Background Recent advances in understanding the toxic effects of inorganic arsenic have revealed that arsenic exposure impacts multiple endocrine organs, thereby altering their functions. However, the mechanisms underlying arsenic-induced thyroid injury remain unclear. Objective To investigate the mechanisms by which sodium arsenite (NaAsO₂) affects the proliferation and apoptosis of normal thyroid cells (Nthy-ori3-1) through the estrogen receptor (ER)-phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway. Methods Nthy-ori3-1 cells were cultured in vitro and divided into the following groups: a control group (complete medium without drugs, 0 μmol·L⁻¹), and NaAsO₂-treated groups at 1, 2, and 4 μmol·L⁻¹. Additionally, 1 μmol·L⁻¹ of the ER inhibitor ICI182780 was used to intervene in the NaAsO₂ exposure groups, resulting in the following combinations: 1 μmol·L⁻¹ NaAsO₂ + ICI182780, 2 μmol·L⁻¹ NaAsO₂ + ICI182780, and 4 μmol·L⁻¹ NaAsO₂ + ICI182780. The median lethal concentration of NaAsO₂ was determined using cell viability assay. Cell viability was assessed at 24, 36, and 48 h using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Colony formation ability was evaluated via plate cloning assay. Apoptosis was detected using Hoechst 33342 staining. Protein and mRNA expression levels of ERα, ERβ, c-MYC, Bax, Bcl-2, PI3K, p-PI3K, AKT, and p-AKT were measured using Western blot (WB) and real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR), respectively. Results The median lethal concentration of NaAsO₂ was determined to be 4.034 μmol·L⁻¹. CCK-8 assay at 24, 36, and 48 h revealed that, compared with the control group, the 1, 2, and 4 μmol·L⁻¹ NaAsO₂ groups significantly inhibited Nthy-ori3-1 cell proliferation (P < 0.001). The plate cloning assays demonstrated a concentration-dependent reduction in colony formation ability (P < 0.001). Following the ICI182780 intervention, the cell viability and colony formation ability in the 1, 2, and 4 μmol·L⁻¹ NaAsO₂ groups were significantly restored compared with the corresponding NaAsO₂-only groups (P < 0.001, P < 0.01). The Hoechst 33342 staining indicated that compared with the control group, the nuclear staining intensity and apoptosis levels in the 1, 2, and 4 μmol·L⁻¹ NaAsO₂ groups increased in a concentration-dependent manner (P < 0.001). However, the ICI182780 intervention reduced the apoptosis levels in the NaAsO₂-treated groups compared with their NaAsO₂-only counterparts (P < 0.001). The WB analysis showed that, compared with the control group, the protein expression of ERα, ERβ, c-MYC, Bcl-2, p-PI3K, and p-AKT in the 1, 2, and 4 μmol·L⁻¹ NaAsO₂ groups decreased manner (P < 0.001, P < 0.01), while the Bax expression increased in a concentration-dependent (P < 0.001); the PI3K and AKT protein levels showed no significant differences (P > 0.05). In the ICI182780-treated NaAsO₂ groups, the ERα, ERβ, c-MYC, Bcl-2, p-PI3K, and p-AKT protein expression increased (P < 0.001, P < 0.01), the Bax expression decreased (P < 0.001), and the PI3K and AKT levels remained unchanged (P > 0.05) compared with the corresponding NaAsO₂-only groups. The mRNA expression patterns of ERα, ERβ, c-MYC, Bcl-2, and Bax were consistent with the WB results. Conclusion NaAsO₂ inhibits proliferation and promotes apoptosis in Nthy-ori3-1 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The underlying mechanism likely involves NaAsO₂-mediated suppression of the ER-PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, which subsequently regulates downstream proliferation- and apoptosis-related genes.

