Objective: To investigate the association between monocyte to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (MHR) and periodontitis and to provide new epidemiologic evidence on the factors affecting periodontitis. Methods: Data on MHR, periodontitis, and other covariates were selected from the NHANES(National Health and Nutrition Examination) database for 3 cycles of subjects in 2009-2010, 2011-2012, and 2013-2014, and a total of 8 456 study subjects were included. The study participants were grouped according to the prevalence of periodontitis (presence or absence), and three regression models (unadjusted covariates, partially adjusted covariates, and fully adjusted covariates) were constructed to analyze the relationship between MHR and periodontitis by using a weighted logistic regression method with stepwise adjustment for confounders. MHR was divided into four groups from Q1 to Q4 according to quartiles from small to large for weighted trend analysis, and the nonlinear relationship between MHR (continuous) and periodontitis was analyzed using a restricted cubic spline with subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis. Results: All three logistic regression models showed a positive association between MHR and periodontitis (OR = 2.92, 95%CI: 2.14-3.99, P<0.001 (not adjusted); OR = 1.97, 95%CI: 1.39-2.78, P<0.001 (partially adjusted); OR = 1.62, 95%CI: 1.10-2.39, P = 0.017 (fully adjusted)). Trend analysis showed a significantly higher risk of developing periodontitis in the Q4 group compared with the Q1 group in both single (OR = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.58-2.33, P<0.001) and multifactorial analyses (OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.03-1.64, P = 0.029). Restricted cubic spline results did not support a nonlinear relationship between MHR and periodontitis (P for nonlinear>0.05), subgroup analysis showed no significant interaction between the covariates and MHR (P>0.05), and sensitivity analysis also showed a positive correlation between MHR and periodontitis (OR = 1.67, 95%CI: 1.31-2.14, P<0.001). Conclusion MHR is positively associated with the risk of developing periodontitis.

Algorithmic systems based on artificial intelligence(AI)and machine learning(ML)have undergone rapid advancement in recent years, demonstrating extensive application across diverse ophthalmic disorders. Owing to the public availability of multiple global databases, significant progress has been achieved in the training and development of AI-integrated algorithms utilizing multimodal ophthalmic imaging modalities, including fundus photography and optical coherence tomography(OCT). These advancements have established a foundation for precision medicine and efficient healthcare delivery. The diagnosis of macular diseases relies on the identification of subtle alterations in tissue anatomy, where AI demonstrated exceptional performance in detecting intraocular biomarkers and evaluating anatomical changes during disease progression, with particularly prominent utility in the field of macular pathologies. This article provides a comprehensive review of the current applications of AI in macular diseases, aiming to synthesize existing research achievements and current challenges, while proposing visionary prospects for the broader implementation of AI in ophthalmology and even systemic medicine in the future.

