Nonreciprocal magnon blockade based on nonlinear effects.

We present an alternative scheme to achieve nonreciprocal unconventional magnon blockade (NUMB) in a hybrid system formed by two microwave cavities and one yttrium iron garnet (YIG) sphere, where the pump and signal cavities interact nonlinearly with each other and the signal cavity is coupled to the YIG sphere. It is found that the nonlinear coupling occurs between the pump cavity and magnon modes due to the dispersive interactions among three bosonic modes. Meanwhile, the Kerr nonlinearity is present in the pump cavity. Based on these nonlinear effects, a nonreciprocal magnon blockade could be achieved with the help of the weak parametric driving of the pump cavity. The present work provides an alternative method to prepare single magnon resource, which may be helpful for quantum information processing.

[Analysis and prospect of correlation between relative molecular weight and efficacy of polysaccharides from medicinal plant resources].

Polysaccharides from medicinal plant resources are a kind of polymers extracted from medicinal plants. They are complex long chains formed by different monosaccharides connected via glucosidic bonds. These polysaccharides usually have straight chain and branched chain structures, and their relative molecular weight changes greatly. Modern studies have shown that the biological activi-ty of polysaccharides from medicinal plant resources is closely related to their relative molecular weight. This paper first reviewed the preparation and detection methods of polysaccharides from medicinal plant resources with different relative molecular weights. Then, the paper summarized and analyzed the general experience of the correlation between efficacy and relative molecular weight of polysaccharides from medicinal plant resources with different molecular weights. It was considered that polysaccharides with large relative molecular weights(>100 kDa) play a leading role in immune regulation. Polysaccharides with medium relative molecular weights(10-100 kDa) play a leading role in immune regulation and the protection of the liver. Polysaccharides with small relative molecular weights(<10 kDa) play a leading role in anti-oxidation, regulation of intestinal flora, regulation of blood glucose and lipids, anti-fatigue, and the protection of nerves. Therefore, precise development of polysaccharides from medicinal plant resources based on relative molecular weight is expected to improve their biological activity and application value.

Comprehensive evaluation of chemical constituents and antioxidant activity between crude and processed Polygalae radix based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS combined with multivariate statistical analysis.

Polygalae radix (PR) is a famous herbal medicine obtained by drying the root of Polygala tenuifolia Willd., one of the traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) that can be used for healthy food. There are three main processed methods of PR, including removing the xylem of roots (Polygalae Cortex, PC), frying PC with licorice (LP), and frying PC with honey (HP). While processing is believed to enhance efficacy and reduce toxicity, it is crucial to understand the differences in chemical composition and biological activities between crude and processed PR. This study used ultra-performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) combined with multivariate statistical analysis to analyze the chemical profiles and differences between the crude and processed products. Total polyphenol contents (TPC), total flavonoid contents (TFC), total saponin contents (TSC) and antioxidant activity of the processed and crude PR were also investigated. A total of 131 chemical compounds, including 42 saponins, 44 oligosaccharide esters, 25 xanthones, 2 organic acids, 3 Carbohydrates, and 15 components detected in auxiliary materials, were detected in all samples. Notably, PC exhibited significant changes among the three processed products, with the content of 62 compounds being higher. Processing of licorice (LP) and honey (HP) decreased the content of several compounds due to temperature and moisture influences. Comprehensive comparison of the antioxidant capacity of crude and processed PR showed that the antioxidant capacity of PC was higher than that of PR, HP, and LP. Our results can provide a scientific basis for further developing and applying P. tenuifolia resources.

Elucidating the anti-hypertensive mechanisms of Uncaria rhynchophylla-Alisma plantago-aquatica L: an integrated network pharmacology, cluster analysis, and molecular docking approach.

