OBJECTIVE To explore the improvine mechanism of Yifei xuanfei jiangzhuo formula （YFXF） on vascular dementia （VAD） model rats based on the growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 （GRB2）/extracellular signal-regulated kinase （ERK）/cardiolipin synthase 1 （CRLS1） pathway. METHODS VAD rat model was established by permanent bilateral common carotid artery ligation. Forty-eight successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into the model group （normal saline）， donepezil hydrochloride group （positive control group， 0.2 g/kg）， and YFXF low- and high-dose groups （12.18 and 24.36 g/kg， calculated based on the total amount of crude drug）， respectively. In addition， a sham operation group （normal saline） was set up. There were 12 rats in each group. Daily intragastric administration of drug or normal saline was performed for 30 consecutive days. After the last administration， the spatial cognitive ability of the rats was evaluated， the pathological morphology of the hippocampus was observed， the contents of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and interleukin-4 （IL-4） in serum were detected， the expression levels of GRB2/ERK/CRLS1 pathway-related proteins and the mRNA levels of GRB2， CRLS1， NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1（ND1）， Tafazzin （TAZ）， phospholipid scramblase 3（PLSCR3） and the ATP content in hippocampal tissue were measured. RESULTS Compared with the sham operation group， the escape latency of rats in the model group was significantly prolonged （ P ＜0.05）， and the number of crossing platform was significantly reduced （ P ＜0.05）， while the number of pyramidal cells and Nissl bodies in the hippocampus decreased sharply； the content of TNF-α in serum was significantly increased （ P ＜0.05）， and the content of IL-4 was significantly decreased （ P ＜0.05）； the expression levels of GRB2 and CRLS1 proteins， the phosphorylation level of ERK protein， the relative expression levels of GRB2， CRLS1，ND1， TAZ， and PLSCR3 mRNA， and the content of ATP in hippocampal tissue were significantly decreased （ P ＜0.05）. Compared with the model group， the above pathological changes in the hippocampal tissue of each administration group were alleviated， and the quantitative indicators were significantly restored （ P ＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS YFXF may improve hippocampal neuron injury in VAD rats by activating the GRB2/ERK/CRLS1 pathway, maintaining cardiolipin homeostasis， and improving mitochondrial energy metabolism.

Background Platelet parameters are important indicators of cardiovascular risk, and environmental pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) may impair platelet function through oxidative stress. Objective To investigate the differential effects of single and mixed exposure to PCBs on platelet parameters among individuals with normal glucose tolerance (NGT), impaired fasting glucose (IFG), and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and to evaluate the potential modifying role of a healthy lifestyle. Methods This study included 2249 participants (including 707 with NGT, 759 with IFG, and 783 with T2DM). Plasma PCB concentrations were measured using triple quadrupole gaschromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Generalized linear regression was used to assess the associations between individual PCB congeners and platelet parameters. Quantile g-computation (QGC) and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models were used to evaluate the overall effects of PCBs mixture exposure on platelet parameters across different glycemic states, as well as its interaction with healthy lifestyle score (HLS). Results Generalized linear regression analyses showed significant differences in the effects of PCBs on platelet parameters across different glycemic states (P<0.05). After adjusting for confounders, PCBs mixture exposure was significantly associated with lower platelet counts (PLT) in individuals with NGT (b=−10.60, 95%CI: −16.48, −4.71) and IFG (b=−12.91, 95%CI: −18.90, −6.92), whereas no significant association was observed in individuals with T2DM (P=0.051). Mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet-large cell ratio (P-LCR) increased significantly with higher PCBs exposure levels across all three groups (P<0.05). BKMR analysis showed a positive association between PCBs mixture exposure and P-LCR, with the strongest association observed in the NGT group. Furthermore, a significant interaction was observed between HLS and PCBs mixture exposure, and a higher HLS attenuated the effects of PCBs on P-LCR. Conclusion Glycemic glycemic states may modify the effects of PCBs on platelets. Individuals with NGT appear more sensitive to PCBs exposure, whereas the T2DM state may attenuate this effect. Moreover, healthy lifestyles, including not smoking, moderate alcohol consumption, maintaining moderate-to-high physical activity, a healthy diet, and an appropriate body mass index (BMI), may mitigate the adverse effects of most PCBs on platelet parameters.

