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This study aims to integrate a convolutional neural network (CNN) and the Random Forest Model into a rehabilitation assessment device to provide a comprehensive gait analysis in the evaluation of movement disorders to help physicians evaluate rehabilitation progress by distinguishing gait characteristics under different walking modes. Equipped with accelerometers and six-axis force sensors, the device monitors body symmetry and upper limb strength during rehabilitation. Data were collected from normal and abnormal walking groups. A knee joint limiter was applied to subjects to simulate different levels of movement disorders. Features were extracted from the collected data and analyzed using a CNN. The overall performance was scored with Random Forest Model weights. Significant differences in average acceleration values between the moderately abnormal (MA) and severely abnormal (SA) groups (without vehicle assistance) were observed (p < 0.05), whereas no significant differences were found between the MA with vehicle assistance (MA-V) and SA with vehicle assistance (SA-V) groups (p > 0.05). Force sensor data showed good concentration in the normal walking group and more scatter in the SA-V group. The CNN and Random Forest Model accurately recognized gait conditions, achieving average accuracies of 88.4% and 92.3%, respectively, proving that the method mentioned above provides more accurate gait evaluations for patients with movement disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A pre-pump micro-pressure filter is a new type of micro-irrigation filter, but there are few studies on the hydraulic performance of this type of filter. Indoor physical model tests considering the factors of the inlet flow, sand content, water separator type, and filter area were conducted. Dimensional analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were used to process the test results. The research results are summarized as follows. First, the influences of each factor on the head loss were ranked in the order of inlet flow > sand content > filter area. Second, a prediction model for the head loss of the filter was established, and the coefficient of determination, R2, was 0.94. The model was verified, and the relative error between the predicted and measured values was less than 10%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to systematically analyze the risk factors for RBD. A systematic review and meta-analysis of case-control studies, cohort studies, and cross-sectional studies derived from the articles published in eight electronic databases before December 1, 2021. The primary outcome was the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI), and heterogeneity was quantified using I2. Subgroup analyses and meta-regression were used to explore sources of heterogeneity. Egger's test and sensitivity analysis were performed. The PROSPERO ID number of the present study is CRD42021293942. We identified 26 studies (44,230 subjects) among 2022 citations, and 13 factors were considered. Male sex (OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.13–1.64), smoking (OR = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.26–1.50), depression (OR = 2.06, 95% CI = 1.66–2.56), antidepressant use (OR = 2.36, 95% CI = 1.98–2.82), duration of neuropsychiatric disorders(OR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.13–1.73), levodopa equivalent daily dose (LEDD, OR = 60.15, 95% CI = 23.95–96.35) and observable motor dysfunction (OR = 2.43, 95% CI = 0.65–4.22) were associated with a higher risk of RBD. Tertiary education and above (OR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.35–0.96) was associated with a lower RBD risk. Men (OR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.10–1.78, I2 = 0%, P = 0.005) and older individual (OR = 2.73, 95% CI: 1.03–4.43, I2 = 60%, P = 0.002) were more likely to have iRBD. Six modifiable risk factors and one protective factor were associated with RBD. Further research is required to understand the mechanisms and to develop preventative strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The filter before a pump is a key piece of equipment of a micro-irrigation system, which can ensure safe and stable operation. This paper examines a pre-pump micro-pressure filter, using the trapped sediment mass and total filtration efficiency as the assessment indicators. Orthogonal experiments of the physical model of the inlet flow, sediment content, water separator type, and filter area were conducted. The experimental results were processed by analysis of variance, dimensional analysis, and multiple regression analysis. The influences of the factors affecting the trapped sediment mass in descending order were the sediment content, filter area, water separator type, and inlet flow. The influences of the factors affecting the total filtration efficiency in descending order were the filter area, sediment content, water separator type, and inlet flow. While the water separator type significantly affected the trapped sediment mass and total filtration efficiency, the difference between the different treatments was insignificant. The prediction model for the trapped sediment mass (total filtration efficiency) was established with an R2 of 0.998 (0.889). Since the relative errors between the predicted and measured values were less than 6%, these models could produce accurate predictions. These results provide technical support for the structural optimization and filtration mechanism of the filter and advance the theory of micro-pressure filtration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schisandrol B, a lignan isolated from dried Schisandra chinensis fruits, has been shown to exhibit hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, renoprotective, and memory-enhancing properties. This study sought to design a sensitive and efficient HPLC-MS/MS approach to measuring Schisandrol B levels in rat plasma and tissues in order to assess the pharmacokinetics, oral bioavailability, and tissue distributions of this compound in vivo. For this analysis, bifendate was chosen as an internal standard (IS). A liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) approach was employed for the preparation of samples that were subsequently separated with an Agilent ZORBAX Eclipse XDB-C18 (4.6 × 150 mm, 5 μm) column with an isocratic mobile phase consisting of methanol and water containing 5 mM ammonium acetate and 0.1% formic acid (90 : 10, v/v). A linear calibration curve was obtained over the 5–2000 ng/mL and 1–1000 ng/mL ranges for plasma samples and tissue homogenates, respectively. This established method was then successfully applied to investigate the pharmacokinetics, oral bioavailability, and tissue distributions of Schisandrol B in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats that were intravenously administered 2 mg/kg of Schisandrol B monomer, intragastrically administered Schisandrol B monomer (10 mg/kg), or intragastrically administered 6 mL/kg SCE (equivalent to 15 mg/kg Schisandrol B monomer). The oral absolute bioavailability of Schisandrol B following intragastric Schisandrol B monomer and SCE administration was approximately 18.73% and 68.12%, respectively. Tissue distribution studies revealed that Schisandrol B was distributed throughout several tested tissues, with particular accumulation in the liver and kidneys. Our data represent a valuable foundation for future studies of the pharmacologic and biological characteristics of Schisandrol B. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background This study aimed to describe the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) from Wuhan to rural villages in the Hubei Province. Methods The analysis revealed the following: (1) COVID-19 spread from Wuhan to other cities and rural areas in Hubei, but the disease did not become widespread in rural villages because of strict prevention measures and urbanization; (2) according to the fluctuation in the number of confirmed cases reported in Hubei after January 23, 2020, we inferred that the infected patients on the same day will become ill during the next 20 days; (3) the advanced traffic system facilitates the direct spread of COVID-19 from Wuhan to counties, towns, and villages in the Hubei Province. Results There is a low possibility of COVID-19 spread from prefecture-level cities to rural areas. Conclusions The findings imply that the government should limit the travelers from the cities to the rural areas, pay more attention to the prevention and control of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in cities, and appropriately prolong the isolated observation period of travelers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the hydraulic effects and performance of the micro-pressure filtration and cleaning tank under conditions with sandy and brackish water, physical model tests were conducted with five groups of flow rates (6–14 m³ h−1), four groups of sediment contents (0.5–2.0 g l−1), five groups of mineralisation degrees (0–5.0 g l−1), and three groups of screen apertures (0.125, 0.150, and 0.180 mm). Dimensional analysis, multiple linear regression analysis, and the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II) were used to analyse the test results. The results showed that the optimal operating conditions of the micro-pressure filtration and cleaning tank under the scope of this test were a screen aperture of 0.175 mm, a flow rate of 13 m3 h−1, a sediment content of 1.8 g l−1, and a mineralisation degree of 4.7 g l−1. The micro-pressure filtration and cleaning tank was intermittently discharged and rinsed, the discharge time was 30–40 s, and the flow rate of discharge and rinsing was 5.54 m3 h−1. Prediction models of the head loss and the filtration efficiency of the filter were established. The coefficients of determination (R2) were greater than 0.9, the average relative errors of the predicted and measured values were 2.98% and 2.17%, respectively, and the corresponding root mean square errors were 0.0549 m and 0.642. The research results can be used as a reference for in-depth investigations on the performance of the micro-pressure filtration equipment in front of pumps. • Head loss and filtration efficiency models of pre-pump filters were established. • Optimal working condition of the filter was obtained using NSGA-II. • Optimal discharge time and discharge flow rate were determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the application of a natural plant polyphenol, gallic acid (GA) to form complex with iron to promote the redox cycle of Fe(III)/Fe(II) under neutral initial pH conditions in the electrochemical (EC) system for activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) to efficiently degrade carbamazepine (CBZ). Results demonstrated that the synergistic effects of GA and EC significantly improved the removal efficiency, and the EC/GA/Fe(III)/PMS system effectively removed 100% of CBZ within a wide initial pH range of 3.0–7.0. The optimum stoichiometric ratio of GA to Fe(III) was found as 2:1. Investigations including quenching experiment, chemical probe analysis, and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analysis were conducted to identify the primary reaction radicals as •OH, SO 4 •−, along with the 1O 2 and Fe(IV). In the EC/GA/Fe(III)/PMS system, the synergistic effect of GA and electrochemistry led to a remarkable enhancement in the generation of •OH. Furthermore, the complexation reduction mechanism of GA and Fe(III) was proposed based on experimental and instrumental analyses, which demonstrated that the semi-quinone products of GA were the main substances promoting the Fe(III)/Fe(II) cycle. Mass spectrometry results showed that CBZ generated 27 byproducts during degradation, with formic acid as the main product of GA. The degradation efficiency of the EC/GA/Fe(III)/PMS system remained stable and excellent, exhibiting remarkable performance in the presence of various inorganic anions, including Cl− and NO 3 −, as well as naturally occurring organic compounds such as fulvic acid (FA). Overall results indicated that the EC/GA/Fe(III)/PMS system can be applied to effectively treat practical wastewater treatment without requirement of pH adjustment. [Display omitted] • The EC/GA/Fe(III)/PMS system could efficiently remove CBZ at neutral pH condition. • Electro-synergistic GA significantly enhance the cycling of Fe(III)/Fe(III). • Electro-synergistic GA promoted the formation of •OH. • Chelation-reduction between GA and Fe(III) was examined under electric field. • The degradation pathways and byproducts of CBZ and GA were analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although K0.5Na0.5NbO3 (KNN) possesses large maximum polarization and relatively high breakdown strength, the large remnant polarization constrains their practical applications as energy storage materials. In this work, through multi-element doping, (K0.5−0.5xNa0.5−0.5xBix)(Nb1−xSn0.2xZn0.6xTa0.2x)O3 relaxor ferroelectrics were prepared. As the superparaelectric states (SPE) were adjusted to room temperature, orthorhombic, tetragonal, and cubic phases coexisted, accompanied by the highly dynamic polar nanoregions (PNRs). In particular, a high recoverable energy storage density of 4.5 J/cm3 and an energy storage efficiency of 83% were achieved for the x = 0.125 ceramic, with the variations less than 11% and 4%, respectively, in the wide temperature range of 20–180 °C. These results demonstrate that the multiphase PNRs in the SPE state is an effective strategy for improving the energy storage performance of KNN-based ceramics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Resilience is the individual’s ability to bounce back from trauma. It has been studied for some time in the U.S., but few studies in China have addressed this important construct. In mainland China, relatively little is known about the resilience of patients in clinical settings, especially among patients with breast cancer. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the level of resilience and identify predictors of resilience among mainland Chinese women newly diagnosed with breast cancer. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with 213 mainland Chinese women newly diagnosed with breast cancer between November 2014 and June 2015. Participants were assessed with the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire (MCMQ, including 3 subscales: confrontation, avoidance, and acceptance-resignation), Herth Hope Index (HHI), and demographic and disease-related information. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses and multiple stepwise regression were conducted to explore predictors for resilience. Results: The average score for CD-RISC was 60.97, ranging from 37 to 69. Resilience was positively associated with educational level, family income, time span after diagnosis, social support, confrontation, avoidance, and hope. However, resilience was negatively associated with age, body mass index (BMI), and acceptance-resignation. Multiple stepwise regression analysis indicated that hope (β = 0.343, P<0.001), educational level of junior college or above (β = 0.272, P<0.001), educational level of high school (β = 0.235, P<0.001), avoidance (β = 0.220, P<0.001), confrontation (β = 0.187, P = 0.001), and age (β = -0.108, P = 0.037) significantly affected resilience and explained 50.1% of the total variance in resilience. Conclusions: Women with newly diagnosed breast cancer from mainland China demonstrated particularly low resilience level, which was predicted by hope educational level, avoidance, confrontation, and age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Filtration is a key process of a micro-irrigation system. To achieve water conservation, improve the energy efficiency, and meet the low-carbon environmental requirements, this study investigates a new type of pre-pump filtration measure—the micro-pressure filtration and cleaning tank, and the sediment removal (SR), mass of intercepted sediment (Ma), and filtration time (t) are used as evaluation indicators. A uniform orthogonal test was designed to evaluate the influences of the initial sediment concentration, flow rate, and filter area. We carried out simulations using the projection pursuit regression (PPR) method based on physical measurement data, and then NSGA-II (fast elitist non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm) algorithm was used to find the optimal parameter values. The results showed that the order of the factors influencing the SR and Ma of the micro-pressure filtration and cleaning tank was the filter area > initial sediment concentration > flow rate. The order of the factors influencing the filtration time was flow rate > initial sediment concentration > filter area. A PPR prediction model was built based on the filter area, initial sediment concentration, flow rate, and assessment indicators, and the optimal operating conditions were determined (initial sediment concentration: 0.36 kg/m3, flow rate: 7 m3/h, and filter area: 2000 cm2). The research results demonstrated the filtration performance of the micro-pressure filtration and cleaning tank and provide a theoretical basis for the popularization and application of such tanks as well as a reference for sustainable new irrigation technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, an Au@Pt nanozyme-mediated magnetic relaxation switching (MRS) DNA biosensor has been developed for the rapid detection of Listeria monocytogenes. Au@Pt nanoparticle was with enhanced stability and high peroxidase activity for decomposing the hydrogen peroxide. After DNA hybridization and magnetic separation, the conjugates of MNP 180 -probe 1 - L. monocytogenes DNA-probe 2 -Au@Pt could adjust the hydrogen peroxide-mediated Mn(VII)/Mn(II) conversion, and thus leading to the change of the transverse relaxation time. The amount of Au@Pt was directly proportional to the concentration of L. monocytogenes. The Au@Pt nanozyme and the hydrogen peroxide-mediated Mn(VII)/Mn(II) signal conversion system contributed to the sensitivity and stability of this sensor. This sensor enabled the detection of L. monocytogenes with a LOD of 30 CFU/mL, which was 33-folds enhancement compared with that of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, providing a promising platform to trace the foodborne pathogen in the complex food matrix. • An Au@Pt mediated MRS DNA sensor for the rapid detection of L. monocytogenes. • This sensor integrates Au@Pt nanozyme with H 2 O 2 -mediated signal readout. • Au@Pt nanozyme was synthesized to replace horseradish peroxidase. • H 2 O 2 -mediated Mn(VII)/Mn(II) signal readout is highly stable and sensitive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Construct an ecological risk assessment framework based on heavy metal indicators in the soil around the pond. • The ecological risks of the ponds in 17 county-level cities in the study area were evaluated. • Targeted ecological risk assessment and difference analysis of ponds with different ecological functions. As a critical ecosystem type, wetlands have received extensive attention from scholars worldwide. Previous studies have mostly taken the entire wetland as the research object, and there is a lack of differentiated research on wetland subsystems. Ponds are a vital component of wetland ecosystems, and they are widely distributed, provide high ecological service value, and are related to many ecosystem functions; however, they have not attracted sufficient scholarly attention. This study divided ponds into three categories according to differences in geographic location, surrounding land-use types, and ecological service functions: ponds surrounding farmland, ponds around lakes, and ponds near towns. Taking county-level cities in the Jianghuai Ecological Economic Zone as the research area, a comprehensive evaluation system was established based on the external dangers and internal vulnerabilities of pit ponds. This evaluation method was based on the current wetland evaluation system, which considers actual pond characteristics, introduces indicators that characterize pond pollution, and conducts ecological risk assessments of ponds with different ecological service functions. The results demonstrate that (1) the ecological risks of pond wetlands in the northern part of the study area are higher than those in the south; (2) the ecological risks of cultivated land and pond wetlands around towns are less than those around lakes; (3) The primary risk sources of ponds with different ecological service functions vary. The small number of ponds surrounding farmland and ponds near towns, and their unstable structure and internal fragility are the main factors affecting their ecological risk assessments. Ponds around lakes are predominately affected by natural man-made external risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of the present work was to cross-culturally adapt the Postpartum Depression Literacy Scale (PoDLiS) and use a descriptive cross-sectional design to evaluate its psychometric properties in Chinese perinatal women.Methods: Brislin's translation theory was applied to translate the PoDLiS, with subsequent cultural adaptation. The reliability and validity of the PoDLiS were determined using a questionnaire in 635 Chinese perinatal women.Results: Good internal consistency was found (omega coefficient, 0.894) for the Chinese version of the Postpartum Depression Literacy Scale (PoDLiS-C), with omega coefficients of the six dimensions of 0.865, 0.870, 0.838, 0.777, 0.837 and 0.794, and a test-retest reliability coefficient of 0.874. The item-level content validity index (CVI) ranged from 0.8 to 1 while the scale-level CVI was 0.968. Moreover, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) determined satisfactory construct validity of the PoDLiS-C, with the six-factor model explaining 60.76% of the total variance, demonstrating good model fit (likelihood ratio χ2/df, 1.003; goodness-of-fit index, 0.916; adjusted goodness-of-fit index, 0.901; comparative fit index, 0.999; incremental fit index, 0.999; root mean square error of approximation, 0.003; and standardized root mean square error of approximation, 0.0478).Conclusions: The PoDLiS-C has adequate psychometric properties. This tool could be used to assess the postpartum depression literacy of perinatal women in Chinese-speaking populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most malignant and poor-prognosis subtype of primary liver cancer. The scRNA-seq approach provides unique insight into tumor cell behavior at the single-cell level. Cytokine signaling in the immune system plays an important role in tumorigenesis and has both pro-tumorigenic and anti-tumorigenic functions. A biomarker of cytokine signaling in immune-related genes (CSIRG) is urgently required to assess HCC patient diagnosis and treatment. By analyzing the expression profiles of HCC single cells, TCGA, and ICGC data, we discovered that three important CSIRG (PPIA, SQSTM1, and CCL20) were linked to the overall survival of HCC patients. Cancer status and three hub CSIRG were taken into account while creating a risk nomogram. The nomogram had a high level of predictability and accuracy. Based on the CSIRG risk score, a distinct pattern of somatic tumor mutational burden (TMB) was detected between the two groups. The enrichment of the pyrimidine metabolism pathway, purine metabolism pathway, and lysosome pathway in HCC was linked to the CSIRG high-risk scores. Overall, scRNA-seq and bulk RNA-seq were used to create a strong CSIRG signature for HCC diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pressure injuries are potentially preventable but frequently occurring adverse events. Intensive care patients have major risk factors for pressure injury with a reported pressure injury prevalence of 12–33%. Multi-faceted interventions, also known as programs or care bundles, are recommended to prevent pressure injuries. This systematic review evaluated the effectiveness of pressure injury prevention programs in reducing pressure injury prevalence and incidence in the adult intensive care population. It also critically appraised the program components and strategies used to implement these programs. We searched PubMed, EMBASE (embase.com), Ovid MEDLINE, EBSCOhost CINAHL, and Cochrane Library databases separately for papers published in English and Chinese from the year of 2000 to May 2018. After removing duplicates, two authors independently screened the title and abstracts, then full-text against the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data was extracted by one author and checked by a second author. Quality appraisal was conducted by two authors by using the Quality Improvement Minimum Quality Criteria Set, and the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Content analysis was used to categorise program components. Implementation strategies were grouped into six classifications: dissemination strategies, implementation process strategies, integration strategies, capacity building strategies, sustainability strategies, and scale up strategies. Twenty-one peer reviewed papers (12 quality improvement projects, and 9 research papers from 8 studies) were included. Pressure injury prevention programs with 2–11 components were commonly implemented. Common components of the programs included: clarification of staff roles, introducing new roles, repositioning, staff and patient education, support surfaces use, pressure injury risk assessment, skin assessment, nutrition needs assessment, documentation, multidisciplinary team involvement, and mobilisation. Implementation strategies commonly used were education, audit and feedback, and standardising documentation. Five of the eight research studies and one of the quality improvement projects reported significant decrease in pressure injury prevalence, and/or increase in compliance to pressure injury prevention protocols and strategies. Two quality improvement papers reported cost savings of $1 million and £2.6 million respectively after the implementation of the programs. Much of the work on multicomponent pressure injury prevention programs has been undertaken as quality improvement projects and before and after research studies with limited rigour. However, positive outcomes and strong theoretical rationales for the components in the programs suggest that they are beneficial. This calls for future high-quality research such as randomised controlled trials to test the effectiveness of multicomponent interventions and their implementation strategies. Tweetable abstract : Some multicomponent pressure injury prevention programs were found to be effective; however, higher level of research evidence is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The analysis and comparison of gene neighborhoods is a powerful approach for exploring microbial genome structure, function, and evolution. Although numerous tools exist for genome visualization and comparison, genome exploration across large genomic databases or user-generated datasets remains a challenge. Here, we introduce AnnoView, a web server designed for interactive exploration of gene neighborhoods across the bacterial and archaeal tree of life. Our server offers users the ability to identify, compare, and visualize gene neighborhoods of interest from 30 238 bacterial genomes and 1672 archaeal genomes, through integration with the comprehensive Genome Taxonomy Database and AnnoTree databases. Identified gene neighborhoods can be visualized using pre-computed functional annotations from different sources such as KEGG, Pfam and TIGRFAM, or clustered based on similarity. Alternatively, users can upload and explore their own custom genomic datasets in GBK, GFF or CSV format, or use AnnoView as a genome browser for relatively small genomes (e.g. viruses and plasmids). Ultimately, we anticipate that AnnoView will catalyze biological discovery by enabling user-friendly search, comparison, and visualization of genomic data. AnnoView is available at http://annoview.uwaterloo.ca [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When ingested as a dietary supplement, Ganoderma lucidum spore powders (GLSP) provide various health benefits such as enhanced immunity, liver protection and anti-cancer effects. In this study, triterpenoid extraction from GLSP was achieved using an ultrasound-assisted process which was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) was also compared to the most conventional chemical extraction method. For UAE, optimum extraction conditions were found to be ethanol concentration = 95% v/v; solvent to solid ratio = 50:1 mL/g; ultrasound time = 5.4 min; ultrasound power = 564.7 w, and ultrasound probe distance = 8.2 cm. At optimal UAE conditions, no significant differences were found between experimental (0.97 ± 0.04 %) and predicted values (99%); which indicates appreciable correlation at the 97% confidence interval. The findings show the application of Box–Behnken design (BBD) to predict and optimize triterpenoid yield for UAE of triterpenoid from GLSP. Furthermore, glucose consumption was 2.68 times that of control samples when tested with insulin-resistant HepG2 cell, showing potential use in type 2 diabetes. In addition, triterpenoid extracts show good biocompatibility and inhibition of antioxidant activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, the fruit of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. (SC) is an important traditional Chinese medicine that can be used to treat diarrhea. Despite the increasing research on the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant aspects of SC, the studies on the anti-ulcerative colitis of Schisandrin (SCH), the main constituent of SC, are relatively few. Methods: The mice used in the study were randomly distributed into 6 groups: control, model, 5-ASA, and SCH (20, 40, 80 mg/kg/d). The mice in the model group were administered 3% (w/v) dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) through drinking water for 7 days, and the various parameters of disease activity index (DAI) such as body weight loss, stool consistency, and gross blood were measured. ELISA was used to detect inflammatory factors, and bioinformatics combined with transcriptome analysis was done to screen and verify relevant targets. 