Astragali Radix (AR), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has demonstrated therapeutic efficacy against various diseases, including cardiovascular conditions, over centuries of use. While doxorubicin serves as an effective chemotherapeutic agent against multiple cancers, its clinical application remains constrained by significant cardiotoxicity. Research has indicated that AR exhibits protective properties against doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy (DIC); however, the specific bioactive components and underlying mechanisms responsible for this therapeutic effect remain incompletely understood. This investigation seeks to identify the protective bioactive components in AR against DIC and elucidate their mechanisms of action. Through network medicine analysis, astragaloside IV (AsIV) and formononetin (FMT) were identified as potential cardioprotective agents from 129 AR components. In vitro experiments using H9c2 rat cardiomyocytes revealed that the AsIV-FMT combination (AFC) effectively reduced doxorubicin-induced cell death in a dose-dependent manner, with optimal efficacy at a 1∶2 ratio. In vivo, AFC enhanced survival rates and improved cardiac function in both acute and chronic DIC mouse models. Additionally, AFC demonstrated cardiac protection while maintaining doxorubicin's anti-cancer efficacy in a breast cancer mouse model. Lipidomic and metabolomics analyses revealed that AFC normalized doxorubicin-induced lipid profile alterations, particularly by reducing fatty acid accumulation. Gene knockdown studies and inhibitor experiments in H9c2 cells demonstrated that AsIV and FMT upregulated peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) and PPARα, respectively, two key proteins involved in fatty acid metabolism. This research establishes AFC as a promising therapeutic approach for DIC, highlighting the significance of multi-target therapies derived from natural herbals in contemporary medicine.
Animals ; Doxorubicin/adverse effects* ; Saponins/administration & dosage* ; Isoflavones/pharmacology* ; Rats ; Cardiomyopathies/prevention & control* ; Mice ; Fatty Acids/metabolism* ; Myocytes, Cardiac/metabolism* ; Triterpenes/administration & dosage* ; Male ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Humans ; Cardiotonic Agents/administration & dosage* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Cell Line ; Astragalus Plant/chemistry* ; Astragalus propinquus

Background In recent years, Hefei has experienced rapid industrial development, and the concentration of ozone (O₃) in the environment has increased year by year. Ambient O₃ pollution has become one of the big issues in Hefei. Objective To explore the health risks of non-accidental deaths (NAD) in local residents associated with ambient O₃ in Hefei City, and propose effective measures. Methods The data of daily NAD, mortality due to circulatory system diseases, mortality due to respiratory system diseases, atmospheric pollution, and meteorological factors were collected in Hefei from 2017 to 2020. By fitting daily average temperature, relative humidity, time trend, and seasonal trend, a generalized additive model was applied to evaluate the single-day effects (lag0-lag5) and cumulative lag effects (lag01-lag05) of NAD, circulatory system mortality, and respiratory system mortality among residents of Hefei City for every 10 μg·m⁻³ increase in the daily maximum 8-hour average ozone (O_{3-8 h}) concentration. The effects of O_{3-8 h} concentration on total NAD were also examined by stratification of age and sex. Results During the period of 2017 to 2020, the average concentration of O_{3-8 h} in Hefei City was 99.12 μg·m⁻³, and the total number of non-accidental deaths was 45787. For the O_{3-8 h} concentration per 10 μg·m⁻³ increase, the single-day effect and cumulative lag effect on NAD among residents reached their maximum values at lag0 and lag02, respectively, with the NAD increasing by 0.46% (95%CI: 0.06%, 0.87%) and 0.76% (95%CI: 0.27%, 1.26%); the maximum estimates for deaths from circulatory diseases appeared on lag03 increasing by 0.78% (95%CI: 0.08%, 1.48%). The stratified analyses results showed that the single-day effects on the NAD in males and females reached the maximum values on lag1 and lag0, increasing by 0.64% (95%CI: 0.21%, 1.08%) and 0.61% (95%CI: 0.03%, 1.20%), respectively; on lag02, the NAD among males was the highest, reaching 0.98% (95% CI: 0.39%, 1.57%); significant estimates for NAD among residents aged 65 years and above were observed on lag1 and lag02 rising by 0.41% (95%CI: 0.02%, 0.81%) and 0.67% (95%CI: 0.13%, 1.21%), respectively. After adjusting the degrees of freedom of time trend and other atmospheric pollutants, there was no statistically significant change in the risk of NAD death among residents associated with O_3-8h concentration. Conclusion The increase O₃ concentration in Hefei is correlated with an increased NAD risk among residents, with males and people over 65 years old having a higher risk of death due to O₃ exposure. It is necessary for the government to play an important role in developing prevention and control measures to reduce the excess risk of death associated with O₃ exposure.

