The chemical constituents from the n-butanol fraction of ethanol extract of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) were isolated and purified using chromatographic process including MCI Gel CHP-20, ODS, Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography, and semi-preparative HPLC method, and one alkyne and two phenylpropanoid derivants were obtained. Their structures were identified as (5R,E)-tetradecane-12-ene-8,10-diyne-1,5,14-triol (1), (E)-8-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl n-butyl cinnamate (2), and (7S,8S)-7-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzene)-7-butyl-8,9-diol (3) by modern spectroscopy methods (1D NMR, 2D NMR, UV, IR and MS). 1-3 are all new compounds. Compounds 1-3 were screened for their anti-renal fibrosis activities in vitro, and none of them showed obvious effect.

Objective To explore the efficacy of progressive exercise training based on the modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale (mMRC) grading in respiratory rehabilitation for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at a primary healthcare setting. Methods A total of 106 patients with COPD admitted to Zhuanqiao Community Health Service Center in Shanghai from Aug.1, 2022 to Jul. 30, 2024 were selected as research subjects. They were randomly divided into a study group and a control group in a 1∶1 ratio, with 53 patients in each group. The control group received conventional treatment, while the study group received conventional treatment combined with progressive exercise training. After 4 weeks of continuous treatment, the changes in the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), COPD assessment test (CAT) score, mMRC grading, Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) grading and pulmonary function were compared between the two groups. Results Patients in both groups showed improvements in 6MWT distance, CAT score, mMRC grading, GOLD grading, and pulmonary function compared to baseline (P＜0.05). Moreover, the study group had better improvements in 6MWT distance, CAT score, mMRC grading, GOLD grading, and pulmonary function than the control group (P＜0.05). Conclusions Conventional treatment combined with progressive exercise training based on mMRC grading can enhance the effect of respiratory rehabilitation in patients with COPD, particularly in improving pulmonary function and exercise tolerance.

Objective To explore the safety and effects of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) in patients with ischemic heart failure (IHF). Methods A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was designed (ClinicalTrial.gov registration number NCT03491969). From January 2019 to January 2023, 300 patients with IHF were enrolled in four medical centers in China, and were randomly assigned at a 1∶1 ratio to receive ALA (600 mg daily) or placebo on top of standard care for 24 months. The primary outcome was the composite outcome of hospitalization for heart failure (HF) or all-cause mortality events. The second outcome included non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), non-fatal stroke, changes of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and 6-minute walking distance (6MWD) from baseline to 24 months after randomization. Results Finally, 138 patients of the ALA group and 139 patients of the placebo group attained the primary outcome. Hospitalization for HF or all-cause mortality events occurred in 32 patients (23.2%) of the ALA group and in 40 patients (28.8%) of the placebo group (HR＝0.753, 95%CI 0.473-1.198, P＝0.231; Figure 1A-1C). The absolute risk reduction (ARR) was 5.6%, the relative risk reduction (RRR) associated with ALA therapy was approximately 19.4% compared to placebo, corresponding to a number needed to treat (NNT) of 18 patients to prevent one event. In the secondary outcome analysis, the composite outcome of the major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) including the hospitalization for HF, all-cause mortality events, non-fatal MI or non-fatal stroke occurred in 35 patients (25.4%) in the ALA group and 47 patients (33.8%) in the placebo group (HR＝0.685, 95%CI 0.442-1.062, P＝0.091; Figure 1D). Moreover, greater improvement in LVEF (β＝3.20, 95%CI 1.14-5.23, P＝0.002) and 6MWD (β＝31.7, 95%CI 8.3-54.7, P＝0.008) from baseline to 24 months after randomization were observed in the ALA group as compared to the placebo group. There were no differences in adverse events between the study groups. Conclusions These results show potential long-term beneficial effects of adding ALA to IHF patients. ALA could significantly improve LVEF and 6MWD compared to the placebo group in IHF patients.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To explore the correlation between HPLC fingerprint and analgesic efficacy of Zhejiang vinegar Corydalis Rhizoma, and to screen out the material basis of analgesic effect of Zhejiang vinegar Corydalis Rhizoma.METHODS Established HPLC fingerprint of Zhejiang vinegar Corydalis Rhizoma and dysmenorrhea model in rats. The weight loss rate, writhing response, serum malondialdehyde(MDA), estradiol(E2), prostaglandin E2(PGE2) and prostaglandin F2α(PGF2α) levels were used as the evaluation indexes of analgesic efficacy. Combined with chemometrics, the main active components of analgesic effect of Zhejiang vinegar Corydalis Rhizoma and the important components with great contribution to the content were screened.RESULTS The fingerprints of different batches of Zhejiang vinegar Corydalis Rhizoma were established, and nine components were identified; compared with the blank group, the weight loss rate, writhing reaction, MDA, E2 and PGF2α levels in the model group were significantly increased. Compared with the model group, the above indexs in the administration group was decreased. Compared with the blank group, the PGE2 level in the model group was significantly decreased. Compared with the model group, the PGE2 level in the administration group was significantly increased. The vinegar Corydalis Rhizoma produced in Zhejiang had a good analgesic effect, and the main active components of its analgesic effect were protopine, palmatine hydrochloride, and dehydrocorydaline. The important components with greater contribution to the content were tetrahydropalmatine, protopine, palmatine hydrochloride and stylopine.CONCLUSION The efficacy of Zhejiang vinegar Corydalis Rhizoma is the result of the combined action of multiple components, and each component has a strong correlation with the pharmacodynamic indexes. This study provides a reference for the screening of analgesic material basis of Zhejiang vinegar Corydalis Rhizoma.