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing was used to analyze the composition of the gut microbiota(GM), while mass spectrometry was done to analyze the changes in the content of bile acids (BAs) in the intestine. Results: Mice treated with SCH experienced significant weight gain, effectively alleviating the severity of colitis, and decreasing the levels of inflammatory factors such as TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-18, IL-6, and other related proteins (NLRP3, Caspase-1, SGK1) in UC mice. Furthermore, the analysis of GM and BAs in mice revealed that SCH increased the relative abundance of Lactobacilli spp, reduced the relative abundance of Bacteroides, and promoted the conversion of primary BAs to secondary BAs. These effects contributed to a significant improvement in the DSS-induced GM imbalance and the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis. Conclusion: It seems that there is a close relationship between the SCH mechanism and the regulation of SGK1/NLRP3 pathway and the restoration of GM balance. Therefore, it can be concluded that SCH could be a potential drug for the treatment of UC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PbZrO3-xSrTiO3 solid solution thin films were designed and fabricated by a metal organic decomposition method, and their structural, ferroelectric, and energy storage characteristics were investigated systematically. It is found that the incorporation of SrTiO3 not only gradually transforms PbZrO3 from antiferroelectrics to relaxor ferroelectrics but also obviously increases its breakdown strength. Large ferroelectric polarization and electric-field-dependent effective permittivity are obtained in the PbZrO3-0.4SrTiO3 thin film due to the coexistence of rhombohedral (R), tetragonal (T), and orthorhombic (O) polymorphic nanodomains and polar clusters, which results in simultaneously improved recoverable energy storage density (Wrec ∼73.7 J/cm3) and efficiency (η ∼72%). Moreover, excellent temperature stability (the variations of Wrec and η are both less than 5% as temperature increases from 243 to 393 K) and distinguished fatigue endurance (the variations of Wrec and η are both less than 1% after 108 cycles) are realized in a PbZrO3-0.4SrTiO3 thin film. This study provides a feasible alternative method for designing energy storage materials based on antiferroelectrics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Complications such as cognitive impairment are common in stroke victims. The goal of this study was to see if there was a link between blood iron levels and post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) within 2 weeks after stroke. Methods: A total of 313 patients with ischemic stroke were recruited and separated into two groups: PSCI (n = 202) and non-PSCI (n = 111). The Mini-mental state examination scale was used to evaluate the cognitive status within 2 weeks after stroke (acute phase). The serum iron levels were divided into 4 layers: Q1 ≤ 11.7 μmol/L, Q2 11.8-15.1 μmol/, Q3 15.2-19.3 μmol/L, Q4 ≥ 19.4 μmol/L, respectively. The connection between serum iron and PSCI was then investigated further using binary logistic regression, which was adjusted for confounders. Results: The difference in serum iron levels between the PSCI and non-PSCI group was initially conducted by the Mann-Whitney test, and a significant difference was found (14.5 (11.0-17.8) vs. 16.9 (13.7-21.8), p <.001), with no confounders being adjusted. After adjusting for confounding factors, the binary regression analysis showed that the Q4 layer showed the lowest risk of PSCI, with the Q1 layer being the reference. (odds ratio (OR) = 0.297, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.136-0.649, p = 0.002). Conclusion: A decreased risk of early-onset PSCI was linked to high serum iron levels. Low serum iron levels were found to be a risk factor for acute cognitive impairment following stroke, which could help physicians identify and take intervention measures early to reduce the risk of cognitive impairment after stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The HALP score (hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte, and platelet) is a novel indicator that measures systemic inflammation and nutritional status. The goal of this study was to look into the relationship between the HALP score and post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) in people who had an acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Methods: A total of 592 individuals with ischemic stroke were included in the research, and the PSCI (n = 382) and non-PSCI (n = 210) groups were determined using the Mini-Mental State Examination scale 2 weeks following the stroke. HALP score was computed by the formula: hemoglobin (g/L) × albumin (g/L) × lymphocytes (/L) / platelets (/L), and was split into three layers according to the tertiles. The connection between the HALP and cognitive results was investigated by binary logistic regression. Results: The PSCI group's HALP score was much lower than the non-PSCI group's (p < 0.001). The HALP score was divided into three layers: T1 ≤ 34.0, T2 34.1–49.4, and T3 ≥ 49.5, respectively. In the binary regression analysis, taking the T3 layer as the reference, the T1 layer showed the highest risk of PSCI after adjusting for confounding factors (odds ratio (OR) = 1.965, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.237–3.122, p = 0.004), while there was no increased risk of PSCI in the T2 layer (OR = 1.538, 95%CI = 0.983–2.404, p = 0.059). Conclusion: Low HALP score at admission was found to be correlated with early-onset PSCI and may help clinicians in the early identification of high-risk patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiferroic materials have potential applications in multifunctional electronic devices, and M-type hexaferrite with conical spin order is a promising candidate. In this paper, a series of SrCo x Ti x Fe 12–2x O 19 thin films were prepared by a sol-gel method, and x-dependent structure, cation site occupancy and magnetic properties were investigated to explore the origin of conical spin order in M-type hexaferrite. It was found that the introduction of Co2+ and Ti4+ ions decreases the uniaxial magnetocrystalline anisotropy and breaks the threefold symmetry of the lattice, inducing a conical magnetic structure. Moreover, the appearance temperature of the conical spin order (T cone) increases first and then decreases with the increase of x, and the largest T cone of about 324 K is obtained in SrCo 1.8 Ti 1.8 Fe 8.4 O 19 thin film. The evolution of magnetization is closely related to the site occupancy of Co2+ and Ti4+ ions, and the net effective substitution ratio of spin-down Fe3+ is positive correlation to the T cone of SrCo x Ti x