Objective:To explore the effect of staged rehabilitation nursing in patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.Methods:From January 2021 to December 2022, convenience sampling was used to select 73 patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in the Department of Hand Surgery at Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University as participants. According to the random number table method, patients were divided into a control group ( n=36) and an observation group ( n=37). Control group received routine rehabilitation nursing, while observation group received staged rehabilitation nursing. The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Shoulder Rating Scale score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) Rating Scale score, Constant-Murley Shoulder Scale score, and complications during rehabilitation were compared between two groups of patients before and six months after intervention. Results:Six months after surgery, both groups showed an increase in UCLA scores and ASES scores compared to before the intervention ( P<0.05), and the scores of observation group were higher than those of control group, with statistical differences ( P<0.05). Six months after surgery, the Constant-Murley Shoulder Scale scores for daily life and shoulder range of motion in observation group were higher than those in control group, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). During the rehabilitation period, the incidence of complications in observation group was lower than that in control group with a statistical difference ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:Staged rehabilitation nursing in patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair shows significant effects and can effectively promote patient recovery.

Background As an environmental pollutant, 1-bromopropane (1-BP) is ubiquitous in the living environment. However, its health effects on the general population are still unclear. Objective To assess the associations between urinary 1-BP metabolite and blood routine indices in a Chinese community population. Methods A total of 3512 community residents aged 18-80 years from the baseline of the Wuhan-Zhuhai cohort were included in our study. The demographic characteristics, disease history, and lifestyles of the participants were collected through questionnaires. Height, weight, blood pressure, and other anthropometrics were collected through physical examination. Blood routine indicators were tested using an automated hematology analyzer. Urinary 1-BP metabolite N-Acetyl-S-(n-propyl)-L-cysteine (BPMA) was measured by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Generalized linear models and logistic regression models were used to assess the associations of urinary BPMA with blood routine indices and the risks of abnormal blood routine indices, respectively. Besides, stratified analysis and effect modification analysis were further conducted to investigate the effects of individual characteristics and lifestyles on the associations of urinary BPMA with blood routine indices. All models were adjusted for gender, age, and other potential confounders. Results The mean age of the study population (30.1% male) was (52.78±12.77) years. The median (P₂₅, P₇₅) level of urinary BPMA adjusted for urinary creatinine was 0.90 (0.50, 1.73) mg·mol⁻¹. In the analysis with target indicator as continuous variable, each 1-unit increase in natural logarithm-transformed urinary BMPA level was associated with a 0.078×10⁹ L⁻¹, 0.031×10⁹ L⁻¹, 0.307%, 3.518 g·L⁻¹, and 2.469×10⁹ L⁻¹ decrease in white blood cell, lymphocyte, lymphocyte percentage, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and platelet levels, respectively (all Ps<0.05); and with a 0.440%, 1.140 fL, 0.014 fL, and 0.020 increase in hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, and natural logarithm-transformed levels of mean platelet volume and mean platelet volume/platelet, respectively (all Ps<0.05). The categorical analysis across quartiles of BPMA level showed that BPMA was inversely associated with lymphocyte percentage, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and platelet levels in a dose-dependent manner (all P_trend<0.05), and positively related to hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, mean platelet volume, and mean platelet volume/platelet levels in a dose-dependent manner (all P_trend<0.05). Body mass index, smoking, and drinking modified the associations of urinary BPMA level with red blood cell, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration lymphocyte percentage, and hemoglobin (all Ps<0.05). In addition, urinary BPMA was associated with an increased risk of abnormal increase in mean corpuscular volume (OR=1.316, 95%CI: 1.171-1.478) and red blood cell volume distribution width (OR=1.255, 95%CI: 1.030-1.528), and abnormal decrease in mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (OR=1.200, 95%CI: 1.035-1.392). Conclusion Exposure to 1-BP of the general population is associated with decreased white blood cells and platelets, as well as abnormal change of blood cell morphology or function.