ObjectiveThe study aims to investigate the intervention effect of modified Xiangsha Liujunzitang （M-XSLJZ） on intestinal-derived lipopolysaccharide （LPS）-activated Kupffer cell inflammation in rats with hyperlipidemia spleen deficiency syndrome. MethodsSeventy male SD rats were randomly divided into seven groups （n=10）： blank control （CON）， high-fat diet without spleen deficiency （HFD）， high-fat diet with spleen deficiency （SD-HFD）， M-XSLJZ low-， medium-， and high-dose groups （XS-L， XS-M， XS-H）， and western medicine control （R）. Spleen deficiency was induced in SD-HFD， XS-L， XS-M， XS-H， and R groups via irregular diet combined with exhaustive swimming for 15 days. The CON group received a standard diet， while other groups were fed a high-fat diet for 10 weeks to establish the hyperlipidemia model. After successful modeling， rats were treated for 8 weeks： M-XSLJZ was administered at 3.51， 7.02， 14.04 g·kg^-1 in XS-L， XS-M， and XS-H groups， respectively. The R group received 9×10^-4 g·kg^-1 of a reference drug. D-xylose excretion rate was measured by the phloroglucinol method. Blood lipids were assessed using an automated biochemical analyzer. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to evaluate the pathological conditions of the liver， and oil red O staining was used to observe the lipid deposition in the liver. The levels of LPS， portal vein serum LPS， LPS-binding protein （LBP）， serum interleukin-6 （IL-6）， IL-1β， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Immunofluorescence was used to evaluate CD86 expression and CD68/TLR4 co-localization in the liver. Protein levels of TLR4， MyD88， NF-κB p65， and p-NF-κB p65 in Kupffer cells were analyzed via Western blot automated protein analysis. Hepatic IL-6， TNF-α， and IL-1β mRNA and protein levels were measured using Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot. ResultsCompared with the CON group， the SD-HFD group showed a decrease in D-xylose excretion （P<0.01）. TC， TG， HDL-C， and LDL-C increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. A large number of hepatic lipid vacuoles and orange-red lipid droplet deposition appeared in the liver. Ileal LPS， portal LPS， and LBP increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The levels of serum IL-6， TNF-α， and IL-1β increased （P<0.01）. The expression of CD86 was upregulated （P<0.01）， and the co-expression of CD68 and TLR4 was enhanced. The protein levels of TLR4， MyD88， and p-p65 in Kupffer cells increased （P<0.01）. The mRNA and protein levels of IL-6， TNF-α， and IL-1β increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the HFD group， the SD-HFD group exhibited decreased D-xylose excretion （P<0.01）， higher HDL-C， LDL-C （P<0.05）， increased portal LBP and LPS （P<0.05）， increased serum IL-6 and TNF-α （P<0.01）， upregulated CD86 （P<0.01）， enhanced CD68/TLR4 co-expression， and higher TNF-α mRNA/protein （P<0.05）. Compared with the SD-HFD group， all M-XSLJZ treatment groups showed reduced TC， TG， and LDL-C （P<0.05， P<0.01）. XS-H and R groups displayed improved hepatic lipid deposition. XS-H and R groups had lower ileal LPS， portal LPS， and LBP levels （P<0.05， P<0.01）. All M-XSLJZ treatment groups exhibited reduced serum IL-6， IL-1β， and TNF-α （P<0.01）. The XS-H group showed downregulated CD86 （P<0.01） and weakened CD68/TLR4 co-expression. The XS-H group had reduced TLR4， MyD88， and p-NF-κB p65 in Kupffer cells （P<0.01）. XS-H and R groups showed lower IL-6， TNF-α， and IL-1β mRNA/protein （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionM-XSLJZ may exert its lipid-lowering effects by inhibiting intestinal-derived LPS and alleviating Kupffer cell inflammation in the liver.

Objective: To construct a quality control evaluation indicator system for the surveillance of common diseases among students, so as to provide a reference for the quality control of surveillance projects. Methods: Based on literature review and expert interviews, a preliminary framework and candidate indicators were developed from June to August in 2024. Twenty domain experts participated in two rounds of Delphi consultations conducted via email, providing importance ratings, judgment basis, familiarity levels, and feasibility assessments for each indicator. And a quality control evaluation indicator system for the surveillance of common diseases among students was ultimately constructed. Results: The consulted experts aged 33-53, with an average age of (45.25±5.03) years, were from government health administration departments( n =1), centers for disease control and prevention at different levels( n =16), academic and research institutions( n =3). Their work experience in school health related fields ranged from 6 to 33 years, with an average of (16.70±8.25) years. The activeness of experts in both rounds of consultation was 100%, the mean expert authority coefficient was 0.90, and the mean feasibility evaluation was 0.75. Kendall s W test showed that the expert coordination coefficient for the first round was 0.26, and for the second round, it was 0.33 ( P <0.01). After two rounds of expert consultation, a set of quality control evaluation indicators for the surveillance of common diseases among students was ultimately constructed, including 6 first level indicators, 19 second level indicators, and 37 third level indicators. Conclusion The scientifically developed evaluation indicator system facilitates high quality implementation of student common disease surveillance programs.

