Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative condition characterized by progressive cognitive decline and memory loss. As the incidence of AD continues to rise annually, researchers have shown keen interest in the active components found in natural plants and their neuroprotective effects against AD. Quercetin, a flavonol widely present in fruits and vegetables, has multiple biological effects including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant. Oxidative stress plays a central role in the pathogenesis of AD, and the antioxidant properties of quercetin are essential for its neuroprotective function. Quercetin can modulate multiple signaling pathways related to AD, such as Nrf2-ARE, JNK, p38 MAPK, PON2, PI3K/Akt, and PKC, all of which are closely related to oxidative stress. Furthermore, quercetin is capable of inhibiting the aggregation of β‑amyloid protein (Aβ) and the phosphorylation of tau protein, as well as the activity of β‑secretase 1 and acetylcholinesterase, thus slowing down the progression of the disease.The review also provides insights into the pharmacokinetic properties of quercetin, including its absorption, metabolism, and excretion, as well as its bioavailability challenges and clinical applications. To improve the bioavailability and enhance the targeting of quercetin, the potential of quercetin nanomedicine delivery systems in the treatment of AD is also discussed. In summary, the multifaceted mechanisms of quercetin against AD provide a new perspective for drug development. However, translating these findings into clinical practice requires overcoming current limitations and ongoing research. In this way, its therapeutic potential in the treatment of AD can be fully utilized.

ObjectiveIn the realm of forensic science, dust is a valuable type of trace evidence with immense potential for intricate investigations. With the development of DNA sequencing technologies, there is a heightened interest among researchers in unraveling the complex tapestry of microbial communities found within dust samples. Furthermore, striking disparities in the microbial community composition have been noted among dust samples from diverse geographical regions, heralding new possibilities for geographical inference based on microbial DNA analysis. The pivotal role of microbial community data from dust in geographical inference is significant, underscoring its critical importance within the field of forensic science. This study aims to delve deeply into the nuances of fungal community composition across the urban landscapes of Beijing, Fuzhou, Kunming, and Urumqi in China. It evaluates the accuracy of biogeographic inference facilitated by the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) fungal sequencing while concurrently laying a robust foundation for the operational integration of environmental DNA into geographical inference mechanisms. MethodsITS2 region of the fungal genomes was amplified using universal primers known as 5.8S-Fun/ITS4-Fun, and the resulting DNA fragments were sequenced on the Illumina MiSeq FGx platform. Non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis (NMDS) was employed to visually represent the differences between samples, while analysis of similarities (ANOSIM) and permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) were utilized to statistically evaluate the dissimilarities in community composition across samples. Furthermore, using Linear Discriminant Analysis Effect Size (LEfSe) analysis to identify and filter out species that exhibit significant differences between various cities. In addition, we leveraged SourceTracker to predict the geographic origins of the dust samples. ResultsAmong the four cities of Beijing, Fuzhou, Kunming and Urumqi, Beijing has the highest species richness. The results of species annotation showed that there were significant differences in the species composition and relative abundance of fungal communities in the four cities. NMDS analysis revealed distinct clustering patterns of samples based on their biogeographic origins in multidimensional space. Samples from the same city exhibited clear clustering, while samples from different cities showed separation along the first axis. The results from ANOSIM and PERMANOVA confirmed the significant differences in fungal community composition between the four cities, with the most pronounced distinctions observed between Fuzhou and Urumqi. Notably, the biogeographic origins of all known dust samples were successfully predicted. ConclusionSignificant differences are observed in the fungal species composition and relative abundance among the cities of Beijing, Fuzhou, Kunming, and Urumqi. Employing fungal ITS2 sequencing on dust samples from these urban areas enables accurate inference of biogeographical locations. The high feasibility of utilizing fungal community data in dust for biogeographical inferences holds particular promise in the field of forensic science.

ObjectiveBased on functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), we investigated the brain activity characteristics of gross motor tasks in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and motor dysfunctions (MDs) to provide a theoretical basis for further understanding the mechanism of MDs in children with ASD and designing targeted intervention programs from a central perspective. MethodsAccording to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 48 children with ASD accompanied by MDs were recruited into the ASD group and 40 children with typically developing (TD) into the TD group. The fNIRS device was used to collect the information of blood oxygen changes in the cortical motor-related brain regions during single-handed bag throwing and tiptoe walking, and the differences in brain activation and functional connectivity between the two groups of children were analyzed from the perspective of brain activation and functional connectivity. ResultsCompared to the TD group, in the object manipulative motor task (one-handed bag throwing), the ASD group showed significantly reduced activation in both left sensorimotor cortex (SMC) and right secondary visual cortex (V2) (P<0.05), whereas the right pre-motor and supplementary motor cortex (PMC&SMA) had significantly higher activation (P<0.01) and showed bilateral brain region activity; in terms of brain functional integration, there was a significant decrease in the strength of brain functional connectivity (P<0.05) and was mainly associated with dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and V2. In the body stability motor task (tiptoe walking), the ASD group had significantly higher activation in motor-related brain regions such as the DLPFC, SMC, and PMC&SMA (P<0.05) and showed bilateral brain region activity; in terms of brain functional integration, the ASD group had lower strength of brain functional connectivity (P<0.05) and was mainly associated with PMC&SMA and V2. ConclusionChildren with ASD exhibit abnormal brain functional activity characteristics specific to different gross motor tasks in object manipulative and body stability, reflecting insufficient or excessive compensatory activation of local brain regions and impaired cross-regions integration, which may be a potential reason for the poorer gross motor performance of children with ASD, and meanwhile provides data support for further unraveling the mechanisms underlying the occurrence of MDs in the context of ASD and designing targeted intervention programs from a central perspective.

Four pyrazines were isolated from the n-butanol fraction of Hypecoum erectum L. by using various chromatographic methods, including MCI gel, ODS, silica gel and semi-preparative HPLC. The structures of the isolated compounds were identified as hyperectpyrazin A (1), 1′S-(6-methylpyrazin-2-yl)-ethane-1′,2′-diol (2), 2-hydroxymethyl-6-methylpyrazin (3) and pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid (4) by spectroscopy methods (1D NMR, 2D NMR, UV, IR, MS, etc.). The absolute configuration of compound 2 was determined by using the Mo₂(OAc)₄ induced CD analysis for the first time. Compound 1 was a new compound, compounds 2-4 were isolated from H. erectum for the first time. Compounds 1-4 were evaluated for their inhibition against acetylcholinesterase and nitric oxide generation induced by lipopolysaccharide-RAW264.7 macrophage cells. At a concentration of 50 μmol·L^-1, compounds 2 and 4 displayed inhibitory effects on acetylcholinesterase with the inhibition rates of 44.40% and 43.99%, respectively.

Humans ; Vascular Stiffness ; Coal Mining ; Occupational Diseases/epidemiology* ; Risk Factors ; Coal ; Miners

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of modified Fuzheng Yiliu Decoction(composed of Astragali Radix,Codonopsis Radix,Ligustri Lucidi Fructus,Hedyotis Diffusae Herba,Moutan Cortex,Visci Herba,etc.)combined with XELOX regimen(Oxaliplatin plus Capecitabine)for the treatment of postoperative patients with advanced gastric cancer of qi and yin deficiency type.Methods A total of 80 postoperative patients with advanced gastric cancer of qi and yin deficiency type were randomly divided into the Chinese medicine group and the control group,with 40 cases in each group.Both groups received chemotherapy with XELOX regimen,while the Chinese medicine group was given modified Fuzheng Yiliu Decoction.Three weeks constituted a course of treatment,the medication of Chinese medicine decoction lasted for two weeks or more in each course of treatment,and a total of 8 courses of treatment were performed.The incidence of adverse reactions during chemotherapy was monitored and changes in serum tumor markers of serum carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA),carbohydrate antigen 199(CA199)and alpha-fetoprotein(AFP)were observed in the two groups before and after treatment.Moreover,the patients'quality of life was assessed by the scores of Karnofsky's Performance Status(KPS)and World Health Organization Quality of Life Measurement Scale(WHOQOL-100).Long-term follow-up was carried out for the evaluation of the prognostic indicators such as overall survival and one-year and 2-year overall survival rates.Results(1)Patients in the two groups were all followed up,and the median follow-up time was 27 months(95%CI:23.59-27.86).(2)After treatment,the levels of serum CEA and AFP in the Chinese medicine group were significantly lower than those before treatment(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),while serum CA199 tended to decrease compared with those before treatment,but the difference was not statistically significant(P＞0.05);in the control group,the levels of serum CEA,CA199,and AFP were not significantly decreased after treatment(P＞0.05).The intergroup comparison showed that the decrease of serum CEA,CA199 and AFP levels in the Chinese medicine group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).(3)The adverse reactions during chemotherapy in the two groups mainly involved bone marrow suppression,gastrointestinal reactions and liver function abnormalities,etc.The incidences of all adverse reactions in the Chinese medicine group tended to be lower than those in the control group,but the differences were not statistically significant(P＞0.05).(4)After treatment,the KPS scores of patients in both groups were improved compared with those before treatment(P＜0.01),and the improvement in the Chinese medicine group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.01).(5)After treatment,the scores of the four dimensions of WHOQOL-100 such as health status,mobility,life feelings,and other activities of daily life in the Chinese medicine group were significantly improved compared with the pre-treatment(P＜0.05),whereas there was no significant improvement in the control group(P＞0.05).The intergroup comparison showed that the improvement of the scores of each dimension of the WHOQOL-100 in the Chinese medicine group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).(6)The median survival in the Chinese medicine group was 29.0 months(95%CI:25.95-31.70)and that in the control group was 22.0 months(95%CI:19.67-25.58),indicating that the median survival was significantly prolonged in Chinese medicine group(P＜0.01).The one-year and 2-year postoperative survival rates were 97.5%and 77.5%in the Chinese medicine group and 92.5%and 47.5%in the control group,respectively.The intergroup comparison showed that the one-year and 2-year postoperative survival rates in the Chinese medicine group were higher than those in the control group(P＜0.01).Conclusion Modified Fuzheng Yiliu Decoction can effectively alleviate the adverse reactions during adjuvant chemotherapy for postoperative patients with advanced gastric cancer of qi and yin deficiency type,improve the quality of life of patients,and prolong the survival time of patients.

Helicobacter pylori(HP)infection is a Class Ⅰ carcinogen in gastric cancer,closely related to the occurrence of gastric cancer.Many studies have shown that HP eradication has a preventive effect on gastric cancer.However,2.7%-6.1%of patients with early gastric cancer who have been eradicated after endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD)can still develop metachronous gastric cancer(MGC),and the mechanism of its occurrence is still unclear.In this review,the atrophy of gastric mucosa and intestinal metaplasia cannot be completely reversed after HP eradication,the excessive proliferation of gastric mucosa epithelial cells,the accumulation of genetic abnormalities,the homeostasis imbalance of the epigenetic group,changes in immune microenvironment,the abnormality of stem cells in gastric mucosa,chromatin accessibility,and changes in chromosome remodeling were discussed in the mechanism of carcinogenesis caused by the above molecular changes after ESD and HP eradication in early gastric cancer.

Objective To compare the effects of two arc(TA)and dual arc(DA)techniques on the dose distribution to the planning target volume(PTV)and organs at risk(OAR)in volumetric modulated arc therapy(VMAT)for lower mid-thoracic esophageal cancer.Methods Ten patients with lower mid-thoracic esophageal cancer who received radiation therapy at some hospital from July 2020 to June 2022 were selected retrospectively.A TA radiation therapy plan and a DA radiation therapy plan were developed for each patient using the Ray Arc module of RayStation 4.7.5.4 planning system,and the two kinds of radiation plans were compared in terms of dosimetric parameters including D2,D5,D50,D95,D98,homogeneity index(HI),conformity index(CI),beam-on time and total monitor unit for PTV and lung V5,V10,V20,V30 and Dmean and heartV30,V40 and Dmean and spine cord Dmax for OAR.SPSS 22.0 was used for statistical analysis.Results TA and DA radiation therapy plans had no significant differences in PTV CI,HI,D2,D5,D50,D95 and beam-on time(P＞0.05),and DA plan had D98 and total monitor unit higher obviously than those of TA plan(P＜0.05).In terms of OARs protection,DA plan had heart V30,V40 and Dmean slightly lower than those of TA plan with non-significantly differences(P＞0.05),while lung V5,V30 and Dmean and spine cordDmax significantly lower(P＜0.05).Conclusion DA technique gains advantages over TA technique in PTV dose distribution and dose to OAR,and the involvement of DA technique in preparing the VMAT plan for esophageal cancer contributes to enhancing the treatment efficacy.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(1):62-66]

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) combined with lower cervical fracture is often categorized into unstable fracture, with a high incidence of neurological injury and a high rate of disability and morbidity. As factors such as shoulder occlusion may affect the accuracy of X-ray imaging diagnosis, it is often easily misdiagnosed at the primary diagnosis. Non-operative treatment has complications such as bone nonunion and the possibility of secondary neurological damage, while the timing, access and choice of surgical treatment are still controversial. Currently, there are no clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of AS combined with lower cervical fracture with or without dislocation. To this end, the Spinal Trauma Group of Orthopedics Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts to formulate Clinical guidelines for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis combined with lower cervical fracture in adults ( version 2024) in accordance with the principles of evidence-based medicine, scientificity and practicality, in which 11 recommendations were put forward in terms of the diagnosis, imaging evaluation, typing and treatment, etc, to provide guidance for the diagnosis and treatment of AS combined with lower cervical fracture.

AIM To identify the chemical components of Longmu Qingxin Mixture by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS and study its material basis for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.METHODS The sample was detected by mass spectrometry in positive and negative ion mode on a Waters CORTECS? UPLC? T3 chromatographic column.The data were analyzed with Peakview 1.2 software and matched with the Natural Products HR-MS/MS Spectral Library 1.0 database,and the components were identified in combination with literature reports.The material basis of Longmu Qingxin Mixture for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder was analysed according to the identified components.RESULTS Forty chemical components were identified,including 11 flavonoids,6 monoterpene glycosides,4 triterpene saponins,3 phenolic acids,6 alkaloids etc.,which mainly derived from Radix Astragali,Radix Paeoniae Alba,Radix Scutellariae,licorice root,Ramulus Uncariae cum,etc.,baicalein,formononetin,astragaloside Ⅳ and rhynchophylline may be the material basis for the therapeutic effect of Longmu Qingxin Mixture.CONCLUSION UPLC-Q-TOF-MS can quickly identify the chemical components of Longmu Qingxin Mixture.Flavonoids,triterpene saponins and alkaloids may be the material basis for Longmu Qingxin Mixture for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,which can provide the basis for its material basis research,quality standard establishment and pharmacological study of the dismantled formula.