Background Platelet parameters are important indicators of cardiovascular risk, and environmental pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) may impair platelet function through oxidative stress. Objective To investigate the differential effects of single and mixed exposure to PCBs on platelet parameters among individuals with normal glucose tolerance (NGT), impaired fasting glucose (IFG), and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and to evaluate the potential modifying role of a healthy lifestyle. Methods This study included 2249 participants (including 707 with NGT, 759 with IFG, and 783 with T2DM). Plasma PCB concentrations were measured using triple quadrupole gaschromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Generalized linear regression was used to assess the associations between individual PCB congeners and platelet parameters. Quantile g-computation (QGC) and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models were used to evaluate the overall effects of PCBs mixture exposure on platelet parameters across different glycemic states, as well as its interaction with healthy lifestyle score (HLS). Results Generalized linear regression analyses showed significant differences in the effects of PCBs on platelet parameters across different glycemic states (P<0.05). After adjusting for confounders, PCBs mixture exposure was significantly associated with lower platelet counts (PLT) in individuals with NGT (b=−10.60, 95%CI: −16.48, −4.71) and IFG (b=−12.91, 95%CI: −18.90, −6.92), whereas no significant association was observed in individuals with T2DM (P=0.051). Mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet-large cell ratio (P-LCR) increased significantly with higher PCBs exposure levels across all three groups (P<0.05). BKMR analysis showed a positive association between PCBs mixture exposure and P-LCR, with the strongest association observed in the NGT group. Furthermore, a significant interaction was observed between HLS and PCBs mixture exposure, and a higher HLS attenuated the effects of PCBs on P-LCR. Conclusion Glycemic glycemic states may modify the effects of PCBs on platelets. Individuals with NGT appear more sensitive to PCBs exposure, whereas the T2DM state may attenuate this effect. Moreover, healthy lifestyles, including not smoking, moderate alcohol consumption, maintaining moderate-to-high physical activity, a healthy diet, and an appropriate body mass index (BMI), may mitigate the adverse effects of most PCBs on platelet parameters.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and mechanism of Wenpi tongluo kaiqiao formula （WPTL） against neuronal necroptosis in Alzheimer’s disease （AD） mice based on the Z-DNA binding protein 1 （ZBP1）/mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein （MLKL） signaling pathway. METHODS Forty APP/PS1 transgenic AD mice were randomly divided into model group， WPTL low-dose （WPTL-L） group （10.4 g/kg， calculated by the raw medicine）， WPTL high-dose （WPTL-H） group （20.8 g/kg， calculated by the raw medicine） and donepezil hydrochloride group （3 mg/kg）， with 10 mice in each group； another 10 C57BL/6J mice were selected as normal control group. Intragastric administration， once a day， for 30 consecutive days. Twenty-four hours after the last administration， Morris water maze test was performed to evaluate learning and memory abilities； the pathological morphology of hippocampal tissues was observed； the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and interleukin-4 （IL-4） were determined； the expressions of amyloid precursor protein （APP）， Tau protein， and ZBP1/MLKL signaling pathway-related proteins in hippocampal tissues were detected； the positive expression of phosphorylated receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 （p-RIPK3） in the neurons of hippocampal tissues and mRNA expression of ZBP1 were measured in hippocampal tissues. RESULTS Compared with normal control group， the escape latency of mice in model group was prolonged significantly on day 3 to 5 （P＜0.05）， the times of crossing platform reduced significantly （P＜0.05）， and obvious pathological changes were observed in the hippocampal tissue. The level of TNF- α， the expressions of APP， p-Tau and ZBP1， the phosphorylation levels of RIPK1， RIPK3 and MLKL， the fluorescence intensity of p-RIPK3 as well as the mRNA expression of ZBP1 were significantly increased （P＜0.05）， while the serum level of IL-4 was decreased significantly （P＜0.05）. Compared with model group， above indexes were reversed significantly in administration groups （P＜0.05）， and pathological damage of hippocampal tissue was alleviated. CONCLUSIONS WPTL can inhibit the ZBP1/MLKL signaling pathway， reduce neuronal necroptosis in AD mice， and inhibit inflammatory responses， thereby improving learning and spatial memory abilities in AD mice.

This study was aimed at identifying the pathogenic bacteria responsible for the death of a young tiger at the Fujian Meihua Mountain South China Tiger Breeding Research Institute.Tissue samples from the lungs,liver,and intestines of the deceased tiger were collected,and the bacteria were cultured inasterile environment.The bacterial strains were characterized according to their morphological and molecular biological properties,including assessment of virulence genes and antibiotic resistance genes,mouse lethality tests,and antibiotic susceptibility evaluations.A predominant bacterial strain isolated from the liver of the deceased tiger was identified as enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli(ETEC)strain Tiger22513F.Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene revealed that the Tiger22513F strain exhibited close genetic similarity to the reference strain ETEC(MF919609.1),with 99.9%nucleotide similarity,and resided on the same evolutionary branch.The Tiger22513F strain contained 11 antibiotic resistance genes(tetA,sul1,sul3,cmlA,floR,blaTEM,blaSHV,blaCMY-2,qnrA,qnrS,and qnrD)along with five virulence genes(VT1,fyuA,tsh,iucD,and ST).Mouse lethality tests indicated significant pathogenicity toward mice,affecting primarily the lungs,liver,and intestines.Antibiotic susceptibility testing demonstrated that this strain exhibited resistance to various classes of beta-lactam antibiotics,as well as quinolones and aminoglycosides.This investigation successfully isolated a multi-drug resistant enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strain with pronounced pathogenicity from the liver of a deceased tiger;thus providing valuable scientific insights for clinical diagnosis,as well as prevention and control measures,against ETEC infections in South China tigers.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an environmental chemical that is widely exposed in human daily life. It has attracted much attention because of its estrogenic effect. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine metabolic disease in women of reproductive age. Its pathogenesis involves the interaction of genetic, environmental and endocrine disorders. In recent years, more and more studies have shown that BPA plays an important role in the occurrence and development of PCOS. BPA promotes the development of PCOS by interfering with insulin sensitivity, immune response and changing ovarian structure and function. In addition, BPA exposure levels are associated with hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance, obesity, dyslipidemia, and decreased ovarian reserve in PCOS patients. This review summarizes the effects of BPA on PCOS in terms of ovarian function, glucose and lipid metabolism, and inflammatory response, so as to provide theoretical basis for clinical intervention and prevention of BPA in the development of PCOS.

Objective To evaluate the medical service performance of a hospital in 2023,providing references for the refined management and discipline advancement.Methods The DRG-related data of patients discharged from the sample hospi-tal in 2023 were obtained through the DRGs in Sichuan Province.A comprehensive evaluation was performed by using the inte-grated approach of TOPSIS and RSR with entropy weight.Results The top three specialties offering a wide range of medical services and handling more complex cases on average were neurosurgery,orthopedics,and cardiovascular medicine.The difficulty level of cases in these departments exceeded the average for both the city and the province.TOPSIS-RSR method was used to e-valuate six weights of the index,and the top three ones were CMI,total weight,and number of diagnostic-related groups.In the DRG performance evaluation,30 clinical departments were divided into 3 grades,with 5,21,and 4 departments in each grade,respectively,revealing differences in case structure across grades.Conclusion The combination of DRG-related indicators and comprehensive evaluation method can be effectively applied to the performance evaluation of medical service for inpatients,thus providing suggestions and strategies for promoting the improvement of medical service capacity,improving medical service effi-ciency,optimizing safety and quality assessment indicators,and achieving overall balanced development in wards.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is an increasingly widespread sleep-breathing disordered disease, and is an independent risk factor for many high-risk chronic diseases such as hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke, arrhythmias and diabetes, which is potentially fatal. The key to the prevention and treatment of OSA is early diagnosis and treatment, so the assessment and diagnostic technologies of OSA have become a research hotspot. This paper reviews the research progresses of severity assessment parameters and diagnostic technologies of OSA, and discusses their future development trends. In terms of severity assessment parameters of OSA, apnea hypopnea index (AHI), as the gold standard, together with the percentage of duration of apnea hypopnea (AH%), lowest oxygen saturation (LSpO₂), heart rate variability (HRV), oxygen desaturation index (ODI) and the emerging biomarkers, constitute a multi-dimensional evaluation system. Specifically, the AHI, which measures the frequency of sleep respiratory events per hour, does not fully reflect the patients’ overall sleep quality or the extent of their daytime functional impairments. To address this limitation, the AH%, which measures the proportion of the entire sleep cycle affected by apneas and hypopneas, deepens our understanding of the impact on sleep quality. The LSpO₂ plays a critical role in highlighting the potential severe hypoxic episodes during sleep, while the HRV offers a different perspective by analyzing the fluctuations in heart rate thereby revealing the activity of the autonomic nervous system. The ODI provides a direct and objective measure of patients’ nocturnal oxygenation stability by calculating the number of desaturation events per hour, and the biomarkers offers novel insights into the diagnosis and management of OSA, and fosters the development of more precise and tailored OSA therapeutic strategies. In terms of diagnostic techniques of OSA, the standardized questionnaire and Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) is a simple and effective method for preliminary screening of OSA, and the polysomnography (PSG) which is based on recording multiple physiological signals stands for gold standard, but it has limitations of complex operations, high costs and inconvenience. As a convenient alternative, the home sleep apnea testing (HSAT) allows patients to monitor their sleep with simplified equipment in the comfort of their own homes, and the cardiopulmonary coupling (CPC) offers a minimal version that simply analyzes the electrocardiogram (ECG) signals. As an emerging diagnostic technology of OSA, machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) adeptly pinpoint respiratory incidents and expose delicate physiological changes, thus casting new light on the diagnostic approach to OSA. In addition, imaging examination utilizes detailed visual representations of the airway’s structure and assists in recognizing structural abnormalities that may result in obstructed airways, while sound monitoring technology records and analyzes snoring and breathing sounds to detect the condition subtly, and thus further expands our medical diagnostic toolkit. As for the future development directions, it can be predicted that interdisciplinary integrated researches, the construction of personalized diagnosis and treatment models, and the popularization of high-tech in clinical applications will become the development trends in the field of OSA evaluation and diagnosis.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, is a chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract with unknown etiology. The cause of IBD is widely considered multifactorial, with prevailing hypotheses suggesting that the microbiome and various environmental factors contribute to inappropriate activation of the mucosal immune system in genetically susceptible individuals. Although the incidence of IBD has stabilized in Western countries, it is rapidly increasing in newly industrialized countries, particularly China, making IBD a global disease. Significant changes in multiple biomarkers before IBD diagnosis during the preclinical phase provide opportunities for earlier diagnosis and intervention. Advances in technology have driven the development of telemonitoring tools, such as home-testing kits for fecal calprotectin, serum cytokines, and therapeutic drug concentrations, as well as wearable devices for testing sweat cytokines and heart rate variability. These tools enable real-time disease activity assessment and timely treatment strategy adjustments. A wide range of novel drugs for IBD, including interleukin-23 inhibitors (mirikizumab, risankizumab, and guselkumab) and small-molecule drugs (etrasimod and upadacitinib), have been introduced in the past few years. Despite these advancements, approximately one-third of patients remain primary non-responders to the initial treatment, and half eventually lose response over time. Precision medicine integrating multi-omics data, advanced combination therapy, and complementary approaches, including stem cell transplantation, psychological therapies, neuromodulation, and gut microbiome modulation therapy, may offer solutions to break through the therapeutic ceiling.
Humans ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/therapy*

To investigate the mechanism of action of Syngnathus extract in treating knee osteoarthritis of rats, forty-eight male SD rats were randomly divided into the blank group, model group, positive drug group, as well as low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose groups of Syngnathus extract. The rat model of knee osteoarthritis was constructed by intra-articular injection of sodium iodoacetate. After successful modeling, celecoxib(18 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)) and Syngnathus extract(0.4, 0.8, and 1.6 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)) were given in different groups by gavage intervention for two weeks. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe the histopathological changes of cartilage in knee joints, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the expression level of inflammatory factors in serum. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the levels of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt)/mammalian target protein of rapamycin(mTOR) pathway-related mRNA and protein expression. The results showed that, comparied with the blank group, the cartilage surface of the knee joints of rats in the model group was uneven, with disorganized levels and defective cartilage tissue. The serum levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and the mRNA levels of PI3K, Akt, and mTOR in cartilage tissue, as well as the protein expression levels of phosphorylated PI3K(p-PI3K)/PI3K, phosphorylated Akt(p-Akt)/Akt, phosphorylated mTOR(p-mTOR)/mTOR, and P62 were significantly increased. Beclin1 protein expression was decreased. Comparied with the model group, the number of chondrocytes in the knee joint of rats in each group of Syngnathus extract increased, and the arrangement of chondrocytes was relatively neat. The cartilage layer was restored, and the serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, as well as the mRNA expression levels of PI3K, Akt, and mTOR in cartilage tissue were significantly reduced. The protein expression levels of p-PI3K/PI3K, p-Akt/Akt, p-mTOR/mTOR, and P62 were significantly reduced in the rats in the middle-dose and high-dose groups of Syngnathus extract, and the Beclin1 protein expression was significantly increased. The protein expression levels of p-PI3K/PI3K, p-Akt/Akt, and P62 in rats in the low-dose group of Syngnathus extract were significantly reduced. In summary, Syngnathus extract may be used to treat knee osteoarthritis by inhibiting the expression of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, so as to alleviate the inflammatory response in the organism, enhance the autophagy activity of chondrocytes, and reduce the apoptosis of chondrocytes.
Animals ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics* ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/genetics* ; Rats ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics* ; Humans