Objective:To systematically review and evaluate the predictive efficacy of various derived indicators of sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) in mortality rate of sepsis patients.Methods:Literature on sepsis and SOFA scores were searched in PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library. The retrieval time will be set to the time of database-building to February, 2023. The main outcome measures included 28-day mortality, 30-day mortality, in-hospital mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) mortality and long-term mortality. Literature screening, data extraction and quality evaluation were carried out independently by 2 researchers. Data were analyzed by Revman 5.3.5, Meta-disc and Stata software. Deek funnel plots were used to assess publication bias in the included studies.Results:A total of 40 articles including 51 trials were included. Of these, 32 were in English and 8 in Chinese, 17 were in prospective trials and 34 were in retrospective trials, 38 were in initial SOFA-related trials and 9 were in the change of SOFA score (ΔSOFA)-related studies, a total of 59?962 patients were enrolled. ① The area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUC) of initial SOFA and ΔSOFA for predicting outcome in sepsis was 0.773 and 0.787 ( Z = 0.115, P > 0.05), respectively. There was no significant difference between the two indexes in predicting the outcome of patients with sepsis. ② In subgroup analysis, due to limitations in the number of literature articles, the 28-day mortality rate and 30-day mortality rate were merged for discussion. The predictive power of ΔSOFA for 28-day or 30-day mortality was significantly higher than that of initial SOFA (AUC was 0.854, 0.787, Z = 2.603, P ≤ 0.01). ③ There were few studies onΔSOFA in predicting in-hospital mortality, ICU mortality and long-term mortality of sepsis patients. The AUC of the initial SOFA for predicting the study endpoints described above was: ICU mortality (0.814) > 28-day or 30-day mortality (0.787) > in-hospital mortality (0.697) > long-term mortality (0.646). ④ Initial SOFA and ΔSOFA in patients with sepsis of non-Han original had good predictive performance and there was no significant difference between them (AUC was 0.766, 0.811, respectively). However, the pooled sensitivity of ΔSOFA was higher (92%). ⑤ In prospective studies, initial SOFA was better at predicting outcomes in patients with sepsis (AUC was 0.804, pooled sensitivity 64%). The sensitivity of ΔSOFA indicators in predicting the outcome of sepsis patients was significantly higher than the initial SOFA (78% vs. 64%). The funnel plot showed that there was no significant publication bias in the included literature. Conclusion:ΔSOFA has a relatively high diagnostic efficacy in predicting short-term (28-day or 30-day) mortality in patients with sepsis.

Objective: To clarify the specific mechanisms of action of raw Phellodendron chinense Schneid. (RPC) and saltwater-processed PC (SPC) in the treatment of rats with a kidney-yin deficiency pattern (KYDP). Methods: Healthy rats were administered hydrocortisone to establish a KYDP model. The rats were divided into seven groups: blank control, model, positive control (Liuwei Dihuang pills), high-dose RPC, low-dose RPC, high-dose SPC, and low-dose SPC. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the levels of cAMP, cGMP, TRH, TSH, T3, T4, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and testosterone in the serum and the levels of Na+-K+-ATPase and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase in the liver. TRH mRNA expression in the rat hypothalamus was measured using RT-PCR. THRα1+2 protein expression in the hypothalamus of rats was measured using Western blot. Immunohistochemistry was performed to determine the expression levels of FAS, FasL, and TSHR. Flow cytometry was used to determine CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocyte levels. Illumina MiSeq sequencing technology was used to evaluate the diversity of intestinal flora in KYDP rats. Results: The cAMP/cGMP ratio was significantly higher in the model group than in the blank control group (P = .048). Compared with the model group, after administration, the levels of the above-mentioned serum and liver indexes decreased, except that of testosterone. The CD4+/CD8+ ratio also decreased. Compared with the RPC group, the levels of T3, IFN-γ, FAS, FasL, and TSHR in the SPC group decreased whereas that of testosterone increased. Additionally, immune function and intestinal flora diversity improved in the SPC group. SPC proved to be more effective in improving liver energy metabolism in KYDP rats than RPC. Conclusion SPC had a better therapeutic effect on KYDP than RPC. The underlying mechanism of action may be related to improvements in liver energy metabolism, immune function, and intestinal flora diversity.

【Objective】 To investigate the protective effects of aflexible sleeve penile protection device on reducing postoperative pain and wound edema in patients after circumcision. 【Methods】 A total of 54 patients who underwent circumcision at Yan’an Branch of Peking University Third Hospital during Feb.1 and May 31, 2023 were enrolled.The patients were randomly divided into the experimental group and control group, with 27 patients in either groups.Patients in the experimental group were treated with a flexible sleeve penis protection device after surgery, and patients in the control group were treated with traditional gauze bandage after surgery.Postoperative pain, wound edema and complications were compared between the two groups. 【Results】 In terms of pain, the visual analogue scale of the experimental group was significantly lower at 6 hours [(1.7±0.9) vs.(3.3±1.9), P<0.001] and 2 days [(2.0±1.3) vs.(3.3±1.3), P<0.001] after surgery than that of the control group, but there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups on the 4th and 7th postoperative days (P>0.05).In terms of edema, the edema score of the experimental group was significantly lower than that of the control group on the 2nd postoperative day [(2.0±1.0) vs.(4.0±0.8), P<0.001] , the 4th postoperative day [(1.5±1.2) vs.(2.6±0.9), P<0.001] , and the 7th postoperative day [(0.9±1.3) vs.(2.3±1.5), P<0.001] .There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups (P>0.05). 【Conclusion】 The flexible sleeve penile protection device has significant effects of reducing early postoperative pain and reducing edema in patients undergoing circumcision.