Fe 12–2x O 19 and thus considered to be responsible for the introduction of conical spin order. The results reveal the correlation between the structure, magnetic properties and cation site occupancy, pointing out an effective method to induce conical spin order in M-type hexaferrites. • The net effective substitution of Co2+-Ti4+ to spin-down Fe3+ correlates with T cone. • The selective substitution to spin-down Fe3+ induces conical spin order. • The introduction of Co2+ and Ti4+ ions can induce local non-zero DM interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To describe the status of return to work and identify predictors of return to work among Chinese postoperative patients with colorectal cancer.A cross-sectional study.Conducted in two tertiary hospitals in China.A total of 210 postoperative patients with colorectal cancer were included in the study.Two hundred and ten postoperative patients with colorectal cancer who were working at the time of their diagnosis were assessed with the Perceived Social Support Scale, the Return-To-Work Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, Cancer Fatigue Scale, and Social Impact Scale. Descriptive statistics, univariate logistic regression analysis, and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used for data analysis in SPSS 26.0.Around a third of participants (n = 74, 35.2%) returned to work after surgery. Multiple stepwise regression analysis indicated that more family income (odds ratio (OR) = 5.769, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.666–19.972), time span after surgery 5–10 months, and ≥10 months (OR = 3.546, 95% CI = 1.084–11.598; OR = 3.077, 95% CI = 1.074–8.818), with a stoma (OR = 0.221, 95% CI = 0.075–0.653), psychological distress (OR = 0.912, 95% CI = 0.843–0.987), cancer fatigue (OR = 0.924, 95% CI = 0.872–0.978), and stigma (OR = 0.928, 95% CI = 0.886–0.971) were significantly associated with return to work.A high proportion of patients with colorectal cancer did not return to work within 1 year after diagnosis. Those with shorter postoperative time, lower family income, stoma, greater psychological stress, higher level of cancer fatigue, and more stigma may have a higher risk in delayed work resumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digoxin (DIG) is a positive inotropic drug with a narrow therapeutic window that is used in the clinic for heart failure. The active efflux transporter of DIG, P-glycoprotein (P-gp), mediates DIG absorption and excretion in rats and humans. Up to date, several studies have shown that the ginger and Poria extracts in Zhenwu Tang (ZWT) affect P-gp transport activity. This study aimed to explore the effects of ZWT on the tissue distribution and pharmacokinetics of DIG in rats. The deionized water or ZWT (18.75 g/kg) was orally administered to male Sprague–Dawley rats once a day for 14 days as a pretreatment. On day 15, 1 hour after receiving deionized water or ZWT, the rats were given the solution of DIG at 0.045 mg/kg dose, and the collection of blood samples was carried out from the fundus vein or excised tissues at various time points. HPLC-MS/MS was used for the determination of the DIG concentrations in the plasma and the tissues under investigation. The pharmacokinetic interactions between DIG and ZWT after oral coadministration in rats revealed significant reductions in DIG Cmax and AUC0-∞, as well as significant increases in T1/2 and MRT0-∞. When coadministered with ZWT, the DIG concentration in four of the investigated tissues statistically decreased at different time points except for the stomach. This study found that combining DIG with ZWT reduced not only DIG plasma exposure but also DIG accumulation in tissues (heart, liver, lungs, and kidneys). The findings of our study could help to improve the drug's validity and safety in clinical applications and provide a pharmacological basis for the combined use of DIG and ZWT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A novel (1- x)BST– x KNN lead-free relaxor ceramic system was proposed. • Coexistence of multiphase PNRs contributed to the linearization of the P-E loops. • Ultrafine grains in the ceramics greatly improved the E b. • High energy storage performances were achieved in 0.7BST-0.3KNN. Electrostatic dielectric capacitors have received great attention due to their ultrafast charging-discharging speed and ultrahigh power density. However, the low energy storage density and efficiency are the main obstacles to their practical applications. In this work, solid solution relaxor ceramics with different proportions of lead-free ferroelectrics Ba 0.5 Sr 0.5 TiO 3 (BST) and K 0.5 Na 0.5 NbO 3 (KNN) were prepared. Superior energy storage performance was achieved in the 0.7BST-0.3KNN ceramics with a breakdown strength (E b) of 510 kV/cm, a recoverable energy storage density (W rec) of 4.10 J/cm3, and an energy storage efficiency (η) of 80 %, which was fairly stable over the temperature range of 30–100 °C. Since multiple cations with different valence and radius coexist on the equivalent sites (A or B sites) of the solid solutions, the chemical disorder and the corresponding lattice distortion induced the coexistence of cubic, tetragonal, and orthorhombic phases, as well as the appearance of the multiphase polar nanoregions (PNRs), making the ferroelectric hysteresis loops linear. At the same time, ultrafine grains in the ceramics greatly improved the E b. For achieving excellent energy storage performance, this work demonstrates a potential candidate of (1- x)BST- x KNN lead-free solid solution ceramics and a combined strategy of fine grains and multiphase PNRs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zhenwu Tang (ZWT) is a traditional Chinese medicine that is primarily composed of Radix Aconiti Lateralis Praeparata (FZ) and diterpenoid alkaloids are believed to be the pharmacologically active compounds of ZWT. In this study, the pharmacokinetic profiles of hypaconitine, mesaconitine, aconitine, benzoylmesaconitine, benzoylaconitine, and benzoylhypacoitine were assessed in rats following intragastric ZWT administration. Furthermore, differences in the pharmacokinetic profiles of these six alkaloids were assessed as a function of rat sex and the administration of ZWT or FZ extracts to these animals. Plasma levels of these alkaloids were quantified via HPLC-MS/MS. Significant differences in key pharmacokinetic parameters were observed when comparing rats administered FZ or ZWT. Relative to FZ extract treatment, ZWT administration was associated with Cmax and AUC0–∞ values of benzoylmesaconitine that were about 3.5 and 5.5 times higher. Considerable variations in hypaconitine pharmacokinetic parameters were also revealed between female and male rats. The Cmax and AUC0–∞ of hypaconitine were about 2.5- and 2.7-fold elevated in female rats in comparison with male rats. These results suggested that the other compounds within ZWT can enhance the absorption of benzoylmesaconitine, while hypaconitine exhibits higher bioavailability in female rats, as compared with male rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chitosan is an extremely valuable polysaccharide and usually obtained from crustacean byproduct. In this work, a new non‐animal source chitosan is obtained from fungal precursors (Ganoderma lucidum spore powders, GLSP) using ultrasound‐assisted deacetylation (USAD), and the effects of processing parameters (irradiation time, solid‐to‐liquid ratio, NaOH concentration, and irradiation power) on the DD (degree of deacetylation) of chitosan were investigated. The highest DD value was obtained at irradiation parameters of 20 min, 10% (g:ml) NaOH, 1:25 (g:ml), and 80 W. In addition, the difference in surface morphology, chemical groups, thermal stability, and crystallinity of the resulting chitosan with the treatment of various irradiation times was examined using the SEM, FTIR, TG, and XRD. The results show a new promising herbal source of edible chitosan and the potential material for biomedical applications. Practical applications: The chitosan obtained from Ganoderma lucidum spore powders (GLSP) possessed many priorities over the chitosan from shells of crustaceans, which involves a multi‐faceted procedure with several economical and consumer related aspects. In the current work, chitosan is obtained from an herbal source GLSP using ultrasound treatment and the effect of processing parameters on chitosan was investigated. The findings show the development of chitosan from an herbal source with potential in functional food applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid, sensitive, and accurate identification of pathogens is vital for preventing and controlling fish disease, reducing economic losses in aquaculture, and interrupting the spread of food-borne diseases in human populations. Herein, we proposed a hybridization chain reaction (HCR) cascaded dual-signal amplification platform for the ultrasensitive and specific detection of pathogenic microorganisms. A couple of specific primers for target bacterial 16S rRNAs were used to obtain amplified target single-stranded DNAs (AT-ssDNA). Then, AT-ssDNA initiated HCR amplification along with the opening of fluorophore (FAM) and a quencher (BHQ1) labeled hairpin reporter probe (H1), and the FAM fluorescence signal recovered. The proposed strategy could achieve a detection limit down to 0.31 CFU/mL for Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), 0.49 CFU/mL for Escherichia coli (E. coli) in buffer, and a linear range from 1 to 1 × 106 CFU/mL for S. aureus , 1 to 1 × 107 CFU/mL for E. coli. Furthermore, this platform enabled sensitive and precise detection of pathogenic microorganisms in complex samples such as fish blood and different organ tissues (large intestine, gallbladder, heart, liver, ren, gill, skin), which shows great potential in disease prevention and control in aquatic products. [Display omitted] • Cascaded dual-signal amplification solved false positives and improved sensitivity. • Detection limit down to 0.31 CFU for S. aureus , 0.49 CFU for E. coli. • Enabled precise pathogens detection in complex samples (fish blood and tissues). • A kit-free RNA extraction method that shortened experimental time and saved costs. • Shows huge potential in early diagnosis, prevention, and control of fish infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Triazole contaminants in water and soil environments can form complexes with metal ions, and therefore affect the bioavailability and toxicity of some heavy metals. In present study, significant increase of copper (Cu) uptake by earthworm ( Eisenia fetida ) was observed when combined pollution of benzotriazole (BTR) presented in soil. For instance, Cu accumulation in earthworms increased 55% approximately when BTR presented at the BTR/Cu molar ratio of 1:2.5. While the single Cu exposure (at 32 mg kg −1 in soil) resulted in increased malondialdehyde (MDA) content in earthworms from 0.319 to 0.668 nmol mg protein −1 , joint exposure to BTR at BTR/Cu molar ratio of 1:10 significantly decreased the MDA content to 0.405 nmol mg protein −1 . This indicates a potential detoxification effect of BTR to Cu induced oxidative damage in earthworms. Varied Cu subcellular distribution can be observed in earthworms of the single and combined exposure treatments. With the combined exposure of BTR, the proportion of Cu associated with granular fraction, the toxically inert fraction in earthworms, increased from 25% to 39%. This phenomenon can be used to explain the protective effects of BTR against oxidative damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Observations of pond evolution are not currently integrated with regional development patterns, thereby limiting effective agricultural design and water management. This study divided Jiangsu Province into four sub-regions based on patterns in economic development, urbanization, and industrial structure: Southern Jiangsu, Central Jiangsu, Northern Jiangsu, and Coastal Jiangsu. A comparison of pond evolution among four-regions through landscape characteristics and spatial heterogeneity analysis revealed the spatial and temporal dynamics of ponds and the driving mechanisms. The results show that: (1) Ponds in Jiangsu Province generally showed a continuous increase in area. The proportion of total area occupied by ponds continued to increase from 3.02% in 1990 to 5.56% in 2020, expanding by an area of ∼2721.81 km2 (2) There were similarities in the evolution of ponds under different development patterns. Ponds across all sub-regions showed continuous expansion, large-scale development, and boundary simplification, which could be attributed to developmental and environmental demands in combination with a series of macroscopic policies. (3) Pond evolution under different development patterns also showed some differences, mainly in four pond characteristics, namely distribution, area, landscape, and conversion. This study revealed the evolution of ponds under different human activities and development patterns, and provided valuable references for rational regional planning. • Using remote sensing to observe a kind of often-neglect water body, ponds. • Similarities in pond evolution were expansion, large scale, and regularization. • Ponds presented differences in distribution, area, landscape, and conversion. • Rapid urban expansion in highly urbanized areas has compressed the space of ponds. • The expansion of ponds in coastal areas mainly came from land reclamation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, laboratory-scale experiments were conducted to investigate the feasibility of the combined use of calcium peroxide and hydroxyapatite (CaO 2 /HAP) for simultaneous black-odor sediment remediation and heavy metal stabilization. The ecotoxicological effects of remediated sediment were also evaluated based on biological toxicity. Results showed that CaO 2 /HAP effectively eliminated the black-odor and simultaneously stabilized heavy metals in the sediment. Under the optimal dosage ratio of CaO 2 /HAP (1:2), the acid volatile sulfides decreased to approximately 20 mg/kg (dry weight, dw) and oxidation-reduction potential increased from − 165 mV to approximately − 90 mV. The leaching of heavy metals meets the strictest standards (Level I) of the "Technical Specification for Output Disposal of Contaminated Sediment Treatment Plant of River and Lake" (SZDB/Z 236-2017). The indigenous microbial community succession occurred (p < 0.01), Proteobacteria and Firmicutes accounting for 75.54% and 20.19%, respectively, were the predominant bacteria in the remediated sediment. Additionally, CaO 2 /HAP remediated sediments were safer and more environmentally friendly than raw sediments, and were not biotoxic to the benthic environment (p < 0.01). This study provides new insights into the combined use of the beneficial amendments remediating heavy metal-contaminated black-odor river sediment. [Display omitted] • CaO 2 /HAP effectively eliminated black-odor and stabilized metals in sediment. • CaO 2 and HAP synergistically affected heavy metals stabilization. • Proteobacteria and Firmicutes were the predominant bacteria after remediation. • CaO 2 /HAP remediated sediments were safe to benthic eco-environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, four groups of laboratory scale experiments were performed by adding sodium acetate (SA), phthalic acid (PA), and SA-PA to river sediment to observe the microbial response and biodegradation efficiency of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The results showed that the amount of total organic carbon consumed and the amount of sulfate reduction were both positively correlated (p < 0.01) with the biodegradation efficiency of the sum (∑) PAHs (∼40.5%). The lower the number of rings, the more PAHs were biodegraded, with an efficiency of 63.0% for ∑ (2 + 3) ring PAHs. Based on high-throughput sequencing and molecular ecological network analysis, it was found that the combined stimulation of SA and PA not only increased the relative abundance of PAHs-degrading bacterial (eg., Proteobacteria , Desulfobacterota , Campilobacterota and Firmicutes), but also had a strengthening effect on microbes in sediments. The altered microbial structure caused a variation in metabolic functions, which increased the amino acid metabolism to 12.2%, thus increasing the positive correlations among genera and improving the connectivity of the microbial network (p < 0.01). These changes may be responsible for the enhanced biodegradation of PAHs under SA-PA dosing in comparison to SA or PA dosing alone. This study revealed that the microbial community was stimulated by the combined addition of SA and PA, and indicated its role in enhancing biodegradation of PAHs in contaminated river sediments. [Display omitted] • Combined stimulation with sodium acetate/phthalic acid enhanced the biodegradation of PAHs. • Metabolic process involving carbon and sulfur favored the bioremediation of sediment. • Sodium acetate/phthalic acid played an enhanced role in microbial diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, four groups of laboratory scale experiments were performed by adding sodium acetate (SA), phthalic acid (PA), and SA-PA to river sediment to observe the microbial response and biodegradation efficiency of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The results showed that the amount of total organic carbon consumed and the amount of sulfate reduction were both positively correlated (p < 0.01) with the biodegradation efficiency of the sum (∑) PAHs (∼40.5%). The lower the number of rings, the more PAHs were biodegraded, with an efficiency of 63.0% for ∑ (2 + 3) ring PAHs. Based on high-throughput sequencing and molecular ecological network analysis, it was found that the combined stimulation of SA and PA not only increased the relative abundance of PAHs-degrading bacterial (eg., Proteobacteria , Desulfobacterota , Campilobacterota and Firmicutes), but also had a strengthening effect on microbes in sediments. The altered microbial structure caused a variation in metabolic functions, which increased the amino acid metabolism to 12.2%, thus increasing the positive correlations among genera and improving the connectivity of the microbial network (p < 0.01). These changes may be responsible for the enhanced biodegradation of PAHs under SA-PA dosing in comparison to SA or PA dosing alone. This study revealed that the microbial community was stimulated by the combined addition of SA and PA, and indicated its role in enhancing biodegradation of PAHs in contaminated river sediments. [Display omitted] • Combined stimulation with sodium acetate/phthalic acid enhanced the biodegradation of PAHs. • Metabolic process involving carbon and sulfur favored the bioremediation of sediment. • Sodium acetate/phthalic acid played an enhanced role in microbial diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in agricultural land productivity have become a crucial criterion for assessing the effectiveness of land consolidation (LC). In this study, agricultural land productivity under LC was observed and monitored in terms of two important factors: vegetation productivity and soil productivity, which were represented by net primary productivity (NPP) and soil organic matter (SOM), respectively. Based on spatial and temporal variations before and after the implementation of LC, the response of vegetation and soil productivity to LC was further discussed. The main results are as follows: (1) The effectiveness of LC could be quantitatively confirmed in terms of both vegetation and soil productivity. Compared with vegetation productivity, soil productivity had stronger and more positive response to LC. (2) The effectiveness of LC was characterized by temporal attenuation, which specifically showed that the improvement of vegetation and soil productivity followed a trajectory of "increase–stability" after the implementation of LC. (3) The effectiveness of LC was seasonal, coinciding with the farming period. In other words, the effectiveness of LC became completely prominent with the implementation of agricultural activities. This phenomenon was particularly more pronounced from the aspect of soil productivity. • NPP and SOM were used to represent vegetation and soil productivity, respectively. • The impact of land consolidation on soil was stronger than vegetation. • The effect of land consolidation was characterized by temporal attenuation. • The effect of land consolidation was accompanied by agricultural activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Puerarin belongs to the family of flavonoids extracted from Pueraria lobata (Wild.) Ohwi, which exhibits antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperglycemic, antitumor, anti-hypertensive and anti-atherosclerotic activities. In the present study, the effects of puerarin on oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-stimulated vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) were explored to understand the mechanisms underlying the anti-atherosclerotic effects of puerarin. VSMCs were treated with various concentrations of puerarin (0, 20, 40 and 80 µM) prior to stimulation with ox-LDL (50 µg/ml). VSMC viability was evaluated by performing MTT and Cell Counting Kit-8 assays. Moreover, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured by performing ELISAs. The mRNA expression levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were determined via reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. Western blotting was conducted to assess the levels of p38-MAPK and JNK phosphorylation. The results indicated that puerarin inhibited ox-LDL-induced VSMC viability. Moreover, puerarin significantly decreased the mRNA expression levels of IL-6 and TNF-α, significantly reduced the production of MDA and significantly increased SOD activity in ox-LDL-stimulated VSMCs. Puerarin also inhibited ox-LDL-induced phosphorylation of p38 and JNK in VSMCs. The results suggested that puerarin reduced ox-LDL-induced VSMC viability via inhibition of the p38 MAPK and JNK signaling pathways. The present study provided theoretical evidence that puerarin may serve as a therapeutic agent to reduce the development of atherosclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]