Objective : To investigate the awareness of human papillomavirus ( HPV ) vaccine and willingness to vaccinate daughters among parents of primary and middle school students, so as to provide the reference for the promotion of HPV vaccine in primary and middle school girls. Methods : Using multi-stage stratified cluster sampling method, the parents of girls in in Grade Four to Nine from schools in Gongshu District of Hangzhou, Xiuzhou District of Jiaxing and Wuxing District of Huzhou were selected. A questionnaire survey was conducted to collect demographic information, HPV vaccine related knowledge and willingness to vaccinate daughters with HPV vaccines. The multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors for the willingness to vaccinate daughters with HPV vaccines among parents. Results : Totally 1 500 questionnaires were sent out, and 1 466 were effectively collected, with an effective rate of 97.73%. There were 313 fathers responded, accounting for 21.35%; and 1 153 mothers responded, accounting for 78.65%. The awareness rate of HPV vaccine was 16.81%. The rate of willing to vaccinate daughters with HPV vaccines was 49.86%. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the patients who ever vaccinated daughters with self-paid vaccines ( OR=1.935, 95%CI: 1.473-2.541 ), knew cervical cancer ( OR=1.424, 95%CI: 1.065-1.904 ), knew HPV vaccine dose ( OR=1.672, 95%CI:1.216-2.301 ), knew the best vaccination period ( OR=1.392, 95%CI: 1.032-1.876 ), knew the need of cervical cancer screening even after vaccination ( OR=1.596, 95%CI:1.227-2.075) were more willing to vaccinate daughters with HPV vaccines, while the parents who thought HPV vaccine expensive ( OR=0.154, 95%CI: 0.099-0.240 ) were less willing to vaccinate daughters with HPV vaccines. Conclusions The rates of HPV vaccine awareness and willingness to vaccinate daughters are 16.81% and 49.86% among parents of primary and middle school students. Their knowledge of HPV vaccine and the price of the vaccine may affect their willingness to vaccinate daughters.

Objective:To evaluate the dose-response relationship of alfentanil inhibiting gag reflex when combined with propofol in elderly patients undergoing painless gastroscopy.Methods:Patients of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical statusⅠor Ⅱ, aged ≥60 yr, scheduled for elective painless gastroscopy, were selected. Propofol 1.5 mg/kg combined with alfentanil was given intravenously in all the patients. The dose of alfentanil was determined by the Dixon up-and-down method. The initial dose of alfentanil was set at 5 μg/kg. The dose of alfentanil in the next patient was determined according to the development of gag reflex, and the ratio between the two successive doses was 1.1. The median effective dose (ED 50) and 95% confidence interval of alfentanil-induced inhibition of gag reflex when combined with propofol in elderly patients undergoing painless gastroscopy were calculated using the by up-and-down sequential allocation. Results:The ED 50 (95% confidence interval) of alfentanil-induced inhibition of gag reflex when combined with propofol 1.5 mg/kg was 2.8 (2.4-3.2) μg/kg in elderly patients undergoing painless gastroscopy. Conclusion:When combined with propofol 1.5 mg/kg, the ED 50 of alfentanil inhibiting gag reflex is 2.8 μg/kg in elderly patients undergoing painless gastroscopy.

Objectives:To investigate the prevalence of cough and its influencing factors in community children under 5 years old.Methods:From October to December 2019, we selected 3 102 community children under the age of 5 from 50 natural villages/residential communities in 14 towns/streets of Yiwu, Zhejiang Province, using multi-stage random sampling method. A face-to-face and on-site questionnaire survey was conducted among child caregivers to collect demographic data and information about children′s cough in the last 1 month. Multiple logistic regression model was used to analyze children′s cough and the influencing factors of different cough states.Results:Multivariate logistic regression model analysis results showed that compared with 0-1 year old, dispersed, caregivers with education level below high school, families with 1 child under 5 years old, Cough risk was higher in 1-2, 2-3, 3-4 years old, nurseries, caregivers with education level of high school or above, and families with more than 2 children under 5 years old. OR (95% CI) values were 1.52(1.19-1.92), 1.65(1.29-2.10), 1.86(1.36-2.54), 2.59(1.99-3.38), 1.48(1.26-1.74) and 1.35(1.13-1.62), respectively. Further analysis of the influencing factors of different states of cough, multivariate logistic regression model analysis results showed that preschool status, the number of children under 5 years old in the family and the education level of caregivers were the influencing factors of acute, prolonged and chronic cough. Age was only an influencing factor of acute and persistent cough. Conclusions:The disease burden of cough in children under 5 years old community was heavy, and the cough was related to children′s age, education level of caregivers, number of children under 5 years old in the family and childcare status.

