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.

The purpose of this study was to clarify the effect of Huotan Jiedu Tongluo Decoction on atherosclerosis(AS) injury in ApoE~(-/-) mice by regulating the ferroptosis pathway. Seventy-five ApoE~(-/-) mice were randomly divided into model group, low-, medium-, and high-dose of Huotan Jiedu Tongluo Decoction groups, and evolocumab group(n=15), and 15 C57BL/6J mice were selected as the blank group. Mice in the blank group were fed with a normal diet, and those in the other groups were fed with a high-fat diet to induce AS. From the 9th week, mice in Huotan Jiedu Tongluo Decoction groups were administrated with Huotan Jiedu Tongluo Decoction at corresponding doses by gavage, and those in the blank group and the model group were given an equal volume of distilled water. Mice in the evolocumab group were treated with evolocumab 18.2 mg·kg~(-1 )by subcutaneous injection every 2 weeks. After 8 weeks of continuous intervention, oil red O staining and hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining were employed to observe the lipid deposition and plaque formation in the aortic root. Masson staining was used to evaluate the collagen content in the aortic root. The serum levels of total cholesterol(TC), triglycerides(TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C) were determined by biochemical kits. The levels of Fe~(2+), superoxide dismutase(SOD), malondialdehyde(MDA), and glutathione(GSH) in the aorta were measured by colorimetry. The protein and mRNA levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2), glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4), solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11), and acyl-CoA synthetase long chain family member 4(ACSL4) in the aorta were detected by Western blot and RT-qPCR, respectively. The expression of Nrf2, GPX4, and SLC7A11 was localized by immunofluorescence. The results showed that low-, medium-, and high-dose Huotan Jiedu Tongluo Decoction reduced the plaque formation of aortic root and increased the collagen content in AS mice. At the same time, Huotan Jiedu Tongluo Decoction improved the lipid metabolism by lowering the levels of TC, LDL-C, and TG and elevating the level of HDL-C in the serum. Huotan Jiedu Tongluo Decoction enhanced the antioxidant capacity by elevating the levels of GSH and SOD and lowering the level of MDA in the aorta and inhibiting the accumulation of Fe~(2+) in the aorta. In addition, Huotan Jiedu Tongluo Decoction up-regulated the protein and mRNA levels of Nrf2, GPX4, and SLC7A11, while down-regulating the protein and mRNA levels of ACSL4. In summary, Huotan Jiedu Tongluo Decoction can effectively alleviate AS lesions in ApoE~(-/-) mice by activating the Nrf2/GPX4 pathway, reducing lipid peroxidation, and inhibiting ferroptosis.
Animals ; Ferroptosis/drug effects* ; Atherosclerosis/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/genetics* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Apolipoproteins E/metabolism* ; Male ; Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase/genetics* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Humans ; Mice, Knockout

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality based on the 10-year population-based multicenter prospective study. METHODS: A general population-based multicenter prospective study was conducted at four sites in rural China between 2013 and 2023. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to assess the association between BMI and mortality. Stratified analyses were performed based on the individual characteristics of the participants. RESULTS: Overall, 19,107 participants with a sum of 163,095 person-years were included and 1,910 participants died. The underweight (< 18.5 kg/m ²) presented an increase in all-cause mortality (adjusted hazards ratio [ aHR] = 2.00, 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 1.66-2.41), while overweight (≥ 24.0 to < 28.0 kg/m ²) and obesity (≥ 28.0 kg/m ²) presented a decrease with an aHR of 0.61 (95% CI: 0.52-0.73) and 0.51 (95% CI: 0.37-0.70), respectively. Overweight ( aHR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.67-0.86) and mild obesity ( aHR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.59-0.87) had a positive impact on mortality in people older than 60 years. All-cause mortality decreased rapidly until reaching a BMI of 25.7 kg/m ² ( aHR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.98) and increased slightly above that value, indicating a U-shaped association. The beneficial impact of being overweight on mortality was robust in most subgroups and sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION This study provides additional evidence that overweight and mild obesity may be inversely related to the risk of death in individuals older than 60 years. Therefore, it is essential to consider age differences when formulating health and weight management strategies.
Humans ; Body Mass Index ; China/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Rural Population/statistics & numerical data* ; Aged ; Follow-Up Studies ; Adult ; Mortality ; Cause of Death ; Obesity/mortality* ; Overweight/mortality*

Rectal cancer is a prevalent malignant tumor both in China and worldwide. Despite the availability of numerous sphincter-preserving procedures for low rectal cancer, each with specific indications, advantages, and limitations, no single procedure achieves optimal outcomes in all key domains: anal function preservation, surgical complication reduction, local recurrence rate minimization, and patient quality of life improvement. This article reviewed the evolutionary trajectory of laparoscopic sphincter-preserving surgery for low rectal cancer, while addressing current surgical challenges including prevention and management of anastomotic leakage, strategies for ensuring adequate distal resection margins, and functional outcomes prognosis. Corresponding countermeasures for these critical issues were systematically discussed.

Objective:To establish the quality standard of Galla Turcica standard decoction; To provide a reference for the quality evaluation of its decoction granules.Methods:The moisture, total ash, acid-insoluble ash, and extract of Galla Turcica were assessed according to the guidelines specified in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (Volume Ⅳ); high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was employed to quantify the gallic acid content in sixteen batches of Galla Turcica and standard decoction, from which the transfer rate was calculated; the paste rate, moisture, and extract yield were quantitatively analyzed, establishing the comprehensive fingerprint of Galla Turcica standard decoction. The quantitative value transfer rules of common peaks from medicinal materials to standard decoction were studied through similarity evaluation and stoichiometric analysis. Results:The gallic acid content of the sixteen batches of Galla Turcica standard decoction ranged from 76.79 mg/g to 115.04 mg/g, the range of transfer rate was 24.02% to 47.82%, the extraction rate was 34.04% to 63.23%, the moisture was 1.11% to 2.06%, and the extract was 94.44% to 101.75%. A total of nine characteristic peaks were identified in the fingerprints of the sixteen batches of Galla Turcica and standard decoction, and four characteristic peaks were identified: gallic acid (GA), 1, 2, 3, 6 - tetragalloylglucose (TeGG), ellagic acid (EA) and 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, - pentagalloylglucose (PGG). Clustering analysis revealed that at a measurement distance of fifteen, the sixteen batches could be grouped into two categories. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that three principal components were extracted with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 84.204%, which could represent most of the information of the samples.Conclusions:The standard decoction preparation process developed in this study adheres to the requirements of traditional decoction methods and has proven to be both effective and feasible. This method can be used for the research and quality evaluation of standard decoction of Galla Turcica, and provide a basis for subsequent formulation granules and related research.

Aim To explore how Danzhi Jiangtang cap-sules(DJC)safeguard the mitochondrial activity of vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs)by controlling the LncRNA TUG1/β-catenin signaling pathway to de-crease vascular calcification(VC).Methods Vascu-lar smooth muscle cell calcification models were in-duced with β-glycerin and diabetic vascular calcifica-tion rat models were induced with vitamin D3+high-fat diet.Von Kossa staining was applied to detect cal-cification of cells and vascular tissue.Colorimetric method of phthalein complex was used to determine calcium content.P-nitrobenzene phosphate colorimetry was employed to assess alkaline phosphatase(ALP)activity.RT-qPCR was used to analyze the expression of VSMCs'osteoblast transformation related genes bone morphogenetic protein2(BMP2),smooth muscle actin alpha(α-SMA),taurine up-regulated1,LncRNA Tug1(Lnc-RNA TUG1),and β-catenin.Western blotting was utilized to detect the protein expression of BMP2,α-SMA and β-catenin.The mitochondrial membrane potential was detected by JC-1 fluorescence probe.Mitochondrial structure was observed by trans-mission electron microscope.Results DJC reduced LncRNA TUG1 expression,down-regulated β-catenin expression,decreased ALP activity and calcium depo-sition,protected mitochondrial function,restored mem-brane potential,and decreased osteoblastic transforma-tion of VSMCs induced by glycerin phosphate.Impor-tantly,DJC attenuated diabetic lower limb VC by down-regulating the expression of LncRNA TUG1,β-catenin,and elevating the expression of α-SMA.Con-clusions DJC capsules significantly improved VSMCs by protecting mitochondrial function by LncRNA TUG1/β-catenin signaling to reduce VSMCs'osteo-blast transformation.

