Objective To optimize the process conditions and analyze the components of alkaloids from Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim（Z. bungeanum）using macroporous resin. Methods Combining single factor tests and orthogonal tests, the content of hydroxy-α-sanshool（HAS）and hydroxy-β-sanshool（HBS）were considered as indexes to determine the best process parameters. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry（UPLC-Q-TOF-MS^E）was used to identify the structures of alkaloids. Results The optimal conditions were Mitsubishi HP-20 macroporous resin, the loading solution concentration was 0.2 g crude drug/ml, the ratio of crude drug to resin volume was 1 g∶2.5 ml, the diameter/height ratio of resin column was 1∶7, the dynamic adsorption flow rate was 4 times of bed volume（BV）per hour, and the adsorption time was 1 h. Impurities were removed by using 2 BV of 20% ethanol, 5 BV of 80% ethanol was used to elution, and the content of HAS and HBS was 4.71% and 1.02%, respectively. A total of 20 alkaloids were identified from Z. bungeanum. Conclusion This method was stable and feasible, obtaining high purity and various kinds of alkaloids, which could be used for the enrichment and purification of alkaloids from Z. bungeanum.

BACKGROUND:Acute exercise tends to cause skeletal muscle tissue damage and lipid metabolism disorders in vivo,but the mechanism by which acute exercise combined with electroacupuncture modulates metabolic and autophagic pathways in vivo is unclear. OBJECTIVE:To observe the changes in metabolic enzymes and autophagy levels in skeletal muscle of rats subjected to acute exercise by electroacupuncture at the acupoints of"Zusanli"and"Huantiao." METHODS:Fifty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups:quiet control group(n=10),model group(n=20),and reverse electroacupuncture group(n=20).The latter two groups were set up with two time points,i.e.immediate and 3 hours after exercise groups(n=10 per time point).The model group and the reverse electroacupuncture group underwent acute exercise training after adaptive treadmill training.The rats in the reverse electroacupuncture group underwent electroacupuncture treatment(parameters:electroacupuncture on both sides of the rats at the acupoints of"Zusanli"and"Huantiao,"continuous wave,frequency of 2 Hz,intensity of 2 mA,leaving the needle in the body for 30 minutes,once a day for 7 consecutive days)before treadmill training.Bilateral gastrocnemius muscle tissues were taken under anesthesia immediately after exercise and 3 hours after exercise,and hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the histopathological changes of rat skeletal muscle.ELISA kit was used to detect the activities of hepatic lipase,fatty acid synthase,hormone-sensitive lipase,and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 in rat skeletal muscle tissues.Immunohistochemistry and western blot were used to detect the changes in the expression of autophagy genes. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After hematoxylin-eosin staining,the arrangement of gastrocnemius muscle fibers in the model group was disturbed,swollen and ruptured immediately after exercise and 3 hours after exercise.In the reverse electroacupuncture group,gastrocnemius muscle fibers were tightly arranged and the number of swollen and ruptured cells was greatly reduced immediately after exercise and 3 hours after exercise,and there was no significant difference when compared with the quiet control group.Compared with the quiet control group,the activities of hepatic lipase and fatty acid synthase were lower while the activities of lipoprotein lipase,hormone-sensitive lipase,and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 were higher in the model group and the reverse electroacupuncture group 3 hours after exercise(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the activities of lipoprotein lipase and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 were higher in the reverse electroacupuncture group immediately after exercise(P＜0.05),while the activity of lipoprotein lipase was higher and the activity of hormone-sensitive lipase was lower in the reverse electroacupuncture group 3 hours after exercise(P＜0.01).Immunohistochemical results showed that compared with the quiet control group,the expression of P62,autophagy-related gene 5 and autophagy-related gene 7 was higher in the model group immediately and 3 hours after exercise,as well as in the reverse electroacupuncture group immediately after exercise(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01);compared with the model group,the expression of P62 and autophagy-related gene 7 was lower in the reverse electroacupuncture group immediately and 3 hours after exercise(P＜0.05).Western blot results showed that the protein expression of P62 and autophagy-related gene 7 in the reverse electroacupuncture group was lower than that in the model group immediately after exercise(P＜0.05);the protein expression of Parkin in the model group was higher than that in the quiet control group immediately and 3 hours after exercise(P＜0.05);and the protein expression of Parkin in the reverse electroacupuncture group was lower than that in the model group immediately and 3 hours after exercise(P＜0.05).To conclude,acute exercise induces disorders,swelling and rupture of gastrocnemius muscle fibers in rats and electroacupuncture on both sides of the acupoints of"Zusanli"and"Huantiao"can improve the level of lipid metabolism and regulate autophagy cells in rat skeletal muscle,preventing the disorders of lipid metabolism and damage of gastrocnemius muscle tissues caused by acute exercise.The mechanism may be closely related to the regulation of autophagy-related factor P62,autophagy-related gene 5,autophagy-related gene 7,and Parkin protein expression to promote the occurrence of autophagy or regulate the autophagy pathway in rat skeletal muscle cells.

ObjectiveTo explore the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndromes in the patients with concurrent knee osteoarthritis （KOA） and postmenopausal osteoporosis （PMOP） and provide a scientific basis for precise TCM syndrome differentiation， diagnosis， and treatment of such concurrent diseases. MethodsA prospective， multicenter， cross-sectional clinical survey was conducted to analyze the characteristics of TCM syndromes in the patients with concurrent PMOP and KOA. Excel 2021 was used to statistically analyze the general characteristics of the included patients. Continuous variables were reported as x¯±s， and binary variables were reported as percentages. UCINET and Gephi were used to construct a complex "isease-syndrome-symptom" network for in-depth mining. Topological structure indicators， edge connection information between nodes， and weighted adjacency matrices were calculated by UCINET and Python. Gephi was used for complex network visualization. ResultsA total of 157 patients with concurrent PMOP and KOA from 12 TCM hospitals or community health service centers were selected for the collection of TCM syndrome and symptom information. A total of 4 main TCM syndromes were obtained， which were kidney-Yang deficiency （47.13%）， liver-kidney Yin deficiency （36.94%）， spleen-kidney Yang deficiency （8.92%）， and kidney Yin-Yang deficiency （7.01%）. In addition， 10 concurrent syndromes （mainly Qi stagnation and blood stasis， Qi and blood deficiency， spleen Yang deficiency， and cold-dampness） were identified. Based on the results of comprehensive frequency statistics and complex network analysis， as well as TCM theoretical knowledge and relevant guidelines， the general characteristics of concurrent PMOP and KOA and the main TCM syndromes in the dimensions of physical symptoms， pain， tongue and pulse manifestations， and defecation and urination were obtained. ConclusionThe main TCM syndromes in the patients with concurrent PMOP and KOA may be kidney Yang deficiency， liver-kidney Yin deficiency， spleen-kidney Yang deficiency， and kidney Yin-Yang deficiency， among which kidney Yang deficiency and liver-kidney Yin deficiency are the core TCM syndromes.

ObjectiveTo explore the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndromes in the patients with concurrent knee osteoarthritis （KOA） and postmenopausal osteoporosis （PMOP） and provide a scientific basis for precise TCM syndrome differentiation， diagnosis， and treatment of such concurrent diseases. MethodsA prospective， multicenter， cross-sectional clinical survey was conducted to analyze the characteristics of TCM syndromes in the patients with concurrent PMOP and KOA. Excel 2021 was used to statistically analyze the general characteristics of the included patients. Continuous variables were reported as x¯±s， and binary variables were reported as percentages. UCINET and Gephi were used to construct a complex "isease-syndrome-symptom" network for in-depth mining. Topological structure indicators， edge connection information between nodes， and weighted adjacency matrices were calculated by UCINET and Python. Gephi was used for complex network visualization. ResultsA total of 157 patients with concurrent PMOP and KOA from 12 TCM hospitals or community health service centers were selected for the collection of TCM syndrome and symptom information. A total of 4 main TCM syndromes were obtained， which were kidney-Yang deficiency （47.13%）， liver-kidney Yin deficiency （36.94%）， spleen-kidney Yang deficiency （8.92%）， and kidney Yin-Yang deficiency （7.01%）. In addition， 10 concurrent syndromes （mainly Qi stagnation and blood stasis， Qi and blood deficiency， spleen Yang deficiency， and cold-dampness） were identified. Based on the results of comprehensive frequency statistics and complex network analysis， as well as TCM theoretical knowledge and relevant guidelines， the general characteristics of concurrent PMOP and KOA and the main TCM syndromes in the dimensions of physical symptoms， pain， tongue and pulse manifestations， and defecation and urination were obtained. ConclusionThe main TCM syndromes in the patients with concurrent PMOP and KOA may be kidney Yang deficiency， liver-kidney Yin deficiency， spleen-kidney Yang deficiency， and kidney Yin-Yang deficiency， among which kidney Yang deficiency and liver-kidney Yin deficiency are the core TCM syndromes.

ObjectiveFunctional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), a novel non-invasive technique for monitoring cerebral activity, can be integrated with upper limb rehabilitation robots to facilitate the real-time assessment of neurological rehabilitation outcomes. The rehabilitation robot is designed with 3 training modes: passive, active, and resistance. Among these, the resistance mode has been demonstrated to yield superior rehabilitative outcomes for patients with a certain level of muscle strength. The control modes in the resistance mode can be categorized into dynamic and static control. However, the effects of different control modes in the resistance mode on the motor function of patients with upper limb hemiplegia in stroke remain unclear. Furthermore, the effects of force, an important parameter of different control modes, on the activation of brain regions have rarely been reported. This study investigates the effects of dynamic and static resistance modes under varying resistance levels on cerebral functional alterations during motor rehabilitation in post-stroke patients. MethodsA cohort of 20 stroke patients with upper limb dysfunction was enrolled in the study, completing preparatory adaptive training followed by 3 intensity-level tasks across 2 motor paradigms. The bilateral prefrontal cortices (PFC), bilateral primary motor cortices (M1), bilateral primary somatosensory cortices (S1), and bilateral premotor and supplementary motor cortices (PM) were examined in both the resting and motor training states. The lateralization index (LI), phase locking value (PLV), network metrics were employed to examine cortical activation patterns and topological properties of brain connectivity. ResultsThe data indicated that both dynamic and static modes resulted in significantly greater activation of the contralateral M1 area and the ipsilateral PM area when compared to the resting state. The static patterns demonstrated a more pronounced activation in the contralateral M1 in comparison to the dynamic patterns. The results of brain network analysis revealed significant differences between the dynamic and resting states in the contralateral PFC area and contralateral M1 area (F=4.709, P=0.038), as well as in the contralateral PM area and ipsilateral M1 area (F=4.218, P=0.049). Moreover, the findings indicated a positive correlation between the activation of the M1 region and the increase in force in the dynamic mode, which was reversed in the static mode. ConclusionBoth dynamic and static resistance training modes have been demonstrated to activate the corresponding brain functional regions. Dynamic resistance modes elicit greater oxygen changes and connectivity to the region of interest (ROI) than static resistance modes. Furthermore, the effects of increasing force differ between the two modes. In patients who have suffered a stroke, dynamic modes may have a more pronounced effect on the activation of exercise-related functional brain regions.

Objective: To examine the casual association between age at first sexual intercourse and gynecologic malignant tumors using Mendelian randomization (MR) approach. Methods: The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with age at first sexual intercourse were obtained from a meta-analysis of genome-wide association study (GWAS), and the SNPs related to gynecologic malignant tumors (ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, cervical cancer), and their subtypes were sourced from the IEU OpenGWAS database. Using age at first sexual intercourse as the exposure and gynecologic malignant tumors as the outcome, a MR analysis was performed with the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method. Heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran's Q test, horizontal pleiotropy was evaluated using MR-Egger regression and MR-PRESSO test, and bias was examined using funnel plots. Results: The Mendelian randomization analysis demonstrated that younger age at first sexual intercourse was significantly associated with an increased risk of low-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (OR=0.553, 95%CI: 0.335-0.911), cervical cancer (OR=0.674, 95%CI: 0.466-0.974), endometrial cancer (OR=0.854, 95%CI: 0.730-0.999), and endometrioid carcinoma (OR=0.830, 95%CI: 0.690-0.998). No statistical association was found between the age at first sexual intercourse and ovarian cancer, high-grade serous ovarian cancer, mucinous ovarian cancer, endometrioid ovarian cancer, or non-endometrioid ovarian cancer (all P>0.05). Sensitivity analysis showed no evidence of undetected instrumental variable heterogeneity or horizontal pleiotropy (all P>0.05), and the funnel plot indicated no presence of bias. Conclusion Younger age at first sexual intercourse may be associated with an increased risk of certain gynecologic malignant tumors, highlighting the need to strengthen adolescent sex education.

Sodium ; Wastewater ; Potassium ; Diet ; Blood Pressure ; China ; Sodium, Dietary ; Sodium Chloride, Dietary

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical efficacy of Gandouling tablet （GDL） on abnormal lipid metabolism in Wilson's disease （WD） and the correlation between the prediction model of hepatic steatosis and the related indexes of lipid metabolism in WD. MethodA total of 86 patients with abnormal lipid metabolism in WD were selected. The 24-hour urine copper， alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， aspartate aminotransferase （AST）， serum triglyceride （TG）， total cholesterol （TC）， apolipoprotein B （ApoB）， low density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， bile acid （BA）， γ-glutamyl transferase （GGT）， prediction model of hepatic steatosis ［hepatic steatosis index （HSI） and Zhejiang University index （ZJU index）］， ultrasonic attenuation coefficient imaging （ATT）， and traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome score were statistically analyzed before treatment. Pearson correlation test was used to analyze the correlation between TG， TC， LDL-C， ApoB， ALT， AST， ALT/AST， BA， GGT， TCM syndrome score， ATT， and HIS and ZJU. The patients were divided into an observation group and a control group by random number table method， with 43 cases in each group. The observation group was treated with GDL combined with sodium dimercaptopropane sulfonate （DMPS）， while the control group was only treated with DMPS as a control. After six courses of treatment， 24-hour urine copper， TC， TG， LDL-C， ApoB， HSI， ZJU， ATT， TCM syndrome score， and clinical efficiency before and after treatment were observed and compared between the two groups. The correlation between HSI and ZJU and serum TC， TG， LDL-C， ApoB， ALT， AST， ALT/AST， BA， GGT， TCM syndrome scores， and ATT was analyzed. ResultPearson correlation analysis showed that serum TC （r = 0.811）， TG （r = 0.826）， LDL-C （r = 0.802）， ApoB （r = 0.820）， ALT （r = 0.497）， ALT/AST （r = 0.826）， TCM syndrome score （r = 0.716）， and ATT （r = 0.736） were positively correlated with HSI （P<0.01）， while AST， BA， and GGT had no significant correlation with HSI. TC （r = 0.718）， TG （r = 0.765）， LDL-C （r = 0.667）， ApoB （r = 0.699）， ALT/AST （r = 0.403）， TCM syndrome score （r = 0.666）， and ATT （r = 0.684） were positively correlated with ZJU （P<0.01）. ALT， AST， BA， and GGT had no significant correlation with ZJU. The total effective rate of the observation group was 86.05 （37/43）， and that of the control group was 72.09% （31/43）. The total effective rate of the observation group was higher than that of the control group （Z = -2.301， P<0.05）. After treatment， the 24-hour urine copper of the two groups increased significantly. The levels of TC， TG， LDL-C， and ApoB were significantly decreased， and the HSI， ZJU， and ATT were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with those in the control group after treatment， the above indexes improved better in the observation group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionGDL can effectively improve the level of copper and lipid metabolism in patients with WD， with high clinical safety and good clinical application value. The prediction model of hepatic steatosis can effectively reflect the degree of abnormal lipid metabolism in WD.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of Shuotong ureteroscope combined with flexible ureteroscope in the treatment of 2-3 cm lower calyceal calculi, and analyze the influencing factors.Methods:A total of 102 patients with lower calyceal calculi were treated in the Second People′s Hospital of Yulin from February 2019 to December 2022, and they were divided into the observation group and the control group, with 51 cases in each group. The patients of the observation group were treated with Shuotong ureteroscope combined with flexible ureteroscope, while the patients of the control group were treated with flexible ureteroscope. According to whether the stones were completely removed after operation, all patients were divided into non-stone removal group ( n=13) and stone removal group ( n=89). The operation time, hospitalization time, lithotripsy time, intraoperative blood loss, complication rate and stone clearance rate were compared between the observation group and the control group. Generalized Estimation Equation was used to analyze and evaluate the effects of treatment time, treatment scheme and their interaction on visual analogue scale (VAS), white blood cell (WBC), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), blood creatinine (Cr), hemoglobin (HGB) and procalcitonin (PCT). Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression were used to analyze the risk factors of stone removal rate. Nomogram model was constructed based on risk factors and evaluate the model. Results:Compared with the control group, operation time [(118.72±9.61) min vs (136.65±11.27) min], hospitalization stay [(6.43±1.12) d vs (10.29±2.23) d] and the lithotripsy time [ (51.23±10.38) min vs (56.62±11.43) min] of the observation group were shorter, and the amount of intraoperative blood loss [(128.52±10.20) mL vs (157.53±15.31) mL] were significantly less than those of the control group ( P< 0.05). The results of Generalized Estimation Equation analysis showed that treatment time, treatment regimen and their interaction had significant effects on WBC, HGB, BUN, Cr, PCT and VAS ( P< 0.05). Compared with the control group, the incidence of complications (5.88% vs 19.61%) of the observation group was lower and the stone clearance rate ( 94.12% vs 80.39%) was significantly higher than those in the control group ( P< 0.05). The mode of operation, infundibulopelvic angle(IPA), caliceal pelvic height (CPH) and the maximum diameter of stones were all influencing factors of stone removal rate in patients with 2-3 cm lower calyceal calculi. The nomogram model constructed in this study has good differentiation, calibration and clinical practicability, and can better identify high-risk patients with incomplete removal of 2-3 cm lower calyceal calculi. Conclusions:Shuotong ureteroscope combined with flexible ureteroscope is a safe, effective method for the treatment of 2-3 cm lower calyceal calculi. It has the advantages of simple operation, less intraoperative bleeding, less postoperative complications and high stone clearance rate. IPA, CPH, the maximum diameter of calculi and the mode of operation were all independent factors affecting the stone clearance rate of 2-3 cm lower calyceal calculi. The nomogram model constructed in this study can well identify the high-risk patients with incomplete clearance of 2-3 cm lower calyceal calculi.

Objective To investigate the imaging features of intestinal schwannoma(IS)in order to improve the diagnostic ability of the disease.Methods The clinical and imaging data of 14 patients with surgically and pathologically confirmed IS were retrospectively analyzed,including the location,size,morphology,nature,growth pattern,CT density,MRI signal,PET/CT metabolism and other characteristics of the tumors.Results Of the 14 IS cases,the lesions of 3 cases were located in the duodenum,2 cases in the cecum,8 cases in the colon and 1 case in the rectum.The lesions were all round or oval,with an average maximum diameter of(2.4±1.1)cm.The lesions were solid in 13 cases,extraluminal growth in 10 cases,cystic degeneration in 1 case and myxoid degeneration in 1 case.Chronic inflammatory lymph nodes were seen around the diseased intestines in 9 cases,and the short diameter of lymph nodes was greater than 5 mm in 6 cases.All 14 cases of IS showed low attenuation on plain CT scan,and progressive enhancement after contrast injection,including 1 case of mild enhancement,2 cases of moderate enhancement,and 11 cases of obvious enhancement.Two cases of IS showed low signal intensity on T1WI,slightly high signal intensity on T2WI,significantly high signal intensity on DWI,and obvious progressive enhancement after contrast injection on MRI.Two cases of IS showed high metabolism on 18F-FDG-PET/CT,and the SUVmax was 9.4 and 8.8,respectively.Conclusion The imaging findings of IS were characteristic to a certain extent.They mainly manifested as solid nodules or masses derived from the intestinal submucosa,with uniform attenuation or signal intensity,obvious progressive enhancement after contrast injection,obvious hypermetabolism on 18F-FDG-PET/CT,and slightly larger homogeneous lymph nodes were common around the lesions.