ObjectiveTo explore the effects of the Tibetan medicine Sanwei Doukoutang （SWDK） on cognitive dysfunction in mice suffering from Alzheimer's disease （AD） and its related mechanism. MethodsFifty SPF 5 × FAD mice were randomly divided into model group， total ginsenoside group（0.04 g·kg^-1）， high-， medium-， and low-dose groups of SWDK （32.60， 16.30， 8.15 g·kg^-1）， with 10 mice in each group， and ten wild-type mice of the same age were used as the normal group， male and female in 1∶1. Gavage administration was performed once daily for 8 weeks. The Morris water maze test and contextual fear memory experiment were used to observe learning and memory function. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was utilized to observe the changes in the pathomorphology of brain tissue in mice. The levels of synaptophysin （SYP） and postsynaptic dense substance 95 （PSD95） in mice serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The positive expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor（BDNF） in the dentate gyrus （DG） region of mouse brain tissue was observed by immunohistochemistry （IHC）. The protein levels of BDNF， Wnt family member 3A（Wnt3a）， and β-catenin were detected in the hippocampus of mice by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the normal group of mice， the model group of mice had significantly more complex swimming routes and lower swimming speed （P<0.01）， significantly lower percentage of time spent in the target quadrant （P<0.01）， and a significantly lower percentage of freezing time （P<0.05）. The number of neurons in the hippocampal region of mice was obviously reduced and unevenly arranged. The levels of SYP and PSD95（P<0.01） in the serum of mice were reduced， and the positive expression of BDNF in the DG region of the brain tissue of mice was reduced. The levels of hippocampal BDNF， Wnt3a， and β-catenin proteins in the hippocampus of mice were obviously reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the mice in the SWDK group and the total ginsenoside group had significantly shorter swimming routes， the high- and medium- dose SWDK groups significantly higher swimming speeds （P<0.01）， significantly higher percentage of time spent in the target quadrant （P<0.01）， obviously higher percentage of Freezing time （P<0.05）， and obviously more neurons in the hippocampal region of the mice with tighter arrangement. The mice had elevated levels of serum SYP （P<0.05， P<0.01）， PSD95 （P<0.01）， increased BDNF-positive cells in the DG region of brain tissue， and obviously elevated levels of BDNF， Wnt3a， and β-catenin proteins in the hippocampus of mice （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionSWDK can significantly improve the cognitive dysfunction of AD mice， and its mechanism may be related to regulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway， which promotes BDNF expression and thereby enhances synaptic plasticity， allowing neuronal signaling to be restored.

ObjectiveTo explore the effects of the Tibetan medicine Sanwei Doukoutang （SWDK） on cognitive dysfunction in mice suffering from Alzheimer's disease （AD） and its related mechanism. MethodsFifty SPF 5 × FAD mice were randomly divided into model group， total ginsenoside group（0.04 g·kg^-1）， high-， medium-， and low-dose groups of SWDK （32.60， 16.30， 8.15 g·kg^-1）， with 10 mice in each group， and ten wild-type mice of the same age were used as the normal group， male and female in 1∶1. Gavage administration was performed once daily for 8 weeks. The Morris water maze test and contextual fear memory experiment were used to observe learning and memory function. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was utilized to observe the changes in the pathomorphology of brain tissue in mice. The levels of synaptophysin （SYP） and postsynaptic dense substance 95 （PSD95） in mice serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The positive expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor（BDNF） in the dentate gyrus （DG） region of mouse brain tissue was observed by immunohistochemistry （IHC）. The protein levels of BDNF， Wnt family member 3A（Wnt3a）， and β-catenin were detected in the hippocampus of mice by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the normal group of mice， the model group of mice had significantly more complex swimming routes and lower swimming speed （P<0.01）， significantly lower percentage of time spent in the target quadrant （P<0.01）， and a significantly lower percentage of freezing time （P<0.05）. The number of neurons in the hippocampal region of mice was obviously reduced and unevenly arranged. The levels of SYP and PSD95（P<0.01） in the serum of mice were reduced， and the positive expression of BDNF in the DG region of the brain tissue of mice was reduced. The levels of hippocampal BDNF， Wnt3a， and β-catenin proteins in the hippocampus of mice were obviously reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the mice in the SWDK group and the total ginsenoside group had significantly shorter swimming routes， the high- and medium- dose SWDK groups significantly higher swimming speeds （P<0.01）， significantly higher percentage of time spent in the target quadrant （P<0.01）， obviously higher percentage of Freezing time （P<0.05）， and obviously more neurons in the hippocampal region of the mice with tighter arrangement. The mice had elevated levels of serum SYP （P<0.05， P<0.01）， PSD95 （P<0.01）， increased BDNF-positive cells in the DG region of brain tissue， and obviously elevated levels of BDNF， Wnt3a， and β-catenin proteins in the hippocampus of mice （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionSWDK can significantly improve the cognitive dysfunction of AD mice， and its mechanism may be related to regulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway， which promotes BDNF expression and thereby enhances synaptic plasticity， allowing neuronal signaling to be restored.

ObjectiveThe human angiotensin converting enzyme2 （hACE2） transgenic mouse model was used to clarify the antiviral efficacy of BD-77 against a novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and explore the action mechanism of BD-77 against SARS-CoV-2. MethodSARS-CoV-2 Omicron and Delta variant strains-infected VeroE6 cell models were established and administered with BD-77 to observe the antiviral effect of BD-77 in vitro. A kit was used to detect the effect of BD-77 in vitro on the binding of spike S protein of SARS-CoV-2 virus （Delta/Omicron） to angiotensin converting enzyme2 （ACE2）. Chromatography was adopted to detect the binding of BD-77 to the S protein and N protein of the novel coronavirus. hACE2 transgenic C57BL/6 mice were divided into a blank control group， SARS-CoV-2 infection group， BD-77 administration groups of 37.5 mg·kg^-1 and 75 mg·kg^-1， with eight mice in each group. The pneumonia model of SARS-CoV-2-infected hACE2 transgenic mice was built to observe the survival of the mice， detect the virus titer of the lung tissue of the mice， and observe the lesions in the lung tissue. ResultBD-77 had a certain inhibitory effect on Omicron and Delta variant strains in vitro， with median inhibitory concentration （IC₅₀） of 526.3 mg·L^-1 and 653.0 mg·L^-1， respectively. BD-77 had no significant inhibitory effect on the binding of the S protein of WT， Omicron， and Delta variant strains of SARS-CoV-2 to ACE2 and had no binding effect with the S protein and N protein of the novel coronavirus. No mice in the blank group died， while the mortality rate of SARS-CoV-2-infected mice was 75%. There was a large amount of virus replication in the lung tissue of the mice and large areas of inflammatory infiltration in the lung tissue and interstitium. Compared with the model group， BD-77 administration groups of 37.5 mg·kg^-1 and 75 mg·kg^-1 could reduce the mortality of mice， significantly lower the virus titer in the lung tissue of mice （P<0.05）， and improve lung lesions. ConclusionBD-77 demonstrated significant inhibitory effects against SARS-CoV-2 virus in vitro and in vivo. However， its mechanism of action did not involve direct inhibition of the virus itself or intervention in the virus-host binding process. This finding suggests that the mechanism of action of BD-77 needs to be thoroughly investigated and elucidated by further experiments.

ObjectiveTo observe the therapeutic effect of BD-77 by nebulized inhalation on animal models of various respiratory viral infections and investigate the mechanism of broad-spectrum antiviral action of BD-77 using proteomics. MethodThe influenza virus H1N1/FM1 experiment used ICR mice and divided them into a normal group， model group， Tamiflu group， and BD-77 groups of 75 and 37.5 g·L^-1 for inhalation of 20 min and 25 min. Human coronavirus 229E and OC43 experiment divided the BALB/c mice into a normal group， model group， chloroquine phosphate group， and BD-77 groups of 75， 37.5， 18.75， and 9.375 g·L^-1， with 10 mice in each group. Influenza virus H1N1/FM1 and human coronaviruses 229E and OC43 infection-induced pneumonia models were used to detect mouse lung index， and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the viral load in lung tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect related inflammatory factors in lung tissue， and proteomics analysis was performed on the lung tissue of OC43-infected mice. ResultCompared with that in the normal group， the lung index of mice in each infection group was significantly increased （P<0.01）， and viral nucleic acid could be detected in the lung tissue of mice infected with human coronaviruses 229E and OC43. The levels of interleukin-6 （IL-6）， IL-10， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in the lung tissue of mice infected with human coronavirus 229E were all significantly increased （P<0.01）. BD-77 could significantly reduce the lung index of mice infected with influenza virus H1N1/FM1 and human coronaviruses 229E and OC43 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， cut down the viral load in the lungs of mice infected with human coronaviruses 229E and OC43 （P<0.01）， and lower the contents of IL-6， IL-10， and TNF-α in the lung tissue of mice infected with human coronavirus 229E （P<0.01）. Proteomics analysis of the lung tissue of OC43-infected mice showed that BD-77 regulated the AMPK signaling pathway， TNF signaling pathway， NOD-like signaling pathway， IL-17 signaling pathway， Forkhead box protein O （FoxO） signaling pathway， transforming growth factor-β （TGF-β） signaling pathway， and other signaling pathways. ConclusionNebulized inhalation of BD-77 is effective in treating pneumonia caused by influenza virus H1N1/FM1 and human coronaviruses 229E and OC43 infection in mice and may exert its antiviral effects by regulating the balance of cellular metabolism， enhancing the immune function of the host， and attenuating inflammatory responses.

Objective: To investigate the incidence and influencing factors of falls among the elderly in Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, so as to provide the basis for developing effective prevention strategies. Methods: The residents aged 60 years and above in Haishu District and Yuyao City of Ningbo City were selected by the multi-stage cluster random sampling method from June to October 2022. Demographic information, fall incidence in the past year, history of disease and self-rated health were collected through questionnaire surveys. Incidence of falls was descriptively analyzed, and factors affecting falls were identified using a multivariable logistic regression model stratified by gender and age. Results: A total of 1 275 elderly people were surveyed, including 635 men and 640 women. The median age was 72.00 (interquartile range, 13.00) years. In the past year, 158 residents fell, accounting for 12.39%. Additionally, 14 individuals experienced two or more falls, accounting for 8.86%. The incidence of falls was 14.69% in women, which was higher than the 10.08% in men (P<0.05). The incidence of falls was 14.86% in the elderly over 70 years, which was higher than the 9.39% in those aged 60 to 70 years (P<0.05). Multivariable logistic regression showed that the educational level (primary school and above, OR=0.501, 95%CI: 0.301-0.836), heart disease (present, OR=1.996, 95%CI: 1.076-3.703), and self-rated health status (good, OR=0.529, 95%CI: 0.319-0.875) were factors affecting falls in women; educational level (primary school and above, OR=0.514, 95%CI: 0.285-0.928) and self-rated health status (good, OR=0.456, 95%CI: 0.253-0.824) were factors affecting falls in residents aged 60 to 70 years. Conclusion Fall risk among the elderly is associated with gender, age, heart disease, educational level and self-rated health status, and the influencing factors for falls vary in different genders and ages.

ObjectiveBidirectional and two-sample Mendelian randomization（MR） method was used to investigate the bidirectional causal relationship between constipation and pneumonia and to understand the potential relationship between the two diseases from a new perspective， providing new targets for future treatment strategies. MethodConstipation and pneumonia datasets were selected from the genome-wide association study（GWAS） website for the European population in 2021. The data related to constipation included 411 623 samples， and the single nucleotide polymorphism（SNP） data were 24 176 599. The pneumonia data contained 480 299 samples with a number of SNPs of 24 174 646. In this study， inverse variance weighting（IVW） was adopted as the main analysis method of MR， supplemented by weighted median method， simple model， weighted model and MR-Egger regression analysis results， and sensitivity analysis was performed to evaluate the robustness of the results. ResultSeventeen SNPs highly correlated with constipation and 12 SNPs highly correlated with pneumonia were finally included. IVW analysis results of forward MR analysis showed that constipation increased the risk of pneumonia｛odds ratio（OR）=1.143， 95% confidence interval（CI）［1.045， 1.249］， P=0.003｝， MR-Egger regression， simple model， weighted model and weighted median analysis all supported the result（P<0.05）. IVW analysis by reverse MR analysis showed that pneumonia did not increase the risk of constipation｛OR=1.138， 95%CI［0.974， 1.329］， P=0.103｝， MR-Egger regression， simple model， weighted model and weighted median analysis also supported this result. ConclusionThe bidirectional and dual-sample MR analysis method is used to confirm the causal relationship between constipation and pneumonia from the perspective of genetic variation， while there is no obvious causal relationship on the contrary. This study will be helpful for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of constipation and pneumonia， and provide a reference for the study of the pathogenesis between the two.

Shufeng Jiedu capsules， a Chinese patent medicine composed of Polygoni Cuspidati Rhizoma et Radix， Forsythiae Fructus， etc.， has shown positive effects in the clinical treatment of upper respiratory tract infections， pharyngitis， acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （AECOPD）， and coronavirus disease 2019 （COVID-19）. The available evidence suggests that Shufeng Jiedu capsules can modulate the proportions of immune cells and the concentrations of inflammatory cytokines， thereby easing symptoms and enhancing cure rates. The existing reviews predominantly focus on the clinical applications of Shufeng Jiedu capsules， while the comprehensive review of the immunomodulatory effect of this medicine remains to be carried out. This review delineates the immune responses triggered by respiratory tract infections， and then summarizes the clinical application of Shufeng Jiedu capsules and its main chemical components. Principally， this review summarizes the immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory mechanisms， mainly focusing on various immune cells including macrophages， neutrophils， natural killer （NK） cells， and lymphocytes. In addition， this paper discusses the influences of Shufeng Jiedu capsules and its main chemical components on signaling pathways， secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines， and antibody production. In terms of innate immunity， the intervention effects of Shufeng Jiedu capsules are highlighted by its capacity to inhibit the activation of nuclear factor kappa-B （NF-κB） and interferon regulatory factor 3 （IRF3） pathways. Additionally， Shufeng Jiedu capsules have been shown to reduce the expression of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 Ⅱ （LC3Ⅱ）， thereby suppressing the inflammation and autophagy of macrophages. Furthermore， the influence of this medicine extends to altering the proportions of neutrophils and nature killer（NK） cells. Regarding adaptive immunity， Shufeng Jiedu capsules can increase the proportion of T cells in peripheral blood and restore the balance of B cells. This review aims to provide directions for the further research and clinical application of Shufeng Jiedu capsules.

Objective:To establish a rapid quantitative PCR (qPCR) technique for Mycobacterium marinum skin infections, and to analyze its clinical diagnostic efficiency. Methods:DNA was extracted from Mycobacterium marinum colonies and serially diluted (10 -1 to 10 -8). Twelve pairs of previously reported primers and probes, as well as 6 pairs of newly designed primers and probes in this study, were used for qPCR amplification to identify the most sensitive primers and probes for the detection of Mycobacterium marinum. Skin lesion tissues were collected from 72 patients with confirmed Mycobacterium marinum infections (experimental group) and 68 with other mycobacterial infections (control group) at Shandong Provincial Hospital for Skin Diseases & Shandong Provincial Institute of Dermatology and Venereology, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences in 2021. These skin tissues were subjected to qPCR amplification, interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA), acid-fast staining, and tissue culture to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy. Results:The newly designed primers and probes targeting the mycobacterial enhanced infection locus 2 (Mel2) demonstrated the highest sensitivity, with a detection limit of 0.86 copies/μl (cycle threshold value = 37) ; the qPCR amplification with the Mel2 primers/probes did not yield positive results when used for the detection of other mycobacteria (including Mycobacterium leprae and Staphylococcus spp) . Among the 72 patients in the experimental group, 44 were positive for qPCR with a sensitivity of 61.1% (95% CI: 49.6% - 71.5%), and 47 were positive for culture with a sensitivity of 65.2% (95% CI: 53.8% - 75.3%) ; all the 68 controls were negative for both qPCR and culture, with their specificities both being 100%. Among 65 patients subjected to IGRA, 31 were positive with a sensitivity of 47.7% (95% CI: 36.0% - 59.6%), while 16 out of 25 controls were negative for IGRA with a specificity of 64.0% (95% CI: 44.5% - 79.8%). Among 58 patients subjected to acid-fast staining, 37 were positive with a sensitivity of 63.8% (95% CI: 50.9% - 74.9%), and 52 out of 66 controls were negative for acid-fast staining with a specificity of 78.8% (95% CI: 67.5% - 86.9%). The combination of qPCR and culture resulted in a sensitivity of 93% and a specificity of 100% for the detection of Mycobacterium marinum. Conclusion:In this study, a highly sensitive qPCR assay was developed for the detection of Mycobacterium marinum, and its combination with culture could further improve the detection sensitivity.

Objective: To investigate the trends in mortality of malignant tumors in Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province from 2002 to 2022, so as to provide the evidence for formulating malignant tumor control strategies in Ningbo City. Methods The data regarding the mortality of malignant tumors in Ningbo City from 2002 to 2022 were collected through the Ningbo Municipal Death Cause Monitoring System, and the crude mortality and age-specific mortality of malignant tumors were calculated in Ningbo City. The mortality of malignant tumors was standardized by the population of the sixth National Population Census in China in 2010 (Chinese-standardized mortality) and the world standard population in 1960 (world-standardized mortality). The trends in mortality of malignant tumors were evaluated with annual percent change (APC) and average annual percent change (AAPC). Methods: The data regarding the mortality of malignant tumors in Ningbo City from 2002 to 2022 were collected through the Ningbo Municipal Death Cause Monitoring System, and the crude mortality and age-specific mortality of malignant tumors were calculated in Ningbo City. The mortality of malignant tumors was standardized by the population of the sixth National Population Census in China in 2010 (Chinese-standardized mortality) and the world standard population in 1960 (world-standardized mortality). The trends in mortality of malignant tumors were evaluated with annual percent change (APC) and average annual percent change (AAPC). Results: The crude mortality of malignant tumors was 186.43/105 to 221.24/105 in Ningbo City from 2002 to 2022, which showed a tendency towards a rise (AAPC=0.76%), and both the Chinese- (AAPC=-2.64%) and world-standardized mortality (AAPC=-2.74%) appeared a tendency towards a decline (all P<0.05). The world-standardized mortality of malignant tumors presented three changes in Ningbo City from 2002 to 2022, with a more remarkable decline from 2011 to 2018 (APC=-3.53%) than from 2002 to 2011 (APC=-2.10%) and from 2018 to 2022 (APC=-2.00%) (all P<0.05). The annual decline in mortality of malignant tumors was higher in men (Chinese-standardized mortality: AAPC=-2.68%; world-standardized mortality: AAPC=-2.75%) than in women (Chinese-standardized mortality: AAPC=-2.45%; world-standardized mortality: AAPC=-2.57%), and higher in urban areas (Chinese-standardized mortality: AAPC=-2.85%; world-standardized mortality: AAPC=-2.92%) than in rural areas (Chinese-standardized mortality: AAPC=-2.45%; world-standardized mortality: AAPC=-2.57%) (all P<0.05). The mortality of malignant tumors appeared a tendency towards a rise with age in Ningbo City, with the highest mortality in residents at ages of 85 years and older (1 447.13/105). Death from malignant tumors were responsible for 31.86% of all causes of death in Ningbo City, and the five most common causes of cancer death included lung cancer, liver cancer, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer and esophageal cancer. In addition, the world-standardized mortality of pancreatic cancer (AAPC=3.92%), prostate cancer (AAPC=4.71%), and cervical cancer (AAPC=1.60%) appeared a tendency towards a rise in Ningbo City (all P<0.05). Conclusions The crude mortality of malignant tumors appeared a tendency towards a rise in Ningbo City from 2002 to 2022, while the standardized mortality showed a tendency towards a decline. Management of malignant tumors should be given a high priority among men and rural residents, and lung cancer, liver cancer, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer and esophageal cancer should be emphasized.

Objective: To investigate the trends in incidence and mortality of gastric cancer in Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province from 2011 to 2022, so as to provide insights into improving gastric cancer control strategy. Methods: The incidence and mortality of gastric cancer in Ningbo City from 2011 to 2022 were collected through Ningbo Municipal Chronic Disease and Cause of Death Monitoring System. The incidence and mortality of gastric cancer were calculated, and standardized by the data from the Sixth Chinese National Population Census in 2020 (Chinese-standardized rate) and the world standard population first introduced by Segi in 1960 (world-standardized rate). The trends in incidence and mortality of gastric cancer were evaluated using annual percent change (APC) and average annual percent change (AAPC). Results : The crude incidence of gastric cancer was 45.69/105 in Ningbo City from 2011 to 2022, with no significant changing patterns seen during the study period (AAPC=-0.02%, P>0.05), and the Chinese- and world-standardized incidence of gastric cancer was 28.61/105 and 21.87/105, which both appeared a tendency towards a decline (AAPC=-3.19% and -3.05%, both P<0.05). The crude, Chinese-standardized and world-standardized mortality rates of gastric cancer were 28.56/105, 17.07/105 and 12.57/105, respectively, all showing a tendency towards a decline (AAPC=-3.00%, -6.26% and -6.34%, all P<0.05). The Chinese- and world-standardized incidence and mortality of gastric cancer all appeared a tendency towards a decline in urban (AAPC=-2.72%, -2.53%, -5.91% and -5.96%, all P<0.05) and rural areas (AAPC=-3.61%, -3.53%, -6.79% and -6.89%, all P<0.05), and the Chinese- and world-standardized incidence and mortality of gastric cancer were significantly higher among urban residents than among rural residents. The Chinese- and world-standardized incidence and mortality of gastric cancer all appeared a tendency towards a decline among men (AAPC=-3.18%, -3.00%, -5.82% and -5.91%, all P<0.05) and women (AAPC=-2.98%, -2.90%, -7.12% and -7.12%, all P<0.05), and the Chinese- and world-standardized incidence and mortality of gastric cancer was significantly higher among men than among women. In addition, the crude incidence and mortality of gastric cancer both appeared a tendency towards a rise with age among residents in Ningbo City (both P<0.05). Conclusions The incidence and mortality of gastric cancer both appeared a tendency towards a decline in Ningbo City from 2011 to 2022; however, the incidence and mortality remained high. Males and urban residents should be given a high priority for gastric cancer control, and gastric cancer screening should be strengthened among individuals at ages of 40 years and older.