Aim To explore the improvement effect of Bazi Bushen capsule on thymic degeneration in SAMP6 mice and the possible mechanism.Methods Twenty 12 week old male SAMP6 mice were randomly divided into the model group(SAMP6)and the Bazi Busheng capsule treatment group(SAMP6+BZBS).Ten SAMR1 mice were assigned to a homologous control group(SAMR1).The SAMP6+BZBS group was oral-ly administered Bazi Bushen capsule suspension(2.8 g·kg-1)daily,while the other two groups were orally administered an equal amount of distilled water.After nine weeks of administration,the morphology of the thymus in each group was observed and the thymus in-dex was calculated;HE staining was used to observe the structural changes of thymus tissue;SA-β-gal stai-ning was used to detect thymic aging;flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion of thymic CD3+T cells in each group;Western blot was used to detect the levels of p16,Bax,Bcl-2,and cleaved caspase-3 proteins in thymus;immunofluorescence was applied to detect the proportion of cortical thymic epithelial cells in each group;ELISA was employed to detect IL-7 lev-els in thymus.Results Compared with the SAMP6 group,the thymic index of the SAMP6+BZBS group significantly increased(P＜0.05);the disordered thy-mic structure was significantly improved;the positive proportion of SA-β-gal staining significantly decreased(P＜0.01);the proportion of CD3+T cells apparently increased(P＜0.05);the level of p16 protein signifi-cantly decreased(P＜0.05);the level of Bcl-2 pro-tein significantly increased(P＜0.05),while the lev-el of cleaved caspase-3 protein markedly decreased(P＜0.05);the proportion of cortical thymic epithelial cells evidently increased;the level of IL-7 significantly increased(P＜0.01).Conclusions Bazi Bushen capsule can delay thymic degeneration,inhibit cell ap-optosis in thymus and promote thymic cell development in SAMP6 mice,which may be related to increasing the proportion of cortical thymic epithelial cells and promoting IL-7 secretion.

Objective To compare the effectiveness of TiRobot assisted F screw technique and inverted triangle parallel nail internal fixation in the treatment of unstable femoral neck fractures.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 72 patients with unstable femoral neck fractures who were treated with percutaneous cannulated screw fixation assisted with TiRobot Orthopaedic robot from December 2019 to April 2021.Among them,37 patients were treated with F screw internal fixa-tion,including 16 males and 21 females,aged47 to 64years old with an average of(53.87±5.28)years old;According to Pauwels classification,there were 1 case of type Ⅰ,19 cases of type Ⅱ,17 cases of type Ⅲ;8 cases of combined medical diseases;17 cases of falling,8 cases of traffic accident and 12 cases of falling from height;The time from injury to operation was 29 to 49 hours with average of(35.00±7.34)hours.Another 35 cases used internal fixation with an inverted triangle parallel nail,including 13 males and 22 females with an average age of 46 to 63 years old(52.36±5.05)years old;According to the Pauwels injury classifi-cation:there were 2 cases of type Ⅰ,21 cases of type Ⅱ,12 cases of type Ⅲ;6 cases of medical diseases,15 cases of falling in-jury,9 cases of traffic accident,11 cases of falling injury;The time from injury to operation was 30 to 45 hours with an average of(33.00±6.83)h.The intraoperative blood loss,operation time,intraoperative fluoroscopy times,follow-up time,fracture healing time,postoperative complications were observed and compared between the two groups.The hip joint function was e-valuated by Harris score at 6 months and 12 months after operation.Results There was no significant difference in operation time,intraoperative blood loss,intraoperative fluoroscopy times and other intraoperative data between two groups(P＞0.05).Both groups were followed up regularly,and the follow-up time was 12 to 16 months.The fracture healing time and Harris score of the F screw internal fixation group were better than those of the inverted triangle parallel nail internal fixation group(P＜0.05).There was 1 case of femoral neck shortening in the F screw internal fixation group,1 case of nonunion,1 case of nail withdrawal,and 1 case of lower extremity deep vein thrombosis in the inverted triangle internal fixation group.The incidence of complications in the F screw internal fixation group was lower than that in the inverted triangle parallel nail internal fixation group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Percutaneous cannulated F screw technique using Tirobot navigation positioning system is a safe and effective treatment for patients with unstable femoral neck fractures.It can significantly shorten the fracture healing time,reduce the incidence of postoperative complications,significantly improve hip joint function,and improve the quality of life.