In cardiovascular disorders, neurological diseases, and chronic metabolic diseases, the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway is essential for maintaining cell homeostasis. According to studies, boosting Nrf2 expression can be used to cure or prevent chronic diseases that are characterized by oxidative stress, inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic metabolic liver disease characterized by hepatic steatosis brought on by a number of causes other than alcohol. In recent years, its incidence has gradually risen across the globe. According to relevant studies, NAFLD and the Nrf2 signaling pathway are tightly connected. Inhibiting lipid production and metabolism-related enzymes, repairing impaired liver metabolism, and lowering hepatic lipid storage are all possible with Nrf2 activation. Exercise is a powerful tool for treating and preventing NAFLD. However, exercise type, exercise intensity, environment, and exhaustion all have an impact on the Nrf2 signaling pathway. By activating Nrf2, exercise can lessen liver inflammation, oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and insulin resistance, and ameliorate liver damage to improve NAFLD. The activation of Nrf2 signaling pathway, its associated mechanism of controlling antioxidation, and the impact of exercise on the Nrf2 signaling pathway are all explained in this work. Based on the pathogenesis of NAFLD, this article examines the connection between exercise, Nrf2, and NAFLD, and the current state of knowledge regarding Nrf2’s role in the amelioration of NAFLD through exercise. It offers a theoretical frame of reference for future research into how Nrf2 might be used to improve NAFLD.

Objective:To analyze the influencing factors of thyroid volume in children aged 8 - 10 in Yunnan Province, and provide scientific basis for improving iodine deficiency disorders monitoring.Methods:From March to July 2020, in 129 counties (cities, districts) under the jurisdiction of Yunnan Province, each county (city, district) was divided into 5 sampling areas based on east, west, south, north, and middle. One township was selected from each area, and 40 non-boarding children aged 8 - 10 from one primary school were selected from each township (age balanced, half male and half female) as survey subjects. One random urine sample and household edible salt samples were collected for urine iodine and salt iodine testing, and physical examination and thyroid volume measurement were conducted for children. The influencing factors of thyroid volume were analyzed using Pearson correlation.Results:A total of 24 934 urine samples were collected from children, with a median urine iodine of 233.2 μg/L. A total of 24 933 household edible salt samples were collected from children, the median salt iodine was 24.17 mg/kg, and the qualified rate of iodized salt was 96.63% (24 003/24 839); A total of 24 937 children were examined of their thyroid gland, with a median thyroid volume of 2.62 ml and a goiter rate of 1.12% (280/24 937). Among them, there were 12 410 boys and 12 527 girls, with thyroid volumes of 2.61 and 2.64 ml, respectively. The thyroid volume of boys was positively correlated with age, height, weight, body mass index, body surface area, and salt iodine ( r = 0.15, 0.21, 0.26, 0.18, 0.25, 0.03, P < 0.001). The thyroid volume of girls was positively correlated with age, height, weight, body mass index, and body surface area ( r = 0.17, 0.26, 0.28, 0.17, 0.27, P < 0.001). Conclusion:Children aged 8 - 10 in Yunnan Province are at an iodine excess level; the age, weight, height, body mass index, and body surface area are influencing factors of thyroid volume.

Objective To establish a method for determining hydrogen sulfide(H2S)in blood and apply it to practical cases.Methods A delute solution was achieved by adding 0.8 mL saturated borax solution into 0.2 mL blood sample was diluted with.1 mL acetonitrile solution containing 0.1％formic acid was then taken in a test tube,followed by adding 0.1 mL dilute solution and 0.1 mL thiozine aqueous solution(1％).After thorough mixing,the mixture was left to stand for 30 minutes.Subsequently,the sample was subjected to liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS)analysis after centrifugation and membrane filtration.Results The results showed that H2S exhibited good linearity within the concentration range of 10～2 000 ng/mL,with the R2 value of 0.998 5.The detection limit was 5 ng/mL,and the quantification limit was 10 ng/mL.In three cases of H2S poisoning,sulfur ions were detected in the blood of the deceased individuals,with concentrations ranging from 0.17 to 0.56 μg/mL.Conclusion For the first time,this study established a LC-MS/MS method for determining H2S in blood,which can meet the detection needs of H2S poisoning cases.