Acute cerebral infarction(ACI)has the characteristics of onset nasty and high mortality,and thus the rapid determination of the occurrence and development of ACI plays a key role in the diagnosis,treatment and prognosis of ACI patients.It has shown that the serum level of human haptoglobin(Hp)is related to ACI.In this study,surface enhanced Raman scattering(SERS)combined with immune recognition was applied to establish a quantitative analysis method for serum Hp.Firstly,the SERS substrate of silver nanoparticles was prepared on silicon wafer,and 4-mercaptobenzoic Acid(MBA)was used as a Raman probe by forming Ag—S bond and connecting it on the surface of nanoparticles.The carboxyl group of MBA was linked to amino group of self-made high-affinity antibody through forming CO—NH structure thus forming a SERS self-assembled chip of Hp(Ag/MBA/anti-Hp).Hp in serum could be specifically captured by antibodies on SERS substrate,which caused the shift of SERS characteristic peak of MBA.The results showed that there was a good linear relationship between the logarithm of Hp concentration and the SERS characteristic peak shift of MBA.The detection range was 1-1000 ng/mL(R2=0.988).The Hp concentrations in serum of 90 ACI patients were determined by this method,and the results were consistent with those of ELISA method,which proved the practicability and accuracy of this method.This method was highly specific,simple and convenient,which could realize the specific recognition and quantitative analysis of serum Hp,so as to be an effective means for clinical detection of serum Hp,thus providing a reference for the treatment and prognosis of ACI.

Objective To investigate the effect of berberine hydrochloride tablets combined with compound glutamine in treating ulcerative colitis(UC).Methods One hundred and two patients with UC admitted to our hospital were collected and grouped into two groups according to the random number table.Fifty-one patients in the control group were given conventional treatment+compound glutamine,and 51 patients in the experimental group were given berberine hydrochloride tablets based on the control group.Both groups were treated for 8 weeks.The efficacy,modified Mayo score,intestinal mucosal barrier function,soluble late glycation end product receptor(sRAGE),interleukin-17(IL-17),IL-6 and incidence of untoward reactions were compared between the two groups.Results The total effective rate of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group(92.2%vs.76.5%,P＜0.05).After treatment,scores of defecation frequency,blood in stool,endoscopic findings,physician's overall evaluation,diamine oxidase(DAO),D-lactic acid,endotoxin,sRAGE,IL-17 and IL-6 were lower in both groups than those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the research group was lower than the control group(P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in the total incidence of untoward reactions between the experimental group and the control group(P＞0.05).Conclusion Berberine hydrochloride tablets combined with compound glutamine are effective in treating UC,which can reduce the activity of UC,improve the intestinal mucosal barrier function,regulate serum sRAGE,IL-17 and IL-6 levels,without increasing adverse reactions.

BACKGROUND:The elastic modulus of traditional bone implants is large and does not match the elastic modulus of human bone,which will cause a stress shielding effect and lead to bone resorption.The trabecular scaffold of the triply periodic minimal surface with radial gradient has elastic modulus matching with human cancellous bone,and its yield strength is greater than that of human cortical bone,which provides a new choice for the design of bone scaffold. OBJECTIVE:Triply periodic minimal surface structure with radial gradient was constructed by the implicit surface method.The sample was manufactured by laser selective melting technology,and the quasi-static compression test was carried out to obtain trabecular scaffolds with mechanical properties matching human bones. METHODS:Four types of the trabecular scaffolds of the triply periodic minimal surface with a radial gradient of G,I,P and D were established by the implicit surface method.Samples were manufactured by laser selective melting technology.We observed the surface morphology of the molded sample,evaluated the molding quality,conducted a quasi-static compression test,and evaluated the mechanical properties of the samples. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The quasi-static compression test results showed that compared with the four triply periodic minimal surface scaffolds,the platform stress of the G scaffold had less fluctuation and no failure or fracture,indicating that the G scaffold had the best plasticity.The mechanical properties of the G scaffolds with 45%,55%and 65%porosities were analyzed.It was found that the elastic modulus of G scaffolds with 55%porosity was within the range of elastic modulus of human cancellous bone(0.022-3.7 GPa),and the yield strength was close to the maximum yield strength of human cortical bone(187.7-222.3 MPa).In conclusion,G triply periodic minimal surface scaffold with 55%porosity can reduce the stress shielding effect,bear a higher body load,improve the stability of the implant,and prolong the service life of the implant.

