ObjectiveTo establish a model that can quickly identify the aroma components in different parts of Nardostachys jatamansi， so as to provide a quality control basis for the market circulation and clinical use of N. jatamansi. MethodsHeadspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry（HS-SPME-GC-MS） combined with Smart aroma database and National Institute of Standards and Technology（NIST） database were used to characterize the aroma components in different parts of N. jatamansi， and the aroma components were quantified according to relative response factor（RRF） and three internal standards， and the markers of aroma differences in different parts of N. jatamansi were identified by orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis（OPLS-DA） and cluster thermal analysis based on variable importance in the projection（VIP） value >1 and P<0.01. The odor data of different parts of N. jatamansi were collected by Heracles Ⅱ Neo ultra-fast gas phase electronic nose， and the correlation between compound types of aroma components collected by the ultra-fast gas phase electronic nose and the detection results of HS-SPME-GC-MS was investigated by drawing odor fingerprints and odor response radargrams. Chromatographic peak information with distinguishing ability≥0.700 and peak area≥200 was selected as sensor data， and the rapid identification model of different parts of N. jatamansi was established by principal component analysis（PCA）， discriminant factor alysis（DFA）， soft independent modeling of class analogies（SIMCA） and statistical quality control analysis（SQCA）. ResultsThe HS-SPME-GC-MS results showed that there were 28 common components in the underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi， of which 22 could be quantified and 12 significantly different components were screened out. Among these 12 components， the contents of five components（ethyl isovalerate， 2-pentylfuran， benzyl alcohol， nonanal and glacial acetic acid，） in the aboveground part of N. jatamansi were significantly higher than those in the underground part（P<0.01）， the contents of β-ionone， patchouli alcohol， α-caryophyllene， linalyl butyrate， valencene， 1，8-cineole and p-cymene in the underground part of N. jatamansi were significantly higher than those in the aboveground part（P<0.01）. Heracles Ⅱ Neo electronic nose results showed that the PCA discrimination index of the underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi was 82， and the contribution rates of the principal component factors were 99.94% and 99.89% when 2 and 3 principal components were extracted， respectively. The contribution rate of the discriminant factor 1 of the DFA model constructed on the basis of PCA was 100%， the validation score of the SIMCA model for discrimination of the two parts was 99， and SQCA could clearly distinguish different parts of N. jatamansi. ConclusionHS-SPME-GC-MS can clarify the differential markers of underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi. The four analytical models provided by Heracles Ⅱ Neo electronic nose（PCA， DFA， SIMCA and SQCA） can realize the rapid identification of different parts of N. jatamansi. Combining the two results， it is speculated that terpenes and carboxylic acids may be the main factors contributing to the difference in aroma between the underground and aboveground parts of N. jatamansi.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of Qingda Granule (QDG) in ameliorating hypertension-induced cardiac damage and investigate the underlying mechanisms involved. METHODS: Twenty spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were used to develope a hypertension-induced cardiac damage model. Another 10 Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats were used as normotension group. Rats were administrated intragastrically QDG [0.9 g/(kg•d)] or an equivalent volume of pure water for 8 weeks. Blood pressure, histopathological changes, cardiac function, levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory response markers were measured. Furthermore, to gain insights into the potential mechanisms underlying the protective effects of QDG against hypertension-induced cardiac injury, a network pharmacology study was conducted. Predicted results were validated by Western blot, radioimmunoassay immunohistochemistry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively. RESULTS: The administration of QDG resulted in a significant decrease in blood pressure levels in SHRs (P<0.01). Histological examinations, including hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson trichrome staining revealed that QDG effectively attenuated hypertension-induced cardiac damage. Furthermore, echocardiography demonstrated that QDG improved hypertension-associated cardiac dysfunction. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and colorimetric method indicated that QDG significantly reduced oxidative stress and inflammatory response levels in both myocardial tissue and serum (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Both network pharmacology and experimental investigations confirmed that QDG exerted its beneficial effects in decreasing hypertension-induced cardiac damage by regulating the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)/angiotensin II (Ang II)/Ang II receptor type 1 axis and ACE/Ang II/Ang II receptor type 2 axis.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Hypertension/pathology* ; Renin-Angiotensin System/drug effects* ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Male ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Blood Pressure/drug effects* ; Myocardium/pathology* ; Rats ; Inflammation/pathology*

The circadian clock plays a critical role in regulating various physiological processes, including gene expression, metabolic regulation, immune response, and the sleep-wake cycle in living organisms. Post-translational modifications (PTMs) are crucial regulatory mechanisms to maintain the precise oscillation of the circadian clock. By modulating the stability, activity, cell localization and protein-protein interactions of core clock proteins, PTMs enable these proteins to respond dynamically to environmental and intracellular changes, thereby sustaining the periodic oscillations of the circadian clock. Different types of PTMs exert their effects through distincting molecular mechanisms, collectively ensuring the proper function of the circadian system. This review systematically summarized several major types of PTMs, including phosphorylation, acetylation, ubiquitination, SUMOylation and oxidative modification, and overviewed their roles in regulating the core clock proteins and the associated pathways, with the goals of providing a theoretical foundation for the deeper understanding of clock mechanisms and the treatment of diseases associated with circadian disruption.
Protein Processing, Post-Translational/physiology* ; Circadian Rhythm/physiology* ; Humans ; Animals ; CLOCK Proteins/physiology* ; Circadian Clocks/physiology* ; Phosphorylation ; Acetylation ; Ubiquitination ; Sumoylation

Alzheimer's disease(AD)is the most common cause of cognitive impairment in the elderly,and the formation of intracellular neurofibrillary tangles(NFT)due to the hyperphos-phorylation of Tau is one of its important pathological features.Compared to β-amyloid,the hyperphosphorylation of Tau and the resulting NFT are more closely related to the decline in cognitive ability.This review focuses on anti-AD drugs targeting Tau,em-phasizing the latest progress in inhibiting the hyperphosphoryla-tion of Tau protein,alleviating the aggregation of Tau protein,re-ducing the cytoskeletal damage caused by the hyperphosphoryla-tion of Tau protein by stabilizing microtubules,and immunothera-py,in the hope of providing new insights into drug research for AD and related cognitive disorders associated with Tau protein.

Alzheimer's disease(AD)is the most common cause of cognitive impairment in the elderly,and the formation of intracellular neurofibrillary tangles(NFT)due to the hyperphos-phorylation of Tau is one of its important pathological features.Compared to β-amyloid,the hyperphosphorylation of Tau and the resulting NFT are more closely related to the decline in cognitive ability.This review focuses on anti-AD drugs targeting Tau,em-phasizing the latest progress in inhibiting the hyperphosphoryla-tion of Tau protein,alleviating the aggregation of Tau protein,re-ducing the cytoskeletal damage caused by the hyperphosphoryla-tion of Tau protein by stabilizing microtubules,and immunothera-py,in the hope of providing new insights into drug research for AD and related cognitive disorders associated with Tau protein.

Abnormal tumour cell adhesion is a key step in tumour metastasis， in which weakened homologous and enhanced heterologous adhesion of tumour cells is an important cause of tumour metastasis. Chronic stress can activate the sympathetic nervous system to link and regulate the homologous and heterologous adhesion of tumour cells and exacerbate tumour metastasis. Combining the understanding of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） and Western medicine on tumour metastasis， it is believed that the mechanism of "qi constraint and stagnation， tumor toxin transmission and retention" in TCM theory is highly related to the abnormal adhesion of tumour cells triggered by chronic stress. Qi constraint and stagnation is closely related to chronic stress and its activation of the sympathetic nervous system， and transmission and retention of tumor toxin explained the mechanism of tumour metastasis due to abnormal adhesion of tumour cells from the perspective of TCM. By regulating the key link of sympathetic nervous system-tumour cell adhesion， application of the formulas of regulating qi and resolving toxin can improve chronic stress and inhibit tumour metastasis.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of ferric derisomaltose injection versus iron sucrose injection in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) .Methods:A total of 120 patients with iron deficiency anemia admitted from June 2021 to March 2023 were given intravenous iron supplementation with ferric derisomaltose to assess the efficacy and safety of hemoglobin (HGB) elevation before and after treatment. Simultaneously, the clinical effects of iron supplementation with iron sucrose were compared to those of inpatient patients during the same period.Results:Baseline values were comparable in both groups. Within 12 weeks of treatment, the elevated HGB level in the ferric derisomaltose group was higher than that of the iron sucrose group, with a statistical difference at all time points, and the proportion of HGB increased over 20 g/L in the patients treated for 4 weeks was higher (98.7%, 75.9% ). During the treatment with ferric derisomaltose and iron sucrose, the proportion of mild adverse reactions in the ferric derisomaltose group was slightly lower than that of the iron sucrose group, and neither group experienced any serious adverse reactions. The patients responded well to the infusion treatment, with no reports of pain or pigmentation at the injection site.Conclusion:The treatment of IDA patients with ferric derisomaltose has a satisfactory curative effect, with the advantages of rapidity, accuracy, and safety. Therefore, it is worthy of widespread clinical use.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of pneumococcal meningitis(PM),and drug sensitivity of Streptococcus pneumoniae(SP)isolates in Chinese children.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical information,laboratory data,and microbiological data of 160 hospitalized children under 15 years old with PM from January 2019 to December 2020 in 33 tertiary hospitals across the country.Results Among the 160 children with PM,there were 103 males and 57 females.The age ranged from 15 days to 15 years,with 109 cases(68.1% )aged 3 months to under 3 years.SP strains were isolated from 95 cases(59.4% )in cerebrospinal fluid cultures and from 57 cases(35.6% )in blood cultures.The positive rates of SP detection by cerebrospinal fluid metagenomic next-generation sequencing and cerebrospinal fluid SP antigen testing were 40% (35/87)and 27% (21/78),respectively.Fifty-five cases(34.4% )had one or more risk factors for purulent meningitis,113 cases(70.6% )had one or more extra-cranial infectious foci,and 18 cases(11.3% )had underlying diseases.The most common clinical symptoms were fever(147 cases,91.9% ),followed by lethargy(98 cases,61.3% )and vomiting(61 cases,38.1% ).Sixty-nine cases(43.1% )experienced intracranial complications during hospitalization,with subdural effusion and/or empyema being the most common complication[43 cases(26.9% )],followed by hydrocephalus in 24 cases(15.0% ),brain abscess in 23 cases(14.4% ),and cerebral hemorrhage in 8 cases(5.0% ).Subdural effusion and/or empyema and hydrocephalus mainly occurred in children under 1 year old,with rates of 91% (39/43)and 83% (20/24),respectively.SP strains exhibited complete sensitivity to vancomycin(100% ,75/75),linezolid(100% ,56/56),and meropenem(100% ,6/6).High sensitivity rates were also observed for levofloxacin(81% ,22/27),moxifloxacin(82% ,14/17),rifampicin(96% ,25/26),and chloramphenicol(91% ,21/23).However,low sensitivity rates were found for penicillin(16% ,11/68)and clindamycin(6% ,1/17),and SP strains were completely resistant to erythromycin(100% ,31/31).The rates of discharge with cure and improvement were 22.5% (36/160)and 66.2% (106/160),respectively,while 18 cases(11.3% )had adverse outcomes.Conclusions Pediatric PM is more common in children aged 3 months to under 3 years.Intracranial complications are more frequently observed in children under 1 year old.Fever is the most common clinical manifestation of PM,and subdural effusion/emphysema and hydrocephalus are the most frequent complications.Non-culture detection methods for cerebrospinal fluid can improve pathogen detection rates.Adverse outcomes can be noted in more than 10% of PM cases.SP strains are high sensitivity to vancomycin,linezolid,meropenem,levofloxacin,moxifloxacin,rifampicin,and chloramphenicol.[Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics,2024,26(2):131-138]