Hepatolenticular degeneration， also known as Wilson disease （WD）， is a hereditary disease caused by mutations in the ATP7B gene， leading to copper metabolism disorders. Gene mutations result in impaired synthesis of copper-binding protein， and abnormal excretion of copper through bile leads to pathological deposition of copper in various organs， ultimately causing multi-organ damage. The insidious onset and low specificity of symptoms make it difficult to diagnose this disease. On the basis of existing studies and the theory of latent toxin， this paper proposes that latent toxin in kidney collaterals is the main pathogenesis of renal injury in WD. It is pointed out that health Qi deficiency and latent pathogen are the premises for the occurrence of this disease， and the transformation of latent pathogen into toxin is the ley pathological process. Toxin damaging kidney collaterals is the ultimate result. According to the pathogenesis， this paper proposes the treatment principle of reinforcing healthy Qi and resolving toxin and treatment based on syndrome differentiation. This review provides new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of renal injury in WD with traditional Chinese medicine.

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of Gandouling decoction combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation （NMES） in the treatment of dysphagia in Wilson disease （WD） with combined phlegm and stasis. MethodsA total of 80 WD patients with dysphagia due to combined phlegm and stasis treated in the Department of Encephalopathy， the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine were randomized into a control group and an observation group， with 40 patients in each group. In addition， 40 healthy volunteers were recruited as the normal group. The control group was treated with basic copper drainage combined with NMES. The observation group was treated with Gandouling Decoction on the basis of the therapy in the control group. Each course of treatment lasted for 8 days， and the patients were treated for a total of 4 courses. All subjects underwent video fluoroscopic swallowing study （VFSS） before and after treatment. During the examination， contrast agents with 4 different characters were used for the swallowing action， and the passing time was recorded. The TCM syndrome score， water swallow test score， standard swallowing assessment （SSA） score， and 24-h urinary copper level before and after treatment were analyzed. ResultsWhen performing VFSS， the passing time of contrast agents of different characters in the oral stage was longer in the WD group than in the normal group （P<0.01）， while it had no significant difference in the pharyngeal stage. After treatment， the passing time in the oral stage shortened in the control and observation groups （P<0.01）， and the observation group outperformed the control group （P<0.01）. After treatment， both the control and observation groups showed declines in TCM syndrome score and SSA score （P<0.01） and an increase in water swallow test score （P<0.01）， and the changes were more obvious in the observation group than in the control group （P<0.01）. In addition， the treatment in the control and observation groups elevated the 24-h urinary copper level （P<0.01）， and the elevation in the observation group was more obvious than that in the control group （P<0.01）. Neither group showed obvious adverse reaction. ConclusionGandouling decoction combined with NMES can significantly ameliorate dysphagia in WD patients with the syndrome of combined phlegm and stasis regarding the TCM syndrome score， water swallow test score， and SSA score， demonstrating definite clinical efficacy and high safety.

ObjectiveTo establish a geographical origin identification model for Foeniculi Fructus from Haiyuan， providing a new technical reference for the protection of Haiyuan's geo-authentic medicinal materials and its designation as a national geographical indication agricultural product. MethodsSamples of Foeniculi Fructus were collected from eight producing areas， including Minqin （Gansu）， Bozhou （Anhui）， Qingdao （Shandong）， Dezhou （Shandong）， Urumqi （Xinjiang）， Nujiang （Yunnan）， Gutuo （Inner Mongolia）， and Haiyuan （Ningxia）. Gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry （GC-IMS） was used to detect the volatile organic compounds （VOCs） in samples from these geographic origins. VOCs were qualitatively analyzed through dual matching with the National Institute of Standards and Technology （NIST） mass spectral database and the IMS drift time database. Using the Reporter module and Gallery Plot visualization tools within the LAV analytical platform， VOC fingerprint profiles characterizing geographic origins were constructed. A non-targeted analytical strategy was adopted， and 97 VOCs detected via GC-IMS were subjected to principal component analysis （PCA） and partial least squares discriminant analysis （PLS-DA） based on their differential distribution patterns to construct an origin identification model for Foeniculi Fructus from Haiyuan region. Key discriminative markers were screened using variable importance in projection （VIP） values greater than 1. ResultsA total of 97 VOCs were identified， including alcohols， aldehydes， ketones， esters， organic acids， terpenoids， ethers， alkenes， and benzenes. The PLS-DA model， based on VOCs data obtained by GC-IMS， effectively distinguished Foeniculi Fructus in Haiyuan region from those of other origins. During cross-validation， the model achieved a prediction parameter （Q²） of 0.976 and a goodness-of-fit parameter （R²） of 0.936， with no overfitting observed in permutation testing. Twelve key flavor markers with VIP > 1 were identified as characteristic indicators of Haiyuan origin. ConclusionA stable and highly predictive origin identification model for Foeniculi Fructus from Haiyuan was successfully established using GC-IMS technology， PLS-DA， and VIP-based marker screening. This model provides a novel technical strategy for accurately distinguishing Foeniculi Fructus in Haiyuan region from other regional varieties and offers new technical support for its protection as a geo-authentic medicinal material and a nationally designated geographical indication agricultural product in China.