BACKGROUND: The effects of acupuncture have varied in different randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and there are many factors that influence treatment effect of acupuncture in different outcomes, with conflicting results. OBJECTIVE: To identify factors and their impact on the treatment effect of acupuncture in different outcomes. METHODS: Acupuncture RCTs were searched from 7 databases including Medline (PubMed), Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, VIP Database, and China Biology Medicine disc between January 1st, 2015 and December 31st, 2019. Eligible studies must compare acupuncture to no acupuncture, sham acupuncture, or waiting lists, and report at least 1 patient-important outcome. A multi-level meta-regression was conducted using a 3-level robust mixed model and univariate analyses were performed for all independent variables, even those excluded from the multivariable model due to collinearities. We used thresholds of 0.2 and 0.4 for the difference of standardized mean differences (SMDs), categorising them as small (<0.2), moderate (0.2-0.4), or large (>0.4) effects. RESULTS: The pain construct analysis involved 211 effect estimates from 153 studies and 14 independent variables. High-frequency acupuncture treatment sessions produced larger effects compared to low-frequency sessions [large magnitude, the difference of adjusted SMDs 0.46, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.07 to 0.84; P=0.02]. The non-pain symptoms construct analysis comprised 323 effect estimates from 231 studies and 15 independent variables. Penetrating acupuncture showed moderately larger effects when compared to non-penetrating acupuncture (0.30, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.53; P=0.01). The function construct analysis included 495 effect estimates from 274 studies and 14 independent variables. Penetrating acupuncture and the flexible acupuncture regimen showed moderately larger effects, compared to non-penetrating acupuncture and fixed regimen, respectively (0.40, 95% CI 0 to 0.80; P=0.05; 0.29, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.53; P=0.01). CONCLUSIONS High-frequency acupuncture sessions appear to be a more effective approach to managing painful symptoms. Penetrating acupuncture demonstrated greater effect in relieving non-painful symptoms. Both penetrating acupuncture type and flexible acupuncture regimen were linked to significant treatment effects in function outcomes. Future studies should consider the factors that are significantly associated with the effects of acupuncture in patient-important outcomes.
Humans ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Pain ; Pain Management ; China

The purpose of this study was to explore the improving effect of Anshen Dingzhi Prescription (ADP) on Alzheimer's disease (AD)-like behavior in mice and its mechanisms. The main chemical components of ADP were identified by ultra performance liquid chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). The AD-like mouse model was induced by D-galactose (D-gal) combined with Aβ_1-42 oligomer (AβO). The effect of ADP on AD-like behavior in mice was assessed using various behavioral experiments; pathomorphological changes in mouse hippocampal tissue were observed by Nissl staining and transmission electron microscopy; ELISA was used in the assessment of oxidative stress factors and inflammation-related factor levels; Western blot was performed to detect the expression of Aβ, Tau and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) proteins. The active components of ADP were screened according to TCMSP and HERB database, and the action targets of active components were predicted by Swiss Target Prediction platform. In addition, the targets of AD were predicted through DisGeNET database. Further, GO and KEGG enrichment analysis of common targets was carried out by Metascape database. Combined with the results of GO and KEGG analysis, in vivo experiments were carried out to explore the potential mechanism of ADP improving AD-like behavior in mice from the PI3K/Akt, calcium signal pathway and synaptic function. Finally, the core components of ADP were molecularly docked to the validated targets using Autodock Vina. Animal experiments were approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine (approval number: AHUCM-mouse-2021080). The results showed that the five chemical components, including ginsenoside Rg1, ginsenoside Rb1, tenuifolin, poricoic acid B and α-asarone were found in the ADP. ADP significantly improved the anxiety-like behavior and memory impairment, protected hippocampal neurons, decreased the levels of oxidative stress and inflammation, and inhibited the expression of Aβ and p-Tau induced by D-galactose combined with AβO in mice. The results of network pharmacology suggested that PI3K/Akt, calcium signal pathway and cell components related to postsynaptic membrane might be the key factors for ADP to improve AD. Animal experiments revealed that ADP up-regulated N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 2A (GluN2A), postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95), calpain-1, phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-Akt), phosphorylated cAMP response element binding protein (p-CREB), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression and inhibited p-GluN2B and calpain-2 expression in the hippocampus of AD-like mice. The molecular docking results demonstrated that the core components of ADP, such as panaxacol, dehydroeburicoic acid, deoxyharringtonine, etc. had a high binding ability with the validated targets GRIN2A, GRIN2B, PSD95, etc. In summary, our results indicate ADP improves AD-like pathological and behavioral changes induced by D-galactose combined with AβO in mice, and the mechanism might be related to the NMDAR/calpain axis and Akt/CREB/BDNF pathway.