Animal drugs have been used in the treatment of uro-andrological diseases since ancient times.At present,the clini-cal use of animal drugs is mostly based on the experience of doctors.From the perspective of the diversified theories of traditional Chi-nese medicine(TCM),this paper summarizes the experience of predecessors in the use of animal drugs,and believes that under the guidance of the TCM theories,the application of animal drugs in the treatment of uro-andrological diseases has achieved multi-dimen-sional and diversified development,as in the treatment of chronic prostatitis based on the theories of"heat poison","stasis poison"and"aromatherapy through the orifice",and in the management of ED from the perspective of"kidney deficiency","qi-blood dishar-mony"and"collateral disease",which accords with the mainstream thought of current scholars in the differentiation and treatment of uro-andrological diseases.At the same time,it pointed out the problems to be attended to in the clinical use of animal drugs,aiming to provide some reference ideas for the clinical treatment of uro-andrological diseases with animal drugs.

Objective To evaluate platelet aggregation after 14 days of treatment with ticagrelor alone or aspirin plus ticagrelor in patients with stable coronary artery disease.Methods Patients with stable coronary artery disease receiving dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin 100 mg/d plus clopidogrel 75 mg/d were randomly assigned to ticagrelor monotherapy group or ticagrelor plus aspirin group after washout of ticagrelor monotherapy.Platelet aggregation rate was measured after 7 days and 14 days.Results 57 patients(32 in Ticagrelor monotherapy group and 25 in Ticagrelor+Aspirin group)completed the follow-up.The mean age was(61.16±7.87)years.The platelet aggregation rates induced by arachidonic acid(AA),adenosine diphosphate(ADP),and collagen-induced were similar at baseline and randomization in both groups.After 14 days of treatment,the ADP-induced platelet aggregation rates in both groups were significantly lower than the baseline,but there was no statistical difference between the two groups[(21.50±7.86)％vs.(21.92±10.21)％,P=0.864].The ADP-induced platelet aggregation rates in both groups decreased compared to randomization,but the Ticagrelor monotherapy group was significantly higher than the Ticagrelor+Aspirin group[(48.22±24.01)％vs.(8.67±5.96)％,P＜0.001].In the monotherapy group,5 patients had a significant increase in the AA-induced platelet aggregation after the discontinuation of aspirin.After 14 days of continued Ticagrelor monotherapy,the AA-induced platelet aggregation rate decreased significantly again(＜30％).Conclusions Ticagrelor monotherapy exerts a strong inhibitory effect on ADP-induced platelet aggregation and a mild inhibitory effect on the AA-induced platelet aggregation.In addition to its strong inhibitory effect on ADP-induced platelet aggregation,the mild inhibitory effect of Ticagrelor on the AA-induced pathway may have some clinical significance for the early de-escalation of dual antiplatelet therapy to monotherapy in patients.