Guided by the concept of quality by design(QbD), this study optimizes the calcination and quenching process of calcined Magnetitum and establishes the XRD characteristic spectra of calcined Magnetitum, providing a scientific basis for the formulation of quality standards. Based on the processing methods and quality requirements of Magnetitum in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, the critical process parameters(CPPs) identified were calcination temperature, calcination time, particle size, laying thickness, and the number of vinegar quenching cycles. The critical quality attributes(CQAs) included Fe mass fraction, Fe~(2+) dissolution, and surface color. The weight coefficients were determined by combining Analytic Hierarchy Process(AHP) and the criteria importance though intercrieria correlation(CRITIC) method, and the calcination process was optimized using orthogonal experimentation. Surface color was selected as a CQA, and based on the principle of color value, the surface color of calcined Magnetitum was objectively quantified. The vinegar quenching process was then optimized to determine the best processing conditions. X-ray diffraction(XRD) was used to establish the characteristic spectra of calcined Magnetitum, and methods such as similarity evaluation, cluster analysis, and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) were used to evaluate the quality of the spectra. The optimized calcined Magnetitum preparation process was found to be calcination at 750 ℃ for 1 h, with a laying thickness of 4 cm, a particle size of 0.4-0.8 cm, and one vinegar quenching cycle(Magnetitum-vinegar ratio 10∶3), which was stable and feasible. The XRD characteristic spectra analysis method, featuring 9 common peaks as fingerprint information, was established. The average correlation coefficient ranged from 0.839 5-0.988 1, and the average angle cosine ranged from 0.914 4 to 0.995 6, indicating good similarity. Cluster analysis results showed that Magnetitum and calcined Magnetitum could be grouped together, with similar compositions. OPLS-DA discriminant analysis identified three key characteristic peaks, with Fe_2O_3 being the distinguishing component between the two. The final optimized processing method is stable and feasible, and the XRD characteristic spectra of calcined Magnetitum was initially established, providing a reference for subsequent quality control and the formulation of quality standards for calcined Magnetitum.
X-Ray Diffraction/methods* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Quality Control ; Particle Size

In this study, we explored the pharmacological effects of Siwu Decoction in treating premature ovarian insufficiency(POI) and its molecular mechanism based on the mitophagy pathway modulated and mediated by estrogen receptor(ER) subtypes. Female Balb/c mice were divided into a control group, model group, as well as high-dose and low-dose groups of Siwu Decoction. The POI mice model was constructed by intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin. The high-dose and low-dose groups of Siwu Decoction were administered intragastrically with Siwu Decoction each day for 14 days. During this period, we monitored the estrous cycle and body weight of the mice and calculated the ovarian index. The morphology of the ovaries was detected by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, and the number of primordial follicles was counted. The apoptosis of the ovarian tissue was detected by TUNEL staining. The expression levels of anti-Müllerian hormone(AMH), apoptosis-associated and mitophagy-associated proteins, ER subtypes, and the expression levels of key proteins of its mediated molecular pathways were detected by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. KGN cells were divided into a control group, model group, Siwu Decoction group, and gene silencing group. The apoptosis model was induced by H_2O_2, and PTEN-induced putative kinase 1(PINK1) gene silencing was induced by siRNA transfection. The Siwu Decoction group and gene silencing group were added to the medium containing Siwu Decoction. Cell viability was detected by CCK-8 assay. Cell senescence was detected by senescence-associated-β-galactosidase. The expression levels of apoptosis-associated and mitophagy-associated proteins were detected by Western blot. The results of in vivo experiments showed that compared with the model group, the mice in the high-dose and low-dose groups of Siwu Decoction significantly recovered the rhythm of the estrous cycle, and the levels of ovarian index, number of primordial follicles, and expression of AMH, representative indexes of ovarian function, were significantly higher, suggesting that the level of ovarian function was significantly improved. The expression levels of the apoptosis-related proteins, cytochrome C(Cyt C), cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 3(caspase 3), B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2)-associated X(Bax), and mitophagy-associated indicator(Beclin 1) were significantly decreased, and the expression levels of Bcl-2 was significantly elevated. The positive area of TUNEL was significantly reduced, suggesting that the apoptosis level of the ovaries was significantly reduced. The expression levels of PINK1, Parkin, and sequestosome 1(p62) were significantly reduced, suggesting that the level of ovarian mitophagy was significantly down-regulated. The expression levels of ERα and ERβ were significantly elevated, and the ratio of ERα/ERβ was significantly reduced. The expression levels of key proteins in the pathway, phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K) and protein kinase B(Akt), were significantly reduced, suggesting that the regulation of ER subtypes and the mediation of PI3K/Akt pathway were the key mechanisms. In vitro experiments showed that compared with the model group, the proportion of senescent cells in the Siwu Decoction group was significantly reduced. Cyt C, caspase 3, Beclin 1, Parkin, and p62 were significantly reduced, which was in line with in vivo experimental results. The proportion of senescent cells and the expression level of the above proteins were further significantly reduced after PINK1 silencing. It can be seen that Siwu Decoction can regulate the expression level and proportion of ER subtypes in KGN cells, then mediate the PI3K/Akt pathway to inhibit excessive mitophagy and apoptosis, and exert therapeutic effects of POI.
Animals ; Female ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Mitophagy/drug effects* ; Primary Ovarian Insufficiency/physiopathology* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Humans ; Receptors, Estrogen/genetics* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Ovary/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Anti-Mullerian Hormone/genetics*

The therapeutic effects of Yueju Pills on depression and cardiovascular diseases have been widely recognized. Previous studies have shown that the drug can significantly improve depressive-like behaviors induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS) combined with atherosclerosis(AS). Given the complex pathogenesis of psychocardiac diseases, this study integrated metabolomics and network pharmacology to systematically elucidate the mechanism of Yueju Pills in alleviating depressive symptoms in psychocardiac diseases. The results demonstrate that, after Yueju Pill intervention, the levels of 9 abnormal metabolites in the hippocampus restore to normal ranges, primarily involving key pathways or signaling pathways, including the cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP), mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR), glycine/serine/threonine metabolism, and aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis. In a high-fat diet-induced CUMS ApoE~(-/-) mouse model, Yueju Pills significantly increases adenosine monophosphate(AMP) levels and decreases L-alanine and D-glyceric acid levels in the hippocampus. In conclusion, Yueju Pills exert antidepressant effects by regulating multiple metabolic axes, including glycine/serine/threonine metabolism and the cAMP, mTOR signaling pathways. Network pharmacology predictions reveal that the treatment of CUMS combined with AS by its core active components may be realized through modulating pathways concerning neuroinflammation and synaptic plasticity, including serine/threonine-protein kinase 1(AKT1), mitogen-activated protein kinase 1(MAPK1), and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2(PTGS2). This study provides a theoretical reference for the clinical application of Yueju Pills in alleviating the depressive symptoms of psychocardiac diseases.
Animals ; Network Pharmacology ; Mice ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Metabolomics ; Male ; Depression/genetics* ; Humans ; Hippocampus/drug effects* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Signal Transduction/drug effects*

Purpose::Cerebral edema (CE) is the main secondary injury following traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by road traffic accidents (RTAs). It is challenging to be predicted timely. In this study, we aimed to develop a prediction model for CE by identifying its risk factors and comparing the timing of edema occurrence in TBI patients with varying levels of injuries.Methods::This case-control study included 218 patients with TBI caused by RTAs. The cohort was divided into CE and non-CE groups, according to CT results within 7 days. Demographic data, imaging data, and clinical data were collected and analyzed. Quantitative variables that follow normal distribution were presented as mean ± standard deviation, those that do not follow normal distribution were presented as median (Q 1, Q 3). Categorical variables were expressed as percentages. The Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were used to identify risk factors for CE. Logistic curve fitting was performed to predict the time to secondary CE in TBI patients with different levels of injuries. The efficacy of the model was evaluated using the receiver operator characteristic curve. Results::According to the study, almost half (47.3%) of the patients were found to have CE. The risk factors associated with CE were bilateral frontal lobe contusion, unilateral frontal lobe contusion, cerebral contusion, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and abbreviated injury scale (AIS). The odds ratio values for these factors were 7.27 (95% confidence interval ( CI): 2.08 -25.42, p = 0.002), 2.85 (95% CI: 1.11 -7.31, p = 0.030), 2.62 (95% CI: 1.12 -6.13, p = 0.027), 2.44 (95% CI: 1.25 -4.76, p = 0.009), and 1.5 (95% CI: 1.10 -2.04, p = 0.009), respectively. We also observed that patients with mild/moderate TBI (AIS ≤ 3) had a 50% probability of developing CE 19.7 h after injury (χ 2= 13.82, adjusted R2 = 0.51), while patients with severe TBI (AIS > 3) developed CE after 12.5 h (χ 2= 18.48, adjusted R2 = 0.54). Finally, we conducted a receiver operator characteristic curve analysis of CE time, which showed an area under the curve of 0.744 and 0.672 for severe and mild/moderate TBI, respectively. Conclusion::Our study found that the onset of CE in individuals with TBI resulting from RTAs was correlated with the severity of the injury. Specifically, those with more severe injuries experienced an earlier onset of CE. These findings suggest that there is a critical time window for clinical intervention in cases of CE secondary to TBI.

Objective To observe the clinical effect of Zidi Mixture(with the actions of inducing astringency and arresting bleeding,clearing heat and cooling blood)combined with proton pump inhibitors(PPIs)in the treatment of peptic ulcer bleeding(PUB).Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted in 281 PUB patients hospitalized in the emergency department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine from December 2019 to May 2023.According to the treatment options,the patients were divided into a control group(143 cases)and an observation group(138 cases).The patients in the control group were treated with PPIs together with routine basic treatment,and the patients in the observation group were treated with Zidi Mixture orally on the basis of treatment for the control group.The course of treatment lasted for 3 days.The changes of Glasgow-Blaschford Score(GBS),and the levels of hemoglobin(HGB),platelet count(PLT),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),serum creatinine(Cr),aspartate aminotransferase(AST)and alanine aminotransferase(ALT)were observed before and after treatment in the two groups.Moreover,the average hospitalization time and clinical efficacy of the two groups were compared.Results(1)After 3 days of treatment,the total effective rate of the observation group was 97.10%(134/138)and that of the control group was 91.61%(131/143),and the intergroup comparison(tested by chi-square test)showed that the efficacy of the observation group was superior to that of the control group,with a statistically significant difference(P＜0.05).(2)After treatment,the GBS scores in the two groups were decreased as compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the decrease of GBS scores in the observation group was superior to that in the control group,the difference being statistically significant(P＜0.05).(3)The average hospitalization time in the observation group was(5.81±1.02)days,which was shorter than that in the control group[(6.13±1.12)days],and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).(4)After treatment,the peripheral HGB and PLT levels in the two groups were higher than those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the BUN level was lower than that before treatment(P＜0.05),and the effects on increasing peripheral blood HGB and PLT levels and on decreasing BUN level in the observation group were significantly superior to those in the control group,the differences being statistically significant(P＜0.05).(5)In the course of treatment,the peripheral AST,ALT,Cr levels of the two groups were not elevated,and the differences were insignificant(P＞0.05).Conclusion Zidi Mixture combined with PPIs is effective in the treatment of PUB,which helps to improve relevant indicators of blood routine test and biochemical indexes and shorten hospitalization time,and its efficacy is stronger than that of PPIs alone.

Objective To analyze the molecular markers of various nuclei in the human basal ganglia and the differentially expressed genes(DEGs)among different nuclei,gender,and Parkinson's disease(PD),followed by the biological function annotations of the DEGs.Methods Forty-five specimens of basal ganglia from 10 human postmortem brains were divided into control and PD groups,and the control group was further categorized into female and male groups.RNA from each sample was extracted for high-throughput transcriptome sequencing.Bioinformatic analysis was conducted to identify molecular markers of each nuclei in the control group,nuclei-specific,gender-specific,and PD-specific DEGs,followed by gene enrichment analysis and functional annotation.Results Sequencing analysis revealed top DEGs such as DRD1,FOXG1,and FAM183A in the caudate;SLC6A3,EN1,SLC18A2,and TH in the substantia nigra;MEPE and FGF10 in the globus pallidus;and SLC17A6,PMCH,and SHOX2 in the subthalamic nucleus.In them,putamen showed some overlapping DEGs with caudate,such as DRD1 and FOXG1.A significant number of DEGs were identified among different nuclei in the control group,with the highest number between caudate and globus pallidus(9321),followed by putamen and globus pallidus(6341),caudate and substantia nigra(6054),and substantia nigra and subthalamic nucleus(44).Gene enrichment analysis showed that downregulated DEGs between caudate and globus pallidus were significantly enriched in processes like myelination of neurons and cell migration.Upregulated DEGs between putamen and globus pallidus were enriched processes like chemical synaptic transmission and regulation of membrane potential,while downregulated DEGs were enriched in myelination and cell adhesion.Upregulated DEGs between caudate and substantia nigra were enriched in processes like chemical synaptic transmission and axonal conduction,while downregulated DEGs were enriched in myelination of neurons.Totally 468,548,1402,333,and 341 gender-specific upregulated DEGs and 756,988,2532,444,and 1372 downregulated DEGs were identified in caudate,putamen,substantia nigra,globus pallidus,and subthalamus nucleus.Gene enrichment analysis revealed upregulated DEGs mostly enriched in pathways related to immune response and downregulated DEGs in chemical synaptic transmission.At last,709,852,276,507,and 416 PD-specific upregulated DEGs and 830,2014,1218,836,and 1730 downregulated DEGs were identified in caudate,putamen,substantia nigra,globus pallidus,and subthalamus nucleus.Gene enrichment analysis revealed upregulated DEGs mostly enriched in apoptotic regulation and downregulated DEGs in chemical synaptic transmission and action potential regulation.Conclusion We identified and analysed the molecular markers of different human basal ganglia nuclei,as well as DEGs among different nuclei,different gender,and between control and PD.

The growth of three plague phages from Qinghai Plateau in two Yersinia pestis strains(plague vaccine strains EV76 and 614F)and four non-Yersinia pestis strains(Yersinia pseudotuberculosis PTB3,PTB5,Escherichia coli V517,and Yersinia enterocolitica 52302-2)were detected through a micromethod based on the OmniLogTM microbial identification system and by the drop method,to provide a scientific basis for future ecological studies and classification based on the host range.For plague vaccine strains EV76 and 614F,successful phage infection and subsequent phage growth were observed in the host bacte-rium.Diminished bacterial growth and respiration and a concomitant decrease in color were observed with the OmniLogTM mi-crobial identification system at 33 ℃ for 48 h.Yersinia pseudotuberculosis PTB5 was sensitive to Yersinia pestis phage 476,but Yersinia pseudotuberculosis PST5 was insensitive to phage 087 and 072204.Three strains of non-Yersinia pestis(Yersinia pseudotuberculosis PTB3,Escherichia coli V517,and Yersinia enterocolitica 52302-2)were insensitive to Yersinia pestis pha-ges 087,072204,and 476 showed similar growth curves.The growth of phages 476 and 087,as determined with the drop method,in two Yersinia pestis strains(plague vaccine strains EV76 and 614F)and four non-Yersinia pestis strains(Yersinia pseudotuberculosis PTB3,Escherichia coli V517,and Yersin-ia enterocolitica 52302-2)showed the same results at 37 ℃,on the basis of comparisons with the OmniLogTM microbial i-dentification system;in contrast,phages 072204 did not show plaques on solid medium at 37 ℃ with plague vaccine strains EV76 and 614F.Determination based on the OmniLogTM detection system can be used as an alternative to the traditional determination of the host range,thus providing favorable application val-ue for determining the interaction between the phage and host bacteria.

Eleven compounds were isolated from Eucommia ulmoides by silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, HW-40C column chromatography and semi-preparative HPLC. Their structures were identified by modern spectroscopic methods as neoeucommiate A (1), (7S,8R)-dihydrodehydrodiconiferyl alcohol (2), urolignoside (3), ficusal (4), tiruneesiin (5), glochidioboside (6), forsythialansides B (7), ecdysanol B (8), (+)-syringaresinol-4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (9), (+)-pinoresinol 4-O-[6ʹʹ-O-vanilloyl]-β-D-glucopyranoside (10), samsesquinoside (11). Compound 1 is a new compound, compounds 3-7, 10 and 11 were isolated from Eucommia ulmoides for the first time.

Objective To study the clinical and pathological characteristics,as well as diagnosis,treatment methods and prognosis of adult patients with chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection(CAEBVI).Methods Clinical and pathological data of 8 adult patients with CAEBVI admitted to a hospital in Gansu Province from January 2017 to December 2022 were collected retrospectively,clinical and histopathological characteristics,EBV-related test re-sults,as well as treatment and prognosis of patients were analyzed.Results Among 8 CAEBVI patients,3 were males and 5 were females,with the median age of 21.5 years.The median time from onset to diagnosis of CAEBVI was 7 months.The main manifestations were fever,pancytopenia(involving two or three peripheral blood lines),as well as lymph node enlargement,hepatomegaly and splenomegaly.The quantifications of plasma EBV nucleic acid(DNA)were all＞1.0 × 103.The sorting results of EBV infected cells showed that 3 cases were T lymphocytes in-fection,2 were NK cell infection,and 3 were co-infection of T lymphocytes and NK cells.Bone marrow cytological examination of 8 patients showed no atypical lymphocytes,while 6 patients showed hemophagocytic cells.Flow cy-tometey(FCM)typing results showed that no abnormal cell population was detected in all the 8 patients,and no myeloid,B lymphocyte,T lymphocyte and NK cell markers were expressed.The positive rate of T cell receptor(TCR)gene rearrangement was 37.5％(n=3).Histopathology showed that most cases(n=6,75.0％)expressed CD3,partial cases expressed CD4,CD8,CD56,TIA-1,and EBV encoded RNA(EBER),all were positive.The survival rate of patients after treatment was 50.0％(n=4),the follow-up time was 6-51 months,the 1-year sur-vival rate was 85.7％,and the median survival time was 24 months.Conclusion CAEBVI is characterized by varia-ble clinical manifestations that may lead to fatal complications.Early diagnosis and individualized treatment should be performed to reduce mortality of patients.

Objective To summarize the reasons and management strategies of reoperation after oblique lateral interbody fusion(OLIF),and put forward preventive measures.Methods From October 2015 to December 2019,23 patients who under-went reoperation after OLIF in four spine surgery centers were retrospectively analyzed.There were 9 males and 14 females with an average age of(61.89±8.80)years old ranging from 44 to 81 years old.The index diagnosis was degenerative lumbar intervertebral dics diseases in 3 cases,discogenie low back pain in 1 case,degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis in 6 cases,lumbar spinal stenosis in 9 cases and degenerative lumbar spinal kyphoscoliosis in 4 cases.Sixteen patients were primarily treated with Stand-alone OLIF procedures and 7 cases were primarily treated with OLIF combined with posterior pedicle screw fixation.There were 17 cases of single fusion segment,2 of 2 fusion segments,4 of 3 fusion segments.All the cases underwent reoperation within 3 months after the initial surgery.The strategies of reoperation included supplementary posterior pedicle screw instrumentation in 16 cases;posterior laminectomy,cage adjustment and neurolysis in 2 cases,arthroplasty and neuroly-sis under endoscope in 1 case,posterior laminectomy and neurolysis in 1 case,pedicle screw adjustment in 1 case,exploration and decompression under percutaneous endoscopic in 1 case,interbody fusion cage and pedicle screw revision in 1 case.Visu-al analogue scale(VAS)and Oswestry disability index(ODI)index were used to evaluate and compare the recovery of low back pain and lumbar function before reoperation and at the last follow-up.During the follow-up process,the phenomenon of fusion cage settlement or re-displacement,as well as the condition of intervertebral fusion,were observed.The changes in in-tervertebral space height before the first operation,after the first operation,before the second operation,3 to 5 days after the second operation,6 months after the second operation,and at the latest follow-up were measured and compared.Results There was no skin necrosis and infection.All patients were followed up from 12 to 48 months with an average of(28.1±7.3)months.Nerve root injury symptoms were relieved within 3 to 6 months.No cage transverse shifting and no dislodgement,loosening or breakage of the instrumentation was observed in any patient during the follow-up period.Though the intervertebral disc height was obviously increased at the first postoperative,there was a rapid loss in the early stage,and still partially lost after reopera-tion.The VAS for back pain recovered from(6.20±1.69)points preoperatively to(1.60±0.71)points postoperatively(P＜0.05).The ODI recovered from(40.60±7.01)％preoperatively to(9.14±2.66)％postoperatively(P＜0.05).Conclusion There is a risk of reoperation due to failure after OLIF surgery.The reasons for reoperation include preoperative bone loss or osteoporosis the initial surgery was performed by Stand-alone,intraoperative endplate injury,significant subsidence of the fusion cage after surgery,postoperative fusion cage displacement,nerve damage,etc.As long as it is discovered in a timely manner and handled properly,further surgery after OLIF surgery can achieve better clinical results,but prevention still needs to be strengthened.