Podophyllotoxin is an aryl naphthalene lignan-like secondary metabolite, which is widely existed in plants of the Podophyllum. It exhibits a broad spectrum of antitumor activity and holds significant clinical value as a medicinal natural product of plant origin. This review discusses podophyllotoxin from three aspects: plant distribution, biosynthesis and pharmacological effects. Distribution of podophyllotoxin in nature: Podophyllotoxin and its analogues are mainly found in 12 genera of three families, which are Berberidaceae, Linaceae and Cupressaceae, respectively. They are mostly distributed in East Asia and North America, especially in China, which is not only the diversity center of the Podophyllum, but also the distribution center. Among all these plants, the genera Dysosma and Sinopodophyllum are the focus of the relevant research. Biosynthesis of podophyllotoxin: In order to take the alleviation of the pressure of podophyllotoxin that is in short supply of natural resources, and to protect its existing resources, the biosynthesis of podophyllotoxin, especially synthetic biology, has gradually become a new direction of current research. Compared with chemical synthesis which has the shortcoming of low synthesis efficiency, high production cost and cumbersome steps, biosynthesis has a variety of advantages. It’s not limited by resources, easy to cultivate on a large scale and has fast production speed, low production cost and simple genetic manipulation, so there is a broader prospect for the exact purpose of biosynthetic development. The biosynthesis of podophyllotoxin is divided into four steps in general, including the synthesis of coniferyl alcohol, the synthesis of matairesinol, the synthesis of deoxypodophyllotoxin and the synthesis of podophyllotoxin. It requires various enzymes catalyzed during the synthesis process, such as pinoresinol-lariciresinol reductase(PLR), secoisolariciresinol dehydrogenase(SDH) and others. At present, by means of synthetic biology, heterologous production of natural drugs in microbial cell factories, the synthesis of the intermediate coniferyl alcohol has been achieved in Escherichia coli with an increased yield of (124.9±5.1)mg·L−1, and the concentration of (-)-pluviatolide was elevated to 137 mg·L−1. In addition, p-coumaric acid in Saccharomyces cerevisiae was obtained to 71.71 mg·L−1, and in a tobacco plant production chassis, highly purified (-)-deoxypodophyllotoxin was increased to 0.71 mg·g−1 (dry weight) after chromatographic separation. Overall, the utilization of biosynthesis can significantly increase the yield of podophyllotoxin and improve the research and production efficiency of anti-tumor drugs greatly, which brings a more effective strategy for the treatment of related diseases. The pharmacological activity of podophyllotoxin: Podophyllotoxin and its analogues have strong cytotoxicity and they exert good inhibitory effects on the proliferation of multifarious tumor cells, viruses and bacteria. So they are widely applied to the clinical treatment of various types of tumors, such as colorectal cancer, lung cancer, cervical cancer, hemangioma, breast cancer, esophageal cancer, etc. The molecular mechanism of its cancer treatment is mainly in the G1, G2/M to block the cell cycle to make drugs work. Meanwhile, podophyllotoxin has relatively significant toxic side effects and drawbacks that can’t be ignored as a drug with superior therapeutic effect on specific diseases, which tends to increase the risk of bone marrow suppression, chromosomal aberrations and so forth. In conclusion, this literature sums up the distribution of podophyll plants in China, making review of the biosynthetic steps, applications, and biological research of podophyllotoxin, and outlines the pharmacological activity of podophyllotoxin. It aims to set the foundation for the reasonable application of podophyllotoxin resources, the efficient synthesis of podophyllotoxin, and the development of Podophyllum drugs which are highly effective and low toxic. At the same time, this paper gives full play to the clinical medicinal value of podophyllotoxin, which has important influence and far-reaching significance in the treatment of malignant diseases, and promotes the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine.