCs(HMrSV5)were divided into 5 groups;control group,high glucose-based PDF(1.5％,2.5％,and 4.25％)group,siNLRP3 group,siNC group and BMSCs-Exo treated group.Expression of E-cadherin,vimentin,α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)and NLRP3 inflammasome-related proteins were detected by Western blot.Real time RT-PCR was used to detected the expression of α-SMA,E-cadherin and TGF-β1 mRNAs in HMrSV5 cells.The concentration of TGF-β1,IL-1 β and IL-18 in the culture supernatant was determined by ELISA.Results The exosomes isolated were spherical and double-membrane vesicles with 40-150 nm in diameter,which expressed CD9,CD81,TSG101 and Alix protein.Our results showed that the level of α-SMA and vimentin were significantly up-regulated and E-cadherin(epithelial marker)was significantly decreased in HMrSV5 cells treated with high glucose PDF com-pared with the normal HMrSV5 cells.The expression of NLRP3,pro-caspase-1 and pro-IL-1β were also significantly up-regulated in HMrSV5 cells treated with high glucose PDF compared with the normal HMrSV5 cells.The level of TGF-β1,IL-1 β and IL-18 in high glucose PDF treated HMrSV5 cells culture supernatant was up-regulated in a dose dependent manner.The protein level of α-SMA was decreased and E-cadherin level was increased by an NLRP3 siRNA to inhibit the activation of NLRP3.Compared with 4.25％PDF treated cells,E-cadherin expression was up-regulated,while the expression of α-SMA and vimentin were down-regulated in BMSCs-Exo treatment cells(P＜0.05).Furthermore,the protein expression of NLRP3,pro-caspase-1 and pro-IL-1β in 4.25％PDF-treated HMrSV5 cells were significantly reduced by BMSCs-Exo.BMSCs-Exo also reduced the level of TGF-β1,IL-1 β and IL-8 in the 4.25％PDF-treated HMrSV5 cells culture supernatants(P＜0.05).Conclusions High glucose PDF-induced EMT in HPMCs might be mediated by NLRP3 inflammatory signaling pathway,which can be inhibited by BMSCs-Exo.

Objective:To investigate the value of CT quantitative parameters of tumor and spleen in predicting the clinical stage of gastric cancer (Ⅰ/Ⅱ stage and Ⅲ/Ⅳ stage).Methods:This study was a case-control study. The data of 145 patients with gastric cancer confirmed by pathology in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from February 2019 to June 2021 were retrospectively collected, including 70 cases of Ⅰ/Ⅱ stage and 75 cases of Ⅲ/Ⅳ stage. On the baseline CT images, the tumor related parameters, including tumor thickness, length of tumor, CT attenuation of tumor unenhanced phase, CT attenuation of tumor arterial phase, CT attenuation of tumor venous phase were measured. The spleen related parameters, including splenic thickness, CT attenuation of splenic unenhanced phase, CT attenuation of splenic arterial phase, CT attenuation of splenic venous phase, and standard deviation of CT attenuation (CTsd) in splenic unenhanced phase were also measured. The independent sample t test or Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the parameters between the Ⅰ/Ⅱ stage and Ⅲ/Ⅳ stage patients. The multi-factor logistic regression analysis was used to find the independent predictors of gastric cancer clinical stage, and establish the combined parameters. The efficiency to the diagnosis of gastric cancer stage of single and combined parameters was evaluated using the operating characteristic curve, and the DeLong test was used to compare the differences of area under the curve (AUC). Results:There were significant differences in tumor thickness, length of tumor, CT attenuation of tumor venous phase, CT attenuation of splenic unenhanced phase, CT attenuation of splenic venous phase, CTsd in splenic unenhanced phase between the Ⅰ/Ⅱ stage and Ⅲ/Ⅳ stage of gastric cancer ( P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that tumor thickness ( OR=1.073, 95% CI 1.026-1.123, P=0.002), CT attenuation of splenic venous phase ( OR=1.040, 95% CI 1.011-1.070, P=0.006) and CTsd in splenic unenhanced phase ( OR=1.625, 95% CI 1.330-1.987, P<0.001) were independent risk factors for the clinical stage of gastric cancer and the combined parameters were established. The AUC values of tumor thickness, CT attenuation of splenic venous phase, CTsd in splenic unenhanced phase and combined parameters were 0.655, 0.614, 0.749 and 0.806, respectively. The AUC of combined parameters was higher than those of tumor thickness and CT attenuation of splenic venous phase, and the differences were statistically significant ( Z=3.37, 3.82, both P<0.001). Conclusion:Tumor thickness, CT attenuation of splenic venous phase and CTsd in splenic unenhanced phase are independent risk factors for the clinical stage of gastric cancer, and combined parameters can improve the diagnostic efficiency.

Objective To observe the efficacy and safety of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides in the continuation treatment of mild and moderate depression.Methods An open,single-arm,multi-center design was adopted in our study.Adult patients with mild and moderate depression who had received acute treatment of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides were enrolled and continue to receive Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides capsules for 24 weeks,the dose remained unchanged during continuation treatment.The remission rate,recurrence rate,recurrence time,and the change from baseline to endpoint of Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD),Hamilton Anxiety Scale(HAMA),Clinical Global Impression-Severity(CGI-S)and Arizona Sexual Experience Scale(ASEX)were evaluated.The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was reported.Results The scores of HAMD-17 at baseline and after treatment were 6.60±1.87 and 5.85±4.18,scores of HAMA were 6.36±3.02 and 4.93±3.09,scores of CGI-S were 1.49±0.56 and 1.29±0.81,scores of ASEX were 15.92±4.72 and 15.57±5.26,with significant difference(P＜0.05).After continuation treatment,the remission rate was 54.59％(202 cases/370 cases),and the recurrence rate was 6.49％(24 cases/370 cases),the recurrence time was(64.67±42.47)days.The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was 15.35％(64 cases/417 cases).Conclusion Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides capsules can be effectively used for the continuation treatment of mild and moderate depression,and are well tolerated and safe.

Objective　To assess the willingness of students with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in Jiangsu Province to undergo preventive treatment and identify factors influencing their decision, aiming to provide insights for tuberculosis prevention and control strategies in school. Methods The physical examination information of tuberculosis latent infection cases was collected from screenings of new school enrollment and contacts of tuberculosis patients in 6 cities of Jiangsu Province from December 2022 to December 2023. Data on past medical history and understanding of preventive treatment were gathered through an online questionnaire survey on the website of Juanxing, and the influencing factors related to the willingness to take preventive medication were analyzed by logistic regression analysis model. Results In December 2022 to December 2023, a total of 13 school tuberculosis outbreaks occurred in 6 cities, and 1 661 contacts were screened, among which 162 cases met the criteria for prophylactic medication, 96 cases were included in the study by filling in the questionnaire. A total of 22 600 new students from 56 schools participated in the TB screening upon enrollment, of which 358 tested positive for the tuberculin skin test alone, meeting the criteria for preventive medication, and 251 of them completed the willingness survey. Finally, 347 students who met the criteria for preventive treatment were included in the study, with 164 expressing to accept preventive treatment representing a treatment acceptance rate of 47.3%. The results of multivariate analysis showed that university (OR=17.950, 95%CI: 3.078-104.686, P=0.001) and contact with the source of school tuberculosis epidemic (OR=19.542, 95%CI: 6.289-60.726, P<0.001) were associated with increased willingness to receive preventive treatment, while unclear whether to pay for the drugs themselves (OR=0.349, 95%CI:0.133-0.916, P=0.032) was associated with decreased willingness to receive preventive treatment. Compared with Huai'an City, the willingness to receive preventive treatment was significantly lower among students from Nantong City (OR=0.005, 95%CI:0.000-0.063, P<0.001), Nanjing City (OR=0.022, 95%CI: 0.003-0.703, P<0.001) and Lianyungang City (OR=0.074, 95%CI:0.008-0.703, P=0.023). Conclusions The acceptance rate of preventive treatment among LTBI students in Jiangsu Province is not high and is affected by multiple factors. Health education and medication mobilization for preventive medication are essential.