Objective:To investigate the association between the risk of constipation-related internal haemorrhoids and low dietary fibre intake in officers and soldiers living in cold regions at high altitude.Methods:A questionnaire survey was conducted to investigate the incidence of constipation and internal haemorrhoids among officers and soldiers in high altitude and cold regions.Risk factors for constipation-associated internal hemorrhoids were analyzed,and the relationship between low dietary fibre intake,constipation,and internal hemorrhoids was assessed by correlation analysis.Results:Among 607 military personnel,75 cases(12.4%)of constipation and 89 cases(14.7%)of internal hemorrhoids were reported.Of the internal hemorrhoids,62 cases(69.7%)were constipation-related internal hemorrhoids,while 27 cases(20.3%)were internal hemorrhoids unrelated to constipation.The pain scores and healing time of constipation-associated internal hemorrhoids were significantly higher than for non-constipation-related internal haemorrhoids(P<0.01).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that low dietary fibre intake(OR value=161.987)was a high-risk factor for the occurrence of constipation-associated internal hemorrhoids.The results of the bivariate correlation analysis showed a significant negative correlation between low dietary fiber intake and internal hemorrhoids(r=-0.635).After adjusting for the effect of constipation,partial correlation analysis showed no significant association between low fibre intake and internal haemorrhoids(P>0.05).Conclusion:Low fibre intake is a high risk factor for the development of constipation-related internal haemorrhoids in officers and soldiers living at high altitude and in cold climates,which mainly increases the risk of internal haemorrhoids indirectly through the development of constipation.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of foveal-sparing internal limiting membrane peeling(FSIP)or complete internal limiting membrane peeling(CMIP)for the treatment of myopic traction maculopathy(MTM)during vitrectomy.METHODS: CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were searched from January 1th 2000 to July 1th 2022, and studies that compared FSIP and CMIP for MTM were collected. The change and recovery rate of best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), incidence of full-thickness macular hole(FTMH), change of central foveal thickness(CFT)and the rate of complete reattachment.RESULTS: A total of 484 eyes from 12 literatures were included, with 203 eyes in the FSIP group and 281 eyes in the CMIP group. The results of Meta-analysis showed that FSIP group were superior to the CMIP group in the mean change of BCVA(SMD=0.52, 95%CI: 0.20～0.85, P=0.002), the improvement rate of BCVA(RR=1.50, 95%CI: 1.22～1.85, P=0.0002)and the incidence of postoperative FTMH(RR=0.23, 95%CI: 0.10～0.54, P=0.0008). There was no statistical difference between the two surgical methods in terms of mean change in CFT(SMD=0.04, 95%CI: -0.19～0.26, P=0.75)and the rate of complete reattachment(RR=1.12, 95%CI: 0.94～1.32, P=0.20).CONCLUSION: FSIP have similar anatomical outcomes compared to CMIP, but FSIP resulted in better visual acuity and lower incidence of postoperative FTMH.