Secondary metabolites of medicinal plants are extremely important to human health because of their special pharmacological activities or efficacy. They are the main source of drugs, health care products, and cosmetics. As human beings continue to pursue health and longevity, the demand in the pharmaceutical market continues to grow. It becomes especially important to improve the production and quality of secondary metabolites of medicinal plants. Plant secondary metabolites are a kind of adaptation of plants to their environment and are the result of the interaction between plants and biotic and abiotic factors during the long-term evolution process. The production and accumulation of secondary metabolites in medicinal plants are mainly affected by plant genetic factors and environmental factors. Among them, light environment is extremely important for their synthesis. Therefore, light regulation has long been a research focus for many scholars in China and abroad. In this article, we the recent research progress on the effects of light regulation on the secondary metabolites of medicinal plants were reviewed, mainly focusing on the effects of light quality, light intensity and photoperiod, in order to provide theoretical basis and practical guidance for the efficient production of secondary metabolites with important pharmacological activities.

Objective:To investigate the prospective association of sleep duration with the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults in Suzhou.Methods:The study used the data of 53 269 participants aged 30-79 years recruited in the baseline survey from 2004 to 2008 and the follow-up until December 31, 2017 of China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB) conducted in Wuzhong District, Suzhou. After excluding participants with airflow limitation, self-reported chronic bronchitis/emphysema/coronary heart disease history at the baseline survey and abnormal or incomplete data, a total of 45 336 participants were included in the final analysis. The association between daily sleep duration and the risk for developing COPD was analyzed by using a Cox proportional hazard regression model, and the hazard ratio ( HR) values and their 95% CI were calculated. The analysis was stratified by age, gender and lifestyle factors, and cross-analysis was conducted according to smoking status and daily sleep duration. Results:The median follow-up time was 11.12 years, with a total of 515 COPD diagnoses in the follow-up. After adjusting for potential confounders, multifactorial Cox proportional hazard regression analysis showed that daily sleep duration ≥10 hours was associated with higher risk for developing COPD ( HR=1.42, 95% CI: 1.03-1.97). The cross analysis showed that excessive daily sleep duration increased the risk for COPD in smokers ( HR=2.49, 95% CI: 1.35-4.59, interaction P<0.001). Conclusion:Longer daily sleep duration (≥10 hours) might increase the risk for COPD in adults in Suzhou, especially in smokers.

Objective:To investigate the associations of onset age, diabetes duration, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels with ischemic stroke risk in type 2 diabetes patients.Methods:The participants were from Comprehensive Research on the Prevention and Control of the Diabetes in Jiangsu Province. The study used data from baseline survey from December 2013 to January 2014 and follow-up until December 31, 2021. After excluding the participants who had been diagnosed with stroke at baseline survey and those with incomplete information on onset age, diabetes duration, and HbA1c level, a total of 17 576 type 2 diabetes patients were included. Cox proportional hazard model was used to calculate the hazard ratio ( HR) and 95% CI of onset age, diabetes duration, and HbA1c level for ischemic stroke. Results:During the median follow-up time of 8.02 years, 2 622 ischemic stroke cases were registered. Multivariate Cox proportional risk regression model showed that a 5-year increase in type 2 diabetes onset age was significantly associated with a 5% decreased risk for ischemic stroke ( HR=0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.99). A 5-year increase in diabetes duration was associated with a 5% increased risk for ischemic stroke ( HR=1.05, 95% CI: 1.02-1.10). Higher HbA1c (per 1 standard deviation increase: HR=1.17, 95% CI: 1.13-1.21) was associated with an increased risk for ischemic stroke. Conclusion:The earlier onset age of diabetes, longer diabetes duration, and high levels of HbA1c are associated with an increased risk for ischemic stroke in type 2 diabetes patients.

Objective:To investigate the association between sleep status and the risk for coronary heart disease in adults in Suzhou.Methods:Using the baseline and follow up information of 53 269 local residents aged 30-79 years in China Kadoorie Biobank conducted in Wuzhong District, Suzhou, 51 929 subjects were included in this study after excluding those reporting coronary heart disease, stroke and cancer at the baseline survey. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to analyze the association of healthy sleep score (0-3 points) and sleep factors (snoring, insomnia, long sleep duration and nap) with the risk for coronary heart disease.Results:The median follow-up time was 11.12 years, and 1 304 individuals were diagnosed with coronary heart disease during the follow-up. After adjusting for potential confounders, occasional snoring ( HR=1.20, 95% CI: 1.04-1.38), usual snoring ( HR=1.17, 95% CI: 1.02-1.33), insomnia disorder ( HR=1.41, 95% CI: 1.12-1.78), daytime dysfunction ( HR=1.56, 95% CI: 1.20-2.03) and perennial nap ( HR=1.37, 95% CI: 1.19-1.59) were associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease. Compared with those with sleep score of 0 - 1 (low sleep quality), the people with sleep score of 3 had reduced risk of coronary heart disease by 26% ( HR=0.74, 95% CI: 0.63-0.87). Stratified analysis showed that the association of healthy sleep score 3 with risk of coronary heart disease was stronger in low physically active individuals (interaction P<0.05). Conclusions:Snoring, insomnia disorders, daytime dysfunction, and perennial napping were all associated with increased risk for coronary heart disease, and keep healthy sleep mode might reduce the risk for coronary heart disease in adults.

Objective:To understand the prevalence, blood pressure control, and influencing factors of hypertension in residents aged 35-75 years in Jiangsu Province, and provide data support and basis for hypertension prevention and treatment.Methods:A stratified cluster sampling method was adopted to conduct community population surveys in 22 districts and counties in 12 prefectures in Jiangsu from 2021 to 2022. A total of 123 531 permanent residents aged 35-75 years were included in the study. The questionnaire survey collected the information about the demographic characteristics, disease history, lifestyle, and control of hypertension of study subjects. Statistical software SPSS 23.0 was used for χ2 test and multivariate logistic regression analysis, and Joinpoint 4.9.1.0 software was used to evaluate the trend of age change. Results:The standardized prevalence of hypertension in study subjects was 46.60%, the prevalence was higher in men than in women, and in rural residents than in urban residents, and the standardized blood pressure control rate was 11.24%, and it was lower in men than in women and in rural residents than in urban residents. The hypertension prevalence and control rates showed increasing trends with age (both P<0.001). The multivariate analysis results showed that being man, older age, being rural resident, higher frequency of alcohol consumption, marital status of being separated and widowed, overweight and obese, abdominal obesity and stroke, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidaemic diseases histories, and family history of hypertension were risk factors for hypertension, and being man, being rural resident, living north area, higher frequency of alcohol consumption, and obesity were risk factors for blood pressure control. Conclusions:The prevalence of hypertension in residents aged 35-75 years in Jiangsu was high, and the rate of blood pressure control was low. It is suggested to take integrated intervention measures, especially in in rural residents and people with low levels of education to reduce the disease burden of the patients.

Objective:To analyze the comorbidity status and influencing factors of hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia among middle-aged and elderly in Jiangsu Province and to provide support for "co-management of the three diseases".Methods:Data originated from the Comprehensive Prevention and Control Project of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases baseline survey in Jiangsu Province. Questionnaire interviews, physical examinations, and laboratory tests were conducted on 136 433 permanent residents aged ≥35 years who participated in the survey from 2021 to 2023. A multinomial logit model was established using SPSS 23.0 to analyze the influencing factors of the three comorbidities.Results:The comorbidity rate of hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia among middle-aged and older adults in Jiangsu Province was 7.3%. Hypertension combined with dyslipidemia was the main comorbidity pattern, and patients with diabetes accounted for the largest proportion. Multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of being two types of the three comorbidities was higher in male, aging, urban residents, and those with high/technical secondary school, higher frequency of cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking, and longer daily sedentary time; the risk was lower in those with higher the level of physical activity and longer daily sleep time. Among the three types of comorbidities, males with aging, high/technical secondary school, regular smoking/quitting, higher frequency of alcohol drinking, and longer daily sedentary time had higher risk; those with an annual family income of 30 000-99 999 RMB, higher level of physical activity, and the daily sleep time of 7 hours had the lower risk (all P<0.05). Conclusions:The prevention and control of the three comorbidities among middle-aged and older adults in Jiangsu Province still needs strengthening. High-risk groups for the three diseases and comorbidities, such as males, low-income , and high/technical secondary school should be focused on. Middle-aged and older adults are suggested to increase daily physical activity, reduce daily static time, reasonably arrange sleep duration, and quit smoking and drinking as early as possible to maintain a healthy weight.

To investigate the associations of serum gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels with the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its subtypes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Jiangsu Province.Methods:The participants were enrolled in the Comprehensive Research project regarding 'Prevention and Control of Diabetes' in Jiangsu Province. The baseline survey was conducted from 2013 to 2014, and follow-up until December 31, 2021. After excluding the participants who self-reported with chronic liver disease/stroke/coronary heart disease at baseline survey and those with incomplete information on GGT, a total of 16 147 T2DM patients were included in the final analysis. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to calculate the hazard ratio ( HR) and their 95% CI of GGT for CVD, myocardial infarction, and stroke. Restricted cubic spline models were applied to analyze the dose-response relationship between GGT and the risk of CVD and its subtypes. Results:During the median follow-up time of 8.02 years, 2 860 CVD cases were registered, including 196 cases of myocardial infarction and 2 730 cases of stroke. Multivariate Cox proportional risk regression model indicated that compared to the lowest serum GGT level group, the highest GGT level group had a 24% increased risk of CVD ( HR=1.24, 95% CI: 1.09-1.41) and a 23% increased risk of stroke ( HR=1.23, 95% CI: 1.08-1.40). The restricted cubic spline model showed a nonlinear dose-response relationship between GGT and the risk of CVD, myocardial infarction, and stroke in T2DM patients. Conclusions:High levels of GGT may be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in T2DM patients, which needs further exploration and validation in future clinical practice.

Phytoremediation plays an important role in the treatment of heavy metal pollution in soil. In order to elucidate the mechanism of salicylic acid (SA) on copper absorption, seedlings from Xuzhou (with strong Cu-tolerance) and Weifang Helianthus tuberosus cultivars (with weak Cu-tolerance) were selected for pot culture experiments. 1 mmol/L SA was sprayed upon 300 mg/kg soil copper stress, and the photosynthesis, leaf antioxidant system, several essential mineral nutrients and the changes of root upon copper stress were analyzed to explore the mechanism of copper resistance. The results showed that Pn, Tr, Gs and Ci upon copper stress decreased significantly compared to the control group. Meanwhile, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoid decreased with significant increase in initial fluorescence (F₀), maximum photochemical quantum yield of PSⅡ (Fv/Fm), electron transfer rate (ETR) and photochemical quenching coefficient (qP) content all decreased. The ascorbic acid (AsA) content was decreased, the glutathione (GSH) value was increased, the superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity in the leaves were decreased, and the peroxidase (POD) activity was significantly increased. SA increased the Cu content in the ground and root system, and weakened the nutrient uptake capacity of K, Ca, Mg, and Zn in the root stem and leaves. Spray of exogenous SA can maintain the opening of leaf stomata, improve the adverse effect of copper on photosynthetic pigment and PSⅡ reaction center. Mediating the SOD and APX activity started the AsA-GSH cycle process, effectively regulated the antioxidant enzyme system in chrysanthemum taro, significantly reduced the copper content of all parts of the plant, and improved the ion exchange capacity in the body. External SA increased the content of the negative electric group on the root by changing the proportion of components in the root, promoted the absorption of mineral nutrient elements and the accumulation of osmoregulatory substances, strengthened the fixation effect of the root on metal copper, and avoided its massive accumulation in the H. tuberosus body, so as to alleviate the inhibitory effect of copper on plant growth. The study revealed the physiological regulation of SA upon copper stress, and provided a theoretical basis for planting H. tuberosus to repair soil copper pollution.
Antioxidants ; Copper ; Helianthus/metabolism* ; Salicylic Acid/pharmacology* ; Chlorophyll A/pharmacology* ; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared ; Chlorophyll/pharmacology* ; Ascorbic Acid ; Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism* ; Photosynthesis ; Glutathione ; Plant Leaves ; Stress, Physiological ; Seedlings

Objective:To understand the epidemiological characteristics and influencing factors of elderly unintentional fall-related injuries (EUFI) in Jiangsu from 2006 to 2021 and provide a scientific basis for the prevention of falls in the elderly and the formulation of related policies.Methods:Data on EUFI was collected from the first diagnosed cases in the injury surveillance hospitals in Jiangsu from 2006 to 2021, and epidemiological characteristics of injuries were analyzed. logistic regression was performed to identify the risk factors for EUFI.Results:The number of EUFI increased from 2006 to 2021, ranked as the first cause of elderly unintentional injuries during these years. The proportion of EUFI among elderly unintentional injuries increased in the same period. The male-to-female ratio is 1∶1.4. Falls mainly occurred during 8:00-10:00 am (32.7%). The most common place where falls occurred was at home (63.6%). From 2006 to 2014, leisure activities (62.1%), housework/study (23.1%), and work (5.2%) were the top three activities when injuries occurred. During 2015-2021, leisure activities (41.7%), housework/study (22.6%) and walking (20.5%) were the top three activities when injuries occurred. The major fall-related injuries were fractures (39.9%), with the injured parts at low limbs (32.5%), of which most were mild injuries (60.3%), and the primary outcome was hospitalization after treatment (74.1%). logistic regression showed that the risk factors of EUFI were female, old age, immigrants, winter, public residence, housework/study, and leisure activities. Higher education, occupation of household and production and transportation equipment operators were protective factors (all P<0.05). Conclusions:Fall is the leading cause of unintentional injuries in the elderly in Jiangsu, especially the elderly female population. Corresponding measures should be taken to prevent and intervene in falls in the elderly in the community according to the distribution characteristics.

Objective:To investigate the association between dietary intake and physical activity category and their combined effects on all-cause and cause-specific mortality risk in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Methods:Between December 2013 and December 2021, a prospective cohort study was conducted on 19 863 T2DM patients in Changshu City, Qingjiangpu District (formerly Qinghe District), and Huai'an District, included in the national basic health service management. Information on deaths and underlying causes of death was obtained from the Jiangsu Provincial CDC and Prevention Death Surveillance System. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the intensity of associations between dietary intake, physical activity, and their combined effects with all-cause and cause-specific mortality in patients with T2DM.Results:As of December 31, 2021, the research subjects had been followed up for 150 283 person-years, with a median follow-up time of 8.15 years. During the follow-up period, 3 293 people died, including 1 124 deaths from cardiovascular disease (CVD) and 875 deaths from cancer. Cox regression analysis showed that compared with the population of 0-1 recommended food group, those having more than five recommended food groups had a 19% lower risk of all-cause mortality [hazard ratio ( HR)=0.81, 95% CI: 0.70-0.94] and a 33% lower risk of all-cause mortality ( HR=0.67, 95% CI: 0.52-0.87). Compared with the T2DM population in the physical activity Q1 group, the risk of all-cause mortality, CVD mortality, and cancer mortality among the physical activity Q4 group reduced by 50% ( HR=0.50, 95% CI: 0.45-0.56), 50% ( HR=0.50, 95% CI: 0.41-0.61), and 27% ( HR=0.73, 95% CI: 0.60-0.88), respectively. The combined effect showed that compared with the population in the intake of food categories 0-2 and low physical activity groups, the risk of all-cause, CVD mortality, and cancer mortality in the intake of food categories 4-9 and high physical activity groups reduced by 55% ( HR=0.45, 95% CI: 0.38-0.53), 56% ( HR=0.44, 95% CI: 0.32-0.59), and 40% ( HR=0.60, 95% CI: 0.44-0.82), respectively. Conclusion:Type of dietary intake, physical activity, and their combined effects are associated with a reduced mortality risk in patients with T2DM.