ObjectiveTo establish a geographical origin identification model for Foeniculi Fructus from Haiyuan， providing a new technical reference for the protection of Haiyuan's geo-authentic medicinal materials and its designation as a national geographical indication agricultural product. MethodsSamples of Foeniculi Fructus were collected from eight producing areas， including Minqin （Gansu）， Bozhou （Anhui）， Qingdao （Shandong）， Dezhou （Shandong）， Urumqi （Xinjiang）， Nujiang （Yunnan）， Gutuo （Inner Mongolia）， and Haiyuan （Ningxia）. Gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry （GC-IMS） was used to detect the volatile organic compounds （VOCs） in samples from these geographic origins. VOCs were qualitatively analyzed through dual matching with the National Institute of Standards and Technology （NIST） mass spectral database and the IMS drift time database. Using the Reporter module and Gallery Plot visualization tools within the LAV analytical platform， VOC fingerprint profiles characterizing geographic origins were constructed. A non-targeted analytical strategy was adopted， and 97 VOCs detected via GC-IMS were subjected to principal component analysis （PCA） and partial least squares discriminant analysis （PLS-DA） based on their differential distribution patterns to construct an origin identification model for Foeniculi Fructus from Haiyuan region. Key discriminative markers were screened using variable importance in projection （VIP） values greater than 1. ResultsA total of 97 VOCs were identified， including alcohols， aldehydes， ketones， esters， organic acids， terpenoids， ethers， alkenes， and benzenes. The PLS-DA model， based on VOCs data obtained by GC-IMS， effectively distinguished Foeniculi Fructus in Haiyuan region from those of other origins. During cross-validation， the model achieved a prediction parameter （Q²） of 0.976 and a goodness-of-fit parameter （R²） of 0.936， with no overfitting observed in permutation testing. Twelve key flavor markers with VIP > 1 were identified as characteristic indicators of Haiyuan origin. ConclusionA stable and highly predictive origin identification model for Foeniculi Fructus from Haiyuan was successfully established using GC-IMS technology， PLS-DA， and VIP-based marker screening. This model provides a novel technical strategy for accurately distinguishing Foeniculi Fructus in Haiyuan region from other regional varieties and offers new technical support for its protection as a geo-authentic medicinal material and a nationally designated geographical indication agricultural product in China.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of Schistosoma japonicum infections in wild rodents in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of China, so as to provide insights into formulation of technical guidelines for monitoring of and the precise control strategy for S. japonicum infections in wild rodents during the elimination phase. Methods Two administrative villages where schistosomiasis was historically highly prevalent were selected each from Dongzhi County, Anhui Province, and Duchang County, Jiangxi Province as study villages. Wild rodents were captured from study villages with baited traps or cages at night in June and September, 2021. The number of rodents captured was recorded, and the rodent species was characterized based on morphologi-cal characteristics. Liver tissues were sampled from captured rodents for macroscopical observation of the presence of egg granu- lomas, and S. japonicum infection was detected simultaneously using liver tissue homogenate microscopy, examinations of mesenteric tissues for parasites, and modified Kato-Katz thick smear technique (Kato-Katz technique). A positive S. japonicum infection was defined as detection of S. japonicum eggs or adult worms by any of these methods. The rate of wild rodent capture and prevalence of S. japonicum infections in wild rodents were compared in different study villages and at different time periods, and the detection of S. japonicum infections in wild rodents was compared by different assays. Results The overall rate of wild ro- dent capture was 8.28% (237/2 861) in Dongzhi County, and the wild rodent capture rates were 9.24% (133/1 439) and 7.31% (104/1 422) in two study villages (χ² = 3.503, P = 0.061), and were 8.59% (121/1 409) and 7.99% (116/1 452) in June and September, 2021, respectively (χ² = 0.337, P = 0.561). The overall rate of wild rodent capture was 3.72% (77/2 072) in Duchang County, and the wild rodent capture rates were 