ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism by which the ethanol extract of Epimedium brevicornu （EEBM） intervenes in mesenchymal adipose-derived stem cells （ADSCs） to delay aging in castrated rats. MethodsForty-five 3-month-old SPF female SD rats were ovariectomized and randomly divided into model group， ADSCs treatment group， and ADSCs groups treated with low， medium， and high concentrations of EEBM （1， 50， 100 μg·L^-1）， referred to as the AE low， medium， and high concentration groups， with 9 rats in each group. After tail vein injection of 200 μL of the corresponding stem cell suspension， aging-related indicators including cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor （p21）， tumor suppressor gene （p53）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， interleukin-8 （IL-8）， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax）， cysteine-aspartic acid protease-3 （Caspase-3）， and lipofuscin were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） and Western blot. ResultsCompared with the model group， the IL-6 content in the AE low， medium， and high concentration groups was significantly decreased （P<0.05）. Lipofuscin， MDA， and IL-8 levels in the ADSCs treatment group and AE low， medium， and high concentration groups were significantly reduced （P<0.01）， while SOD content was significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the ADSCs treatment group， lipofuscin and IL-8 levels in the AE low， medium， and high concentration groups were significantly reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The MDA content was significantly decreased in the AE medium concentration group （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， protein levels of p21， p53， Bax， and Caspase-3 in the ADSCs treatment group and AE low， medium， and high concentration groups were significantly reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while the Bcl-2 protein level was significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the ADSCs treatment group， protein levels of p21， p53， Bax， and Caspase-3 in the AE low， medium， and high concentration groups were significantly reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the Bcl-2 protein level in the AE low concentration group was significantly increased （P<0.01）. ConclusionThe results of this experiment show that EEBM-treated ADSCs or ADSCs may delay aging in castrated rats by inhibiting cell apoptosis， reducing cell cycle inhibitors and pro-inflammatory factors， enhancing antioxidant capacity， and reducing oxidative reactions. Moreover， EEBM-treated ADSCs demonstrate stronger anti-aging effects than ADSCs alone. This study provides experimental evidence supporting the clinical use of EEBM to intervene in ADSCs and delay aging.

ObjectiveTo compare the effects of different tidal volumes and positive end expiratory pressures （PEEPs） during mechanical ventilation on the cardiac output of pigs measured by pulmonary artery catheter， transpulmonary thermodilution and pulse contour analysis， and to explore their consistency in cardiac output determination. MethodsTwelve experimental pigs were selected and randomly divided into 3 groups， with 4 pigs in each. Cardiac output was measured by different methods， control group by pulmonary artery catheter， group A by transpulmonary thermodilution and group B by pulse contour analysis. Then we compared the effects of different tidal volumes and PEEPs on the cardiac output of pigs and to explore the consistency. The correlation coefficient between pulse contour analysis and pulmonary artery catheter was r=0.754， and they were positively correlated. The correlation coefficient between transpulmonary thermodilution and pulmonary artery catheter was r=0.771， and they were positively correlated. In determining cardiac output， pulse contour analysis was consistent with pulmonary artery catheter， with a relative error of 13.5% between them； transpulmonary thermodilution was consistent with pulmonary artery catheter， with a relative error of 12.9% between them. The cardiac output decreased significantly along with the increase of tidal volumes or PEEPs and the differences were statistically significant （P<0.05） ConclusionPulmonary artery catheter， transpulmonary thermodilution and pulse contour analysis are well consistent with each other in measuring the cardiac output of pigs. The pigs’cardiac output gradually decreased along with the increase of tidal volumes or PEEPs during mechanical ventilation.