Objectives:To investigate the prevalence of cough and its influencing factors in community children under 5 years old.Methods:From October to December 2019, we selected 3 102 community children under the age of 5 from 50 natural villages/residential communities in 14 towns/streets of Yiwu, Zhejiang Province, using multi-stage random sampling method. A face-to-face and on-site questionnaire survey was conducted among child caregivers to collect demographic data and information about children′s cough in the last 1 month. Multiple logistic regression model was used to analyze children′s cough and the influencing factors of different cough states.Results:Multivariate logistic regression model analysis results showed that compared with 0-1 year old, dispersed, caregivers with education level below high school, families with 1 child under 5 years old, Cough risk was higher in 1-2, 2-3, 3-4 years old, nurseries, caregivers with education level of high school or above, and families with more than 2 children under 5 years old. OR (95% CI) values were 1.52(1.19-1.92), 1.65(1.29-2.10), 1.86(1.36-2.54), 2.59(1.99-3.38), 1.48(1.26-1.74) and 1.35(1.13-1.62), respectively. Further analysis of the influencing factors of different states of cough, multivariate logistic regression model analysis results showed that preschool status, the number of children under 5 years old in the family and the education level of caregivers were the influencing factors of acute, prolonged and chronic cough. Age was only an influencing factor of acute and persistent cough. Conclusions:The disease burden of cough in children under 5 years old community was heavy, and the cough was related to children′s age, education level of caregivers, number of children under 5 years old in the family and childcare status.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between right-to-left shunt (RLS) and infarct pattern in patients with cryptogenic stroke.Methods:Young and middle-aged patients with acute cryptogenic stroke admitted to the Department of Neurology, Xiaogan Central Hospital from May 2016 to January 2020 were enrolled retrospectively. The demographic data, vascular risk factors, baseline blood pressure, laboratory findings, stroke severity, infarct location and distribution pattern were documented. The patients were divided into RLS group and non-RLS group according to the findings of the transcranial Doppler ultrasound foaming test. They were divided into single lesion group and multiple-lesion group according to the findings of diffusion-weighted imaging. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the correlation between RLS and infarct pattern. Results:A total of 68 patients with acute cryptogenic stroke were included, 37 of them were male (54.4%), and their age was 47.63±6.57 years (range, 31-59 years). Thirty patients (44.1%) had RLS, including 22 (73.3%) with mild shunt and 8 (26.7%) with severe shunt. The proportions of men, cortical-subcortical infarction and multiple blood supply area lesions in the RLS group were significantly higher than those in the non-RLS group, while triacylglycerol, body mass index, the proportions of patients with subcortical infarction and single lesions in the single vessel blood supply area were significantly lower than those in the non-RLS group ( P<0.05). The proportions of patients with anterior circulation+ posterior circulation infarction, cortical-subcortical infarction, and RLS in the multi-lesion group were significantly higher than those in the single-lesion group, while the proportion of patients with subcortical infarction was significantly lower than that in the single-lesion group (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that RLS was an independent risk factor for multiple infarctions (odds ratio 6.681, 95% confidence interval 1.206-37.019; P=0.030). Conclusion:RLS is independently associated with multiple infarctions in patients with cryptogenic stroke.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome patients with high novel Bunya viral load.Methods:The clinical data of 141 patients with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome whose viral load higher than 1×10 4 copies/mL were retrospectively collected from May 20, 2013 to October 30, 2019 in Weihai Central Hospital. All patients were diagnosed by laboratory tests. According to the prognosis, the cases were divided into survival group and death group. The clinical manifestations, laboratory test results and the influence of viral load on the conditions and the risk factors of prognosis were compared and analyzed. Chi-square test, rank sum test and logistic regression analysis were used for statistical analysis. Results:There were 76 patients in survival group, with a median age of 64 years. There were 65 patients in death group, with a median age of 71 years. There were significant differences in neurological injury, coma, hemorrhage, atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular rate, and renal injury between the survival group and the death group ( χ2=16.45, 64.06, 11.25, 6.98 and 33.80, respectively, all P<0.01). There were significant differences in activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase isoenzymes (CK-MB), lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH), hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (HBDH), creatinine, and platelet count between the survival group and the death group ( Z=6.33, 4.51, 2.93, 4.65, 5.00, 4.93, 5.36 and -4.34, respectively, all P<0.01). The RNA quantification of viral load in 138 cases ranged from 1.06×10 4 to 6.53×10 7 copies/mL, and the remaining three cases were higher than 1.00×10 8 copies/mL. The viral load of the two groups were 4.63(4.32, 5.22) and 5.29(4.92, 6.17) lg copies/mL, respectively ( Z=4.91, P<0.01). The mortalities of patients with viral loads of 1.00×10 4-<1.00×10 5 copies/mL, 1.00×10 5-<1.00×10 6 copies/mL and 1.00×10 6-<1.00×10 7 copies/mL were 29.33%(22/75), 51.28%(20/39), 80.95% (17/21), respectively. Six cases with viral loads higher than 1.00×10 7 copies/mL were dead. Logistic regression analysis showed that when age ≥60 years old, viral load >1.00×10 6 copies/mL, platelet count <30.00×10 9/L, LDH ≥5 000.00 U/L, APTT ≥84.00 s, the risk of death increased significantly. Conclusions:The occurrences of coma, hemorrhage, atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular rate, renal injury suggest that the patients′ conditions are more serious and the risk of death is higher. Age, viral load, platelet count, LDH and APTT can be used as indicators to assess the risk of death.