6.91% (67/970) and 0.91% (10/1 102) in two study villages (χ² = 51.901, P < 0.001), and were 4.13% (39/945) and 3.37% (38/1 127) in June and September, 2021, respectively (χ² = 0.815, P = 0.365). Rattus norvegicus was the predominant rodent species captured in both counties, accounting for 70.04% (166/237) of all captured wild rodents in Dongzhi County and 88.31% (68/77) in Duchang County. No S. japonicum infection was detected in wild rodents captured in Duchang County. Nevertheless, the overall prevalence of S. japonicum infections was 51.05% (121/237) in wild rodents captured in Dongzhi County, with prevalence rates of 50.38% (67/133) and 51.92% (54/104) in two study villages (χ² = 0.098, P = 0.755), and 54.31% (63/116) and 47.93% (58/121) in September and June, 2021, respectively (χ² = 0.964, P = 0.326). Of 237 wild rodents captured in Dongzhi County, there were 140 (59.07%) rodents with visible hepatic egg granulomas, 117 (49.47%) tested positive for S. japonicum eggs by liver tissue homogenate microscopy, 34 (14.35%) tested positive for S. japonicum eggs with Kato-Katz technique; however, no adult S. japonicum worms were detected in mesenteric tissues. In addition, hepatic egg granulomas were found in all wild rodents tested positive for S. japonicum eggs with liver tissue homogenate microscopy. Conclusions The rate of wild rodent capture and prevalence of S. japonicum infection in wild rodents vary greatly in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of China, and the prevalence of S. japonicum infection is slightly higher in wild rodents captured in autumn than in summer. Liver tissue is recommended as the preferred sample for surveillance of S. japonicum infection in wild rodents, and a combination of macroscopical observation of hepatic egg granulomas and liver tissue homogenate microscopy may be a standard method for surveillance of S. japonicum infection in wild rodents.

ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of salidroside against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD） and its mechanism of action. MethodsA total of 24 male KM mice were randomly divided into normal group， HFD group， HFD+blank control group， and HFD+salidroside group， with 6 mice in each group. The mice in the normal group were given normal diet， and those in the other groups were given high-fat diet. After 14 weeks of modeling， the mice were given salidroside 100 mg/kg/day by gavage， and related samples were collected at the end of week 22. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the serum levels of related biochemical parameters including alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， aspartate aminotransferase （AST）， triglyceride （TG）， total cholesterol （TC）， high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）， and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）； HE staining and NAFLD activity score （NAS） were used to observe the liver histopathology of mice； Western blot was used to measure the changes in the expression of NAMPT， Sirt1， AMPKα， and SREBP1 in liver tissue. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups， and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the HFD group had obvious steatosis and extensive large lipid droplets in liver tissue， with significant increases in NAS score （P<0.01） and the content of AST， ALT， TG， TC， and LDL-C in peripheral blood （all P<0.05） and a significant reduction in the content of HDL-C （P<0.05）， as well as significant reductions in the expression levels of NAMPT， AMPKα， and Sirt1 in liver tissue （all P<0.05） and a significant increase in the expression level of SERBP1 （P<0.01）. Compared with the HFD group and the HFD+blank control group， the HFD+salidroside group had reductions in the distribution of vacuolar lipid droplets and intralobular inflammation in liver tissue， alleviation of the ballooning degeneration of hepatocytes， significant reductions in NAS score （P<0.01） and the content of AST， ALT， TG， and LDL-C in peripheral blood （all P<0.05）， and a significant increase in the content of HDL-C （P<0.05）， as well as significant increases in the expression levels of NAMPT， AMPKα， and Sirt1 in liver tissue （all P<0.05） and a significant reduction in the expression level of SERBP1 （P<0.01）. ConclusionSalidroside can significantly improve the pathological state of mice with NAFLD induced by high-fat diet and exert a protective effect against NAFLD by increasing the expression of NAMPT， Sirt1， and AMPKα and reducing the expression of SERBP1.

Humans ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Constipation/therapy* ; Probiotics/therapeutic use* ; Patients

BACKGROUND:Mechanical factors can affect the angiogenic ability of vascular endothelial cells.How the vessel number affects the hydrodynamic properties of microvessels remains to be clarified. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the influence of vessel number on the hydrodynamics of vascular networks based on computational fluid dynamics. METHODS:Three three-dimensional models of vascular network with different vessel numbers were constructed using the Geometry module of ANSYS 19.0 software,and then the vascular network was meshed to tetrahedral elements in Mesh module.The vascular network was assumed to rigid wall without slip,and the blood was assumed to laminar,viscous,and incompressible Newtonian fluid.Blood density,velocity,and a series of blood viscosity coefficients were also established.The Navier-Stokes equation was used for calculation.Hydrodynamic properties of different parts of vascular network with different vessel numbers were analyzed and compared. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The streamline,velocity,and mass flow all had the same trend in the vascular network,that is,the outlet and inlet were higher and the middle junction of vascular network was lower.The more the number of vessels,the thinner the blood flow lines in each part of the vascular network.Also,the velocity,mass flow,and wall shear decreased with the increase of the number of blood vessels.Therefore,the changes in vessel number could influence the hydrodynamic environment in the vascular network.Computational fluid dynamics indicates that the changes in vessel numbers can influence the hydrodynamic properties of blood,and provides a new idea for treating bone hypoperfusion-induced diseases(fracture nonunion,bone defect,osteoporosis,etc.)through tonifying kidney and activating blood circulation based on the coupling between angiogenesis and osteogenesis.

Objective: To explore the trend of blood pressure among children and adolescents and its correlation with pubertal development and nutritional status, so as to provide a scientific basis for developing prevention strategies targeting early stage hypertension. Methods: In September 2023, a multi stage random cluster sampling was used to select 20 241 primary and secondary school students aged 7-18 years from 57 schools in Jinzhong, whose height, weight, and blood pressure were measured. The Chi square test for trend was used to analyze the change trend in the detection rate of elevated blood pressure and hypertension in children and adolescents with the development of adolescence puberty, and the Logistic regression was used to analyze the correlation between elevated blood pressure and hypertension and nutritional status. Results: The prevalence of elevated blood pressure was 17.3% among children and adolescents. The middle and late pubertal groups had the highest prevalence (23.2% and 24.3%), followed by the early pubertal group (19.5%) and the prepuberty group (10.8%) ( χ 2 trend =372.86， P <0.01). The prevalence of hypertension was 14.8%, with the highest prevalence reported in the late pubertal group (22.4%), followed by the middle pubertal group (18.9%), and the early pubertal (13.0%)/prepuberty (12.2%) groups ( χ 2 trend =175.43， P <0.01). The prevalence of elevated blood pressure and hypertension increased with pubertal development, regardless of gender, region, or nutritional status ( χ 2 trend =9.21-771.90, P <0.01). Overweight and obesity were influencing factors of elevated blood pressure and hypertension among children and adolescents during all stages of pubertal development ( OR =1.2-2.8， P <0.01). Conclusion The prevalence of elevated blood pressure and hypertension among children and adolescents during pubertal development is high, showing an increasing trend with pubertal development.