Background: With the increasing global prevalence of hypertension, a condition that can severely affect multiple organs, there is a growing need for effective treatment options. Uncaria rhynchophylla-Alisma plantago-aquatica L. (UR-AP) is a traditional drug pair used for treating hypertension based on the liver-kidney synergy concept. However, the detailed molecular mechanisms underlying its efficacy remain unclear. Methods: This study utilized an integrative approach combining network pharmacology, cluster analysis, and molecular docking to uncover the bioactive components and targets of UR-AP in the treatment of hypertension. Initially, we extracted data from public databases to identify these components and targets. A Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network was constructed, followed by enrichment analysis to pinpoint the bioactive components, core targets, and pivotal pathways. Cluster analysis helped in identifying key sub-networks and hypothesizing primary targets. Furthermore, molecular docking was conducted to validate the interaction between the core targets and major bioactive components, thus confirming their potential efficacy in hypertension treatment. Results: Network pharmacological analysis identified 58 bioactive compounds in UR-AP, notably quercetin, kaempferol, beta-sitosterol (from Uncaria rhynchophylla), and Alisol B, alisol B 23-acetate (from Alisma plantago-aquatica L.), as pivotal bioactives. We pinpointed 143 targets common to both UR-AP and hypertension, highlighting MAPK1, IL6, AKT1, VEGFA, EGFR, and TP53 as central targets involved in key pathways like diastolic and endothelial function, anti-atherosclerosis, AGE-RAGE signaling, and calcium signaling. Cluster analysis emphasized IL6, TNF, AKT1, and VEGFA's roles in atherosclerosis and inflammation. Molecular docking confirmed strong interactions between these targets and UR-AP's main bioactives, underscoring their therapeutic potential. Conclusion: This research delineates UR-AP's pharmacological profile in hypertension treatment, linking traditional medicine with modern pharmacology. It highlights key bioactive components and their interactions with principal targets, suggesting UR-AP's potential as a novel therapeutic option for hypertension. The evidence from molecular docking studies supports these interactions, indicating the relevance of these components in affecting hypertension pathways. However, the study acknowledges its limitations, including the reliance on in silico analyses and the need for in vivo validation. These findings pave the way for future clinical research, aiming to integrate traditional medicine insights with contemporary scientific approaches for developing innovative hypertension therapies.

Targeting oxidative stress with natural products: A novel strategy for esophageal cancer therapy.

Esophageal cancer (ESC) is a malignant tumor that originates from the mucosal epithelium of the esophagus and is part of the digestive tract. Although the exact pathogenesis of ESC has not been fully elucidated, excessive oxidative stress is an important characteristic that leads to the development of many cancers. Abnormal expression of several proteins and transcription factors contributes to oxidative stress in ESCs, which alters the growth and proliferation of ESCs and promotes their metastasis. Natural compounds, including alkaloids, terpenes, polyphenols, and xanthine compounds, can inhibit reactive oxygen species production in ESCs. These compounds reduce oxidative stress levels and subsequently inhibit the occurrence and progression of ESC through the regulation of targets and pathways such as the cytokine interleukins 6 and 10, superoxide dismutase, the NF-+ACY-kappa+ADs-B/MAPK pathway, and the mammalian Nrf2/ARE target pathway. Thus, targeting tumor oxidative stress has become a key focus in anti-ESC therapy. This review discusses the potential of Natural products (NPs) for treating ESCs and summarizes the application prospects of oxidative stress as a new target for ESC treatment. The findings of this review provide a reference for drug development targeting ESCs. Nonetheless, further high-quality studies will be necessary to determine the clinical efficacy of these various NPs.

Shizao decoction for cirrhotic ascites: assessing potential targets based on network analysis combined with pharmacokinetics and metabolomics.

Introduction: Shizao decoction (SZD) is a traditional Chinese medicine decoction that has therapeutic effects on cirrhotic ascites (CAS). Because of the unclear treatment mechanism, in the current study, the anti-CAS activity of SZD and molecular mechanisms were analyzed by network analysis combined with pharmacokinetics and metabolomics. Methods: Firstly, we assessed the anti-CAS efficacy of SZD by hematoxylin-eosin (H&E), liver function tests, NO and ET-1 levels, and portal venous pressure. Secondly, network analysis was applied to dig out the metabolites, targets, and pathways related to SZD and CAS. Then, the pharmacokinetics of the pharmacokinetically relevant metabolites (PRM) were analyzed. Thirdly, the serum and urine metabolic biomarkers of rats with CAS were identified using metabolomics by comparing them with the SZD treatment group. In addition, MetaboAnalyst was utilized to conduct metabolic pathway analysis. Finally, the correlation analysis established a dynamic connection between absorbed PRM from SZD and CAS-associated endogenous metabolites. Results: Pharmacodynamic analysis indicated that SZD effectively mitigated liver injury symptoms by ameliorating inflammatory cell infiltration in CAS rats. The network analysis results indicated that twelve RPM contribute to the therapeutic efficacy of SZD against CAS; the key signaling pathways involved might be hepatitis B and PI3K-Akt. Pharmacokinetics results showed that the 12 RPM were efficiently absorbed into rat plasma, ensuring desirable bioavailability. The metabolomic analysis yielded 21 and 23 significantly distinct metabolites from the serum and urine, respectively. The 12 bioavailable SZD-PRM, such as luteolin, apigenin, and rutin, may be associated with various CAS-altered metabolites related to tryptophan metabolism, alpha-linolenic acid metabolism, glycine metabolism, etc. Discussion: A novel paradigm was provided in this study to identify the potential mechanisms of pharmacological effects derived from a traditional Chinese medicine decoction.

Enhancing phosphorus source apportionment in watersheds through species-specific analysis.

Phosphorus (P) is a pivotal element responsible for triggering watershed eutrophication, and accurate source apportionment is a prerequisite for achieving the targeted prevention and control of P pollution. Current research predominantly emphasizes the allocation of total phosphorus (TP) loads from watershed pollution sources, with limited integration of source apportionment considering P species and their specific implications for eutrophication. This article conducts a retrospective analysis of the current state of research on watershed P source apportionment models, providing a comprehensive evaluation of three source apportionment methods, inventory analysis, diffusion models, and receptor models. Furthermore, a quantitative analysis of the impact of P species on watersheds is carried out, followed by the relationship between P species and the P source apportionment being critically clarified within watersheds. The study reveals that the impact of P on watershed eutrophication is highly dependent on P species, rather than absolute concentration of TP. Current research overlooking P species composition of pollution sources may render the acquired results of source apportionment incapable of assessing the impact of P sources on eutrophication accurately. In order to enhance the accuracy of watershed P pollution source apportionment, the following prospectives are recommended: (1) quantifying the P species composition of typical pollution sources; (2) revealing the mechanisms governing the migration and transformation of P species in watersheds; (3) expanding the application of traditional models and introducing novel methods to achieve quantitative source apportionment specifically for P species. Conducting source apportionment of specific species within a watershed contributes to a deeper understanding of P migration and transformation, enhancing the precise of management of P pollution sources and facilitating the targeted recovery of P resources.

Electroacupuncture Alleviates Cerebral Ischemia-reperfusion Injury by Regulating the S1PR2/TLR4/NLRP3 Signaling Pathway via m6A Methylation of lncRNA H19.

Electroacupuncture (EA) treatment plays a protective role in cerebral ischemiareperfusion (CIR) injury. However, the underlying molecular mechanism is still not fully elucidated. METHODS: All rats were randomly divided into five groups: the SHAM group, MCAO group, MCAO+EA (MEA) group, MCAO+METTL3 overexpression+EA (METTL3) group and MCAO+lncRNA H19 overexpression+EA (lncRNA H19) group. The middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rats were established to mimic CIR injury. The overexpression of lncRNA H19 and METTL3 was induced by stereotactic injection of lentiviruses into the rat lateral ventricles. The rats in the MEA, METTL3, and lncRNA H19 groups were treated with EA therapy on "Renzhong" (DU26) and "Baihui" (DU20) acupoints (3.85/6.25Hz; 1mA). Besides, the neurological deficit scoring, cerebral infarction area, pathological changes in brain tissue, total RNA m6A level, and the expression of METTL3, S1PR2, TLR4, NLRP3 and lncRNA H19 were detected in this experiment. RESULTS: EA improved the neurological deficit scoring, cerebral infarction area, and pathological injury in MCAO rats, while these beneficial effects of EA on CIR injury were attenuated by the overexpression of METTL3 or lncRNA H19. More importantly, EA down-regulated the total RNA m6A level and the expression of METTL3, S1PR2, TLR4, NLRP3 and lncRNA H19 in MCAO rats. Instead, the overexpression of METTL3 or lncRNA H19 was found to reverse the EA-induced down-regulation. CONCLUSION: The findings indicated that EA might down-regulate the S1PR2/TLR4/NLRP3 signaling pathway via m6A methylation of lncRNA H19 to alleviate CIR injury. Our findings provide a new insight into the molecular mechanism of EA on CIR injury.

Higher early pregnancy plasma myo-inositol associates with increased postprandial glycaemia later in pregnancy: Secondary analyses of the NiPPeR randomized controlled trial.

AIM: Myo-inositol supplementation from ~13 weeks' gestation reportedly improves glycaemia regulation in metabolically at-risk women, with speculation that earlier supplementation might bring further improvement. However, the NiPPeR trial of a myo-inositol-containing supplement starting preconception did not lower gestational glycaemia in generally healthy women. We postulated that the earlier timing of supplementation influences the maternal metabolic adaptation for gestational glycaemia regulation. METHODS: In total, 585 women were recruited from Singapore, UK and New Zealand for the NiPPeR study. We examined associations of plasma myo-inositol concentrations at 7 and 28 weeks' gestation with 28 weeks plasma glucose (PG; fasting, and 1 h and 2 h in 75 g oral glucose tolerance test) and insulin indices using linear regression adjusting for covariates. RESULTS: Higher 7-week myo-inositol, but not 28-week myo-inositol, associated with higher 1 h PG [ßadj (95% confidence intervals) 0.05 (0.01, 0.09) loge mmol/L per loge µmol/L, p = .022] and 2 h PG [0.08 (0.03, 0.12), p = .001]; equivalent to 0.39 mmol/L increase in 2 h PG for an average 7-week myo-inositol increase of 23.4 µmol/L with myo-inositol supplementation. Higher 7-week myo-inositol associated with a lower 28-week Stumvoll index (first phase), an approximation of insulin secretion [-0.08 (-0.15, -0.01), p = .020] but not with 28-week Matsuda insulin sensitivity index. However, the clinical significance of a 7-week myo-inositol-related increase in glycaemia was limited as there was no association with gestational diabetes risk, birthweight and cord C-peptide levels. In-silico modelling found higher 28-week myo-inositol was associated with lower gestational glycaemia in White, but not Asian, women after controlling for 7-week myo-inositol effects. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, our study provides the first evidence that increasing first trimester plasma myo-inositol may slightly exacerbate later pregnancy post-challenge glycaemia, indicating that the optimal timing for starting prenatal myo-inositol supplementation needs further investigation.

The effect of L-carnitine supplementation during in vitro maturation on oocyte maturation and somatic cloned embryo development.

The quality of the recipient cytoplasm was reported as a crucial factor in maintaining the vitality of SCNT embryos and SCNT efficiency for dairy cows. Compared with oocytes matured in vivo, oocytes matured in vitro showed abnormal accumulation and metabolism of cytoplasmic lipids. L-carnitine treatment was found to control fatty acid transport into the mitochondrial ß-oxidation pathway, which improved the process of lipid metabolism. The results of this study show that 0.5 mg/ml L-carnitine significantly reduced the cytoplasmic lipid content relative to control. No significant difference was observed in the rate of oocyte nuclear maturation, but the in vitro developmental competence of SCNT embryos was improved in terms of increased blastocyst production and lower apoptotic index in the L-carnitine treatment group. In addition, the pregnancy rate with SCNT embryos in the treatment group was significantly higher than in the control group. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that adding L-carnitine to the maturation culture medium could improve the developmental competence of SCNT embryos both in vitro and in vivo by reducing the lipid content of the recipient cytoplasm.

A case-control retrospective study for the effect of Shoutai Wan on IVF-ET pregnancy outcome.

It has a long history of preventing and treating disease using traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). In recent years, it has been widely used in adjuvant therapies of in vitro fertilization - embryo transfer (IVF-ET) in China. To observe the effect and safety of Shoutai Wan on pregnancy outcomes after IVF-ET. A total of 352 patients who underwent IVF-ET from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021. The participants who only received routine luteal support during clinical pregnancy of FET were defined as the control group, and others who received TCM decoction Shoutai Wan for prevention of miscarriage and routine luteal support were defined as the Chinese medicine protection Shoutai Wan group (St group). This project has been approved by the Ethics Committee of Run Run Shaw Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang University School of Medicine (Approval NO: 2023-0305). The results of this retrospective cohort study revealed that Shoutaiwan combined with luteal support treatment can significantly decreased the miscarriage rate in pregnancy undergoing IVF-FET compared to the group accepted only luteal support treatment (P = .001). Meanwhile, St during pregnancy did not affect fetal birth weight (P = .354), and there was no adverse event in the St group reported, which confirmed the safety of TCM for fetus protection during pregnancy. This study not only provides evidences for the clinical administration of Shoutai Wan in IVF-ET, but also provides a novel direction for basic research into the subsequent innovative application of TCM.

Melatonin in cancer biology: pathways, derivatives, and the promise of targeted delivery.

Melatonin, historically recognized for its primary role in regulating circadian rhythms, has expanded its influence particularly due to its wide range of biological activities. It has firmly established itself in cancer research. To highlight its versatility, we delved into how melatonin interacts with key signaling pathways, such as the Wnt/ß-Catenin, PI3K, and NF-κB pathways, which play foundational roles in tumor development and progression. Notably, melatonin can intricately modulate these pathways, potentially affecting various cellular functions such as apoptosis, metastasis, and immunity. Additionally, a comprehensive review of current clinical studies provides a dual perspective. These studies confirm melatonin's potential in cancer management but also underscore its inherent limitations, particularly its limited bioavailability, which often relegates it to a supplementary role in treatments. Despite this limitation, there is an ongoing quest for innovative solutions and current advancements include the development of melatonin derivatives and cutting-edge delivery systems. By synthesizing the past, present, and future, this review provides a detailed overview of melatonin's evolving role in oncology, positioning it as a potential cornerstone in future cancer therapeutics.

Oroxylin A ameliorates ultraviolet radiation-induced premature skin aging by regulating oxidative stress via the Sirt1 pathway.

Skin is susceptible to premature aging in response to ultraviolet (UV) radiation-induced oxidative stress, which can ultimately result in aberrant aging or age-related disorders. Accordingly, strategies that can be adopted to mitigate oxidative stress may contribute to protecting skin from induced aging-related damage, thereby offering promising approaches for the treatment of skin diseases and disorders. In this regard, oroxylin A (OA), a natural flavonoid isolated from certain plants used in traditional Chinese medicine, is considered to have notable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties, and is often used to treat certain inflammatory diseases. To date, however, there has been comparatively little research on the effects of OA with respect skin aging. In this study, we utilized UV radiation-induced mouse and cellular models of aging to assess the efficacy of OA in protecting against skin aging. Subsequently, to elucidate the potential mechanisms underlying the protective effect of OA on skin aging, we performed molecular docking analysis to investigate the involvement of the anti-aging gene Sirt1, which was further confirmed on the basis of Sirt1 gene silencing. We accordingly demonstrated that by promoting an increase in the expression of Sirt1, OA can contribute to suppressing UV-induced skin photo-aging in cells/mice by reducing oxidative stress. Furthermore, we established that by activating Sirt1, OA can also promote the dissociation of Nrf2 from Keap1 and its subsequent nuclear translocation. Collectively, our findings in this study reveal OA to be an effective natural compound that can be administered to delay the aging of skin triggered by UV, both in vivo and in vitro, by binding to Sirt1 to promote the deacetylation and nuclear translocation of Nrf2, thereby contributing to a reduction in oxidative stress. These findings may this provide a therapeutic target for the prevention of skin aging or aging-induced skin diseases.

Huangqi Baihe Granules alleviate hypobaric hypoxia-induced acute lung injury in rats by suppressing oxidative stress and the TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammatory pathway.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Huangqi Baihe Granules (HQBHG) are a modified formulation based on the traditional recipe "Huangqi Baihe porridge" and the Dunhuang medical prescription "Cistanche Cistanche Soup." The Herbal medicine moistens the lungs and tones the kidneys in addition to replenishing Qi and feeding Yin, making it an ideal choice for enhancing adaptability to high-altitude hypoxic environments. AIM OF THE STUDY: The purpose of this study was to examine a potential molecular mechanism for the treatment and prevention of hypoxic acute lung injury (ALI) in rats using Huangqi Baihe Granules. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The HCP-III laboratory animal low-pressure simulation chamber was utilized to simulate high-altitude environmental exposure and establish an ALI model in rats. The severity of lung damage was evaluated using a battery of tests that included spirometry, a wet/dry lung ratio, H&E staining, and transmission electron microscopy. Using immunofluorescence, the amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in lung tissue was determined. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels in lung tissue were determined using this kit. Serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), and antiinflammatory cytokines like interleukin-10 (IL-10) were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Gene expression changes in lung tissue were identified using transcriptomics, and the relative expression of proteins and mRNA involved in the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB p65)/Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) pathway were determined using western blotting and quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS: HQBHG was shown to enhance lung function considerably, decrease the wet/dry ratio of the lungs, attenuate lung tissue damage, suppress ROS and MDA formation, and increase SOD activity and GSH expression. The research also demonstrated that HQBHG inhibited the activation of the TLR4/NF-κB p65/NLPR3 signaling pathway in lung tissue, reducing the release of downstream pro-inflammatory cytokines. CONCLUSIONS: HQBHG exhibits potential therapeutic effects against ALI induced by altitude hypoxia through suppressing oxidative stress and inflammatory response. This suggests it may be a novel drug for treating and preventing ALI.

Plant-derived monoterpene S-linalool and ß-ocimene generated by CsLIS and CsOCS-SCZ are key chemical cues for attracting parasitoid wasps for suppressing Ectropis obliqua infestation in Camellia sinensis L.

Insect-induced plant volatile organic compounds (VOCs) may function as either direct defence molecules to deter insects or indirect defence signals to attract the natural enemies of the invading insects. Tea (Camellia sinensis L.), an important leaf-based beverage crop, is mainly infested by Ectropis obliqua which causes the most serious damage. Here, we report a mechanistic investigation of tea plant-derived VOCs in an indirect defence mechanism against E. obliqua. Parasitoid wasp Parapanteles hyposidrae, a natural enemy of E. obliqua, showed strong electrophysiological response and selection behaviour towards S-linalool and ß-ocimene, two monoterpenes with elevated emission from E. obliqua-damaged tea plants. Larvae frass of E. obliqua, which also released S-linalool and ß-ocimene, was found to attract both mated female or male Pa. hyposidrae according to gas chromatography-electroantennogram detection and Y-tube olfactometer assays. In a field setting, both S-linalool and ß-ocimene were effective in recruiting both female and male Pa. hyposidrae wasps. To understand the molecular mechanism of monoterpenes-mediated indirect defence in tea plants, two novel monoterpene synthase genes, CsLIS and CsOCS-SCZ, involved in the biosynthesis of S-linalool or ß-ocimene, respectively, were identified and biochemically characterised. When the expression of these two genes in tea plants was inhibited by antisense oligodeoxynucleotide, both volatile emission and attraction of wasps were reduced. Furthermore, gene expression analysis suggested that the expression of CsLIS and CsOCS-SCZ is regulated by the jasmonic acid signalling pathway in the tea plant.

Analysis of Pediatric Surgical Disease Spectrum in a Tertiary Hospital.

Objective: To analyze the main disease composition of children hospitalized in pediatric surgery, explore the correlation between disease types and gender, and provide a reference for hospital management and pediatric disease prevention. Methods: Using ICD-10 codes as the classification standard for disease diagnosis, a statistical analysis was conducted on the disease composition of children hospitalized in the Pediatric Surgery Department of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2015, followed by the establishment of a clinical database. A total of 1647 male patients and 817 female patients were enrolled in the study, resulting in a male-to-female ratio of 2:1. The age range of the patients spanned from 0 to 18 years, with a marked imbalance in patient distribution among the various age groups. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 18.0 software. A chi-square test was performed to analyze the differences in the composition of disease systems and the composition of major diseases in terms of sex and age. Results: Pediatric patients were admitted with complex and diverse diseases in 2015, involving 15 systems of the human body and 400 diseases. Digestive system diseases, tumors, congenital malformations, and genitourinary system diseases were the top four diseases accounting for 83.5% of all pediatric cases. 561 patients were aged 0 years, accounting for 22.3% of all cases, while 1,801 patients fell within the 0-5 years age group, constituting 73.1% of the total. The differences in disease system composition among different sex and age groups of pediatric surgical inpatients were statistically significant (P = .001). There are statistically significant differences in the length of hospital stay and hospitalization costs among pediatric surgical inpatients in different age groups (P = .001). Conclusion: To strengthen the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric surgical diseases, we should strengthen the construction of key departments, optimize the consultation process according to the characteristics of children's disease spectrum, and improve the level of diagnosis and treatment of pediatric surgical diseases.

[Therapeutic effect and mechanism of non-polysaccharide fraction of Bletillae Rhizoma in treatment of gastric ulcer based on network pharmacology and animal experiment].

The present study aimed to explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of non-polysaccharide fraction of Bletillae Rhizoma in the treatment of gastric ulcer by network pharmacology and animal experiments. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS was employed to chara-cterize the chemical components of non-polysaccharide fraction of Bletillae Rhizoma, and the common targets of Bletillae Rhizoma and gastric ulcer were screened out by network pharmacology. The "drug-component-target-disease" network was constructed. Protein-protein interaction(PPI) network was established by STRING. Gene Ontology(GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed based on Matescape database to predict the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Bletillae Rhizoma. Finally, the gastric ulcer model was induced in mice by alcohol to verify the therapeutic effect and mechanism of non-polysaccharide fraction of Bletillae Rhizoma on gastric ulcer. Forty-seven chemical components were identified from non-polysaccharide fraction of Bletillae Rhizoma, among which gymnoside Ⅰ, gymnoside Ⅱ, militarine, bletilloside A, and shancigusin I might be the main active components of non-polysaccharide fraction of Bletillae Rhizoma against gastric ulcer. PPI network analysis revealed core targets such as albumin(ALB), serine/threonine kinase 1(AKT1), tumor necrosis factor(TNF), and epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR). The KEGG enrichment analysis showed that non-polysaccharide fraction of Bletillae Rhizoma mainly exerted the therapeutic effect by regulating the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(AKT) signaling pathway, mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) signaling pathway, and Ras signaling pathway. The results of animal experiments showed that non-polysaccharide fraction of Bletillae Rhizoma could significantly improve alcohol-induced ulceration in mice to increase ulcer inhibition rate, decrease the levels of TNF-α, interleukin(IL)-1ß, IL-6, vasoactive intestinal peptide(VIP), and thromboxane B2(TXB2), elevated the le-vels of IL-10, prostaglandin E2(PGE2), epidermal growth factor(EGF), and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF), down-re-gulate the protein levels of PI3K and AKT, and up-regulate the protein levels of p-PI3K and p-AKT. This study indicates that Bletillae Rhizoma may play a role in the treatment of gastric ulcer through multiple components, targets, and pathways and verifies partial prediction results of network pharmacology. The findings of this study provide a scientific and experimental basis for clinical application.

Effects and mechanisms of Tai Chi on mild cognitive impairment and early-stage dementia: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Dementia is associated with cognitive and functional decline that significantly impacts quality of life. There is currently no cure for dementia, thus, it is important to manage dementia in the early stages and delay deterioration. Previous studies have documented a range of health benefits of Tai Chi in people with early-stage dementia, however, none have systematically integrated these effects with their underlying mechanisms. The aims of this study were to (1) identify the neurocognitive, psychological, and physical health benefits of Tai Chi oi people with early-stage dementia, and (2) explore the underlying mechanisms of these effects. METHODS: We searched systematic reviews (SRs) and randomised control trials (RCTs) on Tai Chi for adults aged 50 years and older with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or early-stage dementia in MEDLINE, PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and major Chinese databases. No language or publication restrictions were applied. Risk of bias was assessed. RESULTS: Eight SRs with meta-analyses and 6 additional published RCTs revealed inconsistent findings of Tai Chi on improving global cognitive function, attention and executive function, memory and language, and perceptual-motor function. There was no significant between-group difference in depressive symptoms. The results from the RCTs showed that Tai Chi can reduce arthritis pain and slow the progress of dementia. No studies on MCI or early-stage dementia investigating the underlying mechanisms of Tai Chi were identified. Instead, nine mechanistic studies on healthy adults were included. These suggested that Tai Chi may improve memory and cognition via increased regional brain activity, large-scale network functional connectivity, and regional grey matter volume. CONCLUSION: The effects of Tai Chi on neurocognitive outcomes in people with MCI and early-stage dementia are still inconclusive. Further high-quality clinical trials and mechanistic studies are needed to understand if and how Tai Chi may be applied as a successful intervention to delay deterioration and improve the quality of life in people with an increased risk of cognitive decline.

Causal Paradigm Between Common Comorbidities of Cardiovascular and Metabolism-Related Diseases in Elderly: Evidence from Cross-Sectional and Mendelian Randomization Studies.

Background: Comorbidity is a common problem among elderly people, significantly damaging individuals' health and healthcare systems. However, observational studies may be susceptible to residual confounding factors and bias. The present study aimed to assess the causal effect of common chronic disease comorbidity using the Mendelian randomization (MR) approach. Methods: Data for the present study were obtained from a community survey conducted between 2018 and 2020 in four counties in Ganzhou City, southern China. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a multi-stage stratified random sampling method. A total of 1756 valid questionnaires were collected to analyze common chronic disease comorbidities. Genetic variants associated with hypertension, diabetes, stroke, and hyperlipidemia-related factors were selected as instrumental variables for univariate and multivariate MR analyses. Results: The self-reported prevalence of chronic disease in the older adult population in Southern China was 68.1%, with hypertension (46.1%), diabetes (10.5%), and hyperlipidemia (8.5%) being the three most common conditions. The prevalence of chronic disease comorbidity was 20.7% among the 12 chronic diseases studied. Hypertension was identified as a predictor of diabetes (OR [95% CI]: 1.114 [1.049, 1.184], p < 0.001), and diabetes mellitus was equally identified as a risk factor for hypertension (OR [95% CI]: 1.118 [1.069, 1.187], p < 0.001). Furthermore, high triglyceride levels were identified as a risk factor for hypertension (OR [95% CI]: 1.262 [1.129, 1.411], p < 0.001). In contrast to intracranial hemorrhages, hypertension had a significant impact on ischemic stroke (OR [95% CI]: 1.299 [1.161, 1.454], p < 0.001). Conclusion: The causal association between multiple cardiovascular and metabolism-related diseases is mediated by hypertension, with a bidirectional cause-and-effect relationship between hypertension and diabetes. Hypertension is a risk factor for ischemic stroke, and the hyperlipidemia-related factor triglycerides (TG) influence hypertension. Therefore, prioritizing hypertension prevention and control in the elderly is critical for effective chronic disease management.

Phenylethanoid glycosides derived from Cistanche deserticola promote neurological functions and the proliferation of neural stem cells for improving ischemic stroke.

Phenylethanoid glycosides derived from Cistanche deserticola (PhGs) are plant-derived natural medicinal compounds that occur in many medicinal plants. This study aims to investigate whether PhGs treatment improves the stroke and its potential mechanisms. Adult male C57BL/6 J mice were administrated PhGs once daily for 7 days after MCAO surgery. The neurological score, and catwalk were evaluated on Day 1, 3 and 7 after ischemic stroke. Furthermore, triphenyl-2,3,5-tetrazoliumchloride (TTC) and hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining were used for evaluating the infarct volume and neuronal restoration. The effects of PhGs on NSCs proliferation were investigated in vitro and in vivo. Western blot was used to detect the proteins of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway. This study found that PhGs effectively improved the neurological functions in ischemic stroke mice. TTC and H&E staining demonstrated that PhGs not only reduced infarct volume, but also improved neuronal restoration. The immunohistochemistry and 5-Ethynyl-2-deoxyuridine (EdU) incorporation assays revealed that PhGs promoted the proliferation of neural stem cells (NSCs) in subventricular zone (SVZ). In addition, transcriptome analysis of NSCs showed that the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway was involved in the PhGs induced NSCs proliferation. Importantly, the related proteins in the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway were changed after PhGs treatment, including ß-catenin, Wnt3a, GSK-3ß, c-Myc. PhGs treatment improved the stroke through enhancing endogenous NSCs proliferation via activating Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway. Due to its effect on the proliferation of NSCs, PhGs are a potential adjuvant therapeutic drug for post-stroke treatment.