Objective To understand the levels and trends of personal doses of occupational external exposure among radiation workers in medical institutions in Huizhou City and to improve radiation protection management. Methods Thermoluminescent dosimetry was employed to monitor the personal doses of occupational external exposure of radiation workers over monitoring cycles spanning three months each. Results From 2019 to 2023, a total of 25 796 monitoring instances were recorded for radiation workers in medical institutions in Huizhou City. Diagnostic radiology workers accounted for the largest proportion of workforce in the occupational categories, followed by interventional radiology workers. The average annual effective dose per person ranged from 0.21 to 0.30 mSv, with an average of 0.26 mSv. The majority of annual effective dose per person was below 1.0 mSv, with no instances exceeding 20 mSv. Among all occupational categories, nuclear medicine workers had the highest average annual effective dose per person at 0.43 mSv, followed by interventional radiology workers at 0.37 mSv. There was a significant difference in the average annual effective dose per person among different occupational categories (P < 0.05), with nuclear medicine and interventional radiology workers having higher doses than workers in diagnostic radiology, dental radiology, and other applications (all P < 0.05). Conclusion The personal dose monitoring results for radiation workers in medical institutions in Huizhou City are at low levels, indicating that the radiation protection in the local medical institutions is sufficient and can effectively protect the occupational health of radiation workers.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of esketamine on extremity ischemia-reperfusion-induced lung injury in elderly patients undergoing total knee replacement.Methods:Sixty elderly patients of both sexes, aged 65-80 yr, with body mass index <35 kg/m 2, of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅱ or Ⅲ, scheduled for elective unilateral total knee replacement under neuraxial anesthesia, were divided into 2 groups according to the random number table method: control group (C group) and esketamine group (S group), with 30 cases in each group. Esketamine 0.3 mg/kg was intravenously infused before tourniquet inflation in group S. Immediately after the end of operation, the two groups received adductor block with 0.5% ropivacaine 15 ml under ultrasound guidance. And then patient-controlled intravenous analgesia was performed, patient-controlled intravenous analgesia solution included sufentanil 1.5 μg/kg in 100 ml of normal saline in group C and sufentanil 1.5 μg/kg and esketamine 0.75 mg/kg in 100 ml of normal saline in group S. The background infusion rate was 1.5 ml/h, the patient-controlled analgesia dose was 1.5 ml, and the lockout interval was 15 min in the two groups. When the visual analogue scale score at rest≥ 4 points within 3 days after surgery, ketorolac tromethamine 30 mg was intravenously injected for rescue analgesia. Blood samples from the radial artery were collected for blood gas analysis at 30 min before tourniquet inflation(T 0), 30 min after tourniquet inflation(T 1), and 3 min, 30 min and 24 h (T 4) after tourniquet release (T 2-4), and PaO 2 and PaCO 2 were recorded. The alveola-arterial oxygen partial pressure difference, oxygenation index and respiratory index were calculated. Peripheral venous blood samples were collected at T 0, T 3 and T 4 for determination of serum endothelin-1 and malondialdehyde by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The requirement for rescue analgesia and occurrence of dizziness, hallucinations and pulmonary complications within 3 days after surgery were recorded. Results:Compared with group C, alveola-arterial oxygen partial pressure difference was significantly decreased at T 1-3, respiratory index was decreased, oxygenation index was increased at T 2, 3, and serum endothelin-1 and malondialdehyde concentrations were decreased at T 3, 4, and the rate of postoperative rescue analgesia was decreased in group S( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative dizziness, hallucinations, and pulmonary complications between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Esketamine can reduce extremity ischemia-reperfusion-induced lung injury in elderly patients undergoing total knee replacement, and the mechanism may be related to regulating vascular endothelial function and reducing lipid peroxidation.

Objective:To evaluate the relationship between postoperative delirium(POD) and preoperative frailty in elderly patients undergoing spinal surgery.Methods:Two hundred and twenty patients of both sexes, aged ≥65 yr, of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅱ-Ⅳ, undergoing elective posterior lumbar decompression, bone grafting and internal fixation under general anesthesia, were selected. Frailty was measured using the FRAIL (fatigue, resistance, ambulation, illness, and loss of weight) scale on 1 day before surgery. POD was assessed twice a day within 3 days by Confusion Assessment Method. Patients were divided into POD group and non-POD group according to whether POD occurred within 3 days after surgery. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors for POD in elderly patients undergoing spinal surgery, and the value of preoperative frailty in predicting POD was analyzed using the receiver operating characteristic curve.Results:A total of 190 patients were finally enrolled, among which 55 patients presented with frailty before surgery, and the incidence was 29.0%. Forty-six patients developed POD, and the incidence was 24.2%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that aging ( OR=1.15, 95% confidence interval [ CI] 1.03-1.29, P=0.017), preoperative frailty ( OR=2.35, 95% CI 1.24-4.43, P=0.009), increase in surgical segments ( OR=4.14, 95% CI 1.71-10.05, P=0.002) and increase in postoperative 24-h pain VAS score ( OR=1.38, 95% CI 1.07-1.78, P=0.013) were independent risk factors for POD in elderly patients undergoing spinal surgery. The area under receiver operating characteristic curve of preoperative frailty in predicting POD was 0.702 (95% CI 0.608-0.796, P<0.001). Conclusions:Preoperative frailty is an independent risk factor for POD in elderly patients undergoing spinal surgery. Preoperative frailty can predict the occurrence of POD in elderly patients undergoing spinal surgery to some extent.

