Pyroptosis is the programmed death of cells accompanied by an inflammatory response and is widely involved in the development of a variety of diseases, such as infectious diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegeneration. It has been shown that cellular scorching is involved in the pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension ( PAH) in cardiovascular diseases. Patients with PAH have perivascular inflammatory infiltrates in lungs, pulmonary vasculopathy exists in an extremely inflam-matory microenvironment, and pro-inflammatory factors in cellular scorching drive pulmonary vascular remodelling in PAH patients. This article reviews the role of cellular scorch in the pathogenesis of PAH and the related research on drugs for the treatment of PAH, with the aim of providing new ideas for clinical treatment of PAH.

ObjectiveBased on the quality evaluation experience of "it is better to have a fragrant and strong aroma" summarized by materia medica of past dynasties， the chemical components of Sojae Semen Nigrum（SSN） and Sojae Semen Praeparatum（SSP） were systematically compared and analyzed， and the main fermentation products in different fermentation time were quantitatively analyzed， so as to clarify the transformation law of internal components in the processing process and provide scientific basis for the modern quality control of SSP. MethodUltra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry（UPLC-Q-TOF-MS） was used for the structural identification of the chemical constituents of SSN and SSP， and with the aid of Progenesis QI v2.3 software， the negative ion mode was employed for principal component analysis（PCA） pattern recognition， and the data were analyzed with the aid of orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis（OPLS-DA） for two-dimensional data to obtain S-plot， and components with |P|>0.1 were selected as the differential constituents. The contents of isoflavonoids in SSP during fermentation was determined by UPLC， and the samples were taken every 8 h in the pre-fermentation period and every 2 d in the post-fermentation period， and the dynamic changes of isoflavonoid contents in different fermentation stages were analyzed. The contents of amino acids and nucleosides in SSP and SSN from different fermentation stages were quantitatively analyzed by phenyl isothiocyanate（PITC） pre-column derivatization and high performance liquid chromatography（HPLC） gradient elution， and the contribution of flavor substances to the "delicious" taste of SSP was discussed by taste intensity value（TAV）. ResultA total of 19 kinds of differential components were screened out， mainly soybean saponins and isoflavones， and their contents decreased significantly or even disappeared after fermentation. In the pre-fermentation process of SSP， glycoside bond hydrolysis mainly occurred， and isoflavone glycosides in SSN were degraded and converted into the corresponding aglycones， the content of flavor substances such as amino acids increased gradually. In the post-fermentation process， protein degradation mainly occurred， after 8 d of post-fermentation， the content of isoflavones was basically stable， while the total content of amino acids increased by 8-40 times on average. Different amino acids form the special flavor of SSP， such as the TAV of glutamate is always ahead of other flavor substances， and sweet substances such as alanine and valine have made relatively great contributions to SSP. ConclusionBased on the law of constituent transformation， combined with the traditional evaluation index of "fragrant and strong"， it is difficult to control the fermentation degree of SSP by the existing standards in the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia. It is suggested that description of the characteristics of SSP be refined and changed to "fragrant， delicious and slightly sweet"， and at the same time， the post-fermentation index compounds such as glutamic acid， alanine and valine should be added as the quality control indicators of SSP， so as to standardize the production process and improve the quality of SSP.

Mitophagy, a highly precise form of autophagy, plays a pivotal role in maintaining cellular homeostasis by selectively targeting and eliminating damaged mitochondria through a process known as mitophagy. Within this tightly regulated mechanism, dysfunctional mitochondria are specifically delivered to lysosomes for degradation. Disruptions in mitophagy have been implicated in a diverse range of pathological conditions, spanning diseases of the nervous system, cardiovascular system, cancer, aging, and metabolic syndrome. The elucidation of mitophagy’s impact on cardiovascular disorders, liver diseases, metabolic syndromes, immune dysfunctions, inflammatory conditions, and cancer has significantly advanced our understanding of the complex pathogenesis underlying these conditions. These studies have shed light on the intricate connections between dysfunctional mitophagy and disease progression. Among the disorders associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, insulin resistance (IR) stands out as a prominent condition linked to metabolic disorders. IR is characterized by a diminished response to normal levels of insulin, necessitating higher insulin levels to trigger a typical physiological reaction. Hyperinsulinemia and metabolic disturbances often coexist with IR, primarily due to defects in insulin signal transduction. Oxidative stress, stemming from mitochondrial dysfunction, exerts dual effects in the context of IR. Initially, it disrupts insulin signaling pathways and subtly contributes to the development of IR. Additionally, by inducing mitochondrial damage and autophagy, oxidative stress indirectly impedes insulin signaling pathways. Consequently, mitophagy acts as a protective mechanism, encapsulating damaged or dysfunctional mitochondria through the autophagy-lysosome pathway. This efficient process eliminates excessive oxidative stress reactive. The intricate interplay between mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, mitophagy, and IR represents a captivating field of investigation in the realm of metabolic disorders. By unraveling the underlying complexities and comprehending the intricate relationships between these intertwined processes, researchers strive toward uncovering novel therapeutic strategies. With a particular focus on mitochondrial quality control and the maintenance of redox homeostasis, these interventions hold tremendous potential in mitigating IR and enhancing overall metabolic health. Emerging evidence from a myriad of studies has shed light on the active involvement of mitophagy in the pathogenesis of metabolic disorders. Notably, interventions such as exercise, drug therapies, and natural products have been documented to induce mitophagy, thereby exerting beneficial effects on metabolic health through the activation of diverse signaling pathways. Several pivotal signaling molecules, including AMPK, PINK1/Parkin, BNIP3/Nix, and FUNDC1, have been identified as key regulators of mitophagy and have been implicated in the favorable outcomes observed in metabolic disorders. Of particular interest is the unique role of PINK1/Parkin in mitophagy compared to other proteins involved in this process. PINK1/Parkin exerts influence on mitophagy through the ubiquitination of outer mitochondrial membrane proteins. Conversely, BNIP3/Nix and FUNDC1 modulate mitophagy through their interaction with LC3, while also displaying certain interrelationships with each other. In this comprehensive review, our objective is to investigate the intricate interplay between mitophagy and IR, elucidating the relevant signaling pathways and exploring the treatment strategies that have garnered attention in recent years. By assimilating and integrating these findings, we aim to establish a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted roles and intricate mechanisms by which mitophagy influences IR. This endeavor, in turn, seeks to provide novel insights and serve as a catalyst for further research in the pursuit of innovative treatments targeting IR.

Gap junction(GJ),also known as gap junction,is widely found between neurons and glial cells,and can connect neighboring cells and mediate the transmission of electrical sig-nals between neighboring cells.The GJ channel,which exists between neurons and mediates intercellular electrical signaling,is also known as an electrical synapse.Connexins(Cxs)are the molecular basis of GJ,and are expressed to different degrees in different neurons and glial cells.The presence of GJ mediates different functions among neurons and glial cells,which further influences the establishment of various mature neural circuits,re-flecting the importance of GJ in the maintenance of neural cir-cuits.This review summarizes the relationship between GJ and neural circuits in relation to the effects of GJ and different Cxs on neurons and glial cells,providing new research ideas for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders.

Panax notoginseng is the dried root and rhizome of Panax notoginseng(Burk.)F.H.Chen,a perennial erect herb of the genus Ginseng of the family Wujiaceae.As a traditional Chinese medicine in our country,Panax notoginseng has a good tonic effect,and the Dictionary of Traditional Chinese Medicines has the words that Panax notoginseng is used to tonify the blood,remove the blood stasis and damage,and stop epistaxis.It can also be used to pass the blood and tonify the blood with the best efficacy,and it is the most precious one of the prescription med-icines.Eaten raw,it removes blood stasis and generates new blood,subdues swelling and stabilizes pain,stops bleeding with-out leaving stasis,and promotes blood circulation without hurting the new blood;taken cooked,it can be used to replenish and strengthen the body.Notoginsenoside R1 is a characteristic com-pound in the total saponin of Panax ginseng.In recent years,China's aging has been increasing,and the incidence of neuro-logical disorders has been increasing year by year.Meanwhile,reports on notoginsenoside R1 in the treatment of neurological disorders are increasing,and its neuroprotective effects have been exerted with precise efficacy.The purpose of this paper is to review the treatment of neurological diseases and the mecha-nism of action of notoginsenoside R1,so as to provide a certain theoretical basis for clinical use and new drug development.

Human brain banks use a standardized protocol to collect,process and store post-mortem human brains and related tissues,along with relevant clinical information,and to provide the tissue samples and data as a resource to foster neuroscience research according to a standardized operating protocols(SOP).Human brain bank serves as the foundation for neuroscience research and the diagnosis of neurological disorders,highlighting the crucial rule of ensuring the consistency of standardized quality for brain tissue samples.The first version of SOP in 2017 was published by the China Human Brain Bank Consortium.As members increases from different regions in China,a revised SOP was drafted by experts from the China Human Brain Bank Consortium to meet the growing demands for neuroscience research.The revised SOP places a strong emphasis on ethical standards,incorporates neuropathological evaluation of brain regions,and provides clarity on spinal cord sampling and pathological assessment.Notable enhancements in this updated version of the SOP include reinforced ethical guidelines,inclusion of matching controls in recruitment,and expansion of brain regions to be sampled for neuropathological evaluation.

Objective:To compare the therapeutic effects of intramedullary nail fixation, simple tibial plate fixation, and tibial plate + posterior-to-anterior screw fixation in the surgical treatment of lower 1/3 spiral fracture of the tibia combined with posterior malleolar fracture.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 78 patients with lower 1/3 spiral fracture of the tibia combined with posterior malleolar fracture who had been treated at Department of Orthopedics, The Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University from June 2015 to June 2022. There were 46 males and 32 females with an age of (48.9±14.6) years. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to their fixation methods. Group A (18 patients) underwent simple intramedullary nail fixation, group B (40 patients) simple tibial plate fixation, and group C (20 patients) tibial plate fixation for tibial fractures and posterior-to-anterior screw fixation for posterior malleolar fractures. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, fracture union time, postoperative complications, as well as ankle-hindfoot scores of American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) and Baird-Jackson scores at pre- and post-operation were compared among the 3 groups.Results:The differences in the preoperative baseline data were not statistically significant among the 3 groups, indicating comparability ( P>0.05). All patients were followed up for (24.9±10.1) months. The fracture union time in Group A was 14.0(13.0, 14.0) weeks, significantly longer than that in groups B and C [13 (13, 14) weeks] ( P<0.05). The AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score and Baird-Jackson score at the last postoperative follow-up in all patients were better than those before surgery ( P<0.05). The AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scores at the last follow-up in groups B and C [95.5 (86.0, 96.0) points and 96.0 (89.5, 98.5) points] were significantly higher than that in group A [86.5 (78.0, 93.0) points] ( P<0.05), and the Baird-Jackson scores at the last follow-up in groups B and C [93.0 (88.8, 95.0) points and 95.0 (91.0, 98.0) points] were also significantly higher than that in group A [86.0 (78.0, 89.5) points] ( P<0.05). All the 7 cases of complications (3 ones of poor fracture union and 4 ones of anterior knee pain) were observed in group A. Conclusion:In the surgical treatment of lower 1/3 spiral fracture of the tibia combined with posterior malleolar fracture, tibial plate fixation and tibial plate + posterior-to-anterior screw fixation can achieved better therapeutic effects than intramedullary nail fixation.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of the triple-arc buried wire method for facial lift surgery.Methods:This study retrospectively included 55 patients who underwent facial lift surgery using the triple-arc buried wire method at Nanjing Medical University Friendship Plastic Surgery Hospital from May 2018 to May 2021, and consisted of 1 male and 54 females, with an age range of 28 to 55 (37.9±7.2) years. Patients were positioned either standing or sitting, with markings made for the suture pathways, entry points, and exit points. The first safety line extended from the outer canthus of the eye to the earlobe, while the second safety line followed the lateral aspect of the nasal artery to form a vertical line with the nose; the aesthetic line was drawn extending 2 cm outward from the oral commissure. Local infiltration anesthesia with a 2% lidocaine and epinephrine solution was applied at the marked entry and exit points, followed by subcutaneous tunnel infiltration anesthesia along the designed suture pathway. Three dual-direction barbed absorbable sutures were deployed in an arc along the midface, repositioning the malar fat pads. Postoperative follow-ups were conducted immediately after surgery and at 1, 6, and 12 months to assess patient satisfaction. The wrinkle severity rating scale (WSRS) was recorded to evaluate the appearance of the nasolabial folds. The incidence of postoperative complications such as hematoma, tightness, asymmetry, and exposed sutures was also documented.Results:All 55 patients experienced significant midface lifting effects immediately after surgery, resulting in a fuller appearance and shallower nasolabial folds. The follow-up rates immediately postoperatively and at 1, 6, and 12 months were 100.0% (55/55), 100.0% (55/55), 94.6% (52/55), and 89.1% (49/55); patient satisfaction rates were 98.2% (54/55), 98.2% (54/55), 98.2% (54/55), and 98.2% (54/55), respectively. The preoperative WSRS score for the 55 patients was 3 (2, 4), while the score at immediately after surgery was 2 (1, 3), indicating a statistically significant difference ( P<0.001). No significant complications such as hematoma, tightness, asymmetry, or exposed sutures were noted in any patients. Two patients developed noticeable ecchymosis on both cheeks within 24 hours postoperatively, which resolved spontaneously after 3 weeks, with facial appearance and chewing function returning to normal after 1 month. One patient had a localized sunken area at the exit point, which self-resolved after 11 months. Conclusions:The triple-arc buried wire method for facial lift surgery is safe and effective, with minimal complications.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of thermal ablation in treating solitary low-risk T2N0M0 papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and compare the outcomes of microwave ablation (MWA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Materials and Methods: This retrospective, single center study involved 34 patients (age: 40.0 ± 13.9 years; 28 female) who had low-risk T2N0M0 PTC with a maximum diameter >2 cm and ≤4 cm and underwent MWA (n = 15) or RFA (n = 19) from November 2016 to April 2023. The primary outcomes were the cumulative rate of disease progression and delayed surgery rates.In contrast, the secondary outcomes included changes in tumor size, cumulative rate of complete tumor disappearance, and complication rates. Results: The median follow-up period was 18.0 months (interquartile range [IQR]: 9.0–40.0 months). At 12 months, the median volume reduction rate of the ablation zone was 74.2% (IQR: 53.7%–86.0%). Disease progression was noted in two patients within 1 year, including one patient with local tumor progression post-RFA and one with a new tumor post-MWA, resulting in a constant cumulative disease progression rate of 8.8% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0%–19.8%) throughout the remaining follow-up period. Both patients were subsequently treated with additional ablation and did not require surgery. The cumulative rates of complete tumor disappearance at 1, 3, and 5 years were 4.0% (95% CI: 0%–11.4%), 26.8% (95% CI: 2.7%– 44.9%), and 51.2% (95% CI: 0%–79.1%), respectively. No significant differences were observed in the disease progression (P = 0.829) or complete tumor disappearance (P = 0.633) rates between the MWA and RFA groups. Complications occurred in 14.7% (5/34) of patients presenting with transient hoarseness. RFA had a higher but not statistically significant complication rate than MWA did (21.1% [4/19] vs. 6.7% [1/15]; P = 0.355). Conclusion Both MWA and RFA demonstrated promising short-term outcomes in terms of efficacy and safety in treating solitary low-risk T2N0M0 PTC, with no significant differences.

Ajania belonging to the subtribe Artemisiinae of Anthemideae(Asteraceae) is a genus of semi-shrubs closely related to Chrysanthemum. There are 24 species of Ajania in northwestern China, most of which are folk herbal medicines with strong stress tolerance. Modern medical studies have demonstrated that the chemical constituents of Ajania mainly include terpenoids, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, alkynes, and essential oils. These compounds endow the plants with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antimalarial, antioxidant, and insecticide effects. In this study, we reviewed the research progress in the chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Ajania, aiming to provide reference for the further research and development of Ajania.
Asteraceae ; Chrysanthemum ; Alkynes ; Antimalarials ; Antioxidants/pharmacology*