As people’s attention to health continues to increase, the market demand for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is growing steadily. The quality and safety of Chinese medicinal materials have attracted unprecedented social attention. In particular, the issue of exogenous harmful residue pollution in TCM has become a hot topic of concern for both regulatory authorities and society. The Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition further refines the detection methods and limit standards for exogenous harmful residues in TCM. This not only reflects China’s high-level emphasis on the quality and safety of TCM but also demonstrates the continuous progress made by China in the field of TCM safety supervision. Basis on this study, by systematically reviewing the development history of the detection standards for exogenous harmful residues in TCM and analyzing the revisions and updates of these detection standards in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition, deeply explores the key points of the changes in the monitoring standards for exogenous harmful residues in TCM in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 Edition. Moreover, it interprets the future development directions of the detection of exogenous residues in TCM, aiming to provide a reference for the formulation of TCM safety supervision policies.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the therapeutic mechanism of Sangma Zhike Formula (SMZKF) for relieving cough sensitivity and airway inflammation in rats with postinfectious cough (PIC). METHODS: Male SD rat models were established by cigarette smoke exposure with intranasal LPS instillation and capsaicin aerosol inhalation. From day 19 following the start of PIC modeling, the rats received daily treatment with saline (model group), low-, medium-, and high-dose SMZKF, and compound methoxyphenamine (ASM) via gavage for 10 consecutive days (n=8). The assessments included behavioral changes, cough sensitivity (latency and frequency), lung histopathology, inflammatory cell counts and cytokine/mediator levels in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), oxidative stress markers in the lung tissue, and expressions of proteins related with cough hypersensitivity and pyroptosis. RESULTS: The rat models of PIC exhibited reduced mental alertness, accelerated respiration, and pronounced symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, and facial scratching with significantly shortened cough latency and increased 5-min cough frequency. Histopathological analysis revealed collapsed alveolar structures, thickened alveolar septa, and extensive inflammatory cell infiltration in the bronchi and peribronchial regions, accompanied by elevated bronchial and alveolar inflammation scores of the rat models. In the BALF, inflammatory cell counts and the levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, COX-2, PGE-2, and TXA-2 were all markedly elevated, and the pulmonary oxidative stress markers (ROS and MDA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were also significantly increased. The pulmonary expressions of cough hypersensitivity-related proteins (TRPV1, SP, CGRP, and NK1R) and pyroptosis-associated markers (P-NF-κB, NLRP3, ACS, cleaved caspase-1, cleaved IL-1β, and GSDMD-N) were significantly upregulated in the model group. SMZKF interventions significantly ameliorated these pathological changes in the rat models, and high-dose SMZKF produced a similar therapeutic efficacy to that of ASM. CONCLUSIONS SMZKF alleviates cough sensitivity and airway inflammation in PIC rats possibly by inhibiting TRPV1-mediated SP/NK1R signaling and the NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD pyroptosis pathway.
Animals ; Cough/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Pyroptosis/drug effects* ; Male ; TRPV Cation Channels/metabolism* ; Rats ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Inflammation ; Signal Transduction

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Objective To apply bedside ultrasound for real-time monitoring of intracranial conditions in patients with severe traumatic brain injury experiencing acute encephalocele during large craniotomy， and to investigate the clinical value of intraoperative bedside ultrasound in the diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of acute encephalocele. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for 32 adult patients with severe traumatic brain injury， and according to whether intraoperative ultrasound was performed， they were divided into ultrasound group with 17 patients and CT group with 15 patients. The two groups were compared in terms of time of operation， accuracy， mortality rate， and postoperative Glasgow Outcome Scale （GOS） score. The chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups， and the independent samples t-test was used for comparison of continuous data between groups. Results Both ultrasound and CT could provide an accurate basis for diagnosis， with no significant difference in diagnostic accuracy； however， compared with the CT group， the ultrasound group had significantly shorter time of operation and diagnostic time. Based on GOS score and grading results at 6 months after surgery， the patients undergoing ultrasound examination had a significantly better prognosis than those undergoing CT examination. Conclusion Intraoperative ultrasound for patients with severe traumatic brain injury enables rapid and accurate identification of etiology， facilitates dynamic intracranial monitoring， and shortens the time for rescue， showing an important clinical significance in improving prognosis and reducing mortality rate. Therefore， it holds promise for clinical application.

The surveillance data of new cases of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2021, in Tengzhou City, Shandong Province, were used to analyze the incidence rate of AMI and its change trend among residents. The age and gender standardized incidence rate was calculated based on the 7th National Population Census 2020. The Cochran-Armitage trend test was used to analyze the trend of onset time and age. From 2013 to 2021, the crude and standardized incidence rate of total AMI in Tengzhou City declined from 130.07/100 000 and 161.12/100 000 to 76.15/100 000 and 72.77/100 000 ( Z=-13.785 and -20.822, both P<0.001). The crude and standardized incidence rates of males were higher than those of females. In 2016, males aged 45-54 years old and females aged 35-64 years old increased by 33.33%, 103.65%, 106.30%, and 95.75% compared to 2015, and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2=6.512, 4.965, 25.115, and 46.004, all P<0.05). The incidence rate of AMI in men aged<35 and 35-44 years old had an upward trend. From 2013 to 2021, the incidence rate of AMI decreased by 55.15% in urban areas and 36.59% in rural areas ( Z=-8.529 and -11.235, both P<0.001).

The surveillance data of new cases of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2021, in Tengzhou City, Shandong Province, were used to analyze the incidence rate of AMI and its change trend among residents. The age and gender standardized incidence rate was calculated based on the 7th National Population Census 2020. The Cochran-Armitage trend test was used to analyze the trend of onset time and age. From 2013 to 2021, the crude and standardized incidence rate of total AMI in Tengzhou City declined from 130.07/100 000 and 161.12/100 000 to 76.15/100 000 and 72.77/100 000 ( Z=-13.785 and -20.822, both P<0.001). The crude and standardized incidence rates of males were higher than those of females. In 2016, males aged 45-54 years old and females aged 35-64 years old increased by 33.33%, 103.65%, 106.30%, and 95.75% compared to 2015, and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2=6.512, 4.965, 25.115, and 46.004, all P<0.05). The incidence rate of AMI in men aged<35 and 35-44 years old had an upward trend. From 2013 to 2021, the incidence rate of AMI decreased by 55.15% in urban areas and 36.59% in rural areas ( Z=-8.529 and -11.235, both P<0.001).

Objective Bioinformatics and machine learning were used to identify associations between key genes in obesity and osteoarthritis(OA)and immune infiltrating cells.Methods Three datasets GSE55235,GSE44000 and GSE151839 were screened from the gene expression omnibus(GEO)database,and differentially expressed genes(DEGs)were obtained by R software,and their potential biological functions were explored through gene ontology(GO)and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes(KEGG)signaling pathway enrichment analysis.The minimum absolute contraction and selection operator(LASSO)regression algorithm combined with support vector machine(SVM)was used to screen characteristic genes,the diagnostic value of key genes was verified by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve,and the immune infiltration was assessed by CIBERSORT algorithm.The mRNA-miRNA regulatory network was constructed using NetworkAnalyst database to predict target miRNA and Cytoscape software,and the correlation between key genes and immune infiltration was analyzed.Results GO gene enrichment analysis obtained 99 DEGs.Cellular activation in the immune system and immune response is highly enriched.KEGG pathway analysis showed significant enrichment of interleukin(IL-17),nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB),B-cell receptor and chemokine signaling pathways.Two key diagnostic genes(MXRA5 and MYC)were identified based on machine learning.Immunoinfiltration analysis showed that MXRA5 was associated with resting and activated CD4 memory T cells,activated NK cells,resting and activated mast cells,and M0 macrophages.In addition,MYC is associated with resting and activated CD4 memory T cells,plasma cells,activated NK cells,resting and activated mast cells,M2 macrophages,and eosinophils.CD4+cells,NK cells and mast cells were significantly associated with these two pivot genes.Conclusion Two key immune-related genes were identified through bioinformatics analysis,which may provide new targets for the treatment of obesity-related OA.

Objective To study the effects of monomers in Lagotis brachystachya Maxim including quercetin,echinacoside,and apigenin on the p38MAPK/JNK,TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB,and NLRP3 signaling through establishing a rat model of chronic alcoholic liver injury combined with gouty arthritis,and to explore the mechanism of the above-mentioned monomers in the treatment of chronic alcoholic liver injury combined with gouty arthritis.Methods Eighty rats were randomly divided into normal group,model group,bifendate group(100 mg·kg-1),colchicine group(0.3 mg·kg-1),and different dose groups of quercetin(50,25 mg·kg-1),echinacoside(50,25 mg·kg-1),and apigenin(50,25 mg·kg-1).The rats were administered at a dose of 10 mL·kg-1 per day in the morning and administered with 56-degree Red Star Erguotou at a dose of 4 mL·kg-1 in the afternoon,with gradual increasement of 2 mL·kg-1 per week until a final dose of 10 mL·kg-1.The rats were continuously fed by gavage for 8 weeks.Gouty arthritis model was induced at the 53th day of alcohol-based feeding.Toe volume was measured at difference time.At the end of the 8th week,blood was collected after the last administration.Serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),alkaline phosphatase(ALP)levels,total cholesterol(TC)and triglycerides(TG)were measured.Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay(ELISA)was used to detect interleukin-1β(IL-1β)in rat serum.Western Blot was used to detect the expression of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(p38MAPK),phosphorylated p38MAPK(p-p38MAPK),c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK),phosphorylated JNK(p-JNK),Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4),myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88),nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB),phosphorylated NF-κB(p-NF-κB),and NOD-like receptor protein domain containing 3(NLRP3)in liver and synovial tissues.Results Compared with the normal group,the toe swelling degree in the model group was significantly increased at difference time(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).The levels of ALT,AST,ALP,TC,TG,and IL-1β in serum were significantly increased(P＜0.01).The protein expression levels of p-p38MAPK,p-JNK,MyD88,p-NF-κB,TLR4,and NLRP3 in liver and synovial tissues were all increased to varying degrees(P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the toe swelling degree in all treatment groups significantly decreased after 24 hours(P＜0.01).The levels of ALT and TC in the bifendate group and different dose groups of monomers decreased to varying degrees(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Except for the low dose group of echinacoside,the levels of AST and ALP in other treatment groups decreased to varying degrees(P＜0.01).Except for the high dose group of quercetin,the levels of TG in other treatment groups decreased to varying degrees(P＜0.01).The protein expression levels of p-p38MAPK,p-JNK,MyD88,p-NF-κB,TLR4,and NLRP3 in liver and synovial tissues of rats in all treatment groups were down-regulated(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Conclusion The monomers in Lagotis brachystachya Maxim show certain therapeutic effects of treating different diseases with same treatment on the rat model of chronic alcoholic liver injury combined with gouty arthritis,and their therapeutic effects may be mediated through p38MAPK/JNK,TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB,and NLRP3 signaling pathways.

Objective:To explore the role of cathepsin S(CTSS) in diabetic vascular injury-induced restenosis.Methods:(1) Dendritic cells(DCs) were stimulated with different concentrations of glucose, and CTSS was either knocked down or upregulated in dendritic cells using adenovirus transfection. The mRNA and protein expression levels of CTSS were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot, and the changes of interleukin(IL)-6 levels were assessed using RT-qPCR and ELISA in response to CTSS. (2) The extent of Th17 cell differentiation was evaluated with Flow cytometry when CTSS was downregulated or overexpressed. Levels of ROR-γt, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-22, and IL-23 were measured. (3) Streptozomycin(STZ, 60 mg/kg) was injected into the intraperitoneal cavity of rats fasted for 12 h to obtain a diabetic rat model, and the restenosis model was obtained by balloon catheter and carotid guidewire injury, and the differentiation degree of Th17 cells in different groups of rats was compared when CTSS was up-regulated and down-regulated.Results:(1) DC viability decreased when stimulated with 35 mmol/L glucose for 48 hours. Compared to the control group, glucose treatment led to a concentration-dependent increase in CTSS and IL-6 levels in DCs( P<0.05). Inhibition of CTSS reduced IL-6 protein levels, while its overexpression increased IL-6 protein levels( P<0.05). (2) Compared with the control group, CTSS inhibition in DC decreased the percentage of Th17 cells in T cells, with decreased protein levels of ROR-γt, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-22, and IL-23, and vice versa ( P<0.050). (3) After carotid artery injury, CTSS expression was increased in perivascular adipose tissue(PVAT) of rats, and levels of ROR-γt, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-22, and IL-23 in PVAT were significantly elevated. Down-regulation of CTSS eliminated the glucose-induced enhancement. Conclusion:Inhibition of CTSS in DC reduces Th17 cell differentiation and thereby suppresses restenosis following diabetic vascular injury.

Objective:To analyze the trends of coronary heart disease mortality in Tengzhou city of Shandong province from 2013 to 2021.Methods:The data of coronary heart disease (ICD-10: I20-I25) from January 2013 to December 2021 were obtained from the Chronic Disease Surveillance Information System-Coronary Heart Disease Management Module of Shandong province; the population data were provided by Tengzhou Public Security Bureau. The 95% confidence interval ( CI) of the rate was calculated using the binomial exact method. The age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) was calculated based on 2020 National Population Census. The trends of mortality rate were analyzed using the Cochran-Armitage trend test. Results:During 2013 to 2021, there were 20 667 coronary heart disease deaths in Tengzhou city, with an average of 2 296 cases per year. The male-to-female ratio was 1.09∶1, and 80.98% (16 736/20 667) of the death cases were aged 65 years or older. The crude mortality rate and ASMR of coronary heart disease were 131.84/10 5 and 168.22/10 5 in 2013, respectively. The crude mortality rate increased by 13.67% from 2013 to 2021 ( P<0.001) with an average annual increase of 1.59%; while the ASMR decreased by 18.65% from 2013 to 2021 ( P<0.05) with an average annual decease of 2.34%. The crude mortality rate of coronary heart disease in men and women showed an upward trend, with the difference in the increase for women being statistically significant ( P<0.01); while the ASMR both in men and women showed a downward trend ( P<0.001). The crude death rates from 2013 to 2021 in age groups of 65 or older for men and women decreased by 22.40% and 19.73%, respectively (both P<0.001); while the crude death rate for age groups of 44 or younger in men showed an upward trend ( P<0.05). The crude death rate among urban residents decreased by 5.22% from 2013 to 2021 with an annual decrease of 0.67% ( P>0.05); while the crude death rate among rural residents increased by 19.29% with an annual increase of 2.18% ( P<0.001). The overall crude death rate among urban residents was higher than that among rural residents (all P<0.05). Conclusions:From 2013 to 2021, the crude mortality rate of coronary heart disease in Tengzhou city of Shandong province shows an increasing trend while the age-standardized mortality rate shows a decreasing trend. The crude mortality rate of coronary heart disease in people aged 65 and above shows a decreasing trend. In addition, the change trends are different between women and men, and between urban and rural areas.