ObjectiveTo summarize the research progress of mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR） pathway regulated by traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） and provide reference for visualization and quantitative analysis of related research based on multiple software linkage. MethodLiterature related to TCM regulation of mTOR pathway in Web of Science was taken as the research object. Citespace，VOSviewer，and carrort² were used for biliometric analysis and visualization of the literature. ResultA total of 245 papers that met the requirements were retrieved，and the visual analysis showed that the papers presented a fluctuating increase year by year after 2010，and numerous research results emerged in 2018. China had the most publications. Institutions with a large number of publications were mainly in Beijing and Shanghai，and most of the regional cooperation was centered in Beijing and Nanjing. According to the research direction and focus，it was found that the intervention of TCM in mTOR pathway in recent years mainly concentrated on the anti-tumor，anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory aspects， and TCM interfered with mTOR pathway to regulate cell apoptosis，autophagy，proliferation，and death. AMP-activated protein kinase （AMPK） and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases（PI3K）/protein kinase B（Akt）/mTOR pathway were the current and future research hotspots. ConclusionResearch on the regulation of mTOR pathway by TCM had a good prospect，and the in-depth study might provide new ideas and guidance for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases，tumor and other major diseases.

Bungarus Parvus, a precious animal Chinese medicinal material used in clinical practice, is believed to be first recorded in Ying Pian Xin Can published in 1936. This study was carried out to analyze the names, geographical distribution, morphological characteristics, ecological habits, poisonousness, and medicinal parts by consulting ancient Chinese medical books and local chronicles, Chinese Pharmacopeia, different processing standards of trditional Chinese medicine(TCM) decoction pieces, and modern literatures. The results showed that the earliest medicinal record of Bungarus Parvus was traced to 1894. In 1930, this medicinal material was used in the formulation of Annao Pills. The original animal, Bungarus multicinctus, was recorded by the name of "Bojijia" in 1521. The morphological characteristics, ecological habits, and poisonousness of the original animal are the same in ancient and modern records. The geographical distribution is similar between the ancient records and modern documents such as China Medicinal Animal Fauna. The dried body of young B. multicinctus is used as Bungarus Parvus, which lack detailed references. As a matter of fact, it is still inconclusive whether there are differences between young snakes and adult snakes in terms of active ingredients, pharmacological effects, and clinical applications. This study clarified the medicinal history and present situation of Bungarus Parvus. On the basis of the results, it is suggested that systematic comparison on young and adult B. multicinctus should be carried out to provide references for revising the medicinal parts of B. multicinctus.
Animals ; Bungarus ; Snakes ; China ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal

ObjectiveTo test the inter-tester reliability and test-retest reliability of MyotonPRO for evaluating neck and shoulder muscle performance parameters in patients with unilateral chronic neck pain, observe the difference of muscle performance between the healthy and affected sides of patients with chronic neck pain, and analyze the factors that cause the imbalance of muscle performance in patients with chronic neck pain. MethodsFrom January to June, 2023, 32 patients with unilateral chronic neck pain in Guangdong Second Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital were selected. Two testers used the same MyotonPRO equipment to measure the muscle tone, muscle hardness and muscle elasticity on both sides of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and the upper trapezius muscle in the relaxed position. Tester 1 repeated the measurement after an interval of 30 minutes, and Tester 2 was measured within the time interval between the two measurements of Tester 1. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), standard error of mean (SEM) and minimum detectable change (MDC) were calculated simultaneously. The measurement results were plotted into Bland-Altman diagram and systematic bias analysis was performed. The difference in muscle characteristics between the affected side and the healthy side was compared. At the same time, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score and body mass index (BMI) of the subjects were collected for correlation analysis. ResultsExcept the sternocleidomastoid muscle elasticity of the affected side (ICC = 0.697), the inter-tester reliability of all other parameters was high to very high (ICC = 0.719 to 0.952, SEM = 0.04 to 6.53, MDC = 0.12 to 18.11). The test-retest reliability of all parameters was high (ICC = 0.883 to 0.981, SEM = 0.03 to 5.72, MDC = 0.09 to 15.84). Bland-Altman plot analysis showed that the scatter distribution was consistent. The muscle tone, muscle hardness and muscle elasticity of sternocleidomastoid muscle and upper trapezius muscle were higher on the affected side than on the healthy side (t > 2.846, P < 0.05). The asymmetry index of tension, hardness and elasticity of upper trapezius muscle and sternocleidomastoid muscle was significantly positively correlated with VAS score and BMI (r > 0.385, P < 0.05). ConclusionMyotonPRO has good inter-tester reliability and retest reliability in evaluating the muscle performance of both sides of patients with chronic neck pain. The muscle tone, muscle hardness and muscle elasticity of sternocleidomastoid muscle and upper trapezius muscle on the affected side were higher than on the healthy side, and the difference of muscle performance was positively correlated with pain and BMI.

Objective: To explore the impact of environmental temperature exposure on eczema visits. Methods: Eczema clinic data from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2019 were collected from the Huizhou Dermatology Hospital, and data on meteorological factors (average daily temperature and relative humidity) for the same period were derived from 86 meteorological stations of the Guangdong Provincial Climate Center. A distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM) was used to assess the lagged effect of environmental temperature exposure on eczema, and a natural smooth spline function was used to control the nonlinear confounding of humidity. Results: There were 254 053 eczema outpatient visits at the Huizhou Dermatology Hospital within four years, with an average of 173.89 visits per day. The relationship between daily average temperature and the number of visits was non-linear (U shape). The risk of eczema increased by 2.20% (1.19%-3.21%) for every 1 ℃ decrease for the low temperature, and increased by 2.35% (1.24%-3.5%) for every 1 ℃ increase for the high temperature. The effect of high temperature was greater than that of low temperature. In all cases, 1.60% (0.44%-2.68%) of eczema outpatient visits were attributed to low temperature and the attributable number was 4 065 (1 128-6 798), while 6.33% (1.40%-10.87%) of eczema outpatient visits were due to high temperature and the attributable number was 16 082 (3 557-27 616). Conclusion: Both high temperature and low temperature are associated with increased risk of eczema.
Humans ; Air Pollution/adverse effects* ; Temperature ; Outpatients ; Cities ; Eczema/epidemiology* ; China/epidemiology* ; Air Pollutants/analysis*

Objective To investigate the genetic polymorphisms of Plasmodium falciparum multidrug resistance protein 1 (PfMDR1), chloroquine resistance transporter (PfCRT) and Kelch 13 (PfK13) genes in Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea, so as to provide insights into the development of the malaria control strategy in local areas. Methods A total of 85 peripheral blood samples were collected from patients with Plasmodium falciparum infections in Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea in 2018 and 2019, and genomic DNA was extracted. The PfMDR1, PfCRT and PfK13 genes were amplified using a nested PCR assay. The amplification products were sequenced, and the gene sequences were aligned. Results There were no mutations associated with artemisinin resistance in PfK13 gene in Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea, while drug-resistant mutations were detected in PfMDR1 and PfCRT genes, and the proportions of PfMDR1_N86Y, PfMDR1_Y184F and PfCRT_K76T mutations were 35.29% (30/85), 72.94% (62/85) and 24.71% (21/85), respectively. Conclusion There are mutations in PfMDR1, PfCRT and PfK13 genes in P. falciparum isolates from Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea.